Dear Editor,

In a recent letter to the editor regarding the move of the Linda Nolen Center, the writer voiced concern for the safety of the children.

I must admit when I think about it, I&8217;m surprised no one has wondered why the center has not been moved prior to this. The current Linda Nolen Center is located directly on Alabama 119.

This is a four-lane highway. There is a steady flow of traffic.

The parking lot is filled with buses constantly coming and going throughout the day. Less than a fourth of a mile away is a train crossing.

The new facility is surrounded by the woods of Oak Mountain State Park. I&8217;m quite sure adequate safety measures will be taken at the new location to provide safety for our children, just as

measures were taken at the current location.

One of the things that all children need is to experience the outdoors. I have heard of plans to build a new greenhouse to help stimulate and encourage children.

A new enlarged playground is also in the plans, the current playground at LNLC is basically unusable.

The wheelchairs mar down into the bark surface. The equipment is old and needs to be replaced.

At the new facility, plans are to create a special needs playground with adaptive equipment.

There is also an existing rope course. There are several courtyards and garden areas available. After all, what child cannot love picnics or painting outside?

The possibilities here are endless.

Shelby County Schools has a reputation across the south as the leader in new and innovative ways to teach our special needs children. I do not think for one minute that the concerns for the safety needs of the children are being overlooked.

Virginia Aycox

Chelsea

Dear Editor,

I am writing in regards to the letter that appeared in the March 5 edition concerning the student at Columbiana Middle School who was punished for not wearing a belt.

I am a parent of two children that attend CMS, and I have to say that Mr. Livesay&8217;s letter was short on facts.

When a child is enrolled at any Shelby County School, the parents are given a Code of Conduct for Shelby County Schools.

In the back of the Code of Conduct book is a form that has to be signed by the parents orguardians and student then returned to the school.

This form states that the parents or guardians have read and understand all of the rules and also that the parents or guardians have reviewed this information with the student, and that they also understand.

In the dress code section it states that belts must be worn at the waist with pants, shorts and skirts that have belt loops.

Mr. Livesay, did you and your son not sign this form? Did you not read the Code of Conduct?

I know for a fact that the administration at CMS takes the Code of Conduct very seriously and does everything within its power to enforce the rules as they are written.

Proper warnings are given to every student and parent. Whether or not they are heeded is the parent and student&8217;s decision.

I am also a Shelby County school bus driver and a substitute teacher and I have seen firsthand what our bus drivers, teachers and administrators have to deal with.

It would make their day a lot easier if students were taught at home to have respect for rules and order.

Our job as parents is to teach our children how to behave, that if we show respect we get respect, to treat others the way we want to be treated; and I am sad to say that we are failing!

Mr. Livesay, by cutting off your child&8217;s belt loops and telling him that he will not have detention you have done him a grave disservice.

Robin Robinson

Shelby