Creator’s mandate
Dear Editor:
Christ’s ordination of creation’s first marriage is our Creator’s first mandate to humankind. “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife and they twain shall be one flesh: So then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:6-9.
All of our Creator’s government over mankind is based on this exact marital formula. The Obama questions before our Supreme Court are these: Is marriage up for grabs? Are all sexual choices equal? Is marriage our Creator-law or is it Obamalaw? A gimmick? Can a young man marry his own grandpa for the estate? Or marry his dad? Or his own brother?
Christians still claim our Declaration’s creator law, in our “endowment of unalienable rights” like “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” All these are derived from our Declaration’s “Creator,” and are safeguarded by His role as “Supreme Judge of the world” and by “the protection of (His) divine providence.” Read your Declaration!
Ward Hartzell, Twisp
A broader perspective
Dear Editor:
I never imagined that our local, “remote rural” (national rating category) school system would consider joining the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Based on talking with friends around the country, some of whom are teachers themselves, it sounds like a fascinating and very successful program. The rigor of teaching and structured teacher training can only improve our already excellent schools.
In addition to academic rigor, the IB brings in another dimension, its international perspective. As much as we love the Methow, we are far from any cosmopolitan experience for students. We know they will all have to leave the valley if they go to college. The IB programs can better prepare them both for the rigors of college and for being open to seeing the world with a broader perspective. I recognize that many people think that only the U.S. perspective and experience really matters. I won’t talk about that attitude now. But I don’t think anyone can deny that we are part of a global economy that affects us all, for better or worse. The more our students understand this and the foreign perspectives that govern it, the better equipped they’ll be to succeed in participating in it.
Randy Brook, Twisp
Thanks from Jamie’s Place
Dear Editor:
Since opening our adult family homes, Jamie’s Place in 2007 and Mountain View in 2009, we have been grateful for the care and support received from this wonderful valley community. Recently the Winthrop Kiwanis and a private donor provided generous donations covering the costs of replacing the washer and dryer in both of our homes and Brandenburg Construction helped with the purchase and delivery of the appliances. As a nonprofit organization with two buildings that are being “well used,” we want to express our gratitude for the kindness of these organizations and individuals when they heard about our needs. It is a privilege to provide a caring home for meaningful lives to our elders and the “heart” in our “home with a heart” has always included the loving care of this community.
Sue Peterson, board president, Methow Valley Family Home Center Association (Jamie’s Place)
Learn more about IB
Dear Editor:
To Methow Valley parents and community members — I want to thank each of you who were able to attend the Methow Valley Schools International Baccalaureate (IB) Parent and Community Information Night on Feb. 11. Between staff, parents and community members, we had approximately 100 participants in attendance for our first meeting. For those of you who were not able to join us and for others who left with more questions than answers, please don’t fret … As promised, we will be facilitating an on-going series of IB Parent and Community Information Nights with the next one scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. in the Methow Valley Elementary School multi-purpose room.
During our next meeting, we will:
• Briefly describe the yearlong process of exploration facilitated by our staff, a team of dedicated professionals, to examine and evaluate the merits of the International Baccalaureate Program.
• Share how the IB framework (not a curriculum … we’re not interested in having others define or impose what we, as a community, think is important for our students to learn) serves as a network of professional development for staff, resulting in higher levels of student engagement in their learning and positive outcomes for every student and graduate in the Methow Valley.
• Respond to questions generated by parents and community members — questions that may include the cost of an IB education. It’s important that our parents and community members know that there will be no cost to our families. Along with our commitment to developing a “System of Exceptional Teaching and Learning,” our schools are committed to promoting “Equity and Excellence for All.” Recent examples include the elimination of supply fees, course fees and some enrichment fees in support of our families. Our work in this area is not complete. However, it’s a step in the right direction to deliver on a promise of providing an exceptional education that is truly “free.”
I encourage you to send any questions you have to me at tvenable@methow.org in advance of our next meeting.
Thank you for believing in our schools and students. We hope to see you on March 18!
Tom Venable, Superintendent, Methow Valley School District
