Letters to the editor may be sent to [email protected]. All opinions stated in letters to the editor and guest columns are those of the author and should not be construed as an endorsement by Lowell’s First Look.
Dear Lowell First Look,
As a parent of three children who have attended Lowell Area Schools as well as attending high school there myself, I felt compelled to write my thoughts on the school district leaders working to provide a superior education for students in the face of unrelenting visceral and venomous attacks by those very few who take great personal offense to the contents of the schools library.
I do not agree with every school policy and practice, and I have had many disagreements with teachers and administrators in the past on a variety of topics. However, these discussions were always had in person, scheduled ahead of time, and have never left either party feeling angry or demeaned. Politically I’m about as conservative as you get, yet I feel I can exercise my political beliefs in a way that doesn’t resort to childish name-calling or belittling anyone. In the age of keyboard warriors, people sure do love to spread hate for what they don’t always understand.
What I watched on that circulating video was pure unabashed bullying and complete immaturity by it’s creator. It also left me feeling angry and protective of the victims of that video. People somehow feel it’s appropriate to fire up their camera and hurl personal attacks and insults against government officials and school personnel knowing full well that those people cannot respond for risk of losing their careers. It’s like having a fistfight with a man who has both hands tied behind his back and then claiming total victory.
Parents should be engaged and advocating for their children, but I’d never agree the effective way to accomplish that is to make personal attacks against school officials, particularly while recording it to show the world how “tough” you are.
When I attended Lowell High School I wasn’t a popular kid. I wasn’t a great athlete or a motorhead or a prep or even a skater kid. I found my solace in books, and I absolutely loved the variety at the Lowell High School Library. A well-managed library is where a young student can find their keys to the world. I learned from stories about history, leadership, personal bravery in the face of evil, and I always stayed up to date with the weekly news publications that were provided for students.
What I see in Mrs. Beachler is an educator who demonstrates class and grace, combined with personal bravery, for continuing her work under the continued onslaught of a very politically polarized group of parents. Parents whose anger is stoked by one particularly animated mother who feels she has been empowered to speak for all of us conservative parents.
My children received a wonderful education through this school district, with one son who’s a college graduate, one son who’s in trade school as an electrician, and a daughter currently in high school who’s capable of doing anything she wants in this world. What I hope for all three of them is that they make the world a better place through leveraging their intelligence and charisma through compassion and honor. Something that this small group of antagonistic parents could learn a little something about.
I hope Mrs. Beachler reads this and understands that I, along with most everyone in this community of parents support her. I support Lowell Area Schools in their continued mission to provide a wonderful education to every student who walks through those doors.
Mrs. Beachler, thank you for all that you do.
Respectfully,
Phillip A. Hesche
Lowell Area Schools Parent
I am glad I wasn’t privy to the video referenced in this letter, albeit I feel as if we are all exposed to the malice and hypocrisy every day on social media, in the news & sometimes even on the sidewalk. Thank you Phil for calling it out for what it is. Carry on Mrs. Beachler, I have heard about the amazing job you’ve done and what an awesome advocate for education you are. Lowell Schools and the community are lucky to have you!
I am glad I wasn’t privy to the video referenced in this letter, albeit I feel as if we are all exposed to the malice and hypocrisy every day on social media, in the news & sometimes even on the sidewalk. Thank you Phil for calling it out for what it is. Carry on Mrs. Beachler, I have heard about the amazing job you’ve done and what an awesome advocate for education you are. Lowell Schools and the community are lucky to have you!
As a SOVEREIGN CITIZEN of the United States of AMERICA and a PROUD LOWELL TAXPAYER I hereby DENOUNCE any oppression and hatred leveled against the CHILDREN, ELECTED OFFICIALS CHOSEN BY THE COMMUNITY, and DEDICATED SCHOOL STAFF of Lowell. The outlandish MALICE and CONTEMPT that certain LOUD OPINION-HOLDERS are directing at the aforementioned upstanding community members is henceforth REJECTED by the MAJORITY of our quiet and peaceful community. The attempts to DIVIDE the community will not work! Russian puppets in our community giving their souls (and probably their money!) to PUTIN can’t beat the FEROCITY of an awakened AMERICAN PEOPLE!
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I am truly speechless- this letter is so well written and so thoughtful. This brought me to tears. Thank you Phil for writing this letter and for being a great part of this community!!
Thank you for your thoughtful message!
This is so well said, Phil.Thank you.