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Migrant students attend Burris Park summer program

By Shannon Milliken
smilliken@HanfordSentinel.com

Far from any busy streets, just east of Hanford and nearly hidden deep beneath tree branches that reduce traces of the scorching summer sun, lies Burris Park. The park has hosted about 50 local third- through seventh-graders over the last two weeks in an outdoor summer school program for Hanford's migrant students. They have used the park as an interactive textbook in lessons in social science, language arts and science.

The program, and the park, have allowed students to "experience what they are learning about," said the program's director, Chris Piche.

Joanna Montano, 11, liked the summer program so much last year that she returned this summer. But for other students, like Raul Aldama, this was their first experience at Burris Park.

Aldama said that in the program's first eight days he learned about pollution, animal habitats and trees. He also saw raccoons, hawks and woodpeckers, which he had never seen before.

Paola Garcia, 9, added that the students had found woodpecker holes and poisonous flower species on their adventures through the park.

On Wednesday, the children learned Piche's favorite lesson when they took a nature walk through the park and discovered several of their teachers hidden among trees and bushes, completely camouflaged. The students walked right past the teachers, not aware of them because they didn't stand out from their surroundings.

Piche said that opened a segue from a lesson in camouflage and predator-prey into another lesson on being aware of what is happening around you, from environmental impact to birds flying through trees.

This morning, the students studied trees up close, learning to identify their ages by the rings and creating songs about how they saw the trees working to survive.

"We could say respiration on a piece of paper, but it's a lot easier to teach predator-prey when you can sit out here and watch hawks take out birds all day long," Piche said.

The park's Native American history -- it was a meeting and celebration spot for local tribes -- complements the curriculum of the summer program as well as the year-round curriculum that is being developed, Piche said.

"It's hard not to pay attention to nature when you are here," Piche said.

He hopes the students will leave the summer program on Friday with a better understanding of science and an appreciation of the environment. He helped them divide up their garbage from lunch -- paper bags in one container, plastic sandwich bags in another and crushed milk cartons in another -- giving them an example of environmental appreciation that they can bring back to their daily lives.

"Children are our future," Piche said. "Even though they are young, they are powerful and they can change what's around them."

Mike Mendoza, director of the Hanford Family Resource Center and Hanford Elementary School District's educational foundation, said the program is funded through federal migrant funds and that the biggest goal of the program is to offer "extended learning opportunities" that enrich a child's pursuit of their future.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(June 26, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

WOW wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:35 PM:

" Great job Hanford Elementary in offering an enriching program locally. Thank you to all the teachers who are willing to teach in summer programs. "

Scott D wrote on Jun 26, 2008 5:02 PM:

" I wish that the Hanford School District would offer summer school to American children who deserve a better education. It's bad enough that our children play second fiddle to the teacher's attention to all those migrant / illegal strudents flooding our schools with no end in sight! Our children are our future and we need to take back our schools and require U.S. Citizenship to attend these schools. It is no secret that our public schools are falling apart and having to provide and education to illegal children is just placing and increasing burned on our resources and our future. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:06 PM:

" Scott D, put your kids in YMCA or take them to Burris Park yourself. Besides, a majority of those kids speak English already. And you're right about the children being our future; you're just too picky on which children.

You may want to hurry along to your KKK meeting now. "

To Mrs. D wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:51 AM:

" Not sure that it is racist. I know of plenty of 'our' kids, of any race that can't participate in YMCA or something like that because their parents can't afford it. Even more so now with cost of living going up. There is plenty of opportunities like that out there, IF the parent can afford it. Migrants just get state money. Everyone else has to pay for it, in more than one way. "

Novaloveslife wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:21 AM:

" Scott D,"Take a close look at yourself" and find out whats missing in your life, People like you don't like to be happy for others, Your very negative, these are inocent children your complaining about stop making it a race issue, "Please"

By the way "I Love the Article, I'ts awesome" It makes me proud of what those teachers are doing "Great Job" "

Miss C wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:37 AM:

" I think it is great that these opportunities are available to these students, many who AREN'T illegal aliens, just children of parents who migrate to find work in the agricultural fields, work I personally haven't seen any 'legal' citizens doing by the way.
Scott D has a point in that these programs should be available to ALL students. Thank the government for this. The funds used to pay for these services are restricted to be used on this demographic of student. Why aren't all students worthy of such great programs? And to Mrs. D, not everyone can afford the YMCA or even some of the other programs offered through the Recreation department, especially when some families have more than one child. Most parents can barely afford to get to work with the cost of gas and food these days. It's a shame that the government has narrowed its view to serving "groups" instead of the whole group. Then they wonder why our students don't "perform" "

Sara wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:39 AM:

" To Mrs D. You need to check yourself. Scott was only pointing out a fact that is happening in our city and all over the state. It is you who are rattling a racist flag in you coment on the KKK. You should be ashamed of yourself! It is a fact that our children do take a back seat those these migrant children in our public schools. It is a fact that our schools are overcrowded and under funded. Children who are born here deserve to have a good education and not having to worry about over crowding. If there is going to be a funded program for migrant children for summer school, then there should be a funded program for all children to attend. This is only fare! Not racist as you rush to judge! "

