Everyone Is Invited to Help With Riverbed Cleanup Project
Everyone Is Invited to Help With Riverbed Cleanup Project
Editor,
Anyone who is familiar with my work knows that the cynicism ascribed to me in the riverbed article is uncharacteristic and the salvos fired in the ensuing letter to the editor are laughable and absurd.
For the record, 143 students and three teachers participated in the Saturday cleanup event, four boys and one girl reported the stolen trucks, and yes, I did buy them gift certificates, because I am proud of their actions and I believe they deserve a treat!
The San Benito Riverbed Project is a volunteer community service organization for students funded by the Baler Education Foundation and supported by the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Division and the department of Public Works.
Everyone in the Hollister area is invited to participate in this effort to enhance our students’ science classroom education and to promote positive environmental stewardship in our community.
Jim Ostdick
Hollister
Teacher Should Be Applauded for Organizing River Cleanup
Editor,
I am responding the letter to the editor published Dec. 7 concerning the river cleanup. I specifically want to address the comments made about Jim Ostdick who is an earth science teacher at San Benito High School, and was the person responsible for planning, promoting and carrying out the river cleanup with the help of 143 students and two other staff members.
Several months ago, Mr. Ostdick wrote a grant request to the Baler Foundation for funds to do a river cleanup project. He received the grant and subsequently planned and executed the first of several planned cleanup operations.
His motives in becoming involved in this project are twofold. One is that he is seriously interested in environmental issues and has a desire to put his concern and academic expertise to good use serving the community and improving the environment. The second is that as a teacher of earth science, he wants to take science out of the classroom and into the world for his students.
He provided an opportunity for students to improve the environmental quality of the area, do useful community service, and also earn extra credit in classes they are taking.
Mr. Ostdick received no financial remuneration for the work he put into the cleanup project. In addition to time spent planning and carrying out the project, Mr. Ostdick chose to spend $25 of his own money buying McDonald’s gift certificates for students who stayed much later than the quit time to help him finish up.
Mr. Ostdick is a colleague with whom I work very closely. I know from personal experience that he respects, likes and only wants the best for his students. In no way would he belittle or put down a student, especially a student who was working on a Saturday doing community service.
Mr. Ostdick should be applauded for his desire to work with students in this productive way – not vilified in the newspaper.
Jessica Gautney
Hollister
