Regents exams, Thomas Valva case
Thomas Valva died of hypothermia in the garage of his father, NYPD Officer Michael Valva, who is serving a 25-year sentence for his son’s murder. Credit: Courtesy Justyna Zubko-Valva
Give students pick of H.S. diplomas
A reader proposed something very much like the graduation requirements in the 1950s and ’60s and presumably in earlier and later decades [“Educated students need Regents exams,” Letters, Nov. 7].
Schools could award two types of diplomas: Regents diplomas, which required passing Regents exams (with a grade of at least 65) in core courses and selected electives, and school diplomas, which required passing school exams in a limited number of required courses and more electives, usually aimed at students who intended to work in trades.
Given the need for skilled tradespeople who live and work locally, along with the trend of offshoring jobs once held by college graduates, and that we already have a multi-track school system (honors courses, advanced placement courses, international baccalaureates), it is worth considering keeping separate requirements for school and Regents diplomas.
Pity the country that values philosophers more than plumbers. Neither their ideas nor pipes will hold water.
— Stanley Kalemaris, Melville
Don’t blame biased decisions for death
The premise of “biased decision-making” that kept Thomas Valva in the custody of his police officer father is a poor excuse for the responsibility that Child Protective Services failed to exercise in the care of this child [“Keep pushing Valva reforms,” Editorial, Nov. 15].
More than 10 reports from mandated reporters could not rescue Thomas, with at least three CPS workers involved. It is important to remember that they do not work in isolation. Immediate supervisors and administrators are above them. Straight up the line, no one stood up for this child because the father was a cop?
I’m angry all over again and heartbroken for this child not only because CPS failed him but also because CPS had the audacity to promote three workers in this case. A child died under their watch, and they were promoted? Had any of them done their job, Thomas might be alive today.
— Linda Durnan, Wading River
The writer is a retired social worker who made referrals to CPS.
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