Van Nuys High School

The Sept. 5 article “Kids Get Their Busing Orders” was unfair to the school bus, making it appear as an evil entity, an obstacle to a decent education. Having taken the bus for eight years, I know that the truth is the exact opposite.

The bus ride, as unpopular as it may be, is much less important than the quality of education received. By taking the bus, students are given the opportunity to go to schools which will not be overcrowded, schools which will therefore be more likely to be able to offer the classes a student wants, benefiting everybody. With smaller class sizes, it will be easier for teachers to help individual students.

Also, the article made the school bus ride look dangerous. I do not know where this notion came from, as I have never witnessed a fight between students, and the drivers maintain a high level of safety. Any parent that worries about his or her kids is wasting much energy.

Rather than worrying that a child is losing out because he or she has to take the bus, think of how that small sacrifice is giving all students the highest quality education possible.

HOWARD CHERNIN

Van Nuys High School

* I am writing to you in regard to an article concerning our decision [to keep] Van Nuys High School on a regular year track. (“Kids Get Their Busing Orders,” Sept. 5.) My fellow classmates and I were disgusted!

I would like to make it clear to you that the reason Van Nuys High School did not go year-round track was not because we were afraid it was going to interfere with our vacation plans, but simply because the students of Van Nuys High School did not want to be labeled as track A, B or C. In my opinion, going to school on a year-round track would give the students less education. I believe that a regular school year gives the education they need and deserve. I am certain that Van Nuys High School will have the best year ever.

MONICA T. GONZALES

Van Nuys High School

* I was recently reading an article out of the Los Angeles Times Valley Edition (“Kids Get Their Busing Orders,” Sept. 5), which addressed the issue of year-round track at Van Nuys High School. The column made it appear that the main issue parents addressed was the interference of family vacation schedules. That is false.

I have attended Van Nuys High for over a year now, and I attended several of the board meetings, which discussed the issue of year-round track.

During these meetings, parents, students and teachers expressed their ideas about the complicated situation.

Some parents and teachers wanted the year-round track, others disapproved of it because of the disruption it would cause in the magnet program.

In fact the concern during the meetings was the inability to continue many programs currently offered on the traditional track.

MARISSA BONILLA

Van Nuys High School

I am writing to you to express my vehement dissatisfaction on the article (“Kids Get Their Busing Orders,” Sept. 5) written about Van Nuys High’s conflict with over-enrollment.

Last year at Van Nuys, many parents and students did oppose a decision of changing Van Nuys to a year-round school. Not because it would have interfered with summer vacation plans, but just like North Hollywood students, Van Nuys students would have missed out on special summer enrichment programs. Not to mention the strong impact it would have on the future of the education Van Nuys High could offer. Van Nuys High School houses three magnet schools, in addition to our residential school, which work very closely together to create the best possible opportunity for a very diverse educational surrounding.

Our three magnet schools are a performing arts magnet, math science magnet and our medical magnet. All of our students do have the choice of taking whatever classes they wish. A year-round program would stifle their opportunity to advance in such a highly competitive educational atmosphere.

LISA BASSUK

Van Nuys High School