Where I Stand — Brian Greenspun: An educational visit

Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 | 5:04 a.m.

I REMEMBER third grade at Crestwood Elementary School. Mrs. Merry's class, in spite of the fact that I spent a good deal of the time sitting under her desk as some form of punishment, is one of my fondest memories. That's the way third grade should be.

And now, even though my advancing age puts me well beyond the qualifications for a return trip to elementary school, I have a new and even better memory to cherish of the third grade. This time it is Mrs. Joyce Schneider's class in Room 33-A at the John C. Vanderburg School. And this one I will not forget, either.

Actually, what I will always remember is the roomful of fresh, young and very eager faces on the 8-year-old children who come to their class every day ready, willing and quite able to learn all that they can from a teacher who shares their enthusiasm. That's not quite true: Mrs. Schneider is the fount from whence their enthusiasm springs.

I got the opportunity to visit the Vanderburg School when Mrs. Schneider's class sent me a special invitation to come take a look at what they were doing. That invitation was prompted by a column I wrote following a visit to a most remarkable new charter school, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. I wrote about the incredible achievement the students have made in the very short time the school has been open. From reading and math skills that lagged far behind the school district norms when their school opened, to recent results that showed the kids at or exceeding their peers in almost every category. After only one year!

It was clear to me and others who have toured Agassi Prep that the word respect had a great deal to do with the progress the kids have made and the attitude they shared about themselves, their friends, their teachers and their families. It was heartening to learn what we already knew. Kids can learn. Kids can achieve. And kids can succeed. All they need is a little help from the adults. And, in many cases, that help -- which is monetary and time constrained in nature -- is not forthcoming.

When the Vanderburg kids read my column in class, they sent me an offer I couldn't and wouldn't refuse. They had respect, too, and I needed to come see for myself. I did that on Thursday morning.

Tagging along behind a hustling and energetic principal named Cathy Maggiore, I stood at attention with the entire school as we recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence. Just like we did at that age so many years ago. When they were done, the children made it back to their classrooms without a sound and started their day's work. I went to Mrs. Schneider's class.

It has been a long time since I have felt as welcomed as I was by anyone, let alone a class full of third graders. As excited as I was to be there, they made me feel that they were even more pleased. I soon understood why. The first thing these kids are taught is respect -- for themselves, their classmates, their teachers and their neighbors. It was a theme common to both schools at which learning and achievement were paramount. As the kids explained to me, their teacher taught them that being positive about others and helpful to those who needed it were two signs of success. From the creative classroom walls to the polite, respectful and cheerful responses from each of those young children, it was clear to me that these kids were learning life's lessons early and well.

I thanked the kids for inviting me, which prompted a return invitation before I left the room. It is amazing how good kids can make you feel when the adults in society have just the opposite effect!

That's when Cathy Maggiore gave me my second treat of the day. A visit to the school's famed biosphere. As far as I know, the Vanderburg biosphere is the only one of its kind at an elementary school, and I could readily see why. It was built with volunteer dollars and volunteer work -- a great deal of it I am happy to say came from our own American Nevada Corp. and its friends -- and it presents a mini-ecological visit through a rain forest habitat. There are computers and planting rooms nearby for students to have hands-on learning experiences, and they even have a few animals living there. And, yes, they could use a few more.

In fact, the biosphere is such a hit that school kids from the entire district will be making field trips there so they can learn more about the ecosystem that supports this planet's life and the importance of responsible conservation. If we can get these kids invested early in the need to protect the environment for their future, perhaps they won't make the kind of mess of it that my generation seems to be making.

And, if you will permit me a crass, commercial plug, the school could use some of the incredible expertise that exists within the community to enhance the biosphere and its teaching capabilities. Sound effects, lighting, animals and animal care, and anything else you can think of will be cheerfully accepted. Donations of time and experience are appreciated. Mrs. Maggiore will be waiting by the phone!

The above plea, of course, points to one of our great failings as adults. Kids and their schools should not have to plead poverty just to get what they need to learn to be good and productive citizens. But, in this world, they do. Shame on us. I am sure you realize this will be the subject of another column on another day.

Now, back to that respect thing. By the end of the day, the kids of Mrs. Schneider's class had already made good on their second invitation. I got a beautiful thank-you card for the visit and a request for a return trip during next year's reading week. That's a lesson in follow-up and very good manners. Well done, kids.

And, lest I act any less respectfully, consider this my acceptance. I look forward to visiting your wonderful school again, very soon.

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