CC Min 1997-04-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

B. Melanie Thompson, 2303 Carson, told Council that her daughter attended Roosevelt Elementary School and was in an English only class. She said what was occurring in her daughter's classroom was causing her great duress. She said her daughter's teacher was only certified in the English language, "and they are speaking bilingually in (class.) I feel it is interfering with her English and academic studies. She is getting confused, and she is coming home thinking she's dumb, because she can't understand." When asked why, the teacher told Mrs. Thompson, "she didn't want them to lose their Spanish speaking abilities, and I could find another school." She acknowledged that the Council had no jurisdiction over the schools, but said the focus has been on smaller classrooms so there could be more interaction between teacher and students. In this case, a "verbal barrier" was being established in her daughter's classroom with negative impacts on her daughter's education. Mayor Hartnett asked the City Manager to contact the School District to let them know that Mrs. Thompson had addressed the Council on this subject, and to provide her with the names and numbers she can contact. MEMO 4/22/97 Councilman Leipzig said he would be happy to follow up with Mrs. Thompson and "make sure she gets this addressed to the School District. As you know, this issue is probably the most sensitive I've dealt with in my public career, and I share her ITustration and will be happy to work with her." MEMO 4/22/97 C. Deborah Grove, 228 Elwood, distributed a handout to the Council describing the problems she has experienced with students ITom Sequoia High School, which is located directly across the street ITom her home of nine years. The handout listed many recommendations, and Mrs. Grove asked that City Codes be enforced. She described her efforts to get the problems resolved irtcluding working with the Redwood City Police Department, and offered to work cooperatively with anyone who would help resolve this neighborhood and school issue. Mayor Hartnett described previous communications ITom Mrs. Grove and staff regarding this issue. In response to Council Member Leipzig's questions regarding parking permits in neighborhoods near schools, Mayor Hartnett described the citizen's committee that had established permits for a portion of the neighborhood near Sequoia High School Councilman Leipzig said he had discussed this issue with the Redwood City Elementary School District before, and said, "Given the High School District's attempt at a bond measure via the mail that we all got, I think their communication to us as a City has been less than exciting. Perhaps we need another meeting with them, such as we had a year ago when we talked about the Goals 2000. It was an excellent opportunity to work through some ofthese problems. I think that the latest mailing they have done is a harm to the bond measure we are all working for." REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 APRIL 21, 1997 MINUTES Page No. 254 PAGE 2