OCR Text |
Show Your Children Are Suffering, Says GSD Kindergarten Teacher I am a kindergarten teacher in Granite School District. I teach 30 five- - and for three hours in the morning and 30 five- - and for three hours in the afternoon. Of these 60 children, one has cystic fibrosis, one is diabetic (with insulin reactions), three are diagnosed hyperactive and another is being tested for hyperactivity, two have speech difficulties, two have attention span deficit disorders and one has epilepsy. Added to AS SEE IT I comments like, "I dont know how you do it every day! I would never want your job!" However, only I, the teacher, can do the actual teaching; only I can conference with 60 parents; only I can fill out 60 mid-terprogress notes and 60 report cards; only I can prepare materials for my aides to work on; only these permanent illnesses and disorders are the I can contact parents concerning problems. In short, common occurences of colds (with coughs and runny only I am responsible for the final learning or lack of noses), flu (with vomiting and diarrhea), fevers, it among the children in my classes. scraped knees and bloody noses. Every year I hear and read of someone saying how These 60 children come to school with emotional easy teachers have it, of how much teachers want, variances as well. They come from broken homes, and. of how overpaid teachers already are. Every severe turmoil within the homes and negligent and that teachers have year I feel both hurt and abusive homes. One has even been molested and is such a bad name and thatanger when it comes down to dealing with that trauma, another comes from a money there is never enough for education. Teachers home with an alcoholic parent and two have homes are professionals with a minimum of four years of where parents are going through a divorce. These college education. Many teachers have spent even are problems and difficulties I am aware of. Im sure more time and money to obtain their masters andor there are others of which I am not yet aware. doctorate degrees. Teaching is an extremely high These 60 children also come to school with an stress job. Being a teacher is more than teaching extreme range of learning abilities and disabilities. children skills; it is also being part psychologist, They range from those who can already read whn social worker, nurse, custodian, secretary, public they enter school down to those who cant even relations, friend, and even part parent just to name recognize or write their own names. They range a few. from gifted to learning disabled. They range from Granted, there are those teachers who are "poor mature to very immature. They range from teachers." This is true in any profession. I am a coordinated to awkward and parent and have experienced these teachers just as physically uncoordinated. many of you have. Nonetheless, the majority of Granite School District has an academic teachers are good teachers. They care about kindergarten program, so within my three hour children; they love children; they are dedicated to teaching periods we do such things as reading (three education. They have to be or they couldnt (and groups to accommodate individualization), math, wouldnt) put up with the daily stress. penmanship, science or social study units, art (to Granted, there are children in classrooms without d coordination develop small muscles and any of the aforementioned problems, there are many skills, as well as creativity), music, social skills, and positive experiences in a day, and the rewards of listening skills. On a lucky day, we might even fit in seeing a child learn because of you are tremendous. a story, a P.E. activity, or a fun learning game. Im not complaining about being a teacher. I chose During these three-hou- r periods I also check an this profession and Id probably do it again. average of five worksheets per child (150 in a three However, the of funding for education in hour period300 in a day). These worksheets are Utah is on asystem downhill slide which is gaining checked with each individual child standing by me momentum. Good teachers are deserting the ship as so that it is an individualized, personal learning conditions continue to worsen. Why must education time for each child each day. continue to be at the end of the list every time Kindergarten teachers have no recess breaks. We money is discussed? Why must teachers in Utah spend our recess times with our children. I do have a continue to be ranked lowest in the nation in pay, lunch break in my teaching day. highest in the nation in class size? Why must we Once the children have gone home, I spend yet continue to teach without updated textbooks and another two hours at school preparing lessons, without enough books and supplies for our children? making notes and phone calls to parents, making Why must teachers continue to pay for job related bulletin boards and teaching materials, etc. Twenty necessities out of their own pockets? Why must the minutes of the two hours is paid time; the rest is profession of to bear continue the burden of teaching donated time. After I leave school (because the negativism when Utah test scores show again and building is locked) I often take home another one to again