LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: LATEST DECISIONS DO LITTLE TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dear Editor:

This letter is written concerning two incidents which have recently been discussed either in the newspapers or on the local news. As a resident of the district, I feel obligated to offer my views on both subjects.

First, I would like to comment on the situation with the graduation ceremony. The policy of the District was, until last Friday, that students who had not completed the necessary credit requirements would not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies. As of Friday, it is my understanding that this policy was changed to accommodate certain students which had not completed these requirements. This seems highly unfair to the students that put forth the effort to complete their requirements.

The public school system has done enough damage to the integrity of education without taking this step. The education process and the process of life, which education should prepare students for, now rewards students who are not willing to put forth the effort to achieve. The education process in the Cape Girardeau School System has taken a giant step backwards in the enhancement of individual self-esteem by rewarding the underachievers equally with the students who are willing to succeed.

What a shame that education no longer provides opportunity for achievement. Instead, it establishes an arena for students unwilling to put forth the necessary effort to achieve to be accorded the same recognition as the workers.

Second, I do not agree with the announced proposal to make the Cape Girardeau School campus a closed campus during the lunch hour. Many businesses depend on the lunch hour crowds for survival. Why punish them? What good comes from telling a group of 16-18 year old young adults where they must eat lunch during the day? If better control is the goal, I would suggest that this measure will only create more animosity between the administration, faculty and students.

The school system should strive to improve relations with the students and members of the community. The above efforts appear to make the gap between public understanding of the school district and the desired perception of the school district further apart. I do not believe that either of these measures serve to accomplish that goal.

LONNIE G. HASTY

Cape Girardeau