 |
CAMPAIGN FOR EXCELLENCE |
|
|
|
Published May 27, 2005 Historic value Passing Measure A, the parcel tax for Palo Alto schools, is perhaps the most important single school district vote our community will make in 50 years. It tells us whether we are a declining or rising community. Our Palo Alto schools are barely holding onto our past academic glory. Hard work and large financial contributions from parents and teachers are helping Palo Alto schools survive. Most teachers spend hundreds of dollars per year of their own money subsidizing their classrooms and work a 55- to 60-hour week. As a social-studies teacher to 5,000 students in the Palo Alto Unified School District from 1967 to 2001, I remember the 1960s and '70s when we had true academic excellence in the district and massive community support. Enrichment classes, many electives, aides and nurses were found in great quantity and quality throughout the district. In the high schools the students could pick from eight foreign languages. During the Great Depression in 1937 at Jordan Jr. High School all students were given free medical and dental examinations along with a quality education. So now that we are the wealthiest state in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, what has happened to our values relating to our children? Reaffirm our historic values supporting educational excellence. A "yes" vote supports the future of our community, state and nation.
Diane Rolfe
|
|
Send mail to
webmaster@campaignforexcellence.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
