Letter to the Editor: Endorsement for Mason, Routzahn, Scifo for District 47 Board

Letter to the Editor:

"Character Counts on School Board

Attending a District 47 Board meeting in the Fall, I witnessed two citizens express their objection to implementing in our schools Character Counts, a program founded upon the tenets of caring, respect, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness, and citizenship.

These citizens, Eileen Palsgrove and Donna Ricci, are running for open Board positions this month.  Their concerns? These character aspects should be taught at home and teachers cannot be expected to support them in school in a way the administration intends.

Clearly these foundations should be taught at home, but considering our children spend roughly half their waking hours during the week in school, why would we not want this sound foundation reinforced there?

Bullying remains an issue, especially given the ease with which it can now be conducted via electronic means. Furthermore, research indicates that students enjoy greater academic success when their school environment is comfortable, free from threatening elements.

We’re fortunate that our existing Board and administration recognized the need for and benefits of Character Counts and, despite the objections of Palsgrove and Ricci, executed their plan to implement.

Key members of the Board who helped carry out this important initiative include Jeff Mason, Rob Routzahn, and Ruth Scifo.  While the current Board term for each of these three members is expiring, each is running for re-election.  It is important for our community that they be allowed to continue the important work they’ve begun.

Please vote Mason, Routzahn, and Scifo – for our youth."
Sincerely,
Andrea Tuszynski