Letter To The Editor – Kids And Community At GES

Dear Sir,
I am sending you a copy of the letter I sent today to NY State Senator Roy McDonald regarding our Grafton Elementary School:
Dear Mr. Roy McDonald,
I recently came from Colombia, as US permanent resident with my two little girls, ages 6 and 1½ year old. Our 6 year old daughter is in first grade in Grafton Elementary School. When we came in September 2009 she did not speak any English; she just knew basic words such as colors and farm animals. She is now reading, writing and speaking in English. She has been involved in many interesting projects in science, art, math, and gym. The work of the teachers and staff at GES has been particularly special for her.
I am very pleased with the school, and, as I had found out, this school is a very important part of our community due to all the projects that parents, students and the community in general do together, along with the library, the park and groups such as the Girl Scout Troop 1070.
Closing the school would be very sad for us because we would lose a great part of our community life. I am currently involved with the girl scouts, the after school enrichment program, the talent show and the school’s yearbook. I would like that my girls would have the opportunity to continue in this wonderful and small school.
In addition, I come from Bogota, Colombia, where in the last years the improvement of public schools has been amazing. Former Mayor Luis Eduardo Garzon devoted a big part of the city’s budget rebuilding the schools through public biddings. More than 25 public schools now in the poorest neighborhoods in Bogota are new modern buildings built by world famous architects such as Rogelio Salmona and Giancarlo Mazzanti. My question is that if we can have that in Ciudad Bolivar Bogota (a very poor neighborhood of displaced population), why in the United States do our kids have to go to mobile facilities?
These are the thoughts of a mother and concerned resident of Grafton. Please take them into consideration and please come to the next school board meeting.
Best regards and my best wishes in your work.
Sincerely,
Angela Maria Jimenez
Shaver Pond Road, Cropseyville