News From SWW

August 7, 2001 Letter to Alumni

August 7, 2001

Dear School Without Walls Alumnus,

We had a GREAT 30^th Anniversary Celebration during the June 15^th weekend. My special thanks go to SWW teacher, Samantha Brody for her work on the decorations and organization, Laura McCree (an SWW parent and School #41 Principal) who donated all the SWW chocolate candies at the dinner, Liz McDade ('81) who helped find us a reasonably priced artist to design our commemorative poster, Laura (David) Chaba ('78) for pulling the reunion committee together and doing a lot of odd jobs, Lew Marks for coming all the way from Albuquerque by way of his #1 "fear factor", jet planes!, our school secretaries for all the mailings and list keeping, Ellen Asprooth, (parent of '99 alumnus Kelly), for putting together the SWW Newspaper clipping booklet: 30 Years Without Walls, and Norm Levy, (parent of '74 alumnus Rob), for donating a framed original 1971 School Without Walls poster.

As far as the reunion, about 50 people showed up at Rorbachs on Friday for our informal gathering. On Saturday we packed our new Commons Area and BIG Room with over 125 folks. Val MacPherson received many kudos and accolades for her "MC" performance, and Lew Marks received a standing ovation for his speech (see attached). The founding staff, in attendance, received commemorative plaques honoring them for their revolutionary work, and Norm Bauer, our Community Board President, presented a framed, glass covered poster commemorating the 30^th Anniversary of SWW. All graduates who came to the Saturday dinner received a 30^th Anniversary Poster. If you would like one, we would be happy to send you one for the low, low price of $15.00, which includes the cost of mailing and a protective cylindrical mailer. Just send us a check made out to School Without Walls Community Board and we'll send it out, pronto.

Several important ideas came out of the weekend for future reunions.

1. For the future, we are considering holding a reunion for all the 1970's (only) graduates in 2004, another for the 1980's graduates in 2006, for the 1990's graduates in 2008, and a 40^th for everyone in 2011! This way we can focus our efforts on groups that shared some commonalties during separate decades. Of course we could leave each separate reunion open to other alumni from other decades who really want to attend to share in the fun or study you as cultural anthropologists. Please let us know what you think of this idea on your attached response form.

2. Betsy Delaney (Marks '81), is working with us to set up an School Without Walls Alumni Website. As part of the regular School Without Walls website. It be up and running by mid-August. You should be able to respond to us by e-mail for the attached "Response Form" and check the digital photos and comments from alumni. The School Without Walls website is www.schoolwithoutwalls.org. Please be patient as we get this process up and running.

3. In our efforts to update our alumni file, please find our most recent list enclosed and send us any missing addresses and other data. [This list is NOT included online. For a copy of the list, please contact SWW directly.] This will be extremely helpful for future reunions. We will be mounting a major alumni directory update process this year, perhaps as a community service project with a few current School Without Walls students.

4. Reunion alumni appeared to be particularly sensitive to the fact that 2001 9^th graders entering SWW would be responsible for passing 5 Regents Exams in order to graduate. This would probably mean the eventual end of the activities and learning experiences that make SWW so special; Community Service, Advisee conferences, Decision-making, Extended Classes, Senior Projects, Student Progress Reports and elective classes. Obviously that spells the death of SWW, if it happens. In order to combat this insanity being imposed on SWW and school districts throughout New York State, everyone of us will need to take the following action:

   1. Write letters to your local state legislators and Regents (see enclosed addresses) protesting the use of high-stakes standardized testing on the students of New York State (see attached articles that detail why Regents Exams are harmful,) and supporting legislation that would give students and parents the rights to "opt out" of Regents Exams, and use class grades, portfolios, projects and oral dissertations in their place. Susan John, (D/Rochester) Assembly is sponsoring Bill #9379, which supports this direction.

   2. It is critical that you do not identify yourself as a SWW graduate or parent, nor say you have any anything to do with School Without Walls. Legislators and the Regents will do something only if they see the letters of protest coming from a broad based constituency. Those associated with SWW and other similar schools are basically put into a separate pile for "mavericks", and ignored. So, let's play their game and win it. I know writing letters is a "pain-in-the-butt". However, keep in mind that without your efforts, SWW may cease to exist, as we all know it.

   3. I also urge you to contact at least 5 other friends, and educate them about the impact of high-stakes testing on school like SWW and schools in general , and urge them to write letters to their legislators, as well. This is hard work, but our efforts will pay off, if we remain persistent.

   4. Final reminders:

      • Get out your pens and paper or computer (written letters have more impact than e-mails)
        
      • Read over the literature to give you some ideas about the negative impact of high-stakes, standardized testing.
        
      • Write your letter as a "concerned citizen", making no reference to School Without Walls
        
      • Talk to 3-5 of your friends, encouraging them to write letters, as well.
        
      • For legislator addresses, go to www.assembly.state.ny.us and www.senate.state.ny.us. If possible, send copies of your letters to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Education Committee Co-Chair, Assemblyman Steven Sanders, and Senator John Kuhl, Education Committee Co-Chair. Please send a copy to me as well; but don't list me on your "copies to".

   Remember to keep the faith! If you write the letters, they will have an impact. We'll be coordinating this with other schools and parent groups around the state. Call me if you have questions, suggestions or concerns!

   Thanks for helping to save School Without Walls. Hope to see you at our next reunion!

   Sincerely,

   Dan Drmacich
   Principal

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   SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS

   ALUMNI RESPONSE FORM

   Name

   Graduation Year

   E-Mail Address

   • Thoughts about future reunions: (Please comment on what we should do to get you to attend)
     

   • Thoughts, suggestions, ideas about our current crisis with Regents Exams:
     

   • For those who attended the 30^th Anniversary Celebration, How would you rate the following? Give Comments:

     • Rohrbach's Informal Evening
       

     • Saturday Anniversary Dinner
       

     • Sunday Brunch
       

Thanks for giving us your opinions!

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