I’m the mother of two very intelligent, very active boys who attend Conejo Elementary School’s open classrooms. We come from outside Conejo Valley Unified School District.

The school we transferred from was a high-test-score, award-winning school.

My oldest attended this school for three years. Unlike that school, Conejo Open and the community establishing Bridges Elementary School represent a cross-section of all ethnic, religious and socioeconomic members who have one allembracing bond; they want what’s best for their children and feel this school answers their needs.

This tight-knit community understands all children are different, learn individually and all children have something wonderful to offer.

The best analogy of my son at his previous school is of a duck in an arcade at the county fair.

You shoot at it on the left, and it falls. It gets up, and you shoot it on the right, and it falls.

It continually falls until you have one last shot.

Luckily I rescued my son before the last shot. At that school, I was losing my son both academically and emotionally. The teachers greeted me with their shaking heads.

He was teased and had no friends.

How is that “duck” doing since I found “whole child” education? He’s very well liked, gets solid grades and is involved in various clubs. His teachers greet me with a smile. He’s one of the top rock climbers nationally. He, by all accounts, is succeeding, not falling down.

My son was first rescued at Conejo Open by a teacher named Gloria, who’s experienced in whole-child education. She was initially let go only to be rehired back at a different, traditional Conejo Valley Unified school.

It’s vital for Bridges to succeed for all those other “ducks” out there.

As a charter school, Bridges can hire and retain its teachers based on their abilities and qualifications rather than tenure.

They can continue to deliver whole-child education through the eighth grade.

I ask others to join us in establishing Bridges Charter School.
Lindy Sternlight
Simi Valley