Letters to the Editor: Paddling students? Readers push back on SPS board member's idea

Instead of spanking kids, teach parents

While suggesting that Springfield schools be allowed to use corporal punishment, school board member Steve Makoski said that he felt parents should do a better job teaching discipline to their children.

I suspect that many families who are not teaching discipline to their children have not had the opportunity to learn how to do that. I suggest the school board consider creating or partnering in a program offering training for families in how to teach discipline to children.

Rick Matz, Springfield

Corporal punishment sends wrong message

I read in the News-Leader that a member of the SPS Board wants to revive paddling as punishment in our public schools.

When in the 1st grade, I was so happy to have so many new friends that I was constantly roving the classroom to meet everyone. Our teacher, Miss Langston, was constantly putting me back into my seat. She finally tied me in the seat with string. That was her punishment and she never hit me or hurt me in any way. I remember her with love to this day.

In high school, if you were sent to the principal for an infraction of decorum, Mr. Fulbright (we called him Mr. Bulfright) would require you to bend over and would administer three whacks to our bottom with a rubber strap. Ninety-nine percent of us disliked him and I haven’t changed my mind to date.

If you advocate hitting and hurting children as punishment, you are from the Stone Age. If you do strike a child, you are sending a message that it’s OK to hit people, especially those who can’t hit back.

Fred L. Hall, Springfield

Thanks to Sen. Schmitt for Alzheimer's legislation

On Feb. 6, Sen. Eric Schmitt co-sponsored S. 133, the NAPA (National Alzheimer’s Plan Act) Reauthorization Act. (This Act was signed into law in 2012, and is set to expire in 2025.)

This is an outstanding and positive move by our Missouri senator when we are in such turbulent times of partisan gamesmanship.

Alzheimer’s, however, is not a partisan disease ... it does not discriminate.

Sen. Schmitt’s co-sponsorship of S.133 brings the number of co-sponsors in the Senate to 38 — over one-third of the Senate has now co-sponsored the Act, roughly equally divided between Republicans and Democrats.

Thank you to Sen. Schmitt for standing up for Missouri’s citizens who are and will be dealing with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the future. You are making a very positive difference for the residents of Missouri!

Marcia Rauwerdink, Nixa

Support Earth Day and the Ozarks

On Saturday April 27, the 5th Annual Earth Day Festival will be held at Jordan Valley Park. This highly successful event was started to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day of 1970. Since 2020, Springfield’s Earth Day Festival has donated $51,000 from festival proceeds to environmental advocacy groups.

This year, two of the beneficiaries will be the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) and the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems (GLADE) greaterozarksaudubon.org/glade.

Since 1997 JRBP has been the guiding organization in helping to “improve and protect the water quality of the springs, streams, rivers, and lakes in the James River watershed.” They focus on education, clean-ups, monitoring projects, conducting research, planning and reporting on the health of the James River.

The GLADE program is “the flagship educational program developed in 2008 by the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society and Missouri State University.” This week-long residential camp for 10th and 11th grade students from across rural Ozarks communities immerses them in learning and leadership development, working side-by-site with a wide range of environmental professionals, participating in collaborative and group problem-solving exercises, and hands-on habitat restoration.

The Earth Day Music Festival uses music as the medium to gather folks together for the purpose of raising awareness and funds to help our local and regional environmental groups do what they do best — protect and preserve our beautiful Ozark lands and waters.

If you would like to join in benefiting our local environment, the Earth Day Music Festival invites you come out for a day-long music event featuring local, regional, and national performing acts, with local environmental supporting organizations and businesses, who will be on site offering information and products. Tickets are available at: earthdayspringfieldmo.org. If you would like to help sponsor the event and the groups that will benefit from the Festival, attractive sponsorship packages are available.

Tim Smith, Springfield

Why doesn't Trump pledge allegiance, too?

To vote in the Missouri Republican Caucus requires the voter citizen to “pledge allegiance to the Republican Party.”

Isn’t it ironic this stipulation is required of Missouri voters, but not the “party’s front-running candidate” who has never, and has repeatedly refused to pledge an allegiance to the Republican Party, participate in their required GOP debates, nor promised to support the eventual Republican nominated presidential candidate?

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Tim Straus, Springfield

Take time to reset on Global Day of Unplugging

It’s well-known Americans are increasingly dependent on their smartphones for essential daily functions, entertainment, and connection. Technology helps us do so many things, but sometimes there are unintended consequences when technology gets out of place in our lives.

According to a December 2023 survey of consumers, 41% shared that they could use some time away from their phone, and nearly a third of people want to take an intentional break from their phone.

Smartphones are an important part of everyday life and are meant to bring us closer, not further apart. Sometimes a reset moment from technology can help us stay focused on genuine connections. For many, it’s time for that reset moment.

This is a goal of Global Day of Unplugging on Friday, March 1. It’s a time to take a break from technology and celebrate human connection over digital engagement. It’s a time to put your smartphone down and enjoy quality time with your friends, family and loved ones. You can even try traditional means of entertainment, like challenging others to a board game, visiting a local park, or the simple act of cooking while reminiscing on fond memories.

Unplugging can help you redefine your relationship with technology and be a step towards creating healthy digital habits.

Mike Burwell is director of sales and operations for UScellular in Missouri and Illinois.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Letters to the Editor: Readers against corporal punishment in schools