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What do Elkhorn School and explosive baby bottles have in common?

Allow me to connect the dots for you


Thursday, May 29, 2008 7:57 AM PDT

Comments (68 comment(s))

When the subject of my writing for the Sentinel first arose, the editor said, "I would like to have you write for the paper, but I am going to have to put an editor on you."

"An editor? Why?"

"Because you are a loose cannon, that's why. You are to the right of Barry Goldwater, politically speaking, and I don't want to lose half our readership because of your political rants."

After some negotiation with the new editor, an agreement was reached and it involved my writing about fun things that happened to me as the result of growing up here in Lodi, and I would leave our fearless and brilliant leaders in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento alone.

I'll admit that there have been times when I wanted to throw the word processor against the wall, but all in all, I have been a good little squarehead. But today the matter of possibly closing Elkhorn School because of economic considerations arose.

Elkhorn is the only school in the district exclusively a Gifted and Talented Education School. From the looks of the article in the paper, it would be a trade, for all practical purposes, of closing the school for about the cost of the salary of one administrator.

Elkhorn's students have unlimited potential. Attending there now are future scientists, statesmen, artists, planners, professors, doctors, lawyers and other genius types.

They are such because they're brainy kids who have brainy and gifted teachers, people coaches, a principal and staffs. Included too are all the folks who make a school run. And the brain drain that would happen because of that closure can't even be measured in terms of loss. We have no way of knowing now what will become of the genius types who presently attend there until another decade and a half passes, so we must see that school and everyone in it as a king's ransom to be realized later.

President Bush feels that no child shall be left behind; I am getting a little tired of the concept that no child will be moved ahead, either. There is no such thing as an average child. Each one is blessed with something special (but they're all dumb about something, to quote Will Rogers). We must see to the exploitation of the gifted. Educators do that everywhere else on the planet, and we had better get the hang of it here, as well.

Save Elkhorn!

• • •

As I write this, the race at Pimlico is being run (and I have dawdled enough to have seen the finish). Before the race, the utterly predictable took place. The pre-race interviews centered on the tragedy of the loss of the filly at the Derby. PETA, the people who will kill you if you aren't nice to a rat in your garden, are going to start a movement to outlaw horse racing.

But first, they are going to have to talk to a couple of horses I know that make a race out of every outing they are in.

Healthy horses love to run. Healthy, egoistic horses insist on it. I have been aboard a certain horse named "Blue" that wouldn't stop until he ran up to a natural barrier like a river. In fact, he acted like the south end of a north-bound horse when it came to taking orders from a novice rider; I have the scars to prove it.

PETA people have equivalencies throughout the whole bureaucracy. Last time I flew, the people in charge of airport security made a mother take off her baby's shoes and then dump out some pre-mixed baby formula. The trip for the baby and mother was to last several hours, but the folks in charge were convinced that:

If one idiot on one plane flying one time from England could create a bomb that would fit in Shaq O'Neal's size 22 shoe, a smart baby could make a dirty baby bottle-sized atom bomb out of milk that would blow Oakland off the map.

I know of one young mother who could have demolished that particular airport with her bare hands.

My final point is this: Very few people like the unsung heroes who stand between us and explosive tennis shoes and baby formula attend Elkhorn.

Bob Bader is a chiropractor who likes to write. His address is bobbyo@softcom.net.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:41 PM:

" Oscar: Yes, the GATE program is under "special needs". Like I have been explaining, the "GATE" students at Elkhorn right now are not all "special needs". They are very studious, but not special needs. The LUSD has lowered the bar so much for the GATE program that the program is not for those with "special needs". "

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Oscar wrote on Jun 3, 2008 7:25 PM:

" I just "Goggled" Gifted and Talented Education and was presented a plethora of information. I was particularly impressed with the following site: http://www.education-world.com/special_ed/gifted/index.shtml

It's interesting that many of these sites refer to GATE students as "special needs". Just some additional information. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 5:30 PM:

