Students must master subjects
Editor: I applaud your several editorials concerning the very long-standing and devastating, in my opinion, policy of promoting students who have not mastered the basic subjects at their grade level. As a former upper-elementary school teacher with some 30 years experience, I was successful in retaining students – usually not more than one a year – who could not read, write, spell or do arithmetic at their grade level.
After working with those same students for a second year, I can attest, except in two cases which had circumstances that were beyond my control, each student became confident of his or her ability to learn and did, indeed, master the basic subjects. In several cases when I discussed retention with the child’s parents, they could not understand why the child had been promoted in the first place. I should point out I was not teaching in California.
Retaining students can be done without the stigma that goes with it when both parents and students understand doing so is in the best interest of the child. I would hope your questioning this policy of “social promotion” is something that could change if indeed that policy exists in our Sonoma Valley schools.
Mary Logasa
Sonoma
Is landfill deal a stinker?
Editor: I attended the public hearing at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisor’s Sept. 29 meeting regarding the sale of the central landfill to Republic Services. I was impressed by the creative ideas put forth by a number of the speakers. It’s too bad that back in 2005 when county supervisors started looking into the landfill problem, public forums weren’t held around the county to seek alternative solutions.
The goal should be a zero waste stream. The arrangement with Republic Services could take Sonoma County in the opposite direction. Also, if not crafted carefully, the contract could allow for the eventual closing of the Sonoma Valley transfer station. This would result in more trash being dumped along our county roads.
The supervisors this week delayed their decision about the landfill sale until Oct. 24. There’s still time to contact them to share your opinion. Please do!
Gina Cuclis
Sonoma
Kudos for school coverage
Editor: I work for the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art as well as for Visual Thinking Strategies in Sonoma County. I want to pass along a compliment on your article about VTS in the Sept. 18 issue.
Philip Yenawine, the co-creator of VTS, acknowledged you by saying the article was terrific and demonstrated a huge effort to communicate about the program. He noticed you talked to great people and appreciates the coverage. Abigail Housen, the other co-creator, said “wonderful, wonderful.”
Thank you for providing useful information to the community at large about this inspiring and impactful program in our schools. We are so lucky to have the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation funding VTS as well as the great interest you have shown for our schools.
Thank you.
Robyn Muscardini
Sonoma
Return serve
Editor: I agree whole heartily with Ron Pfleger’s letter in the Oct. 9 edition, regarding the locked tennis courts at the high school. When my family and I moved to Sonoma in 1990, the tennis courts at the high school were open to the public and there was a public swimming pool at the high school. My son graduated from Sonoma High and we spent many hours playing tennis at the high school. I also find it interesting not one freshman tried out for the tennis team this year … locked courts? I am a casual tennis player and as such find it is often difficult to find an open court at Maxwell Park because of all the Park Point classes and tournaments held there. Now Larson Park has courts but it is a bit of a drive, especially for anyone living on the east side of town. Yes, all residents pay property taxes to fund the public high school and its facilities so why shouldn’t the public have access to the tennis courts? Regarding the vandalism excuse for locking the courts, wouldn’t open courts which adults and students use be less susceptible to vandalism than empty courts with no activity? Plus this might encourage others to take up the sport and facilitate more communication between adults and youths sharing the courts. Let us circulate a petition to the school board. I will be the first to sign it.
Michael Thomas
Sonoma Valley