Letters to the Editor
As a custodial employee of a suburban school district, I read Harris Cooper's article on Thursday ("School schedules need radical reform") with some amusement.
A little reality about summer break
As a custodial employee of a suburban school district, I read Harris Cooper's article on Thursday ("School schedules need radical reform") with some amusement.
Summer break is the only time that one can do certain custodial operations that need to be done once the school year ends, such as painting, stripping, and waxing floors, and thoroughly cleaning the classrooms. These cannot be done while children are in the buildings.
Cooper's idea that the school day should start at 6 a.m. is ludicrous. When would he expect a 6- or 7-year-old child to get up to catch the bus, at 4 in the morning?
I open my building at 6:20 a.m. The two hours before the children arrive provide the best opportunity for doing all sorts of tasks that cannot be completed with children in a classroom.
Maintaining and cleaning school buildings happens to be an important factor in children's education. Were we to follow Cooper's suggestions, we would find ourselves with a good many that were dilapidated and dirty.
Mario Sorgini
Building supervisor
Stony Creek Elementary School
Blue Bell
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Why ponder reform when funds are cut?
I disagree with much of Harris Cooper's commentary ("School schedules need radical reform," Thursday), but that is, sadly, beside the point.
The Philadelphia School District is currently facing astronomical funding cuts by the state. My son's public high school is not only being forced to terminate some of its most committed and wonderful teachers and needed support staff, but will also be completely ending all after-school sports, cutting back on school supplies and technology, and eliminating opportunities for professional development and staff overtime.
How can we be talking about extending the school day and year in one breath, and all but decimating our public schools in the next?
Alice E. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
Educational writer/researcher
Philadelphia
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Bidens are hardly models of charity
Your article on last Tuesday ("The Obamas reveal their tax return") noted that the Bidens also released their return for 2010, showing income of $379,178 and charitable deductions of $5,350.
Apparently, they believe that charity begins at home. Or perhaps they think that the great welfare state will provide all the things that our many great charities and not-for-profit organizations give to our communities. During a period when many of these organizations, such as our own Philadelphia Orchestra, are scrambling to remain solvent, it is distressing to see such an example set by our leaders.
The Bidens should be embarrassed by the disclosure of their lack of generosity.
Donald Pizer
Jenkintown
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Jurors send message to prosecutors
Jurors in the extortion trial of former Philadelphia police Inspector Daniel Castro convicted him on only one of 10 counts, and said they deadlocked, 10-2, for acquittal on eight other charges ("Deadlocked on most counts," Thursday).
I am not usually sympathetic to corrupt police, but this sure looks like a case of entrapment, and 10-2 for acquittal should send overzealous prosecutors a clear and convincing message.
Albert Whitehead
Philadelphia
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No need to feel guilty about the orchestra
If Sally Friedman actually feels guilty over the Philadelphia Orchestra's financial problems because of her lack of attendance at concerts ("Lament of a lapsed concertgoer," Thursday), let me provide an easy way for her to expiate that guilt: Make a contribution to the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. No need to stress out over travel, parking, concert dates, program suitability, etc. Just write a generous check - problem solved.
Now doesn't that feel good?
Jim Holmes
Willingboro
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Good for students to work on their own
I was proud to see my alma mater, Cheltenham High School, featured prominently in Carolyn Davis' article "What part for parents?" (Wednesday). Go Panthers!
But it would also have been nice to see some mention of Eastern Standard Theatre, the school's student-run drama club, now in its 16th year. Students act, direct, build sets, raise funds, and market a production each spring, with minimal administrative support and without direct parental support.
Working only with their peers forces students to succeed or fail on their own, a rare opportunity for teenagers.
Leigh Goldenberg
Marketing and PR manager
Arden Theatre Company
Philadelphia
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More facts about Father Divine's name
Permit me to offer additional clarification regarding the name of Father Divine ("At Gladwyne mansion, memories of Father Divine live on," April 17).
The Rev. Major J. Divine was the founder of the Peace Mission Church. Any other name attributed to him by other parties is regarded by the church as spurious. His life and accomplishments are readily verifiable through the archives of the church, now located in Woodmont.
In 1982, I was part of a legal team that persuaded the Library of Congress to reference Father Divine by no name other than Major J. Divine. I believe it still adheres to that practice.
Al Caprara
Philadelphia