Hand Wringing, Keep a Good Thing Getting Better and Support the Samohi Choir

January 28, 2004

Dear Editor,

(Re: District Faces New Round of Budget Cuts, Deasy Warns,” Jan. 28, 2004)

Again the SMMUSD might face budget cuts. Again the shaky state finances are to blame. Much depends on the "IF state ballot measures are passed." Perhaps this story is calculated to tilt the stage for the CEPS initiative which mandates a percentage of the Santa Monica City budget for public schools.

But let's go back a year when Measure S -- the flat parcel tax -- was conceived. Had the formula been premised on square footage, the net tax could have been in the $12 million range. SMRR politicos and the business community wanted to get their constituencies off on the cheap. They did. And thus the hand wringing of today.

Nancy Smith
Santa Monica

January 28, 2004

Dear Editor:

I'm a 28-year resident of Santa Monica and have long admired the work at Olympic High School, turning troubled children into responsible, conscientious adults. (“School Board Shoots Down Plan to Explore Shutting Down Olympic High,” Jan. 24, 2003)

This is to add my voice to those in support of keeping Olympic High School open and constituted AS IT IS. Olympic has been successfully serving the at-risk teen population of Santa Monica for over 30 years. Why destroy a good thing?

Charter Schools are a political tool, mere vote-getters and surely an unproven vehicle for delivering quality education. The statistics point to as many (or more) failures than successes.

A measure of Olympic's success is the ever increasing number of students who choose to stay and graduate rather than return to Santa Monica High School. In the 2002-03 school year, for example, fifty students graduated from Olympic.

The darker issue here is the effort to remove the principal. A principal who's been nominated principal of the year; a principal who personally raised over $10,000 in scholarships from the community in one school year; a principal who has increased the number of graduates by 10 percent per year in her five year tenure, a principal who has been instrumental in saving the district over one million dollars in "Private Placement" costs.

Is this any way to improve our school systems? Wouldn’t it be best to give Olympic High the funds and the support they’ve been asking for and keep a good thing getting better.

Sincerely,

Duane Tucker
Santa Monica

January 28, 2004

Dear Community Member,

The Santa Monica High School Choral Department is proudly presenting their annual fund raiser, 'Café Samo'. This event features students from the Choral Program as they perform in a cabaret-style show on February 13th and 14th.

All performances are student-initiated, arranged, rehearsed and perfected. This evening of fun and entertainment is open to all district students and their parents, alumni and neighbors who want to share in the pleasure of hearing our young people sing.

As this is our major fundraising event, we look towards our own business community to help by contributing goods or services to a silent auction held at this time.

SAMOHI is very proud of our award winning Choral Program. Under the direction of Mr. Christopher Rhodes, our students continue to travel both around the state and
country to compete in tournaments and most always return as winners.

As the classes continue to grow with students now numbering over 260, so do the needs. Unfortunately, state funding is minimal and costs are great. The students rely on the
generosity of our community to maintain this high quality program helping the next generation to develop, appreciate and share their vocal talents.

On behalf of these students, I ask that your readers consider this request for a donation as an investment in arts education. Their generous contribution will make a real impact
on the program. All funds will go directly towards funding the students and their program needs. We welcome art work, gift certificates, products, services, dining experiences, travel adventures, tickets for sporting events or other entertainment, etc.

All donations will be acknowledged in the evening's program, and the PTSA newsletter. In addition, all contributions are tax deductible and a receipt can be given upon request. We are a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. If you prefer to make a direct monetary donation instead, checks should be made payable to SAMOHI Chorus.

Our committee wants to make this as easy as possible. For items that need to be picked up we will be happy to do so at the donor’s convenience. Because our program will be printed by February 10th, donations need to be made before that time to be published.

Thank you for your support and consideration. Our students, their families and the whole
community appreciate your help. You may contact Donna Block by any of the following means:

Phone: (310) 413-2093 or (310) 829-4692, Fax: (310)829-3880,
Email:donnablock@earthlink.net

Or you may mail your donation directly to the SAMOHI Choir at the above address. Again, thank you.

Sincerely,