Kudos and “Olympic Saved My Life”

March 15, 2004

Dear Editor:

As a reader of the Surf, I congratulate you on the quality of reporting and your dedicated search for the truth. Your continuous inclusion of the community in the debates that face our city are commendable.

Good luck. Looking forward to your next 5 years of serving our community.

Bruria Finkel
Santa Monica

March 14, 2004

Dear Editor,

This letter is written in response to a letter written by Jane Lanzberg regarding the closure of Olympic and the subsequent school board meeting. (“LETTERS: Unprofessional and Disrespectful,” February 15)

I am a student at Olympic High school. I have been attending for a little over a year now, and I am graduating in the end of March, earlier than my expected graduation date. Since coming to Olympic my life has made a 180. I would never attend classes at Samohi, and I would laugh in the face of authority. I am currently Student Board representative for Olympic High School.

Ms. Lanzberg claims in her letter that "very inappropriate behavior by the principal seemed to be rewarded." I would like to know what Ms. Lanzberg would do if one day her job was going fine, and the next, her name and career were on the line.

What is truly unprofessional and disrespectful, in my opinion, is a group of well-educated, high-ranking officials to lie and paint false pictures to impressionable teens who rely upon them for guidance and support.

My principal was recently "let go" by the school board for an undisclosed reason. I have a pretty good feeling why. (“School Board Removes Olympic Principal,” March 12)

Ms. Lanzberg’s letter goes on to say that "many of the students seemed manipulated.... encouraged to participate in a group temper tantrum." Olympic has saved my life and that is why I, and many of my peers, came to support Olympic and Ms. Toyryla at the meeting, and I will continue to stand behind Olympic.

Ms. Lanzberg concludes her letter, "I look forward to hearing that the evaluation of Olympic will continue." Evaluate this -- our school doesn’t have enough books to go around on the average day; that is a true shortcoming by the school board.

I fell through the cracks at Samohi, Olympic and their wonderful staff was there to break my fall. Obviously they are doing something right, because you can ask any student, any day, they love Olympic.

Elizabeth Kelso