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Spirits Soar at School Choice Fair -- Parents and Students Check Out the Offerings

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 November 2005, 09:01 CST

By Jon W Sparks sparks@commercialappealcom

There was a little nervousness, a healthy showing of competitive juice and a whole universe of energy.

Memphis City Schools was trying something different with Saturday's School Choice Fair in the cavernous East Hall of Memphis Cook Convention Center.

Every school in the system was represented, each with a decorated 10-foot by 10-foot booth and each making pitches to the estimated 3,600 parents who were streaming in to find out what the alternatives were.

In past years, the optional schools held a similar event but Supt. Carol Johnson had reasons for ordering it biggie sized. Saturday's blowout included not just all MCS schools - including charter schools - but booths with information on the PTA, nutrition, transportation, special education, day care options and other areas a parent might want to know about.

There were also vendors who paid for the privilege of touting their wares, which helped defray the cost of the extravaganza that officials expect to continue as an annual event.

It all added up to a noisy, festive occasion. Booths were staffed by principals, teachers and volunteers. Cheerleaders yelped in the aisles and there were enough display boards to rival a science fair.

The crew from Westhaven Elementary favored cowboy hats and many schools handed out goodie bags with information.

Dozens of youngsters in a child care section romped on an inflated castle as parents roamed the aisles.

Over on the main stage, the Florida-Kansas Elementary School Choir radiated personality as Orff instructor and music director Anthony Q. Richardson led them with style in singing "I'm special, I like me."

The superintendent, stationed at the entrance and sporting a yellow "School Choice Fair" T-shirt, said, "We want parents to actively choose their children's schools. When they do, they become more involved later."

The fair came about in part because the federal No Child Left Behind program, among its several provisions, encourages school districts to offer choices.

"Teachers and principals get to hear parents' questions and expectations," Johnson said. "Parents may not make a choice today but they can find out about two or three schools that they can later visit first hand."

And by then, parents should be ready to face the often competitive open enrollment process next spring.

Saturday's fair worked for parent Shanell Smith, attending with her fifth-grade daughter Lexcie. They were there partly because Lexcie was singing with the Florida-Kansas choir and partly because she would be going to another school next year.

"It's wonderful to see all the schools," Smith said. "We're looking at Bruce, Peabody and Magnolia elementary programs."

Educators gave a thumbs up to the event as well. White Station Middle School principal Terry L. Brown liked that there was "a lot more buzz going on."

Grace Elementary principal Jacqueline Coleman made sure potential parents had answers and materials to ponder.

Of course it'll still be tough to get into the popular schools around town, but Johnson wanted parents to be able to see all the choices. "We want excellence to be contagious."

- Jon W. Sparks: 529-2533

Source: Commercial Appeal, The

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