Manzanita a great school

Manzanita a great school

I am writing to voice my disappointment about the April 28 Acorn article on Manzanita and California Distinguished Schools. The implication of this article was to question whether Manzanita should be considered a California Distinguished School after posting a small drop in test scores from spring 2004.

This position is completely misinformed and more homework should be required to determine what makes any particular school a California Distinguished School. If the criteria were based solely on test scores, a school such as Manzanita would never have been considered for such an award.

As a loyal Manzanita parent for more than 10 years, I was involved with the interview process by the selection committee for the California Distinguished Schools. Not only were they impressed by the diversity of Manzanita, but with how this diversity was maximized to ensure a great learning environment for all students.

Manzanita faces many challenges, including a somewhat transient school population with federal budget cuts to Title 1 schools looming on the horizon. But Manzanita consistently scores above average in school rankings when compared with schools of similar demographics.

For a school such as Manzanita to continue to be successful requires the support of the entire community. The Auto Mall Association is just one example of ways the community is backing schools that have greater needs in this district.

My challenge to The Acorn and the community is to spend some time at Manzanita. Come and see what truly entitles it to proudly display the signage designating it as a California Distinguished School.

Barbara Anderson Bade

Newbury Park