8 — Wednesday, April 30, 1997 - North Shore News Dear Editor: It is interesting yet not surprising that teachers are under attack again in the media. In the past I have cho- sen to ignore comments that disregard the hard and dedicated work teachers do, but after 10 years in the system, I felt it was necessary to address the statements made by B. Scott (April 20 News). Let’s begin with the hours of work. You're absolutely right, B. Scott, the official hours of teaching can range between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and this includes an hour off for lunch. The snofficial hours include preparation time, marking time, writing of report cards, attending. parent-teacher meetings, coaching school teams, directing plays, running, clubs, just being a part of the extra-curricular life of the school. Teachers are not complaining about this, it is a part ' of the job, a part that never seems to appear in the media. You’re also right about one professional day per month scheduled into the work term. Although this is _ a day out of the classroom, it is not a day off. Teachers on these professional days participate in workshops, attend meetings and try to learn better ways to meet the growing needs of the students in their classrooms. Teachers are often scrutinized about their holiday time. Let’s address the “summer off” issue. In the past north shore news MAIL Box Tabulating teachers’ tasks 10 years, ] have spent seven summers takinig courses --- courses that [ have paid for from my own pocket because school boards do not have the funds, unlike companies, to pay for teachers’ courses. Teachers take these courses to become better pro- fessionals and do so at their own expense. T spent ovo summers teaching summer school, and yes, I was paid to do this. My official teaching hours were from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. My unofficial hours includ- ed two to three hours per day for preparation and marking time. (This also includes weekends.) 1 did not tabulate my counselling or listening time because I do not keep official or unofficial hours of this. Yes, you're right, there is one summer unaccount- ed for, I did take this summer off and I do consider myself lucky to be able to do this. Teachers do get a substantial number of sick days. Unfortunately due to our surroundings, we get sick often. . Sometimes teachers even stay home from work because their children are sick, and then we must ask, are we taking advantage of a system or being responsi- ble in our raic as a parent? As far as the wage goes, yes, teachers who go to uni- versity for four to five years can have a gross wage of $50,000. I do not think that ifyou compared this amount to other professions that demand this kind of education you would find this to be an overpaid job. In fact, you would probably find that teachers can get paid lower than other professionals. You're nght: millions of Canadians work for a min- imum wage with few or no fringe benefits, and although this may be unfair, they probably did not complete four to five years of post-secondary educa- tion. I agree with you on the issue of involvement. It is fantastic when parents and the community want to get invoived with improving the education system. It is ime to tell the media how much teachers make, including hours they work in and outside of the classroom, the moncy they personally spend on extra courses or degrees. 1 am also personally urging you, B. Scott, to join the ranks of teachers. You are obviously concerned about changing the stem so there is not a better way than becoming part of iz. We all want to work together to make education the best experience for every student. In fact every teacher will teil you that that is the best fringe benefit. Tina D’Amelio North Vancouver AYLORAMOTIY SERVICE LTD. Speed trap cash grab Dear Editor: It’s 9:15 on Tuesday night, and there’s a radar trap sitting under the new Westview overpass, nailing drivers exceeding the 50 km/h speed limit. At the best of times, when there are workers in the area, the limit of 50 km/h is ludicrous, but at that time of night, with nary a worker in sight, it’s nothing more than a pre- posterous money grab. No, I didn’t get a tick- et, bur the situation made it easier to understand why people get a bit cynical about the value they are getting for their police dollar. And it also makes one wonder about the mentality of the people who set the speed limits. Simon Farrow North Vancouver ° Simonf@msn.com TUNE-UP SPECIALISTS: Cancer’s cure bad for business Dear Editor: ~~ Your paper has suddenly become “garbage. . ; You do not do your homework. Or you purposely perpetrate a scam. refer to the ‘April 13 front page article regarding cancer. You state “there is no known cure.” Bullplop! _ Tell that to many medics around the - world who would denounce your igno- _ farce. Those who know different. Are ‘ you asleep from tiredness or decision? Some three to four years ago two research doctors quit the “famous” Sloane Kettering Institute — a leading “research” hospital. One, from Japan, returned there. The other from the U.S. (name _ cludes me) started to “sing” as it is ~ Setting Noel Wright straight on horses and homosexuals the world would have come to a stop without them, just as ours would if all automobiles mag- ically stopped working. My recollection is that it was attributed to 2 member of the House of Lords (not a Victorian lady) when asked by newspaper reporters what his opinion was con- cerning legislation then pending in the House to Dear Editor: Read Noel Wright’s March 30 column, and enjoyed it as much as always. I agree entirely with what he has to say about tolerance. Since I am a nit-picker by vocation (a retired lawyer, sorry!), I thought I should mention that the quote is not quite nght. As I recall, the quote is (directly referring to homosexuals) “1 don’t care what they do so long as they don’t frighten the horses.” Horses, of course, comprised the very engine of transportation and commerce in the 1860s — said. He “sang” here in Vancouver in September two years ago. You did not listen to him obviously. His song told of cancer cures that were kept hidden away. How any research that reached a point of becoming fruitful was “aban- doned” overnight. He called cancer research a scam — in which he became involved until his conscience said “enough” and he still teday lectures against the scam I believe. If I wrote you in this vein you never would publish my letter. So you in effect perpetuate suffering. Cancer is (not my own words) big Business and must not be cured. Drug cartels can’t afford to have it happen and that’s why tight now — today — our criminal amend the criminal law. David Bellwood ’ North Vancouver ciime minister is bowing to their demands and is banning the sale of countless herbs that have been around for cons of time and are known health assets. He does not want to prevent illness — he favors the dry route and no doubt grateful drug lords respond generously. Consider: decades of “research” and no results. And more money than they can use. Common logic tells anyone awake that something stinks. You are cither ignorant or asleep or you would not be so ready to print such . stuff as you have. At least print nothing if you can’t or will not get the facts straight. Albert Griffin North Vancouver This may be the number you’ve been looking for. 1 & 2 Bedroom Presumably, whatever homosexuals do, they do it where they aren’t likely to frighten horses. Condominium Sylvan wrote the book u,176 PEMBERTON AVE. N.VAN. on reading. As the leader in supplemental education for over 16 years, Sylvan's unique approach to reading produces measurabl results. A thorough assessment uncovers your child's skill gaps and -.. pinpoints exactly where the learning process has broken down. 4 7 an RO |. e¢an{t-do anything. - hunt? L_ Grades go up. Motivation improves. Reading is no longer a struggle. To help your child become a stronger reader, call Sylvan today. SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER” y NorTH VAN 985-6811 . West VAN 926-3365 WHONSDALE VD AN I For information about these exciting new Residences call this number 988-2500 = B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. - APPROVED | AirCare - Gov. Certified #50222 TUNE-UPS - FUEL SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL abe tees OUR 39TH YEAR * CONSULTATION 965-7455 Green Tip 3F ¢ Si ‘ttop up the gos tank. Gasoline vapours will escape when your gas tank is too full and contribute Seen the Coast lately? & Stroll the. Hai GIBSONS ART WALK Sat May 3rd - Sun May 11 Turn left off the Landale Ferry & follow Marine Drive to scenic Gibsons Landing tas ne tae ee a tee =|