Monday letters: Students should be thankful

As a former school teacher, I want all children to have good schools. We know they won’t appear overnight, so some perspective might be in order for children, teachers and administrators in poor districts.

Do you have heated schools? Be thankful. My school was heated by a pot-bellied wood-burning stove. Is there a water fountain? Be thankful. We drank water dipped from a bucket into tin cups with our names on them. Is there a cafeteria? Be thankful. We carried lunches in paper sacks. Are there buses? Be thankful. We walked. Are there restrooms? Be thankful. We used outhouses built by the Works Progress Administration.

I am thankful for the two teachers who taught us obedience and respect for others. From Wayside School came doctors, nurses, a dentist, teachers, electricians, secretaries, musicians, merchants and many hard-working, taxpaying citizens.

Parents, pastors and politicians need to stop telling poor children they are victims. Teach them about people who excelled in spite of their backgrounds. Teach them to make the best use of what they have to better themselves and make a better place for their children.