Staying close to home

Dear Editor,

When I was growing up in Sheffield during the ’50s and ’60s there were two grade (elementary) schools, one on each side of town — Lincoln and Washington. Most of us walked to school and were familiar with the neighborhoods and its residents.

If I got in trouble at school, I also got in trouble at home. There was always good-natured banter between the schools as to which had the prettiest girls, the toughest guys and the best athletes.

When I was in the fifth grade, part-way through the year 1962-63, both schools were closed, and the students were combined at the new elementary school next to the high school on Pickering Street.

It seemed crowded and busy. It was my first encounter with a male teacher at the elementary level and some male administrators. The administrators seemed formal and distant, but I did not pay them much attention as they had no interactions with me.

In 1964-65, I started attending Sheffield High School in the seventh grade. I also got my first yearbook, which showed the Sheffield Board of Education was made up of eight persons from Sheffield and Cherry Grove Townships and I knew most of them. In 1966, the Warren County School District was created with 32 schools. By 1968 my yearbook had two extra pages showing the new Board of Directors (13 members, only one whom I knew) and the Central Office staff (16 administrative staff and 13 secretarial staff, only one of whom I recognized from Sheffield). At that time, I was thinking something like, “Why are these people in my yearbook?”

Today there are nine schools in the Warren County School District and 42 staff at the central office. No one wants to attend a school a long distance from their home. Perhaps It is time to give the schools back to the communities.

Kurt Lyle,

Warren

‘It won’t be easy’

Dear Editor,

Serious school district changes are being considered. Those most affected will be students, parents and some school staff. We seniors still pay taxes, but the greatest consideration goes to those most affected.

I was president of the Lacy Elementary PTO for Lacy’s last two years. Today’s possible closures look much more impactful.

I read most carefully about the issues of busing and teacher “preps.” I taught full time for 36 years, starting at Tidioute High and finishing at Youngsville High, certified in physics, math and general science. Afterward, I did three emergency years at Youngsville — three-quarter time — as physics certificates were not plentiful.

From Warren’s east side, I could get to Youngsville faster than students from Grand Valley. If Youngsville was closed, their ride to Eisenhower would be about 30 miles. Riding with Southwest Township to Titusville would be closer, as would Tidioute Charter School. If Sheffield closes, it’s a long ride to Warren High from Barnes, for example.

Practicality and caring are paramount. It won’t be easy.

In very small secondary schools, teachers may have five “preps,” different courses to teach. It was that way at Tidioute, sometimes with inconvenient room changes. Physics and chemistry were taught in alternate years t seniors and juniors. Small school advocates may favor the greater familiarity faculty has with students. You can make the case, though that more “preps” can mean less depth. Familiarity musn’t be overdone.

Some students feel anonymous in large schools. But others may relish the variety of activities and social contacts.

Whatever evolves, caring family units can generally strengthen schools and economic stability. Consider the Pittsburgh area. Wilkinsburg lost its high school due to lack of funds. Duquesne lost its due to low performance. Their percent of homes occupied by married couples are 24 and 26 percent respectively.

Mount Lebanon and Upper St. Clair are known for excellent schools. The percent of homes occupied by married couples are 57 and 76 percent respectively. It’s not just about the money.

Best wishes to all affected.

Terry D. Hallock,

Warren

Making the best of it

Dear Editor,

Just a note of positivity on a couple of subjects in Warren and Warren County that have given some bad vibes recently.

First, the reconfiguration of the Warren County School District. Of course no community wants their school to close, which is understandable. Tidioute seemed to have the right idea and has had a very successful charter school for many years now. I wonder if maybe Youngsville or Sheffield or both could maybe have charter schools? Just a thought for these wonderful communities.

Second, the mostly hated roundabout that is currently being built. I think we will get used to it in time, and it won’t be as dangerous as believed. There will be places for pedestrians to cross above or below the roundabout. Also, most people in Warren and Warren County know how to avoid the roundabout to get to Tops, CVS, and the other nearby businesses. Let’s try to make the best of both of these controversial situations.

Thank you, and God bless you all.

Tom Clark,

Warren

Circling back

Dear Editor,

In response to the opinion piece about roundabouts (April 24) my initial reaction was speechlessness. I honestly thought to myself, “is this really all you have to worry about when there are so many more important problems facing the world-and the Warren community?”

A simple Google search would have revealed the facts about the benefits and shortcomings of roundabouts as studied by PennDOT insurance companies, and lawyers. With so much accurate information available why would the paper devote so much space to beating a dead horse such as this?

One result I found particularly interesting is that people’s opinions of roundabouts improved the longer they used them.

That is, community approval increased from around 35% to 70% after one year. The only possibly valid point in the article was regarding the effect on nearby business, of which there is too little data to draw a solid conclusion.

There will be a learning curve as people here adjust to the traffic flow, but the facts are unanimous: whether in a vehicle or as a pedestrian they are safer than stop lights and stop signs. Hopefully the local people’s opinions of them will improve over time and they can all move on to more important things.

Wes Jacobs,

Warren