Two letters to the editor were published in today's Dispatch. Both are copied below. It's interesting to note that the letters to the editor in favor of TeenScreen seem to be written by people who will make money from it!
TeenScreen brings Big Brother into school
Monday, February 20, 2006
In my 17 years of reading The Dispatch, I don?’t think I?’ve ever seen an editorial that was more wrong than ''Another safety net'' on Feb 4.
We are becoming a socialist state with the government ''managing'' us like cattle, cradle to grave. In a time when schools have to cut extracurricular activities and basic academics because of financial woes, why in the world would we want to add more expense? You can bet that anything coming into schools is making money for someone, and the best interest of the students is last on the list of priorities.
Kids are depressed because schools force them into mind-numbing conformity that would affect any sane person. It?’s wrong and it?’s evil. Parents let television raise their kids, and advertisers set the rules. They wonder what?’s wrong? (Actually, they don?’t wonder; that?’s the problem).
Give kids something real and interesting to do. Instead of forcing everyone through a one-size-fits-all curriculum that guarantees mediocrity and forces kids to spend time on things for which that have neither interest nor aptitude, let them spend time on the things they are interested in and develop their individual talents.
The Dispatch should get behind high-school curriculum reform and good parenting, not TeenScreen. The best screening mechanism is concerned and caring adults who have common sense. Kids are happy when they are doing what they love and when someone loves them enough to pay attention.
CATHY SATO
Powell
Screenings of teens at school invaluable
Monday, February 20, 2006
Kudos to The Dispatch for recognizing the importance of mentalhealth screenings in schools in the Feb. 4 editorial ''Another safety net.''
Depression, like cancer, can be a lethal disease. Early detection and treatment can save lives in both cases. We encourage everyone who has teens to learn as much as they can about their moods and warning signs of distress. A good resource is the American Psychological Association?’s consumer helpline, at www.-apahelp.org, that contains informative, short articles and resources for more assistance.
Locally, the Ohio Psychological Association has an online psychologist referral network and self-help resources under the consumers?’ section of our Web site, at www.ohpsych.org. Let?’s not wait for our young people to take matters into their own hands; let?’s reach out to them with early detection and treatment.
CRAIG TRAVIS
Professional practice committee chairman
Ohio Psychological Association Columbus
http://www.dispatch.com/editorials/editorials.php
TeenScreen brings Big Brother into school
Monday, February 20, 2006
In my 17 years of reading The Dispatch, I don?’t think I?’ve ever seen an editorial that was more wrong than ''Another safety net'' on Feb 4.
We are becoming a socialist state with the government ''managing'' us like cattle, cradle to grave. In a time when schools have to cut extracurricular activities and basic academics because of financial woes, why in the world would we want to add more expense? You can bet that anything coming into schools is making money for someone, and the best interest of the students is last on the list of priorities.
Kids are depressed because schools force them into mind-numbing conformity that would affect any sane person. It?’s wrong and it?’s evil. Parents let television raise their kids, and advertisers set the rules. They wonder what?’s wrong? (Actually, they don?’t wonder; that?’s the problem).
Give kids something real and interesting to do. Instead of forcing everyone through a one-size-fits-all curriculum that guarantees mediocrity and forces kids to spend time on things for which that have neither interest nor aptitude, let them spend time on the things they are interested in and develop their individual talents.
The Dispatch should get behind high-school curriculum reform and good parenting, not TeenScreen. The best screening mechanism is concerned and caring adults who have common sense. Kids are happy when they are doing what they love and when someone loves them enough to pay attention.
CATHY SATO
Powell
Screenings of teens at school invaluable
Monday, February 20, 2006
Kudos to The Dispatch for recognizing the importance of mentalhealth screenings in schools in the Feb. 4 editorial ''Another safety net.''
Depression, like cancer, can be a lethal disease. Early detection and treatment can save lives in both cases. We encourage everyone who has teens to learn as much as they can about their moods and warning signs of distress. A good resource is the American Psychological Association?’s consumer helpline, at www.-apahelp.org, that contains informative, short articles and resources for more assistance.
Locally, the Ohio Psychological Association has an online psychologist referral network and self-help resources under the consumers?’ section of our Web site, at www.ohpsych.org. Let?’s not wait for our young people to take matters into their own hands; let?’s reach out to them with early detection and treatment.
CRAIG TRAVIS
Professional practice committee chairman
Ohio Psychological Association Columbus
http://www.dispatch.com/editorials/editorials.php
