Classroom Interruptions

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

I feel obligated to respond to the many misconceptions in this article by Janice Nigro regarding classroom interruptions. As principal of Weathersfield Elementary School, I am charged by the teachers and district to zealously protect their instructional day. Academics are the first priority. The proof of this is our being named a California Distinguished School three times in succession.

Ms. Nigro mentions the “dismal scores reported for our state’s fourth-graders.” I, too, am dismayed when I see those reports. However, the test referred to is the National Assessment of Educational Progress test, a test in which Weathersfield students are unable to participate. Because we are concerned with our students’ academic progress, in the Conejo Valley Unified School District we have regularly tested our students to compare our results with students around the nation. Every year the Conejo Valley in general, and Weathersfield Elementary in particular, have scored well on such tests.

What she leaves out is the context for each event at Weathersfield School. Every event is related to a curriculum area in ways that enhance, rather than disrupt, learning.

Our annual third-grade tea enhances reading units set in England. The units encompass listening skills and note-taking skills. Students learn about and experience a custom from another culture. They then proceed to research a culture of their own, often related to their personal heritage. From this research students prepare a written report and an oral presentation, two skills critical for success in today’s world. From these presentations students learn about many countries and cultures. It’s no wonder that students excel in such an academically enriched environment.

Ms. Nigro is correct that we utilize a great deal of parent support to create this rich academic environment. Parents are truly partners, and none of these events would take place without their overwhelming support. Another event garnering tremendous parent support is our annual jog-a-thon. It does take all day, but each student only spends his or her 30-minute physical education class participating. This event is set in a context of lifetime fitness.

While we are extremely grateful that the local school bond passed because the funds are desperately needed for building repairs and renovations, those funds cannot legally be used to provide the types of support the jog-a-thon has traditionally provided: workbooks, science specialists, computers, software and other direct support for the classroom. Parents participate because they want the enriched academic environment parents and teachers together provide at Weathersfield.

Finally, we are proud of the academic program we put forth. We know it isn’t perfect and welcome constructive ideas to improve our program for students. An article such as Ms. Nigro’s, however, full of misconceptions and events taken out of context, is not helpful in improving student education.

CAROL PHILIPS

Principal

Weathersfield Elementary

Thousand Oaks