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vegasmeanie

Jon,

this issue goes far beyond setting a minimum F score on quarterly and semester exams. My son is a 7th Grader this year, and I have been very disturbed by the fact that he receives 40-55% credit on classroom and homework assignments that are not turned in! The school district is committing a grave diservice to my son and all other students who are allowed to receive credit for work they never completed or turned in. How is this preparing my son for post-secondary education or life in general? I am very happy to see that you are making this an issue. I've informed my son that I will no longer be considering the scores on Parentlink as his real grade. I will take the time and effort to compute his actual grades based on the 0 points he should be receiving for missing assignments. He will enjoy priviledges or receive discipline based on the grades I compute, since the grades the school are issuing have lost all credibility to me.
I'd be interested to know of any responses the school district has to this issue. I am very much against the dumbing down of our educational system. I'm an advocate for setting the bar higher, not removing the bar altogether so that students ill-prepared for the world are able to pass from one grade to the next. Depending how long this "unofficial" policy has been around, it may be directly related to our terrible dropout and graduation rates in the school district. Students that have been coddled and passed from one grade to the next without doing the required work will not likely be prepared to pass proficiency exams.
Furthermore, how does this type of practice lend itself to establishing credibility with colleges and universities? Or with private sector employers? I'm disappointed that the school district has chosen to further dilute the education being offered to the valley's children.

I believe that parental (or other responsible adult) encouragement and involvement is the lynchpin in overcoming the egregious dropout rate. To "encourage" parents and adults to influence youth to stay in school, maybe there should be legislation introduced that reduces or removes altogether any governmental assistance for anyone who has dropped out of school. You could bet your sweet bippy that parents faced with a reduction in government dollars would find a way to keep their kids in school.

I, too, am saddened at the loss of life and for the burden Mr. Murray must carry for the rest of his life. However, I must point out to everyone who is automatically claiming that this was an "accident" that they are assuming Mr. Murray wasn't driving recklessly and are as guilty of jumping to conclusions as are the people accusing him of being responsible. Until the police release the results of their investigation, everyone should reserve judgement of whether this was a preventable, reckless act or truly an "accident".

That being said, while I will be interested to know the results of the police investigation, it would surprise me greatly if they conclude that Mr. Murray is not at fault and it was truly an accident. The reason I would be surprised with a finding that Mr. Murray is not responsible for Mr. Ritzer's death is because according to friends who live near Mr. Murray, he is well known among residents of his neighborhood for his reckless driving antics. He would essentially thumb his nose at anyone who had the audacity to tell him to stop driving like a lunatic on the quiet neighborhood streets, making a point of squealing his tires in front of the homes of people who objected to his behavior.

I am not calling for his head on a platter. I am not demanding harsh physical retribution. But I am hoping and praying that whatever the results of the investigation, that justice be served if justice is due. If there was some sort of mechanical malfunction that caused an accident (the only way I can see this as being called an "accident"), then the manufacturer should be held responsible. However, if it is determined that Mr. Murray is responsible, then he should answer for the preventable loss of life (NOT an accident).

Remember everyone, speed kills. Reckless driving is as irresponsible as drunk driving, and should carry at least the same penalties.

@ wakeup.

Just an FYI, nearly every bee in the Las Vegas valley is Africanized. If you'd like references to support my statement, I'd be happy to provide them. If you find any evidence to the contrary, please let us know. thanks

We had attended the Helldorado Days parade in years past, and I must say we were highly dissapointed in the parade this year. After over an hour of watching what seemed like one political ad after another, we gave up and left. Doesn't a parade typically include floats? In the hour + that we were there, I think we saw maybe 2 floats (an undecorated trailer hauling family and friends of a political candidate does not a float make).
My suggestion would be that if the parade organizers insist on allowing political candidates to use it as a campaign gimmick, at least put the requirement on each political participant that they must build an honest-to-goodness float supporting the Helldorado theme.
As for the Las Vegas High School Alumni Association, and the Nevada State Parks, thank you for making the effort to construct floats. Also, kudos to the marching bands. My kids liked the car clubs as well. But gosh sakes, do something about the political stuff!