LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 06/07

From the June 7 edition of the Register-News

By:
Family thanks

others for kindness

To the editor:
   
The family of the late Bobby Wyers would like to express our deep appreciation to our families, friends and neighbors for the many acts of kindness and support shown us during our recent time of sorrow.
The Wyers Family

Article recalls

resident’s trip

To the editor:
   
Several months ago, the front page of the Register-News prominently featured a young special education teacher who was awarded an opportunity to go to Cuba.
   It appeared that she was excited about exploring and learning about the Cuban educational system. As I recall she also took a piece of equipment used in assessing pupils with special needs.
   I was particularly interested because in January of this year I had an opportunity to visit a government school in Havana.
   During my visit in Cuba, I had met school administrators but had never actually visited classrooms during the school day.
   Having been a teacher and school principal in New Jersey, I couldn’t leave the island without visiting a school. On our last day in Havana my wife and I inquired as to the location of a school near to where we were staying.
   After getting directions we walked eight blocks to the school. We were a little apprehensive about how we would be received. No one knew we were coming.
   After entering a side door, we found no indication of the location of the principal’s office. We sheepishly called out "hola, hola" until the male principal intercepted us.
   We introduced ourselves, told him we were visitors from New Jersey and would like to visit several classrooms. After meeting his office staff and assistants we headed off to the classrooms of this K-8 school.
   We were introduced to about six different classes. We were greeted with songs, recitations, samples of classwork, e.g. a science exhibit. They seemed to really appreciate having educators from New Jersey visit their school. The written and math work in their copybooks appeared to be extremely neat. The physical sizes of the classrooms were adequate for the 30-34 desks but smaller in area than U.S. classrooms.
   As a memento of our visit, my wife and I were given red and blue scarves. The blue one is worn daily by pupils, grades 1-3, and the red for the upper graders. The colors represent their flag.
   Cubans take a great deal of pride in their free educational system. Their literacy rate is the highest in Latin America. In spite of being a third world country, children are allowed to grow up with the realistic ambition of becoming a doctor or engineer as their university education is free to all who qualify.
   With reference to our young teacher’s visitation to Cuba, I hope that the Register-News will find an opportunity to publish a follow-up article. I am sure there are many readers, including me, who would love to learn of her experiences in Cuba with special attention to its educational system. I look forward to reading it.
James L. Whittington

Bordentown Township

Editor’s Note: Look for a follow-up on this article coming soon.