Letters to the Editor | Jan. 15, 2023

The recent article about Mastbaum High School highlights the kind of educational and trade curriculum that is needed in our educational system. We have a great need nationwide for qualified, educated, and skilled trades people, yet Philadelphia is not alone in its shortage of apprentice programs and trade schools. Not every student is college bound. Yet the school system focuses on preparing students for college. Most school guidance counselors encourage students to pursue a college degree without much consideration of how the student or their family will cover the costs. There are other considerations as well. Perhaps at 17 or 18 years old, you can’t imagine selecting a college major and a career path. Perhaps there is no family support or encouragement because it seems like an unattainable goal. Perhaps students have to go to work and support themselves.

Apprenticeship programs and trade schools are essentials for “the rest of us.” I loved reading about the enthusiasm of Principal David Lon and students such as Wilneliz Rivera and William Kohler. They want to go to school, they want a skilled trade and could see a future for themselves. Students want to leave high school with a skill set that leads to a good job and be able to support themselves. I’ll use myself as an example. In the ninth grade, we had the ability to select a college-bound curriculum or business or vocational training. My folks could not afford to send me to college, so I selected vocational training. It served me well. I worked for 10 years, went to college and worked in the construction industry for 35 years, and retired comfortably. Keep up the good work.

Patrick Thompson, Media

Far too many people in this country, and around the world, believe that climate change (or global warming) is not real, or at the very least is hyped beyond what is warranted. They are unaware or refuse to look beyond the meaning of the words global warming, to the full extent of what those words portend. Well, I can tell you this: The rain-drenched people and flooded roads plaguing California right now are prima facie evidence that climate change means a lot more than just a warming climate. It means more violent, more extreme weather, more droughts, but more flooding rain as well. This is weather that threatens people and communities at this very moment. So when you hear someone say that global warming is a hoax, or at most a future threat, tell them to open their eyes and look at the images coming out of California. The threat is real, powerful, and it is imminent.

Ken Derow, Swarthmore

The state Board of Education in New Jersey, which is considering a proposal to separate students based on gender identity in sex education class, should follow health and physical education teacher Karen Borelli’s approach to teaching sex education: “It’s a gender-neutral instruction piece if it’s done right,” she told The Inquirer. Students should not be separated in academic classes, so the board should amend the sex education regulation to exclude any reference to gender.

Olga Polites, Cherry Hill, polites@rowan.edu

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