October 3, 2011
Dear Community Harvest Board of Directors:
I taught at Community Harvest Charter School from 2006 to 2010. Much of my time at the school was, and still remains, the most special time in my life. By no means was it the easiest, calmest or most organized, but it was definitely the most special.
I began teaching at Community Harvest one month after moving to Los Angeles from the East Coast, and I was so grateful to be greeted with such encouragement, guidance and friendship. I can sincerely say that in a city where it would have been very easy to feel completely alone, I found that the students, staff and school community became true family to me in my new home. At the same time, the active engagement of administration and students’ families meant that I was under the watchful eyes of those who expected my best and voiced such concerns, just like true family does, even when it is difficult to hear.
The spontaneous day-to-day schedules made C-Harv an unpredictable place to work and learn, but high test scores, graduation rates and student satisfaction levels proved that the administration was onto something great, and that the students were flourishing. I do not think that anyone can honestly claim that the same atmosphere exists at the school in Sherman Oaks. I think that there are a number of reasons for the change, but the most important one (the one that impacts the students most dramatically) is the daily bus rides. There was a significant number of students who seemed very tired every day. As the students’ energy levels went down, so did their homework completion rates and test scores.
The fact that so many students have stuck with Community Harvest after the move—enduring hours of bus travel every day and pushing themselves to maintain their grades—is a testament to their incredible resilience. However, C-Harv students deserve an environment where they can do more than just fight against unnecessary odds to make it work. They deserve an environment where they can THRIVE.
What could students do with that lost 2 hours of bus time every day?
- Go to a pottery class, football practice, Student Council meeting or after-school job
- Volunteer at a food bank, community clinic or animal shelter
- Get a yearly check-up at the doctor’s office without missing school
- Create an award-winning science project or modern dance routine
- Utilize books, academic journals and online research materials at the public library
- Receive tutoring or preparation for the CAHSEE and SAT at an after-school program
It’s not too late to move the school back to Los Angeles, where students, staff and community members can reengage with C-Harv on an everyday basis in their own neighborhood. One only needs to examine the school’s name to understand that community-based education is far preferable over a long commute to an area where the residents show no interest in investing in the school.
Community Harvest has never been perfect, but the temporary Sherman Oaks situation has gone on long enough. Bring C-Harv home, where its family is still waiting with open arms.
Sincerely,
Kirby Van Amburgh
Former Teacher
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