This compares with the 1950s and 1960s, when almost all students graduated and schools were considered safer than homes. Educators even had some authority for legal discipline to have a learning environment. About that time, two related monsters became involved in schools which are a state function. We now have parents who think anything goes as when they were in schools. The debate at that time was to have federal aid to schools or not. Those in favor of it won, so we now have underfunded mandates. The latest was "Leave the Children Behind" for bribes. The government did not know that all students do not grow at the same rate. Schools and educators were far better off without it. The federal government is just big enough to ruin about anything like Social Security, Medicare, immigration, polygamy, military, world image, economy and home and school discipline. This is the very short list.

The other monster is the courts. For ages, schools were immune, but now schools pay millions from tax monies to pay for attorneys not exactly classroom spending.

During the 1960s, every dress and haircut could be challenged, but look at it now. Perhaps some lawyers, rather than call girls, do anything for money. Also, no police budget was needed for the schools.

Rex Alberts

Valentine

TeamMates mentor is a role model

My name is Sybra Porter and I'm an eighth grader at Grand Island Central Catholic. I have been matched in TeamMates with Kathie Reisdorph for almost two years. I like having Kathie as my mentor because she's like the big sister I've never had. She is so loving and I know she cares about me. Another reason is because I can talk to her about anything. Kathie is my role model.

I want to be like her when I get older. She welcomes everyone, no matter who or what they are.

I really hope people will come to the TeamMates One Hour Walk on April 20; I know I'm going. Thank you, Kathie, for caring about me and holding me up when I'm down.

Sybra Porter

1409 W. Third St.

Habitat needs cans for CAN JAM

In collaboration with Earth Day, Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Can Jam to collect cans to benefit the mission of building homes in our community. I'd like to encourage you, a member of our community, to help promote the Can Jam by taking your cans to the collection trailer located at the Conestoga Mall (West side) in Grand Island. The collection will be April 21-27. The participating grade schools will collect cans April 21- 25.

Can facts:

* Aluminum cans are recycled indefinitely.

* Recycling an aluminum can saves enough electricity to run your TV for three hours.

* Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity has recycled more than 13 million cans since July 2001.

Please join in the effort to support Habitat of Humanity by donating your cans!

Karla Schwieger-Arnold

Habitat Board Member

1512 West Charles St.

Parishioner and K-mart provide coats

I am writing about our annual coat drive and giveaway. Each October we collect coats and give them away. And each October we run out of children's coats and plus size adult coats early in the giveaway.

This spring a parishioner at St. Leo's made a $500 donation to help with this coat shortage. I spent this donation at K-mart to purchase clearance coats. I was able to purchase 61 coats.

I want to thank K-mart for its professionalism and courtesy. The store opened up a shopping lane just for the coats. The employees were all very courteous and helped me get the coats into my vehicle.

I am thankful for the generous donation and the wonderful service at K-mart.

Donna Douglass St. Leo's Outreach Coordinator

Stolen tractor wheels ruin dream

In September 2007, someone stole the front wheels off my son's Massy Harris 44 tractor.

He is on social security disability, so it left him with a worthless old tractor. It's really sad that there are people who take from the people who don't have much anyway.

It was given to him years ago because they knew he loved tractors and he would never be able to buy one. He loved this tractor for years, got it running with a friend's help and got to drive it once in the Stuhr Museum Antique Show.

He had a chance to sell it once, but he didn't want to sell it for what they offered.

To the person who stole the tires: I hope you enjoy them, since you ruined the dream of a handicapped person who can't really afford to haul it away or get new tires for it. But then people like you probably don't read the newspaper.

Judy Christensen

2119 N. Howard