Suspensions can't be blamed on cultural differences
Regarding your series on school suspensions [May 18-19 Star Tribune, "The Suspension Gap"]:
Reading, writing, arithmetic. This is why these students are in school. Discipline, values and faith are to be taught at home. There is no black and white about that.
They are your children. Teachers are there to teach your children the ABCs. Not baby-sit your kids. Most teachers (almost all) love their students and want all of them to succeed in their education. Of course, they must be sensitive to other cultures.
Unless I'm reading this wrong, you are stating it's a culture problem causing these suspensions. Well then, it is not a school problem.
I am not a white man. To say this is a cultural problem is insulting. As it should be for all nonwhite parents. Just saying that disgusts me. We preach diversity in the classroom, how all are equal. But then we can go straight to color to separate us when we feel the system is failing us.
We and our children are the system. It is our job to make the children know the system and work it in their favor. If you teach them that is being "The Man" or "sellout," then that's your problem.
Be smart. So your children can be.
LEIGH STILLDAY, PLYMOUTH
Students may have skewed views I was a bit puzzled by the responses of high school students who had been suspended [May 18 Star Tribune, "The Suspension Gap"]. Most of them thought the reason for their suspensions were very, very minor. For instance, students claimed they were suspended for talking once in class, coming late to class one time, or in one instance, receiving a 45-day suspension based on a dubious and unprovable claim of another student. Really?
Isn't this a bit like asking the fox why he was caught in the henhouse? "Just paying a friendly visit," the fox would reply. The farmer would likely have a different view.
To get a clear picture on these issues, your reporters need to talk to teachers and administrators and get the other side. I suspect that the educators do not suspend a student lightly, and have documentation and strict guidelines that they follow.
If the education professionals cannot talk because of student privacy issues, you really cannot present a balanced story.
MAUREEN FEBEL, ST. LOUIS PARK
Other options for family of autistic child to consider I read the article, "Church bars severely autistic boy from mass," determined to have an open mind.
It appears to me the church did all of the right things: going to the family to personally work at a solution, then sending a letter after that failed. Carol Race said no one had complained to them prior to the priest's visit. You can believe, however, that people did complain to the priest. That's typically how people take care of things in church, as they're uncomfortable with confrontation.
It appears that throughout the article, Race had one excuse after another for her child's behavior, minimizing his dangerous acts. Granted he is autistic, but that doesn't mean he should be allowed to do things just because it has a calming effect.
I think it's wonderful to see families attending church together. But what are they, their son and the other parishioners getting out of the service? If it's just to prove a point, that's not really right.
The mother said they usually sit in the crying room. Then why does he have access to the church aisles?
I think there are a lot of other places they could bring their son where those around him would be safe. Perhaps the parents could take turns taking the other children to church. Would it really matter to Adam if he stayed home with a one-on-one with Mom or Dad as opposed to going to church?
PAULA D. HANNINEN MAPLE GROVE