I am a former student at Chapel Hill High School. Specifically, I was a valedictorian in 1998, and I went on to attend Harvard University (along with three other students from CHHS that year). I am currently working on my Ph.D. in computer science, and I was a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow. I am proud to have gone to Chapel Hill High, and I would not have had the opportunities that I got, nor achieved what I have, without the benefit of the education I received there.

It was with a great deal of dismay, therefore, that I read articles regarding the treatment of a former teacher of mine, Bert Wartski, who taught me A.P. Biology. At a time when our country suffers from a downright alarming lack of STEM teachers, especially in public schools, no school district can afford to take the good ones for granted. Yet, Chapel Hill seems to be intent on not only taking a great one for granted but actively undermining him.

Let me be very clear: Bert Wartski was one of the best teachers I had the privilege of learning from during my time at Chapel Hill High. Without his efforts and the efforts of other exceptional teachers like him (Bud Stuart, Betsy Dawson), I would neither have been as inspired to pursue, nor as prepared for, the academic path I now follow. He was and is a talented educator who has always fought tirelessly for his students, and he has always worked to ensure that they have the best possible environment in which to learn.

Both the town and specifically the schools administration, should be downright embarrassed by the treatment he now seems to be receiving. Rather than being thanked and held up as an exemplar of all the things a good teacher should be, he finds himself fighting to maintain his position amidst nebulous, unsubstantiated, and non-sensical accusations on the part of school administrators.

I strongly urge the relevant school district officials to reconsider their course. The issue is ultimately very simple: Bert Wartski is a good teacher and a force for positive change in the school, and he has years of students who can attest to it. If administrators choose to ignore this fact, they do irreparable harm to the school, its students, and its future.

Nicholas Murphy

Class of ’98

Really big sale

The Binkley-Barbee’s bi-annual Gigantic Yard Sale is coming on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We need you to shop at the sale and also to donate items that are gently used that you no longer want or need. These donations from you are sold to raise money for our outreach projects. This year the recipients of 100 percent of the net proceeds are The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, The Central Children’s Home and the PTA Thrift Shop.

You may bring your donations to Binkley Baptist Church 1712 Willow Drive (corner of Willow and Fordham Boulevard/U.S. 15-501) the location of the sale. From 15-501, turn onto Willow then left at the second driveway and then take the first left into the church parking lot. A sign will be located at the drop off area.

We will be open to accept your tax deductible donations during the following days and hours: Friday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday, Aug. 5, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday-Friday, Aug. 6-10, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday, Aug. 12, noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 13-16, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m. to noon.

Forms for claiming your deductions will be available. Thank you in advance for your donation. A list of acceptable/unacceptable donation items is on our website at binkleychurch.org.

Maureen Rosen

Binkley Baptist Church

Others helped too

I don’t usually comment on these but the “roses” article (CHN July 17) on the increase the IFC is seeing in food donations was correct in mentioning that the donation by Harris Teeter of grocery bags helped with the increase, but it forgot to mention about all the folks that bought and donated the food to the IFC. Seemed like a "slap in the face" to those individuals that were also helping.

Tony Amitrano

Chapel Hill

Less homework, please

I think that kids have way to much homework and that we should have a lot less.

For one, homework can stress kids out if they’re given too much. Too much stress can be hazardous to kids’ heath. For example, I sometimes get very stressed out about a project and then I don’t even get started until the night before it’s due.

I took a survey of some other fifth graders and 19 out of 20 says that they would have a lower stress level in the afternoon and evening if they had less homework.

Another reason that kids should have less homework is that they lose sleep to get it done. If kids had less homework then they could therefore pay better attention and participate more in class if they got less homework.

Finally, kids lose quality time when they do homework. Losing quality time means that kids have less time to enjoy their childhood. It also stops hem from seeing friends that don’t live near them.

A good solution to the problem of kids having too much homework is to give them less but possibly make the school day a little longer. That would also give kids a chance to get help from the teacher if they don’t understand something.

Asher Kirkpatrick

Glenwood Elementary Scho ol

Huntington’s meeting Aug. 7

For the first time the Huntington’s Disease Society of America North Carolina Chapter and The N.C. Center for the Care of Huntington’s Disease are bringing together people across North Carolina who are at-risk for Huntington’s Disease (HD). Anyone who is at-risk for developing HD is encouraged to attend, as well as their friends, teenage children, and other family members.

This unique gathering will provide attendees with the opportunity to access the latest information about HD genetic testing. Special guest speaker Kristen Powers, a recent Chapel Hill High School graduate, who decided to test for HD immediately after her 18th birthday while letting the whole world know what she was doing. During her testing experience she filmed “Twitch,” a documentary that brings to life the experience as it was happening.

Another special guest who is at risk for HD chooses to live life as a grand adventure. Jonathan Dickinson dared to take his terminally ill father to see India for four months on the back of a motorcycle. Come hear more about his experiences and his unique perspective.

Educational sessions will feature Debbie Keelean- Fuller, CGC, UNC Dept of Genetics, Mary Edmondson, M.D., Duke Dept. of Psychiatry, Lauren Holder, President, NC-HDSA, and Adriane Terrell, NC Chapter Vice-President and HDSA Clinical Trials Diplomat. Attendees will be able to mix, mingle and make new friends at the meeting.

Please join us on Tuesday, August 7, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. For more information, contact Sarah Dawson, LCSW, 919-803-8128, hdinfo@nc-cchd,org., or Lauren Holder at hdsa.org/ncch/ncinfo.html.

Adriane Terrell

HDSA

Thank you, donors

Chatham County Together! is a nonprofit that depends heavily on local funding and donations. These funds further our mission of mentoring and guiding children and youth to help them reach their full potential and become healthy, positive members of their communities. CCT! has received two generous donations for the new fiscal year.

The Women of Fearrington have donated $1,740.00 to assist with museum and planetarium trips. The Rolander Foundation donated $8,000 to be put toward ongoing mentoring efforts and two new programs to CCT!, Teen Court and WIA Youth Services.

CCT! sends a big thank to Women of Fearrington and the Rolander Foundation for their generosity. If you would like more information on CCT! or how to make a personal donation please visit chathamcountytogether.org or call 919-663-0116.

Kim Caraganis

Chatham County Together