Letters supporting Los Senderos

As a parent of a child in the Pleasant Valley School District, I want to voice concern regarding a number of important issues relative to the apparently unavoidable discussion of school closings, particularly concerning the value of Los Senderos Open School.

I believe the school represents a unique program worthy of defense, for the sake of the children who attend and for benefits gained by the district as a whole.

The Pleasant Valley School District board has consistently voiced an affirmation for alternative school programs in our district. The use of alternative schools allows concepts in education to be explored, refined and ultimately deployed districtwide and creates a competitive environment lacking in many California school districts. Without competition, educators are under little obligation to improve or innovate, creating the kind of stagnation so common in the most economically rich, yet educationally poor state in the union.

The Los Senderos student environment achieves excellence in learning through exclusive programs such as minicourses and the open school philosophy. This philosophy has allowed students to enjoy consistently superior test scores across all grade levels. Schools that excel at the primary goal of the district, learning, should not be considered for closure.

The open school philosophy requires a very strong obligation on the part of parents, including the mandatory commitment of two hours per student per week in the classroom or in organized volunteer activities. Dedication on this scale is impressive in any environment, but nearly unheard of for public education.

While I certainly appreciate the difficult task before the 711 Committee, I hope it is not forced to consider options detrimental to the future of the district for the sake of percentages. The deliberations must take into account the distinctive programs of each school and long-term effects on learning districtwide.

If schools must be closed, please look elsewhere. Considering the closure of Los Senderos or any of the alternative schools represents a commitment to mediocrity for the sake of limited shortterm gains. Christopher Learned Camarillo