Readers Respond -- The notion of a super Costa Mesa high school

I like my neighbor, Tim Cromwell, because he always has a colorful

perspective on things (“Close Estancia High and open a super school,”

Nov. 27). But my friend Tim is way off base when he describes Estancia as

one of “Costa Mesa’s dirty little secrets.”

Normally, I would discuss my difference of opinion with Cromwell at

one of our terrific neighborhood cookouts, but after his scathing

commentary, I feel I need to make sure this community knows the real

Estancia.

First, let’s tackle that “dirty” comment. Estancia is actually quite

clean, and it’s in much better shape than the other, older campuses in

Newport-Mesa.

But, of course, “dirty” was meant figuratively. So let’s see -- what’s

dirty about it? Low test scores? Yes, this isn’t one of the

higher-scoring campuses in the county. But it’s one in which

limited-English-speaking students work hard to learn both a new language,

as well as mandated high school curriculum, and where all students excel

in smaller class sizes.

What else could be dirty? Is there some kind of foul play happening

during extracurricular activities? Not a chance. Because campus sports

aren’t overcrowded, everyone has the opportunity to play. (OK, the

football team can’t seem to win one, but hey, it’s a rebuilding year.)

And if you looking for the county’s best, Estancia drama is just that.

So what’s the problem? Gangs? Crime? Then surely school board President

and former Costa Mesa Police Capt. Dave Brooks wouldn’t have sent his

three daughters to Estancia. Both the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District and the Police Department can tell you Estancia is a safe school

with an excellent administration and teaching staff.

Every high school has its problems, but Estancia has fewer than most.

Principal Tom Antal is a terrific leader and a great person. Ask him to

take you on a tour of his campus, he’d be happy to show it off.

In his commentary, Cromwell writes, “The Latino community on the

Westside needs to be embraced by the rest of Costa Mesa and it’s never

going to happen the way our current high school enrollment exists.”

I would argue that Estancia is doing an excellent job of embracing the

Latino community, and it has become a shining example of how different

cultures can live and work together. The only people who are unwilling to

do some embracing are those who want to keep their kids out of a

perfectly good school, based on misperceptions about the people who go

there.

Many families in our Mesa Verde neighborhood have chosen Estancia. My

husband is a graduate. It is a great joy for him to see his oldest

daughter now attending his alma mater as a freshman. (And by the way,

Brittanie, great job making honor roll!)

The school has changed over the years, but the important things have

stayed the same. We’ve had a great time at the football games. Even

during this losing season, Eagle pride prevails.

I do understand Cromwell’s desire to improve our schools and make

Costa Mesa a better place to live, but abandoning our neighborhood high

school is not the answer.

VALERIE MITCHELL STARN

Costa Mesa

I read Tim Cromwell’s Community Commentary with great interest.

Selling Estancia High School and expanding and improving Costa Mesa High

School are grand ideas. This man has vision. Newport-Mesa school board

members: Listen to him and act.

MICHAEL JACOBS

Newport Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael Jacobs is a retired educator.

I am truly astounded at Cromwell’s rash and unfounded statements

concerning Estancia High. I have been associated with Estancia since the

mid-1970s -- first as a parent, then as a Parent-Teacher-Student Assn.

member, a substitute teacher, and finally as a teacher and athletic

director. Oh, by the way, I have lived in Mesa Verde for 40 years. I know

from whence I speak. I believe Cromwell does not. So I am inviting him on

a tour of our campus.

We’ll begin our tour at 7:30 a.m. in the commons. There are several

tables full of students having breakfast. On the other side, students are

studying and quietly preparing for their day. A few wave or call out

“good morning.” The cafeteria lady calls out a greeting and turns back to

chatting with the students in her line. We’re a family.

My neighbors on Java Road have brought their three children back to

TeWinkle Middle School from across the bay. Their son asked me if we have

Advanced Placement biology. Our next stop is the science court to see

about Advanced Placement courses. Yes, we offer AP biology, AP chemistry

and AP physics. Thanks for asking.

