It is with heavy heart that I inform you that after many weeks the Pleasant Valley High School still has no student newspaper. This elimination of the student press continues to muffle the student journalists and censor freedom of speech in Brodheadsville.

It seems that all local journalists need to stand together in support of these young reporters, photographers, page designers and editorialists in the West End who are being silenced and not provided with the board-approved journalism curriculum, as outlined in the Pleasant Valley Program of Studies.

Why is this happening in the PVSD? Is it retaliation against the former BEAR FACTS adviser who taught the students first amendment rights and thorough reporting for 17 years and now is being smothered? Freedom of the student press must be insured to prevent overreaching administration from suffocating the student journalists. A multi-page newspaper with editorial comments and balanced reporting on all facets of the school district is in order.

Currently, the students have been squelched and gagged from speaking their minds and reporting the news within the high school. Will the BEAR FACTS ever be permitted to print a complete newspaper again at Pleasant Valley High School?

Donna M. Yozwiak

Saylorsburg

Candidate for Pleasant Valley School Board