Speak Out 11/06/03

Stay the course

CALLIE CLARK'S stark but brutally accurate portrayal of schoolteacher Jason Bandermann's initiation into a classroom populated in part by confrontational and disinterested students deserves an A-plus. I hope the still idealistic young teacher stays the course.

Cut all school sports

IF 500 to 700 students would drop out if the university cut the sports programs, as one person said, this would show the only reason an athlete goes to college is to get a big name in sports, not to get an education, which is what our schools are supposed to be for. If all the schools would drop sports and stick to educating our children, our government could save billions of dollars a year in education.

Reasons for tipping

MY WIFE and I went out to eat. We had a nice meal. The wait staff was exceptional. I tipped 10 percent. I work in a factory all day. I do my job because I want to be able to have a normal life. This young woman who waited on us was doing her job quite well. I couldn't care less if her employer is a stiff. I couldn't care less if the laws on paying wait staff should be updated. She did her job, and she deserved to paid for it. I am not sure what it is about this area, but why are so many people so stiff with a few dollars?

Ridiculous idea

THERE WAS a legislative effort to hold the Missouri Conservation Department liable for the damage when a car hits a deer in the road. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard, but it doesn't surprise me one bit. I swear, politicians are the most ignorant people on earth.

Proper security

THE WOMAN who entered the federal building and was thought to have a knife in her purse apparently got off with no repercussions. However, she expressed seething anger in Speak Out. I just have one thing to say about that: Thank you, security guards.

Our core mission

PEOPLE WON'T have to worry about $87 billion and sacrifices in America if terrorism isn't defeated throughout the world. Your only worry then will be how to escape from the terrorists as they're killing civilians everywhere in the world. So don't sweat the cost of freedom. The 9-11 Arab attack on America has not been forgotten. We've taken the devastation to their Arab countries. Loyal Americans understand our core mission and praise President Bush for his loyal leadership.

Where are the parents?

I THINK the article about Jason Bandermann, the eighth-grade math teacher, explains why children aren't learning anything in school today. Only 30 percent of the parents showed up for the parent-teacher conference. If the children of 70 percent of parents who failed to show up were given a failing grade, I'll bet those parents would be lined up the next day to complain to the teacher.

Questions at CMS

WOULD SOMEONE explain to me why Central Middle School students are given candy to behave in their classes and why classroom teachers allow gum in their classrooms but the P.E. teacher gives detention for gum chewing? Also, I understand CMS is buying T-shirts for all the students because it's an accelerated school. Do T-shirts increase our children's learning?

Get informed first

ANYBODY HAS the right to share an opinion, but the problem is a lot of people are basing opinions on when they went to school or rumor instead of taking the time to find out the truth. I'm a teacher. You should hear the things people say about what they've heard about the MAP test. Folks, spend some time this spring when the MAP test comes out. Visit your school. I challenge area schools to have an open house to explain the MAP test. You need to know what DESE is expecting of your child.

Parents part of team

THIS IS a response to all the comments about how to best educate our children. It's going to take an effort at home and at school. Come on, parents, you've got to have a little interest in your child's school work. You have to reinforce values and reinforce discipline.

Students must try

AFTER READING about some of the misbehavior in the beginning math classes of the junior high teacher, I wonder if those students will wake up or be left behind. If these goof-offs don't have parents who care enough to support the school's goals, their children will be left behind. So our nation should adopt a new motto: NCLBUTWB -- No child left behind unless they want to be. Even the most excellent teacher cannot teach students who refuse to try.

New park is war zone

THIS IS concerning the new skateboard park in Cape Girardeau. We thank you, but we need this park in a different location. You have bikers and skaters and little kids without supervision. Come on, Cape Girardeau, wake up. We need a place for kids. We don't need a war zone.

Pay taxes and be quiet

YOU PEOPLE who call Speak Out and dare make suggestions for teachers have a lot of nerve. You can tell the police and fire department what to do, but you better not say a word to school teachers. Evidently teachers think they're above reproach. So you just pay your taxes and keep your mouth shut.

Thanks for saving dog

I WANT to say thank you to the gentleman who helped me catch my grandmother's dog, which jumped out of the parked car when I opened the car door in the Sears parking lot Monday afternoon. That dog is my grandma's baby, and she would be lost without her. Thank you once again. If you had not done what you did, the dog may have been run over.

Personal opinions

I AM glad to hear I wasn't the only one who found it inappropriate for a city employee to put up posters criticizing Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Martin Sheen and countless others, referring to them as traitors. It wasn't an attack only on celebrities, but on everyone who shares that opinion. Whatever an individual's opinions are regarding political and religious matters, taxpayer-funded buildings and bulletin boards are not the place for them. I frankly don't care what she has on her desk or wall that is out of the public eye. The mayor and city manager should make her take them down.

Kindness and faith

TO THE person who commented on how Bibles are touched only on Sundays: Christianity is not based on how much you open your Bible. Some of the best Christians and saints couldn't read. Kindness and faith are all you need.