Success is in the eye of the...

Success is in the eye of the beholder, not test scores

I am a volunteer at Pomona Elementary School. I am a former

elementary teacher and have also taught science at Harbor View

Elementary School. I have four children who have attended Harbor View

and Corona del Mar High School and I know first hand that Pomona is

an excellent school.

Over the past five years, I have worked once a week in different

classrooms at Pomona. I witness weekly the dedication of excellent

teachers. They are an outstanding group of teachers that go the extra

mile to educate their students, many of whom have limited English

proficiency.

In the classrooms, I see the progress these students make each

week. Teaching science and reading lessons, I experience their

enthusiasm for learning. It is thrilling to see students discover a

scientific principle or read a short book for the first time.

A “failing school” is a school where there is no love of learning.

Pomona Elementary is not a failing school. I would like to extend an

invitation to any Newport-Mesa community member to come and volunteer

at Pomona Elementary School.

SUSAN MATSEN

Newport Beach

Eagles’ basketball gives fans a lot to scream about

We were surprised and disappointed to read Roger Carlson’s column,

“Cubs fans aren’t the only ones let down,” which ran Oct. 19. We’ve

been Newport-Mesa fans and have supported Estancia High School

basketball for many years. And this well written article raises many

questions that have not been answered. For example, Estancia

Principal Tom Antal allows checks to be continually written in an

explorer account that was discontinued three years ago. Now, why

would Estancia’s athletic directors sign checks and have an account

that has been discontinued for three years? Is this a common practice

in the district or only at Estancia High School?

Another question is why doesn’t the Newport Mesa Unified School

District expand this investigation to include the administrators of

Estancia High School? It sounds like there was enough fault to go

around for everyone in this unfortunate incident. But the only

person, as Carlson said, that was railroaded was basketball coach

Chris Sorce.

Why is that? Is it because that was the easiest thing to make

those few parents -- those that caused this problem -- happy and keep

them quiet? But we know that’s just for awhile. Estancia Eagles

basketball has lost several fans. We say go Mesa!

J. SHOOK FAMILY

Costa Mesa

Remembering the coaches who demonstrate honor

Sandra W. Skahen’s letter in Saturday’s sport section addressing

the grace under pressure apparently displayed by the Newport Harbor

High School freshman football coaches when confronted following a

game with Aliso Niguel was a very welcome counterpoint to the column

Barry Faulkner wrote earlier in the week. Faulkner’s column was

concerning a recent game in which Costa Mesa High School ran up the

score against hapless Santiago High School.

Many of us get pretty lathered up when we hear stories such as the

one Faulkner portrayed and tend to forget the outstanding job done by

many, many of the men and women who coach our youth.

I don’t know all the details of the circumstances that caused the

Aliso Niguel coach to “lose it,” but I do want to thank Skahen for

providing us with what certainly appears to be a good example of

leadership for our kids.

GEOFF WEST

Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa politicians keeps reader on his toes

Once again the Costa Mesa City Council ceases to amaze me. The

council approved a small site for the skateboard park, which is in

desperate need, but changes its collective mind and reduces the size

of the already small softball fields because a couple people complain

about the trees.

CLARK CHAPMAN

Costa Mesa