LETTERS
New school times concern resident

If the high school kids begin school after 9 a.m., what time would they actually be getting home? Well after 4 p.m.?

This will limit all afterschool activities, not just jobs. In the winter months, when it begins to get dark shortly after 5 p.m., will the football team practice in the dark? Have dinner after 8 p.m., and kids begin their homework after 9?

Yes, school comes first, but it seems that the entire academic experience will be stilted should this late start be accepted.

This does not just go for the athletic teams. What about the Science Olympiad, school clubs, or any enrichment activity that the high-schoolers might enjoy after school? These will all have to begin no earlier than 4:30 p.m. Could this affect the existence and level of participation in these various activities, thus affecting the all-important college application?

Additionally, any "free time" the kids have once school extracurricular activities, dinner and homework are completed will be almost nonexistent. Surely this is not creating a healthy, low-stress environment in which they can grow and learn. Medical studies might tell us that the kids will do better academically with more sleep, and yes, my high-schooler is going to love sleeping late each morning.

But are we really willing to wholly accept that this is in the kids' best interests?

Renee Creech

Gulf Breeze

I read sports editor Jason Thompson's column on the 2008 Gulf Breeze High School Powder Puff game, and I agree. I attended all the games and was amazed by the intensity of the girls. I think some people forgot this was a friendly, school organized fund-raiser.

When people are getting footballs thrown at them, after the ball is down, something's not right. When people are tearing muscles and going away in ambulances from a flag football game, that should ring some alarms.

Along with injuries, there was no shortage of trash talking and cussing out the other class. Assistant Principal Danny Brothers had a group talk during both the Freshmen- Junior and Senior-Sophomore games, but it didn't seem to have much effect.

Also, as an addition to your list of improvements, how about real coaches?

The school just needs to clean it up a little bit, and then we'll be fine.

Jay Martin Gulf Breeze

We wish to express our gratitude for your support of the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (Brace) Hurricane Expo that was held Saturday, April 12. Thanks to your generous coverage to help promote the event, we had record crowds.

At the Expo, attendees had the opportunity to learn about how to be prepare their homes and their families for any disasters that we may experience. Over 1,000 homeowners registered for the My Safe Florida Homes free home inspections, which might result in discounts on their property insurance.

The mission of BRACE is for our community to be the "most disaster resilient community in America." Through this Expo, we are one step closer to making this a reality.

Thank you for your commitment to our community.

Cliff Long

Expo chairman and Greg Strader BRACE Executive Director