Crossing Schools
She sees the passion of McKinleyville’s citizens as a resource rather than an obstacle. “[W]e are particularly blessed with a dynamic, gifted group of educators, and many passionate parents. To me, that is a recipe for success. I think that the amount of emotion surrounding this issue will ultimately be re-channeled into a very positive workforce of people to help create a better, more efficient school district.”
That harmonious existence may take time. “Regardless of what happens and what decision is made, there are gonna be unhappy people,” said Davies-Hughes. Board President Terrie Smith, who has two of her own kids in LI at Morris, said she’s well aware that the verdict could spark outrage and perhaps an exodus. “I would hope [parents] stop and reflect before they jump ship and instead think about how they could make this district and this community better,” she said. “This process we’re going through — as difficult and as painful as it is — it’s time.” With resolve and surprising confidence, Smith declared, “We will do what’s best for the kids. That I’m sure of.”
Cindy Wilcox, the mom who was first in line to speak against reconfiguration in December, said she’ll show up to Wednesday’s meeting with an open mind. “I think people should be there, and even if it’s a decision we don’t agree with, we should keep talking,” she said. “That will be far more effective than leaving the district. We should remain a community school and act as a community.”
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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TWO Comments
Comment / By Anthony Richardson / Feb. 13, 2009, 8:32 a.m.
Like many administrators today, Davies-Hughes is more interested in patting himself on the back and sounding self-righteous than actually addressing student needs. The trend today is to come up with some progressive-sounding program that serves to pump up the principal’s ego. Instead, there should be more focus on special needs students who are often ignored or sequestered (McK Middle School’s “Opportunity Class).
Comment / By AJ / Yesterday, 12:51 p.m.
Here are two corrections, albeit long after this article was published. First, I’m a volunteer at the school. Mr. Richardson’s impression of our principal couldn’t be more ill-informed. Davies-Hughes is modest in the extreme, and any of our parent volunteers will tell you that. I can recall a number of occasions where this has been overtly evident.
Secondly, the article states that LI students tend to lag behind in test scores in the first few years, but then catch up. It’s true in general, but Morris has not experienced that lag.