THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603160125
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
On Monday, March 11, I was entertained and inspired with the multicultural program that was presented by G.A. Treakle students and faculty. They honored different countries from around the world with music, dance and plays. O.A. Treakle School is privileged to have one of the finest music directors in the Tidewater area, Bill Willoughby. My sincere thanks go to each teacher and student for this wonderful program.
I was disappointed and astonished at the rudeness of the audience during the evening program. The steady flow of people going back and forth in front of the stage was horrendous, along with the continual chatter of the adults and youth in the audience. The ill-mannered people who got up after their children had performed and exited in front of the stage was the poorest example that adults could set before our youth today. I have never encountered so many rude people in one place at one time.
Why should you expect the teachers to teach your child what you are not willing to teach them yourself? God has given every parent the responsibility to train their children in the Lord, to love and to nourish them. I think it is time parents begin to be responsible for their youth and quit expecting others to do it for them.
Parents, are accountable for the breakdown in our society today, not the school system. If parents would discipline and teach their children at home, our teachers could do what they are hired to do. Teachers can only work with what our homes send them. They are not miracle workers.
I am very thankful for the teachers that my children love and respect at G.A. Treakle and Deep Creek Middle schools. What a blessing they are to our family. I thank them for the love, kindness and concern they shared with our family this year.
I hope and pray families will turn back to the Lord and get their priorities in order before the Lord returns and you answer to him for their lack of responsibility for youth. Education begins at home.
Wanda Ashley
Gilmerton Road Racist thinking
I cannot believe that so many people are still racists today.
I just finished reading the article about the rezoning of some Treakle homes to solve the problem of overcrowding. I am appalled that some people are like that.
I am a 22-year-old, white female who lives in Camelot. I have lived there since November 1979, and I attended Camelot Elementary School for grades 1-6. It never bothered me that I was the only white person in my classes in grades 4 through 6. I have always been grateful for going to Camelot. Not only did I get a wonderful education (The teachers noticed that I was a very bright student and pushed me to my full potential), I also learned a great deal about life. I learned that there were others who looked different on the outside, but were the same type of people on the inside. It definitely helped me when I went on to junior high and high school.
I admit that Camelot is not exactly the ``perfect place'' for kids. I grew up in Deep Creek, and I can tell you first hand that there is no ``perfect place'' in Deep Creek.
Parents need to stop worrying about racial balance between kids and start being concerned with their kids getting the best education possible. Camelot Elementary School can get them started on a great education.
Lynn Stephens
Drawbridge Drive by CNB