To the Editor
December 25, 2012
‘The Sound of Music’
High school musical was as good as professional production
I recently attended the first high school musical I’ve ever seen: “The Sound of Music,” by Issaquah High School’s performing arts department. In summary: Wow! It was a superb performance.
Annika Dybevik, the senior who played Maria, was flawless and has a voice equal to any I’ve heard at the Village Theatre, 5th Avenue or the Paramount.
To the Editor
December 18, 2012
Issaquah Schools Foundation
Thanks for going All in for Kids
Once again, I am in awe of our community’s ability to come together to meet the needs of our children and families.
Not only was it inspiring to see the $25,000 raised for the food bank through the Turkey Trot last week and the response to the Caring and Sharing and Merry Christmas Issaquah efforts currently under way, but, thanks to our generous community, 300 intrepid student callers, dedicated volunteers and support of the PTSAs and school district, $366,805 was raised during the All in for Kids campaign, which will provide a plethora of opportunities for our students. Go to www.isfdn.com to learn more or make a donation.
To the Editor
December 11, 2012
Liberty schedule change
Change will equal lost opportunities
I am a Liberty parent. I wish to relay my own story of my daughter’s experience with eight periods.
As a sophomore, she is taking core classes of English, biology, algebra 2 and European studies, and also Japanese, physical education and two additional classes — choir and child development. She wants to be a teacher.
She needs a world language to get into college, so her only true “electives” are choir and child development. In a six-period day, she wouldn’t be able to take either one.
To the Editor
December 4, 2012
Liberty schedule change
School board should listen to community
Five years ago, the Issaquah School District administration attempted to switch Liberty to a six-period schedule. Due to community concerns, the administration decided to study the issue.
The administration commissioned a districtwide committee of parents, students, teachers and administrators to review all high school schedules. That districtwide committee refused to recommend that all Issaquah School District high schools be moved to a six-period schedule.
To the Editor
November 27, 2012
Shop in Issaquah
Support our local economy
This holiday season, I would encourage you to make an extra effort to spend your shopping dollars in greater Issaquah. It matters for our economy. Keeping your spending in our community is a simple yet powerful way you can support Issaquah, keep tax revenue local and help sustain jobs for our citizens.
Black Friday is not called Black Friday because it is dark when we get up in the morning for the door-buster sales. Rather, Black Friday refers to the first day of the calendar year that many small businesses cross over from losing money on their business (the “red”) to making money (the “black”) in the course of the year.
To the Editor
November 20, 2012
Schools fundraiser
Go All In For Kids this fall
I am writing to encourage your readers and members of this community to make a donation to the All In For Kids Annual Fund Campaign.
All in For Kids is the fall campaign (August through November) for the Issaquah Schools Foundation. The foundation bridges the gap between what the state provides and the dollars necessary for our students to succeed. The foundation provides funding for many programs, such as iPads for students with special needs, mentoring one-on-one and elementary science curriculum.
To the Editor
November 13, 2012
Legislature
Residents must stay involved
With only a few days since the general election, there are several important political races that are still up in the air. What is not left to conjecture is the deep challenge before us in Washington.
For the new and returning legislators from the 5th Legislative District who will face a deep budget deficit, a state Supreme Court mandate on basic education, and growing costs from unfunded state pensions, the outlook is bleak indeed.
To the Editor
November 6, 2012
Pledge of Allegiance
An affirmation to unity is needed now more than ever
I found Matthew Barry’s letter to the editor in the Oct. 31 edition of The Issaquah Press to be rather confusing.
His complaint was that the Issaquah Candidate Forum opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, his point being that it was rude to atheists, even though he said that the words “under God” had been omitted. I’m not clear about what it is that he found so offensive. If it wasn’t God, was it the affirmation of unity and liberty?
To the Editor
October 30, 2012
Charter schools
I-1240 — an initiative the people can’t afford
The charter school initiative in my voter’s pamphlet states the financial hit to Washington taxpayers is at least $3 million over five years. The Supreme Court has given the Legislature until 2018 to fully fund public education as the paramount duty of the state. That is no small task and will require compromise unseen in recent history.
Charter schools are an added financial hit, not a solution to our problem. In at least six paragraphs regarding six areas of school funding, the fiscal impact to the state and school districts is further described as “indeterminate, but nonzero.” To me, that says, “we have no idea how much charter schools might cost!” Voters shouldn’t sign a blank check.
To the Editor
October 23, 2012
City finances
Frugal spending before tax hikes, please
Here she goes again, another tax hike without reining in reckless spending.
They have already spent nearly a half-million dollars to fund a study to takeover and assume the Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District. They are also throwing more money into updating the Klahanie Annexation Study.