to be among the highest in the nation? Why two hours of work to do on my donated time. must continue to make decisions Because of all the high-tec- h toys and entertainment about matters for which they have no training? Why devices found in most homes today, children need must the media and the public continue to challenges beyond the basics of reading and writing down-grad- e education before they have "walked a ever day. A good teacher spends lots of donated time mile in our moccasins?" Why? and money to make a childs learning experiences like to end with a challenge to you. I challenge Id fun and exciting. It is important that the children be you to come into the classrooms of "good" teachers eager to come back for more. Class size in Utah is an outrage! As classes (remember, they are in the majority). I challenge become even more overcrowded, they also begin to you to stay for more than a peek or even an hour. I have even more children with social, emotional, challenge you to stay for the day. I challenge you to academic, and physical disabilities. This creates visit several good teachers on varying grade levels. I compounded problems for teachers as they try to challenge you to ask questions of these teachers and handle these individual situations, make even more then listen (really listen) top their comments and learning materials and correct even more papers . . . concerns. After doing this, I challenge you to reject all in the same three hour time periods. Gov. Bangerters recommended budget plan for Teachers are told to use parent aides. I use parent expenditures in education for the 1988-8- 9 fiscal aides and due to excessive class sizes, I have a paid year. I will continue to do my best to meet the many aide from the district who I share with two other of teaching your children; but I need your challenges kindergarten teachers (my access to the paid aide I now challenge you: I challenge you to help me help. amounts to a maximum of one hour a day). My aides save me hours of even more donated time by educate your children! Become more aware; become more involved. I you cant do that, at least write or running off worksheets and reinforcing skills with call your elected representatives and voice some one of the best the children. aides do eye-han- six-ho- rs Perhaps for a teacher is that they boost our things self-wort- h with concerns about education in Utah. CAMPS is made up of members throughout the state who are doctors, attorneys, educators, engineers, architects, elected officials, government workers, retired people and working people from all walks of life. Our current membership is alxut 1,200. Some of our members favor research on animals, and some are not even opposed to the use of pets for research. However, these people do resent a mandate forcing our locally funded and operated shelters to ignore the wishes of the ones who finance those shelters. They oppose taxation without representation. They feel tax dollars should be spent for their intended purpose; in this case, money for animal control should not subsidize the federally funded research programs. Over $70,000 earmarked for animal control along the Wasatch Front was put in the pockets of researchers who already receive about $40 for every man, woman and child in Utah. Instead of raising the lifestyle of a researcher, those dollars should be spent for spaying and neutering and education. Does Mr. Klein object to the traffic hazards and livestock depredation caused by abandoned animals? Does he resent the animal attacks on children and the property damage created by animals running loose? Chagrined By Editorial Dear Editor: After your editorial about the "tactics in Marion" I felt compelled to express my chagrin to you about your attitude regarding the law enforcement officers and what they did about Addam Swapp and his clan. Your paper expressed concern about the children in the house and how the police tactics could psychologically harm them. I think its a shame that Addam Swapp didnt show as much concern about his own as you claim to have. It was, after all, Addam Swapp who created the whole problem in the first place. I, for one, think a lot more concern could have been shown for the families of the police officers whose lives were disrupted by this whole fiasco. You mentioned that the way our state officials were handling it was an embarassment to the state. Did you forget that the psychological strategy was instigated by the FBI, a federal agency? The worst shame of all this is that the ultimate victim was an innocent law enforcement officer a state officer; one of the people at whom your editorial was directed. Addam Swapp was the worst kind of coward after he broke the law and hid behind children to avoid arrest. If anyone deserves blame for the whole mess, off-spri- ourselves on "out in the cold". We do, however, pride lowest in our the customers prices offering our meet or market area and in fact have guaranteed of Utah beat price policies. As a life long resident would I set never of Sandy, resident and an 11-ye- our prices to maliciously hurt another business but we do set our prices to offer our customers the lowest prices and the best service in the market. Sincerely, Doug