Dear Editor,
As a teacher at San Benito High School I could not agree more
with your editorial regarding the Pledge of Allegiance.
SBHS teacher agrees about the Pledge
Dear Editor,
As a teacher at San Benito High School I could not agree more with your editorial regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. Sadly I think I may be one of only six teachers that still recites the pledge. I have spoken to the administration and the board many times regarding this issue and I was very encouraged when the grand jury found us out of compliance, but am saddened again because nothing really happened. When I began teaching at SBHS in 1986 it was actually part of the evaluation document for teachers. To me it is nothing less than criminal that it is not recited. What many parents don’t know is that 1st and 4th blocks are five minutes longer to accommodate the reading of the daily bulletin and saying the pledge of allegiance. If these activities are not being done during this time what is? I have heard a bunch of excuses (all of them lame) for why people don’t recite the pledge: among them are that “I don’t have time”, “the kids don’t think it’s important”, “the Spanish speaking kids won’t say it”, “I don’t believe in it”, “kids should be able to form their own opinions”, and the list goes on.
To this I say, first you get the extra five minutes in 1st and 4th blocks. It’s your job to make it important to the kids – you’re the teacher. My youngest daughter attends the HDLA and it is said proudly every morning in both English and Spanish. When you sign your contract you have to sign the clause to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. And lastly as you stated in the Free Lance a school is a public institution funded by taxpayer dollars so you should be helping them form the opinion that is important, worthwhile, their patriotic duty and, (I know this isn’t sexy), but it’s required by law. I encourage you to call or e-mail your child’s teacher and make sure they understand you, their bosses, feel it is important.
Randy Logue, Hollister
More taxes for schools?
We are being asked to pay more taxes to pay for our kids’ education while the California Legislature is passing Bill AB 131 (Cedillo) to provide Financial Aid to illegal students. This bill will initially cost $60 million to us, the California taxpayer. Shouln’t the teachers and teachers union members be fighting for that money to be invested in our kids’ education? Why is that the state does not have enough money for our students but it has millions for illegal students? What is wrong with this picture? Should we keep our 2 or 3 jobs to pay more taxes to support illegal immigration? Vote No on Measure A and any other future measures asking form more money.
Francisco Velasquez, Hollister
Supes quickly forget
How quick they forget! Or maybe the members of the board weren’t around the las time a building boom took place in Hollister.
Sure there were more jobs created by a few small businesses but they didn’t last long. They couldn’t compete with the wages paid in the San Jose area. We became a bedroom community. It didn’t help downtown Hollister because the family working in San Jose area shops there not here, they had more variety and better prices. This still exists except in the grocery chains – the family lives here and the children went to school here; they overloaded our sewage facilities and water supply. Gangs were noted for the first time.
Building homes brings people and troubles-Their money is spent where prices are better. Jobs I doubt – they work where they make more money.
Be prepared supervisors.
Nevada Thomas, San Benito County
