Finish the job
Tonya Rivers, Virginia Beach
Standards of learning
As we all know, 2020 was a colossal mess. Our School Board, superintendent and leaders in Richmond have let teachers, students and parents down repeatedly. Promises made to us have been broken. Weekly emails, meetings and phone calls gave us the heartbreaking news that assurances made to us were untrue.
It has been nearly a year of silence, blank screens and conversations only in the Zoom chat. This meant revising lessons to incorporate new technologies and training on how to implement required curriculum in the most effective ways under stressful circumstances. Was it perfect? Far from it, but kindness, patience and respect became the top priorities. I laughed with my students, sought out their interests, and they have learned, grown and improved.
Students have dealt with anxiety and uncertainty all year. However, our city and state are turning a blind eye to these issues by requiring SOL tests and returning us to the classroom too early and before teachers can get the vaccine. This flagrant breach of what we all agreed to could be the final straw for many teachers, making it unsurprising that more than 25% of teachers are considering quitting the profession.
Do we stand as citizens of Virginia for these skewed ideals that state tests are so important that we risk the mental and physical health of our children? Contact
Re “Chesapeake Bay health remains at D-plus” (Jan. 5): That’s disappointing for an estuary that brings millions of dollars into the Hampton Roads region through tourism, boating and seafood landings. Just as important, thousands of us Virginians spend hours in that water every year.
The report does offer hope. Last year the bay had one of the smallest dead zones since the 1980s and clearer waters, which enables underwater grasses to gather sunlight and provide shelter for juvenile fish and crabs.
I’m not sure I agree with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s president who cited a lack of political will as the reason for stalled recovery efforts. Virginia stepped up its investments in water quality thanks to Gov. Ralph Northam and a bipartisan group of legislators who understood the economic value of the Chesapeake Bay.
We must, however, do better. When the General Assembly convenes Wednesday, I urge legislators of both parties to accelerate efforts to protect our valuable resource lands and commit to funding water quality projects across Virginia. We can deliver a clean, vibrant bay to our grandchildren but need to invest in finishing the job.
Erich Hart, Norfolk
Ousting Trump
All the politicians calling for President Donald Trump to be removed from office need to stop posturing and pandering. Anyone with half a brain can understand that there are not enough days between now and President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration for exercising the 25th Amendment or the impeachment process. Politicians may be too ignorant to figure this out, but most of us can do the math.
Don Gartrell, Norfolk
Step up
Some are making the case that invoking the 25th Amendment would further anger President Donald Trump’s supporters. Severe consequences need to be leveled for Trump’s actions. He is unfit, unstable and unable to fulfill the duties of president.
In the next few days, he can still cause harm to this country, including his power to pardon. We are way past debating the consequences of removing him. Vice President Mike Pence needs find whatever shred of principles he has left and invoke the 25th Amendment. Do it now before the rest of the people in his cabinet abandon the rotting ship of this presidency.
Doug Kuett, Virginia Beach