Another rebuttal for Manzanita

This letter is in response to Kriss Hurdle's Jan. 31 letter and to every other Maple parent who continues to bad-mouth our school, Manzanita. I once had those same thoughts as you did.

I was not going to have my children attend a school with low API scores, so I put my daughter into private school. It was when my second child was born with special needs, and the fact I wanted him to be fully included in the general classroom, that I was forced into my neighborhood school.

Once I was at this school, I saw firsthand how wonderful the school really is. We have a wonderful principal and excellent teachers. The only thing different about our school compared to yours is the fact that we have a large number of second-language learners- - the fault of the school board and community- - and they don't have has much money as you or I. And because of this, you label our children who attend here "gang members"?

I'm outraged about that comment. I have been very involved in my school and never once did I encounter any "copy-cat gang behavior." The children you're referring to are the most wellmannered children and show me nothing but respect.

For my third child, I had the option of sending her to a private school, but in my right mind, I choose Manzanita instead. She's getting the same education here as she would have in private school, only here she's learning about diversity as well.

It's unfortunate for any school to close down. What's also unfortunate is how Maple parents have responded to the announcement, by bashing Manzanita children.

I thought by now our society was improving on racism and stereotyping, but I guess I'm wrong.

If our school happens to close down, my children will not attend Maple I assure you. Because "its my job to nurture my children's souls" and having my children in a school where racism is apparent "doesn't fit the bill." Shar Hotchkiss Newbury Park