Thanks for prayers, Debbie Borden When the...

Thanks for prayers, Debbie Borden

When the invocation was banished from the City Council meetings

two years ago, a courageous lady stepped forward. She came to the

public comments portion of each meeting to offer a prayer for

guidance. Debbie Borden decided that the flame had to be kept alive

and she did just that. Thank you Debbie; you’re my hero.

DAVE SULLIVAN

Huntington Beach

Class-size reduction program is vital

I am writing to urge everyone in the Huntington Beach City School

District to get behind the efforts to keep the 20-1

student-to-teacher ratio in grades kindergarten through third-grade.

It is vitally important to our childrens’ future that we maintain the

class size reduction program and that we all work together to raise

the funds needed.

I would also like to comment on the quote by Ron Bazer, (“Parents

to pay for 20-1 ratio,” Top Story Nov. 27) the parent of a

first-grader at Hawes Elementary, who stated that he is upset at the

quality of education his son is getting under the 20-1 scenario and

can’t imagine how it’s going to be if class size goes up.

I am also the parent of a first-grader at Hawes, but I believe the

quality of education isn’t the teacher or the school’s sole

responsibility. It is up to us, the parents, to make certain our kids

are being given every opportunity for learning and that we are

involved in that process.

I recently rearranged my work schedule so I can help in my

daughter’s classroom one day a week. As a volunteer, I have witnessed

first hand the heroic job that teachers undertake. The amount of

love, dedication and just plain hard work that goes into teaching our

children every day is remarkable. Until I began helping in my

daughter’s class, I was also quick to criticize the schools and the

teachers. Now I know better.

I would like to challenge every parent who thinks their child

isn’t getting a good education to start volunteering. A few hours in

the classroom is a great way to see how dedicated our teachers are

and just how much our kids learn each day. It’s also one of the most

rewarding experiences you can have. Lastly, volunteering will make

you aware of just what is at stake when we talk about abolishing the

class-size reduction program. It would be devastating to our

children, our schools, and the quality of public education to lose

the 20-1 program.

I urge every family to pledge their $200 (or more) contribution to

keep the class-size reduction program. I would also like to encourage

everyone to contact the members of the school board to let them know

how important it is to retain funding for these programs in the

school district budget.

KELLY SYLVESTER

Huntington Beach

As a California parent in the Huntington Beach City School

District, I am seriously concerned that large class size will

negatively impact our children’s early education.

California test scores have shown we need every advantage we can

get. It is imperative that we restore our 20-1 ratio.

Please join our “Community for Class Size Reduction” group in

inviting our new governor to visit the city of Huntington Beach to

show support of our grass-roots efforts.

While on the campaign trail, Arnold [Schwarzenegger] felt

Huntington Beach was important enough to visit Dukes. We know

education is important to him, as a father of four.

Thank you for getting the word out on this very important cause

.Your support is greatly appreciated.

CATHI A. LIVINGSTON

Huntington Beach

I think the 20-1 class size is extremely important for the younger

grades. The younger students need constant attention and help in

order to keep them focused and on task. I have noticed that with

fewer students in the classroom, there is much more control and

therefore much more learning going on.

SUZANNE DEVRIES

Huntington Beach

As a first-grade teacher in the Huntington Beach City School

District I would like to say thank you to all of the parents who are

working to save class-size reduction. Since the implementation of

class-size reduction, I have been dreading the day when I would have

to cram 10 more desks and bodies into my already crowded classroom.

Although we lost the benefit of three-hour teacher assistants

through the past six years, I wouldn’t trade class size reduction for

anything. Just as I would not be arrogant enough to tell a physician

that she doesn’t need the newest medicines, an attorney he doesn’t

require a Xerox machine, or a superintendent that he doesn’t need an

increased expense account, I still have hope that those who are not

in my classroom doing my job would think they know what works best

for our future leaders.

As a parent of a future student in the Huntington Beach City

School District, I will certainly write that check for $200 when the

time comes. I will not do it because I think I should, but because I

know that sometimes things that are worth fighting for don’t come

easy.

Class-size reduction is worth fighting for because our children

deserve the best.

JULIE AUSTIN

Huntington Beach

The 20-1 ratio is extremely important especially in the early

formative years of kindergarten through third-grade. During these

years, students are learning the necessary basic skills (reading and

math) that then are used to build on harder concepts over the later

years. It is important to fully understand these basic skills early

on or risk falling behind later.

With fewer students in the classroom, the teacher can better

handle students at various levels -- from those more developed in

their skills to those in danger of not meeting state standards for

their grade. With more students comes less individualized education

on these most critical skill building years.

KELLY VANDER LANS

Huntington Beach

These parents are asking too much

A better question might be: From what planet have these eight

parents descended? A place where money is no problem, I expect. Maybe

we could all move there. Meanwhile, we on earth are not necessarily

able to afford $200 per child. Requesting more volunteers might be a

more reasonable solution.

MARY HILL

Huntington Beach

We need to pass the high school bond

My comment about this proposed $228-million high school bond on

the March ballot that with all the growth we’ve had in Huntington

Beach, I think it’s specifically important that we keep up with that

growth and that we put in some more money into a new high school or

into expanding our current high school.

All that stuff we put in down at Seagate, all the stuff we put in

south of Garfield Avenue, are all houses that have children in them

that must be educated. So I suggest we get it approved. Otherwise,

we’re going to be in dire straits come the next couple years.

MICHAEL FALLEY

Huntington Beach

School bond will help property values

I’m in favor of the high school district putting a $228-million

bond issue on the March ballot. Not just because I have a child who

goes to Edison, but because the value of our properties really does

depend upon the quality of life in the city.

The quality of life in Huntington Beach is sadly falling apart as

a result of the disintegration of our school facilities. People buy,

and want to buy, where there are good schools, and unfortunately, we

are seeing our schools fall apart. We need to spend the money. If

there’s a dollar to be spent in Huntington Beach, it needs to be

spent on this. We could spend it on a lot fewer things that aren’t

necessary, while this is necessary.

MITCHELL KEIL

Huntington Beach

People are too negative in Surf City

If anyone had some bizarre reason to hear someone say their glass

in life was half empty, instead of half full, all they had to do is

read the letters from readers in the Nov. 20 issue of the

Independent. “Desalination a lousy idea,” “Districts and term limits

bad ideas,” “Districts won’t benefit ... “ and on and on. One letter

bordered on the positive by stating “Council out of touch, people

want districts.” I agree, but maybe a title such as “Let’s inform the

council, we want districting and the Fair initiative will be a boon

to our city’s political climate.”

In over 30 years as a homeowner in Huntington Beach there has been

a constant battle by certain well-organized cliques; you know who

they are, to keep the balance of power in the City Council on their

side; and they have succeeded.

The Bolsa Chica mud and weed patch has been uppermost in all our

councils’ minds while the once-proud Huntington Beach mall

deteriorated to a dilapidated, evacuated ghost, greeting those who

entered our city from a busy freeway to Beach Boulevard. The Shipley

Nature Center, within our city’s park, went wanting for lack of

support until volunteers stepped in. To them we owe a great deal of

gratitude. Their philosophy was the glass was half full and decided

to completely fill it with hard work.

There are many other examples of the result of having seven

members, voted in at-large, but I say let’s fill our city’s half-full

glass and thank political savvy of those who drafted and signed for a

five-member council, voted in by their district

BOB POLKOW

Huntington Beach