Dear Editor,
In response to John Larson’s column that appeared in the
Tuesday, Dec. 15 edition of the Dispatch, we would like to address
a few key points on behalf of the students and staff here at South
Valley Middle School.
South Valley teacher responds to columnist’s thoughts on schools
Dear Editor,
In response to John Larson’s column that appeared in the Tuesday, Dec. 15 edition of the Dispatch, we would like to address a few key points on behalf of the students and staff here at South Valley Middle School.
One, Mr. Larson states that “our standard test scores have been falling steadily” for the past 5 years. Point of fact, South Valley’s scores have been rising steadily on our API. We were 665 in 2005 and 738 presently. Our latest stats show that we have reached “safe harbor” in all areas in English Language arts. This means we have moved 10 percent more of those students who were non-proficient into proficiency in one year. That is a huge achievement given our school population.
Unfortunately, even though we continue to improve, the bar by which we are measured also continues to rise. By the year 2012, ALL STUDENTS are expected to be at 100 percent proficiency in all categories.
Two, Mr. Larson states that South Valley students “are flocking” to Solorsano. Not only has the district made it easy for them to do so, we now find that it has put the GATE (Gifted and Talented) program in place at Brownell even though we have GATE- trained teachers here at our site. Previously, GATE students from Rucker would have come to SVMS in the 6th grade year. Instead, they were directed to Solorsano and now, with the advent of the Brownell program, are being directed there.
Three, the writer states “Solorsano is bursting at the seams”. That is true. Further, the extra funding necessary to accommodate its growth has impacted what funds could have been used at other sites for students at those schools.
Four, Mr. Larson states that he doesn’t think the principals need to be replaced but he disagrees with board member’s Apuzzo’s reasoning that this should not be done because of their dedication. He further states that “commitment, dedication, and heart are not the same as talent, ability and experience.”
South Valley has all those things already in its staff. It is never just the principal and vice-principal who make the school. It is these administrators working with the staff that makes the difference. We have an excellent staff at SVMS.
Five, the writer maintains that each school should have its own personality derived from the “architecture and the mascot – not education” Well, SVMS took over the old site when the new Gilroy High was built 31 years ago. It was never ours, newly built, to mold. As for the mascot, we are and have always been the TIGERS, the mighty, mighty tigers and we do have pride in our school.
Five, he cites that ASMS successfully used Accelerated Reader. After gaining funding, SVMS is also instituting its use in an expanded format although many teachers used this in the past but not on an all-school basis.
We do agree with Mr. Larson on two key points. One of the problems facing SVMS is its demographics. More so than the other two middle schools, we have more students on free and reduced lunch (68 percent). The state average in this category is 49.1 percent closely mirroring the other two middle schools. The problems that this factor brings to our student population: poverty, lack of two parents in the home, a lower level of parent education etc. are devastating.
Secondly, We do need to correct the problems at all our middle schools. Factors like “white flight” and the resultant overcrowding at Solorsano will put it in the same boat as SVMS and Brownell and it, too, will start ” to sink and goes into Program Improvement.” With that remark, he has hit the nail on the head. As schools we do not need to be pitted against each other.
Let’s look for balance between all three middle schools: equity in funding, demographics, trained staff, parent involvement, etc. All of these impact scores and more importantly our students.
So, kudos to Mr. Larson for his insights but let us not forget that the students and staff at all three middle schools strive to improve daily and need the support of the public, the parents, and the school board to find the best way to do just that.
Sharon Avina, chair, Advisory Council; chair, Core Department, South Valley Middle School
Little diddy about marijuana dispensary and the Council’s woes
Dear Editor,
Yes Virginia there
Really is a Santa Claus
This time by exposing
Our City Council’s recent, faux pas
But this holiday time
Santa was not wearing red
He was neatly dressed
In a black robe, instead
By questioning the Council’s
Absolute type of power
And their lawyer’s advice
At 226 dollars per hour
By allowing MediLeaf
To keep their doors open
That might be good advice
Where the Council’s words, are spoken
The city’s current funds
Are still in strong decline
Perhaps this expensive litigation
Would be better dropped, at the present time
Tom Engebretson, Gilroy
