READER OPPOSES B.C.'S FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IDEArn

Editor:

Re: Full-day kindergarten.

Now there's a bad idea if ever there was one.  

Three-year-olds going to school full days isn't education, it's daycare. 

Pardon me, but education taxes are not for daycare. 

That's only the monetary side; what about the three-year-old kids removed from parents when those are the years when they need them most. 

The long-term effect could be devastating.

How does the parental bond get reinforced when a virtual baby is away all day under the care of a state-controlled professional? 

Doesn't this sound like something from Europe of the 1930s? 

Who gives kids the values they need, a teacher or a parent?  

If I was a parent I'd refuse to allow my kid into school until age five. 

We don't need state-run child rearing; we need better educated kids that will function well in society.

Next thing we'll be like Ontario where they have already decided to have black or white schools in Toronto and kids can attend either. 

Guess how that'll play out long term?   

It's time for the education system to stick with teaching kids and not minding them and let the parents do their job. 

Don't misdirect our tax dollars.

David Eastbury,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-September 24, 2008

LOCAL SPCA NEEDS COMMUNITY'S HELP

Editor:

My husband is allergic to fur. 

This is probably a good thing because I volunteer for the SPCA and if it wasn't for him, I would have a billion animals running around my house.

As we go on with our daily routine, there are well over 150 cats, dogs, rabbits and birds at the SPCA, waiting for a home like yours.  

At the very least you could provide them with a nice treat of wet food “ the cats go without wet food for days and I can tell you that this is something that is truly the highlight of their day. 

It may sound like nothing to you, but believe me, if you could see their eyes light up and get excited about being fed“ they are so happy after they get wet food and it brings a bit of comfort to their lonely days.

Pharmasave is generous enough to have set aside a donation dropoff spot in their store across from the post office. 

Please donate whatever you can. 

The critically needed items are cat litter and wet cat food.  

For the felines alone, we go through about 20 cans per day just to give each cat a spoonful of food. 

I won't go into detail about the need for litter!

If you can believe it, the SPCA was actually broken into last weekend. 

No animals were hurt, thank goodness, but there is a huge cost to repairing the glass doors and computers that were smashed to pieces. 

In addition to food and cat litter, the SPCA will take donations such as computer paper, paper towels, garbage bags, toys, Canadian Tire money and of course monetary donations¦call them at 250-493-0136 if you have any questions.

If you need to take a walk, go to the SPCA and take one of the dogs for a stroll!  

The dogs are ecstatic to get out, even if for a little while. 

And if you need a bit of furry affection, feel free to visit the cats in the afternoon, too“ they love to be cuddled and groomed and the staff at the SPCA appreciate it when people come in to give some love to the animals.

Thanks in advance for your generosity and for helping the animals who don't yet have a loving home.

Joanne Muirhead,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-September 24, 2008