Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 28, 1995 TAG: 9506290033
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I disagree. I believe the valedictorian, in offering such a prayer, showed the highest respect possible for everyone present at that graduation, regardless of their faith.
Our concepts of liberty, rule of law (rather than of tyrants), respect for human life and the liberties of others all sprang from the influence of Christianity on Western civilization. Patrick Henry (for whom, ironically enough, the school in question was named) put it very well when he said: ``It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.''
Americans of non-Christian faiths should realize the truth of what Henry said. If it were not for Christianity, there would be no America - no free, stable and prosperous land to which they or their ancestors could have come to find lawful protection for their own religion.
Sad to note, the growth of crime and chaos in America has been in direct proportion to the decline of traditional Christian influence and morality. People of all faiths should ask themselves if they would really want to live in the hell America will become if Christian influence is ever eradicated completely. If not, we should all be glad a brave student at Patrick Henry High School offered a public prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
TOM TAYLOR
ROANOKE
Principal was an inspiration
MY AUNT mailed me the article in your May 29 newspaper (``Northside fixture `going home' after 34 years'') regarding Donna Henderson, retiring principal at Northside High School.
Henderson was an inspiration to me throughout my high-school experience (and adult life). She was my cheerleading sponsor, counselor, second mother, and is now my friend. She has given of herself to so many who have passed through those halls. I know she will be missed, and I do wish her well.
I'm sure having time for her family will be a wonderful experience for her. Many students, teachers and parents say, ``Thank you for a job well done!''
DONNA L. PERDUE GIARDINA
Class of '68
BETHLEHEM, PA
Who needs Bill the Cat?
HERE is a suggestion for cost savings for the newspaper.
The comic section is really redundant. It's just so much fun and good for so many belly laughs to see the editor twisting and turning in the wind as he tries to find good points or to justify the actions of Three Dollar Bill that the funnies go untouched.
After the next presidential election, I guess I'll have to return to reading the comic section.
WENCIL STANEK
ROANOKE
Alerting readers to animal crises
I JUST want to applaud your newspaper for the outstanding efforts you have made to decrease animal suffering by letting people know, through your stories and photographs, of local animals' crisis situations. This allows your readers to assist people and animals who need help.
Keep up the good work!
WALTER BIBB
VINTON
Teachers' survey story had holes
YOUR EDUCATION writer's June 21 article (``Teachers' opinions tabulated'') on the results of the recent Roanoke city schools' teacher survey was distorted and half-baked at best.
I spoke to your writer about the history of the survey and its implementation. Very important facts, which I explained and underscored for him, were not in his article. Those facts were:
The reporter and I attended a December 1994 School Board meeting at Lincoln Terrace Elementary School where school Superintendent Wayne Harris expressed an inability and an unwillingness to do such a professional-building environment survey. Only when School Board members like Don Poff, John Saunders, Nelson Harris and Charles Day directed Harris, by official motion, to do the survey was it done.
The School Board specifically asked Harris for school-by-school data. But several School Board members told me that they were only given aggregate (for all schools) data initially, and were only given school-by-school data when forced to reiterate their original request.
At a number of schools from which I receive first-hand information, the critical anonymity of the surveys (an anonymity that the School Board had mandated) was violated when teachers were made to hand their individual surveys directly to their principal.
Teachers were often given no more than 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey, even though such a long instrument would have justified teachers being allowed to take the survey home overnight.
Thus, a plausible scenario for your reporter would include the story of a superintendent who opposed and resisted proper implementation of the survey from day one, teachers who were directly or indirectly pressured not to tell the truth when anonymity was seriously compromised, and an administration that opposed the survey and failed to implement it in a proper and professional manner.
It's your reporters' and this newspaper's obligation to seek out and tell as much of the truth as possible, and to not become the Roanoke city schools' public-relations arm.
GARY WALDO
Executive Director
Roanoke Education Association
ROANOKE
Siphoning away the region's water
IT IS beyond my comprehension how Southwest Virginia localities - Roanoke, Salem, and the counties of Roanoke, Bedford and Franklin, etc. - can be so ignorant that they will fight among themselves yet will let Virginia Beach come here and take fresh water from the Roanoke River.
Virginia Beach will be able to control if and how much water these localities can have from the Roanoke River in the future. Southwest Virginia wants to grow. The region better understand what is at stake here before it's too late. Enough fresh water in the future is going to be hard to find.
JAMES T. PECK
VINTON
Governor's School is a valley asset
I COMMEND you giving praise to Kristi Alger, a young woman who definitely deserves it. Your newspaper chose to write an article (June 7, ``Persistent research goes a long way toward tuition'') about a young person who has persisted in an effort to try to make the world a better place in which to live. She has worked hard to achieve the success she has received.
However, I find it distressing that you made no mention of her sponsor, Gwen Sibert. Surely, Alger would have mentioned the invaluable support and assistance she received from Sibert and the Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology. For this assistance and her extraordinary teaching ability, Sibert was named Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the Blue Ridge Section of the American Chemical Society.
The Governor's School has made its mark on the valley for the past 10 years by providing a unique education experience for high-school students who are exceptionally talented in science and mathematics. Despite its prominence as one of the top high schools in the country, your newspaper often omits the fact that many students who are recognized for their achievements also attend the Governor's School. The combination of fine teachers, such as Sibert, and exceptional students, like Alger, make this school a major asset to the valley. I hope that you will continue to provide well-deserved recognition of students at the Governor's School who contribute to the academic excellence of Roanoke.
JULIE D. TAIBBI
Teacher, Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology
ROANOKE
Editor's note: This letter was signed by three other teachers at the Governor's School.
by CNB