CHEERS: This is in response to the letter written by the student Starr. It is so refreshing to witness things you, as a teacher, have tried to instill in students come to pass. It is also refreshing to know that what a teacher does has not gone unnoticed by at least one student. As a preacher is about souls, a teacher is about saving lives. As teachers we wear many hats during the course of the day. We serve as comforters, counselors, doctors, lawyers and whatever else a student stands in need of. Our responsibility is an awesome responsibility. Along with teaching, we sometimes spend our precious teaching time tapping your children on the shoulder asking them to sit up, wake up, stop talking and stop acting up, just to get on with the job of teaching. If you’re honest with yourself there has been some teacher who’s made a difference in all of our lives. Parents, students and teachers must all share in the awesome responsibility of education. Without each other we are nothing. Students are our greatest asset and we must teach them the things that will ultimately save their lives. It’s a joy to walk into a business and see one of your former students working and they remember you as their teacher. Again, thank you, Mr. Starr, for brightening the lives of every teacher who read your article.—A.P., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: To the Gazette for showing Ms. Young, 1-24-08, in her moment of distress. I too saw the photograph of that poor lady in her real life moment of shock. If it had been a celebrity, it would have been a valuable photo to the tabloids. But some pictures should just be put away and shelved for life. If an apology or opinion by the Gazette has not already been made, I do believe one is in order.—R.O., Texarkana, Texas



CHEERS: To Kirk Blair for his editorial concerning the Texarkana, Ark., School District. He said it perfectly. Thanks, Kirk, for being a concerned father, citizen and loyal Razorback. We too have had children who have started in kindergarten and graduated as honor graduates in Arkansas High School. They are now college graduates and pursuing further educational endeavors and businesses. We agree with Kirk and know personally about what we speak. Our school has problems; every school in the U.S. has problems. We are not perfect, but we have some of the very finest, most dedicated and most educated teachers and staff on every campus ... elementary through Arkansas High School. Though you might not agree with everything they decide, our administration and school board work long, tireless hours trying to make our school run smoothly and do what’s right for our community. Rather than gripe about our school district, tell half-truths or even leave the district, join a group of concerned citizens who are working to improve our district, become involved and volunteer in the schools and you will see that “It’s a Great Day to be a Razorback.”—S.P.M., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: I wish city officials would do something about the Number 1 problems facing 90 percent of the Arkansas-side residents—freight train whistles. I use that number because I have heard that our mayor and others have also used it. I live a half-mile from the tracks in a heavily populated area of Texarkana. People around me have moved because they can’t sleep at night and people have refused to locate here for the same reason. Sleep deprivation is a serious health problem. Our military uses it as a means of torture on our enemies. I understand there are grants available to install directional horn whistles at the two crossings at 14th and 19th streets. I would like to know if any efforts have been made to acquire these grants.—J.C., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: to Ethel Channon’s article in the Gazette Sunday, “Arkansas-side schools need shake-up.”

Enough. I am tired of the negative coverage the Gazette gives the Texarkana, Ark., School District. I am a teacher in the Texarkana, Ark., School District, have good friends and family in the district and my grandchildren go to school in the district. So I would like to address your qualifications, Ms. Channon, to write this article:

First, are you an educator? Have you spent a day in a classroom? Have you taught a child to read? Did you sit down with an administrator or school board member to learn the facts before you printed the article? Did you attend the 3 1/2 hours school board meeting when the new principals at North Heights and Arkansas High outlined the short and long-term goals for the schools?

If so, did you hear the sincerity and dedication in their voices?

If so, did you see the intensity and caring in the school board’s eyes as they eagerly asked questions so they also could be a part of the solution?

Last, why do you have to tear down the Texarkana, Ark., School District?

Enough is enough. Why can’t we work together as a community for the good of our city, Texarkana and our kids? Let us build up each other instead of tearing down and creating strife. These are great kids in Texas and Arkansas.—G.H., Texarkana, Ark.