ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 20, 1996 TAG: 9611200081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Rita Bishop tried to assure a worried mother Tuesday night that her child wouldn't miss out on a Spanish course next year while Woodrow Wilson Middle School is closed for renovation.
"If your child needs Spanish III, they will get Spanish III," said Bishop, Roanoke's assistant superintendent for instruction. "We'll have a Spanish program at all other middle schools where the Woodrow Wilson students will attend, although I can't guarantee a specific teacher."
Woodrow Wilson has one of the most extensive Spanish programs among middle schools in the region. About 40 percent of all students at the school take Spanish classes.
Bishop sought to ease another parent's fear that Woodrow Wilson students might miss out on algebra and geometry.
And she told the Wilson parents that their children will have the opportunity to be on sports teams at other middle schools while their school is closed.
"They won't have to sit on the bench, but they will get to play like the students who go to the other schools," she said. "They will be part of those teams."
Dozens of parents came to a neighborhood meeting to hear details of the $7.5million reconstruction plan for Woodrow Wilson and the relocation plan for the students.
They had few complaints about the proposed renovation and expansion of the school, which was built in 1929. Most seemed pleased with the plan to upgrade and expand the school while retaining its historic character and front.
A few questioned whether the renovated structure will be large enough to accommodate future growth.
Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations, said the school's capacity will expand to 600 to 650 students. It has an enrollment now of 480.
"We feel this is a reasonable expansion to handle the increase in enrollment," he said. "Wilson is expected to show some growth, but there is not a lot of new residential development in the school's attendance zone."
But the parents had concerns about the relocation plan for the students; some were anxious about the educational opportunities for their children while the school is closed.
The Wilson students will be transferred to three middle schools for a year, the same approach used during renovations at Jackson and Breckinridge middle schools. Jackson reopened this year; Breckinridge will reopen next year.
In the 1997-98 school year, sixth-graders from Wilson will attend James Madison Middle School, seventh-graders will go to Breckinridge, and eighth-graders will attend Jackson.
Kelley said the seventh-and eighth-graders will receive the benefits of the new educational technology at Breckinridge and Jackson.
He said it makes sense for Wilson's eighth-graders to attend Jackson because 88 percent of Jackson's eighth-graders go on to Patrick Henry High, as do most Wilson students.
Kelley said some of Wilson's teachers will have the opportunity to relocate with the students and can help ease the transition.
Several parents said some Wilson students are nervous about transferring. "Some are panicky now. They don't want to go to another school," one mother said.
Bishop and Kelley assured the parents that the schools would schedule meetings and visits to help ease students' fears.
Kelley said a new principal will be appointed for Breckinridge early next year and the teaching staff will be chosen by early spring.
The Breckinridge principal can work with Kay Duffy, Woodrow Wilson's principal, and the Wilson parents to provide for a smooth transition for the seventh-graders, Kelley said.
Bishop said similar meetings can be arranged for students going to Madison and Jackson.
When Woodrow Wilson reopens for the 1998-99 school year, the teachers can apply to return, but there is no guarantee they will get a job or that Duffy will return as principal, Kelley said.
The principal and teachers for the renovated Wilson will be chosen after interviews, he said, following the same policy that has been used for the staff after renovations at Jackson and Breckinridge.
"Change is never easy, but you have listened to us," Sharon Alexie told the school officials at the end of the meeting. "We appreciate that."
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