THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 4, 1995 TAG: 9506020241
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
After reading ``Kaleidoscope: Accelerated Schools'' (Beacon, May 21), I felt compelled to write. My husband and I are the parents of two children. One child attended Alanton for grades two through five; our other child is currently a first-grader at the school. I thought the petition that was addressed to our superintendent was most interesting - and probably a political tool being used by some of the more vocal people at Alanton.
I feel it fair to note, however, that there are parents who are satisfied - perhaps delighted is a better word - with the quality of education and the climate at Alanton. It is a fact of life that we tend to complain loudly, and when we are satisfied, we keep quiet. After reading the comments in the Beacon, I decided it was time to stop being quiet.
Alanton Elementary has two of the best administrators in the city. The instructional staff is superior. The other staff members not directly involved with instruction demonstrate professional, caring attitudes. The children who attend Alanton receive an extraordinary foundation both academically as well as socially. The children learn respect and pride in themselves. No test scores can measure positive self-esteem.
All of the students at Alanton are encouraged to excel, to experience success and to grow. Each child begins his/her education at a different point. The child is given the opportunity to develop his/her strengths daily. Yes, test scores are important and curriculum is, too. As parents, however, we need to work hand in hand with the schools to assist, supplement and reinforce. No school can do it all alone.
I have not circulated a petition to secure just 34 names. I am speaking as one of many, however, who is pleased to have a child enrolled at Alanton Accelerated School. Perhaps we need to realize that there is more to education than test scores. Perhaps we need to model behavior for our children by showing them the need to pitch in and work together for the benefit of everyone. There are many valuable lessons being taught daily in the classrooms, playground, cafeteria, library, office and halls at Alanton. I am proud that my children are part of such a program.
Mrs. C.P. Hathaway III
Virginia Beach
In response to ``Kaleidoscope: Accelerated Schools,'' all three of my sons have attended Alanton Elementary School during the course of the past five years. We have found the teachers and staff to be exemplary and the programs offered for all the children through the combined efforts of the staff and PTA to be wonderfully enriching. Alanton has been a superb school even prior to becoming an accelerated school.
Questions are now being raised about the accelerated schools program. Every possible effort has been made by the staff at Alanton and the superintendent's office to explain the program to parents, and still our understanding of the plan is hazy. We are frustrated and constantly questioning other parents to see if they understand a program that eludes us. (Five years ago the new kindergarten curriculum was introduced to parents. In one short workshop parents grasped the concept and benefits of the new curriculum.) We are now a year and half into the accelerated schools program, and still cannot grasp its benefits to our children.
Dr. Faucette has, in my opinion, accomplished the beginning of some very good instructional programs in Virginia Beach schools. On accelerated schools, he says he is not impressed. His comments serve to confirm my worst suspicion: This was an experiment and the results are less than satisfactory. I hope that the School Board and the new superintendent will examine this program and determine if it is right for our school system. It is obviously not good enough for Dr. Faucette to take with him!
Patti Frankenfield
Whiteside Lane
ITBS test scores at Alanton improved by 4 percent last year; however, we are not satisfied by the level of student achievement demonstrated on these tests. We are looking for ways to improve student achievement and are hoping that the implementation of the accelerated plan will raise overall student achievement.
Susan S. Anderson
Teacher, Grade 4
Alanton Elementary School
The petition that was mentioned in ``Kaleidoscope: Accelerated Schools'' was not correct when it said that 34 parents had signed the petition. Not all of the people who signed the petition were Alanton parents. We would like to invite anyone who signed the petition to come to our vision celebration and our training sessions to see firsthand the work that we are doing to try to improve our school. We are proud of the many dedicated members of our school community, administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students, who are willing to put in the extra hours that we feel our students deserve. At the very least, we are taking the time to see how we can make learning better and more exciting for our stu-dents.
Kay Doto
Teacher, Grade 4
Beth Estill
Teacher, Grade 2
Alanton Elementary School by CNB