Letters-Sept. 6, 2007

By:
Solebury police not responsible
To the editor:
   I am responding to a letter to the editor published Aug. 15, written by Raeann Banker of Yardley, Pa.
   The article was in reference to a young girl being injured as a result of a police action.
   In her letter, Ms. Banker states the incident was handled by the Solebury Township Police Department when, in fact, it was handled by another police department, and the Solebury police arrived well after the fact only to assist the other agency.
   It should also be noted the location of the incident, the intersection of Riverwoods and River Road, is not within the boundaries of our township; therefore, we would not have been the initial responder to this situation.
Dominick Bellizzle
chief of police
Solebury
New phrase needed in schools
To the editor:
   I cringe when I hear the words "gifted and talented" such as those referenced in last week’s article regarding the chosen students in West Amwell school being the first to use new apple iPods and Macbooks to encourage higher-order thinking skills. Why not use a more neutral phrase to describe children who have outstanding intellectual ability that doesn’t imply that the children not in that group are "ungifted and untalented." The word "enrichment" doesn’t seem to cut it either, as shouldn’t the goal for any child’s education be to enrich their learning?
   Why not use a term like "learning support programs," for both groups of children; those with special learning needs and those who require more academic acceleration? And what if the kids who learned quicker and faster spent more time paired up with kids who need more help in learning?
   I remember in my son’s grade school, a mom telling me that her daughter who was not in the GT group admitted to feeling like a "loser" whenever the teacher would call the "gifted and talented" group to go off to "enrichment." No one wants any kid feeling like a "loser"; the school environment should be a place where each child’s gifts and talents can be discovered, encouraged and nurtured.
   I feel bad for the kids who feel slighted because they don’t get to be the first to use the iPods and Macbooks. I hope they don’t think it is because they are "ungifted and untalented."
Susan Murphy
New Hope
Union Fire Company thanks supporters
To the editor:
   The Union Fire Company would like to thank everyone who supported our 2007 Friday Night Grill Season, which ended recently.
   We had a great summer season and we hope you look forward to our monthly advertised special dinners we are planning to hold over the fall and winter seasons.
   Have a safe and happy rest of summer and we look forward to serving you again next year at the Friday Night Grill with our regular menu and tasty new specials. The Union Fire Company appreciates your support.
Bob Hayes and Butch Godown
Food Committee co-chairmen
Union Fire Company
Lambertville