Scott D wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:17 AM:

" To Mrs.D As an African American, I take great offence with your use of the KKK. My race suffered at the hands of that organization and you use it as a joke. Shame on you! I was not being racist, only factual. All children deserved to go to summer school. The Hanford School District and the Federal Government where being selective on which children where allowed to attend based on race. I would love to take my children to the park or even a vacation, but the fact is I must work everyday to support my family with two jobs. My children need that attendtion the teachers spend on these migrant children. Don't my children deserve a fare share of the teachers time? Don't my children and all other non migrant children deserve to go to summer school? Think before you write so hurtful works. "

California Native wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:32 AM:

" You should be very ashamed of yourself Mrs D. Labeling someone who you don't know as a member of the KKK group can land you in hot water and possibly in court. I see nothing wrong with what Scott stated. I've been here since 1947 and the things Scott stated in his brief statement are true. The Supreme Court allows mirgant and illegal children a public education, but the federal government does not fund the state entirely for these children which creats a funding shortage, Our children suffer from the lack of funding and school overcrowding. Surely you can see that. It is completely unfare to provide funds for one group of children while not funding for all. Ask yourself this question. If there was only one seat left in a school your child is register too, and your child is denied that seat because it was given to a foreign born child. What would you do? Who has the right to that seat? An American child or a foreign born child? That is a question that will need to be addressed in the near future when our schools are too overcrowded. Watch what you say next time! "

My Kid Wasnt Left Out wrote on Jun 28, 2008 12:13 AM:

" My child isn't a illegal immigrant or parents of a migrant worker and she was able to attend a field trip to Burris Park that the school provided while she was at school, in fact I signed a couple slips allowing my child to go to various field trips this year so my child wasn't left out neither were the other hundreds of legal american children in her school.

Maybe Mrs D your child missed these trips but I don't see how a trip during a summer vacation is taking away from yours, how many places did you try to sign your child up for and how many programs did you see that you qualified for in terms of free recreation activities for your child(ren).

It is not as if this program picked random illegal aliens or migrants out of a hat, these people went through a process to qualify, maybe you should try the same with yours. "

Mr. Truth wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:27 AM:

" I am with you Scott. Let's have a American-only program that's State funded.
OH WAIT! THAT WOULD BE RACIST!
Don't lets Mrs. D bother you. She just hates everybody who loves this country...... "

Mrs.D wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:40 AM:

" To Scott D and others, Every summer program my kids have been involved with, we paid for it. And if we didn't have to pay for it, it's because we got there early enough to sign our kids up for these programs. Do not blame us for having the foresight and commitment to save money. My husband works(as a Corrections Officers, so haa!)to pay for our childrens activities. The kids featured in this article were given the opportunities to participate in such programs. If you're feeling left out, go to KCCAO and ask for help. Look for a better job and start a savings account.

And Scott D, I do not believe for one minute you're African-American. Your original post paints you as racist. Think about that. "

Sid wrote on Jun 28, 2008 3:51 PM:

" Hold on a sec...

"Local school program...for migrant students".

The article doesn't even need to say "Migrant" but it does. Why? It isn't even a point in the meat of the article. Or is it on a sublimminal level/context. Then again, why?

Just what is a Migrant" in this context anyway? If it is a derivitive of "migration" does that means these children will migrate somewhere else as their are labeled uniquely "migrant" for some reason?

(Migrant farm workers, regardless of legal status/nationality were once called such as they followed the seasonal needs of bringing in the crops at various locations. Migrant "students"? Are we making up a new category/classification of something? Yet again without context/definitions?. Will "migrant students" move on to other school systems?)

Articles obvious lack of definition/explaination opens the uniqueness of these "migrants" to the speculation of being illegal aliens instead. Would that be fair let alone accurate?

Point: Article is actually doing a disservice to any side of the fence/issue by using words it doesn't place into any context, established or "new". "

in between wrote on Jun 28, 2008 3:51 PM:

" I know that this is off topic, but here is a good one-there are a LOT of kids in Hanford (high school) that would really get a lot out of summer school. They could take some of the advanced classes they need to prepare them for college or they could retake a class that they didn't do as well as they would have liked (but didn't fail). Unfortunately unless they either haven't passed the exit exam, algebra, or other classes required to keep on track for graduation they can't. Oh, and lets not forget the kids taking PE because they didn't pass it during the year and need it to graduate. (I called a teacher and was told the ONLY way to fail PE is to either not show up or not dress out/participate. I know that HS students can attend JC with no tuituion, but you are pretty limited at the Hanford Center and who can afford the gas to Visalia or Lemoore every day for a month. It just seems like the above average student never gets the breaks. or the grants. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:58 PM:

