When Parents Are Supportive, School Change Can Be Positive Letter Of The Week From Sept. 24, 1997

Yes, we feel sorry for Tiffany Cook; and yes, the school district probably didn’t handle the matter very diplomatically in the very beginning.

But we, too, raised a military family of daughters (four). We, too, struggled to find the best for all four “gifted students.”

We, too, nursed their pain in leaving schools time and time again. (They each attended a minimum of nine different schools before finishing high school.)

We, too, had one child moved to a less crowded school after two weeks of classes.

We, too, worried over some of the schools they attended. We occasionally chose private or parochial schools and paid the bill.

We also learned that every school and teacher has something good to give your child or an important lesson to be learned.

We always treated every new move and new school in a positive manner. We gave great support at home. We visited classrooms and we helped to cherish their old friends and new ones.

All of our children grew up to be happy, very adaptable, well-adjusted, academically and professionally successful women with lots of friends. We hope that Tiffany’s family is not using Tiffany to satisfy their own needs. Charles and Ann Wood Spokane

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