Letters to the Herald

For the April 8 issue.

Paraprofessionals should not be considered a bargaining chip

To the editor:
   
I read a letter in last week’s paper (April 1) by a Mr. John Guarniere ("Mayor should be involved in school budgeting process"), in which he states, and I quote, "Let’s focus on reducing the future cost of three bargaining units (paraprofessionals, maintenance and administrative support). Future salary increases for teachers should be more liberal and based on student performance, test scores and other pertinent intangibles. Staffing levels of non-teaching positions must be capped."
   As a parent of a student in the district and a paraprofessional, I was appalled by this. I am not a "bargaining unit"! I am a hard working and dedicated professional. I now can see both sides of the fence. Parents must realize that the sole responsibility of teaching our children cannot and must not be put entirely upon our educators. Teaching starts at home.
   Everyone involved, teachers, paraprofessionals, maintenance, bus drivers, van attendants and so on, spend the majority of the day with our children. They educate, maintain safety and the list goes on. All of our main goals are to give our children the best education possible, learn life lessons and to keep them safe.
   And with the No Child Left Behind Act, all paraprofessionals are in the process of becoming highly qualified. Which means more responsibilities, duties and training. We should and must be compensated for doing all we can for all these children.
   To say that salaries and staffing of non-teaching positions should be capped is unjust. Paraprofessionals are not making what they should for they work they are doing as it is. We work side by side with our teachers, which can only increase the benefits to our children.
   So Mr. Guarniere, I invite you and anyone else to come walk a day in my shoes and live a month on my salary.

Sharon Henry

East Windsor



Borough officials need to stop catering to illegal immigrants

To the editor:
   
After reading your article on the front page of the Windsor-Hights Herald about this council of Latinos, ("Council of Latinos forms in borough," April 1) it brings back images of what is wrong, not just in this town but this country.
   We make rules/laws only to stand by and watch them broken. We allow people to come into this country any way they want and then allow them to form councils led by people like this Dr. Abalos, whose only interest is pointed at best, to gain public opinion against agencies which are supporting our law. What is going on here? And the mayor is bowing down to this.
   What Mr. Abalos should worry about is to find a way to get his people to come here legally like everybody else. This town does not need any more tax burdens, especially illegals who pay no income or real estate taxes, but have kids who use our schools for free.
   As for our police learning Spanish, how about the Spanish learning English? This is America, not Mexico or South America. Our language is English. If you want to live here, learn it or get out.
   I am sure because of the subject matter this letter will not get printed. My family is made up of legal immigrants who went through the process to come here the right way. Many dollars and hours spent, but well worth it.
   As for our mayor, you better start acting like an official whose first duty is to support our laws, both local and otherwise. Spend more time with the people who put you in office rather than those who cannot vote.


Jim O’Rourke

Hightstown



Superintendent has a right to have his own opinion
To the editor:
   
School budgets and taxes, and, even more so, the well being of our children are important and emotional issues.
   I must say, though, that I was dismayed to read in reference to a March 11 column by Superintendent Ronald Bolandi ("Constitutional convention unnecessary to address taxes"), "Torry Watkins, a longtime resident of Hightstown, said the superintendent should not presume to know the needs of local residents" ("School tax hike prompts reactions," March 25).
   A column for the opinion page, is, by definition, an opinion. One can agree or disagree with the column, but denying the right to an opinion seems flat out wrong.

John Crutcher

East Windsor



Schools need real changes to reduce threat of violence

To the editor:
   
Once again, the nation is stunned with the news that a student gunman killed 9 people before taking his own life in Minnesota. As the president of the New Jersey Violence Prevention Institute, I am deeply disturbed by this news but I am neither shocked nor surprised.
   Years ago, in response to the school shooting at Columbine where 13 students and a teacher lost their lives, I wrote about how people respond to threats or potentially dangerous situations. I described two responses. The first, and most common, is that people will set up procedures to reduce their anxiety they feel about the potentially threatening situation. This response does nothing really to deter or lessen the threat, but it does make people feel safer by reducing their anxiety. It creates a sense of what I call false security.
   The second response to a perceived threat is to set up solid programs or inhibitors that will in the long run prevent a potentially dangerous situation from occurring. The example I gave of the most common response to threat in previous school mass shootings was that most schools responded by installing metal detectors and employing security guards. I reasoned at that time that this was a response to the anxiety that people felt about the potentially dangerous situations at school and did nothing really to lessen the risk of a school shooter.
   This is in fact the case at Red Lake High School in Minnesota when the gunman entered through the school’s metal detectors after killing the school’s security guard. This was also the case in Columbine where the shooters exchanged gunfire with the school’s security guard. In Riverside, California, there was a security guard on duty when the lone student gunman opened fire. Security guards and metal detectors are ways to reduce the anxiety about potential harm to a school. Imposing consequences, conflict resolution, training, character building programs, or anger management (both killers of Columbine completed an anger management conflict resolution program) are also ways of reducing anxiety and give the sense that something is being done but do not reduce the risk.
   In Minnesota, as in Columbine, the shooters took their own lives; therefore there were no consequences that the community could impose on their behavior.
   Any change to reduce threat requires a long term, well planned and thought out approach. School shooters will not be stopped by security guards and metal detectors. It can be stopped by changing the climate of a school student by student by teaching anger regulation (which is different from anger management) and compassion for others from kindergarten up through high school. This would foster a climate of compassion rather than of teasing, cajoling, competition and one-upmanship.
   Effective responses to reduce a threat take time, money, energy and a willingness to persevere. Quick fixes to reducing anxiety, reduce the anxiety, but do not really reduce the risk that exists in our schools today.

Ronald J. Coughlin, Ed.D.
Mercerville



HHS Music Department European trip was a success
To the editor:
   
I want to congratulate the Hightstown High School Music Department on their recent trip to England as part of the 32nd annual Harrogate International Youth Music Festival.
   Members of the Marching Band, Color Guard, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Choir spent 10 days traveling from London to Harrogate while balancing sightseeing, rehearsals, and spectacular performances. The students endured long days, schedule changes, and performances in the rain, but managed to do so with smiles on their faces. The kids were amazing and made us proud!
   I also would like to thank the individuals that coordinated the Harrogate International Youth Music Festival. They provided tremendous opportunities for the students to shine, to experience a different culture and make new friends from all over the world. Also, a special kudos should being given to our tour guides, Emma, Nicola, Ruth and Graham. Their warmth and hospitality made the trip unforgettable.
   Finally, I would like to thank the staff and all the other chaperones for their hard work and dedication. The students are blessed to have so many people provide such care and support. The trip would not have been such a success without you and all of your efforts. Here is to the Hightstown High School Music Department! Cheers!

Nicole Clayton Hirshman

Chaperon, Volunteer
HHS Music Boosters