The Los Angeles Times story about reforms after the George Floyd killing tries to soft-pedal the violence and lawlessness of the Minneapolis rioters (“Police reform goals remain unfulfilled,” May 25). The story blandly refers to “largely peaceful protests” in one single line. Largely peaceful? Those so-called “protests” killed two, cost some $500 million in property damage and burned out an entire police precinct building. More than 1,000 businesses were destroyed. Some Minneapolis neighborhoods became no-go zones for overwhelmed police.
The essence of the story was about police reforms, so no need to belabor the mob violence. But to wave it off as “largely peaceful” is disingenuous at best. I’d call it journalistic malpractice. The story came from the Los Angeles Times, but it was the Valley News’choice to carry it here. The Valley News should hold itself to higher standards.
ROBIN CARPENTER
Lebanon
I am responding to Carolyn Dever’s May 7 op-ed column (“Reset the conversation about ‘divisive concepts’ ”) in which she says right-to-know requests “serve to bully and intimidate our teachers and school community.”
Here is why folks have had to use them:
On March 4, I emailed the Ray Elementary School principal asking for information about “Colonial Days,” which have been held there for years. I asked if this tradition would continue and, if there are changes being made, the reasoning for the changes. The response evaded my question: “During the school year the Ray School continued to work on reviewing curriculum as it aligns with Common Core State Standards and responding to the needs of our students.” I followed up on May 11 and received no response. Parents in my generation worked with the beloved Marilyn “Willy” Black, and donated time, talent and money to create this fun and informative program. Willy was chosen national teacher of the year by President Jimmy Carter and this was one of her proud accomplishments. We want it to continue.
On Feb. 23, there was a public PTO meeting. My neighbor, who was there, said the issue of HB 544 came up. My neighbor responded in support of this bill but was repeatedly and aggressively interrupted by a Richmond School official who claimed she had been trained to interrupt. This training, deceptively called “upstander training,” was paid for by taxpayers like me. School records show SAU 70 paid $65,000 for training, which appears to have been mandatory for staff.
The official was not called out of order. Attendees included the co-chairs of the PTO and the Ray School principal. They remained silent. I have emailed them to confirm or deny this incident happened. I have not received a response. Curiously, the meeting minutes made no mention of this incident. I asked who drafted the minutes and got no response. What might all this tell? A cover-up? There is no doubt that transparency is not an attribute of the Ray School leadership.
DAVE CIOFFI
Etna
As our school teachers and staff approach the end of an extraordinary year, I wish to highlight their efforts, and give thanks. They faced dual challenges in a single year: emotional debates about the role of multicultural education, superimposed upon existential fears of a global pandemic.
I am an emergency physician and the parent of a child at the Ray Elementary School. I have been both inspired and humbled by the grit displayed by our district’s teachers and staff this year. Day in, day out, they personified perseverance, determination and resilience as they learned to question, interrupt and reset the familiar dynamics that perpetuate social inequalities.
I am grateful for their efforts to integrate concepts of multiculturalism and inclusivity. For example, the second grade teachers recently provided thoughtful communication to parents around rigorous curricular changes to a history unit that previously presented Colonial history through an oversimplified, narrow perspective.
Many teachers also participated in a voluntary, self-organized book club to learn more about how misperceptions about race have scarred our country. Our teachers undertook these social risks, while also facing physical ones, to ensure that all students — my child included — will be seen, heard and taught the skills and knowledge necessary to grow into the healthy, confident and well-informed citizenry upon which our future depends.
As a community member, I am also grateful for how the leadership of SAU 70, with help from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, has brought the community into this conversation. Our educators and community were inspired by Brian and Theodosia Cook of Groundswell Change LLC. Their public sessions modeled respectful engagement around issues that are often sensitive and always complex. They set the bar high, applying rigor to critical thinking skills, engaging ourselves, our students and our community in social and emotional growth.
Through their tireless efforts, the SAU 70 teachers, staff and administrators have forged a stronger community while balancing the extra burden of both teaching and learning in a pandemic.
From one essential worker to another, thank you.
ALISON P.R. KAPADIA
Hanover
The pandemic has been difficult on our child care system. Because of job loss, remote working and school closings, many programs have had to close or lay off staff. That reduction in child care options has challenged working parents. Some parents have resorted to quitting their jobs, while some are caring for children and working at the same time.
The American Rescue Plan helped our communities in so many ways. But there’s more that needs to be done. When the pandemic finally ends, it won’t be the end of the problems it caused, nor the problems that already existed with accessing quality, affordable child care. We must provide sufficient financial assistance to child care workers and facilities to get them up and running for working families. It would also help families if we make permanent and expand the plan’s child and dependent care tax credit. While we’re at it, it would be great to make permanent the ability for parents to refund the child tax credit that was put in place by the American Rescue Plan and extend the increases of the credit until 2025.
I’m also passionate about the need for federal investment to help states fund pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds. It is the only way to ensure that our youngest citizens get a strong, equitable start in life. In the long run, it would save our country and state money.
Anything we can do to help parents and children is the right thing to do. Families are at the heart of our nation. They are our future. Please join me and the Save the Children Action Network in asking New Hampshire lawmakers to support the American Families Plan.
BARB SOUTHARD
Bradford, N.H.
The writer is a Save the Children Action Network volunteer.
That four Republican lawmakers voted against an amendment to retain the funding for 22 social work positions in the Division for Children and Youth Services in New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu’s recent budget proposal, ignoring his request that the funds be reinstated, reflects a surprising lack of awareness of the significant increase in reports of abuse and neglect as a result of the pandemic.
It also shows a lack of understanding that the current 41 unfilled child protective positions is an indicator that there are insufficient resources, such as mental health services, drug addiction treatment and, when necessary, protective child care, available to enable social workers to do their work.
DEBORAH METZGER
Hanover
Willem Lange’s May 19 column, “A well-founded pessimism about our future,” refers to the Irish singer Tommy Sands’ beautiful protest song, There Were Roses. (My favorite version is at tinyurl.com/2ujjp5s8.)
To paraphrase a classic antiwar song by Pete Seeger, where have all the good songs gone? No one seems to be writing or singing protest songs these days, though there sure are plenty of topics in current events that should inspire songwriters and singers.
Remember the power of the songs written and recorded by such icons as Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Marley, John Lennon? They were powerful because their melodies and lyrics stuck in our minds, which very few songs achieve nowadays. Look ’em up, listen again, and be amazed by their timeless pleas for peaceful relations.
MICHAEL WHITMAN
Lyme