THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 7, 1995 TAG: 9504070735
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
As a parent of an 11-year-old student identified as gifted, I feel compelled to express my support for school Superintendent Sidney Faucette's plan for a gifted magnet school for middle-school students (Beacon, March 26).
As Dr. Faucette has stated, there is indeed a gap in gifted education for middle-school students. While attending elementary school, my son participated in the Old Donation Center pull-out program for academics, the two-year pilot advanced-mathematics program and the pilot in-house gifted program at Rosemont Forest Elementary School. These culminated in providing my son the challenge and stimulation so critical for a child with his characteristics.
During middle-school orientation this time last year, we were horrified to learn that there was absolutely nothing available in the form of an academically challenging program for gifted students.
Neither was there a continuation of the pilot math program, although I had received assurances from school administration officials two years earlier that the accelerated math program would continue through middle and high school.
Dr. Faucette's plan is a crucial step toward solving the lack of appropriate educational opportunities available to the academically advanced youth of Virginia Beach. These children - ``the best and the brightest,'' as described by parent Susan M. Leichtman - have as much right to specialized education as any other at-risk student group.
It is time for the members of our elected School Board to recognize their responsibilities to all students in our city. Our academically gifted children need special education, which is not provided in the school system as it stands today.
Israel B. Rodriguez
Ellerbreck Court Fire and rescue: Don't believe all you read
I feel compelled to write and express my sincerest thanks to the Pleasant Valley Road fire company and the Kempsville Rescue Squad.
I suffer from asthma and I had a severe attack the other night. I couldn't drive myself and my husband was trying his best to calm me down. I knew in my heart that if I didn't get to a hospital immediately I was close to drawing my last breath.
My husband called 911. Recently I have seen so much negative press coverage on 911 foul-ups and mistakes that I was actually worried they wouldn't come. However, within 10 to 15 minutes the fire company was at my house, followed by the Kempsville Rescue Squad. My prayers were answered and the oxygen the firemen gave me started me on my road to recovery.
I have once again been reminded not to believe everything I read or hear. These men were very professional and caring. My deepest thanks to these hard-working fire and rescue squad people.
Maggie Cash
Southaven Drive A zoning disagreement - but among friends
I'd like to point out an error in Elizabeth Thiel's article, ``Proposed school zones leave many dissatisfied'' (Beacon, March 3).
Ms. Thiel must have missed the beginning of the meeting. The first speaker at this emotional public forum was a Blackwater parent, representing several other parents, opposed to Blackwater students being rezoned from North Landing Elementary to Creeds Elementary.
After presenting these views, the speaker returned to her seat among all the other Blackwater parents in attendance. Maybe the fact the opposing sides on this issue did not sit on opposite sides of the room got her confused.
In our little corner of Virginia Beach, we may be on opposing sides of this or other issues, but, we remain friends and neighbors.
Theresa Pecsek
Indian Creek Road `A little homework' would've spared playgoer
I am writing in response to a letter from Fred Bates Jr. (``Inappropriate language spoiled school play,'' Beacon, March 26). I, too, attended the recent play ``Children of a Lesser God'' at First Colonial High School, in the company of my profoundly deaf daughter.
I was aware that this award-winning Broadway play had been made into an R-rated movie and therefore might contain language which I might not use or consider appropriate. However, I knew the message of the play was an important one to hear.
I am sorry that Mr. Bates was so offended by some of the language that he became deafened to the story of Sarah Norman Leeds and the other characters portrayed so capably by this young group of actors and actresses. To suggest that the language which he found offensive was unnecessary to the telling of the story lets me know that Mr. Bates did indeed ``miss the boat.''
Yes, it seems contradictory that a school system which allows such a script to be produced does not allow school prayer, but that is another issue.
May I suggest that a little homework could have protected Mr. Bates from the discomfort of paying for a performance which he found offensive.
Janis G. Ansell
Bohnhoff Drive by CNB