| Show School explains programs S Dear Editor t- t I 1 find it vel very disconcerting when serious i judgements and accusations are leveled rf J against a school a school community and if educators within the school on the basis of 5 hearsay innuendo and limit limited d information Y tt Does the opinion of one mother or the theS S x opinion of one uninformed reporter truly reflect the feelings and attitudes of all the students and patrons of Academy Park s. s Elementary School I with your reporter had done a more morer r thorough investigation before printing irresponsible irresponsible irresponsible ir ir- ir- ir responsible allegations of problems of racism at Academy Park See Horizon Oct 7 and Nov 4 Such an investigation r would have revealed many relevant facts some of which are 1 There are currently students at Academy Park represent t ethnic backgrounds other than Caucasian These children contri contribute ute greatly to the s school hool Many are numbered among the school chorus instrumental music classes classes classes clas clas- ses safety patrol and advanced academic classes We take great pride in inthe inthe the diversity of our student body and have initiated many efforts and programs to help everyone in the school treat each other with equal dignity dignity dignity dig dig- and respect 2 The school has an established Committee which meets regularly to promote better understanding of cultural cultural cultural cul cul- tural differences and to ensure fair and z equitable table education for all our students 3 Our wide school-wide Behavior Management Management Management Manage Manage- ment Program which is in writing and andis is available on request specifies that Name calling put-downs put racial slurs swearing and vulgar language are unacceptable unacceptable unacceptable unac unac- at Academy Park We try to be firm fair and handed even-handed in dealing with known violators of this rule 4 For students who need it we provide provide provide pro pro- vide a a. week two social skills skills class class taught hv by the thip 5 S. In 1991 a special week four-week curriculum curriculum curriculum cur- cur dealt specifically with name calling and put put- put lowns At the en end l of l the program students who met their goal were given a prize and a CertifiCate Certificate Certificate cate of oJ Kindness We are planning a similar focus again this year 6 Monthly Spirit Assemblies S demonstrate and reward appropriate interactions 7 A series of self esteem classes wilbe will wil willbe l be taught t this is ye year r by representatives o of f Rivendell Psychiatric Center for selected d i students and interested parens These Thes de e 1 students and parent will then serve a aw as s j w tutors for other classes 8 All school policies s and procedures procedure s are reviewed by our Community Count Council Coun Coun- t a cil made up of f faculty culty administrators administrator s j and selected parens Meetings are open ope n ti to the community at large It is an unfortunate reality that tha t today's children are exposed daily b by y 5 television home videos movies comic comi c books and newspapers to large doses o of f interpersonal conflict violent behavior r and inappropriate language Far to too o 5 many children in our turbulent socie society socie ty I are re raised in homes where inappropriate e human interactions are part of their dail daily y f y experience Therefore they do as they see B f and hear around them until somebody y r I usually the school teaches them ot otherwise e j. j I Is Is it right to blame the school for what these children do It is also an unfortunate reality that some elemen elementary age ta age ry-age children everywhere single out and try to intimidate intimidate intimidate in in- others whom they view a as different different dif different ferent whether it be by size weight physical or mental characteristics manner manner manner man man- ner or dress color of skin etc It is the responsibility of adults everywhere todeal to todeal todeal deal with such unkindness and teach the children to do better We take this responsibility seriously at Academy Park All students today face a great chal chal- lenge The administration staff and p patrons of Academy Park are committed to providing every student with a safe environment and an equal education We invite all interested citizens in our community to join with us in a pro ac proactive proactive proactive tive approach to the problems that face schools today Unsubstantiated faultfinding faultfinding faultfinding fault fault- finding does not solve problems It only creates more Please visit our school and see for yourself Make your own judgment judgment judg judg- judgment ment based on evidence and fact Bonnie Newman Principal Academy Park Elementary |
