Give Koontz chance
to be successful
As a teacher at Koontz Elementary, I feel that recent comments have painted an ugly picture of what we are about as educators at Koontz. Since the doors opened, we had difficulty. However, we forged on and continued to teach and find ways to meet the needs of our students.
The redistricting initiative by the Koontz PTA had nothing to do with not wanting the students; it had everything to do with the fact that ALL students deserve an education and that education should be equal across the district. It is true that we have a large “at-risk” population. Many of us resent hearing that we do not know how to teach “this population.” I have taught “this population” for 10 years and have been successful. I feel that despite what some might think, I have been successful this year as well. I have students that have made tremendous growth. They know that I care about them and that I will do whatever it takes to help them succeed. These things will not show up on a test but prove that I am capable of reaching and teaching an at-risk population.
In my personal opinion, our staff does not have a problem with the population; we have a problem with the lack of support.
As a teacher, resident and taxpayer, I question how my taxes are being spent. I would encourage each board member to take time and visit Koontz and talk to the teachers. This is not a political or racial issue. It is an issue of where children can best be served. We can serve them at Koontz with the appropriate personnel, funding and space. We are not afraid to teach; just give us the same chance as all of the other schools to be successful!
ó Lindsey Chatham
China Grove
Dedicated worker
I want to take this opportunity to recognize a dedicated teacher that I have had the privilege to work with at Head Start. Catherine Elaine Jordan works at the Wiley Lash Center, and I want her to know I have noticed and appreciate all she does for the children and the center. Charlotte Khan is very fortunate to have Ms. Jordan as nutritionist and janitor.
Her concern and untiring commitment to work on after school hours to mop the center and vacuum carpets are worth noting.
Her regular job is working in the kitchen preparing meals for the children and teachers and cleaning the kitchen after the dishes are done.
Did I mention she cleans windows and blinds, too? I marvel at her care and concern.
I noticed one day that she was washing down the walls in the children’s bathroom, and I marveled at her concern for cleanliness for the children and the teachers. Working with children is a tremendous responsibility and challenge, to say the least, and at the end of the day I am just worn out, but she works on. I don’t even know when she goes home. God bless you, Ms. Jordan, for you are truly in the service of your fellow man and in the service of God. She is an angel among us.
ó Pat Ray
Granite Quarry
The bear’s lessons
I have to question the judgment of the Post for putting the picture of the bear on the front page of the paper and the very poor attempt at humor by Steve Huffman in regards to Boo-Boo Bear and the Berry Patch.
Is it asking too much for you to use a little common sense? I’m an adult, and I certainly didn’t want to see a dead bear on the front page of the paper or any page, for that matter, particularly after our own local police managed to get the bear out of town without harm to itself or a human.
How many children did you make cry on Saturday morning?
This poor bear was looking for a place to call home, and apparently he wasn’t that big a threat if he managed to make it from Huntersville to Thomas-ville. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission needs to rethink its policy; had they tranquilized the bear up front, he could have been relocated to the Uwharrie National Forest, which just happens to be down the road from Thomasville. Do you suppose that is where the bear was headed?
The more we tear down wildlife’s habitat, the more we’re going to see wildlife in our communities. Let’s learn a lesson from this unfortunate bear and get it right the next time.
ó Becky Herrmann
Salisbury
Too many cats
I felt I just had to respond to the June 13 article about Benny Eller and his kittens. While it is well and good that the dog is caring for the kittens, somebody sure needs to, since Mr. Eller isn’t doing a good job and seems to find it funny, which it certainly is not!
Mr. Eller needs to know that having these cats spayed and neutered so they will stop having all these kittens would be much more humane than having to worry about who’s looking after them. There are way too many animals now that need homes and can’t find them and end up at the animal shelter just to be euthanized (which in my opinion is not humane).
That he seems to think it’s funny that these kittens will grow up and have more and more (like he said ó 19 more today) and just keep the cycle going is proof that too many people like Mr. Eller don’t respect animals in the way they should. Please, not just Mr. Eller but anyone who has cats or dogs that have not been spayed or neutered, do so, or at least keep them put up to stop the vicious cycle.
ó Sybil K Rummage
Spencer
Uplifting article
Hats off to Rose Post for her delightful article featuring Benny Eller’s dog, Sonja, who possesses a heart of gold.
In today’s troubled world, it is refreshing to open the morning paper and read something so light and uplifting.
ó Virginia Krotchko
Salisbury
Good run for soccer
For those of you that might have missed it, it was a big year for youth soccer in Rowan County. The school system finally made middle-school soccer a school sport. To all the people that put countless hours into keeping this program going over the years, thank you, and to the school system as well. A lot of young people would have sat out if this program remained a “pay to play.”
Even more exciting was the safe return of the Gordon Hurley soccer complex on Majolica Road to the good people of Rowan. Under the custodianship of the Hurley YMCA, Salisbury area kids can once again enjoy this great park. Hopefully, we will see competitive soccer return to the complex in the near future. After all, this was why the fields where built. FC Carolina Alliance’s Rowan Alliance Soccer Club enjoyed a great year at the Salisbury Community Park. Under the directorship of Frank Cardelle, and supported by a great group of volunteers and sponsors, this program grows each season.
We thank Salisbury City Parks for giving us a home and making it all possible. A special thanks to the coaches and players from Catawba College. We have come a long way to rebuild youth soccer in Rowan County. And we have a long way to go.
ó Dan Guertin
Salisbury
Dad’s day, every dayFather’s Day became an official holiday in 1966. For some, it is just another day, overshadowed by Mother’s Day. This day set aside for fathers does not have to be limited to the third Sunday in June. It can be any day and every day. Father’s Day can be a time when the family lets this man know how important and needed and loved he is. This is even more needed when one of his children has died because he has lost some of those things.
Since birth, men have been taught to be the protector of their families, the fixer and the problem-solver. But I believe that at times, the father has found that there are life situations when no amount of fixing or problem-solving or protecting can help. This doesn’t mean this man is a failure; he is just human. No time is this more noticeable to a father than when he experiences the death of his child. The love for all his children remains, but the loss of one is like losing an arm. This loss will forever be with him.
Father’s Day can be a reminder of the memory of this loved child, now lost, and a strong feeling remains of his inability to stop what happened. This father may not be able to share his hurt, but he does hurt. Often, no one notices because the pain is held within. I see these things because I am a mother that stands beside a father in pain. I see the way he handles his grief with strength and dignity that I greatly admire. I also observe the unfailing love and loyal support he shares with all the family, asking nothing in return. He is a wonderful example for us. I love him deeply and wish him a very Happy Father’s Day.
ó Pam Puckett
Union Grove
Editor’s note:
Readers wishing to voice comments about “Army Wives,” a new television series criticized in a recent letter, can address them to:
Lifetime Network
309 W. 49th St.
N.Y., N.Y. 10019
Comments also can be made via e-mail to comments@lifetimeTV.com or by phone at 212-424-7000.