At loss on how to choose? Zoned schools still dominate

[Times photo: James Borchuck] From left, Addison Warshowsky, Josh Conradi and Jacqueline Johnson balance on one leg in dance class at Perkins Elementary in St. Petersburg, a public magnet school.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2000

Of all the educational choices offered today, perhaps the most exciting and yet agonizing is that facing the parent of an elementary-age child.

The quality of a child's elementary school experience -- what and how a child learns -- establishes the foundation for all future learning. Developing a love of learning can have a profound influence on a child's future success in school and in life. Parents wonder if their child's nascent talents, whether in art, math or music, should be nurtured in a special program -- or, conversely, whether selecting such a program could narrow a child's later choices and opportunities.

Nearly 90 percent of Pinellas schoolchildren attend regular (zoned) elementary schools, but parents can and do choose from many other educational options. This year, 4,345 children are enrolled in special non-zoned public school programs ranging from magnet and fundamental schools to charter schools. Last year, 9,266 children enrolled in private elementary schools, while parents of another 948 children opted for home-schooling.

Picking the right elementary school for your child is the first step in an educational journey to successful adulthood.

What zoned elementary schools offer

Most Pinellas County public elementary schools don't have the cachet of being a magnet or fundamental school. Yet, zoned schools offer a broad range of specialized programs and learning environments geared to the interests and needs of their communities.

Zoned schools enhance the standard elementary curriculum through computer and video networks, unique writing or reading programs, and special study themes. Art and music are taught to all elementary children weekly, and physical education is taught daily. All elementary schools offer speech and specific learning disability programs.

Many elementary schools hold special classes once a week for qualified gifted children. Other schools bus gifted children weekly to special centers such as the Tyrone Elementary Gifted Center.

All elementary schools open early and close late to provide before- and after-school care. Increasingly, several regularly zoned schools are opting for either voluntary or mandatory school uniforms and are encouraging students to resolve personal disputes through student-led peer mediation.

Madeira Beach Elementary teaches marine science and conducts special marine science laboratories at an adjacent waterfront park. Marjorie K. Rawlings Elementary in Pinellas Park emphasizes writing skills. Lealman Avenue Elementary was the first elementary school in the county to open an evening adult education reading program for students' parents.

Blanton Elementary's ALPHA Program has been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as one of the 16 best substance abuse programs in the nation. Shore Acres Elementary operates a phone mailbox where students can call in to receive homework assignments, learn about special events and get special help. Westgate Elementary has installed at least five computers in each classroom.

Other specialty themed programs, or "attractors," will be adopted by most elementary schools in the next two years as they prepare for 2003 implementation of a countywide "controlled choice" plan that will replace current court-ordered desegregation and force all schools to compete for their student enrollment.

One big advantage for many parents in sending their children to a zoned school is transportation. If a child lives more than 2 miles from a school, the school system guarantees bus transportation. This service is not available for children in fundamental or charter schools, and is provided on an arterial basis only for magnet school students.

The other, perhaps even bigger advantage of a zoned school is that your child is automatically accepted and guaranteed a space in his or her zoned school. The parent doesn't have to do anything for the child to get in.

The boundaries of some school attendance zones will change next year as the school district implements the last desegregation busing rotation. Parents will be notified of any proposed school zone changes affecting their children by mail on Jan. 3, and can react to those changes during public discussion meetings Jan. 16, 17 and 18. Times and places of these meetings have not yet been announced.

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