For those who are bemoaning the non-passage of Measure O, here is a suggestion. Let every household in Cupertino that has school-age children voluntarily donate at least an extra $98 to the Cupertino Union School District on a yearly basis. If all, or a portion, of the remaining households donate as well that would be commendable, but not essential.

Such an approach would seem destined to succeed and secure the necessary finances, particularly since 66 percent of the voters were in favor of the Measure and felt inclined to contribute in any case. This practice has no time limit and can go on in perpetuity.

Also, it is self-regulatory in the sense that as the number of households with school-age children increases (decreases) the donation income increases (decreases). So, the problem is solved if only we all just get with the program. Let's prove that we don't need any additional legislation on the books to be successful!

Arthur Learn

Cupertino

Christmas just isn't the
same without bell ringers

I have to admit it: I miss the Salvation Army bell ringers at Target. The cheery sounds of the ringing bell and the clinking of coins dropped into the little red kettle have been a part of our holiday season since our family moved to Cupertino eight years ago. It just wasn't the same when I shopped there recently.

I've e-mailed Target to let them know that I disagree with their decision to ban the Salvation Army from soliciting at their stores. I've also asked them to make a significant donation to the organization, to make up for the money that the Salvation Army normally collects at the holidays to help homeless and working poor families.

Let's all support the Salvation Army, Cupertino Community Services, as well as other local charities that are working to help needy families this holiday season by sending them generous donations. It won't be as convenient without the little red kettle to drop donations into on our next shopping trip, but it's worth the time and trouble to seek these organizations out and send something to them online or through the mail.

Pam Marino

Cupertino

Riding bike to school
is life threatening

I'm writing about a problem I face every day on my way to Kennedy Middle School. People keep driving in the bike lane.

Just yesterday, I had to slam on my brakes so I wouldn't get killed. A simple solution is leave home earlier if you must drive to school. You wouldn't be in such a rush if you left five minutes earlier.

You could stay in your lane and not drive in mine. Or better yet, your child could walk or ride their bike to school. It's good for their heath; it saves time, reduces traffic and it's less polluting to our environment.

Like your child, I'm just trying to get to school. Please treat me like you would want your child to be treated.

Kevin Hayes, 7th grader

Kennedy Middle School

Too many local motorists
operate in car-only mode

The Cupertino Courier's Dec. 8 story "Close Encounters" on the local bicycling scene came with impeccable timing. Year-round I commute by bike two to three times a week to my office in Cupertino from Sunnyvale. Biking home earlier this week in the evening down a quiet neighborhood street, a motorist ran a stop sign from a side street directly across my path.

Fortunately, after years of biking experience, I've come to expect such things as motorists not following the rules of the road, even the most basic ones, and a collision was averted this time (I do use a headlight and wear reflective gear after dark).

Unfortunately, far too many motorists operate in car-only mode. If no other cars are around, things like stopping at stop signs appear to be unnecessary. Yet in their haste motorists pay little mind to whether a jogger or dog walker is attempting to cross the street or if a lone bicyclist is pedaling along.

The safety of everyone on the road would be best served if people would give more heed to an old-fashioned notion—that of following the rules.

I use the word people purposefully, as its true for pedestrians and bicyclists as well. But those who can do the most harm, motorists, bear the greatest responsibility.

Kevin Gregory

Sunnyvale

Williams is a caring, thoughtful teacher

I am writing to comment on the Dec. 1 article "Teacher sues district over curriculum constraints."

My daughter, now a 13-year-old eighth grader at Kennedy Middle School, was privileged to have Stephen Williams as her teacher for her fifth and sixth grade years at Stevens Creek Elementary School. He is without a doubt one of the best teachers she ever had. He is an unwavering advocate for his students and is willing to defend them against any and all injustice. I saw this demonstrated when an abusive substitute teacher came in and for three days instructed my daughter and her classmates. I alerted Williams to this situation (after my daughter reported it to me), and he was quite instrumental in handling it with professionalism and courtesy.

Mr. Williams is a deeply religious man, but I assure you this does nothing other than aid in his deep morals and ethics. Because of his early childhood experience of being mistakenly labeled as a "slow learner," he is adamantly against labeling a child in any manner. He believes all children are gifted and encourages each of his students to test for the gifted and talented program.

During the two years Mr. William taught my daughter, he never made his religious beliefs a topic of discussion for the class. It was only after he gave the children his email address at the end of my daughter's fifth grade year that I even became aware of his religious leanings. I honestly do not believe that his religious beliefs were ever an issue in his classroom, but I do believe they helped shape him as the kind, thoughtful and caring teacher that he continues to be.

Melody Grandell

Cupertino

Ironic that religion issue
Spurs messages of hate

This letter is in response to the Cupertino Courier's Dec. 8 article "Local school deluged with messages of the anger, hate."

It's ironic that there's nothing like religion to spur messages of anger and hate. It seems the angered reaction we are seeing from misinformed, individuals is proof that religion should not be incorporated into classroom lessons.

It is clear from the article is that the documents used in Stephen Williams' class show a religious bias. I seriously question how president Bush's National Day of Prayer 2004 statement and "What Great Leaders Have Said About the Bible" is relevant in a fifth grade class, unless we're talking about Sunday school. I must admit, however, I do not have all the facts in this case and I am not a legal expert. Since the issue has been escalated to a lawsuit, our judicial system must now take its course.

Unfortunately, the argument between Williams, supported by an out of state, right-wing Christian organization called Alliance Defense Fund and his boss, is going to cost the taxpayers of this community. Remarkably, ADF's website claims "We will lose our liberties ... when we quit singing God Bless America, or when we take In God We Trust off our currency." Further review of the website shows strong anti-abortion, anti-homosexual, and a radical right wing, Christian agenda.

