Layoffs don't make sense
I am writing to you concerning one of the biggest problems at Whitefish High School. Mr. Holloway is one of the greatest teachers at the high school, and the school has decided to discontinue his job.
At the high school, the school keeps teachers by tenure — the longer you stay, the more secure your job. While this makes some sense, one of the longest lasting teachers in the language department is absent, as he has been in the hospital for three-fourths of his 40th year of teaching at Whitefish High School.
Now I ask you, does this make sense, how an active, young, energetic teacher is fired, while an elderly man misses a school year and keeps his job? It defies common sense.
Another reason that Mr. Holloway is so vital to the school is his extra curricular involvement. Mr. Holloway currently provides space and advice to the Key club, Environmental Club, Darfur Now, Skateboard Club and the school newspaper.
So what can we do about this problem? This has started from the students getting involved in what they believe in. Let the school hear the communities voice at 862-8600. Tell your friends and family. Come to the school board meetings.
Let people know that the Whitefish High School student body will not allow Mr. Holloway to leave and hurt not only our English Department, but also clubs that are so vital to this school’s life.
Carl Kohnstamm
Whitefish High School Vice president of the
freshman class
Wrong teacher laid off
In regards to the teacher layoffs at Whitefish High School going into effect next year, I believe that the laying off of one teacher is going to hurt the attendance at the school more then help it.
As a student as Whitefish High School, I know that Mr. Holloway puts everything into helping every student and cause possible at the high school.
He is involved with several clubs at the school, such as Environmental Club, Key Club and STAND, and he is one of the few teachers who genuinely puts his all into his job and cares about the students.
I know that there is not really much that the school can do about this situation, but unions are supposed to help people, but right now it seems to me that it is helping the wrong people, including myself and my fellow students.
Mackenzie Bayne
Whitefish High School
Census conspiracy
Your readers may have questions about the current national census, and why there has been no public notification of the federal government’s GPS-marking your front door?
Why does the new administration need or want the latitude and longitude coordinates for every home in America? Why the rush to GPS paint every home in the next 90 days? Why must the marker be within 40 feet of every front door?
For what possible purpose does the federal government need GPS coordinates for every home, and under what authority does the U.S. Census Bureau have for sending anyone to my front door in April of 2009 to mark it with GPS coordinates?
This is unacceptable, and the census is not even due until 2010. What “truths” can the Whitefish Pilot inform its readers of — without spin?
Gregg Esakoff
Whitefish
Headstart thanks
I would like to thank all of the community members who have been a part of the Northwest Montana Headstart of Whitefish, and the many more that I do not mention below.
Starting with the Whitefish Christian Church, where Headstart has been since 1990, United Way Foundation, Mountain West Bank and the employees for all their time spent with the children.
Whitefish Fire Depart-ment, Whitefish Police Department, Flathead County Sherriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol, thank you so much for all that you have done for the children and beyond.
The doctors and dentists, the Whitefish Library for the donation of the books, Whitefish Community Foundation for the grant, American Karate Academy, Celebrate of Whitefish, the Coupon Lady, Pizza Hut of Whitefish, Bar W Ranch, the Glacier Park International Airport, Pumpkin Patch, Whitefish Train Station, Terrapin Farm, the Wreath Company, Free to Choose class, the LIEAP Program, Mops, and the Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department for the use of the Armory.
The parents who were involved in the Parent Center Committee, Policy Council Committee, Literacy Committee, Christmas Party Committee, Whitefish Winter Carnival Parade Committee, Training Committee, and the End-of-year Party Committee, and taking the time to be with your child in class.
Along with thanking people, how about giving the staff a hand in their massive part. We love our teachers and our family advocates and, of course, our cook and bus driver at Whitefish, and we as parents and our children will greatly miss them.
We will be having our final end of year party at the Armory in Whitefish on Wednesday, May 20, at 9 a.m. It will be our very last gathering of the Whitefish Headstart. Just wanted to give thanks where thanks in due. Proud to have been a part of Headstart of Whitefish.
Wendy Glass
Acting vice chair
and parent
Whitefish