Letters to the Editor for March 18

Here are today’s Letters to the Editors…

Submitted by Debbie Letham of Levittown:

Is there Magic at Walter Miller Elementary?

Was it magic that Walter Miller Elementary in Levittown was named for a longtime Bucks County resident? Our planned school in our planned community was named for a school planner!

Walter Miller was an engineer, and also served 20+ years as President of the Middletown School Board and 20+ years as President of the Langhorne-Middletown School Board!

But that’s was not magic for our school to be named for Walter Miller, it’s because an education-minded community honored a hard worker – an individual who saw the importance of long-term planning and had a deep commitment to education. This Walter Miller community still recognizes the need for proper (and not rushed) planning for our children’s education.

Was it magic that day when my then first grader refused to go into school for over 20 minutes over a silly tiny disagreement that blew up into a huge problem? As I tried and tried for an eternity to convince him, Principal Mahoney was kind enough to come out to see what was wrong. Somehow, within 5 minutes of calm collected reasoning, my son changed his mind and decided it was ok to go into school – wow! Later Principal Mahoney told me “sometimes I have the magic words”…

But that’s not magic – that is years and years of experience in knowing how to run a school – the principal, counselors and all the staff members from the school nurse to the women in the main office to the lunchroom aides and everyone who are the parents lifeline’s. The staff at Walter Miller understands how to make real connections with the students – to make a difference – to walk the walk not just talk the talk.

Was it magic that day when I first visited my son’s then 3rd overcrowded class – but instead of being disappointed, I found myself amazingly surprised at the order and discipline, their school smarts as well as the genuine respect that the children had for their classmates and their teacher Mrs Price? Was it magic that when it was their turn to use the smart board in front of the class, that they even pushed their chairs in? Wow –that seems like magic…

But that’s not magic – for them to have such manners, that is due to caring and experienced teachers who teach respect and reading – manners and math, sincerity and science. That is due to awesome parents partnering with dedicated teachers, using their years of experience to bring the best out of our children at Walter Miller.

Was it magic last week when my 4th grader son jumped up for joy when he made the band? Is it magic that instead of perceiving going to school an hour early as a chore, he sees band rehearsal as an opportunity and is so proud of himself for making the band?

But that’s not magic – that enthusiasm is due to an extremely creative Walter Miller music teacher.

Mr Russell sees the potential in our children and knows how to motivate them. It is due to so many teachers who know that music and art education rounds out the ABC’s and 123’s and yields brighter children who are engaged in balancing their activities and their studies.

Is there magic in the Science Fair? The winter and spring concerts? The book fair? The Art show? Is it magic that brings out the parents to share in their wonderful education? Is there magic in the PTO-sponsored Pizza Bingo? The Ice cream social? The 5th grade brunch?

That’s not magic, that’s a strong school- parent bond – one that fills our community with Pride as we raise our children together.

But – is there ANY magic at Walter Miller? Well, yes there is! There is a PTO-sponsored Balloon twisting and Magic Show at the end of this month! That magician really AMAZES the crowds every year – you should all come see that magic!

Walter Miller Elementary is a vital part of our community – a vital part of our children’s lives –

Walter Miller Elementary is strong – not because of magic – but because it is REAL!

Keep Walter Miller Elementary Open!

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