Cedar Rapids Green Square Meals program urged to relocate
Editorial argues the Green Square Meals program should move from Greene Square Park to a larger, accessible site at 605 Second Ave with The Ecumenical Center. It notes volunteer access concerns but claims remodeling can address stairs while keeping downtown visibility and community support.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Green Square Meals
Cedar Rapids
Greene Square Park
Greene Square
Scott Olson
Second Ave
Ecumenical Center
Second Avenue
Greene Squatre
Olson
Pain and Suffering as Entertainment in Modern TV
A columnist argues that television and film cultivate masochistic appeal through relentless violence and pain. It contrasts 24 and Prison Break with football and Mel Gibson films, noting global appetite for brutality over humor or romance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kiefer Sutherland
Jack Bauer
Jack
Abu Ghraib
Fox
Dol
Simon Cowell
Mr. Burns
Homer
Fox Network
Rupert Murdoch
Kiefer
Slo-Mo
Mel Gibson
Gibson
Jesus Christ
Julia Roberts
Julia Who
Keifer Sutherland
Reading list and payroll critique prompt school reform
A reader questions curriculum choices and staff funding. They advocate readding Tom Sawyer to the list while dropping Elmberg, Stephen, and Rauscher from payroll. They urge taxpayers to oppose a local option tax due to perceived incompetence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tom Sawyer
Elmberg
Stephen
Rauscher
Tom Sawyer debate prompts Cedar Rapids school shift
A Cedar Rapids reader argues to keep The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in eighth grade study, noting historical context and a teacher led discussion. She criticizes administrators for pulling the book while allowing optional use and questions district priorities and local option tax spending.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer
Sawyer
Teachers should be trained to handle race issues
A reader argues Cedar Rapids teachers must be prepared to discuss race in literature. They urge training to facilitate discussions on Tom Sawyer and racial history, warning against avoiding unpleasant topics and stressing education as a path to better future race relations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
al Jolson
America
Cedar Rapids moves to remove Tom Sawyer from eighth grade list
Jim Beatty laments Cedar Rapids school decision to drop Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer from required reading citing troubling language. He argues Twain depicted period American life and warns against shielding youth from classic works like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. He recalls his mother reading Twain to him as a child and quotes the author's chronicle framing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tam
Cedar Rapids Washington High School
McKinley Middle School
McKinley
Michael Moore
Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain
Cedar Rapids
Sawyer
Moore
Caitlin Thirnbeck
Twain
Joe
Tom
Huck Finn
Jim Beatty
Reader laments focus on books over pressing issues
The writer argues society should address major problems instead of racial tensions and the content of classic books like Tom Sawyer Black Beauty and Zane Grey. They express sadness and anger at current attitudes and urge moving toward harmony.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Cedar Rapids drops Tom Sawyer from eighth grade list
Cedar Rapids schools remove The Adventures of Tom Sawyer from the eighth grade reading list citing sensitivity concerns. Ann Elmberg and supervisors Sandy Stephen and Christine Rauscher drive the change, with officials noting teachers may still use the book if they choose.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
O.R
Cedar Rapids
Ann Elmberg
Sandy Stephen
Christine Rauscher
Let schoolchildren discuss race issues in class
A parent reflects on recent debates about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and argues for guiding sensitive conversations. She recalls her daughter in sixth grade discussing social problems with a Haitian friend, noting how discussions covered race, poverty, body image, and belonging.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer
Haiti
Josh
United States
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Karen Heller
Philadelphia Inquirer
Tom Saywer
Silo
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