" Mrs. D I think you lost that bottle of chill pills I gave you? Calm down and why does almost every blog contain the fact that your husband is a Correctional Officer? So big deal, I was a member of the California Cadet Corps in the 7th grade. I also made as much if not more than your husband in Southern California supervising and managing milk deliveries to San Bernardino Jails. Once again so what?
Your children are special needs children of course you have to pay for special programs designed with that in mind.
I don't know who misguided you and said life will be easy once you start blogging, but they lied to you. Everyday when you awake and you take that first full breath of the day pause and neal down and Thank God you did and then go kiss each of your children for they are a gift from God. Be thankful you have children to care for when many who want them so desperately can't.
You really need to reflect on your life and figure out what is causing that anger and direct yourself to a counselor. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 28, 2008 5:06 PM:

" Now as for the program, I too think it should be opened to all and I disagree that a parent taking their child to see the wildlife is not the same as a course of instruction provided by a teacher that reflects everything that entails. How many parents have the time to set down and look up every variable of animal that may be present in Burris Park? They are too busy, making sack lunches so everyone can eat in the family, working two jobs to support the family. Paying for all the other little people who are treated to this education through legislation by our government. Providing healthcare and a nutritional well being for their children along with paying a mortgage that decreased in value by 30% because of the housing crunch. Then they drive up to a $4.75 per gallon gas station and think maybe I should ride my child's bike to work. I think we should have Straight Person Parades, have our own little Welfare to Work Program by following some frauds one day and turning them in, also limit the programs by how and when we can pay for them. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Jun 28, 2008 5:24 PM:

" Ms. D conveniently forgets that African American population in the United States consider themselves the be American citizens because, well, they are.

And as usual, she never fails weave her family or her background into the mix ("My husband works (as a Corrections Officers, so haa!)" with absolutely no regard for the topic at hand.

I guess she is bragging that she has a working husband (?). Or a husband at all? Or a C.O. in the family?

So when Mr. Truth says
"Don't lets Mrs. D bother you. She just hates everybody who loves this country..."

You can take that to the bank! "

Mrs.D wrote on Jun 29, 2008 7:33 AM:

" Does it matter to you people one bit that these kids are learning something? This xenophobic attitude in our town is really getting old. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:15 PM:

" Mrs. D
It didn't matter to you that they were getting an education. Your complaint was your children weren't receiving the same education free. That is the complaint of most of us. I do not and have never liked that once you make your donation into the tax goddess barrel your choice of what happens to it ends then and there. I think we should be able to hold with normal elections, decisions where our money funneled back to us from the State should go and on who it should be spent and for what reason. The State has total control of our donations and we have to like it, well I think it is time to change all of that and vote in like minded people who want more say about programs and funneling money where it discriminates against others. This little school is begging for a reverse discrimination lawsuit to be brought against it. It is exclusionary, that is one of the items contained in the Civil Rights Bills you cannot exclude by race, creed or color and also now by age or diability? This is not right. "

Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:04 PM:

" Mrs D. I don't understand why you always brag about your C.O. husband. Being a C.O doesn't require a college degree. I also work at one of the area State prisons but my job title REQUIRES a college degree. That is not a knock to any C.O's out there. I highly respect the job they all do. I feel 100 % safe at work because of C.O's. So please don't take that wrong. Since we all know what Mr. D does for a living I would like to know what Mrs. D does for a living????? I agree that ALL our children should given the same opportunities. I for one pay for all my childrens activities and sports and with 4 children in local schools we pay alot. Migrant or non-migrant I think if 1 pays all should pay and if 1 gets it free they all should. Why should those of us with the ability to pay have to always pay. I see people at the palace trying to get money off their welfare cards. I know more have the ability to pay but say they can't. Not all but some. Sorry for the negitivity "

Concerned wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:59 AM:

" As a former student and employee of Migrant Education Region X, I find it apalling that so many of the posts on here have to do with immigration. Please remember "migrant" means their parents are migratory workers, and they follow the crops throughout the year, therefore the children do not receive an adequate education because they constantly change schools. These programs that are federally funded are provided for the sole purpose of supplementing the children's education, for they seldom achieve at regular levels because of their migratory status. I would hope you come to understand the reasons why students get additional services. As someone mentioned earlier, these students must be certified migrant. There are special services for different populations so to say that your federal dollars are being misspent, is inaccurate. There is the GATE program, and there studetns get special services as well. For myself, I rather contribute my tax dollars for supplemental education than for later rehabilation for a criminal activities. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jun 30, 2008 12:38 PM:

" Any of you xenophobes ever been to Stratford Elementary? The school is K-8 with a 90% Hispanic and 10% white. The school has a goal for each migrant student in the ESL program: know the English we taught you by Christmas time, after that the staff will only speak to the student in English. The younger they are, the easier it is for them to learn. They also have some black students, as well.

A lot of you people speak out of the Bible when it comes to to gay marriages, but it remains silent on immigration. I do believe our priest at St. Peter's in Lemoore said once,"When a stranger comes to your land, you welcome him". A lot of you Sunday Christians aren't even doing that. You people are the ones who hate what America stands for.

