Dennis Morse

That is crazy but I left in mid Aug. to get back to UW to register.  Most of the crew would get off in Skagway to party as it was the end of the run, but I was underage so I stayed on board to work. The Captain was a party type too. He later ran aground after I left.

Virginia Wolfe (Scheffer)

Too funny!  thanks for sharing

Gregg Wilson

According to The Seattle Times, our Highline High School has literally descended into hell. There is no discipline. There is no respect. Everyone is equal - equally bad. Teachers have resigned by the hundreds. Good job, socialists!

Charles Heleker

The Times has more about the process in today's paper as well as a correction. It was the school district, not the one school.

Linda Pompeo (Worden)

I was shocked to read the article.  What a change from the days we all were at Highline.  No lock downs, pretty much an open campus, lots of fellowship, laughter and camararderie.  Sporting events were a great place to gather, after game dances, rooter buses full of loud kids, study hall, after school clubs.   For the most part, great teachers.  Dags up at the corner.  Lots of good memories (along with a few not so good).  We were safe and happy and carefree. Those were the good 'old' days!

Sherry Sanders (Kimbrough)

I'm thinking lack of funding is one of the main culprits. There has been a sea change in the area, as well, with more needs and less resources. Socialists? Huh? The "good old days" were not so good for me, but I think that may have been due more to my environment. School was a support, if anything, and also a dependable structure. Difficult to create that for kids today.

Gregg Wilson

All of our parents went through the Great Depression and the Second World War. Somehow they became successful. So it isn't being poor and having a bad environment that leads to a total disregard for education. Apparently the parents of these kids do not deliver the message that education is vital.

Both of my parents grew up on farms where the motive power was mules. Both had their first eight grades in a single room school house. My dad left a dust bowl farm with what he was wearing; what was in his grip; and an eighth grade education. Somehow - God knows how - he became a medical doctor.

The school district has instituted a policy of no consequences. If there is no failure, there is no success. If there is no grade F, then there is no grade A. If society protects you from sinking, you don't have to swim.

The nation is not calling out for workers. It is calling out for skilled workers.

Anyway, you don't need education if you are packing a rod to school. Oh, and you can't fix stupid.

John Leonard

How about some news from the Front!!   I have been working at the high school for over a decade and am glad to say Highline has actually not descended into hell.  We did have around 20 teachers leave last year; some retired, some moved into administration and others left for a variety of reasons. It is not unusual to lose a number of teachers in a year. The administration is reassessing our discipline issues in hopes of continuing to improve the atmosphere at HHS.  Both Nanci and I enjoy working with great students at HHS and feel safe there.

If you are ever in the area, stop by and check us out!

Gregg Wilson

If you are on the front line, I will certainly accept your statement.

Karen Buck (White)

John

Thank you so much for some positive input on the school. My dad graduated from Highline in 1940 and then I graduated in 1964, my grandaughter just started there this year and will graduate in 4 years. I have heard good and bad about the school so it is really nice to hear from you that things are mostly good. Thanks!

pamelaAKASilvermoon Johnson (Johnson)

Well, hello! What a thought provoking conversation by everyone. And John and Nancy, You have both always been kind, and love what you are doing with the kids. You know kids dont have their moms around now like most all of us did. I can't imagine what it would be like without a Mom right there at home or some mom in the neighborhood! And among other perks, like meals, we had someone to stand up for us like, "Weeeell Sir, I sure didn't see them do that and I'm sure they never would have and I'll make sure they will never do that again". And even our school bus driver used to visit our homes to make sure that we made our beds. The consequences just were't so great,: like imagine kids today lying out on "our" airport runway, waiting for a plane to lift them right up into the air and on the night of our graduation too!  I guess kids just make some rather impulsive decisions, even if they did graduate and have big dreams. And then the wealthier paid more taxes and there was more finance for our schools, our commons. I do believe that if we are going to make it with the current destruction of all that supports Life, that we are  going to have to cooperate.. All Together. In fact, I'm embarrassed to remember that I never have even donated to the Highline scholarship fund, etc, and so please, could someone  provide a link here to do that or to help out the kids somehow at least... thanks so much, Bye you all for now and Happy Birthday, Dave. Silvermoon

Virginia Wolfe (Scheffer)

This kind of conversation is exactly what is needed everywhere in, schools, churchs, business's, etc.  We can all agree to disagree but still keep it civil.  Keep the dialogue going...... our country needs that now more than ever.  Thanks for all your thoughts.

