DATE: Sunday, November 9, 1997              TAG: 9711070215

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 05   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:   72 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - PORTSMOUTH

As a parent of a Wilson High School student, I was appalled at the behavior of some of my son's classmates the day of the disturbance. But in retrospect, there is plenty of blame to go around. First, the administration should never have allowed a group of students of this size to be kept secluded without adequate adult supervision.

Second, the students themselves are woefully lacking in even basic self-control. These are supposed to be young adults who will shortly be entering the real world of work and responsibility. If they cannot deal with minor provocations from immature people now, what will happen later when they face problems in adult situations?

Obviously we cannot expect the school system to instill values of basic civility, especially when a student is a senior. Nevertheless, we must insist that certain standards of decency and behavior be enforced. If we cannot do this one simple thing, then the entire process of education becomes an exercise in futility. Learning cannot flourish where the threat of chaos exists.

Of course, the administration should make clear to the teachers and staff what their responsibilities are in the event of an incident. Perhaps it is unreasonable to expect that they could have predicted trouble of this magnitude to have occurred, but still it is hard to imagine why it took 45 minutes for the police to be called.

As far as immediate actions go, it is imperative that the instigators and those who took advantage of this unfortunate situation to perpetrate indiscriminate violence upon others be identified and separated post-haste from the student body.

It is unconscionable that an attempt to incorporate a few malcontents into the student body should disrupt the educational opportunities for the great majority. We cannot sacrifice opportunities for the many on the altar of inclusiveness for those who have previously shown utter contempt and disregard for the educational process.

Also, it is important that we make our schools more parent-friendly, so that is easier for them to come in and feel free to work with the staff and administration for the good of all the students.

I addition, parents should expect a meeting with Superintendent Richard Trumble, not just to present him with questions, but to receive answers on what charges we can expect that will reduce the possibility of an incident such as this from ever happening again.

Karen Jordan

Elmhurst Court

Oct. 28, 1997 Thanks for being nice

I want to give flowers while they can smell them to two beautiful people who work tirelessly for the tenants of Dale Homes and Lincoln Park. They are Hal Short and Jackie Copeland, the manager. Many people may not agree with me but I have worked with them. You can see Mr. Short's grey car going through a number of times a day.

Jackie Copeland walks through in her tennis shoes, checking Dale Homes.

Who am I? The volunteer who keeps the streets clean in Dales Homes. Anytime I need them they are there. It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice. This applies to Hal Short and Jackie Copeland. They don't have an attitude against poor tenants. They pitch in and do what's necessary. To them, I say, ``I shall pass through this life once. If there is any good I can do, let me do it now for I shall not pass this way again.

To the tenants I say, remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow but live today fruitfully. To Hal Short and Jackie Copeland, thanks for showing how all classes can mix together and make progress. Tell Ida Barbour that Dale Homes will have improved housing, too. I'm waiting to move into mine.

Congratulations, Ida Barbour.

Barbara Cooke

Dale Drive

Oct. 27, 1997

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