Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

I believe that there is a challenge in teaching each and every student who attends our schools. Each child is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. Given this fact, I was a bit taken back by the two articles that appeared in The Nugget regarding the plight of TAG (Talented and Gifted) students in our school district.

Merry Ann Moore was quoted as saying: "Where are our priorities as a nation? It's very apparent it's the middle and below." I do not agree with this statement and I do not believe it reflects the attitude of teachers or administrators in the Sisters School District. I believe that we try to the best of our ability to treat students as individuals and to look for the talents that make each student unique and special.

As an advocate for special education students for 20 years, I do not believe that Ms. Moore has an accurate picture of the unique challenges that special education students face. It may be helpful to recognize that the way in which we educate special needs students has changed dramatically thanks to Civil Rights legislation and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Thanks to this legislation and to the work of parent advocates, we have moved special education students into the classroom and out of separate schools where they were warehoused to keep them out of the public eye. Thanks to the hard work of parents and teachers, we now have special education students who successfully graduate from our high school and go on to attend college.

We have deaf, blind and nonambulatory students in classes with their peers rather than being forced to attend schools in other cities or states.

As someone who believes that every student can fit into our schools, I also recognize we can do a better job in meeting the needs of TAG students. This point can also be made in terms of the needs to improve our vocational programs for students who don't want to go to college or for the "B" student who could use some help better understanding mathematics or for the autistic child who needs to learn how to interact with peers.

Jim Golden

Director of Special Programs

Sisters School District

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To the Editor:

During track practice, three weeks ago, my son, who is in middle school, left his Mountain Hardware ski coat hanging on the fence. He valued it a lot, because he had mowed our lawn often and did some baby-sitting as well to buy it.

Granted, he forgot it (we're working on that with him) when he was picked up after track. As soon as we discovered it was missing, which was about a week later, due to nice weather (no coat needed), we began our search. He checked the "lost and founds" (and will continue to do so) at both the middle school, the high school and SOAR.

He had the coaches make an announcement for kids to see if they may have "accidentally" picked it up, but still no coat.

I know there are a tremendous number of coats and sweatshirts turned in to "lost and found," especially at the elementary school, as may be observed during conferences when they are spread all across the stage.

I am quite sure many are turned into the middle school, as well. However, recently, I have heard, while sharing the story of my son's coat, a number of other incidences -- of a $400 digital camera disappearing, of a girl's wallet with a valuable gift card disappearing, of a brand new pair of expensive shoes disappearing.

My plea is for parents -- we all need to ask questions if we see our children with something we don't recognize or did not buy for them.

We need to check the inside of a coat or other article of clothing if our son or daughter is wearing something we don't recognize, it could have someone else's name in it.

Also, let's remind our children that it really is not about "Finder's Keepers, Losers Weepers."

Marcia Rietmann

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To the Editor:

On Saturday, April 24, a valiant band of local residents, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Campfire Kids and parents joined forces with the Sisters Ranger District to help restore a small patch of damage from the B&B Complex Fire (see story, page 1).

Between us all, we planted over 4,000 trees and willows and carried away on out clothes a considerable amount of soot!

I just wanted to thank these wonderful folks for their enthusiasm and dedication to making Central Oregon the beautiful home it is.

A final thanks goes to the Forest Service for their expert assistance and for being willing to show a bunch of amateurs how it's done! My hat goes off to them for their dedication to the health of our forests and their skillful handling of the Public relations and politics involved in that task. They deserve our respect and support.

Helen Condon

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To The Editor,

We would like to thank the many people who made the Together For Children Auction held at the Black Butte Ranch's Big Meadow Clubhouse Restaurant last Friday night a big success!

Thank you to everyone who attended, Sisters' businesses and residents who contributed an abundance of items, the volunteers who worked tirelessly and all of you who sent cash donations to assure the continuation of this valuable program.

This is the second year that the community has gone out of their way to assure future families of children from birth through three years old the same kind of support that's been available in the past.

Recently, The Nugget printed a list of Sisters students who scored a 3.5 or 4.0 grade point average during the last grading period. Included in that list were eight of the 10 children enrolled in Together For Children 13 years ago.

This is just one example of the benefits parents report from having been enrolled in the program.

In spite of state budget cuts and the loss of most of its funding, we have great confidence that the program will continue.

Thank you to everyone who has believed in and supported the work of Together For Children over the years.

Susan Robinson, Board President

Angela Sitz, Auction Chair

Edie Jones, Executive Director

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To the Editor:

The recent loss of Curtis Dean Kizer (the man allegedly killed by a Sisters student in Drake Park) reminds us of those in our society who might be forgotten if it wasn't for places like the Bethlehem Inn.

Will you support this great organization?

Contact Amy Berg at 549-4524 or Diana Kelleher at 504-8392.

Amy Berg, Diana Kelleher

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To the Editor:

The Classified Employees of OSEA Chapter 92 would like to thank all who participated in the spaghetti dinner fund-raiser.

Congratulations to Greg Wieland for being the winner. All proceeds will go to scholarships for graduating seniors whose family member are classified employees for the Sisters High School District.

A special thank-you to Jim Wysong and Pat Lamoreux for going the extra mile.

Marsha Tierney

Secretary, OSEA Chapter 92