" The valedictorians were valedictorians in high school, not Elkhorn. The kids that were valedictorians would have been so even if they did not go to Elkhorn. Finishing Elkhorn at 8th grade did not make them a valedictorian their senior year in high school. The studious will be successful whether they are at their home school or at Elkhorn. It's the highly and profoundly gifted (at risk) students that deserve and need these extra services over the studious children. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 5:25 PM:

" zinfandel 3:36 PM: Did you mean to say "special needs school"? "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 5:24 PM:

" CrispyBacon wrote "Getting rid of Elkorn would be like telling smart kids that they had to dumb down"

CrispyBacon: Why? "

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zinfandel wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:37 PM:

" I meant to say, that networking with other parents would be invaluable. . .can't type today! "

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zinfandel wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:36 PM:

" I think there would be many parents who would be thrilled to send their child to a school needs school. The net working with out parents would be invaluable. The children would have stability. Mainstreaming should be encouraged where ever possible . . .There are more special needs children out there than many of you think. And I know first hand that their parents would be thrilled if their child could attend such a school. "

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CrispyBacon wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:34 PM:

" Why is Elkhorn so revered? I'll tell you. This year, Lodi High, Tokay High, and Bear Creek High all had valedictorians as they do every year. Want to know what school they came from? Elkhorn.

Elkhorn is a wonderful school. I went there 4 years ago and I'm glad I did. When I started freshman year at Lodi High, I was advanced in Science, Math, and Spanish. I easily pulled off a 4.0 my first semester, until I began to get lazy and take everything for granted.

Getting rid of Elkorn would be like telling smart kids that they had to dumb down.

Save Elkhorn! "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 1:47 PM:

" advocateforgifted: What "special teaching methods" are being used at Elkhorn? "

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advocateforgifted wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:48 PM:

" The California voters and the legislature set up the parameters many years ago about funding special education students. Students with learning disabilities do get state and federal funds set aside for programs to assist them. Some time ago,someone in LUSD had the vision to set up a program for gifted students who are tested and meet the qualifications set by the district, otherwise there wouldn't be any special teaching methods used for those students who are at the other end of the spectrum of learning abilities, and who need to have teachers meet their unique learning needs. In a town in the central valley, far from the center of the universe, there exists a school that is quietly carrying on that vision for students who qualify to be there. That experience is a memorable one and enables students to have a jump start at high school accelerated and honors classes. Many of those same students continue to challenge themselves and vie with students from big cities and university towns for spots in prestigious places of higher learning. With that kind of training, even students from little central valley towns can compete with the big city kids for scholarships and admissions to top colleges. Let's keep that trend going by keeping that little school in existence. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:11 AM:

" Lets Be Real 11:30 PM: Well said. Elkhorn, if allowed to exist, should be serving the "at risk" gifted students, not just the studious. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:08 AM:

" Oscar wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:13 PM:
"I'm happy to respond to your question....if a special needs school is needed and we have the students to fill it then I think it should be a priority."

Oscar: That seemed like a very dismissive answer to me. Obviously you are unaware of the many children that are "special needs" students. "

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Lets Be Real wrote on Jun 2, 2008 11:30 PM:

" Can someone tell me why Elkhorn is so revered? Although I do not know much about the school, it is apparently one that only enrolls GATE students. If the students the school enrolls are GATE, then they are probably doing very well before they come to the school. If this is the case, then what academic value does the school add to the children? I mean, if the kids were performing well enough to get in the school before they even came to the school, then wouldn't it follow that they would STILL perform well even if they left the school? If the answer is no, then it would appear that the school is not what it is portrayed to be because the environment which it created would then have weakened the ability of the students to learn in a non-Elkhorn like environment. "

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Oscar wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:13 PM:

" I'm happy to respond to your question....if a special needs school is needed and we have the students to fill it then I think it should be a priority. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:23 PM:

