Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1995 TAG: 9511290028
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
We can still take advantage of some benefits of an extended school year. Shorten the summer vacation by one week and add that week in between the first and second grading periods. Students who aren't doing well in a particular subject could use that week for remedial work. One week in November could prevent a year of failure and a summer of summer school.
The following year, add a second vacation week at the semester break for vacation or remedial classes. The third year, add a week before the final grading period.
My experience is that most camps and summer-enrichment programs are completed by August. The excitement of summer is then over, and the days begin to stretch out. It will be easier to start school in mid-August knowing a week's break is just a couple months off.
With enough interest in this plan, we might even convince the Virginia legislature to waive the King's Dominion law!
BARBARA M. CREASY
ROANOKE
Vietnam vets also still suffer
REGARDING Charles and Gloria Parry's Nov. 13 letter to the editor, ``Gulf War malady can't be ignored'':
Not taking anything away from sacrifices the Gulf War veterans made, but I'm upset that everyone seems to forget about our unpopular war 30 years ago - Vietnam. Veterans of this war still have effects of Agent Orange, jungle rot and many other unnamed diseases. The government has yet to accept this.
We returned from Vietnam with no recognition whatsoever. And the Gulf War veterans, after only a couple months away from home, received a heroes' welcome.
Oh, yes, we do have a wall in Washington to show for our efforts.
RONNIE W. KITTS
BLACKSBURG
On Wall Street, business as usual
THE GOVERNMENT closes down for a week and the DOW hits 5000. Maybe this should tell President Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and House Speaker Newt Gingrich how important they are.
LEONARD E. NESTER
ROANOKE
Thrill seekers are courting disaster
IN RESPONSE to your Nov. 14 Extra section article, ``Riding the rails'':
Railway trains can and do operate at all hours of the day and night. And with the benefit of modern technology, they are constantly being rerouted and rescheduled. Track workers are constantly in touch with train dispatchers to keep up with this. When necessary for workers to occupy a track, positive steps are taken to prevent trains from using that particular section or block of track until work is complete and workers and their equipment are in the clear. There's no room for trespassers.
Somewhere in a newspaper's decision-making process, someone decides whether an article does or does not promote the public good or safety. A newspaper, by its very existence, has a great responsibility to serve its readers by publishing current news that's of benefit to readers. I don't feel your newspaper accomplishes this by publishing articles such as ``Riding the rails.'' The article will stir up interest on the part of ``thrill seekers'' who always want to try something new and exciting. It points out the thrill of such activities and why rail biking persists despite official discouragement: ``It's a blast.''
As a former railway employee who was involved many years ago in a collision between a motor car and a train, and who has the scars to prove it, getting hit isn't a ``blast'' but a trip to the hospital or worse. Back then, we didn't have all the safety procedures that are in effect now, and we thought we could ``smoke them out.'' But it didn't always work, and won't work for trespassers now.
You have done a disservice to your readers by publishing such an article. It can only encourage a most dangerous activity - dangerous to individuals involved in trespassing and to railway employees trying to operate their trains in a safe and efficient manner.
I hope you'll use more discretion in your selection of articles in the future.
G. WILLIAM GEARHART SR.
ROANOKE
by CNB