Morton Utah Division Manager Gart Bros. Sporting Goods Co. Preschool Concerns Aired Dear Editor: I attended a public hearing Jan. 26 m the Murray discussion centered City Council Chambers, where of in our preschools around the licensing was the discussion to that Central neighborhoods. idea that our neighborhood preschools do not conform to a certain building code that has apparently been mandated statewide. This issue is of great concern to me as a mother of five children who have had and hopefully will still have the opportunity of participating in the valuable preschool program within our own neighborhood. At a time when education woes are at a peak, I feel the destruction of this particular source of it is him alone. education for our young children would be a great Brent Huffman disservice to our communities. Many parents are to South Cottonwood trying to give their children a solid foundation small in a fundamentals education group some atmosphere before they reach the overcrowded that exist in elementary schools. conditions Preschools are designed to give year olds a chance to have positive social interaction with other Dear Editor: children their own ages, thus helping to prepare I had a serious problem with a teenage son and them for good classroom skills upon entering this prayer was sent to me. I did as it said, had faith kindergarten. Those of us who choose to send our children to that it would work and it really did. I pray that you in mind, these preschools do so with their will publish it. We also have a and both socially. educationally To The Holy Spirit Prayer while Holy Spirit, You who made me see everything and great concern for their physical who shows me the way to reach my ideal. You who attending their classes during the week. This is the gives me the Divine Gift to forgive and forget all key to the dilemma we face. At the council meeting, we were told that a that is done to me and you who are in all instances of my life with me. I in this short dialogue want to uniform building code has been put in place for thank you for everything and conform once more statewide conformity. Within that building code, by that I never wanted to be separated from you. No definition, preschools have been lumped together matter how great material desires may be. I want to with day care and must meet the same requirements be with you and all my loved ones in you perpetual as a day care. In most instances in our communities, centers are for larger groups of children glory. Amen. Thank you for your love toward me and day care my loved ones. Persons may pray this prayer three and for a longer duration each day than preschools days in a row without asking for their wish. After handle. Also, most day care facilities are built 5 to 6 day week, the third day, your wish will be granted no matter specifically for use on a 8 to 10 hour basis. to day Neighborhood preschools, how difficult it may be. Promise publish this which fulfill the vast majority of preschool needs, on dialogue as soon as your favor has been granted. VC the other hand, are run out of homes where families Sincerely, live and are used for hour preschool sessions Barbara Harrison, up to five times a week. To require these homes to Sandy meet the same building code as commercial day care centers is unrealistic and economically unfeasible. What is needed is. a ' separation of these two ., Mail distinctly different services within the building code. t Each serves a valuable purpose, but each deserves Dear Editor I disagree with the gentleman who didnt think his its own regulations to meet high safety and health mailman appreciated his shoveling his walk and standards for the children who use the facilities where these services are rendered. steps. I am a letter carrier and I am always grateful We were informed at the council meeting that our for anyone of my customers who gets out to shovel state legislature has before it a bill which would give his walk and steps before I get there with his mail. I even have a few of my customers who shovel a back to local governing bodies the right to regulate codes that fit the unique needs of the areas pathway from their house to the next so I can get building The bill, known as HB 167, needs to govern. they through. My route consists of about eight miles of have the of parents everywhere who desire support less and safer Its definitely tiring walking per day. to their children continue receiving the benefits of delivering mail on shoveled walks than trudging I strongly urge these neighborhood preschools. I customers know snow. make sure my through the parents to let their respective representatives know how much I appreciate their shoveling, too. by phone calls and by letters that this bill needs to be acted upon now. From a live letter carrier, It is my sincere hope that concerned citizens Cynthia A. Miller everywhere and the elected officials who represent them will do all in their power to insure that this valuable source of education continues for our children. Dear Editor, In response to a letter to the editor published in your paper on Thursday, Jan. 21, from a Mrs. Rise Sincerely, Argyle, Gart Bros, is in no way trying to push Sandy Kathi Rosander or