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| The way students learn makes a huge difference on WASL Dear Editor, As a substitute teacher, beginning my sixth year in the Lake Stevens School District, I feel I can provide an objective viewpoint for some of the questions posed by Debbbi Van Abrahams in her Oct. 1 opinion letter. I have served as a substitute, at one time or another, in all of the schools in the district ranging from teaching pre-school to seniors in high school. However, I am asked to teach math most of the time. Let me share what I’ve observed bearing in mind that I come from a readin’, writin’, ‘rithmetic biased background. First, I’ve observed dedicated staff and teachers at all of the schools who are often times frustrated with disciplinary issues. Second, and here I’m focusing on the math issues that seem to be so rampant at the middle school and now mid-high level, students often arrive at these levels with sorely inadequate math facts, simple: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division deficiencies. Asked what 8+6 is or 16-9 is or 48/6 is, or 9x7 is students, more often than not, will either respond with the “deer in the headlights” far off gaze, or immediately take a kind of “gansta rap” finger stance to, in 10-20 seconds, report the answer by some amazing finger counting technique. Gone are the days when the teacher can ask, “What is 6x9?” and get an immediate “snap of the fingers” correct response. On the off chance I’m doubted, I challenge the readers to try this at home with your students. Obviously, some will do well, but the majority will not. In my day (when the dinosaurs roamed the earth) we learned math facts by flash cards and knew, and could immediately respond to, the multiplication table up to the 12’s by third grade (fourth for we slower students). Next, I feel calculators are introduced and allowed far too soon in the educational process--well ahead of competence in math facts. Students are too eager to accept the calculator answer (even in the instance when they may have entered an incorrect number) simply because they aren’t able to estimate what the answer should be. Finally, in this day of “instant gratification” many are unwilling to pay the price to carefully read and consider what has been read. Instead, eyes are quickly scanned over the assigned pages (“Yes, I read it!”) and answers sought to questions without considering the whole context. Fifteen or 30 minutes of reading and questioning of that reading done at home each night and 10 minutes of flash card practice each night will correct many of the noted problems. As usual, parents will need to determine the relative importance of social events and sports to long term educational benefits. I know this: foreign students attend school longer, are highly motivated because of tight competition for college entrance and high earning possibilities, and are willing to study to excel. I know this, too, these are the same students ours will be competing with in this global economy for the high paying careers of the future. Actions have consequences and so does in-action. Life is full of priorities. It’s our job to determine which require our greatest attention. Ron Kelley |
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| Loomis is an uncommon State Representative Dear Editor, Liz Loomis is an uncommon candidate. She has done a super job as a fresh new face in Olympia. She has proven she knows how to get things done by working across the aisle. I’ve known her for years, and what I’ve most admired is that she keeps her eye on what’s important, and is willing to bring folks together to find the best solutions. No wonder she is popular with voters, legislators, firefighters, and law enforcement alike. If you have a problem, she’s there to help. If you have an issue, she has an open mind. Here is where she stands out: The economy. She has fought for family-wage jobs. As a small business owner, she knows how to balance a budget by keeping spending in line, and opposing tax increases. She gained safety improvements to Highway 2 and commuter rail to unsnarl our transportation mess. She supports a woman’s right to choose, and for insurance companies to cover birth control and mammograms. Here’s our chance to keep her working for us. Please support Liz Loomis as our State Representative. You’ll be glad you did. Kathy Prince Snohomish |
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| Over 200 pigs need to be returned Dear Editor, The Lake Stevens Community Food Bank is looking for their “Piggy Banks” that they farmed out during Aquafest. Our friends that took the banks with a promise to feed them and fatten them up for “butcher”. This is a reminder to bring them to a local bank. We must “butcher” them by Oct. 14 to purchase food for the Holiday Baskets. Thanks friends for caring for our pigs and please bring them back. Jim Foster |
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| Appel is a mentor and community leader Dear Editor, We represent various aspects of Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center, a child-focused environment that has been decades in the making. We know George Appel because he has worked for over 15 years holding our county’s worst criminals accountable, providing justice for the most vulnerable victims and keeping our communities safe. He is a mentor, a judge pro tem, a community leader, and one of the most honest, genuine people you will ever meet. Because we have worked at Dawson Place since the inception, we know that George Appel is the only judicial candidate we have ever seen set foot in Dawson Place. He has worked in the Special Assault Unit with us, day in and day out. The types of cases we work are perhaps the most horrific. These cases require a special kind of Prosecutor who knows the law, holds the offender accountable, and deals with each victim in a sensitive and caring manner. We are supporting George Appel not only because of the exceptional endorsements he has received from local judges, law enforcement, firefighters, community leaders and families, but because he is the only candidate with the integrity, experience, and knowledge to do an outstanding job. It is not a coincidence that the amazing person for whom our center was named, Seth Dawson, solely endorses George Appel for Position Six. Please join all of us in electing George Appel as our next Superior Court Judge. Detective R. Lewis, Christopher Yue, Keri Wallace, Kaia Scott, Amanda Harpell, Cindy Larsen, Nova Robinson |
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| Wilson should be chosen as Judge Dear Editor, I have been very disappointed in the actions of apparent “Appel for Judge” supporters and/or members of his campaign team. Joe Wilson signs have been disappearing by the hundreds! For example, within four days, a majority of the signs recently put up in Stanwood by the Wilson campaign have “disappeared.” The Wilson signs that have disappeared around the county include the large 4x8 foot signs. Someone is certainly going to a lot of trouble to remove Joe Wilson’s name from the voting scene. One can only assume it is someone from the Appel campaign. This is a judicial campaign! One would hope that both candidates could play by the rules and run a respectful campaign, but it’s not happening. Speaking of being respectful, on Oct. 1, at the domestic violence luncheon held at the Everett Events Center, Joe Wilson was honored by Domestic Violence Services Center of Snohomish County for his years of work, dedication and financial commitments to the cause. Surprised and humbled, Mr. Wilson received a standing ovation for his work. Who remained seated and still? That would be George Appel and his entire table of prosecutors. That certainly said a lot about Mr. Appel’s true character. Mr. Appel needs to realize that it wasn’t the time and place to make it all about him. Campaign or no campaign, like it or not, Wilson and Appel are on the same team and represent the criminal justice system of Snohomish County. Grow up, George, and start ensuring that your campaign team is representing Snohomish County appropriately. Aaron Wagner Lake Stevens |
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Letters to the editor must include a signature, address and daytime phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Please keep letters focused on the issues and under 300 words. The Journal reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, taste, style and length. Letters and guest editorials express the opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of the Journal or its staff. Send letters to: Editor, Lake Stevens Journal, P.O. Box 896, Lake Stevens, Wash. 98258. You can also e-mail us at news@lakestevensjournal.com or fax to (425) 334-9239.
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