Linda Pompeo (Worden)

Good input from all. And John, thank you for your on-the-line perspective.  I have several friends that have been teachers and one principal that just retired from Federal Way.  Their reports are not all that rosy.  When we were in school there was respect for authority, which sad to say, seems to be lacking today. Educators have a very difficult time reaching out to each individual with the wisdom needed to make a difference.

As pointed out by Sherry, things were not always great for those in our class either.  I regret that I did not having enough wisdom and empathy to recognize that perhaps I could have made things better for someone somehow.

I am prayerful that I will have a positive influence on not only the lives of my children and grandchildren, but on each person/child that I come in contact with.  

Sherry Sanders (Kimbrough)

Thanks John, I wasn't sure if you had retired or not. Thanks for hanging in with the kids - you may be one of the few supportive adults many of them see. All was not rosy when we were kids BUT we did have consequences which helped some of us learn. I'm with Pam - I trust we will work our way out of this mess and refuse to buy into the blaming and stereotyping that's national (and local) news. I agree that dialogue is the way out & helping just one other as we go along.

Gregg Wilson

In the past 50 years, our nation has regressed from teaching individual responsibility, education and hard work to how to become a professional victim. Many of these students come from homes where the family receives food stamps, free income. So that message at home is why on earth get an education? Besides, if you are a minority, why even try?

The only real minority is the individual. The worst possible thing teachers can do is deliver the message to these kids that they are victims. Teachers must emphasize that the route out poverty - the only route out of poverty - is education. And it is the student's responsibility.

If teachers are not allowed to be firm and impose discipline, then there is no hope. I assume that the teachers are trying to do the right thing, but policy removes their authority.

The issue is not funding but the proper philosophy. I did not grow up in high school. I did not grow up in college. I grew up real fast in the Marine Corps. I learned harshly that I was not the center of the Universe. And staying alive was my problem.

Once out, I took education and working very seriously.

Al Peffley

The Republic of the United States was formed and established by immigrants from Europe and other cultureal areas on the earth as a new cultural land of opportunity and defined its strength as one nation under God.

The nation we live in was often called the "Melting Pot" because we strove to build a western culture which promoted individual freedoms and opportunities. Our nation has prospered from learning from the best of other cultures' accomplishments and successes in encouraging hard work, respect, and economic prosperity. We formed our own cultural identity and Constitution to guide us.

One needs to travel to other countries to see how countries with no Bill of Rights live and are governed. Our nation is being divided by domestic activists who seek change from our roots and original intent of the words in our Constitution. A nation divided will not continue to exist, and a culture of isolated values and bated race wars will fail.

One needs to travel to places like Central and South American countires to understand the cutural values of their nations that do not exist like our Constitution was meant to be taught and practiced. There basically is no "middle class" in the majority of these countires.Their culture does not mirror ours. Tax evasion is rampant and their governments constantly change from dictatorships and socialistic forms of corrupt government to communism and sometimes a weak demcracy. I am not aware of any true republics in Central or South America. All poor people are "victims" in their societies. They come to America and send money home. The caln, not the individual, survives. They have never experienced true individual freedoms and don't trust any government representative to help them obtain economic and religious freedom. The cultural clashes at schools with no discipline powers are inevitable when cultures are divided and encouraged to be divided.

