Program Serves Family’s Agenda

* Re “Orange Trustees Near Grants Ban,” Feb. 23:

The Heart-to-Heart program has brought together parents, public agencies, service organizations, colleges and local businesses to provide a support program for the children and families at Lampson School, many of whom suffer from the stresses of poverty.

During each of the past two years, the participating agencies have provided nearly $300,000 in services at the school, at no cost to the school district. Other services are supported by grants from private foundations. Sadly, the Orange Unified School District Board of Trustees is considering a new policy that would prohibit the schools from applying for grants to support health services.

OUSD Trustee Maureen Aschoff claims that her opposition to Heart-to-Heart is “part of the Republican agenda.” We have found a way to fund the program, not by tapping into the school district budget, not by using taxpayer money, but by finding private foundations that are willing to support our effort with their private funding. Volunteerism, local control and private giving have all been championed by the Republican party. And indeed, Heart-to- Heart has the support of many Republican parents in the district. If there are any opponents to the program, aside from the board members, they have yet to speak up.

Schools have recognized that parents are a vital part of a child’s education and that parents sometimes need a little help, too. That is why many schools offer parenting classes, family math nights and similar programs. Heart-to-Heart offers health and parent support programs that are geared to the particular needs of the Lampson community.

Are we taking responsibility away from parents? No, we are working with parents to help families become stronger. Are we burdening the school with social services? No, because the school does not provide the services, the participating agencies do. This allows teachers to concentrate on teaching, while the agencies work to resolve the other problems. Why should this program he provided at the school? Because that is where we can reach the most children.

GISELA MEIER

Orange

* The Orange trustees are absolutely right, it is not the school’s responsibility to feed, medicate or counsel students. The school’s sole responsibility is to educate all students to the best of their ability.

Unfortunately, a hungry, ill or distressed individual cannot be educated. Furthermore, that neglected student will probably be disruptive in the classroom and interfere with the teacher’s ability to teach the student who is ready, willing and able to learn. Not to mention the spread of illness to the students and staff, which will further impede the educational process.

Until we teach parents to be parents, stop child abuse and eliminate illegal immigration, we will continue to have students that have special needs that until now have been addressed through private grants at no cost to the district. If these grants are eliminated, I fear that additional district funds will be needed to correct even greater problems.

Perhaps Trustee Maureen Aschoff and her fellow board members could promote the “Republican agenda” by working as individuals with their local congressmen, senators and assemblymen to fix the social problems and stop trying to destroy public education.

MARVELLA McALLISTER

Santa Ana