What is best for the students

Dear readers,

Thank you for taking the time to read an alternate opinion. I am a teacher in the Colorado Springs School District 11. I have a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. In response to the recent walkouts on October 8th, I thought it important to share with the public that not all teachers participated and why. After speaking with employees of the district who have been there for more than 20 years, I decided not to participate for two reasons:

The first reason is that the district sent out communication about the dissolution of the master agreement. The master agreement was not dissolved, but rather the rights and protections for the teachers were embedded in our individual contracts.

The second reason I am not participating in the walks is because as an effective educator, I believe that students should be at the core of our mission and vision. I strongly believe that the district’s new student agency-centered mission and vision reflects what is best for the students. There is a concept in the field of Education called presumed competency. In order to have an effective team, we have to believe that each party is capable of doing their specific job.

Thank you for taking the time to read my opinion.

Anna Suppe

Colorado Springs

Veterans Honor Flight

My wife and I (both veterans) returned from the Southern Colorado Honor Flight Mission 21 on Oct. 4. This was the most fascinating, educational and emotional trip we have ever been on. There were few that didn’t shed some tears. Healing went on for vets who have carried silent burdens for decades. By far the majority of vets were from the Vietnam war. We visited WW2 Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Wall. I found the name of a close friend of mine who was killed in Vietnam. Other memorials were visited. We also had some vets from the Korean war and one from WW 2. He was 99 years old, could still walk around with just a walking stick and was cognitively sharp.

The purpose of these flights is to Honor our vets. Those who returned from Vietnam were given no honor. The Fort Carson Commanding General announced that when the workday was done to go directly home, put on civilian clothing and then go back out and do whatever errands you needed to do. I guess he was trying to keep us safe, but we were really hurt that we were unable to appear among civilians in our uniform without fear of attack. So, this program is all about Honor, Honor, Honor in everything we did. We were all issued a backpack, two shirts, a jacket and a hat. On the hat were two pins. One said, “It’s never too late. Welcome home!” The other said, “Your service. Our Freedom!” Even those pins were about Honor.

There were 58 vets plus a medic, nurses and helpers. Each vet who needed assistance had a helper assigned full time. I think we had about 110 people on board the plane.

When we were departing by two buses from The Colorado Springs Christian School the street was packed with people and American flags cheering us. We went just a little way, and children came pouring out of the Christian School carrying flags yelling USA and cheering us onward. It brought tears to see and hear all that honor. The Colorado Springs Police led the convoy with flashing lights, and our street was cleared of all traffic. They took us outside the city to I-25 and then the State Patrol took over with flashing lights. We were headed to DIA. I-25 was completely clear of all traffic. No car was visible on our side of the road all the way to Denver. Now that is what you really call special and honored!

Each flight is a three-day, all-expense paid journey, including airfare, meals, lodging (Westin Hotel), and guided tours. The program is nonprofit and 100% volunteer-run. It’s funded by donations. I strongly encourage all vets to apply for this program. Sign up and be HONORED. Veterans or their families can apply through the official website: honorflightsoco.net.

Vern Swim

Colorado Springs

Continue to support schools

The purpose of this letter is to solicit support for the Cripple Creek-Victor School District Ballot Issue 4A to continue a 20-year existing property tax. In 2005, a bond issue for the renovation of the secondary school was implemented. In December, this bond will be paid off. This $480,000 revenue will cease unless you vote to continue it! The funds will be used for incentives to attract and retain teachers and staff and to fund ongoing maintenance and repairs of our facilities.

Over the years, it has been a privilege and honor to be connected to the school. I have learned: the theory of change is education; student’s success is competence and character; generational poverty is a “death nail”; and our momentum is being united in mind and purpose to serve our children and community.

Thank you for your continued support. Hope and joy is bestowed on all of you.

Mary Bielz

Cripple Creek

Pay for furloughed workers

I am concerned about governmental fratricide, where those who serve our nation out of uniform are under threat of being fragged by the leaders they work for.

That is the case when the Executive branch threatens to not pay for workers furloughed during a shutdown in contravention to the protections in the “Governmental Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA), signed by Trump in 2019.

Robert Munson

Monument