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Show Opinion Animal cruelty trial Letters WEDNESDAY MARCH 27, 2002 quantity of homework; 3. In- creased classroom disruptions, and negative attitudes. To address the problems of failing students, Lori Hunt explained she is offering a study group for the 8th graders, and with assistance from teachers and parents, the'program is doing great. The kids that attend Dear Editor: I would like to commend Continued from Page 4 Fredonia Animal Control Officer Tom Corrigan, Fredonia law enFredonia schools forcement, and Judge Black for Dear Editor: prosecuting a recent case of aniI was disturbed by the letter mal cruelty and neglect. In most Fredonia Middle School is fail- places and times such cases have ing, printed two weeks ago. I been ignored and never brought are feeling great with their appreciate Mr. Masons concern to trial and to the attention of achievements. I currently am ' for the well being of the students the public. using some suggestions and have Pet ownership is a big respon- seen improvement with my 6th and school. Although Mr. Mason, was not at the meeting, I sibility. The family concerned grader. was. I believe readers deserve said that it could not afford vetAt this time her schedule is to hear another opinion. erinary care. Owning pets is ex- full, so she is unable to do this Parents were instructed that pensive. I would urge folks on a with other grades, but if you are the meeting was to be conducted tight budget to consider seri- interested she is willing to show with a cooperative effort and ously whether or not they can you the program. attitude. Any teacher bashing afford to have a pet. Pet ownerAs for concerns for demanding would end the meeting. I can ship also involves the need for too much homework, you may understand parents frustration considerable first aid home care need to .conference with the in being denied the opportunity knowledge. It is easy to see why teacher, for further detailed sugto resolve issues with specific this family just turned away gestions appropriate for your teachers. However, a public from their pet, even though they child. meeting intended to discuss is- said they loved their dog, if they For the subject of disruptive sues affecting the entire middle didnt have the knowledge or classrooms and negative attischool student body is not the the resources to care for him tudes, I know that the teachers properly. proper forum for teacher-specifi- c each have basic expectations for concerns. Rather, parents It is sad to see an innocent classroom behavior and if not should relay concerns to the creature being neglected or followed, appropriate conseteacher, principal, superinten- abused. But also experts now quences are given. More serious dent, and school board, in that know that animal cruelty and problems are dealt with on a abuse is often linked to cases of case by case basis. order, as necessary. The report that 70 percent of cruelty and abuse in families in At times parents feel that their the students are failing is mis- general. I would be worried about child has been treated unfairly, leading, but close to accurate. a family that cant care for a pet and as a parent I can underSeventy-thre- e percent of stu- being able to care properly for stand that protective mode you dents were earning a D or lower children, for example. go into when you feel your child If a family cannot afford a vet- is in at least one class at the time being singled out, but instead of the meeting. Discouraged, the erinarian can it afford proper of attacking and finger pointing, teachers reached out to the par- medical care? Does the family we need to sit down and discuss ents for ideas and support. They have adequate, medical insurtogether what are some of the conveyed their wishes for the ance? If not, is the family aware best solutions to the existing students success. Many of the of help that may be available to problems. (By the way, this is parents I spoke to felt the meet- them from their community? the message Mr. Waite was trying was helpful .and positive. This animal abuse court case ing to convey, in case anyone Most ofthose who were dissatis- was a wake up call for families else misunderstood that). fied had problems with specific in general. We are all responsible for To anyone who said Why all teachers that went unresolved sure our children get a and caused them distress. the fuss over a dog?, Id say lets making good education. Teachers teach; The teachers and parents both reconsider and think a bit. You its their job. Students learn and love the students and want them will see how important it is to do homework; that is their job. to gain responsibility and suc- prosecute all such cases of ani- Parents support teachers and cess. Will it hurt more for a stu- mal abuse, cruelty and neglect. students; that is our job. dent to lose credit on a late asCatherine Ives We have some great teachers Kanab and staff and most signment now, or to lose a job are here for later, due to the inability to turn the kids, not the money. They work in on time? Is it harder for in alot of hours and effort for Regarding Fredonia put a student to learn to work with our kids. They are here to teach, Middle School different personalities now, or but many help with other things to deal with failed marriages too, such as; when kids are upmeeting and lack of interpersonal comset because a family member is munication skills on the job Dear Editor: I went to the meeting at the ill or has died, a friend has upset later? them, or they got hurt or need I believe that with our mutual school on February 28, as a con- extra help with homework, etc... desire as parents and schools to cerned parent. I was told it was Granted our school system is help the students, we can do F held for the purpose of parents lacking some things, but Ive we can put away our biases and teachers and students to get seen worse. I believe the teachand come to the forum ready to together, to discuss the prob- ers and staff are doing the best work together. We also need lems, and possible solutions. in the best way they What did we do? We got together, they can, one basic believe in common-ou- r We also can. have some great students have the ability to suc- discussed some problems and students too. They all deserve ceed. We are simply the support possible solutions. Although we our support and respect, not staff on their journey through didnt solve everything, it was a start in the right direction. (I too bashing. life. For the record, I am not emSerena Biddulph was unavoidably late, has that ployed by the district, but I work happened to anyone else?) at the school in the Parent, Fredonia ever elementary. Some of the problems disI am also a parent. I am saying P.S. Dr. Bamson had two other cussed were: 1. The large numthis because this is what I see meetings that afternoon, and ber of failing students due to low day in and day out. had with the teach- test grades and lack of ers to arrive late due to the con-- . work .turned in; 2. Parent Nataly Bistline cems regarding curriculum and Fredonia . it-I- pre-arrang- ed 5 SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS selects top 1 2 cars of 2002 AAA Ford Thunderbird named Cool Car of the Year ners stand out from the rest by offering the best balance of per- After evaluating more than 200 cars and trucks, AAA has selected 12 vehicles as best in their class, naming them the 2002 AAA Auto Guide Award winners and choosing the new Ford Thunderbird as 2002s Cool Car of the Year. Its certain to appeal to those who grew up in the 1950s and though they may not buy one, they are sure to dream about it, said Dave Van Sickle, director of AAA Automotive and Consumer Information. Winning 2002 models based on vehicle cost and type are: Ford Thunderbird (Cool Car); Mercedes-Ben- z (over $50,000); Cadillac DeVille formance, quality and value, said Van Sickle. The highest scoring vehicle in this years evaluation is the Mercedes-Ben- z ss, with 173 points. The Mercedes-Ben- z Cadillac DeVille, Acura 3.2TL and Buick LeSabre are the only repeat selections from last years AAA Auto Guide Awards list. To evaluate vehicles for the best in class awards, AAA experts test vehicles under everyday driving conditions. Their evaluations of all the model-yea- r 2002, cars, minivans, SUVs and trucks are based on such criteria BMW as: ride and handling, acceleraLexus ES tion and braking, fuel economy, Acura comfort and convenience, storBuick age space, and value. ss, S-Cl- ($40,000-$50,000- ); ies ($35,000-$40,000- ); 300 ($30,000-$35,0003.2TL ($25,000-$30,000- ); ); LeSabre ($20,000-$25,000- Nissan Altima ); ($15,000-$20,000- ); Ford Focus (under $15,000); Cadillac Escalade (SUV over $25,000); Toyota Highlander (SUV under $25,000); and Honda Odyssey (Minivan). AAA Auto Guide Award win ISfflS'eiia "vr Jm If you or a loved one ever took any call your LOCAL Utah attorney n Fen-Phe- Cl'DaafittDUGU'J Iu. 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