Tea at School

Re “A Taste of Classroom Instruction, Perhaps?,” Ventura County Perspective, March 14.

I am saddened that parent Janice Nigro has painted a distorted and unfair picture of the rich and academically challenging curriculum at Weathersfield Elementary School. My view is through the accomplishments of my eighth-grade daughter and fourth-grade son, whose education at Weathersfield and in this district has been rigorous since kindergarten.

It’s also the personal perspective of a proud and grateful parent volunteer who has been encouraged to help make Weathersfield the wonderful campus that it is.

Contrary to Ms. Nigro’s opinion, the third-grade year at Weathersfield is hardly a party, though the cherished English tea does have a festive air. For 30 minutes (not days, as she asserts) the children get a taste of British culture and tradition--and yes, of Earl Grey tea and scones too--in a lovely and authentic high tea of England, their first country of study in a comprehensive international heritage unit. They also host at their tables some special guests from our community--including the superintendent and school board members--having practiced the refinements of table etiquette and polite conversation as part of their preparations.

Granted, high tea is not high math. But what an exciting half-hour it was for the many kids who may never sit in a London tearoom. Besides, the math lesson followed in the afternoon.

The third-grade tea launches an exciting educational journey that spans world geography, languages, foreign governments and currencies, costumes and cultural folkways. The children learn folk songs and ethnic dances, meet and talk with foreign dignitaries, prepare a report on their country of origin and make classroom presentations that hone their public speaking skills. Perhaps most importantly, their study fosters a valuable lesson that each student is unique and equal, no matter their country of origin. How thankful I am that learning at Weathersfield is not confined to textbooks.

PATTI YOMANTAS, Thousand Oaks