Wednesday, May 29, 2002
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Wednesday, May 29, 2002 |
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Booth students show patriotism in many ways I would like to respond to the letter by Kim Morrison regarding Booth students and the comment made about not going to the July 4th parade if no candy is thrown. For the last eight years I have planned a trip to City Hall for our team of students to participate in a mock city council meeting. The candy throwing topic was chosen because it was a subject currently being considered by the council and one to which eighth grade students could relate. At our mock council meeting on the afternoon of May 9, the majority of students were in favor of continuing the candy throwing. They pointed out that this is a PTC tradition, businesses count on it for advertisement, and it's a way for politicians to campaign. However, some students spoke against continuing the candy throwing, saying that July 4th had much more meaning than getting candy. I was proud of all the students who spoke and gave valid arguments for their position. At the actual meeting on Thursday evening, May 16, 17 of my students choose to attend and several spoke before the council on both sides of the issue. These students learned an invaluable lesson regarding citizen participation in local government. Ms. Morrison has taken one comment and applied it to all Booth students. I would like for Ms. Morrison to know that Booth students have shown their patriotism and compassion for others over and over this year. On Sept. 12, students initiated and participated in a memorial service in front of Booth in memory of the Sept. 11 victims. A committee of students raised $2,500 in the Pennies for the Pentagon and Nickels for New York campaign, earning the Prudential Company "Spirit of Community" award. [Also,] $2,400 and 500 pairs of socks were contributed at Christmas for needy students in our school and Fayette County. Students tied over two miles of strips of red, white, and blue fabric to represent two feet for each victim of Sept. 11. Booth students have written letters to our servicemen, contributed to canned food drives for the poor, toiletry drives for battered women, and have conducted a massive recycling program throughout the year. Yes, Ms. Morrison, I can "say it isn't so," because I teach these Booth students. Everyday I see students whose actions show that they have character traits such as respect, caring for others, responsibility and integrity. I personally know that the overwhelming majority of them love their country more than candy, and they have shown it this year in ways that really count instead of signing a petition. Beth Loftin loftin.beth@fcboe.org
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