Our new garlic queen gets a salute, and so do the Gilroy High
teachers using Edline, but the students who acted poorly during the
lockdown earn jeers
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For Cherise Gowan, who won the Garlic Festival queen’s title in her third year of competing for the crown. Now, that’s dedication. Best wishes for a happy year representing our wonderful community, filled with good experiences, a stellar festival crowd and a fantastic trip to our Japanese sister city, Takko-Machi, for their garlic festival.
JEERS: For the behavior by some Gilroy High School students during the code red lockdown drill at the school which resulted in two suspensions with recommendations for expulsion. Given the problems with this whole process, a thorough review by the GHS team is in order. Is there a better way to keep students prepared to be as safe as possible?
CHEERS: For Jim and Mary Garcia who have kept the idea of building a permanent BMX bike track before the city for years. Gilroy has produced numerous champion bike racers, and the Garcia’s have recognized that it’s a great way to occupy youngsters in our area. The weather’s conducive, and there seems to be a natural connection to one of the featured sports in the X Games.
JEERS: For the teen pregnancy rates in Gilroy which are still the highest in Santa Clara County. More than 6 percent of Gilroy teens gave birth to a child in 2004. The societal cost of children raising children is tremendous. Teen mothers are less likely to finish school and more likely to abuse their children. It’s often the start of a terrible vicious cycle of poverty that’s tough to break. As the county goes through social service budget cuts, Supervisor Don Gage should pay particular attention to funds for education and prevention in this area.
CHEERS: For all the Gilroy High School teachers who are using Edline as a valuable tool for students, parents and teachers. Though it hasn’t been an administrative edict, teacher use has grown from 25 to about 70 percent in a couple of years. Embracing technology as a communication tool is a cornerstone for keeping parents engaged with the school and their children. Thank you to all the teachers who are helping improve Gilroy High. Edline is no small part of that wonderful effort.
JEERS: For those who feel it’s their right to pollute the air we all use with profanity-laced “music” that invades the ears and minds of innocent bystanders, particularly children. Keep your filthy mind-numbing noise to yourself. And to residents, if it’s feasible for you to call and alert the police department, please do so. The non-emergency number for the PD is 846-0350. That’s a good one to put in your cell phone.
