Paine birthday bash a grand success
To the editor:
The Thomas Paine Society of Bordentown would like to extend its most sincere thanks to everyone who helped us to accomplish such a bang-up Thomas Paine Birthday Celebration Colonial Weekend on Jan.27 and 28.
Special "thank you" is in order for a number of people: Bill Faris, our chef and his kitchen staff, Vic Minnick and Doug Palmieri; Molly O’Dowd and Jeff Szur of The Park Street Café who prepared and donated some of the delicious side dishes; Mary Mastoris of Mastoris’ Restaurant who again donated turkeys.
The Birthday Celebration Committee consisted of Denise and Ray Sullivan (reservations), Ann Faris, Debbie Cramer and Dakota Cramer (decorations), Susan Minnick (public relations), Gini Scatoloni (sale table), Ed Ackerman (p.a. system) and Doug Palmieri (general event organizer).
A special tip of the tri-corn hat to Sugar Huber and the ladies of the Bordentown chapter Order of the Eastern Star for their efforts in setting the tables and washing up, and of course to Ray Jones and the Mount Moriah Lodge for use of their historic building.
Our numerous Saturday events and sales, held in a number of historic and business locations along Farnsworth Avenue, netted good spirit, fun and education about colonial Bordentown. Special thanks to the Old Baptist Church for hosting a salon of music by 18th century composers, including our own Francis Hopkinson, performed by John Burkhalter and underwritten by the Council of the Humanities Horizon Project.
Despite the somewhat bleak weather, the Tom Paine Birthday Celebration weekend was a sparkling way to begin Bordentown’s 325th anniversary year!
Mae Silver, President
Thomas Paine Society of Bordentown
Parents must speak up for Chesterfield children
To the editor:
Every week, I read your newspaper seeking information on the current teacher contract negotiations in Chesterfield. I am disappointed that nothing has been written neither by you, nor a caring parent, on what is now taking place at the Chesterfield school. As you may know, Philadelphia Magazine rated Chesterfield as one of the top ten towns in the area to live in. If they were to become aware of what is happening in our school system, I believe they would change their rating.
I now realize that I need to be the caring parent who is concerned enough about the quality of my children’s education to stand up for them. As a volunteer lunch aide at the school, I enjoy spending time with both the teachers and the children. In the past few weeks, I have witnessed a staff of dedicated Chesterfield teachers whose schedules are so congested that they have no time left for planning or anything else.
Not only are their schedules full, their classrooms, lunchroom, playgrounds, gymnasium and the like are also crowded to the maximum with children. The school is beyond its limits and is bursting at the seams. The balancing act required by the staff to keep the school running smoothly is nothing short of commendable. Additionally, the juggling act required of the custodial staff is also overwhelming. The work schedule of the entire school faculty is such that if one domino falls, then they all fall.
The reason I am writing this letter is to inform you that someone needs to take notice of the teacher’s problems in their current work environment and to justify the teacher’s need for a contract settlement. The empty school bulletin boards, the hallways void of children’s artwork, the vacant parking lot after school and the general sense of unhappiness that exists among the teachers at school does not bode well for the future. This is not a good educational environment. We leave our children, our most valuable assets, in the hands of these teachers everyday. Shouldn’t we want them to be happy? Teachers not only educate our children, but they nurtureand help them to be good people. They also develop their social skills,improve their self-esteem and are there for all their personal needs.Shouldn’t they be paid fairly? Why then is their contract not settled and why has the BOE not given it a greater priority?
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many caring Chesterfield parents at various sports events. There are also many wonderful parents who are coaching and volunteering their time on behalf of our children through the PTA, the Chesterfield Fund, and the CTAA, however, I am continuously surprised that these same parents have not been more solicitous of their children’s education and standing up for them. Perhaps parents feel that the system will work itself out but it’s been far too long for this situation with the teachers to continue. It appears to me that the system is not working things out and that something needs to be done by the parents on behalf of their children. It is our obligation, therefore, as parents to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves-for the children. I look forward to seeing more parents at future BOE meetings so that they can speak up on behalf of their children. Talk to your BOE and let’s do something.
Donna Zalepa
Chesterfield

