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Willie,
Could you in your infinite wisdom possibly find out who is responsible for building post offices? I live in Walhalla and the post office is deplorable. It leaks, it stinks and the flashing is bent over the roof. A town that seemingly takes so much pride in itself should want to take more interest in finding a new post office, but I can’t find anyone interested.
Willie says:
The federal government builds post offices, wherever and whenever they want to.
Willie,
I just want say that two years ago, American Upholstery reupholstered a sofa for us and recently the fabric seemed to be a little frayed on one of the cushions and they recovered the cushion. When we tried to pay them, they said no we can’t charge you, there was a flaw in the fabric and we should have noticed it when we reupholstered the sofa for you. They are so commendable and honest and have so much integrity that we just want to applaud them.
Willie says:
A big round of applause for great customer service!
Willie,
I plan to cut down a large tree on my property and let it come down accidentally on my car. Do most insurance companies cover this? I really want a new car to pick up my kids. Any investigation you can do on this would really help me out.
Willie says:
Yeah, right. I believe I hear some premeditation in your planning, which would definitely eliminate any insurance coverage.
Willie,
It’s amazing how many people love to put in their two cents, even when it’s not asked. Here are some examples: The situation about the police chief is one; who really knows what happened but Stanley and God, but everyone loves to give their opinion on what may have happened. Another example: People who claim to be Christians and upstanding citizens in this community love to gossip at their kids’ ball games, of all places. Who cares who divorced whom and who cheated on whom; it’s none of your business and there are always two sides to every story. So, these people who like to run their mouths, look at your own life and are you any better? God is the only one who can judge. Third example: These people who are in law enforcement work their butts off for this community, but everyone loves to complain about someone or something not going their way; get over it! What happened to if you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say it at all? That is what is wrong with this world today. If people would take that gossip energy and put it in their own home life, what would happen? I am not in law enforcement; I am a mom. I am sure when something happens in this town to someone, it haunts them forever. Everyone has been gossiped about whether truth or not. It’s hurtful and again these people who voice their opinion, think of who you may hurt and look at your own life and see how perfect it is! Not!
What is this teaching our kids? I’m not saying you shouldn’t give your opinion, but speak it wisely and nicely, otherwise keep it in your own brain.
Willie says:
Thanks for the not-so-gentle reminder that we all live in glass houses.
Willie,
I would like to tell the people in Oconee County let’s change some ways by doing acts of kindness to everyone. Help the old, buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in a line, call someone and say I’m sorry. Also, take something negative and make it positive. Let’s not complain about petty things. Look around this great county that you live in and look at all the great things that are happening. We look so hard for gossip and complaints, look at the good! There are people that deliver to the elderly, I thank you; people that pick up trash to make Oconee County look better, thanks a bunch; people that volunteer at the hospital, you’re awesome. Anyway, you will be amazed how good you will feel and how great the person you help will feel. Oconee, can you do something great for someone and go a day without gossip and complaints?
Willie says:
Now you’re talking!
Willie,
I read Dr. Lucas’ blog and was appalled at the county council asking the school district for additional information regarding their budget, but then went ahead and cut the school district’s budget without reviewing the report they requested. What are they thinking? They have become quite power hungry these days. That is not only disrespectful to the school district but to the parents and children it serves so well.
And …
Willie,
What’s up with our county council? I understand that they may not accept the recommended budget made by Dr. Lucas and the school board for next year. Don’t those “good old guys” realize that schools are critically important to our community! I know a lot of other people have been upset with the county council in the past and I can now see why with all the political shenanigans going on at Pine Street.
And …
Willie,
I got an e-mail from my superintendent. He said he was disappointed in the actions of county council not fully considering the budget requests needed for our schools. I’m not disappointed, I’m angry! Can you tell me when each council member is up for reelection? My school is held accountable each year for test scores. I think my colleagues and I will hold the county council accountable with the next election.
And …
Willie,
I am appalled at the way the Oconee County Council did not give the SDOC a chance to explain why they needed the extra money this year. We are in a time that the better education a child receives, the better chance that child has at bringing a new business to our county. It would be nice if they opened their eyes and recognized the profit that this would bring to Oconee County. May they reconsider and give Oconee County the chance to expand and prosper.
Willie says:
Readers are fired up! As you’ve read by now, the county council did give the school district $450,000 of the $1.2 million requested, to be used to cover additional salary increases for teachers, making SDOC more competitive with other area schools. The way the council handled the process left a lot to be desired. Since the county administration office and the school administration office are just across the street from each other, I think the taxpayers could expect better communication.
Willie,
I go to Seneca High School and I am here to say that this world has got too much evil in it! Deaths, fights, bullies, sex offenders and perverts; I hope that one day everyone will look and see what they are doing to others. For the reason that I say this stuff is because I care; others may not, but I do. Another thing I have to say is the things that people do to be mean or to get a laugh need to grow up! But this week has been a sad week; my best friend died, four cars have crashed and too many people have caused too much drama!
