LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Yes, parents and schools should work together
Students success is much more certain when home and school work together.
As a long time retired teacher — I taught high school history for 29 years — I want to not only endorse this statement but also qualify it just a bit.
When students come to school prepared to learn, skillful teachers can present material and skills in a manner that is readily absorbed. Attitude preparation by children's first teachers, their parents, makes all the difference.
The actual material and skills presented are the task of the teachers and other professionals who develop the curriculum. School districts do need to be open to parents input but rightly are cautious about opinion driven by political, religious and other beliefs and values and not based in sound curriculum. Recently in our society groups have convinced some parents that they need to determine the curriculum content — in several areas including my discipline, history. This saddens me as the story of our country now taught is so much richer in what actually happened than it was when I learned and taught it. It is closer to the full picture of our country's development than ever. Talented curriculum developers and classroom teachers are incorporating the true picture of our history and all students benefit from this.
Other areas of the curriculum such as sociology, health studies, literature have also been subject to criticism by those not considering the whole population in our public schools. The agendas of parents motivated by their personal beliefs should not determine the curriculum for all.
I applaud parents - and citizens who are not parents - who care enough to run for seats on Boards of Education. This is a way to be involved at a “higher level.” It is much more than the budget. These boards determine the professional leadership of the school which in turns hires the staff that directly interact with students. Parents who serve have impact.
Back to the basic point: Parents do greatly influence their students' school experience, by preparing those students to learn and by reinforcing that they have a place in a larger community. Parents may offer input but they are not in the best position to develop curriculum that serves the best interests of all the students who attend our public schools. Parents serve as the best partners when, along with the school, they consider preparing all students for the society in which they will live together.
Linda Zucaro, Tinton Falls
Concern about Colts neck project
I am concerned about a project planned for Colts Neck — a 360 unit high-density apartment complex with an on-site wastewater management plant. The project is adjacent to Yellow Brook. Yellow Brook flows to our Swimming River Reservoir. If the wastewater plant fails, the wastewater will enter the reservoir, which is the source of drinking water for much of Monmouth County.
The project should be built in some other location where it won't create a risk to our drinking water.
Stephen Knowlton, Fair Haven
NJ kids deserve better
The education system in New Jersey has given way to the almighty dollar. We are sacrificing the children and our future. As Helen Keller wrote, “The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched, they must be felt with the heart.”
The flaws involve funding, substitute teachers and new hires.
The current school funding formula is fatally flawed. This really doesn't come as a surprise because that is where the corrupt politicians and lobbyists are.
Because of this, districts, especially in the shore area, are forced to sacrifice the students education. In many cases, class sizes are now around 30. This is untenable. Students are bStudents are being denied the resources they need to succeed because the money isn't there.
Substitute teachers are paid so little and are glorified baby-sitters.
Lastly, loyalty, dedication, hard work, and proven experience are no longer important for a new teacher: The budget is.
I have two-years full-time experience and seven years subbing, yet have not been able to find gainful employment because of this.
The last day of school a kindergartener walked up to me with tears in her eyes and said ,"I will miss you." Then we both had a little cry.
This was a perfect example of Helen Keller's sentiment. Don't throw away the future.
Anthony Melillo, Toms River
Another Women’s (In)Equality Day
The League of Women Voters of Monmouth County (LWVMonmouth) celebrates August 26 as the anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment certified in 1920. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote and afforded them equal representation and the full rights and privileges as citizens of the United States.
Traditionally referred to as Women's Equality Day, it was renamed in 2022 to be Women's (In)Equality Day due to the Supreme Court rollbacks of reproductive freedom and the failure of Congress to pass voting rights legislation or add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. These actions prove that women in the U.S. continue to face inequities based on sex and gender. Despite the significant advances made in recent decades, there have been enormous roadblocks to progress and devastating steps backward.
This August, women are standing together to demand our rights be restored, our voices be heard, and we be seen and treated as equals in our democracy. Together, we have the power to create a more perfect and inclusive nation that celebrates diversity and welcomes everyone to participate. We can create the change we need and want with the power of our votes.
Inequality hurts everyone. We are calling on citizens to sign our petition urging Congress to support women's equality. Visit lwv.org to add your name to this petition urging Congress to protect women's rights to vote, ensure that the ERA is added to the Constitution, and restore reproductive freedom for all.
Evelyn C. Murphy and Sharon Steinhorn, co-presidents, League of Women Voters of Monmouth County