WHAT GETS TAUGHT?

This past week, Ms. Valdez' first-grade class at Cobbet Elementary helped the City of Lynn celebrate Arbor Day, with the planting of a new lilac tree in front of the school. During the ceremony, student Jordan B. read an Arbor Day poem to his classmates and their special guests, including Superintendent Latham, Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Mayor of Lynn, MA, Cobbet Principal Mrs. Garrity and Program Specialist Mr. Burt, Commissioner of Public Works Andrew Hall, Tree Warden Daniel Small, and John Moberger and Michael Murray from the Department of Community Development. Thank you to the City of Lynn for giving these students a tree that they can care for as their own!

On this beautiful first Sunday of May, let's all say "hurray" for the trees that make our city a healthier place to live!

Stanley Wotring

I do not want to DOWNPLAY the importance of this event. After all I'm just a country guy at heart. I used to camp out in the woods, made haystacks for my pony, and ran through fields barefoot (Not really, I always kept my shoes on, I mean who wants to step in horse%#!& ?) but a couple of things got me to thinking, maybe even bothered if you will.

Sure there is a lot of symbolism in having the TEACHER-IN-CHIEF leading a lesson on sustainable agriculture but who pays their gardener 200+K a year? Sure this made a nice photo-op and a great PR opportunity but given all the other problem that LPS has did we get our money's worth? Think of all the money paid to all those other politicians and high-ranking administration officials. Granted I'm sure a lot of organic fertilizer was spread.

Contrast that seen if you will with what went down at the INTERNATIONAL GARDEN at FORD SCHOOL. Phone calls went unanswered, letters got no response, all the while property was illegally seized. Oh eventually things were returned and vague promises were made regarding future inclusion but only after a campaign of PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT.

ANOTHER TEACHABLE MOMENT!