" Peeps: Any special school would be a choice, just like Elkhorn. We have had the choice to go to Elkhorn for one of our children and we decided it was not the best choice for our child. "

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Peeps wrote on Jun 2, 2008 2:44 PM:

" On the subject of a school for special needs children, I don't know if a school like that would go over so well. Maybe if it was an option for the parents, some may go for it but if you try to segregate a school like that for special needs, you would have parents saying you are discriminating their child and the district would probably face potential law suits for not mainstreaming those students. Just a thought. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:16 PM:

" No one wants to address the special needs question. Could it be that they know all to well that it is honestly irresponsible to have a school like Elkhorn when there is not a school for special needs children? I think so. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:12 PM:

" Oscar wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:49 AM:

" Lodian, we're just going to have to agree to disagree. You will never convince me and , a lot of other parents with children in the program will continue to fight for Elkhorn's continued existence. "

Oscar: Yes, parents will fight to keep Elkhorn open. They do not want to give up such a gift when the district is footing the bill. Having a child at Elkhorn, for many parents, is a feather in their cap that they are not willing to give up. Others simply enjoy a school full of studious children. A lot of these parents are not aware that there are children that should be at a special school because they are highly or profoundly gifted and at risk. Elkhorn is not that school right now.

There are students with special needs that do not have an entire school dedicated just to them. What is your response to that fact? "

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Robb wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:45 AM:

" Elkhorn is gone, A thing of the past, the quality that was once there is all but gone... "

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Oscar wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:49 AM:

" Lodian, we're just going to have to agree to disagree. You will never convince me and , a lot of other parents with children in the program will continue to fight for Elkhorn's continued existence. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 1, 2008 10:02 PM:

" Tell ya what... how about we close Elkhorn for 10 years and give the special needs kids a school for awhile? After all Elkhorn has been open for much longer. It's time to rotate and let the special needs kids have the school, and the money for awhile. Share the wealth. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 1, 2008 10:00 PM:

" advocateforgifted: Your figures are incorrect. Elkhorn does not run on "operating expenses of under $300,000". No way! Add up the salary of the 10 full time teachers alone and you get more than that, even at a base salary...which these teachers are well above at this time. Add in bussing, support staff, care and maintenance of the school, custodial, office staff etc and you've got a heck of a lot more than 300K. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 1, 2008 9:56 PM:

" advocateforgifted: I totally agree with you that the district is top heavy and needs to shave off (chop off) money at the top (admin). That is still a separate issue from the value of Elkhorn as it exists today. For goodness sake we don't have a school just for special needs children so why fund a school for only studious children? It doesn't make sense. Elkhorn is not serving the children it should be serving so it is a drain on the budget. "

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advocateforgifted wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:20 PM:

" Does a district that has enough money to double pay its substitute superintendent have enough money for programs that serve students? Does a district that has state of the art technology in its district offices have enough money to direct to classrooms? Does a district that is going to open a new school that does not have full enrollment have enough money to keep a school open that has yearly operating expenses of under $300,000.00? "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:02 PM:

" advocateforgifted: Before answering that question just remember that we are not in a perfect world nor does the district have the money for such extras. "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:01 PM:

" advocateforgifted: Why should an entire school stay open to service studious children that would do as well at their home school? What is the point? "

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Lodian wrote on Jun 1, 2008 7:58 PM:

" There is not a program in the LUSD that serves highly gifted students. "

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Robb wrote on Jun 1, 2008 5:52 PM:

" If you are truly an "advocate", then you are aware of the inadequate situation LUSD is in, not only administratively, but in regards to gifted education, they are truly unaware... What looks good and what IS good are 2 different things Lodi! "

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advocateforgifted wrote on Jun 1, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Bloggers: So much of this dialogue is just ranting and raving without any substantive facts. Does anyone know how to purposefully blog in Lodi? I just hope no one reading these comments actually believes half of them because, to me, they just sound like gripe sessions. Where is the logic, the factual support to your claims, and the objectivity? "