And concerning Me: because of my husband's job as a CO, we can afford for me to stay home and be a mother for our children. Which means I am a room mother and extra set of hands at school. How about you? "

Information wrote on Jun 30, 2008 3:30 PM:

" I think before any of you get any more excited than you already are, you should realize that the program at Burris Park has been developed to be delivered and experienced by any youth in the area. It just so happens that the group that was attending when this article was written was from a federally funded migrant program. Why cheat our youth out of a wonderful hands on program. These chidlren, wheather they are illegal or legal represent the future that we have in store for us. I personally want to give thanks to those who helped develop the program at Burris Park and those who are keeping the program going. "

Charles wrote on Jun 30, 2008 5:36 PM:

" Education in America is dead! After reading some of these comments, I cannot believe how many people can't spell or Punctuate then have the nerve to slam another group of individuals. "

Terri Wells wrote on Jun 30, 2008 6:00 PM:

" Mrs D. Just stop with your unwelcomed blogging! You are the only racist here. Facts where present and your argument is that your husband is a CO and makes tons of money so you can stay home and blog. Your only adding fuel to the fire with your nonsence. Denying Scott D about his race is just wrong. He speaks the truth about the problems we have in our city,state and country. If you speak the truth, people like you label him as a racist. Remember your the one who brought up the KKK. You should be ashamed of yourself! "

Mrs.D wrote on Jun 30, 2008 6:37 PM:

" RE: Information, Thank you! "

Larry wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:01 PM:

" Mrs D. needs to get off her high horse and settle down to reality. What gives you there right to call someone a racist when you yourself play the race card. Are you a member of the KKK ? You seem to know a lot about them when you accuse someone else for being a possible member. Then you find out that that person your accused as a racist was an African-American. Shame on you! Then you have the nerve to deny Scott D that he is not African American. You don't even know this person who was only stating known facts about this story and you went totaly off base with your own hate.You need to get a job and stop your blogging. You only added hate and discontent to this entire matter. Next time you call someone a racist, look at yourself first! "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:16 PM:

" The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program that provides supplemental education services to migrant children. This report reviews the state’s implementation of the program. We find that the state could better target resources and better serve migrant students by implementing a comprehensive package of reforms. Specifically, we recommend a number of modifications related to the program’s: (1) funding and service model, (2) data system, and (3) carryover funding process. We also identify funding available to help in implementing these changes.

This is a federal funded program, news to me, guess if we want federal money we have to live with it. Remember that when we elect Congressman and Senators in this state.

If we don't get rid of Feinstein and Pelosi we might as well file bankruptcy for the state of California. "

To Mrs D wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:42 AM:

" I won't say what my husband does cause I think it is tacky, I am able to stay at home with both my kids, we don't qualify for any programs mentioned above but I think its awful how some of the people here are reacting to kids getting a great day at one of our local parks.

Mrs D, your coming on here as if your better because your able to stay at home w/ur kids and ur husband has some great job, well your not a rare breed, I volunteered 4 my kids when I was working full time and now that I am not working I spend more time. It doesn't make me any more of a better parent then those who aren't fortunate enough to do the same.

Thank you concerned for your comment, I think that many people hear the word migrant and automatically assume illegal immigrant.

both my parents were migrant workers, both born here in the US, they weren't paid much but worked hard and programs like what is mentioned in this paper are so needed for kids who can't do much of anything due to finances "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:01 PM:

" RE: To Mrs. D, The only reason why I mention my husband here is to remind the posters here that there are married people here(hetero-and homosexual). I also mention his position is because the same posters always have something negative to say about the Corrections Officers. So I'm not being tacky.

What really burns me with these people--the posters, not the migrants--is that they claim to love America and everything it stands for. The huddle masses, in their opinion, should be white only. They are forgetting that these kids going through Migrant Education are learning English, going to college, and becoming teachers. This I know since my mom has graduated many Migrant Ed. students who return as teachers. They are being a service to everyone in the United States of America.

My parents, not born in Mexico but in Texas and New Mexico, paid for every piece of education we received since it was their duty as parents. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:12 PM:

" Mrs. D - I for one compliment you on a very good post without the normal attached anger. It was informative yet not spewing of venom. Congratulations keep it up, you gain much more respect when you are articulate than when you are angry and getting things off your chest. Those of us that blog know you are married as many of us are in heterosexual relationships we don't need to shove that down their throats as they shove their homosexual relationships down ours. It is nice to know that we outnumber them and that we are all registered voters and that is all I am going to say along those lines for now. This will truly be a November to Remember, I am sure. I for one think that celebrating a violent revolt in a parade is ironic for those peace loving people who just wanna get along. What's next are the gay men going to burn their bras on main street Hanford? But at any rate good hearing from you Mrs. D. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:19 PM:

" Watchdog Fred, as far as gay men burning their bras on Main Street: I'll be there waiting to give you a pair of asbestos oven mitts!

