THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510200028
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Regarding recent newspaper articles about children who are in learning disability (LD) and emotionally disturbed (ED) classes:
I have two boys, ages 12 and 9. The 9-year-old is in an LD program to fit his needs. I am very happy with his placement and his teachers at Providence Elementary.
My other son is in an emotionally disturbed class set up for his needs. I am extremely confident in his teachers and have been for two of the past three years. The school system works with parents, and it is the parents' responsibility to seek outside help, like a therapist, if necessary, and we have.
The problems that I have encountered are the students or neighborhood children the same age as my son. They constantly pick on him because he is different, enough for him to lose his self-confidence.
Parents should teach their children that all are not alike, but all are special. Parents should try to persuade their children not to poke fun or make gestures.
Ten years ago, schools could not offer programs like my children's. They would have been sent off to institutions. I thank God that the Virginia Beach school system was here when we transferred. We chose to live in Virginia Beach because of the schools. Most important, we now have teachers at Kempsville Middle School who truly care for our older son and are concerned about his learning.
WANDA NELSON
Virginia Beach, Oct. 10, 1995 by CNB