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Robb wrote on Jun 1, 2008 3:35 PM:

" Again... Elkhorn is a Joke... Lodi GATE is a joke, ditch the whole deal... "

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Observer wrote on May 31, 2008 7:28 PM:

" Is that where I am this weekend. An here I thought I attended LHS graduation last night and attended a graduation party today. I've got to stop sipping that wine! "

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papercut wrote on May 31, 2008 4:51 PM:

" observor, how was that Catalina trip? "

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Lodian wrote on May 31, 2008 2:50 PM:

" The GATE identification process is a joke. "

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Lodian wrote on May 31, 2008 2:49 PM:

" Oscar: '"lowering the standards" for admission.'

Yes, that is why it's time for Elkhorn to be dropped and a completely new program started. Elkhorn used to be better about this but it never really was what it should be. It should ONLY be for the highly and profoundly gifted kids that are at risk of failure in reg ed. "

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Oscar wrote on May 31, 2008 2:18 PM:

" I was just referring to the issue we were dealing with the last time LUSD was concerned about the GATE school. I was not inferring anything about you. I'm actually acknowledging your remark about the program being available for the "highly and profoundly gifted". That was the same argument we were making when we believed they were "lowering the standards" for admission. "

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Lodian wrote on May 31, 2008 1:33 PM:

" Oscar: 'I've always felt admission should be "color blind".'

How is offering a program for the highly and profoundly gifted (usually at risk) children have anything to do with NOT being "color blind"? Where's the connection you are trying to make here? "

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Oscar wrote on May 31, 2008 12:35 PM:

" That's an interesting observation Lodian. It was the same argument we were making when the school was being accused of not reflecting the District's ethnic diversity. I've always felt admission should be "color blind". You are accepted as a result of your academic aptitude regardless of color. In spite of those constant challenges, it was a fabulous experience and there is no way you can duplicate that in a pull-out program. My children are gone but I would fight tooth an nail for it's continued existence. And I can guarantee you I wouldn't be alone. "

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Lodian wrote on May 31, 2008 11:33 AM:

" I think the students that are not really being served here, in regards to GATE, are the highly gifted (or profoundly gifted) students. There are plenty of bright, very studious kids in the gifted range. These students have been shown to do very well in many different settings, including a regular ed class or GATE program at their home school. They all do not "need" a GATE school (Elkhorn) to be successful. Elkhorn, or a similar GATE program, should be created for the highly and profoundly gifted students (only) that absolutely cannot be in a regular ed class. Many families enjoy being at Elkhorn, a GATE school, and that's understandable. They see that Elkhorn is small and stated to be for gifted students. What parent wouldn't be thrilled to have their children at this school, right? I believe that Elkhorn is not serving the students that they should be serving, the highly and profoundly gifted. These highly gifted kids will often be failing in regular ed classrooms. The spots available at Elkhorn should only be for the highly and profoundly gifted or the school should be shut down. This district should not be paying out for an entire school devoted to studious kids that will do very well wherever they are placed. We (the district) is now paying for families and studious children to thoroughly enjoy being catered to with an entire school, teachers, admin and benefits that others, who deserve the service more, are not benefiting from in this district. That is a crying shame, a waste of money and ethically just wrong. This needs to change now! "

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Oscar wrote on May 31, 2008 7:08 AM:

" I had two children who attended the GATE school. They loved the school, their classmates and their teachers. They were very hard workers and earned every grade they received. Did they feel they were better than their friends who did not attend their school..absolutely not. I also believe that if there are other special needs children that are not receiving the attention they deserve then that needs to be addressed as well. By the way, several of the students attending the GATE program helped with special needs students as volunteers during after school hours. I loved the program. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 11:00 PM:

" marie wrote "My point is the administrators rather jip the kids than hurt their own pocketbooks."

