In Pursuit of Quality in Education

I was surprised to see the annual article about Santa Ana Unified School District’s MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School’s enrollment process appear a bit early (“Laying It on the Line,” March 2). Although I always enjoy reading the yearly praise of one of our district’s seven excellent intermediate schools, I do have a suggestion for the disappointed parents who were not able to achieve a “coveted spot” as a MacArthur student body member for their youngster. With only 135 sixth-grade openings available, that has undoubtedly left many crushed hopes and dreams. I write to offer a happy reminder to the parents who were turned away.

Actually, SAUSD has six other intermediate schools, which are also first-rate institutions. What’s more, two of our intermediate schools, Sierra and Carr, achieved statewide recognition last year as California Distinguished Schools.

Despite no capping of class sizes, all of our students have the chance to learn effective problem solving, self-control, responsibility and independent thinking. In short, our students have the opportunity to learn survival skills to succeed in the real world, all in a warm, supportive environment.

Parents should be assured that despite possible non-acceptance at MacArthur, there is a place for their children at our sites. We welcome, with proverbial open arms, the children of Santa Ana.

In truth, parents need look no further than their neighborhood SAUSD intermediate school to find a fundamentally excellent education for their children. We may never feature campers, but every day we do offer exciting, newsworthy educational opportunities for all of our students at all of our sites, where we vigorously promote Santa Ana’s motto “Education First.”

JAYNE PINEO

Santa Ana

Jayne Pineo is an instructor at Sierra Intermediate School.

* I feel that the parents who “camp out” really care about their child’s education. If they take the time to set up tents and skip work just to ensure that their children get into a very good school, then they must really value the education of their kids. I would do the exact same thing, because I know firsthand how good a school it is.

I spent my first year and a half of junior high at MacArthur. The programs and teachers are far better than any other intermediate school’s teachers and programs. At MacArthur, they have many after school activities that the other intermediate schools won’t even think about. The after-school programs are very helpful to the students as well as the teachers. The students learn from the teachers, and the teachers learn from the students. So, I don’t see why other people think that camping out in the school’s parking lot is extreme.

Now, I attend Sierra Intermediate School. It’s different from MacArthur. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I realize that education-wise, the programs are fairly similar. They don’t have as many honors or advanced classes, but I believe that you can get an equal amount of teaching. MacArthur would be nice for your child to attend, but it won’t be the end of the world if he/she doesn’t!

CHRISTINA HERRERA

Santa Ana

Christina Herrera is an eighth grader at Sierra Intermediate School.

* Re: “Laying It on the Line:” A Santa Ana Unified school board member stated that parents are more aware of their options. It seems to me that parents are more aware of the lack of options. Standing in line for three days to get your child into a school does not sound like there are many alternatives.

The libertarian view supports a voucher system. A voucher system allows taxpayers to use part of their tax monies on the school of their choice. This type of system would bring competition to the current government monopoly of public education.

Private businesses would recognize the demand for quality education and would supply this service. (Don’t worry. I am sure there will still be government regulations dictating what can be taught and what can’t.) In creating this competition, the public school system might shape up and they too could supply quality service, not just through the few fundamental schools, but in all the schools for all the children.

ANNA M. APOIAN

Corona