LITTLE ROCK — Not to minimize homelessness, but the definition has changed over time. Today, “homeless” doesn’t mean without shelter. An adult child who has returned home to live with his parent(s) is, I believe, considered homeless.
Relatives who live together under one roof are homeless, though they don’t consider themselves so.
The government tells them.
Are youth in foster homes homeless? How about kids living with grandma?
There was a time when gaggles of people lived in “communes,” from which some would work to support the clan. Today, if none of the members worked, would they be homeless? Is it any wonder the homeless rate climbs year after year? I think the term should be changed to “mortgageless” or perhaps “rentless.”
STEVE HILL
Bella VistaROGERS IS ONE
COMMUNITY
Ihave been following all
of the articles about the new elementary school and the change in boundaries in our district. The letter to the editor in Sunday’s (Feb. 17) edition trying to divide our city into “our” side and “your” side does not reflect the feelings of my family and, I hope, many families in the district.
Westside families, I know how you feel. I have been in your shoes. My family moved to Rogers in 1994 and we raised our children as Mountie fans.
We bought our house in the Oakdale district because we wanted our children to learn and grow under the watchful eye of Mr. James Goodwin.
Our fi rst two children graduated from Rogers High as Mounties. Then the district started talking about a second high school and off ered meetings for the community andparents. My husband and I went to every meeting we could and made sure our questions were answered and our concerns were heard. During those meetings we made sure the second high school would not divide Rogers into the “haves” and “have-nots” or “our” side and “your” side of Rogers. The staff , administrators and parents at those meetings were striving for two great high schools in one community.
Everyone who came to those meetings would not agree with the previous letter in the paper. We are all Rogers. There is no “our” side and “your” side.
Westside parents, we understand the decision you have ahead but let me tell you we are lucky in Rogers to have two high schools fi lled with teachers, administrators and staff who care about the success of our students in school and in the Rogers community. I know this because although my fi rst two children graduatedMounties, my third child was a Mountie his freshman and sophomore years then a War Eagle his junior and senior years. My family is Rogers, we are Mounties and we are War Eagles. Our son was proud to start and build traditions at Rogers Heritage and to be in the fi rst graduating class and my youngest son is proud to graduate in two years as a War Eagle.
There are many families at Heritage like mine whose children grew up Mounties but are succeeding as War Eagles.
So Westside parents and students, unlike the previous letter, we will welcome you into the War Eagle family. We have a safe school where all students belong, learn and succeed. Come to Rogers Heritage and learn what it is to be a War Eagle and you will find out very quickly how proud you are to wear orange!
LISA HEFFRON
Rogers
Opinion, Pages 10 on 02/24/2013