Some Students Just Don’t Get a Break

Barbara Klein, vice principal of Jerabek Elementary School in Scripps Ranch, warned that the students might be “wistful.”

After all, virtually every student in San Diego County is out this week, indulging in a blissful spring break.

They’re at home--skateboarding, watching TV, catching rays, eating really sinful foods or getting into mischief with friends.

What is it like being a kid in one of two “multitrack” schools in the San Diego Unified School District having to go to school this week?

“It’s not so bad,” said Heather Strobl, 8, a third-grader at Jerabek. “I rather like school. My favorite subjects are multiplying and dividing. We do so many special art projects. The only thing I can do at home is play on my computer.”

“School is fun,” said John Kleint, 8, a second-grader at Brooklyn Elementary School in North Park.

“School is real fun,” said Perry Martin, 8, John’s second-grade classmate.

What is it with these kids?

Don’t they know school is supposed to be boring, mundane, routine?

Don’t they know they’re supposed to crave vacations and all of the milk-shake diversions they entail?

Don’t they know they’re supposed to count the seconds until the

school bell rings, and then run like a road runner right out the door?

Don’t they know they’re supposed to shiver with envy that kids all over the county are out--somewhere in the sunny expanse of San Diego--having a really swell time?

Like, what if they are at the beach? Who would take the classroom over the beach?

“I would,” Heather said.

Brooklyn and Jerabek are pioneers in the multitrack experiment. Sixteen more schools will join the fray next year, mainly because Brooklyn and Jerabek, with tracks of A, B, C and D following four different schedules, have been successful to the point of imitation.

Three-Week Breaks

As Vice Principal Klein explains it, multitrack students go to school year-round. They attend for nine weeks straight, then enjoy a three-week respite. In the multitrack system, not all vacations fall during traditional spring or Easter breaks (but everybody breaks for the end of the year).

“The school district saves a lot of money doing this,” said Jane Senour, first-year principal of Brooklyn Elementary. “It was either build new buildings or utilize the space we have year-round. This works nicely. It makes it interesting for students and teachers, who seem to stay fresher.”

“I think it works remarkably smoothly,” Klein said. “The reason we do it is for the high enrollment in rapidly growing areas (which Scripps Ranch and North Park are). We have 900 students here at Jerabek. We’re bursting. And let’s face it, the schools just aren’t being built, or can’t be built fast enough, in areas such as these.”

Like the Beach Boys’ song says you should, Peter Blair, an 8-year-old Jerabek third-grader, is true to his school anytime.

Peter is proud that Jerabek won the California Distinguished School Award recently and is now in the running for the National Distinguished School Award. It won because of its advanced programs and correspondingly high test scores.

Peter is brutally honest.

“But,” he said, “despite those things, I wish I could be on vacation this week. I’d be taking my dog for a walk right now.”

Pleasant Holiday on the Way

He and Heather were having a dialogue. She knows that in only two weeks, she will be lolling on a sweet vacation, rubbing it in, with coveys of glum-faced friends back in school. She will be playing with her golden retriever puppy, while many of her girlfriends play with fractions.

But maybe these kids like fractions. Maybe they wouldn’t be glum-faced about having to be in school.

“Let’s face it,” said Perry, the Brooklyn second-grader, with no teachers or principals around to offer approval, “We just like school here. I like spelling. I like to write stories. I like to read, too. I like to play in computer lab. And when I go on vacation in a couple of weeks, it’ll be to Texas to visit my cousins and great-grandmother.”

“I’m gonna go to Sea World when I’m on break,” John, Perry’s classmate, said.

Epifanio Cardenas, 7, is a second-grader at Brooklyn. He comes to school to read about bears. His favorite book is one called “Balloons.”

David Santivanez, 10, is a Brooklyn third-grader.

“I’m not jealous of all those other kids,” he said. “I like school. I like to learn. And I can play here. I read books, ‘cause I like ‘em.”

David comes to school at 8 in the morning and doesn’t walk home until well past 2. When he does go home, he has five brothers waiting. He’s right in the middle. His oldest brother is 13, his youngest an infant. School is a break from big brothers.

Angel Parra, 9, a third-grader at Brooklyn, doesn’t mince words or feelings.

“I want to come to school always,” he said. “I have buddies here. I have more fun here than I do at home. I can play, write and draw. You know, when you think about it, school is a pretty wonderful place.”

Really now, what is it with these kids?