Letters to the Editor

Coudersport School Choices

To the editor:

Kami McManus's letter (Endeavor News, June 27) was interesting to read at first glance.

Since I have not been keeping up on local happenings in Coudersport, I've missed out on a lot.

Careful budgeting is necessary in the school district to avoid a disservice to students. Dismissing veteran employees and replacing them with greenhorns is a good way to save money. I can only recall a handful of teachers (similar to Kami's list) who had any real impact on me when I attended CHS, and they are still there.

It's important to cycle out teachers every so often to get a fresh perspective on the world around us. It's not a good idea to keep an old horse around for too long.

At the same time, a good teacher needs to have experience, passion, empathy, ethics and professionalism. It's my understanding that the ensemble of new teachers we have had in recent years have arrived preaching instead of teaching.

It should be a standard practice to hire the best teachers available, at a necessary cost, rather than to relieve those who have proven themselves to be excellent.

These other issues about busing, laying-off teachers' assistants, and flushing the summer reading program may have been necessary to proportion budget money. But it seems that other methods make more sense.

If the cost of quality teachers is truly a problem, have we considered cutting back on some school activities (in part, or altogether), such as sports, cheerleading, academic clubs, art, theater or music?

If that would reduce the pain of having unqualifi ed teachers, I'm all for it. There are independent teachers and tutors out in the community who would be more than qualified to volunteer to keep students familiar with these topics, while the school can prioritize on boosting the quality of its core education.

Kami is right in saying that the community needs to get involved in students' education. However, after suggesting that we cuts sports and arts in the school district, I'll be wearing my fake beard in Coudersport until further notice. Alexander Fish Coudersport

Unique Keating Summit Attraction

To the editor:

Looking for something to do this summer? Interested in the environment and nature? Hemlock Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center in Keating Summit may be an option for you.

"Treemendous Challenges" is a fun, informative and imaginative program about forests and trees. Through active games, hands-on activities and a lot of imagination, participants will learn to see the trees and forests as never before. It's offered in collaboration with Penn State Cooperative Extension on Aug. 14-15.

The day will include time for recreation, teamwork, snacks and lunch. All participants should dress for the weather and wear play clothes and sneakers (shorts are discouraged).

A day program on Aug. 15 from 10 am to 2 pm is offered to children ages 6-14, with an overnight program being offered as an additional option for children 9-14 beginning at 4 pm on Aug. 14. This overnight program includes outdoor living skills, games and crafts, as well as all the activities offered during the day program.

Cost for the day program is $15 per participant (bring a sack lunch) and the cost for the overnight program includes dinner and breakfast (bring a sack lunch) and accommodations for $30. To register or for more information, call (814) 545-1205 or email jennifer@hemlockscenter.org.

Information on the July and September workshops will be released soon. Please check the Hemlocks Springs Center website, hemlockscenter.org, for directions and for the most up-to-date information or call 814-545-1205. Bonnie Wood Hemlock Springs Keating Summit