Post # 119 - Anonymous Post To A School Secretary Who Doesn't Spell Check - 3/5/2010

My friend "Angela" forwarded me an email, sent by the secretary at her kids' school.  The email was sent to all of the parents.  She, like me, believes that as an institute for learning, more care should be taken to spell words correctly.

Below is part of the original email (names have been changed), as well as a note that was sent.

By the way, have you shopped Poppy lately?  It's a great site!
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From: Peggy H

Date: Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Subject: FW: Horton Woods weekly update 3/2/10
To: Peggy H

HAPPY 106th BRITHDAY DR. SUESS!


Parents/Guardians,

Please check out our website to see more information and activities going on in our great school

Keep reading below to see the calendar

LAST WEEK TO ODER YOUR CUSTOM HANGING BASKETS FROM THE GREENHOUSE.

5TH GRADE GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT ~TONIGHT

6:00PM – 8:00PM

COME AND ENJOY AN ITIALAN FAMILY SYTLE DINNER WITH PRGORAM TO FOLLOW

PERMISSION SLIPS SHOULD BE IN.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CALL KATHY K. @ 555-3022
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Our letter, sent 3/5/2010

Dear Peggy,

It has been said that a man who couldn't spell once spent the night in a warehouse. Do you realize you're single-handedly sending our children down this same path?

You are the face of Hayden Meadows, an institute of education. Your actions reflect upon my children's education. One day, I would like people to say, "Oh-I see here you went to Hayden Meadows, among other fine learning institutes. You're hired." Right now, you have my children heading down a collision course. "You went to Hayden Meadows? Hold on-we have a few picture menus behind the counter."

I was reading an email that you sent out on March 3rd. It was addressed to the entire network of student's parents and guardians. It was probably forwarded to several friends and relatives with taglines like "see how many misspellings you can find!"

I mean, you really butchered that thing. Words like " ITIALAN" "SYTLE", "ODER", "PRGORAM". Exactly who is Doctor Suess? Can I take a guess? Your spelling is a mess.

Here's the deal. We're expected to set a good example for the kids. The Golden rule. Work hard. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic. Somewhere in there, we should also stress Spelling. Spell checkers are really handy and easy to use. Some email applications include a built-in spell-checker.

I might even suggest:

1) Typing everything in a word processor like Microsoft Word.
2) Run the frigging spell checker.
3) Paste the spell check text into your email.

This might save a little unnecessary criticism, and contribute to the bedrock foundation of education, that we all work toward with our children. I'm just trying to help.

Thank you,

Angela

From http://thehermanletters.blogspot.com