Rock on! "

Mr. Truth wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:27 PM:

" I wonder why we can't scoop up a bunch of children of all races and take them ALL out for educative recreation?
Why must we be split?
Take them all to the ball game.
Take them out to the crowd.
Buy them some peanuts and crackerjacks.
.........you know the rest......
All children need.All children deserve. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:37 PM:

" Mrs. D.
I think you misunderstood gay men burning bras on Main Street in Hanford is really not on my to do list. I certainly wouldn't want to be catching them even with asbestos mittens.
Where ya gonna get the asbestos from the San Franciso Bath houses. Touche' "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:08 AM:

" The flea market. "

To Mrs. D wrote on Jul 2, 2008 1:29 PM:

" I have never seen anyone so arrogant in their posts as you are. Scott D made a post with facts, not a single racist comment. Since when is "migrant" a race, never noticed that block on the form to check off. Migrant does not equate to Mexican, it by definition means anyone that migrates with the seasons of the crops. That can include Anglo-Saxon, Latino, Oriental, African, whomever, but it is not a race. There have always been special classes for migrant workers children, for the purpose that yes the children were being moved around all of the time. Anytime someone questions something that might pertain to Mexicans they are automatically branded as racist. I have nothing against the way the migrants were handled before, they came here, worked, got paid for their efforts and returned to their homes, all within the legal means. Much of the disent here is with those people who are here illegally, irregardless of race, creed or beliefs, that are sapping our already streched budgets. If you are so well off financially, why not sponsor some other children that don't have the resources your children do? "

Angie wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:23 PM:

" You people who complain about having to pay for your children's programs because you can afford it are the most ungrateful people in the world! Your kids are probably too spoiled to appreciate what you pay for anyway!
My family makes too much money for any kind of assistance and not enough money to pay for summer/sport programs. So guess what? My kids stay home. Fortunately they are old enough but I remember a time when we use to pay six hundred dollars a month for childcare. We use to recieve assistance, food stamps and medi-cal. Yes, it was easier but I wouldn't go back to it for the world. Not because there's anything wrong with recieving assistance, but because of the way people would look at us, judge us, degrade us and put us in a "category" that we didn't belong in.
Shame on all of you! "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:28 PM:

" Why is it if we do anything that excludes people from attending because of their ethnic background, race, creed, color or origin we are in violation of the civil rights laws.
But the state of California can ear mark funding for a specific group excluding all others and it isn't only legal, they use our taxes to finance it. Isn't that a violation of if nothing else morality and equal treatment under the United States Constitution? What happen to 'all men are created equally", now all of a sudden that no longer applies. Because Migrant Students are more Special than regular students, isn't the mere separation a violation of the civil rights laws? Our children can't say under God without being sanctioned for it, but the school district and the state can violate our children's rights and it is all perfectly legal. Furthermore, we have to pick up the cost of it. What is wrong with this picture? If this was happening in another country we would invade and declare martial law, to give everyone equal rights in a democratic society. What happened to America the Beautiful? "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:42 PM:

" RE: To Mrs. D, If you read Scott D's post, he made a point that "our children" have to play second fiddle to the migrant kids who are "flooding" our schools. He didn't point out that he was a minority until his second post and made it sound like he was above it all. Point is, that most kids in the HESD are below poverty level, which includes kids who are of African-American heritage, Native American, and caucasian. I do know for a fact that the forementioned children do qualify for discounted meals at school, medical clinic visits, and once a year a Christmas shopping spree at Mervyns. The migrant children do not receive a lot of the benefits so they receive school grants like the Burris Park visit. The migrant parents are out working in the fields next to each other up to 12 hours a day. I do not see any other races out there working along side with them, even though I do see a few welfare moms at Save-Mart and Target spending wads of money(and these women are non-Hispanic). "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:43 PM:

" RE: To Mrs. D, Remember, a lot of these Migrant families return to Mexico after a crop season. They come here to work and to educate their kids. And they don't call it "Forced Slavery" to earn their money. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:05 PM:

" Mrs. D.
Gotta call you on that, are you gonna tell me that there are no women on Welfare that are hispanic or are you saying you haven't observed them?
I am sure I can get some numbers from the Welfare Department because they do keep track of race in applying and those approved for Federal and State mandated requirements. My wife and I were out there to Super Momma's Mart on Sunday and there was a hispanic family in front of us with the two grocery carts, one for ebt accepted and the other for non accepted items and they weren't the only hispanics on welfare there, I see the same families every time I go out there. They come so often now the cashiers at Wally World don't even ask them for i.d. when they present their ebt cards now. So watch what you say and there are other races in the fields besides hispanic, I've seen Philipino, Arabic, Japanese and before them were the oakies and arkies and dust bowl era folks like my parents. And after them and just before the influx of hispanics there were blacks in those fields harvesting crops. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:12 PM:

" Mrs. D.
Why do you always think your nationality was the first at everything. I don't know when you came to Hanford, California but I arrived here in 1951. My first dwelling was the old Community Hospital that was on Irwin Street that isn't even there anymore. My second was out on 9th Avenue and it didn't have a name so everyone just call it the Lane which was a dirt road headed east off 9th Avenue, where my dad and Unlce built a house. Then I moved out on Hanford Armona Road next to what is called Baker Commodities (formerly the Tallow Works) on a dairy that my dad and grandpa worked together. Then later finally on Myrtle Street where I grew up the rest of my life as a child. Oh and by the way during that time frame I milked goats, fed chickens and slopped hogs and sat on a cotton sack as my dad picked cotton by hand and pulled me along behind him at my Uncles ranch. I also scooped up manure and put it in a wheel barrow and cleaned corals for $5 a day. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:19 PM:

" Mrs. D.
Everyone and everybody has a story some are a little different, but we didn't have a Migrant Program. We didn't get any special privileges and our parents had to pay for our lunches although I did work in the kitchen and earn my lunch a few years while going to school. I sprayed trays and rinsed off all the food so we could load the trays in a new invention an automatic dishwasher. Come summer time if we were too young to work out of the house we stayed home and did chores around the house. We swept, we mopped, we dusted, we made beds, we washed dishes, we halped because it took both our parents working to make ends meet. We mowed the lawn we trimmed the bushes one summer we even dug a 6 foot square by 6 foot deep hole by hand using pcks & shovels in the ground with a leach line for our sewage. Another year we did such a good job our grandfather let us dig him one just like it, only the ground at his place was like rock. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:28 PM:

" Mrs. D.
Those were the experiences we got while growing up and most of them were paid for with our individual sweat, tears and blood and our aching backs to boot. I wouldn't trade a minute of it for all the Xbox or Play Stations in the world. Because along with it all came a very valuable work ethic and education.
Today parents who saddled kids with that kind of responsibility would be locked up. But the funny thing is in doing all we did we still didn't have the responsibilities our parents had when they grew up. My own dad for example was pulled out of the third grade in Arkansas to plow fields and he wasn't alone either. He told me stories of carrying this big ol' lard bucket to school with his lunch in it, (you know what his lunch was), each morning he would himself spread peanut butter on one slice of bread and fold it in half as a sandwich, but he carried it in a lard bucket so people wouldn't think he was poor. Because he was the proudest man I ever had the pleasure of knowing. "

Another view wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:17 PM:

" I don't see anyone other than migrant workers, breaking down the gates to go do the back breaking work they do. Back in the late 60's and early 70's in Northern Cali KIDS worked the fields... until of course accidents occurred b/c of lack of proper supervision and the rules for kids working became so restrictive. Send your kids to work the fields and fill those positions if you don't like migrant workers and their families. Consider the cost of accommodating their children a cost of the food on your table.

Enrichment and educational programs will help those children grow to be contributing adults to society. "

Soon to Be... wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:43 PM:

" Former Hanford Resident...These comments are just my confirmation that moving out of Hanford is a good choice. After living here all our lives, my husband and I are moving to Northern Cal. Hanford has become so closed minded. And I am ashamed to say I am a Hanford resident when I read such nasty posts. Hanford was never ever like this.
How can you argue about a program that benefits children? The children....do you understand that...they are just children. "

Sid wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:05 AM:

" Angie,

Your post was interesting and compassionate. But I would like to ask a question rergarding "assistance":

Should families plan to have only the children they can afford OR should they have as many as they desire and rely on taxpayer funded assistance programs? "

Second To Mrs. D continued wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:16 AM:

" My forefathers (at least most of them, for I am Heinz 57, and my kids are now Heinz 58, i.e. mixed heritage/race) migrated here and assimilated, there were no special test in German, Russian, Scottish, nor Native American. To accomplish something you had to do it in English. I have been to many varied culture events, Polish-American day, Sons of Italy, etc. Even Hanford appears to have a large Portuguese population, yet I fail to see everthing published in German, Polish, Italian, Yiddish, Crylic, Korean, Thai, Hmong, etc. Yet the largest group of illegal immigration is represented by Spanish speaking (Mexico, Gutamala, Honduras) and now everything has to be printed in Spanish so they can get by? Why? You didn't do this for my heritage you bigot. Now who is the xenophobe? I can't hate any race in fear of hating myself, for I am a blend of so many races. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:55 AM:

" To Soon To Be Former Hanford Resident:
Please, do not let the city limit sign hit you in the butt. Don't forget to lock up and turn the lights out when you leave. Like we will miss you!!!!! "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:06 AM:

" Back in the 1930's during the depression and dust bowl period there were no special programs for children. There were work programs for the men, but there weren't special education programs, there weren't migrant education programs and yet kids still became educated. Imagine that, and there weren't any special classes that spoke just okie and arkie, they were all integrated and they all spoke English, imagine that. The children in that era went to work at a very young age and didn't have time for a complete education in some areas but they managed.
Now adays if a kid doesn't have bi-lingual courses with special tutors and programs they can't get an education. Why, because they are too damn lazy to learn english and be a regular student like everyone else? Their parents unlike the German, Dutch, Irish, Italians didn't speak english only in the homes so the children would learn it. In some cases the children came home and taught their parents how to speak english, but not the illegal immigrants. They can't learn so we have to print everything in Spanish, as I've said before if we migrate to Mexico?????? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Wikepedia: "Almost one in three Mexicans doesn't have enough food to eat. In an effort to break the vicious cycle of poor nutrition, bad health and inadequate education, the government is giving direct cash handouts to women in the most marginal rural communities. This new social welfare scheme is called Progresa.