Perhaps Cromwell wants to visit our security office, or better yet

with our two local police departments, to verify the fact that Estancia

has fewer incidents of violence, substance abuse, or weapons violations

than any other school in our district. When all the district security

personnel get together, our Estancia people tell us they have nothing to

“share.” Estancia is safe and secure.

Moving along, we will pass through the English department, where

seniors are working on computers (in one of our six computer labs)

developing the expeditions for their senior projects. The AP literature

class is presenting research projects and, next door, my student teacher

is presenting a writing project for the English learners in Transition

English.

And speaking of English learners, what does it mean when you say, the

“Latino community on the Westside needs to be embraced by the rest of

Costa Mesa?” They are embraced. They are embraced at Estancia along with

the kids from the Philippines, Thailand, Newport Beach and Mesa Verde. We

are the only high school in this district that offers AP Spanish

literature. As a matter of fact, we offer 13 Advanced Placement courses

-- more than any of our counterparts. AP Spanish language had a 91%

passing rate in 2001. All academic levels and disciplines are challenged.

Next stop? The forum, where our production drama troupe is rehearsing

for the fall production of “Our Town.” Please come to see the always

excellent quality productions they put on. Or the spring musical, which

is wonderful. And it’s not a “dirty little secret.” Everyone in Mesa

Verde knows of Estancia’s exciting, award-winning productions. The arts

are alive -- an Estancia tradition.

And the tour can’t end without stopping in the athletic department.

Practices abound! Student athletes are having fun, working hard, learning

to be leaders and developing skills of responsibility, critical thinking

and ethical behavior. They may not be able to pay for club teams or

private lessons, but they’re participating and developing unforgettable

high school memories and pride -- pride in their school. Estancia pride.

I invite all of my Mesa Verde neighbors to return to their

neighborhood school; to see our pride: to feel firsthand the Estancia

experience. Very few people want to send their kids to Estancia? Well,

parents of our 1,250 students do -- and that’s not a dirty little secret!

NANCY FERDA

Costa Mesa

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Nancy Ferda teaches English at Estancia High School

and serves as the school’s girls’ athletic director.

Though we are not diametrically opposed to the idea of creating a

“super” Costa Mesa high school, to propose this idea because of a belief

that Estancia High School is an inferior school is ridiculous.

We were enraged by Cromwell’s description of Estancia High School.

Costa Mesa’s “dirty little secret” indeed!

Our two children attended Estancia, and we believe Estancia is Costa

Mesa’s best-kept secret. Our children participated in athletics, drama,

student government and a variety of clubs. They were academically

challenged and developed wonderful friendships that reflect a rich

“ethnic mix.” Our daughter recently graduated from the UC Santa Barbara,

and our son is a junior at the same school.

In our neighborhood of Mesa Verde, most of the high school kids attend

Estancia. While our two went there, we were involved in booster clubs,

fund-raising activities and grad night. We enjoyed seeing friends and

neighbors at Back to School night, Report Card night, athletic events,

drama productions, etc. We think there is “neighborhood school spirit.”

Like all other schools, Estancia is not perfect. It can be improved.

But inferior? We don’t think so. Unfortunately, it is misinformed people

like Cromwell who help disseminate the perception that Estancia is

inferior.

DEAN AND DONNA STAPLETON

Costa Mesa

I attend Estancia. I don’t care who on earth Tim Cromwell is, but I

was born on a different continent and raised on a different continent and

when I came to the States, the only school I felt good in was and still

is Estancia.

Now I speak English fluently, I play water polo, and I made production

drama. Now think about this, if Estancia is sold for use as a private

school, Cromwell and others are going to ruin many lives, including mine.

I come all the way from Huntington Beach just to go to Estancia, I wake

up at 5 a.m. to take the bus to Estancia, and now you want to close it.

So if Cromwell can help by writing something about this situation and

how it wouldn’t be very useful, I would appreciate it and so will 100

others. If people say Estancia is a bad high school, they need to go

there and then say that. Otherwise, they need to keep their mouths shut.

SARAH AHMED

Huntington Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Sarah Ahmed is an Estancia High School student.