It was with great dismay (and sadness) that I listened to the words of Dale butler on this evening's ZBM newscast. Mr. Butler boldly stated that Bermuda's public educational standards were sacrificed in favour of concerns about students' self-esteem and behaviour.

As a member of the profession that provides such assistance to our island's young people, it boggles the mind that these comments would come from an educator whose very school probably benefited the most from "self-esteem'' and "behaviour'' related services. Many of this school's students' behaviour and self-esteem were affected most by a system that relegated them to a school that was unfortunately regarded as "inferior'' on the basis of a single exam taken at the age of 11.

Now to be sure, I am the first to agree that Bermuda's public education standards are below par and do not want to shoot the messenger for the message, however all educators realise the importance of students feeling empowered and able to control their own behaviour before being able to learn.

But since these home-based values are often absent it is increasingly falling within the school's responsibility to impact these. Notwithstanding that there must be a way to ensure that our students leave secondary school at least with the ability to read and comprehend at a 12th grade level. I disagree with Mr.

Butler's view that self-discipline and esteem are any less important.

EDUCATOR Devonshire Help make proms safe June 26, 2000 Dear Sir, The Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention "CADA'' is urging parents and students to take measures to encourage safe and responsible driving during prom and graduation celebrations.

We are calling for students, parents, and teachers to encourage and support safe driving efforts. Local businesses and parents could sponsor alcohol-free prom activities or all night graduation "lock-ins'', places where entertainment and fun activities are provided throughout the night to keep teens off the roads and sober. Parents and teens need to discuss curfews or travel arrangements for students who plan to celebrate into the early morning hours. Make sure there is a designated driver -- to deter drunk driving, and to help ensure that tired teens get home safely.

CADA suggests three simple messages to help make proms safe, fun and more memorable: Keep it alcohol-free. Sponsors of prom parties should ensure that no alcohol is served to minors, and take extra steps to guard against alcohol being brought in. Older guests and chaperones should set a good example by refraining from alcohol consumption during such functions.

Don't drink and drive. Positive peer pressure can discourage alcohol-impaired persons from driving. Refuse a ride from anyone who has been drinking. Party sponsors can help by providing cost-free rides home.

No sleepy drivers. Make proper arrangements if a party is expected to end at a late hour. Parents need to let teens know that it is okay to call home or another responsible person if they are too tired to drive.

Proms and graduations should evoke lasting, pleasant memories, not tragedy and unforgiving reminders of careless behaviour.

Congratulations to the Class of 2000! DOMINIQUE SMITH Executive Director Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Hold guilty accountable July 1, 2000 Dear Sir, Re: Your Article In Today's R.G. About Asbestos and the Health and Housing Minister.

"...little risk.'' a little pregnant, a little illegal.

I normally view the content of your daily as making it over-priced by about seventy-five cents. Today, however, I succumbed to temptation in light of Minister Bascome's comments that the presence of asbestos in some building materials was of `little risk'.

I would be the first to argue that the energy put into asbestos abatement policy enforcement by public sector officials is not equivalent to the varying of danger presented by its many forms. The bottom line, however, is that it is a known public health hazard and Bermuda already has totally clear and established guidelines, in law, for persons to follow when dealing with asbestos and other hazardous materials -- period.

These laws apply to all, as should the accountability for breaking them. I for one expect an accountable Government to enforce the rules with total equivalency. There is a clear violation here of the established guidelines surrounding the handling of hazardous materials. Save the political double speak. If one assumes that at the time the contractors pricing this project knew that it contained asbestos (as any professional in the industry would reasonably expect, given the building, history and the duty of ownership to report the existence of known hazardous materials), then the cost for the abatement (which is expensive) should have been carried in their prices.

As it appears that they did not abate the asbestos in a fashion consistent with the established guidelines, then the public purse is due a credit. Do not waste time or our money. This is a public project so get on with holding the guilty party publicly accountable.

A big Peugeot here, a little asbestos there...it is a very steep and slippery slope.

HAROLD CONYERS City of Hamilton Show parents respect June 29, 2000 Dear Sir, I cannot stay quiet a moment longer, therefore I would like to respond to your write up in today's paper entitled "Plea for parents to get involved in education''. Most of the so-called people from the Ministry of Education are talking with their feet in their mouths. Each and everyone in that department need their heads badly examined. Have any of them from the department ever taken the time to actually visit their government schools on a PTA night? I bet the answer is no and the reason they would give is that they don't have time. Well neither do most parents and that is because most parents have at least two jobs, which is not by choice.

Whenever a parent does get to a PTA, he or she will generally hear the same thing, which is "the school needs this or that''. We, the parents never hear that Little Johnny or Little Sally will need a tutor because they are falling behind their classmates. Many parents that I have had the pleasure of serving on different committees at the former Dellwood Primary School and now the Northlands Primary Schools were well-involved parents. We all attended almost every PTA and function that these two schools held. So to the department, do not sit there in your cozy offices and tell parents that we haven't given you our support. It is because all of you in the department believe in passing the buck, your system is not only failing our children but is also failing Bermuda as a whole.

When you as the department decide once and for all what priorities you will give our children then we as parents will decide to give you our full support.

I say to the department get your act together before you try to get the parents to act together.

To the nameless teacher, most of the three percent parents that you do get, believe me that is a blessing. Most parents do not want to support the schools because they (the parents) have lost their faith in the schools, simply because the department promises so much but delivers so little. The department seems to think that all parents are made of money trees and so do many of the schools. Yes we understand that the school needs this or that and we do try to help: but it is very hard on us as well. We the parents do not like getting short notices for things that the schools needs i.e. two days notice. So to the nameless teacher, you would get more help or support from parents if the department would show more respect towards the parents.

To Mr. Butler, it is time that someone sets up a committee to see that our children get the education that they deserve -- but most of all, Mr. Butler, to get the department to learn better communication skills with the parents.

It is not fair of the department to issue pleas to parents when they themselves can't or won't communicate properly with the parents. The department is supposed to set examples by their positions but they don't. A four-year-old would do a better job.

So in the end this is what needs to be taken in account.

1. The department needs to learn how to communicate.

2. The department needs to deliver what they promise.

3. The teachers needs more support from parents.

4. The parents should become more involved.

5. The children deserve a better quality of education.

6. Most of the children should not be shunned by a failing system.

End Result: Teamwork A VERY MAD BUT SUPPORTIVE MOM City of Hamilton Use paper with care July 1, 2000 Dear Sir, When required, I registered one domestic employee in the new Pension Plan. To date, 49 pages of paperwork have been generated in this regard. I don't even want to contemplate extrapolating this to a multiple of employees. Paper is a natural resource and we should use it with care.

ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE Devonshire