Letter to the Editor published today (Saturday, 17-Apr)

Thank you, Mike, for the great letter.  I've reproduced it below and you can find it on the Journal's website at http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/apr/17/missing-something/opinion-letters/.  It is the last letter published today, so just scroll down to the bottom or read it here:

Heart for the kids

I endorse Norman Hill for District Two of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board. Norman and I recently spent some time together discussing his ideas for improving the system and sharing what we believe to be most important.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson's Career-Ready Commission spent the past year studying the N.C. school systems and found that our students are facing "A Crisis of Relevance." In her comments to the State Board of Education on April 1, about the commission's final report by that name, she said, "Too many young people are failing to see that what they are learning in our K-12 public schools is relevant to their plans for future training, education and careers."
It is obvious that the current focus is wrongly placed and we need some influence on our board that will push for relevant curriculum with career preparation rather than pure college prep. Over half of students who go to college right out of high school drop out. We should be helping these students identify their gifts and encouraging them to follow their hearts rather than the path that the status quo says they should follow.Norman's heart is for the kids and that is why he has committed to serve our community. Please join me in supporting him with your vote.
MICHAEL H. SEARS
Winston-Salem