Today's letter to the editor

Thank you for your continued effort!

Communicate with parents

In response to the article concerning racism and the Grand Rapids Public Schools: I have children in Kentwood and GRPS and have a unique perspective on the schools.

Why I chose to send one of my children to Kentwood has nothing to do with the way the kids look -- or their minority status. We are hard-working, middle-class, minority parents who want the best for our kids. There are many Grand Rapids residents who could say the same thing. The schools we choose have to do with the programs they offer.

Alger Middle School in GRPS, where my son attends, is improving. The building is "state of the art." Technology is present. Effort is being made by staff to gain control.

Where Alger lacks is in parent/teacher communication and in parent involvement. My advice for GRPS would be to communicate with parents, and they will get involved. Once they do, that impact will be astonishing, and parents will be beating down the GRPS doors, just as they are at other districts.

-- ANNIE YOUNG/Grand Rapids