The recent violence in San Francisco's Western Addition has been a real blow to those residents who have worked so hard to overcome it. At the front line in this fight are the local schools. One elementary school, in particular, Golden Gate Academy, has been making lemonade out of lemons and yet is facing possible closure because of bureaucratic niceties that impose impossible goals on already overburdened schools.
The United States recently observed the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, which ended segregation in American schools. Much was made of the economic segregation still in place. In California this economic segregation was made endemic by the passage of Prop 13. It built in school inequality by funding schools from local property taxes. Cheaper property values mean lower revenue for schools. Poorer neighborhoods have lesser facilities. That includes the Western Addition.
In wealthier Bay Area communities, one can see signs on the lawns of K-12 public schools proclaiming them a "California Distinguished School." The school has achieved the highest academic standards. This is wonderful for students and the community alike. With a higher tax base and greater resources, these schools have their pick of teachers. They also have better facilities. And, because of their higher income levels, these communities are able to privately raise thousands of dollars to cover decreased educational funding on the state and national levels. Redwood High School in Larkspur, for example, raised close to $300,000 this year alone to make up the difference. These communities, despite their high private school enrollment, realize that it takes a village to raise a child, especially in these days of national and state funding inadequacies.
But what about those schools with less wherewithal and greater challenges. How are they able to bring themselves up to George Bush's "No Child Left Behind" standards?
The K-5 Golden Gate Academy, built in 1962, is located at the corner of Turk and Pierce, just blocks from Fillmore and Eddy, where two recent killings occurred. It serves that community's traumatized youth. Despite its sterling title, Golden Gate Academy, until recently, was sorely neglected by the powers that be. The taxes the large number of apartment buildings should bring in are tempered by government subsidized housing.
There's little left for the children. There should be schoolbooks instead of mimeograph sheets. There should be a larger, better-equipped computer and kitchen areas. There's no librarian. The halls, rooms and bathrooms are clean but run down. The building is worn but it's comfortable like an old shoe. Many parents attended the school as children. The principle, Mrs. Wheaton, always has a smile for every child. The place buzzes with love and warmth. There are a good percentage of dedicated adult men acting as role models. The staff works long, hard hours. They take seriously their responsibility for these children. The after school program is well run. The building is a sanctuary for children who already carry the scars of poverty.
There have been physical improvements. A nice mural celebrating the community has been painted along the tall windowless wall facing the east and along the southern wall of the large playground. The earthquake-damaged section has been safely closed though not repaired. The grounds are kept neat and the few bushes along the front entrance are groomed. The everyday clean-up tasks are well done.
Some donated company sports equipment has been delivered. Little leagues seem to be more visibly active in the area this year. But children showing promise should be given greater access to the City's resources. The San Francisco Ballet, for example, has a nice program. However, full scholarships should be available in greater number for students to become members of the YMCA or attend ballet or music classes or science demonstrations. Soccer teams and basketball teams should be funded. Children in wealthier communities, by contrast, have plenty of opportunities. These kids are smart. They're great kids who just need good soil to grow strong and healthy.
The No Child Left Behind program has one favorable aspect to it. Currently, more money is being fed into STAR schools, those on the bottom of the heap as far as test scores go. Golden Gate is one of them. Test scores are going up. A welcome support system with the San Francisco Unified School District is being developed. SAIT (School Assistance and Intervention Team) is providing intensive support and monitoring. But this is a former war zone and people are trying to rebuild their lives. It takes time to build up the soil so it can nourish.
The worry is that, despite the caring support of the community and school district, despite the competent and dedicated school staff, the school faces closing. While its scores are going up, this sanctuary doesn't fall into some convenient statistic. Instead of being given a real hand, a new school and cutting-edge facilities, this truly Distinguished California School could be closed. It's tragic that the same $300,000 raised by Redwood High couldn't be duplicated at Golden Gate elementary. It could make all the difference. It takes a village to raise a child. Aren't we all members of the same village?
