The Cupertino Courier

Letters

Show sensitivity to longtime residents on housing issue

In a recent article concerning the restrictions on building in Cupertino, Ms. Akin-Griffith urged members of the Cupertino community to "be a little more tolerant" concerning the cultural differences of the recent immigrants to Cupertino. I would like to strongly suggest that this group show some sensitivity to the longtime residents of Cupertino!

I cannot imagine moving to another country expecting that this new country would accommodate my demands for building and educational styles, or that its leaders would provide immersion in my native language for their schoolchildren. How about some respect and consideration for those of us who have lived here for many years, paid taxes and helped this community to grow. We are constantly being urged to be tolerant. ... This is all well and good, but I would also like to strongly reiterate that some sensitivity and respect be shown toward us!

C.A. Lafranconi
Cupertino

ESL, not immersion

While reading the Cupertino Courier's letters and opinion page, I notice articles regarding the teaching of Mandarin in Cupertino schools. At first this came as no surprise, but then as I continued to read, I became upset over this issue. First I want to say that I support diversity and culture exchange. I enjoy talking with people from other countries about their cultures and customs.

As a taxpayer I do not like having to pay for government forms, either state or federal forms being printed in multiple languages. If an American was living in another country, they would be expected to learn that language. Why do we have to cater to a select few at taxpayers' expense? English is still the primary language of the United States of America.

Children of immigrants need to learn English first and their native tongue second. Parents of children who only speak their native tongue at home are doing their children a grave injustice. When these children start school, they cannot communicate with their teachers and peers. As a taxpayer, I have no problem with ESL [English as a Second Language] courses.

I also think all children in California should be required to know first aid and CPR in order to graduate. I also believe anyone who applies for a California license should be required to provide proof of insurance, become an organ donor and know first aid and be required to render assistance at accident sites. Most European countries require drivers to know first aid and render assistance.

Dennis Bacon
Cupertino

Article on lunchtime Frisbee was well written and illustrated

The article on the Frisbee football game, Ultimate, by Pam Marino was excellent. I enjoyed reading about the history of the game (which I hadn't known) and what the players are doing now. It is amazing that so many people gather to do this game. I can only hope that they will be able to use the grassy area for some time in the future. The pictures by Robert Scheer were excellent as well. They truly caught the action of the game. Keep up the good work, and let the principals know that they are to be commended. Thanks.

Lauralee Sorensen
Cupertino

What about the high cost of a Mandarin immersion program?

On March 24, the Cupertino Union School District will hear a proposal for an Immersion Mandarin Language Program. This proposal will state that the program is voluntary and for a kindergarten class only.

Forgetting about a possible case for a group's personal agenda, how about the case that we, the taxpayers, would be asked to fund this voluntary Mandarin language program? The expenses are far-reaching and should only be paid, as they are today, by those who desire this or any other special interest type program.

The school board meetings are held at 10301 Vista Drive, Cupertino. If you can't attend, consider writing your thoughts to Superintendent William Bragg or to the members of the Board of Education.

Silence can be mistaken for agreement.

Bob Hendrickson
Cupertino

Here's a 'no' vote on FUHSD's bond

The March 4 Sunnyvale Sun says that opposition to the Fremont Union High School District bond issue is hard to find. Not so. I oppose it. You ask, "Why?" A good question deserves a good answer.

The FUHSD is a large bureaucracy, always in need of more money! The district is a very wastefully run business with many (too many) employees doing little or overlapping the jobs of others in the schools. How do I know this? A very dear lady I know worked in one of the high schools for four years. I heard many stories of the waste, mismanagement and misdirection of funds she saw. I heard enough to fill a book and then some. Incidentally, if you think that the district has no money, then who is paying the Tramutola company to run the district "Yes on H" campaign? Santa Claus?

Is there a facility problem in the schools? Yes! But the real priority is not facility repair. The real problem is the huge waste of funds used to run the district. Clean up your act, FUHSD. Then we can redirect funds to handle facility repairs and perhaps not even need a bond issue.

R. Bowlby
Cupertino

[ Back to Contents Page | Cupertino Courier Home Page | Archives ]