As has been expressed on this website, morals, respect, and honor are taught at home (usually by mothers or grandmothers). Dr. Ben Carson is a great role model for impoverished children. "Poor" families in other countries aren't over-weight, don't have cell phones, don't have designer clothes, and are purposely starved by the  unspoken genocide policies of their corrupt and totaltitarian governments. Immigrants bring their cultural habits and mistrusts in government to the US. If they don't "meld", they often fail or choose a life of crime and drugs.

We face the same challenges in Southwest Washington. Either parents start parenting according to the proinciples on which our nation was founded, or public schools will continue to decline and America will be defeated by New World Order eliteists and Islam calaphate invaders. It is our choice to keep our national identity as the Founding Fathers intended or become extinct like the Roman Empire.

Be involved at your community level and don't accept the divisive tatcics of the revolutionaries, non-melding opportunists, domestic communists, and self-centered humanist egotists. Everyone can't just be an observer or devout follower of his or her political party. Both political parties need more honest and dedicated leaders at the community levels of local government. Run as a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) to get involved. Support your local churches' public services programs. Vote wisely for people who don't encourage division and disrespect for the right to live. Encourage your children to choose quality, disciplined schools for your grand children. Don't accept poor educational systems driven by political activists who milk the system for more central government funding and freebees. Are there still strong PTA's in the school district anymore?

I am an independent conservative who votes for the candidate's qualifications and not the party. It is hard to vet candidates who claim no party affiliation, but it is possible to do a little research on which candidates are not dedicated to our founding principles and RUNNING (not just funding) a quality education system in Washington State or any other state. (And, no, I am NOT a John Burch Society member.) I also did learn a lot from my service in Naval Air, training emergency managment responding agenies as a private contractor, and my work serving our military force branches at Boeing. My college grades improved imensly after attending boot camp and my MOS schools. Before that it was just as my senior annual says: "...cars, girls, and homework if need be" (LOL!)

My two cents...

Gregg Wilson

Amen.

Al Peffley

Sorry for all of the typos in my prior response to the latest discussion topic of HHS educational issues and challenges. I should have proof-read my response text before I hit the "submit" button. My bad! I think you probably got the key points of my long message anyway.

I loved growing up in Burien. It grieves me to see it turn into a future south extension of White Center, or a current-day, segregated neighborhood clone of the Rainier Valley low income housing project. I have seen gang tags all around Burien in the last two decades -- very disturbing, but expected as the demographics change and some of the core businesses go away that big companies like Boeing and PacCar/Kenworth attracted during our tenure at HHS. One thing for sure, everything changes over time.

Thanks John for helping the HHS students & staff. Mentorship is an important mission and occupation for all of us in our senior years. You are doing your part in Burien.

There is no other country on earth like our American Republic. It is the United States of America, not the United "State" of America. We ought to protect and preserve what's left of our fragile Republic before it's all gone. I have no problem singing our national anthem, saying the pledge of allegiance, or standing for the flag presentation with my hat removed and my right hand over my heart. I am an "oath keeper", and will remain so until I go home to the Lord.

Have a great week and enjoy the nice weather while it's here in the Northwest.

Al

Sherry Sanders (Kimbrough)

Al,

Thanks for your education about the incoming cultures - I hadn't thought about it that way but it makes great sense. 

Gregg Wilson

New immigrants come from countries where there is no Bill of Individual Rights. In our constitution this is where the individual is the primary entity and the government is secondary and is specifically prohibited from violating these rights. We are individual citizens - each unique - and equal before the law.

These immigrants have no concept of self, of being an individual. Instead they are part of a tribe (or gang or whatever). The collective group sets what they are supposed to think and how to behave. Anyone stepping away from this group think and behavior is commonly attacked and possibly killed. Independent thinking is not allowed.

I will bet that the high school gives absolutely no education on the Constitution, the Bill of Individual Rights, limited government and ctitizenship. I pray that I am mistaken.

One finds this problem in the sciences. If one writes or expresses ideas not currently accepted by the standard scientific view, then you are challenged with "Who gave you permission to think outside the norm?!"