any other small locally owned business Murray, Utah - Prayer Solved Problem 3-- well-bein- 5 g well-bein- g year-roun- d, 2 Carrier Responds 1.' . Gart Bros. Explains Animal Management Society Responds To Letters Charges We have received a copy of the letter by Kent Klein published in your paper a short time ago where he accused a "small radical animal cultist group" of hampering research by protesting "pound seizures" at the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter. The Citizens Animal Management and Protection Society (CAMPS) is interested in correcting the mistaken judgement of Mr. Klein. OUR READERS WRITE AS I SEE IT Ski-in-S- Aspirin Alone Will Not Prevent Heart Attack should be determined. In addition bleeding. Don't expect aspirin alone to include A second concern, the AHA to those save you from a heart attack. already mentioned, says, is that aspirin therapy obesity, diabetes, stress and lack While there is compelling might overshadow the ongoing of physical exercise are evidence that taking an aspirin need to control the other risk risk - incinerator would still be tossed in since researchers wont take diseased or mean animals any more than you or I would. Researchers use the same criteria in selecting a specimen as we do in choosing a pet. However, those "pets" are not good research subjects as too many people suppose. Funding for research comes from the National Institutes of Health which use no pound animals and prefer that they not be used in studies because there is no genetic or environmental histories available and therefore tests are inconclusive and of little use. The proposed law change currently before the state legislature would not eliminate shelter releases in Utah. It would allow the decision to be made by the local communities which raise the taxes for the funding of this service. Utah is one of the last six states with this archaic law on the books. Eleven states currently have laws banning the use of shelter pets for research. Those states house some of the most prestigious research facilities in the world, and their studies have not been hampered in any way. every other day might have some impact in reducing the threat of heart attack, the American Heart Association warns that aspirin therapy does nothing to eradicate underlying arterial disease. reverse this disorder. Nor would it have as great an impact on eliminating this leading cause of death as lowering ones cholesterol level, controlling hypertension and eliminating cigarette smoking. The study was slated to continue through 1990, with 22,071 doctors participating. Half were taking aspirin, the other half, a placebo. The investigation was terminated early because statistics were impressive showing that aspirin indeed had a beneficial effect in and fatal heart reducing attacks among the participants, all of whom were men, by the much-ballyhooe- The picketers do abhor the problems created by irresponsible pet ownership. They want tax dollars spent to raise public awareness and educate people like Mr. Klein. In conclusion, we feel CAMPS is made up of sensible, dedicated, responsible, citizens who love their communities and want only what has been proven to be the best for themselves and their neighbors. I would echo Mr. Kleins question "any volunteers?" Those unwanted animals can be placed in homes. CAMPS has proved it. The animals which Mr. Klein mentions as those tossed in the Submitted by: Mrs. Patricia von Khrum CAMPS Board Member well-educat- factors. And contributing aspirin wont help any of those. Believe it or not, aspirin has side effects and indiscriminite use or overuse of the drug (yes, it is a drug) can create serious health problems, d not-fat- Mr. Klein closed his commentary by suggesting that the protestors volunteer for research projects. Yes, Mr. Klein, some of our members have indeed participated in prolonged, painful research studies to aid their fellow man as well as the new generations of Utahns. factors, which, of course, are not affected by aspirin use. The underlying cause of heart attack is the blood vessel disorder atherosclerosis. Aspirin does not al way. But, the Heart Association warns, there are a number of Before you run out and buy cautions to be exercised another bottle of aspirin, before one launches into a beware. The AHA strongly suggests that lifetime of taking aspirin. any decision to enter into aspirin There was a disturbing 15 therapy be made only in percent increase in hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain) among the physicians taking aspirin, compared to the placebo group. Aspirin interferes with the bodys clotting mechanism. Side effects of aspirin therapy can consultation with a physician. Problems barring its use include liver or kidney disease, peptic ulcer or other gastrointestinal problems. All other risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke The bottom line is that w the study does offer some news, there are so many o factors, that we all really ougl consider adopting some health practices in our lives i want to avoid heart problems. Those who are interestec further information about as therapy or other heart quest can contact the American H Assn., 645 E. 400 South, SLC 84102. |