Editor’s note: This Reader Forum article was submitted by Lake Forest High School alum Graham Sauser. Reader Forum articles represent the writer’s opinions and not necessarily those of GazeboNews. We encourage you to comment on this article, but please include your full name per the GazeboNews comments policy on Reader Forums.
GazeboNews Reader Forum
By Graham Sauser, LFHS alum
In reference to the past two days of classes at Lake Forest High School,
Regardless of your views or opinions on the teacher strike one must applaud the efforts made by the administration to provide LFHS students with a safe and positive environment for the past two days. Many students and parents have complained about the curriculum lacking a strong educational value, but look at the alternatives. We are blessed to live in a community that believes so strongly in the success of our students that many of us have stepped forward to help the administrators in providing some form of structure for the school day. Other districts, CPS for example, lack these resources and the results have been devastating to students, families, and the community. While the situation may not be ideal, they have tried to make the best of it.
When you consider that the teams of people who are trying to provide for your students are made up of substitutes and volunteers from our community, I think they have done an excellent job. For those who are not satisfied how would you try to educate a student body of 1,700+? Nonetheless achieve this goal with a small team of volunteers and no pre-existing curriculum. The alternative is no school at all. At least our administration has been making an effort to not loose any more days in the eyes of the state, and resume athletic activities. While some may say athletics are not important at this time, what do you say to those students who are trying to obtain an athletic scholarship for a sport they have pushed themselves in for 4+ years? Just because the teachers and board can’t come to a decision does not mean that their hard work should go unrewarded.
This brings up another point. While classes may not be in session, LFHS is still making strong efforts to help those seniors who are in the process of applying for college. They have held several courses the past two days on college essay writing, picking your major, and other topics that seniors could find useful during this part of their academic careers. On top of that, LFHS has still kept the college visit schedule to the best of their ability. The people who have worked around the clock on this should be thanked, not mocked with snide Internet comments.
We ARE a community. Period, end of story. We need to acknowledge those who have worked so hard these past few days, the LFHS administrators, the group of volunteers, the subs, CROYA, and everyone else who has helped in the effort to get our students back into the classrooms. While the result may not have been perfect, the efforts were made because they all share a common goal; educating and helping our students succeed.
Sincerely,
Graham Sauser, LFHS Alumnus
Well said Graham. Thank you to the LFHS administration, staff, CROYA, police departments, LF Hospital, and many volunteers who put in countless hours to help keep our students engaged and safe during these past few days. Also, thank you LFHS students for your cooperation and resilience during this difficult time-quite an impressive student body! As a parent of a freshman, I am glad my daughter was able to stay connected with the school and her peers. She was very happy to hear the news this morning that classes were in session, and that she would see her teachers. Although the details have not been communicated yet, let us hope it is an agreement that will support LFHS in continuing to be the quality school it is, and will be, for many years to come.
Graham, I wholeheartedly agree. I applaud the efforts by the Administration and the community members to provide a safe, structured and positive environment for the students these past two days.
Reality: the negotiations were between the Board and the Union. I thank the Administration for proactively focusing on the Students, attempting to provide structure and some degree of “normalcy” for them during this time.
Opening the school was a huge task to undertake. I appreciate living in a community filled with enough caring and committed people willing to identify the challenges, set the goals and implement a plan on the scope this required, all in only a few days.
Kudos to the Administration, the community members, the students and the parents who participated in and supported it. I’m thrilled that school is back in session today and hope we can all move forward in a positive way from here.
it is truly sad and disappointing that it had to go this far. Hopefully, any damage that has been done will be repaired and people will be understanding and forgiving as we all move forward.
Graham
Thank you and please thank the LFHS Administration, substitute teachers and all the volunteers for working so hard and providing a safe environment for our kids to be these last two days!
I have been so disappointed by reading comments on websites and especially the Teachers Facebook page critizing, making fun of and all out bashing the efforts of “LFHS family” to provide an alternative to sitting at home watching tv.
If those days “count” or not I for one as a parent am grateful to you, the staff and volunteers!
Thank you.