Today's Letters: Schools need innovation

I just have to say bravo to Rep. John Legg. It is the first time since I have been teaching in Pasco County, 13 years this month, that I have actually heard a politician say that "we've kind of allowed ourselves to teach to the bottom." Not kind of. We have.

There is no reason we should make students capable of advancement sit in classes that do not challenge them. It's not that the teachers cannot challenge them, or even do not want to, but dealing with frustrated students who know that they need extra help and cannot keep up with a certain pace forced upon them, makes all learning difficult, especially for the student who feels like they have been there and done that, so many times. No Child Left Behind status has left more children behind than anyone wants to admit, and if you are serious, bring on the innovations because we teachers and students are ready.

Rhonda Starr, Hudson

Crash claims third family member Jan. 4 story

Driver shouldn't have been on road

Thank you, Molly Moorhead, for the story on our family. It was well done and people needed to know about this man. I have written to the Sheriff's Office, the State Attorney's Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles sending them copies of the story and asking: Why has this man had so many chances to be reissued his driver's license over and over again?

This could have been prevented and the women in Hudson could still be alive if this man was not able to drive. Where is the justice in all of this?

I pray that you continue to follow up on this and do many stories about drivers getting slapped on the hand and released to kill again. It is really not fair. How can anyone be safe to drive on the streets with people like David Belniak driving?

Mary Casias, Spring Hill

Group helped us deal with illness

In 2006 and 2007, our son was in jail in three counties, Baker- Acted twice, gave his car away, threw his cell phone and computer away, walked away from a job, stayed unemployed and faced indecent exposure charges.

His mother and I felt hopeless. We contacted our local representative and were ready to go to our state representative when my wife was told about an organization called NAMI Pasco, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

My wife and I took the next available Family to Family education course and finished the 12-week class just before Thanksgiving. Well, my son stayed ill, however, I changed my perspective on my son. How powerful the information was that we gathered during the course. We sought proper medications, gained coping skills, understanding and empathy.

Thank you to NAMI Pasco. By the way, I subsequently got certified by NAMI Florida as a teacher to give back to others in this community who have family members with these no-fault illnesses.

Benjamin Pitta, New Port Richey

Share your views

The Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.

Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule). Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.

Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668, or by fax to 727-869-6233 or go to www.tampabay.com/letters.

Fill out the form to supply us with your personal information, the subject line, and type your letter in the space provided. You can also cut and paste a letter that you have prepared elsewhere in your computer. When you are done, hit the button that says "Submit My Letter."

[Last modified January 8, 2008, 20:36:20]