EDUCATIONALLY SPEAKING -- Gay Geiser-Sandoval

When did we take the “free” out of “free public education”? How long

before our school district is sued to put it back? The outpouring of

money and materials began for me when my kids hit kindergarten, and

expenses increased as they got older. While the amount spent for my

daughter to attend high school is nothing compared with my daughter in a

private college, I would estimate that a “free” education costs at least

$1,000 a year.

It begins with that supply list for kindergarten, along with those

notes home for money to take a field trip and for the latest fund-raiser.

One elementary school in the county is now suggesting each student come

to school with a laptop computer. There are hidden costs for the project

that needs to be done on a poster, or the one that requires the student

to dress up like a historical character. Then, larger chunks of currency

are required for outdoor camp.

While elementary school sports sponsored by the city of Costa Mesa are

the bargain of the century, kids still need shoes and transportation to

the games to participate. Other activities, such as soccer, Pop Warner

football, club volleyball, Little League baseball, swim team and junior

lifeguards, require a much larger outlay of time and cash. There are

really no cheaper alternatives offered to kids who want to learn those

sports. So, kids who don’t have that early training are probably

precluded from playing on sports teams at most high schools.

High schools require a student to purchase an ASB card to participate

in any extracurricular activity. Those start at $35 a year. Every sport

has some kind of a fee, along with compulsory fund-raising activities. If

the question is raised as to whether that discourages some kids from even

joining the team, the answer is usually that Edison High School charges

$1,000 a year to be on the football team. Cheerleader costs usually hover

around that mark as well.

Booster clubs and coaches point out that they will “help” kids to

raise funds if they can’t afford the charges. They will also point out

that the team can’t be “competitive” without having a large bank account

for more coaches and equipment, summer programs and new uniforms. While I

agree that money does indeed make a difference, our extracurricular

activities are becoming more and more exclusive as the kids who can’t

afford it become less connected to school.

When studies show that a kid in extracurricular activities will almost

always do better in academic classes, why don’t we do all we can to

encourage participation? When colleges look at extracurricular activities

as a plus for admittance, how does a student say, “My family had to pay

the rent instead?” How is the kid in foster care supposed to raise $1,000

for cheerleader camp and new uniforms?

The Pasadena Unified School District is in the midst of refunding all

fees collected over the last three years, including those for student

identification cards, planners, and band and cheerleader outfits, as it

tries to resolve a lawsuit contending that its fees violated the

California Constitution’s “free education” clause. In our own district,

which represents the great dichotomy between rich and poor, when will we

comply with the right to a free education? When will we be hit with the

next class-action lawsuit?

. . .

Find your dream college and then learn how to get into it and pay for

it at the district’s College Night on Oct. 16 at Newport Harbor High

School. The event is free. More than 120 colleges will participate in

this 20th annual event co-sponsored by the PTAs at Newport Harbor and

Corona del Mar high schools. College representatives will be available to

answer questions and distribute information from 7 to 9 p.m.

In addition, counselors will give workshops at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. on

college admissions testing and obtaining scholarships and financial aid.

While the night is geared to high school juniors and seniors who are

about to make that final decision as to where they will apply, it is a

great motivating tool to let younger students know why you are nagging

them to study. For the first time, free buses will be available to

transport students from Estancia and Costa Mesa high schools and Shalimar

Learning Center. A big thank you to all of the PTA moms who spend time

each year making this event an annual possibility.

* GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a Costa Mesa resident. Her column runs

Tuesdays. She may be reached by e-mail at o7 GGSesq1@aol.comf7 .