As a parent who has four children in the Bentonville school system, I must admit that I was somewhat taken aback at the bias shown in the recent Zero Hour survey.
We are all blessed to have such a wonderful school system for our children to attend and, with only a few exceptions, some of the finest teachers that we could ever expect. In the eight years we have lived here, if we ever had a question or concern or even just wanted to lend a helping hand, we have felt welcomed and genuinely appreciated. We recognize that the high school is very large and having over 3,500 students adds complexity in whatever needs to be done. Scheduling of classes or buses or even providing enough non-academic opportunities to allow more students to participate and share their talents would be on the same level as many colleges.
However, the fact that the administration has openly stated that “we don’t care” if we have a few students who are talented enough to participate in our music programs and our athletics is not only shocking but disappointing.
We have a student-athlete whohad to choose between marching band and basketball. He chose basketball and we will be there to cheer the team on just as we have attended almost every band-related activity. We also have a student who is graduating this year and has chosen to focus on music, and we are very blessed that several top schools are recruiting her for their music departments. She chose to also share her athletic talents in a non-school sport, which should allow her to play her favorite sport at a Division II school.
Going through the college application process, we are learning that colleges are focusing on well-rounded students. The fact that BHS appears to be focusing on only one dimension of a student versus providing a way to produce more well-rounded students is concerning as a parent and disappointing from my students’ perspective. My wife and I are athletic boosters and band boosters and only want the best for our children. Like most parents, we will find ways to make them more well rounded.
Go Tigers!
SCOTT RAY
BentonvilleMOSQUES THREATEN SOCIETY
If Ms. Ferguson (Public
Viewpoint, Oct. 11), who says the mosque ordinance is a bad idea, would read the Koran, she might better understand why our concerned Bella Vistan appealed for an ordinance that would forbid the building of mosques here.
The teachings of Islam are in conflict with freedom, the separation of church and state, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Koran is the Muslim’s bible, constitution and bill of rights, and convolutes worship with dictates for works, morals and lifestyle. Mosques are not just a place to worship.
They are the foot-in-the-door to taking over a region politically and influencing local laws to be more in alignment with Sharia law.
Until the Muslims publicly respect other religions and recognize the separation of church and state, the building of mosques should be outlawed.
SUE RICHARDSON
Bella Vista
Opinion, Pages 5 on 11/01/2010