To the editor:

I am responding to some concerns expressed in an article of Oct. 23, “District comes up short for autistic student.”

I unequivocally support my special education staff and all teachers at South Junior High School. They are caring individuals who nurture and teach all students with dignity and integrity. One of the goals that I stress, and that my staff teaches, is to understand and respect the dignity of all students regardless of academic abilities, behavior, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. I am proud of the SJHS student body for their positive acceptance of the individuality of all their peers.

We strive to meet the needs of all students despite limited available facilities and the occasional difficulties of attempting to work with parents reluctant to work with us in a cooperative team effort. Several autistic students attend South and a large majority of their parents have been supportive. Many of these parents visit the school several times during the summer to meet with me and members of the staff prior to the start of the academic year.

I would like to reiterate the pride that I have in South’s students, staff, and the parents who make South a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment. I extend an invitation to any Lawrence citizen who does not know what South is all about to please call or visit us.

Russell L. Blackbird, principal at South Junior High School,

Lawrence