School saved student

EDITOR:

My name is Danielle Beauchamp and I have two children going to Sierra Crest. When my son David started, he had never really been to a normal school since 13 years old (17 now). In October 2009, I enrolled him into Douglas High; he felt lost and intimidated by the classes and how big the school is. So I enrolled him in Sierra Crest. At first it was hard getting in rhythm but since then things have been better; in fact he loves going to school and has changed his mind about dropping out and continuing his schooling after he turns 18 to get his diploma next year. If Sierra Crest were to close I feel he would go to Douglas High and drop out.

Paige started Jan. 15, 2010, during her second semester from Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School with serious things going on from missing a lot of school from migraines to heart problems. I had no insurance for her until December 2009, when we finally got Paige on her meds that she takes every day now. She has fewer migraines and her heart valve is healing. Since going to Sierra Crest, Paige finally feels understood not stupid.

The staff takes their time to stop, listen, teach and go back to explain if needed, instead of pushing her away and telling her to figure it out herself because she had missed so much school.

She loves going to school, does all her homework on time. She now wants to keep doing better because she feels cared for. Thank you so very much for that. I do not want to put her back in Pau-wa-lu to be just pushed to the back.

Finally, I personally have tried to work with Pau-wa-lu trying to get teachers to give me or Paige her work to do, never seemed to happen that when Paige ended first semester she had all her work done in all classes except two so no credit was given for any of the time served there. At Sierra Crest there is open communication with caring because they stop to really listen and hear what my children need with patience. Helping them to want to learn - that means the world to me.

Danielle Beauchamp

Gardnerville Ranchos