Letters to the Editor
Attitude fosters TPS pride
10/19/2013If ever there was a time to vote for a Toledo Public Schools levy, the moment is now (“New TPS chief wears campaign on his sleeve — and neck,” op-ed column, Oct. 6).
There are the traditional reasons for support: a renewal, not a new tax; continued implementation of the transformation plan; and prevention of drastic cuts.
For the first time in years, there is a new impetus: TPS pride. Students, parents, and employees have cast off the negative stigma once associated with their schools and now stand proudly together as a family.
The change in leadership and attitude at the top is palpable. Some naysayers will never be convinced, but for those who have felt the fresh air of positive momentum reclaim our hallways, we stand united to make everyone TPS proud.
ROBYN HAGE
Richmond Road
Editor’s note: The writer is a teacher at Navarre Elementary School.
TPS doing OK; step up, parents
Blade columnist Keith Burris said in his Oct. 1 commentary, “The other candidate,” that he doesn’t know anyone who thinks Toledo Public Schools is doing as well as it should. Well, I do — me.
TPS is doing great. I know of a student who graduated from Waite High School, went on to earn a doctorate, and is now TPS’ interim superintendent: Romules Durant.
It is not the school district that is failing; it is the parents, who are not preparing their children properly for school. Upward mobility is pretty much a thing of the past in this country. Throw in poverty, and it’s a wonder that TPS does as well as it does.
RAYMOND HEITGER
Darlington Road
‘Minority poetry’ on the money
Your article on the impact of hip-hop on inspiring and diversifying American poetry is perceptive (“Minority poetry inspires call to action; Speakers in Toledo recall heritage seldom taught in school,” Sept. 23).
The respect earned by poets whose work is dedicated to their communities is beautifully illustrated by your examples of Manny Caro, Luis Chaluisan, and Melvin Douglas Johnson.
I attended the National Poetry Slam Finals in Boston in August. Hundreds of poets from across America took part. They are the generational offspring of the poets your article importantly identifies.
JOEL LIPMAN
Scarsborough Road
Time to change Redskins’ name
The name of the Washington Redskins should be changed to the Politically Corrects (“Redskins’ name draws a penalty,” op-ed column, Oct. 10). That should make everybody happy.
JIM FLETCHER
Kenwood Boulevard