Willie says:
I’m sorry for your loss, and for your disappointment with our world. Keep caring; you can make a difference.
Willie,
I was just wondering why Richland Road was closed for almost a year and they could not fix the road any better than they did. The only thing that is there now is a big dip and a sign. I have called the SCDOT and have not gotten any response. You would think in a year’s time they could have done better than that.
Willie says:
You would think so, yes, but it IS the DOT, you know.
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Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments are subject to the site's terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Eagle Media. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.RE; COMMENT ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICT MONEY.
NO I DONT ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE COUNTY COUNSEL ON WHAT AND HOW THEY DO SOME THINGS. BUT, LETS USE COMMON SENSE PLEASE.
THE SCHOOL BOARD-IF I'M CORRECT - WANTED TO HAVE MORE MONEY TO FUND FULL TIME NURSES AT HIGH SCHOOLS AND FOR SOME KINDA READING COACH SUPERVISOR PERSON AT ABOUT $60,000 PER YEAR. NOW I'M NO GENIUS, BUT WHY DO GROWN KIDS NEED A NURSE, TO TELL THEM THEY ARE SICK. AND WHY ARE WE TRYING TO TEACH HIGH SCHOOLERS TO READ NOW, AFTER 9 OR 10 YEARS IN SCHOOL. I KNOW FROM MY OWN EXPOSURE TO SOME OF THESE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS. THAT,WELL,THEY DO GOOD TO JUST READ A PARAGRAPH WITHOUT IT TAKING 15 MIN. OF STUBLING WITH WORDS TO GET IT DONE.... THE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL.THAT ALONG WITH MATH AND MANNERS. SO, I AGREE WITH THE COUNTY COUNSEL THAT THEY, THE SCHOOL, DIDNT NEED THAT MONEY.
Must... not... make... comment... about... grammar... and spelling.....
Poorfarm: A school nurse isn't there to tell a child if they are sick, but to help deal with an accident if first aid or another type of treatment is needed for the student. As for students not needing to learn how to read: They need to learn sometime, if they didn't accomplish this in Elem. and Middle School they are awfully tough to teach when they get into High School, so they do need the help. Also who told you it was a $60,000 a year job? And manners should be taught at home, but I guess just like everything else now days, parents and obviously yourself feel like passing the buck on to the schools without providing the buck to get it done.
Re: Richland Road
I couldn't agree more. The bridge repair is deplorable. The bridge itself is fairly smooth but the vehicle-suspension killing dip you have to go through to get ON the bridge is embarassing.
You would think the DOT would take more pride in their work than they do.
"they are awfully tough to teach when they get into High School"
I have a question. Why are these students even promoted to high school if they are reading at such a low level? These problems should have been solved early in elementary school by making them repeat a grade level and certain skills for another year. I really hope children are not just being passed so the school does not have to deal with a challenge. That would truly be sad. I am starting to lose confidence in our government schools.
I think my comment was taken the wrong way by some.
floridaboy said it better, the kids need to learn reading before they get to the high school years. and yes manners should be taught at home, but, kids for the most part are not and it shows at school... just ask a teacher.. i did.
also like i said.. if my memorey is correct. it said somewhere that it was a $60,000 yr. salary.. a waste of money for that. it needs to go to the elem. school level.
a nurse is not needed for high schools.. my opinion.
and no my spelling and grammer isn't always correct. but for someone who is old an worn out, i get by.
The reading and literacy coach is to work directly with teachers. One of the critical elements of reading is that students be able to read highly technical information. The reading coach is someone who works with teachers to demonstrate how content material can be taught in such a way as to assist students in developing necessary skills to be successful in today's world of work.
Remember, the newspaper is written at about 8th grade level. Many of the careers of today require reading of complex and technical material. The purpose of the coach is not to teach basic reading skills, but to help secondary content teachers employ more critical analytical reading skills in their disciplines.
It must be said that reading as a subject generally stops at 3rd grade. Students after grade 3 are to engage in text within the content areas of instruction. This requires specialized vocabulary, as well as comprehension skills.
Michael Lucas, District Superintendent
So you wanted to hire a teacher for the teachers?
If the teachers are not able to "employ more critical analytical reading skills in their disciplines" in the first place, then perhaps they are not qualified for the job!
Mr Lucas, that sounds a lot like the political gobbledy goop that we are served up on a daily basis by our pols. If we could just get back to the 3 R's and a heapin' helpin' of discipline it would make a world of difference, but I know that the discipline has to start at an early age at home, and sadly today, that doesn't happen like it did in my day. I certainly don't envy your job. I wouldn't have it. Thank goodness, some folk do, but I don't think throwing more money and "specialists" at the problem is going to solve it. Everything needs to go back to the basics, as it used to be. If a child can't do the work DO NOT promote them to the next level until they can, to appease the parents or "make the numbers look better". When I went to school, many people were "held back" and it made me try harder because I didn't want to be one who watched their friends move on without them. If I knew I would be promoted no matter what, I wouldn't have had the incentive to do the work.