I did. I have a mind.

Marty Ellison

..."I will bet that the high school gives absolutely no education on the Constitution, the Bill of Individual Rights, limited government and ctitizenship. I pray that I am mistaken"...

Unfortunately, I don't think you are Gregg, it seems there is pressure from many fronts to make the Constitution and Bill of Rights irrelevant.

John Leonard

Very interesting conversation.  

In fact Highline HS started a Civics Class some two years ago which is a semester long required course.   Among other things it covers The Constitution, Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights.    Also,  according to the History Department Head,  the teacher are doing a bang up job.

Gregg Wilson

That is the best possible news you could give. Re-education in constitution, limited government, and individual rights is the most important subject in high school. There is no second place. Re-education in this subject can only come from the ground up. It will never come from the top down

Individual rights are ours by our nature. They are not given or granted. The only thing the government can do is take them away by force or not do so.

Our founding fathers were intellectual giants. Today we have moral idiots.

It is very enlightening that George Washington unilaterally surrendered his sword to congress and ceased to be commander of the Continental Army. He then refused to be king but would only accept the position of president for two terms. He then insisted on becoming a private citizen.

Name any other person in world history who has done that.

Today, we have one candidate who has the slogan "We are stronger together". That is not preserving and protecting the Constitution. That is mob rule.

The other candidate says "We will make America great again". Hell. Hitler said that.

Claudine Dehlinger (Hundhausen)

Thank you, John Leonard, for your voice of reason.  I would hate to think of our school as disfunctional.  We had many fine instructors and administrators when we attended classes at Highline!

Their voices still speak to me about dedication, persistance, responsibility...  I can still hear our English teacher reading to us, our shorthand teacher talking about "black chickens coming home to roost."  :-)   Science and math training has stood me in good stead.  I was not much of a student then, but the foundation was laid for continued lifelong learning.  Today I support schools with my time, and at the ballot box!

Money is not necessarily the answer to all the problems regarding education.  Children must go to school in comfortable clothes that are not statements for attention and status.  They must be rested, properly nourished and prepared to learn.  Parents must recognize their own importance and particpate in the process.  We were very, very lucky in those days. There was a strong middle class and that, no doubt, was an important component.

Al Peffley

"We are Stronger Together", the forward arrow symbol and the term "Forward" used in modern political propaganda, and the term "policial correctness" are all Marxist follower inventions; research it.

I would not compare either candidate with Hitler. Ronald Reagan (a former loyal Democrat Party member) used the slogan "Make America Great Again" in his presidential campaign. Not a bad role model to copy in my view.

I would compare many of the current-generation leaders (from both parties) in Congress and the EPA/DoI with Hitler's Nazi domestic control administrators and SS materland policing agents. I don't think Trump is a member of the "Shadow Party", but he could be identified as a third party candidate running as a GOP (there appears to be many of those type candidates in this federal & local elections cycle.) The people who God enabled to be rulers in the Old Testament Book of Judges were not all saints or even strong believers, but they got the job done. We need someone to get the job done, not a saint who is politically correct to career politicians, in my view as an elected Cowlitz County PCO.

You can thank Congress and give them complete responsibilty for giving almost unlimited dictatorial powers to the existing President and his (mostly-corrupt) Administration. They refuse to cut off the purse strings from the Middle East Assylum Immigration Program that is predjudicial against persecuted Christians being enslaved, slaughtered and raped by ISIS.

The Senate now has more power than the House of Representatives to control federal government funding. This change of the "balance of power" did not happen over night, but was initiated during the Woodrow Wilson Administration (even my parents, who were both Democrats, thought Woodrow Wilson was destroying the Democratic Party and America's Constitution -- and they turned out to be correct!) We are being transfomed by those who want total central government power over the people of the United States. The frog is almost dead in the final boiling process. Congress leadership of both parties is responsible,not just the elected Presidents.