LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
‘Blizzard bags’ just a snow job
3/4/2014When a school district exceeds its allotment of calamity days, it should be required to make up the difference in the classroom, even if that means extending the school year (“‘Blizzard bags’ a hot idea to avoid educational calamity,” op-ed column, Feb. 15).
What do our lazy school districts and pampering unions come up with instead? A gimmick called “blizzard bags” to get around requiring our students to have classroom instruction.
I have spoken with parents who say these blizzard bags are a joke. I am insulted that my hard-earned tax dollars are rewarding teachers who do not have to make up snow days with the classroom instruction that is required of them.
Blizzard bags are designed to appease unions and mollycoddle teachers instead of doing what’s right: educating our children. It will be a long time before I consider voting for a school levy again.
LINDA RAMLOW
Maumee
‘Calamity days’ not the solution
Why allow any more calamity days for students (“Ohio lawmakers push back school schedules decision; Dispute resolution must wait until March 11,” Feb. 27)? All we’re doing is lowering the educational value provided to our children. They are the ones who are adversely affected.
Let’s not cheat them of the tools they need to get by in the 21st century. Less time in school is not a solution.
DUANE TIGGES
Waterville
Students, grab a shovel, earn cash
When I was in school, we shoveled neighborhood driveways and sidewalks for cash. I wonder why kids do not do that today.
I would gladly hire schoolkids to shovel my driveway. They could make it a project to raise money for their school or an after-school activity.
Students conduct car washes in the summer to raise money; why don’t they do something similar in winter?.
I used to hire church and school groups to clean my gutters and rake my leaves. Where are they now?
DALE PERNE
Talmadge Road
Cartoon offends adoptees, families
In Blade editorial cartoonist Kirk Walters’ Feb. 12 Maumee Dearest cartoon, a father says “I swear that boy was adopted” to vent frustration over his son’s opposing viewpoint. This is offensive to anyone associated with adoption.
The cartoon sends the message that all biological family members share the same views, but adopted family members are different and perhaps don’t fit in with the rest of the family. The result is an unfortunate attempt to stigmatize adoptees.
PHIL BONTRAGER
Archbold, Ohio