On that I can agree. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 10:58 PM:

" marie wrote on May 30, 2008 9:30 PM:
"Lodian, I don't personally care about Elkhorn what I meant is closing a school...any school seems a bit drastic. I would hope cuts would first come from the top on down. Not vice a versa. Geez, chill. You really do hate Elkhorn."

marie: You really need to stop being so inflammatory. And please stop telling me what I feel and think. I can take care of that myself, thanks. Please educate yourself further on this topic. You are way off the mark and you do not articulate your views very well.

Oh, and I do not "hate" Elkhorn. What a strange thing to say. I no longer care for the program and feel that Elkhorn is not what it should be. And with that said, we as a district (like I've said a million times) can no longer afford such extras/excess like an entire school dedicated to a GATE program, a GATE program that in my view does not serve the students it should be serving. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 10:49 PM:

" teach247365 9:14 PM: Thank you for your input. Personally, I would like to see a spreadsheet showing total costs to keep Elkhorn. "

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marie wrote on May 30, 2008 9:54 PM:

" Bob is trying to make a point, Lodian and you know it. School administrators are paid well...real well. They make a hell of a lot more than teachers who actually have the hands on job of teaching. We could do better with budgets if some of the beauracratic crap was cut. If Elkhorn is a waste of resources, so be it. But, the powers that be should not be so quick to cut educational programs that may be valid. For instance, earlier LNS had printed articles about LUSD cutting elective classes in high schools. They were only going to teach pure academics. Well, in my humble opinion, that is stupid. Students should have a well rounded education. High school should be a time to explore classes of interest as well as academics. My point is the administrators rather jip the kids than hurt their own pocketbooks. Lay off teachers, lay off bus drivers, cut curriculum but then turn around and build multi-million dollar administration buildings. Typical, they remind me of Congress. "

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marie wrote on May 30, 2008 9:30 PM:

" Lodian, I don't personally care about Elkhorn what I meant is closing a school...any school seems a bit drastic. I would hope cuts would first come from the top on down. Not vice a versa. Geez, chill. You really do hate Elkhorn. "

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teach247365 wrote on May 30, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Lodian, bussing to Elkhorn alone will not save $250,000. The BAC was discussing transportation in general, not just Elkhorn. We also would not save money from those teachers/admin/etc. They would just be shuffled to other sites, their salaries would remain the same. Really, the only costs saved would be that of the building/maintenance and only a bit of transportation, but since LUSD still would be required to care for it, the savings would be slightly more than an administrator's salary, at least from the numbers I was shown. We'll find out Tuesday, I guess. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 8:53 PM:

" ...your "dots" don't connect. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 8:53 PM:

" Bob: "Allow me to connect the dots for you"

I think you need to do your research next time. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 8:46 PM:

" marie wrote on May 30, 2008 7:29 PM:
"The original writer, Bob Bader, says that LUSD is closing a school, Elkhorn, to save the equivalent of an administrator's salary."

This is incorrect information. Bob and marie need to check their facts. Even a LNS article stated that the bussing alone would save $250,000. Okay, add the salaries of all those teachers (10 full time salaries), administrators, office staff (2), support staff (7), school upkeep, maintenance/janitorial (2), building costs/bills etc. All of this would definitely add up to a lot more than one admins salary. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 8:29 PM:

" marie wrote "Why is the first place cut always where it hurts the most?"

marie: Are you even remotely serious? OMG! Elkhorn is far from being where the cuts would hurt the most. Man you are a piece a work. "

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marie wrote on May 30, 2008 7:29 PM:

" The original writer, Bob Bader, says that LUSD is closing a school, Elkhorn, to save the equivalent of an administrator's salary. Then why not get rid of some administrators? The district is too top heavy anyway. Why is the first place cut always where it hurts the most? "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 5:11 PM:

" zinfandel: You are right about the special needs children. This is a group of students that has the scratch and claw for every morsel they get. And it's no where near the gifts that the GATE program is awarded. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 5:08 PM:

" Observer wrote "I beg to differ.....we need those types of universities for those individuals that need a superior learning environment."

Observer: Did someone disagree with such a statement?

