Letters to the editor: All-day kindergarten, Bogus Basin Road, homelessness, Nampa superintendent, rental fees
Kindergarten
As a retired teacher, I know the value of kindergarten. This is when a child absorbs the foundation of skills/knowledge that future learning will be built upon. This is also critical time in a child’s life for social and physical development. The more exposure the child has for this broad development, the easier it will be for him/her to profit from future learning. Kindergarten is not just about counting, the ABCs or writing your name. It is about learning to wait for your turn, how to line up and how to be responsible for your belongings. It is critical for children who come from low-income, single-parent or non-English speaking families who do not have the language background that others do. Watching television does not provide the two-way street of conversation all children need.
Forty percent of Idaho households struggle to make ends meet. When parents are struggling to provide for their family, other needs go by the wayside. Full-day kindergarten can meet the needs of Idaho’s children by helping provide a foothold in education and opening the door to the excitement of learning. Idaho’s children deserve this strong foundation. Contact your legislators and tell them you support full-day kindergarten.
Donna Looze, Boise
Bogus Basin Road
To the two drivers that were driving down Bogus Basin Road on Friday, Feb. 4. First, when you’re holding up more than three cars, pull over and allow them to pass. It’s common courtesy.
Bogus Basin Road is not equipped with passing lanes for a reason, passing is not only unsafe and illegal, it’s completely idiotic on a mountain road in the middle of winter with blind corners.
Speeding up while someone is attempting to pass in such conditions is even more unsafe and even more idiotic. Your behavior is beyond ridiculous, the two of you put many lives at risk that day because of your foolish goal of being first.
The stupidity, greed and pure selfishness you both obviously suffer from has no place on a mountain road full of cars with men, women and children. Your actions were pathetic and you should both not only be ashamed of yourselves but also thank God that you didn’t rob anyone of their lives.
Robert Vincent, Boise
Homelessness
As I watched the evening news, I saw with sadness how the police were called in to “check on the welfare” of the homeless encampment in front of the Capitol building. Their actions dehumanized the homeless, as they collected their belongings into big black trash bags and made mention of three arrests for outstanding warrants (not showing up at a court hearing) and drug paraphernalia. Where was the in-depth story about who the homeless are and how they got there? What needs do they have that the legislature should be aware of? Did any of our legislators meet with them outside? Why weren’t these homeless people invited inside to speak, and given something warm to drink and eat? The next news story was about the wonderful $350 MILLION income tax rebate Idahoans will receive, that no one asked for. What if that $350 million had been used for outreach services for the homeless, the mentally ill, the addicted, foster kids who have aged out of the system, our veterans? Would we not all have benefited from this?
Lori Poublon Ramirez, Meridian
All-day kindergarten
A recent opinion poll conducted by Boise State University found that more than 68% of Idahoans favor all-day kindergarten. Yet most Idaho kindergarten students are in partial-day programs. This is the year to change that.
Research shows that full-day kindergarten boosts student achievement and improves social skills. A recent study in Idaho found that students who attended full-day kindergarten did better in grades 1 through 3 than students in partial-day kindergartens.
Many of our AAUW members have taught kindergarten, both half-day and full-day. They have seen first-hand that the students who attended full-day kindergarten were much better prepared for first grade than those who did not, and the benefits continue throughout their education.
Investing in education is important for the future of Idaho. A better-educated workforce will attract more businesses to the state. I encourage everyone to contact their state legislators in Boise to encourage them to support funding for all-day kindergarten in Idaho.
Mary Mosley, Meridian, president, Boise area AAUW
Nampa superintendent
Thank you, Dr. Kellerer. Thank you for all your years of dedication to students and staff in the Nampa School District.
I recently retired after 47-plus years in education in various locations throughout Idaho. Needless to say, I worked under a number of superintendents. One was particularly poor, most were adequate, three were very good, and one was exemplary. That exemplary superintendent was Dr. Kellerer. She was an exceptional principal, as well as assistant superintendent and superintendent for the children and staff in Nampa.
I can only wish her the best in life as she moves forward. I know she has many more years, many more ideas and phenomenal skills to help children in their journey through education and life.
Dr. Kellerer, the people of this community are better off for your leadership and caring – whether they know it yet or not.
Hats off and, again, thank you to the best school superintendent I have ever known, Dr. Paula Kellerer.
Ray James, Nampa
Rental fees
It is becoming more and more apparent that our state legislature has no clue as to what their constituency truly wants or needs. A prime example of this is their recent ban on Boise’s cap on rental application fees. They are claiming that this is for the protection of consumers. I am wondering just what it is they have been smoking. Without a cap on these application fees, those of us trying to find a place to rent in Boise have just become prey to greedy landlords profiting off the housing situation. There needs to be some protection for consumers in place, I will agree there, however it must be for the consumers not for corporate landlords.
Emerald Petet, Garden City