Buenavista is still a poor and remote settlement: the weekly market travels in on horseback

The majority of Mexico's poorest people live in country villages like Buenavista. Situated at about 7,000 feet above sea level in Michoacan State, the village is home to 62 families. It has no paved roads, no running water or proper sanitation. Apart from this subsistence farming, there's no work in the village. Most of Buenavista's menfolk leave for up to six months at a time to work illegally in the United States. The money they send home is crucial to the survival of the village".
The men working illegally in the United States is part of Mexico's Welfare Program. It's official in the Wikepedia Encyclopedia section folks. They laugh all the way to the bank at us. "

Angie wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Sid,
I think people should have as many children as they want whether or not they can provide for them. I know, BELIEVE ME, I KNOW! There should be some people that shouldn't be allowed to have children but I'm not trying to play God and decide who should and who shouldn't because then who's to say it will stop there? And as always it will be the poor, and ONLY the poor who will be ostricized. The Bible says that the rich and the poor have at least one thing in common- The Lord is the maker of them all. "

DD wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:13 PM:

" You have all stretched this way out of proportion. How did you go from an article about Migrant Students to Gay Men burning their bras in the streets of Hanford. First of all Gay men DO NOT wear bras as my son is gay and is very loving, carring and considerate. As far as the heterosextual couples out numbering the homosexuals, you all better take a closer look "THEY ARE EVERYWHERE" and you never know when one of your children will come out of the closet, however you are all so perfect I am sure that would never happen to you, Right? And if it did you would disown your child. The point is the world has changed and the more you complain the worse it gets. Be careful everyone it will come back and bite you...Good luck with your continued blogging, I look forward to hearing your responses on my blog....As far as as MRS D. is concerned I think you have a full time job on the blog....Do you know where your children are? "

To Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:53 PM:

" All I can say is...get a life. 80% of posts...are from you, and they are always negative. Amazing. And To Soon to Be Former Hanford Resident..I here ya! "

Sid wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Angie opines:

"I think people should have as many children as they want whether or not they can provide for them...There should be some people that shouldn't be allowed to have children but I'm not trying to play God and decide who should and who shouldn't because then who's to say it will stop there?"

Angie, you are banging against the stops of BOTH sides of the issue which is no side at all...

RESPONSIBILITY in how and HOW MANY children you can afford to raise is YOUR CALL, regardless if you are "rich" OR "poor".

To have as many children that "they want" is irresponsible to the kids themselves. Which one gets the food/clothing/education and which ones don't? The kids will eventually see a little irresponsibility exhibited by the parent(s) as they age. Is that a role model?

Nobody needs to "play God", if they are responsible for their OWN actions/decisions. Why should responsible taxpayers pay for the excess of others less responsible?

Or, what if EVERYONE had as many kids as they "wanted"? There goes society to chaos, the worlds resources, increased global warming, the rain forests, etc. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Jul 4, 2008 5:32 PM:

" WOW:

"I think people should have as many children as they want whether or not they can provide for them."

?????????????? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:27 PM:

" To Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:53 PM:

" All I can say is...get a life. 80% of posts...are from you, and they are always negative. Amazing. And To Soon to Be Former Hanford Resident..I here ya! "

Well like a news reporter, all I can report is what's going on and if it is negative, I can't help that.
I thought you were leaving? I hope your new community appreciates you just as much as this one has. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:34 PM:

" Now you know how tempting it is with a moniker like: DD wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:13 PM: for me to start talking about bra sizes and men wearing them now don't ya? Seriously, I used that as an abstract example and Mrs. D took it a step or two farther than even I wanted to go.
I am sorry that you feel we are so insensitive, but I also believe sexual activities unless raped, are all voluntary and no one is forced to participate in something they personally don't choose to participate in. That to me indicates homosexual behavior like any sexual behavior is a choice not a gene, or born trait. You aren't homosexual so what do your genes have to do with his choices?
Are there other homosexuals in your family over years and years of history? I also still believe just like any alcoholic, gambler, drug addict or any other addictive personality it they choose not to participate they won't. So just because you choose to enable your sons choices doesn't mean we have to accept them or pay tribute to them. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:32 PM:

" RE: DD, I do know that between August and June, the children are in school. After that they are with a speech therapist. After that they are home with us.

