Spirit Leaders Deserve Support Tonight to Secure Hawaii Trip
Dear Editor,
The Gilroy High School spirit leaders and their supporters have one final chance to convince the Gilroy Unified School District school board members to vote in favor of their trip to participate at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. This will be the only item on the agenda of a special board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006 at 7:30pm at the district office.
Here are some points to consider:
n This board (substantially the same members as the current board) approved a six-day field trip for the Future Farmers of America (Minutes of the Board Meeting Aug. 4, 2005), after the new field trip policy became effective June 2, 2005. Three days is now excessive?
n “It shall be the goals of the district to provide for the educational, personal, and career needs of its students by: Developing each student’s respect for self and others, for personal and community responsibility, and the principles, values and heritage of our nation. (#9 Philosophy-Goals-Objectives and Comprehensive Plans – Board Policy.) Think Pearl Harbor Memorial and a unique culture.
n The board members refer to this as the field trip to Hawaii, which by that inference makes it appear as a vacation. More correctly it is the GHS spirit leaders, by special invitation, traveling to Hawaii to participate in the National Football League Pro Bowl game halftime performance.
n Member Rhoda Bress, in her letter to the editor Sept. 30, questions the planning of a Saturday Pro Bowl game and suggests that the event should be scheduled so that students do not miss so much school. The hundreds of students who participate have a complicated routine to learn that requires many hours of practice by all participants on the field where they will perform. Member Bress should contact the NFL with her scheduling concerns.
There are obviously many people in the community who support the spirit leaders. This trip has been a tradition for the past 20 or so years. Academically, these girls have much better than a 2.0 GPA and are not your “average” or “low-performing” student. Their commitment to their team, school and community is evidenced by their persistence in this quest. The board should reconsider and vote yes – and grant the spirit leaders their just rewards.
Come to the board meeting and support these girls tonight. I’ll be there.
Diane K. Stone, Gilroy
Columnist Should Put Blame Where it Belongs
Dear Editor,
In her Oct. 7 column, Cynthia Walker identified what she considers to be contributing causes of domestic violence: premarital sex, children born outside of wedlock, single mothers dating and couples cohabitating outside of marriage.
After almost 30 years of providing domestic violence shelter and support services in South County, we have identified one cause of domestic violence: batterers.
Let’s put the blame squarely where it belongs – with those who perpetrate this heinous and insidious crime against others.
Perla Flores, Program Director, Domestic Violence Services, Community Solutions
Domestic Violence Isn’t Just About Boyfriends
Dear Editor,
In response to the column regarding Franca Barsi not listening to Dr. Laura’s advice, I find the idea that immoral actions caused Franca’s death offensive.
This issue of domestic violence is a legal issue, and a social issue. Serious domestic violence can and does occur within the context of heterosexual marriages. The perpetrators of domestic violence are not always boyfriends. Plenty of husbands kill their wives and even their children. Hence, the writer’s argument holds no water.
Jennifer Griffis, Camarillo
Isn’t Right to Publicly Judge Her Sister
Dear Editor,
It is easy for columnist Cynthia Walker to pass judgment on people she doesn’t even know, isn’t it?
There is going to be a day when her daughter is not going to be perfect and she will make a mistake. She may, too, end up with an abuser spouse or make the decision to have premarital sex, or do something that is not safe. Will you judge her as you have judged my sister?
Sex offenders, abusers and murderers can be everyday people that you would not even suspect. This we know just by recent events. Walker should worry about her own backyard without publicly judging someone and further opening up a wound that will NEVER heal.
Lauretta Avina, proud sister of Franca Barsi
