Page A6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 14, 1993 ETTERS TO THE TERRACE STANDARD If something is wrong here, let’s say it out loud Dear Sir: My heart sank when I heanl on the news about the parents of next year’s kindergarten children lining up in the Parkside Elementary School parking lot to ensure a spot for their children at that school in the coming year. The announcer euphemistically reported. the reason given by many parents was that they did not want their children to attend E.T. Kenney .“because of the neighbourhood.” Well what about the neighbour- hood? If there is something wrong or bad here, let’s say it oul loud. ll-is true that. the few short blocks which separate the two schools represents a huge dis- tance in terms of the residents an- nual incomes and cultural mix, I am saddened to realize that good, loving and consclentious parents sce no value in allowing (indeed, encouraging) their chil- dren to-attend a school which probably represents a microcosm of our community and even, per- haps the province or the country as'a whole. That they see no value, and are by their actions legitimizing the ghettoization and marginalization of certain seg- ments of the population. Could your child’s life not be emiched by the friendship of a child whose. culture is different from your own? Or by a child whose single parent can afford to 'T know that all parents just want what is best for their children, but is sheltering them from problems brought about through poverty, ignorance and intolerance real- ly the best way to do that?” live in the only inexpensive rental - housing in this cily? Should we be teaching our chil- dren from the tender age of 5 that poverty and disadvantage and dif- ferences do not exist as long as we choose to be blind to them? That we have absolutely no re- sponsibility to mitigate the con- stant and relentless marginalizing of people who are not the same as us, hence less deserving? Are the. teachers employed in low or mixed-income or multi- cultural schools less qualified or dedicated than others? Do they take the educational and personal achievements of their students less seriously than their col- leagues who work four blocks away? When my daughter was 5 years old I had no choice as to what school she would attend. I was one of those single-income families who lived in inexpensive rental housing. My daughter went to a school with children from diverse ethnic and ‘income groups; some quite poor by our affluent North American stan- dards. Her school, as well as her home expericnees, have sensitized her to the very real differences and sometimes problems of her own and her classmates’ differing backgrounds, ethnicity, income levels, and other circumstances. She sees, as all children do, the injustice in a system, which knowingly or unknowingly dis- criminates against children (or their parents) for any of these rea- Sons. I am proud of the person my daughter is becoming. I think she has learned that a single individu- al can make a difference; can make things better - first and foremost by ‘not ignoring or _ JUST ARRIVED! Maggie-B Luggage and Accessories The Yellow Gift House on Hwy. 16 638-1808 avoiding unpleasant or difficult situations which will, after all, confront her throughout her life, I am proud of her now, and I am very optimislic about the role she will play as an adult in whatever she decides to do, Much of her compassion and in- tolerance of injustice has been learned through her school expe- - riences, which did not shield her from the real world, but exposed her to it. I know that all parents just want what is best for their children, but is sheltering them from problems brought about through poverty, ignorance, and intolerance really the best way. to do that? Perhaps a truly ‘enriched’ school program is available to our - children in the very places which we are currently secking to avoid. Judy McCloskey, Terrace, B.C. Here’s one way to save on taxes An open letter to: government look action now, Minister of Supply and Scr- on saving Ihe taxpayer $21 vices, million dollars. Dear Sir: Many other things the I just received a note regard- ing direct depositing, In this Ietter it states that if all “security program payments were made by. direct deposit, $21 million’ would ‘be saved this year’, The government has been as- king the public for input in trying to cut the deficit. Well, here is the perfect way to save $21 million. I feel that if this is the case, there should be no choice but direct deposits, it is a waste of my tax dollar and everyone else’s if monies are not put into personal bank accounts. There have been government does we have no say In. We don’t like what has been donc but we were not asked either, Another way to save our tax dollars, don't ‘give’ away so many of our hard eamed dol- lars to other countries. There are enough people in Canada that-are in need and can’t get it for one reason’ or another. Save, save, save our tax dollars for Canadians. Be good samaritans but help our own people first and fore- most. After all, we Canadians pay your wages, and I think you spending cuts in-some wrong forget that. places, like health care and ed- Sincerely, ucation. I don’t think that Lissi Sorensen, would be necessary if the Terrace, B.C. ~ Over 80 companies are at the Trade Show _ with displays and company representatives. There's something for everyone! - See what’s new in the business world. Make important business contacts. Check out the new ideas and new products on the market. ECONOMICAL 5) AQUA GUN All mete! consiruction with TRULY “} hi-lusire finish, solld brows VERSATILE stem ond How edjusiment ond LAWN ouieinigper to lock spray Inte ony potter: AND Ne 425 ™ GARDEN - NETTING 70 qouge golvanized wite netting ia strong and durotla. 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