Charter schools preserve a parent’s right to choose

Charter schools preserve a parent’s right to choose

EDITOR:

This letter is in response to the recent Vindicator editorial that charter schools are a “bill of goods.”

I have three children who have attended St. Christine Catholic School. I chose this parochial school for its excellent academics, its strong discipline and the Catholic based education that is ever prevalent. This was my choice.

My children have also attended and graduated from Western Reserve Local Schools. I chose this public school option for the exceptional academics and personal attention to students that is provided there. This is my choice.

I also have a child with profound disabilities. She attends the charter/community school, Outreach Academy, located on the campus of Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities in Mantua, Ohio, where my child resides. This school provides unique year-round learning opportunities for its students. Because of the medical fragility of some of the students, flexible schedules are a necessity. Teachers will come to the bedside and teach students if they are unable to physically attend school. If the students need to return to their residence for a period of time, they can re-enter class when they are able. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are available when needed. Outreach Academy utilizes the most current therapies and adaptive equipment.

For me, though, the personal touch, care and individual attention given to each and every student who attends is the reason why I choose this charter school. This school provides my child, and the many other students who attend, the unique opportunity to learn, grow and become the best person they can in the face of their physical or mental challenges. She could not receive this education in a private or local public school. I choose this charter school because it best suits the needs of my daughter.

Perhaps there are charter schools that are not performing. But recent statistics show Youngstown local schools are not performing either. All schools should show evidence of performance.

Certainly though, the “bill of goods” the editor speaks of is not evident in my daughter’s school. This school works. Do not paint a broad brush and disband all charter schools because of the few that don’t perform. It is a parent’s right to choose the school that will deliver the most proficient education for their child. I choose a charter school for my daughter. It’s my choice.

REBECCA SEVACHKO TOMAN

Ellsworth

A true moment of silence

EDITOR:

At Friday night’s Austintown Fitch football game they had a moment of silence for all the lives that were lost on that awful Sept. 11 attack on America. Then taps were played.

Austintown put on a wonderful tribute and all who were in attendance responded: You could have heard a pin drop. We have moved on, but we must never forget.

KAREN BIGGS

Austintown