Editor’s Note: The letter below is in response to Robert Corell’s op-ed in the March 4 issue of the News on the merger of the High School North and South hockey teams.
Very well written, Dr. Corell.
Thank you for reminding readers of the academic crossroads faced within the district. Many current residents did not reside here when the discussions and decision for 2+2 vs 4+4 high school alignments were made. But at least discussions were held.
Might that configuration (4+4, two schools, each serving grades 9 to 12; vs. 2+2, two schools, one serving grades 9 and 10 and one grades 11 and 12) be revisited for a multitude of reasons? Remember, there is no class ranking, no mid-terms, no final exams … so everyone gets a trophy! What a nightmare for college admissions officers and a sense of pride/accomplishment for those who strive for academic, sports, music, languages, artistic, etc., excellence.
Are there exams and class ranking at Princeton High? How about Princeton University, Stanford, Harvard, and other competitive institutions? How are students selected these days for medical schools, law schools, and other professional vocations? A coin toss?
“What we have here is failure to communicate!” — Cool Hand Luke and the WW-P administration. I encouraged videotaping and rebroadcasting WW-P board meetings more than a decade ago. However, would that have made a difference?
The paradigm for the role of sports and academics at any level within WW-P has changed. The $84+ million (and rising) question is: Are things significantly better?
Pete Weale
