IT TAKES OUR VILLAGE TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN

By Ron LaGuardia

The school district intentionally and systematically incorporates certain values into its curricula. These values are part of the district's culture, and are consciously taught and modeled by its teachers and administrators. We teach the value of respect for one's self as well as for others, while community involvement makes a student a stronger part of our Moorpark family.

The reports seem rather grim indeed.

In an 1897 letter, Mark Twain wrote "The report of my death was an exaggeration." And so it is with Moorpark Unified School District, as it continues to provide an exceptional education for our children. In these challenging times, how can this be?

Let's begin with our teachers and school leaders. In the face of more budget cuts and the possibility of losing even more valued colleagues, they were willing to take pay cuts, reduce their health care coverage, and use fewer work supplies to help save jobs. Here are highly creative, dedicated people who take the responsibility of educating our children very seriously. They still find a way to keep their spirits high and reach every child under their care as best as they can. The reason is quite simple: The welfare of our children is paramount to their mission. The focus is always on the kids--no other agendas!

That's only part of our secret. The school district intentionally and systematically incorporates certain values into its curricula. These values are part of the district's culture, and are consciously taught and modeled by its teachers and administrators. We teach the value of respect for one's self as well as for others, while community involvement makes a student a stronger part of our Moorpark family. While standards for performance and achievement are high, it can never be at the expense of our cherished environment. While the arts provide for individual expression, and sports provide healthy competition, collaboration helps all to succeed and to flourish.

After living here since 1994, I've come to realize that the values we teach in the classroom are those shared by the residents of our community. It is by this design that the school district attempts to sustain the way of life enjoyed by the families that live in Moorpark.

Perhaps these shared values explain why the community has always been deeply involved, and is willing to partner for the education of our children. MUSD is fortunate that the City of Moorpark understands that they and the school district both serve a common constituency, and a common mission. We are fortunate to have partnerships with local organizations and service clubs such as the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce, the Women's Fortnightly Club, the two Rotary Clubs and the Kiwanis Club. We all join forces for the common objective of educating our young people. The PTAs are helping to fill part of the void from the budget cuts by providing much-needed supplies and services.

Most importantly it's you, and your continued involvement.

The community continues to support our arts and sports programs by contributing to their respective fundraising efforts. Recently I attended several back-to-school nights. At every presentation I witnessed, parents were responding to teachers' requests to donate much-needed supplies to our classrooms. They were lining up to volunteer their time to assist wherever needed.

Make no mistake, adversity can bring out the best in people. It's happening right now, right here in this community!

There are plenty of opportunities for you to get more closely involved. Each of the Moorpark schools has their own system of volunteerism, offering parents and residents the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the education of our children. You can volunteer to teach Jr. Achievement classes or read stories to elementary school students. Tell about your occupation at the high school's career day, just to name a few. To participate, contact the principal at any of the schools and say you want to get involved. If you want to be part of the District's decision-making process, become a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, the School Site Councils, the District Foundation or the Bond Oversight Committee. For these, you can contact District Superintendent Ellen Smith at the District office.

In an era of a politically polarized state legislature trying to function within a dysfunctional system, the community of Moorpark stands out as a model for the way government should operate. We make it happen by incorporating the community's shared values into our school system and by being involved. Let's thank our lucky stars that it takes THIS village to educate our children.