An Untimely Farewell To New City Public School

It is unfortunate that even in our school systems, we have to deal with political agendas rather than working towards improving our education system. Today, as a Long Beach, California resident and a parent of school age children, I am very disappointed with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for making it their mission to close New City Public School.

Principal Mrs. Stephanie Lee (left)

Although many parents of children who attended New City pleaded along with founder and Principal Mrs. Stephanie Lee and her heroic staff to fund and keep the school open, no one seemed to listen. Instead, votes against were cast by the LBUSD, Los Angeles County and finally, Sacramento, based solely on test scores. Although New City tried to show the benefits of their educational philosophy, some of which admittedly cannot be measured with data, it now appears that our beloved school has been forced to close.

This decision gives the impression that the LBUSD, LA County and the state do not care about nor were they interested in our opinions, requests and concerns. They lack the ability to remove their political agendas (higher test scores?) and voted against the interest of their constituents. Instead of seizing the opportunity to make a statement and join the large number of people who got involved, they hindered parents who fought to be part of the process to make decisions regarding our education system. Shouldn’t a school district praise and listen to parent involvement instead of pushing their agenda on them?

New City is located in Downtown Long Beach. Perhaps the school lacks the lucrative location or prestige of other LBUSD schools. However, I doubt any of those schools have the dedication and parental involvement that I witnessed when my daughter attended there.

How can LBUSD Superintendent of Schools, Chris Steinhauser, not acknowledge that the high level of parental involvement New City had coincided with research as to the school's teaching philosophy, agreement with the school’s methods, and was in the best interest of their children? Does Mr. Steinhauser really believe he cares more than parents? A high level of parental involvement only increases students’ efforts to strive to higher achievements. It appears that Mr. Steinhauser and company were determined to close New City due to past API score #6. However, how is that justifiable if all API scores are outdated in the LBUSD / LAUSD and will not be updated anytime soon due to common core implementation? These scores have been obsolete for over 2 years!

The majority of the students in New City speak Spanish as their first language. It is therefore difficult for them to take the assessment test. However, based on extensive research by educators, kids that may perform below average at first eventually catch up, usually between the 4th and 5th grade, and then score as well if not above students who attend regular public schools.

My husband and I looked into New City and their philosophy and methods. Our goal was to make the best and most informed decision regarding our kids’ education. We were fully aware of test scores, but our research showed that their model produces socially responsible individuals, thinkers and not just kids who learn through rote memorization for the sake of a higher test score. We enrolled our kids in this school and, after a full year, we have come to the conclusion that this was the right decision. Our kids love to learn, our 1st graded is on her way to being a proficient reader, and the community involvement at New City creates a great atmosphere that is conducive to learning and pleasant; we like being a part of it.

New City exposed my kids to new and exciting opportunities that I fear are lacking in regular public schools. Among these are:

• The opportunity to learn a second language (Spanish).
• New City taught social responsibility and an appreciation for work. This was exemplified by teaching kids to plant flowers and other vegetable in the New City community farm.
• Kids were taught to be good environmental citizens and marched on Earth Day to raise awareness.
• Arts: At a time when most schools are cutting back on art programs, kids at New City were learning how to play musical instruments and to express themselves via various art projects. Our daughter was so excited to learn about famous artists such as Van Gogh and learned how to paint and draw.
• Kids were taught to respect different cultures and were exposed to different customs and countries. As a result, our oldest is fascinated with Peru and would love to visit Machu Picchu. She is only 7 years old!

New City Public Schools Farm

New City had a different philosophy when it came to homework and assignments. Although they did not prescribe homework, they instilled a love of reading and books. My first grader loves the New City library and now reads at a second grade level. She spoke about school activities and assignments and applied what she learned every single day. My daughter flourished at New City.

Unfortunately, I have to explain to my daughter that her school will be shuttered. She will as a result join all the kids at conventional public schools that are being taught a program that has educators puzzled about how to effectively implement it and lacks uniformity, both in methods and results.

Homeschooling is not an option for us because we want our children to become well rounded individuals with the social skills required to be productive and independent. Now, we will be sending our kids to Bryant Elementary School, which ironically has the same API scored # 6 as New City. Will my kids get a better education than they did at New City? Will they be taught to be socially responsible, thinking and independent individuals? Will they learn to get involved and make their voice heard, like they did at New City? Will they have the same supportive community that New City boasted?

There’s one thing New City re-instilled in me: to make my voice heard. I will therefore make sure to participate in the next LBUSD election and seek accountability for what I perceive as an unfair decision that robbed our children of a wonder place where thinking, social and community involvement, action and awareness were placed ahead of mere test scores.

We as parents are the voice of our children.

Sharon Garcia
Long Beach Resident