The wrong direction
We have been told the decision is final. Michael Poore will soon be the Little Rock School District’s new superintendent. It was a done deal for him to take over as soon as Johnny Key announced the contract for our acting superintendent would not be renewed. I was disappointed, to say the least.
It is difficult to believe that certain folks with a great deal of money and influence did not play prominent roles in seeing to it that the majority of the state Board of Education voted to approve charter-school expansions. Superintendent Baker Kurrus advised against this, using sound data to show that charter schools were not a panacea. To the contrary.
I believe it is important to keep our public schools viable. I fear that what has happened during these past few weeks is a step in the wrong direction, and the way it was done is disconcerting.
The accomplishments Mr. Kurrus made have been outlined many times. He has done yeoman’s work and earned the respect, trust and admiration of parents, teachers, administrators and the community at large. We were so encouraged by this. We feel good about what has been taking place because of his efforts. It was stunning to read that he would not continue in his position as superintendent.
Perhaps at age 75 I have become cynical, but I cannot shake the feeling that special interests with money and power seem determined to undermine the very foundation of a viable Little Rock School District. We all lose. I don’t deny that some assistance and changes are needed in some schools, but not through the expansion of charter schools.
JANICE CHOATE
Little Rock
Lighten up on blocks
There are tons and tons of restrictions on the websites on our school devices. When teachers assign us work on the Chromebooks, we can’t ever just get an answer. Instead we have to go from site to site, hoping it’s not blocked. One of the main sites we could use to help us with our work is answers.com. That’s blocked too.
I could understand blocking movie sites and whatnot. YouTube is blocked too. Some students use that for useful purposes. Not all of us used it to look at music videos and funny things like comedians. There are things on there that help us learn math better and understand the events that happened in history.
I think the district blocks too many things that could help students more when they need it but nine times outta 10, it’s blocked. Some students find their way around the blocks, but not all students are know-it-alls. Hangouts is blocked as well. That was helping many students, including me. That app helped mainly with group projects and assignments.
Some of the main things I hear when students get to a blocked site is “shoot.” or “oh my gosh.” If the district really wanted a student off something, it could just block it from that student’s computer. I’m sure they know how to do that. I could also understand if a student was just using it to play games and listen to music on it or even just goofing around on Hangouts while they’re supposed to be doing their work in class, but why take that privilege from every student?
Many of us used the sites wisely and for educational purposes. I may not have pointed out every problem with the restrictions, but I think the district should lighten up a bit.
KAYLA JOHNSON
Sherwood
When out on the road
Drivers of Arkansas: Stop tailgating me. Stop driving slow in the fast lane. Slow down when the roadway is wet. Don’t you know stopping distances increase dramatically when the road is wet?
Use your turn signal. Don’t drive so fast. Don’t drive so slow.
Put your cell phone away. Girls, put your makeup away. Get rid of the blue headlights.
Stop causing so many accidents on 67/167. Highway department: Please work faster on 67/167 in Jacksonville.
Semi drivers: Stay in the slow lane.
Some of you need to learn how to drive. Some of you just need to stay off the roads.
Thank you. The life you save may be mine. Or yours.
DAVID DICKEY
Sherwood
Grill Party’s platform
As the election continues to draw closer, not to mention more contentious, I would like to present more issues which the Grill Party believes important.
First, is there some reason that lane stripes on our roads cannot be painted with a paint that can be seen at night when the roads are wet? It seems that safety and common sense would dictate being able to notice whether or not one is staying in their proper lane. Surely we possess the technology and the ability to develop a paint that can be seen at night in the rain.
The party also advocates for increased fines for those who for whatever reason cannot park their vehicles in one parking spot but must encroach into the spots adjacent. I have noticed up to four parking spots being claimed by vehicles that could easily fit into one. Lack of courtesy does not even begin to describe these transgressions.
A public-awareness education campaign is being devised to get across the simple message that people wanting to get on an elevator should wait for those inside to get off, thus making the experience easier and more enjoyable for all. Simple physics should explain that it is easier to enter an empty space than bang against those trying to exit. Repeat after me—Step Back, Wait, then Enter. Not too difficult, and only one word over one syllable in the phrase.
Remember, the Grill Party Non-Solicitation Committee reminds you that the party will never solicit donations. Accept yes, but solicit no. And, as always, keep in mind the party slogan—Slow Down and Grill.
DAVID KELLEY
Fort Smith
Awash in technology
Today’s society is filled with so many innovative types of technology that our daily lives revolve around. Our youth are being greatly affected by all the technology they are exposed to all the time.
Most families have a TV in their home that children watch before school, after school, on the weekend, and basically whenever they can children are on a phone, watching television or playing video games. High school students are on their phones all the time.
Sylvan Hills High School provided every student with a Chromebook to have an easier way to have access to textbooks although the students are abusing the privilege. Even as sites are continuously blocked to keep students focused, the Internet and technology still allow them to be distracted.
“We are awash in technology. It’s estimated that 93 percent of Americans now use cell phones or wireless devices,” Jack Cafferty from CNN said.
Experts like sociologists say that eventually people will stop having human interaction and verbal communication with one another as technology continues to advance. Therefore we should take action and protect our youth and our generations to come. They are our future; we must protect them.
ADDISON HARPER
Sherwood