Letter to the editor

Dear Eric,

As freshman class advisor, I feel that some clarification is necessary regarding the freshmen not decorating the library window for homecoming. The real issue was lack of pre-planning and miscommunication, not unwillingness of the library to let the students decorate.

One of the students had contacted the librarian in August to get permission to use their window. What was not relayed back to the class was that the librarian said at that time that the window would have to be decorated during business hours. She cannot work overtime, and any time she is in the library, by law, she must clock in and be paid.

Saturday morning, September 23, the freshmen met at the high school to decorate the hall and work on things for the window. A student called the librarian to see if she could come in so they could decorate the library window. Besides the fact that she had already indicated it would need to be done during regular business hours, she was busy with other things at home. Expecting her to drop everything and rush right in was a bit presumptuous.

The library is not open on Monday, so the students would not be able to go until Tuesday. Therefore, the freshmen contacted Summit National Bank on Monday and decorated there instead.

I chose to use this as a learning opportunity about respect, planning ahead and consideration of others’ time. Working with others in our community is a big part of civic responsibility. We discussed this as a class during Homeroom on Wednesday.

Ekalaka Public Schools continue to have a good relationship with the Ekalaka Public Library. We currently have a student doing School-To-Work at the library. Our Child Development Class works with the library to present Story Hour to area pre-school students. I do not want this incident to give a black eye to a necessary and vital part of our community.

Now you know the rest of the story.

Sincerely,

Cathy Frye

Freshman Advisor