Mr. Holroyd is correct; the students I work with are not normal. They are typical in that some are dedicated, while some procrastinate; some excel, while others struggle; some respond to traditional educational methods, while others need something different. But otherwise, my students are not normal, because unlike elsewhere, every student at LAHS has chosen to work toward graduation and self-betterment in an accepting environment.

After Mr. Holroyd’s letter appeared, I estimate that half of our students immediately drafted letters of refutation. The majority of them were most worried about editing their responses well enough so as to be a good representative of our school. However, any imperfections in their work do not justifiably invite scorn from small-minded, under-informed, petty agitators, who while endorsing the idea of “No child left behind” quickly add, “unless I don’t feel like paying for it.”

Before Mr. Holroyd passes judgment on all programs that do not meet his high standards of educational excellence, we might ask, how many times has he or those who share his views visited our fair school? Counting to zero is “toooooooooo simple!”

Michael Colvin,

Lawrence