Guns ‘ludicrous’ in light of shooting I...

Guns ‘ludicrous’ in light of shooting

I was appalled to read a letter in the Leader a couple of weeks

ago stating that everyone should have guns, that state Sen. Jack

Scott’s initiatives to make guns safer and less obtainable were

ludicrous.

Well, as the events of recent days have shown us the truly

ludicrous thing in this world is the overwhelming drive of certain

people to show that guns really can make a difference. And they do.

They’ve changed this city and the lives of everyone connected with

our slain officer.

There are no studies or reports that will come to the conclusion

that a gun in a home makes it any safer a place to dwell. Quite the

contrary. As most studies show, a good majority of handgun accidents

happen in the home, and those almost always being as a result of a

firearm purchased for protection. How many times have we turned on

the television to see another child dead by a gun lying around his or

her house?

Now we have one more kid dead. And a gun is what killed him. Let’s

be honest -- the argument here is not about the great 2nd Amendment

debate. It’s about personal safety and I think it’s suddenly become

crystal clear that guns do not equal safety. Not for mothers,

seniors, kids -- or cops.

JESSE L. BYERS

Burbank

School strives to serve with excellence

After reading John A. D’Elia’s letter, which was printed in the

Oct. 29 Leader, we were moved to respond. Initially, our response was

one of deep concern since D’Elia’s thesis seemed to hinge on one

sentence that the reporter had written in her article printed Oct.

22.

We don’t understand how working with children whose parents are

not native speakers somehow prevents them from aspiring, assimilating

and achieving.

Our school endeavors to serve the students who come through our

doors, with equity and excellence, as the motto of the district

states. It is our mission to meet the needs of each student. Our

emphasis is on student achievement in all areas, and we have created

an environment where all students can excel. We have set the bar

high, and as our API scores can attest, we have made great strides in

achieving our goals. Students who are struggling are assisted with

“power classes” to help them, and students who are excelling are

challenged to extend their skills.

Our particular school boasts great ethnic diversity, which has

strengthened us as a school community. Of that diverse population,

the largest group is Latino. We have more than 12 languages

represented in our school; Spanish is the most prevalent.

It also appears that you believe that we are hindering “the

education process by slowing the process of learning English.” The

district does not offer bilingual education in any of their schools.

We do not teach in any language other than English.

The printed word is often open to interpretation by the reader,

and perhaps the article has led you to an erroneous conclusion.

In every career, people bring with them skills and life

experiences that enhance how they do their jobs. Having the skill to

communicate strongly with a particular group in their own language is

a bridge, not a closing door. At Washington School, where there is a

deaf and hard-of-hearing class, accommodations are made for staff,

students and parents who are deaf. For those of us who teach,

building relationships with the parents of our students enhances the

learning that takes place. Parents need to be partners with the

students, which enhances the learning that takes place. Parents need

to be partners with the teacher in their children’s education.

Communication between partners is very important.

As a member of this community, you also are a partner in the

education of its youth. As partner, we would like to invite you to

visit our school and see the educational program that is being

offered to our students.

Walt Disney Elementary

School staff

Burbank