The dictionary defines fraud as:

1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

2. A piece of trickery; a trick.

a. One that defrauds; a cheat.

b. One who assumes a false pose; an impostor.

For many years I have seen classroom sizes grow disproportionate to the salaries of our already overworked teachers. I for one applaud the long overdue decision by the Fremont Union High School District to make students and families prove that they are citizens of the proper district and hope that other districts only follow suit.

There are several catch phrases that come to mind when I hear about this fraud. It takes a community to raise a child; you should have a license to be parents are just a few; however, they still hold water.

Sure one can not always predict the future, but you can take steps to ensure that your future and the future of your children, should you be lucky enough to have them, demonstrate that hurting a community is not an accepted practice.

Leading by example is what has always been a tried and true method of teaching. If we can not lead our children by example who will?

I hope that those who have taken advantage of our naïve nature find this letter in The Sun and that it circulates to the communities as a wake up call for them to take the initiative to turn their communities to have the same qualities that drove them to swindle ours.

Michael Nickey

Proud Sunnyvale Resident (with proof)