Letters: Concerning curriculum; Recycling exceptions

Concerning curriculum

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the establishment of a new charter school in our town that plans to adopt the Hillsdale curriculum. This curriculum, while claiming to offer a classical education, presents a troubling lack of diversity and inclusivity, thereby perpetuating racial insensitivity and exclusion.

By emphasizing a Eurocentric perspective and marginalizing the contributions of non-white cultures, the Hillsdale curriculum not only denies students the opportunity to engage with a wide array of global perspectives but also reinforces systemic racism within our educational system. It fails to critically address or incorporate the histories, literatures, and philosophies of Indigenous peoples, Black communities, and other marginalized groups, thereby impoverishing students’ intellectual and moral development.

The adoption of such a curriculum by the proposed charter school is particularly concerning as it would institutionalize a narrow worldview, undermining efforts to foster an educational environment that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. Education should challenge racism and promote understanding and empathy among all students, preparing them to thrive in a diverse society.

I urge our current and future State College Area School District decision-makers to not approve a charter school application that aligns with such an exclusive and divisive educational philosophy. We must demand curricula that reflect and honor the rich tapestry of human experiences and contribute to the building of a more just and inclusive community.

Recycling exceptions

Thank for Amy Schirf’s always excellent article in Sunday’s CDT. I suspect a lot of people didn’t know that you can recycle corrugated cardboard with the packing tap still attached.

She left out one important exception to that, however: you cannot recycle any corrugated cardboard if your landlord doesn’t permit it, which ours doesn’t.

Mental health system needs urgent attention

How many more despicable mass killings/suicides/homicides will it take for legislators to resolutely place mental illness at the top of their agenda? After reading a recent article in a local newspaper, my anger resurfaced (“Suicide Prevention Speakers Share Message of Healing”).

I have battled three mental illnesses for more than 40 years, with clinical depression being the worst. It wasn’t until after I tried to commit suicide 7 years ago that I decided to get very vocal about mental illness.

To me, the entire mental health system needs revamped. One only needs to look at the so-called rehabilitative institutions for the mentally ill. It was appalling to me that one of the rehabs in which I stayed consisted of watching television plus one 5-10 minute visit with the psychiatrist each day.

Even though I have tried for over 40 years to fight for myself and educate people who do not understand clinical depression, there is a never-ending attitude that there is something inherently wrong with me. While in the throes of a depression, my experiences include: being viewed with disdain, smirked, deserted, humiliated, untouchable, treated as if I am brainless, and more.

My hope is that anyone who battles mental illness and reads this message can relate, and hopefully, gain some strength to fight the ever-present belittling comments and mannerisms of others.

Urge schools to share secure firearm storage information

The Super Bowl shooting is another sad and frustrating reminder that there is no place where Americans are safe from gun violence. The fact that two of the shooters were minors left some people feeling helpless. There is something we can do – encourage the safe storage of firearms. Specifically, contact your local school board and superintendent and ask them to distribute secure firearm storage information to all families in their district.

Secure firearm storage means storing guns unloaded, locked, and, if possible, with the ammunition stored separately. Many organizations have resources emphasizing secure gun storage and videos showing what this means, including the Veterans Administration, Project Childsafe, National Shooting Sports Foundation, PA government, local law enforcement agencies, and Be SMART for Kids.

If all five school districts in Centre County shared this important information with families, then we would be taking concrete steps toward making our community safer.

Where’s the controversy?

The Feb. 18 CDT story, “New charter school with controversial curriculum could be coming to State College” was generally a well written article. I somehow don’t see why there is a “controversy” over reading, writing, arithmetic, classic history, classical arts and the U.S. Constitution. Hillsdale College is an accredited, well respected institution that doesn’t take one dime of government money. They also don’t kowtow to the teachers unions, which is probably why their curriculum is considered “controversial.” I will most certainly support the school should it be approved. It will be refreshing to see a school that won’t be force feeding the woke agends.