There will always be those who don't want anything other than to get by, but the people who are interested and really want it will work hard and are going to take the classes they need to help them have the "critical analytical reading skills" that you speak of. The others who are, for lack of a better term, slackers just need to get the 3 R's mastered and a diploma that is earned, not handed to them to improve the graduation rate, because some of us are just going to be workers, laborers, etc, because someone has to. Someone has to lay brick, build houses, pave roads, drive trucks, farm, log, pulpwood, etc. Most of those jobs requires some "critical analytical" thinking which we used to call common sense. That's something that can't be taught from a book.
Part of the problem is that kids aren't held back in elementary school if they are too tall, too old looking, have a brother or sister in a grade below them, or any other ridiculus reason that might hurt their self confidence. That's because not being able to read is not hurtful to their self confidence at all. Not that I even mind the above reasons if there was a system in place to pull those kids that are "passed on" in order to teach them the skills they missed. Or maybe they can be given the choice of repeating the grade or staying after school a few times a week to get remediation.
Besides that note, I agree with Dr. Lucas. Highly technical reading is a must if we are to move this country to the point where we're competing with foreign countries in a "thinking" economy.
It is truly amazing to me the number of people who think they are experts on education because they attended school.
You may want to do a little research on retention. All you're doing is setting a kid up to be a dropout. They become overage students who can't succeed. Use the internet to do a little checking instead of commenting on something in which you have so little direct knowledge. You'll find that most of these students started behind because they were not exposed to vocabulary and print in the home. They start behind, and it is almost impossible for them to catch up. The brain grows exponentially from birth to age 3 ... a time when they were not exposed to the kinds of things that promoted brain growth.
By the way, teachers who are trained in content area subjects (history, math, science, etc.) are NOT taught in strategies for the teaching of reading. It is important that they get staff development in this area ... and I'm not even a teacher.
Kudos to Dr. Lucas was signing his comment.
I don't think I'm an expert on education, far from it, but I know that dumbing down schools to the lowest common denominator to keep from hurting someones "self esteem" is not the answer. There has to be accountability.
I agree everyone isn't prepared when they start school and aren't motivated at home, but as I said earlier throwing money and "specialists" at the problem is NOT the answer. The answer is stressing the basics instead of promoting people who can't do the work to keep from dealing with the complaints from their parents or perhaps someone blaming the teacher because the children didn't do the work.
We CAN NOT keep promoting kids to the next grade just to help the "drop out rate".
What good is it to have a high school graduate from Oconee county that can't read, write, etc above grammar school level.
Things are much more complex than they were when I graduated in '71, but one thing hasn't changed. If you can't read and write and do some basic arithmetic when you enter the real world you're in big trouble.
Well hum dinger, i see we got us a good mix of comments about the school issue. thank god.
all of them have good points and some not so good.
i'll try to make my point simple.
no, teachers dont need to teach manners,aint their job, not what i want them paid for.. the kids, not all, are running the classroom,and telling teachers what they gonna do. the teachers and pricipals hands are tied by red tape and suit happy parents when something goes bad with thier kid. etc..
blaming the teacher because their kid failed a class or got into trouble. when i was in school, my parents didnt question the principal or teachers actions. dad said if you get your tail whipped at school, you get more at home. youre sent to learn not cause trouble. i think i turned out o.k.
mr. lucas,i thank you for your comment. dang right admire you. i think you are a smart man and a good choice was made when you were hired, but i like to use common sense along with brains. it works better i think.
i feel we need to work on the elementary kids, get them in top form, math,reading,speaking,writing and then they will blossom. i think i'm like most older folks. i want my kids and grandkids to have a better education than i did.
poorfarm: I totally agree with you this time. However, no matter how much we want to work on the lower grade levels, not every child will be reached (even with no child left behind)due to a lack of involvement at home. A student must have some system of support other than receiving support from the school system, and trust me seeing and hearing what these children go through everyday when they leave school isn't the support they need. Parents are vital to a child's education! As for the Literacy Coaches at the secondary levels, imagine being called upon to read or having to give a report as a student with a lower level reading and vocabulary comprehension, kids can be very cruel, so in order for the student not to suffer any shame, they simply act out and cause a disruption which keeps them from doing the work. This is where the Lit Coach comes in and helps the student and the teacher solve the problem. The teacher by introducing new strategies that help promote reading in the classroom, and the student by working 1 on 1 with them and helping them feel comfortable through practice and techniques....Sorry to ramble
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