What's your point? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 5, 2008 5:26 AM:

" To to Watchdog Fred wrote on July 3, 2008 6:53 P.M.
Dear madam/sir,
I have a life and because I wasn't stuck in the rut of working a public service job with a city, county or federal government civil service position, I developed the ability at a young age to multi-tssk. It's a new concept to some people but old hat to me, This is nothing to me, when you use to get the numbers for the day before off the computer, talk to a customer with a complaint whle two drivers were on hold waiting to talk to me, this is easy compared to that situation. I am currently listening to kiss, while typing this and reading another article I will post shortly that didn't appear in the Hanford Sentinel.
While stationed at Pt. Mugu in the early 70's I did learn that the government had introduced a new missile it wouldn't work and they couldn't fire it, so they just stamped it with the name Civil Service on the side of it and everyone left it alone after that to avoid conflict. In 1995 they retired it with honors. Hoorah! "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 5, 2008 6:17 AM:

" I think children should be allowed to pick and choose their parents themselves. That could possibly be the answer to all our problems. "

Me wrote on Jul 8, 2008 5:00 PM:

" I realize this blog is done but had to answer Mrs. D. I do work full time and can't really volunteer for the schools but I do volunteer with all their sports activities. I am outside in the heat during football season selling food and drinks to support the team and I am at EVERY game and practice supporting my kids. I manage to do that and work a full time job while finishing another college degree. Get off your high horse and find something to do. God forbid should your husband lose his job or leave you...... "

Larry wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Most American kids just want to stay home and let Mom be the house clown and entertain them. Take us to Disneyland, buy us another game for whatever game system is popular at the time. I know this to be true because I am a teacher and I always see more interest and commitment from students who are from other countries. In Japan students go to school on Saturdays also and in Mexico they go to school in the evenings.
American students are soft and lazy. If you ask them to solve a math problem without a calculator and it's the end of the world. Tell them to write a paragragh and they need a computer that underlines the misspelled words for them so they don't have to look for it in the dictionary. Sometimes, I give them credit because they put their name and the correct date on the paper. So more POWER to these students who haven't been contaminated by lazy American students. Lack of interest by PARENTS leads to lack of interest by their children, so if the public schools are falling look at yourself instead of the computer monitor. "

Larry wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:59 PM:

" to watchdog... please write a book on every subject under the sun. GOD. You can never keep any of your comments to under 200 words. Maybe you should run for office. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:40 PM:

" To Larry: the Japanese workday is much longer than in the United States also do you want to apply for a job in Japan or Mexico? Also the Saturday thing they are paid the same amount of money regarldess are you willing to volunteer your Saturdays for your students learning experience? Didn't think so. As for what I do with my time sir is none of your business. It is teachers like you who are failing our students because you want the right to point your finger at parents instead of taking responibility for teaching your students. Did you not know what the job entailed before you signed up for it? You teachers all got such raw deals, and you are suppose to be the smart one's? Huh! Go Figure!
I think they must wait until they give you a degree before they ever expose you to students anymore. You all cry whine and rebut at every turn in the road. Get a grip and deal with it, it's your chosen career it will change you before you change it. I guarantee ya that Bozo! "

Bubba wrote on Jul 9, 2008 5:44 PM:

" to scott d... I can bet you that American teachers will pay MORE attention to students that they don't have to struggle with as opposed to a student that she/he will have to pronounce every word to, or ask "do you understand" to. Because migrant/illegal students don't know the language they are put to the back of the class or are classified as retarted. So PLEASE! You and many others here have the wrong concept of who gets picked and who doesn't and you base it all on COLOR. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:49 AM:

" To Larry, thanks for your giving credit to those students for putting their name and date correctly, it is because of teachers like you that we have "no child left behind". Do you job, teach! Before you come after me and my lazy children, for I am not Asian. So far I have raised 2 children that have been recognized as Salutatorian and Valedictorian. You praise the Asians, and I am not denying their goal of placing education on a higher pedestal than the local community does. But there are also negatives to this. Do you know how many Japanese and Koreans kill themselves every year either during the finals or after the results are in and they didn't get the prestigious school? If our education is so bad then why is the whole world breaking down our doors to get into our colleges, but very few foreign schools attract a throng of our students? "

Charles wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:17 AM:

" I think it is funny when you blame the source for the problem with kids these days people end up mad over it. Who are the first teachers to children, their parents. The parents who work with their children like mine did seem to do well in school. If parents don't sit with their kids and work with them and discipline them then the kids feel they don't have to do anything. Teachers can do so much but alot of parents out their not all have to meet them half way. I used to volunteer at a local school on saturdays to help with a tutoring program but the school stopped because not enough students would show up for the help they needed, probably because they were watching cartoons. The fact is alot of parents these days want to be the childs friend and not a parent, dad is probably not around, or both parents work and don't take the time to deal with what they made. I hear alot of parents say "out of sight out of mind." So Larry is not necessarrily wrong. Another thing that kills me when teachers become teachers because June, July, and August. "

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