Observer wrote "And yes, LUSD can afford Elkhorn."

Observer: Are you aware of the cutbacks that have been imposed on our district? Please explain how the LUSD has all this money you speak of. "

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zinfandel wrote on May 30, 2008 1:12 PM:

" Observer, you can beg to differ all you want. If LUSD can afford Elkhorn. Then they had better come up with enough money for a school for "special needs children". Otherwise they could end up being sued for "discrimination" . . . "

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Observer wrote on May 30, 2008 10:37 AM:

" I beg to differ.....we need those types of universities for those individuals that need a superior learning environment. And yes, LUSD can afford Elkhorn. "

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zinfandel wrote on May 30, 2008 9:45 AM:

" How wonderful that all of you are all so concerned about maintaining Elkhorn for the "gifted" children! Yet I didn't see one word about the children on the other end of the education spectrum.
Our "FORGOTTEN CHILDREN" - special needs children have always gotten the shaft from LUSD. It is apparent that there is discrimination against these children.
If the "gifted" children are allowed their own school, it is only fair that the same special treatment be given to those who are the "most needy".
Why are "special needs" children schuffled every few years to different schools? Not given the services that the state has mandated they receive. They who need stability the most are treated like less than "second class citizens"?.
Many of these children could become very productive adults if given the education they deserve instead of be shoved around from school to school and not being provided with the education they are intitled to! "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 8:02 AM:

" Observer: That is definietly not the same thing. College is a entirely different animal. Besides, the district can't afford it. "

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Observer wrote on May 30, 2008 5:35 AM:

" Using the same logic I would suggest that we no longer need universities such as Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, etc. We could just let the junior colleges take their places. "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 12:10 AM:

" Geez, they really need to put that 100 word limit back on these blogs so people like me don't get carried away. Sorry folks. :-) "

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Lodian wrote on May 30, 2008 12:10 AM:

" advocateforgifted wrote on May 29, 2008 8:32 PM: "Lodian, the purpose of my comment wasn't to initiate a challenge..."

Okay, perhaps it was just a jab then when you said, "...learn a little more about gifted education in the 21st Century before he offers the same old confused arguments against GATE ed."

Was that a compliment? LOL! I didnt take it as one. Anyway

Either way you seem to think I do not have a clue about this program. If so, you are mistaken. I was involved with Elkhorn back when it was at Henderson (in Lodi) all the way up until last year. I am done with Elkhorn now, but still have identified GATE students. Elkhorn is no longer what it should be.

Yes, I have done plenty (loads!) of research for years and have done more than just "Check out websites about the direction of gifted ed and brain research." I have been an advocate for the gifted for many years. I wont go into all my personal experiences here now. Too many to list, and some too personal.

Elkhorn is now for the studious, not the truly (highly) gifted. The program is also now identifying students, through their current testing criteria, that should not be in such a program. It has become increasingly easier for students to be identified as GATE when they really are not highly gifted. I can elaborate if you wish. In addition to that, the district does not have the money to fund Elkhorn any longer. It's that simple.

You said something that I agree with 100%. You said, Gifted students need mentoring, challenge and direction; otherwise the giftedness might be redirected, or the child become at risk. I do not see Elkhorn as being helpful in this area any longer. The truly gifted kids can, and do, struggle as many of them learn quite differently. Many a highly gifted child will drop out of school. Elkhorn is not full of these truly gifted students anymore. I believe Elkhorn, or a true GATE program, should be for these at risk highly gifted children.

Like Ive said before, Elkhorn should be shut down or completely revamped for the truly highly gifted that absolutely cannot be in a regular ed classroom. Right now the district is paying for some very studious youngsters (yes, great kids and great students) to be at Elkhorn when they would thrive at their home schools. They do not "need" Elkhorn.

