Letters to the Editor 1-28-16

Shift in status quo
Editor: Every once in a while, someone comes along and what they do changes the status quo. This has just happened to the Cloverdale Food Pantry. I wrote a letter to the editor of the Reveille in late October telling our community of Cloverdale that we really needed a van to expand our choices of food to our clients. One of the staff writers, Kate Brown, picked up on this and called and wanted to write a bigger article to further state our needs. A beautiful article on the front page appeared a few weeks later and was well received by our citizens. Lo and behold, Geoff and Nancy Dalwin called and offered us a beautiful 2001 250 Ford Econoline van in perfect running condition. Now, with all the extra space to haul food from Ray’s, St. Vincent de Paul, Quik Stop, La Paloma Bakery, 7-Eleven and Redwood Empire Food Bank, our clients will have many more healthy choices. We want to thank Kate Brown for beautifully stating our needs and Geoff and Nancy Dalwin for hearing them and acting  on them. The status quo has definitely shifted and we will be forever grateful.
MJ Dellaquila
Chair of the Cloverdale Food Pantry
Pay your own way
Editor: To the privileged few who use the airport … pay your own way. You would lend more credence to your argument if you quit expecting your use to be funded by those of us who will never use it.
Dave Meier
Cloverdale
School Smarts program
Editor: Dear Washington Middle School and Jefferson Elementary School parents/guardians:
You are cordially invited to participate in the award-winning research based parent engagement program, School Smarts. This program is open to all parents of students who attend Washington Middle School and Jefferson Elementary School. The School Smarts program provides valuable information on new Common Core state standards, assessments, local funding, college readiness and more. The School Smarts Parent Engagement Program is a model for creating meaningful and diverse parent involvement. It brings parents from all backgrounds together in support of their common interest: helping their children and schools succeed. The School Smarts Parent Engagement Program has been proven to:
• Foster parent engagement in schools.
• Support parents as children’s first teachers.
• Develop future parent leaders.
• Encourage parents to advocate for a complete and quality education that includes the arts.
The program offers a seven-session parent academy that educates and empowers parents. Topics include understanding the education system, communicating effectively, advocating for a quality education and the importance of parent involvement. The sessions include individual and group activities, art activities, discussions and opportunities for parents to build relationships with each other and with school and district leaders. The parent academy culminates with a graduation celebration – many parent graduates then go on to serve on school and district committees and PTA boards, plus seek additional training to strengthen their overall engagement and their advocacy skills. These seven sessions take place on Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 4, 11 and 18. Classes will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Elementary School library. Please contact the Washington Middle School office at 894-1940 or the Jefferson Elementary office at 894-1930 to sign up. Please come and take part in this wonderful opportunity to learn more about your child’s school and educational system.
John Ortiz
Washingotn Middle School