There are many reasons to support neighborhood schools!
A neighborhood school can be defined as a school which is designed to serve a particular geographic area. A neighborhood high school is often the focal point for a community. I believe that the negatives far outweigh any positives when boundaries are drawn in such a way so that students are bused away from their neighborhood school.
Most educators and non educators alike agree that parental involvement is extremely important to the success of students. With so many single parent households and households with both parents working, it can be difficult for parents to get involved. Busing students miles away from home when there is a closer school only makes it more difficult for parents to be involved in their child's education.
For many students, involvement in extracurricular activities is the highlight of their school experience. Joining teams and clubs can help keep a student interested in school. By not allowing students to attend their neighborhood school, students may be denied the opportunity to participate.
If a student isn't in school, he or she can't learn. In Bakersfield, we have students who are within walking distance of a high school, but are bused away to another school. If they miss the bus, they may find themselves unable to get to school that day.
Foggy winter days can be treacherous. Thousands of students are bused much further than would be necessary if they were permitted to attend their neighborhood school.
Busing costs money. With resources for education as scarce as they are, it doesn't make sense to spend funds on busing when those dollars are needed in our classrooms.
- Parents/Homeowners Rights
Many factors go into selecting a home, and often schools are a primary concern. For families with both parents working or with a single parent, knowing that their child can walk home from school is important. Parents should be able to send their children to the school closest to their home, especially when they live within two miles of their neighborhood school.
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