THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509220162
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Please allow us an opportunity to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all who assisted and supported us during our time of extreme grief over the death of our daughter, Amber.
To all our good neighbors, friends and co-workers: We cannot begin to adequately express our gratitude for your outpouring of kindness and comforting words. It was truly overwhelming.
To all the fine young people whom Amber proudly called her friends: Thank you for lightening our burden by sharing our grief. Please learn from this very hard lesson.
To the Virginia Beach Police Department: We are proud of you. The professional zeal you have displayed in quickly apprehending suspect(s) responsible for her senseless murder is remarkable, as is the compassion you have shown to us during the investigation. Special thanks to Det. Eugene Eller, who kept us continually informed during the investigation and to Police Chaplains John Ponder and Brad Hill, whose presence and extraordinary ministering were crucial in the hours and days immediately following Amber's death.
You all were, and continue to be, the silver lining around the very, very dark cloud that Aug. 8 brought over our lives. We believe Amber is smiling upon you all.
The loving family of Amber Zajac
Virginia Beach
Editor's note: All contributions received are being presented to the Ocean Lakes High School Arts Department in Amber's name. Family thanks community for help in search for son
We would like to thank everyone who so unselfishly joined us in our search for our son Jake. During this awful time we gained strength from our family, friends and community. There are no words to express our deep appreciation to you all for the support and prayers you have offered. We will never forget your strength and kindness.
The Slayton Family
Virginia Beach Amid loss at P.A.H.S., reminders of human spirit
Adversity always teaches us many lessons, not the least of which is reassurance of the resilience and generosity of the human spirit.
As a veteran teacher at Princess Anne High School, I have been so proud of our administration, faculty and students. Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, we have worked to keep up our spirits and create new classrooms to welcome our students.
I have always been proud to be a P.A. teacher; our students are the best! If you have had the opportunity to pass the school or the Shell station recently, you have seen them in action. When we set up classrooms at Celebration Station, they were on hand to help do anything: carry books, desks; organize classrooms; decorate bulletin boards. Their energy, enthusiasm and devotion to their school remind us that teenagers are wonderful. United in a common cause, they offer hope for the future.
I commend Principal Griffin for her courageous leadership as well as the administration and custodial and office staff for demonstrating grace under pressure as they worked tirelessly to reorganize everything.
Many thanks to our fellow teachers in other schools, to our parents and to everyone in the community for your generous support and encouragement. We covet your prayers for the rest of the school year as we work together to create beauty out of ashes.
Marie S. Wells
Virginia Beach Parents impressed with `accelerated school'
Yet again, the public has been misinformed about Accelerated Schools. Mr. Joseph Gwynn (Beacon, Sept. 10) cites the drop of 6.6 percent in test scores and offers it as proof that Accelerated Schools are ``dumbed-down.'' The fact is, only five out of 50 elementary schools and one middle school started the accelerated process. While the city Iowa Test of Basic Skills scores dropped, four out of the six Accelerated Schools' scores increased last year. Three schools have had an increase by 10 percent or more over test scores two years ago. Alanton's score increased by 7 percent this year, 11 percent over two years. These test scores do not support the contention that ``Accelerated schools are `dumbed-down' and students eager to learn are held back to coach the slower students.''
Contrary to what some would have us believe, the accelerated process was not about changing what our children are taught. The process was about involving parents, teachers, staff and students in a collaborative effort to improve all aspects of our school. The majority of those involved at Alanton welcomed this unique opportunity to take an interactive role in our children's education. The seed of this collaboration has been planted in these schools and hopefully will continue to grow despite the loss of the accelerated program.
Our two children are eager to learn and have not been adversely affected, as Mr. Gwynn and others have suggested. It is a shame that what we see as a campaign of disinformation can sabotage the completion of a promising new program.
We are pleased and grateful beyond words that our school strives for a better future. New ideas are not always bad ideas. The past ways are not always better. It takes an honest, open-minded consideration of new approaches to improve and progress.
Mark and Barbara Mooney
Virginia Beach by CNB