Wednesday, September 26, 2007
GR school opportunities
Ms. Arnie Smithalexander's impolite comments ("Like us or leave us, GR board tells parents," Press, Sept. 18) have given people leave to ignore the original issue -- charter school parents bristling at having to follow the same rules as all other parents living in the Grand Rapids Public School district who might want to access the school of choice option.
It is frustrating to hear people -- many of whom have never darkened the threshold of a Grand Rapids school -- say that our schools are dangerous and substandard. That has not been my experience or that of many friends whose children have attended a variety of Grand Rapids schools over the past 15 years. GRPS has provided good teachers, significant program options and generous opportunities for us to become involved in our children's education.
While it is arrogant to say racism is the main reason parents choose to leave GRPS, it is naive and ostrich-like to believe that racism and, even more, class-ism are not important factors in GRPS's declining enrollment.
Our family, however, feels that our children have been blessed with many benefits from attending the public schools in Grand Rapids.
-- MARY ROBINSON/Grand Rapids
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