Letters to the Editor - September 2008
An Interview with Vice Admiral Joseph D. Stewart, Merchant Marine Academy
To the Editor:
The USMMA is an integral part of life—guarding, protecting, and delivering goods via our seas. The students are well turned out, well rounded, and mannerly. This is a credit to USMMA staff and parents of the students.
I am proud of this Academy and I hope it continues to be a mainstay here in New York. The students are knowledgeable in Math and Science. However, they can also dance. I have taught DanceSport at the USMMA, and they won in Ballroom Competition 2007. Also, on June 14, 2008, the students performed my Tango/Swing routine for the June Ball. I danced with them. This is quite an Academy.
Marcy Gross
New York
The Bard College Prison Initiative
To the Editor:
We in WV, have a very active “Institutional Transition Program” and our University is a “newcomer” to the effort. We have developed a program for getting far more of our 9th graders to stay in school and to pursue post-secondary education as well as getting more of our adults into post-secondary education which will keep them from going to prison. The same programs apply to those in prison who lack the education they need to be productive citizens.
John B. Thackston
Beckley, WV
Imam Oliver Mohammad
To the Editor:
Alhamdulillah! Congratulations excellent example of commitment and leadership by example.
Faheem Shuaibe
Oakland, CA
Dr. Diana Meehan, Founder, Archer School for Girls
To the Editor:
My daughter is lucky enough to be attending Archer as a sixth grader this fall. Having been a Women’s Studies major from 1984—1988 at UC Santa Cruz, and then studying for a teaching credential in the late 80’s/early 90’s, when the gender and education studies behind Meehan’s data, were first being conducted, I know first hand that this information is true. Boy students call a lot more attention to themselves in the classroom than girls, and are chosen to answer questions and participate more often than female students who are politely and quietly raising their hands. It makes no difference whether or not the teacher is male or female. On another note, pathetically, Women’s Studies at UC Santa Cruz while I was a student, was not considered a suitable enough subject to major in, and if one wanted to be a “Women’s Studies” major one had to also major or minor in something else to make it legitimate. I wonder if it is still the same today.
Marni Diamond
Pacific Palisades, CA
The Incredible Maxine Greene
To the Editor:
I appreciate LCI so much. I was introduced to your work several years ago when the Dean of Education at SUNY New Paltz invited me and some of my co-faculty members for a daylong workshop at LCI.
Subsequently, I presented a workshop for your annual conference in 2007 on arts-based research, and for the last two summers have been teaching a graduate course that I wrote called Expressive Arts Leadership and Change. I use the LCI capacities when designing my first class of the course, which takes place at the Samuel Dorskey Museum on the SUNY New Paltz campus. My students are always so awed by the process and are thirsty for more.
Thanks very much and best of luck with the amazing LCI programs.
Lucy Barbera
SUNY New Paltz, NY
No Child Left Behind: Says Who?
To the Editor:
I love the analogy of this article. I have completed many volunteer hours within the elementary and high school sectors. I have found that the NCLB is only a fly on a wall that needs to be killed. I have seen children continued on to the next grade unable to read, spell or write their own name. I have seen children placed in an advance class with the inability to read at a kindergarten level. It baffles me on the purpose of the NCLB. I have seen labels placed on students by teachers because they have the inability to sit down and remain calm during class. Some teachers do not take their students seriously enough to teach. We are at a stage where we are teaching ourselves and teachers are only providing direction. Teachers are not looking at the end result of a child’s education. Our prisons are full and teen pregnancies are on the rise, drug addicts are created and formed because of a stressful environment. Programs are created to help our children, but we only find them sitting on the sideline waiting for a helping hand. How do we keep our youth from joining crews or gangs that deface property? What measures are we taking to reach a child in trouble? Has the NCLB been a positive measure within our communities? Twenty or more years from now, we will see our reflection of the NCLB.
Shari Rainey
Long Beach, CA
To the Editor:
My name is David McCullough I am 13. My goal in life is to become a Real Estate Agent, but I want to start my own business. My stepfather Joseph Fobbs owns his own real estate business. The name of his business is JBSloan. So I really would like to be accepted to Bayard Rustin educational complex.
David McCullough
Woodside, NY
An Interview with Vice Admiral Joseph D. Stewart, Merchant Marine Academy
To the Editor:
The USMMA is an integral part of life—guarding, protecting, and delivering goods via our seas. The students are well turned out, well rounded, and mannerly. This is a credit to USMMA staff and parents of the students.
I am proud of this Academy and I hope it continues to be a mainstay here in New York. The students are knowledgeable in Math and Science. However, they can also dance. I have taught DanceSport at the USMMA, and they won in Ballroom Competition 2007. Also, on June 14, 2008, the students performed my Tango/Swing routine for the June Ball. I danced with them. This is quite an Academy.
Marcy Gross
The Bard College Prison Initiative
To the Editor:
How can my incarcerated son get into your College Degree Program? He is currently serving a 7-year sentence in Clinton Correctional Facility in NY. He has his GED and some college level credits and is very eager to further his education.
BarbSmith1001
New York, NY
Debunking the Stereotype of the Female Boxer
To the Editor:
Great article. I really enjoyed reading it.
Evangeline Dardouni
New York, NY
Inclusion in NYC: Are We Making Progress?
To the Editor:
I’m doing a documentary for my film class at Hofstra University. Northern Parkway has an inclusion program and I have access to a few children with special needs. I was wondering if you could perhaps give me some help on this project. I’m brand new to this subject but I really want to do a good job, and spread this message. You have any ideas? Maybe some websites with accurate and updated stats or info could work? An interview would be awesome…but any help or information you can provide would be a great help!
Jefferson Moran-Morales
Uniondale, NY
Compelling Campobello: FDR’s Summer Home
To the Editor:
Interesting enough to confirm that this is a “must” on my trip to Nova Scotia. I’ll be there. Thanks!
David Parker, PhD
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Center for Early Care & Education
To the Editor:
I have been looking for this program. I found it at Hostos College but they canceled it last year. I was offered a job but I was told I had to do this program. I am very interested in taking this course. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Stacey Chapman
Brooklyn, NY
Dream On
To the Editor:
I truly believe in this school. I am one of the students and Dr. Florsheim has taken it very far. He has retired this year, and I do hope that the school will continue to surpass expectations.
Anonymous
New York, NY
Freedom Writers: Erin Gruwell
To the Editor:
I wish I could get a cycle model of this movie. It is the best movie I have ever seen.
Milena
New York
Forensic Pathologist Mark Taff Describes Real Life Crime Solving
To the Editor:
Fascinating—Mark—You are so accomplished and obviously doing what you love—But…How come the article doesn’t mention you were the president of our 9th grade class, 9-220?
Carol Querido Scibelli
Merrick, NY
Dr. Rebecca H. Cort, Deputy Commissioner, NYS VESID
To the Editor:
I am looking for Kate Walsch from Suffolk County regarding VESID for my son we dealt with her before and I need her phone number to get in touch with her thanks.
Roseann Voulo
Bay Shore, NY
The World Was Ours:
Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren
To the Editor:
This is a great documentary. I found out you can get a copy at thevilnaproject.org!
Eta Flamholz
New York, NY
For more Letters to the Editor please visit us online at www.EducationUpdate.com.
