THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Because my daughter's birthday falls on Oct. 2, she was not allowed to enter first grade last fall even though she had already passed kindergarten in a private school. Since we could not get her in another private school, we elected to have her repeat kindergarten, this time at Larrymore Elementary School. This gave us a unique opportunity to compare the Norfolk public-school system with a private school (for which we had paid almost $6,000!). I am proud to say that I am delighted with the results!
The care and concern given to my daughter by her teachers and her principal far exceeded my expectations. When she lost her temper, they calmed her. When she scraped her knee, they cleaned her up and boosted her morale. They were careful to make every child a star at some time during the year. When I expressed that my daughter enjoys working with computers, her teachers began learning more about computers and managed to get better equipment in the classroom to benefit all students.
The education my daughter received was so exceptional that I am still amazed. Not only does she read exceptionally but she enjoys science, math, art and history. She loves learning! I could not ask for a better beginning toward lifelong learning. She is eagerly looking forward to returning in the fall.
I am embarrassed that I ever hesitated putting her in public school in the first place. As long as my daughter receives the care and education that she is receiving now, I will continue to keep her in public school. I will save that $6,000 a year to pay for her college!
SHARON HURWITZ
Norfolk, July 14, 1995 by CNB