Today's newspaper column
Regular visitors to this blog are familiar with the items in this column.
It's been busy around here lately. Let me bring you up to date.
Last December, we published a two-day series on discipline problems in the Guilford County public schools. A few days later, we sponsored a standing-room-only community forum on the topic in Finch Chapel at Greensboro College.
In the series, the state's character education program in the schools was cited as an effective method of addressing the discipline problems. We decided to take a closer look at the program, which teaches right and wrong to students.
The result of that examination is the special report by Bruce Buchanan on the front page today. And, as with the discipline series, we're sponsoring a community forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Penn-Griffin Middle School in High Point.
A panel of school administrators and students will listen to comments from the floor and discuss character education. The panelists are: Dr. Peggy Thompson, chief academic officer for Guilford schools; Kyra Seaver, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary; Kayleigh Scott, a student at Eastern High; Justin Jefferson, a student at Smith; Lewis Ferebee, principal at Fairview; Charlie Abourjilie, character education coordinator with the state Department of Public Instruction; and Susan Mendenhall, a school board member. It will be moderated by Dr. Alberta Haynes Herron of High Point University.
It's an important issue, and we hope you'll come by.
Second, in a column two weeks ago, I invited readers to send us stories. The effort to hear the news from you in your words is part of our Town Square initiative to open our doors and to expand the number of voices we publish.
Last week, we published the first submission online. I'm particularly pleased that it came from Adam J. Williams, an Army Chief Warrant Officer who recently completed a rotation with Bravo Detachment in Iraq.
Williams, a graduate of Page High School, wrote about his stint overseas.
"All in all, this Greensboro native has seen a lot and done even more over the past year to help bring democracy to the people of Iraq. I wouldn't change a moment of what I've experienced for anything. As I depart, my regret is that all soldiers can't leave, but I know the mission they're performing is essential to the nation. I proudly served that nation and, more importantly for me, my beloved home of my youth, Greensboro, N.C."
What a wonderful way to start "Your News."
If you want to become a "contributing reader," go here.
Third, we published some of the entries in our contest to "Give Michael Moore a makeover" in the Life section today. Like its predecessor, "Decorate Martha Stewart's cell," we received scores of reader-inspired "artwork."
We also heard from readers who complained that the contest was juvenile and uncharitable. I asked Life editor Susan Ladd to explain.
"We're trying to be more original, more unpredictable and fresh in our approach, engaging readers on subjects they're interested in and passionate about. "Fahrenheit 911" was arguably the most controversial film of the year, solidifying Michael Moore's status as a lightning rod of politics and popular culture. The contest was a way to let readers express themselves -- love him or hate him. The primary intent was to have a little fun. The winning team approached the contest in that spirit -- and fittingly, contained one liberal and one conservative."
Finally, I'm delighted to announce that the Associated Press Sports Editors have named our Sunday Sports section one of the top 10 in the country for our circulation category. (The group doesn't rank them by number.) The daily Sports section was an honorable mention, which means it was in the top 20 in the country.
It's the time of year when the tempers of sports readers run hot, what with the ACC tournament coming up. Fans are at each others' throats, judging by the letters we run in the Sports section. Sometimes that laser intensity is directed at the newspaper itself, so it's good that an independent panel ranks us among the best.