I could go on, but this has gotten long already. I apologize for the long post. I have a lot I could share on this topic. Id be happy to address your questions. "

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advocateforgifted wrote on May 29, 2008 8:32 PM:

" Lodian, the purpose of my comment wasn't to initiate a challenge, or go "toe to toe". It simply is a fact that LUSD has broadened their GATE identification. If you think that is "terribly flawed", then upon what do you base that statement? A 160 I.Q. is a rarity. Check out websites about the direction of gifted ed and brain research. Gifted students need mentoring, challenge and direction; otherwise the giftedness might be redirected, or the child become at risk. I invite you to do some research on your own, and support your assertions. "

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Lodian wrote on May 29, 2008 6:20 PM:

" advocateforgifted wrote "Lodian ought to pay the school a visit, or better yet, learn a little more about gifted education in the 21st Century before he offers the same old confused arguments against GATE ed."

advocateforgifted: I'm sure I can go toe to toe with you on this subject. "

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martinvine wrote on May 29, 2008 6:10 PM:

" lodian: A majority of the students recognized by the Record's Pinnacle awards came from Elkhorn. Other schools clearly do not produce the same results. "

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martinvine wrote on May 29, 2008 6:01 PM:

" I wish we had more people like you on the board of education to support Elkhorn..... "

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advocateforgifted wrote on May 29, 2008 5:06 PM:

" I attended the Elkhorn promotion this morning, too. If you were to see the faces there, they are representative of the community at large (not so much of Lodi, but of Stockton). Bright students do not always have the skills they need to succeed, or the self-confidence. My impression of the promoting class is that every one of those students has worked hard to meet the challenges provided.They form a support system for each other. Where they would be misfits or outcasts at other schools, or be used as tutors for lower performing peers, or
lose their motivation due to lack of challenges, at Elkhorn they develop their goals and start to consider a direction in life. No one said other teachers at other schools are not bright and guiding lights for their students. Lodian ought to pay the school a visit, or better yet, learn a little more about gifted education in the 21st Century before he offers the same old confused arguments against GATE ed. "

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Lodian wrote on May 29, 2008 4:32 PM:

" concernedparent: You did not give one valid reason why Elkhorn should be kept open. "

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concernedparent wrote on May 29, 2008 12:18 PM:

" As a parent that attended the graduation ceramony this morning at Elkhorn I feel it is my responsibility to my child to speak up. The children at Elkhorn are your next doctors and lawyers, about 6-7 years down the road. As each child gave their speaches each one stated what their future holds. Do you want a doctor trying to save your life that slept through school and "got by". No you and I don't. This school is set up to challenge the minds of these gifted students. The children struggling at Elkhorn are struggling because this is the first time in their school lives they have had to think and work at school. "Normal" school does not challenge these students. From the secretary that answers the phones all the way up to the principal, each member of the staff knows each child. They are there for the children. The no child left behind act has dumbed our nation. I am sorry but this is our future. Let their brains expand to their potential so we have a livable nation in ten years. Closing the only gifted school in Lodi would bore these children. They can do "normal" school work with their eyes close. For once lets put the children first. "

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Lodian wrote on May 29, 2008 9:07 AM:

" Bob wrote "Healthy horses love to run. Healthy, egoistic horses insist on it."

Yes, and they can (and will!) be able to run at their home track too. They don't need to be all lumped together on one track in order to thrive and succeed. Besides, we can't afford the fancy racetrack anymore. Elkhorn is not what it should be anyway. Oh, and Bob, there are plenty of "...brainy and gifted teachers, people coaches, a principal and staff" at their home schools.

I think you need to really get out there, dig in, and find out what's really going on at Elkhorn these days. It's not all the kids with 160+ IQ's anymore. There are a lot of kids there that are completely struggling, or are simply very studious and would do beautifully anywhere they go. The GATE identification process is terribly flawed. It would be great if you were to check into this in depth and report back. "

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Observer wrote on May 29, 2008 8:15 AM:

" Great article Bob! The abolishment of Elkhorn reminds me of the time Jerry Brown told us to "lower our expectations". "

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