This is referring to your article from Dec. 11. Having been a former Blue Hills School student who experienced traffic problems, I am gratified that the Saratoga City Council has taken action to promote efficiency in regard to traffic.

Since I have been to Miller Middle School, I've noticed less traffic problems, though there are almost twice as many people. (Blue Hills has about 700 students, and Miller has 1,100 students.) I think that the schedule of Blue Hills is the main problem with the traffic. At Miller and various other middle schools, students have the option of arriving at school early to take additional classes, therefore dividing the number of arriving students in half (which now amounts to the number of Blue Hills students).

However, if the number of students arriving is about the same (600 versus 700), why then would Blue Hills have much more traffic than Miller? Perhaps it is because Miller's surrounding areas are fairly wide, allowing traffic to move quite smoothly. Blue Hills, on the other hand, has narrow streets such as De Sanka and Goleta avenues. Then again, this problem cannot be helped because roads with houses should not be expanded.

The bicycle path mentioned would promote bicycle safety, but it would narrow the streets surrounding Blue Hills, probably resulting in more traffic problems. Also, Blue Hills is an elementary school, and most parents of young children would refuse to allow them to bike to school. If anything, sidewalks should be created and children encouraged to walk to school with parents. Walking is a safer and more convenient form of transportation than biking.

It doesn't matter what actions we take—traffic problems will always exist. However, if the school council chooses the right options, traffic problems can become less severe.

—Michelle Chen, Parker Ranch Road


Nichols case unrelated to sexual orientation

Elaine Hocker's letter in the Jan. 8 edition of the Saratoga News, which stated that Saratoga High School's educational environment "endorses" homosexuality" and was a cause of Mr. Nichols' "alleged behavior of attempting to make sexual contact with a male student" and that homosexuality is "an addictive or self-programmed behavior" would be laughable if I didn't understand that she is serious.

Saratoga High School, and Dr. Skelly, provide an environment in which students and staff are protected from those who would harass them and denigrate their lifestyle. Mr. Nichols' alleged behavior has nothing to do with the high school's decision to protect homosexual students and staff from the hostility they experience from the Elaine Hockers of the world any more than any teacher's attempt to seduce a student of the opposite sex can be blamed on society's wholehearted approval of heterosexual sex.

What Mr. Nichols did or did not do was a choice for Mr. Nichols. He was not a "victim of an environment conducive to his behavior." To say he was and to blame Saratoga High School's belief that all students should be treated with respect and be comfortable in their learning environment is absurd. Absurd as I think that sort of thinking is—or perhaps because I do think her views are absurd—I appreciate you printing Elaine Hocker's letter. I always like to be reminded that there are folks out there who think like she does.

—Sally Towse, Bellecourt


Saratoga High committed to serving students' needs

Just for the record, it is illegal for any public school official—educator, administrator or classified staff—to engage in any type of physical relationship with any student, regardless of the age, gender or sexual orientation of that student. It is also against the law for any public school official to proposition any student, in any way, regardless of the age, gender or sexual orientation of that student.

If any member of the Los Gatos­Saratoga High School District is guilty of any kind of crime against one of our students, I can assure you the district attorney will prosecute that case to the fullest extent of the law and the guilty party will never work with children in California public schools again.

Saratoga High School does not "endorse homosexuality" as Elaine Hocker so erroneously and maliciously asserts. Saratoga High School is first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching, committed to serving the needs of society. Our campus community reflects this as well as the fact that it is part of a society comprised of all races, creeds and social circumstances. The successful conduct of our campus affairs requires that every member of the school community acknowledge and practice some basic principles.

At Saratoga High School we affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by respect for each other. We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep­rooted misunderstandings and biases, and, because of this, we endeavor greatly to foster mutual understanding among the many parts of our whole. We affirm the right of freedom of expression within our community and also affirm our commitment to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all. We recognize the right of every individual to think and speak as dictated by personal belief, to express any idea, and to disagree with or counter another's point of view, within the acceptable boundaries of courtesy, sensitivity and respect.

That being said, at Saratoga High School we vigorously confront and reject any and all manifestations of discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs, status within or outside the school, or any of the other differences among people that have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension or hatred.

We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by our diversity. We take pride in our various achievements, and we celebrate our differences. We recognize that each of us has a tremendous obligation to the community of which we have chosen to be a part, and while we strive to build a true community of spirit and purpose based on mutual respect and caring, we will now and forever remain intolerant of intolerance.

Hate is not a family value, Ms. Hocker, and we do not, nor will we ever, teach children to hate here at Saratoga High School. As educators, we will continue to protect our charges from any and all criminal activity, including hate crimes, as energetically as we work to combat the evils of ignorance.

—Todd K. Dwyer, educator, Saratoga High School


Article is good for all community newcomers

On behalf of the Newcomers Club of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga, I would like to say how delighted we are with the excellent presentation of our organization afforded by Sandy Sims' article and George Sakkestad's photographs in the Jan. 8 issue.

I am sure that this publicity for our club will help us to reach other new arrivals, and thus improve our service to the community.

—Barbara Redman, Newcomers Club of Los Gatos, Saratoga and Monte Sereno