Competition is an essential element to success. Public education
is not, and should not be, immune from this fundamental truth. The
school district’s recognition program is an important step
forward
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For the Gilroy Unified School District’s performance-based recognition program. It is critically important to public education that competition be recognized and encouraged, and that the positive aspects of aspects of striving and results be recognized. Teachers are not all the same. Some work harder, some recognize methods that lead to success. Some are more willing to collaborate. Those who achieve and succeed – like their students who produce the best, say, science experiments – should be recognized and applauded. That process helps raise the bar for everyone and, ultimately, leads to a better education for our students. That is, after all, our most important goal.
CHEERS: For Santa Clara County’s court victory over the City of San Jose. Thankfully, the rude and uncooperative tenure of San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzalez is nearing an end. Hopefully, San Jose will evolve from an 800-pound gorilla that likes to throw its weight around into an 800-pound gorilla that uses its muscle for the betterment of not only itself, but the surrounding communities. The lawsuit over the county’s plan to develop the fairgrounds resulted in a whopping $38-million settlement for the county, and it simply didn’t have to be that way. What a waste of time, money and energy. Anyway, the good news is that $22 million is earmarked for crime lab improvements, and those are sorely needed.
CHEERS: For the opportunity to rename Las Animas Elementary School when it is moved and re-built. Our vote would be for a name with a few less syllables than the last two new schools, but there’s a good process in place and the truth is, what’s more important is the leadership and the staff at a new school.
JEERS: For a second fire in 10 days at the Temple Inland box plant. The fire hazard is obviously huge. What’s up with the back-to-back mechanical issues? A full-scale inspection is in order.
CHEERS: For Justin Pinheiro, 16, who rolled out some pretty nifty bowling scores at the Northern California District Tournament to advance to the state youth championship finals which will take place next month. Pinheiro’s top game, a 196, is even more impressive when you consider this marked his first tournament ever. Good luck next month!
CHEERS: For the San Jose Sharks – at last a professional sports franchise playoff team representing the Bay Area. The addition of superstar Joe Thorton, an unselfish playmaker, has put the Sharks into the Stanley Cup championship chase. A title run would be a welcome addition to the spring sports calendar.