We need to respect the religious beliefs of all—including those who do not believe in God. There are two problems with organizations like ADF: 1. they believe theirs is the right religion without regard to others and 2. they cost taxpayers money in unnecessary litigation.

I call on Williams to drop his lawsuit and save the taxpayers some money. If people want to teach religion, they can teach Sunday school.

Andrew Stack

Cupertino

God is not banned at
Stevens Creek School

I find it stunning how many have taken a seemingly malicious view of Cupertino's Stevens Creek Elementary School, a view fostered by factually inaccurate portrayals of a recent legal case.

Please allow me, as an active parent at the school, to correct some of these errors.

*The founding documents are taught in the proper historical and religious context, published in full in textbooks and reproductions are displayed prominently at Stevens Creek Elementary School.

*God is not banned at Stevens Creek Elementary School. Students sing patriotic songs such as "God Bless America" in class and school assemblies; and recite the Pledge of Allegiance—the version that includes "God"—every day.

*The claimant has himself contradicted the assertion that he is prohibited from teaching the founding documents in the proper historical or religious context.

When all the hype is stripped away, the case actually revolves around a principal responding to many parental complaints made over a long period of time that a public school teacher was attempting to shape the religious beliefs of his students, contrasted with that teacher's desire to change school, district and state policy through federal litigation.

Larry Woodard

Cupertino

Believing in a god is not
sole right of Christianity

If misinformation is the reason for an uproar about a Cupertino school district being sued by a teacher claiming he cannot use a historical government document, then consider this as a continuation of some hopefully, healthy discussion.

I worked as a substitute in many classrooms of the Cupertino Elementary School district and found a wonderful cultural mix of terrific children. Whenever the "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited, I was aware some children could abstain from saying any or all of the words.

Any discussion of the pledge initiated by me was on the word "indivisible." A discussion of God would hardly fit in with further understanding of the pledge, but questions or answers about God in the pledge would not raise eyebrows. However, a direct reference to Jesus Christ for whom Christianity is named would and should raise many, many questions.

Our current national leadership personnel use many references to their Christianity in their speeches. Consider for a moment that in ten, fifteen years our leadership may well reflect the diversity we cherish in the United States, and our president may well be of the Islam faith, a Buddhist or an atheist. In the not so distant past, a Catholic was president and our country didn't have to swear allegiance to the Pope as was feared by many.

"In God We Trust," may well be a vital part of our country. That differs from references to Jesus Christ, which are direct references to a specific religion and that should be forbidden in the classroom unless it is a class discussing religions.

If a class was taught about Muslims, it was done so to educate those who were associating terrorism with Islam. Just as we know not all terrorists are of one faith (Many were born and raised Christian.) we also know belief in a higher power—a god—is not the sole right of Christianity.

Our children deserve to recognize our rich diversity, not exclusivity.

Delores Carson

Cupertino

Some forget that we are
innocent till proven guilty

I was absolutely floored by the vicious diatribes in your letters and opinion section Dec. 8, most of which appeared to be coming from people who consider themselves model Christians and experts on the depraved conditions of principals, public schools and California. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

I went back and read numerous articles from various newspapers, and all of them presented the situation at Stevens Creek Elementary with appropriate caution, admitting that they did not have the full story.

My first reaction as a teacher was that no principal with such excellent credentials would shoot herself in the foot by declaring God off-limits in her school. My second thought as a teacher was how my 12-year-old students aren't the only ones who have difficulty comprehending what they are reading.

My third thought as a pastor's wife was that it's not surprising to see why churches are having trouble attracting people. I'm especially disgusted with the self-righteous Melinda Michaels from Florida (letters Dec. 8) who was able to condemn an entire state as "stupid," and then had the temerity to include herself under the label of "well-rounded individuals" who, I presume, have a direct line to God's will.

These people seemed to have forgotten another basic protection under our Constitution; namely, that we are innocent until proven guilty. The deceptions, manipulations and sensationalizing misinformation created by the Alliance Defense Fund to induce, as Sandy Sims writes, "a lynch mob," are disturbingly reminiscent of the Pharisees and the crowds they incited to follow Jesus to his death crying, "Crucify Him." I feel sick at heart.

Maritza Dahl

Cupertino

School's parents support
principal cited in lawsuit

The recent lawsuit filed against the principal of Stevens Creek Elementary School, our superintendent and the school board has created a media frenzy and presented an inaccurate image of our school and community. We are writing to express our support for Principal Vidmar and the district.

Stevens Creek is an excellent school with a curriculum that enriches our children and challenges them intellectually. We have many responsible and outstanding teachers who work in partnership with parents in serving many students who come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Our principal has done an exemplary job of ensuring that our school is a loving, nurturing environment where each child feels at home and, most importantly, where learning can take place.

The fifth grade social studies curriculum is outstanding and adheres to state standards. Contrary to irresponsible assertions in the media, the Declaration of Independence and the principles it embodies are taught at our school, along with other writings by the founding fathers as well as the social, political and religious context that existed during the birth of our nation.

Assertions to the contrary by organizations and media personalities outside of our community are misleading at best and have resulted in a flood of negative e-mails and phone calls to our school and district offices, almost entirely from outside of the Cupertino Union School District community.

Even though our district is one of the lowest funded in California, our superintendent and school board do an excellent job ensuring that our district is fiscally responsible and second to none in the quality education it provides to its students. It is particularly outrageous that an out of state organization from Arizona has supported this lawsuit to promote its political agenda.

This lawsuit is an unwelcome distraction when we need to focus on educating our children and work towards retaining our highly valued teachers and staff. We stand by our principal, superintendent, and school board, and hope that this lawsuit is resolved as soon as possible.

Jay and Harsha Vaishnav,

Mitch and Maria Segal and 105 concerned Stevens Creek Elementary School parents