Working together at CUSD

Dear Editor:

As Claremont students and staff begin a second month of online learning with our school sites closed, I want to take a moment to thank our superintendent, Dr. Jim Elsasser, and the CUSD school board.

Since leaving my classroom last month on Friday the 13th, I have been reminded of the passion and commitment you have for our students and staff. I know it has not been easy for any of us: teachers, parents, support staff, board members, administration, and above all, students, to find our way in this unknown, uncharted, unfamiliar and often scary new territory.

As former CFA Union President and current sixth grade teacher, I want you to know your hard work, commitment, and guidance is recognized, valued and appreciated.

Thank you for your patience as we try to find our way. I have not agreed with all decisions made, but I know from talking with teacher after teacher and parent after parent, what a wonderful superintendent we have.

As I have written to my students: We are all in this together and we will get through this together.

Joe Tonan

Sumner Danbury Elementary School

We’re slipping, people

Dear Editor:

Since I walk frequently around my neighborhood in north Claremont, I am strongly attuned to the sweet smells and unique sounds of the technically illegal but universally tolerated gasoline-powered leaf blowers operated by gardeners to keep our lawns and sidewalks pristine.

With the onset of the coronavirus, the neighborhood has been uncharacteristically quiet. Utilizing my scientific background, I determined to assess the impact of this dramatic change.

First, I calculated the incidence of unwanted leaves on the blades of grass that are accustomed to an unfettered view of the normally blue and sunny Claremont sky. I was horrified to learn that the average front yard now contains 2.6 leaves per square yard—clearly an abomination to purity and elegance.

Secondly, careful measurements revealed that a plague of dust has descended on the average residential sidewalk equaling approximately 1.7 microns thick. This is unacceptable! As everyone knows, dust belongs in the public street, where it can be redistributed by passing cars onto nearby sidewalks.

Finally—and I regretfully admit that this is anecdotal rather than scientific—a neighbor with whom I was conversing from a safe distance related to me that she overslept last Thursday morning when the gardening crew failed to show up at the house next door at the usual hour of 7:40 a.m.

Even more surprising is that she detected the presence of oxygen in her kitchen, replacing the film of petroleum that customarily settles on her whole wheat pancakes on Thursdays.

Residents of Claremont, unite! This situation must not stand! We must defeat the evil coronavirus and return to the days of clean sidewalks and immaculate lawns! Damn the deadening cacophony! Full speed ahead!

Ronald Wolff

Claremont

Friendship

Dear Editor:

I would like to share my thoughts on Mr. Rhodes’ article “Girl Scout troop sticks together from start to finish.”

It is incredible how a Girl Scout Troop could stick together for over 13 years. Not to mention that seven out of the eight members of the Troop achieved a Gold Award.

This Troop even founded the Claremont Village Ghost Walk; the primary fundraiser of the Girl Scouts in the Claremont. The strong bonds developed through their years helped push them to better themselves and to achieve these amazing goals. 

I am sure having these strong bonds is more important than ever right now given the COVID-19 pandemic. The support of your very close friends is what makes going through something difficult all that much easier.

Nico Mannucci

Claremont