When a parent removes a child from a school, it is a statement that a parent has given up hope. It is a statement that the parent is not comfortable with what his or her child is being exposed to at the school. It is a statement more about the parent and that family's dynamic than it is about the school, and it must be stated as such.
Our school system provides an opportunity for children to develop social skills, such as appropriate behaviors. Part of learning what is right with respect to behaviors, is observing what is wrong. If and when a child is removed from an element that contains models for both right and wrong behaviors, the child's capacity for differentiating between right and wrong is limited by a lack of exposure. Sadly, the opportunity for some children to develop a greater capacity has been diminished by parents who have withdrawn or intend to withdraw their children from James B. Sanderlin Elementary.
When a child is in a successful learning environment, such as Sanderlin, insisting upon withdrawal does not make sense in the absence of parental biases. It should be considered, then, that the parents' biases are the actual reason for withdrawing their child from school. It is not that the school is struggling; it is that the parent has an issue to deal with.
It is too easy to blame a large institution, such as a school, for everything. Parents need to accept responsibility for their decisions to move a child (i.e., a bias, whether it is cultural or a social class bias), instead of throwing all the blame on a terrific school such as Sanderlin. Our students and staff do not deserve to be labeled as "struggling," when in fact they are engaging in concepts that are above what some other schools could even imagine. They all work hard, and comments suggesting their endeavors are struggles undermine their determination.
I am proud to write that my children have thrived at James B. Sanderlin Elementary this year. They have received an excellent year of exposure to different cultures, different people, and different environments, and they have also contributed to those very things by virtue of the fact that they have already mastered the concept of experiential interdependence. Last year, my first-grader had actually been a kindergartener at one of the prized magnet schools. There is no way in the world that the magnet school's curriculum, students, staff, teachers or principal can hold a candle to the dynamic of Sanderlin.
With confidence and knowledge of many, many schools in our area, I write that there is no better placement for my children than James B. Sanderlin Elementary. Our staff and teachers were hand-picked by a terrific principal, Dr. Denise Miller. Our curriculum is the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organization; we take pride in international-mindedness. We recognize that there are people, places and things that are a lot bigger and or more important than we are and no man stands alone. We all bring different skill sets, experiences, ambitions and abilities to the table. We must appreciate who we are, and what we contribute to a social setting like a school. In doing so, perhaps a parent will know exactly what he or she is removing from the mix, and also what a wonderful mix the parent is denying a child.
-- Amanda Roberts-Zondervan, SAC chairwoman, James B. Sanderlin Elementary, St. Petersburg
Crossing the road needs to be safer
Re: Pedestrians rejoice: Where cars rule, feet find way, May 3.
I am happy to see that efforts are being made (to provide for pedestrians) along U.S. 19. For years I have heard county commissioners saying that Pinellas County must be more pedestrian friendly. The construction of these sidewalks is a great start.
However, sidewalks do not help people cross U.S. 19. The county really should look into having walkover bridges along U.S. 19. Having them on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is needed as well. I can't tell you how many times I have sat at a stoplight on Gulf-to-Bay and watched as an elderly person tries to cross the street on foot. They barely make it.
Pedestrian bridges would not only make our streets safer for pedestrians, they could also improve the look of our roadways in these busy, sometimes ugly parts of our county. These bridges could be dressed up to look good and to match the surrounding area by using plants, lights and a little imagination.
To encourage people to get out and walk and bike ride, the county needs to provide the infrastructure for us to do so. This would definitely help reduce traffic congestion.
-- Bob Padgett, Clearwater
Disabled parking is plentiful, but metered
Re: Rules make parking tougher for disabled, May 2.
The sympathy begins with the headline and grows with the story. Disabled and elderly citizens were being forced to "wheel" and "hobble" across a parking lot at the Clearwater marina in order to avoid being given a parking ticket.
This, however, is not entirely true. Those wishing to are more than welcome to park in metered spots without being ticketed - as long as they put some change in the meter. Why shouldn't someone pay for using the spots? The idea of handicapped parking is not to allow people a free place to park, but a larger, closer parking spot.
Yes, complain that there are not enough handicapped spots. And, yes, park in the metered spots and pay for it.
-- Victoria Johnson, St. Petersburg
St. Thomas happy to keep "Father Chris'
I would like to thank Waveney Ann Moore for "accentuating the positive" in the May 5 story about the Rev. Chris Thompson's remaining at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (St. Thomas happy to keep its rector).
The emphasis was on the news that we get to keep our rector, rather than the fact that he wasn't elected bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina. That certainly is the way we at St. Thomas' feel. When our senior warden read the headlines from the story at the May 5 service, a thundering round of applause and cheers arose from the whole congregation.
"Father Chris" is a man who is a "cheerleader for God," whose bright inner light will some day have a much bigger audience when he will indeed be a bishop. But for now, God has other plans.
Too bad for North Carolina!
-- Betty Jean Miller, St. Petersburg
Dogs get their day, and we get our park
Two or three years ago, I wrote to you recommending a dog park at Freedom Lake Park. It was printed in the Neighborhood Times.
Lo and behold, someone saw my letter and now we have a wonderful dog park at Freedom Lake Park. I am writing to thank the city of Pinellas Park for providing this dog park for us. So many people are using it and everyone thinks it is a great thing for people whose dogs do not have fenced-in yards in which to run. Again, thank you for helping to bring this to the attention of those who made the decision to create this wonderful park for our dogs.
-- Sally Snyder, Pinellas Park
[Last modified May 16, 2004, 01:00:38]
