Our Obligation

To Our Children

To the Editor:

Just as we have obligations to feed, shelter, and clothe our children as parents, we, too, have obligations to our children as a community, all our children, not just those born to us. Those include the protection from harmful elements and the right to a quality education, with programs that address the latest technologies, in a positive environment with facilities designed for learning, and with an appropriate teacher to student ratio. Since I don’t know how to separate the mind from the body, I strongly support expanding our athletic facilities along with our classrooms. Development of both is an integral part of education and should be given equal importance.

There are some who believe that in these questionable economic times we need to be frugal and prudent with our expenditures, and that eliminating some athletic improvements is appropriate for the high school expansion. (I could get into a whole myriad of reasons why in the long run that would cost us more, but that would detract from the message.) While I don’t disagree with conservative measures during economic downturns, I do disagree, however, that we should impose those measures on our children. If we need to be frugal, there are other areas in our budget(s) that are not as critical, or needed, as is this high school expansion with all the planned facilities. 

I have no children or grandchildren in the Newtown school system. My three girls are all college educated and have participated actively in athletics. Our grandchildren are on the same educational path and also find athletics a gratifying educational experience. They live and go to school in three different towns. Two are being educated in Massachusetts, two in Connecticut and two in Pennsylvania. They are all fortunate because the school systems in each of their communities are well equipped with the latest technologies, have better than average student/teacher ratios, get individual help when necessary, and are not exposed to overcrowding. None of them has lunch at breakfast time. There are parents in those communities that are paying for my grandchildren’s education, for which I am grateful, and as a result I feel obligated to contribute to those being educated here in Newtown. I want our schools to be the best they can possibly be, because I want our children (all of them) to be the best they can possibly be.

If we intend to continue to lead the world in technology, enjoy the quality of life that we covet, enjoy the opportunities not available in other nations, then we must invest in the future of our children. It must start on a local level.

It is our obligation! As a member of the Independent Party of Newtown, I strongly urge you to support our schools by voting Yes for the high school expansion and the budget.

A.P. Roznicki

169 Hanover Road, Newtown                                         April 16, 2008