To the editor: The Wisconsin State Teachers of the Year Network has a classroom perspective on the debate regarding Common Core State Standards. For us, this is neither a political issue nor a union issue. Our view is based on students’ needs. These higher standards prepare students to be college- and career-ready by demanding students be able to read and understand complex text.

Suring tops Lena The Suring High School volleyball team won 3-1 against Lena in a Marinette & Oconto Conference match Thursday in Suring. Suring won the first game 25-9, lost the second 26-24 and then won the last two 25-15, 25-5. Calley VanBellinger had 12 kills, 13 digs, two aces and a block. Breanna Tienor had 13 assists.

The Gillett Secondary School football team lost to Crivitz 48-33 in a Marinette & Oconto Conference game Friday in Crivitz. The Tigers (3-5, 2-4 M&O) fell behind 16-0 early in the first quarter after an interception return for a touchdown and another touchdown. “I thought our kids battled all night and showed that they never give up,” Gillett coach Rick Kamps said.

The Oconto Falls High School football team allowed 47 points before getting on the scoreboard in the first half of Friday’s Bay Conference game against Luxemburg-Casco in Oconto Falls. The Panthers could not overcome the slow start and fell 54-20 to the Spartans (4-4, 3-4 Bay). Oconto Falls (0-7, 0-7 Bay) got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter when Sam Konitzer found Zachary Brye for a 15-yard touchdown. “We were able to put together a

The Oconto Falls boys cross-country team won the 43rd annual Russ Fameree Cross Country Classic on Friday at Northbrook Country Club in Luxemburg. The boys finished with a team score of 49, beating out Two Rivers (92) and Luxemburg-Casco (110). The Panthers were led by Mike Friedman, who took second place and finished with a time of 16 minutes, 48 seconds.

Dawn Larsen was hoping her players’ focus was on volleyball Thursday night. With it being homecoming week at Oconto Falls High School and all four of the seniors on the Panthers volleyball team in the homecoming court, the players’ minds might be elsewhere. The Oconto Falls coach can breathe a little easier knowing her team took care of business, beating host Shawano Community High School, 25-16, 25-10, 25-21. “Sometimes you just worry about matc

Orlin F. Felts, of Shawano, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, on his 93rd birthday. Orlin was born in Shawano, the son of Clarence C. and Ida Felts. He attended St. James Lutheran School, Shawano High School and the University of Wisconsin. On Oct. 11, 1940, he married Clara Mae Koonz. Orlin worked with his father in the construction business.

Grace A. Staffaroni, 92, of Tigerton, passed away Sunday evening, Oct. 13, 2013, at Kennedy Park Medical & Rehabilitation Center in Schofield. The former Grace Amy Prince was born on Oct. 12, 1921, in Lynxville, a small town along the Mississippi River. Her parents were divorced when she was 6 years old. Grace moved to a farm at age 8 to live with her grandparents, and at the age of 9 she moved with them to Milwaukee.

Larry J. Welch, 37, of Shawano, passed away at his home with his family and friends at his side on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, after a courageous, 14-month battle with AML leukemia. Born on Oct. 25, 1975, in Shawano, he was the son of Christine L. (Surprise) Welch and the late Elmer C. Welch Jr. He grew up in Gresham and went to school in Shawano.