Thank you, thank you for your in-depth reporting and fair analysis of this controversy. My children attended Stevens Creek School for six years. We always found the principal very fair, reasonable and compassionate. We fully believe that she is being unfairly vilified in the press and on the Internet in this controversy. The media is feeding this because it makes a good story, and people with no actual knowledge of the facts are using it to push their own agendas.

The only information available so far is from the complaint filed in court—which is only one person's version of what occurred and is, like all court documents, necessarily biased. As you wrote, "the principal, the school, the district, even California has been tried and convicted with no one hearing the other side of the story." This is wholly unfair to a principal and school that have always been exemplary.

G. Ebisu

Cupertino

DeCinzo's cartoon is a
perceptive interpretation

I want to commend DeCinzo for his humorous and perceptive interpretation of the issue of manipulating the teaching of history in the classroom in order to promote a personal, religious agenda.

Such exploitation not only makes a mockery of the concepts of separation of church and state promoted by our founding fathers, but also unwittingly ridicules the ideals of Christianity that promote love and tolerance.

How ironic that the letters to the editor supporting such blatant religious intervention into the classroom express hatred, intolerance and vitriolic attitudes towards our community. What a poor witness and example to either Christianity or any religion.

I am glad that the community is supporting the school involved and the district administration against the ugly attacks made by self-righteous individuals, the media frenzy and well-funded special interest foundations that would attempt to exploit children and insult a whole town in order to impose a form of religious McCarthyism.

To those who would suggest that we either capitulate or immigrate to another country, I want to emphasize that this is our country and that we don't plan on going anywhere and neither will we be threatened or coerced to accept a Taliban style of religion in our classrooms. God bless America.

Ann Shirkey

Cupertino

Staff of Stevens Creek
School support principal

We, the undersigned members of the Stevens Creek staff, would like to offer this letter as a heartfelt show of support for our principal, Patricia Vidmar. For the past 10 years, Patty has encouraged, cheered, inspired and even roused us into being the best we can be in our teaching and as individuals. This has been done in many forms and in many ways.

Mrs. Vidmar, as our instructional leader, models for the staff the best practices in shared leadership. A representative from each grade level sets the goals for the years, plans learning day activities and provides workshops on goal topics. This encourages expression of individual opinion in an environment of acceptance and respect.

Mrs. Vidmar's open door policy invited everyone—staff, community and students—to give input, seek solutions and sometimes just be heard. She is never too busy to listen and respond to our needs, whether personal or professional. She always has a positive word of praise or encouragement for adults as well as children.

Mrs. Vidmar continually inspires us to work together, to support each other and above all, to do the best possible job of educating the children of the Stevens Creek community.

Theresa Nguyen
Michelle Weiss

and 45 additional staff
members signed this letter

Teacher should realize
he works for parents

I find it incredibly funny when any teacher claims his/her First Amendment rights are being violated, as the Stevens Creek school teacher does. Does he not realize that he works for the school district, which in turn works for the parents of his students?

Face it, the only reason this defense fund is involved is because it can use this non-issue to raise people's anger, and raise money to "help fight those who hate religion." I'd bet there is a link on its website that accepts Visa.

I think we do need more separation between church and government. Anyone who thinks otherwise should simply look at the problems with the religion-based governments of the Middle East.

Matt Conens

Cupertino

Children aware principal is getting the hate mail

After reading the opinion section of the Dec. 8 Cupertino Courier, I felt compelled to write. I was stunned to see the letters from outside our area responding to the one-sided reports regarding Stephen Williams and his civil rights. What I find the most surprising is Williams' total disregard for the civil rights of the children at Stevens Creek School and his classroom in particular.

My children are afraid to walk to school. There are police and administrators on campus full time. They are fully aware that their beloved principal is receiving threatening hate mail.

My family has been at Stevens Creek Elementary for the past 10 years, and I have a child starting kindergarten next year. My son is currently in Stevens Creek's fifth grade.

To imply that the Declaration of Independence is not being taught is not only wrong, it is the method of Williams' attorneys to garner sensational attention from the media.

Every step, from the filing of his lawsuit, days before Thanksgiving, to the methodical press releases and well-placed interviews have been deliberate and slanted in such a way to catch the attention of the press.

This case is not about Williams' right to teach the Declaration of Independence; it is about the rights of the children to receive their religious education from their own church and their parents. I hope Mr. Williams has a Plan B because he may find himself all alone once the Alliance Defense Fund finds a new poster boy.

Linda Orvick

Cupertino