Give 3Cs curriculum, quantum learning a chance

I am here to support the direction the West Bonner County School District is attempting to take.

I was a student here at the Priest River Jr. High and High School many years ago. I dropped out my junior year due to the way I felt at school after gathering the courage to return after my boyfriend was murdered just a few miles down the road. I was not supported. I was told I wouldn’t succeed. I was even given an assignment that would give me an incomplete if I didn’t finish about how the tragedy “Would have made me feel.” I felt so unwelcome and so far behind without any support that I left.

I later earned my GED and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree. I had many classmates who dropped out during that time because they were told they would never succeed.

I am a wife to the wrestling coach and a mother of three. My two oldest went through the junior high and high school, and my youngest is a current student here in seventh grade. I worked for three years serving at-risk youth in Newport. During that time there were kids who transferred from Priest River High School to Newport due to their poor mental health, fear of other students as well as how the staff treated them and made them feel.

We need a culture change. I have seen many things in this town. I know we can be a tight-knit community and I urge you that now is the time to come together and accept change. Our schools are at a turning point. We have an incredible opportunity to help our kids to feel welcome, the staff feels supported, and the culture within our schools make a shift. I urge you all: staff, parents, and community members; to please give this a chance. Quantum learning has the potential to help our students and teachers thrive in a welcoming environment where each person can learn in their easiest form of understanding. How many of you have ever used an acronym when studying for a test? Maybe came up with a rhyme for difficult subject matter? Or maybe you made your notes with multi-colored highlighters? Or “lefty loosey, righty tighty”! These are pieces of quantum learning!

I know many are very upset about the curriculum and I wholeheartedly understand the frustration. I am a guilty party in not participating early on and I did not want any type of social emotional learning to be taught to my child. After my son was receiving death threats at the beginning of this year, I attended a presentation in Sandpoint on American classical education and the potential start for a charter school to be built in Bonners Ferry. Unfortunately, by the time this may become a possibility my son would be a senior. The presentation laid out the increase in test scores from students transferring from other schools. The students learn the concept in a simple manner. No more Common Core. Each student is engaged. American classical education is not a far-right Christian education. It is bringing us back to basics so our children can build the base to grow their understanding.

I urge you all, please, no matter what your stance is, please give this curriculum and quantum learning a chance. What do we have to lose? Our world is crumbling around us. Our schools in this district rank pretty low. We have a very rare opportunity that just may be the change we’ve all been hoping for.

LIZ HOLBROOK

Priest River