EDITOR:
No place to play? Wow.
I was astounded that someone could write something like this but, when my wife explained Ms. Kawleweski's son was in our child's class, I was insulted. Her piece does not reflect reality. Not even close.
The only real fact she points out in this piece is that the school is top rated. All of the staff at this school are professionals. They work diligently and successfully to provide their students with the academic foundation they will need to succeed. We continue to be impressed with the pride and effort these teachers take in the achievement of their students. We find the administration is focused on providing the best learning environment possible for the teachers and children. But to even suggest the principal wants any child stay until 5 p.m. is ridiculous.
These observations come with merit. My wife and I have worked in and out of the classroom for several years. We continue to work closely with other parents and the staff to help successfully guide students onto middle school. Our assessment comes from extensive involvement. Additionally, we personally understand the value of a quality educational foundation.
Being older, well-educated parents, we were able to retire from the demands of high-tech Silicon Valley jobs before we turned 50. Many would consider that a measure of success. We have also worked very hard to provide the environment and support to help our children work to their potential and thrive at this school. Our careers allowed us to work with some of the best and brightest inventers (unbelievably wealthy, yes) in the world (just what her child desires to be) and it was a humbling treat. Without an exception these people were well educated, workaholics that loved and often lived their work. They learned early to prioritize the elements of their lives to achieve their goals.
Now, as a parent of two so-called "sugar addicted nobodies," Ms. Kawleweski is telling us we need to restructure the classroom environment to address her child's issues. Not.
Structure, focus, memorization, repetitive worksheets and such, are part of a system that is successfully imparting thousands of years of accumulated knowledge on the vast majority of children worldwide. It continues to evolve and is far from perfect anywhere, but this is an excellent school. If there is a problem Ms. Kawleweski, it starts with you. Setting goals, priorities and the discipline to achieve is cultured at home ... period. If you don't like what you're hearing then research and explore alternatives that will be positive for you and your son. There may well be serious issues, but embarking on a public smear campaign that is inaccurate, unfair and misrepresents an outstanding school is unfair to the school, the administrators, the facility, and especially your child. I assure you the parents that are involved won't stand for it ... and shouldn't.
Sandy Johnson
Genoa
