Thursday, February 8, 2007 Older Editions

LETTERS

Town's middle school math doesn't add up

Editor, Townsman:

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, I attended a meeting that was titled "Middle School Education Roundtable." It was, ostensibly, held to inform parents of the differences between junior high school and middle school. However, the reason I attended (and, from what I could tell, why every other parent there attended) was to discuss the ramifications of the Connected Math Program on our children's education. An hour and a half was spent explaining the differences between junior high and middle school, and the Connected Math Program. At the end of that time, questions that had been submitted by the audience were read to the "roundtable" panel to answer. It was apparent from the get-go that the audience wanted to address four issues:

1. What is the school going to do about ninth- and 10th-grade children who are struggling because they did not receive enough instruction in algebra to be able to keep up with the high school curriculum?

2. What is the school going to do about preventing the same thing from happening to the children in seventh and eighth grade right now?

3. What is the school going to do about the kids in seventh and eighth grade who are not challenged by this math program?

4. Given that the plan is to institute the Connected Math Program in sixth grade, what assurances do the parents of children coming up the ranks have that their educational needs will be met?

The only issue the panel could respond to (which they did not tell us in the presentation) was that an algebra segment was being added to the eighth-grade curriculum later this year. Up to that point, they had denied that the program was lacking in algebra.

I did not have a child in the middle school when the program was being piloted. I don't know under what circumstances it was decided to go with this program. So, as someone looking in, it seems to me that someone dropped the ball in terms of evaluating this program and making sure it prepared our children for the high school curriculum

I do believe that the Andover school system owes free tutoring in algebra to any ninth- or 10th-grader who is struggling to keep up with their math class.

In terms of the kids who are not challenged enough, they are losing kids to boredom who would otherwise excel in math. A math teacher, who was on the panel, said that if you raise the bar, kids will rise to the occasion. I agree with that 100 percent. So, my question is: Why did you take the bar away from the kids who want to rise to the occasion?

I plan on putting my eighth-grade daughter in an algebra class this summer because I want her prepared for high school and she is amenable to the idea. Fortunately, I can afford to do that. But, I shouldn't have to.

Katherine Zigmont

20 Acorn Drive

Light challenge

Editor, Townsman:

Norm Viehmann's informative letter in the Jan. 25 Townsman points to the urgent need for each of us to reduce our individual carbon dioxide contributions if we are to avert the looming crisis of global warming. As Viehmann noted, even small changes in our daily routines can have a significant cumulative impact on the quantity of heat-trapping gases entering the atmosphere.

Although Viehmann kindly credits me with the idea for the Change A Light competition between Andover and North Andover, the credit really belongs to the Sustainability Committee of the League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover. I'm merely the chair of the campaign. Seizing on the friendly (and often intense!) rivalry between the towns, the town managers and selectmen in both communities are urging residents to change at least one incandescent bulb to a compact fluorescent light (CFL). Each town has a goal of 1,000 pledges by April 30.

Since Viehmann's letter appeared, the League has made pledging easier. Just go to the League's Web site, www.lwv-andovers.org, and click on "pledge now." You'll also see the scoreboard, which will be updated regularly. Remember that every CFL avoids generating about 150 pounds of CO2 per year, and changing just five bulbs will save up to $60 per year in electricity charges. If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

Becci Backman

19 Pomeroy Road

Moderator race: Nadworny helps makes sense of complex issues

Editor, Townsman:

I have been moved to write a letter in support of Eric Nadworny's campaign for moderator. I can remember being very confused during a Town Meeting in which the Andover school budget was being discussed. Many prominent speakers, including elected officials, attempted to explain complex issues. Nadworny was the only person who made sense out of the morass. He spoke with clarity and impartiality, two qualities most important for a moderator. I remember grabbing the person with me and asking, "Who was that? I understood him!"

I love both the good and the bad in Andover Town Meetings. They can be frustrating, confusing, funny - you just never know what you're going to get. The highlights are never discussed in the papers, so if you really want to experience Andover, you have to attend a Town Meeting.

Nadworny is capable of thinking on his feet and treats all comers with respect and dignity. We are very fortunate to have someone like Eric Nadworny willing to donate his time and skills.

Christine Lewis

25 Kathleen Drive

Moderator race: Samuels has record of dedicating his time to town

Editor, Townsman:

I have known David Samuels for more than 12 years and I believe he is especially well suited to be the next town moderator. The town of Andover needs the energy and intellect Samuels will bring to help the various boards of our government work more closely together for the benefit of us all.

As a member of the Andover School Committee, Samuels served with distinction. He has worked countless hours and provided the thoughtful leadership to successfully negotiate several labor contracts and navigate through a significant budget crisis to provide our children with the education they need to be successful. Samuels was also instrumental with Andover Coalition on Education. This group was instrumental in raising private money to hire a grants administrator to help the school department gain access to federal and state funding to help our students.

Samuels is an active member of the Massachusetts Dental Society, and this year will serve as the vice president. His practice is located in Andover where Samuels has lived with his family and raised his children for 17 years. Samuels has coached many young swimmers in Andover and provided important guidance and instruction.

Finally, Samuels is also a founding member of the Service Club of Andover. The mission of the Service Club is to make a difference in our community by enriching the lives of our youth and individuals with special needs. Samuels continues to take an active role in the Service Club and the youth of Andover and our friends with special needs are the better for this.

Samuels will bring this same concern to position of town moderator. His dedication to the town of Andover is a matter of record.

Len D'Innocenzo

18 Dale St.

Samuels stepped up

Editor, Townsman:

Since David Samuels stepped up to the plate this past December, Andover now has real choices in the upcoming election for town moderator for the first time in nearly 30 years. This was a bold and courageous step, which cleared the way for other candidates to join in the race. As president of the Townwide PTO, I have worked with many town leaders, and believe Samuels is the perfect candidate for the job.

Samuels knows how to bring different groups together and form consensus. He would not only run Town Meeting in a fair and efficient manner, but also appoint members to the Finance Committee who share his vision to move the budget process forward so that it is impartial, unbiased and breaks deadlocks and disagreements. He knows that if the budget process can improve, than it is time to do it. Samuels has a tremendous respect for the history and expertise available in town, but also realizes that many people have something to bring to the table to ensure that the future of Andover is a progressive one.

If the people of Andover wish to move forward so that every voice matters, and political agendas take a back seat to the improvement and success of the town as a whole, then Samuels is the clear choice for moderator.

Bill Pennington

46 Clark Road