Now that the good people of Westbury have made their voices heard by the defeat of the school budget, are they going to sit on their hands until September or come up with a way to cover all the things the children will be losing?

As always, we want our kids to be the best they can be, to go to school and get an education. Yet, in the meantime, we are taking away what little they do have.

We will not stand for an increase in the school budget, but we will not hesitate to spend a small fortune on clothing that is inappropriate. And as for food, forget it! How many times a week can your kids come home to a wholesome meal? What is happening? We have to run to a meeting or another job so we can pay the notes and insurance on the kids' cars. How could we ever face our friends if each kid did not have their own television and computer?

If we want to win our kids back, let's be there for them to come back to. Let's start today to plan for the upcoming school year by including the kids, and supporting school functions.

Jeraldine Odoms