SAVE MEADOWS SCHOOL!

Target:

Ex-students, those who care about Thousand Oaks history

Sponsored by:

Meadows Elementary School opened its doors in 1962, and has since always fielded superb teachers, administrators, and graduated students who went on to achievement and success. It also has historical value, as its architecture was experimental at the time---meriting a mention in Time Magazine when it opened. The circular buildings, folding walls enabling classrooms to combine, communal center rooms, and versatile cafetorium were absolutely novel in their day. The Conejo Valley Unified School District wants to close Meadows (and University, which was built later) in fall, 2009, due to declining enrollment. This is a typical ham-handed bureaucratic decision. Just because fewer families are raising children in Thousand Oaks right now does not mean that will be the case in the future. Surely there is a more creative solution than razing Meadows and selling off the land to greedy developers. There is talk of a magnate school system in T.O., for example, and that would seem an intelligent means of utilizing the unique gifts of Meadows School. If you attended Meadows, or care about preserving Thousand Oaks history, please sign this petition.

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We signed the "SAVE MEADOWS SCHOOL!" petition!

# 368:

10:30 pm PDT, Sep 20, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
hello i know how you feel.our school is trying to do the same thing we won the blue ribbon award just this year and the same day we found out they told us they were going to put a motion on the table to shut it down i thought this is what the government wanted our children to succeed.these children and teachers have done there jobs and now they are being punished for it my child is crushed he actually asked to be cyberschooled if they shut his school down wow was i shocked .cant people see that small classroom sizes make the difference i wish you all the best.

# 367:

12:44 pm PDT, Sep 19, Simos Tarabatzis, Greece

# 366:

10:21 pm PDT, Aug 11, Mike Weaver, California
My family and I are contemplating moving into the area but with decisions like this we may think twice. If neighborhood schools are not a priority it makes one pause and reconsider.

# 365:

9:35 am PDT, Aug 9, Lena Balto, California
Mr. Wolfinger is correct. Beaubien must go!

# 364:

6:38 am PDT, Aug 9, Name not displayed, New Jersey

# 363:

10:54 am PDT, Aug 5, Andi Alnwick, New York

# 362:

11:50 am PDT, Aug 4, Ambrose Wolfinger, California
RECALL CVUSD PRESIDENT DOROTHY BEAUBIEN! MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE INCOMPETENT, BUT BEAUBIEN MANAGES TO ALSO BE PIGHEADED, CHILDISH, SPITEFUL, VICIOUS, AND POSSIBLY SENILE ON TOP. CONSIDER ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS FORMER TEACHER'S SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION ARE PATHETIC (TRY WRITING HER AN E-MAIL AND YOU'LL SEE), LET ALONE HER INABILITY TO REASON. SHE HAS A PERSONAL GRUDGE AGAINST MEADOWS SCHOOL, NOTHING LESS. THIS IS HARDLY A TIME IN THIS COUNTRY TO BE CLOSING SCHOOLS. ANY DISTRICT OFFICIAL WHO CANNOT THINK CREATIVELY IN TERMS OF BUDGET TO THE EXTENT THAT SCHOOLS DIE MUST---MUST---BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. RECALL THIS HORRIBLE EXCUSE OF AN EDUCATOR NOW!

# 361:

8:35 am PDT, Jun 18, Carol Oberle, California
As a community, we need to fund education from the local level. Why isn't anyone from local government and the CVUSD listening? We want the elementary schools in our neighborhoods kept open and we don't want the other levels of education to suffer for it. If the City Council and CVUSD can not or will not work together to raise the funds (via a sales tax increase?) then we in the community will find a way. Our first step is a charter school. If the board does not resend it's decision to close Meadows then we will keep it open and continue the great educational program Meadows is known for.

# 360:

10:25 am PDT, May 23, Jason Rico, Oregon

# 359:

7:17 pm PDT, May 14, Sofia Weston, California
We moved our family here to TO just few weeks ago... all 3 of my kids will enroll in Meadows ......save the good schools and close the ones that have low scores year after year!!!!

# 358:

8:11 am PDT, May 14, Julie Chambers, California

# 357:

8:58 am PDT, Apr 15, Bradley Altman, California
Hi, My name is Brad Altman. I live directly across the street from Meadows. I have lived there for 22 years. Meadows has been a very good neighbor all these years. Both of my sons attended Meadows. Their lives are better for being there. Meadows is a GREAT school. Please do whats right, keep Meadows open.

# 356:

11:23 pm PDT, Apr 13, Michael Altman, California
Meadows cross walk goes into my driveway. I don't know what i would do if i couldn't see kids enjoying meadows the way i did. What is this world coming to!

# 355:

2:32 am PDT, Apr 4, Can Atik, Turkey

# 354:

10:03 am PDT, Mar 30, Count Lytton, Canada

# 353:

4:14 am PDT, Mar 28, Shannon Sultan, Wisconsin

# 352:

10:22 am PDT, Mar 27, Eric Pacheco, California
It's hard to imagine my life minus Meadows Elementary. I graduated from the school in 1985 and have always felt I left something special behind that some how I will always have as a part of who I am. I am the youngest of four children and the last to attend the school before my sibling�s children. Meadows is unique in its placement in the city being close to walk to for the students or to drive for parents. It's an important place for the parental bond to extend their good bye and do your bests for the day. The school in its location also grants solitude and focus by the elevated grounds. In my view as a past student it always felt as if I was going to school on top of the world. From time to time I reflect back onto the best places I've been and it is absolutely one of them.

# 351:

8:07 pm PDT, Mar 25, Lawrence Axelrod, Georgia
It's a travesty to close Meadows Elementary School! That school represents what the American dream of schools is all about. A neighborhood school that can be reached by students walking or riding or being dropped off by parents. Scholastically and historically, it it one of the best schools ever! Why not make this school a showplace of what the best public schools can be like. Closing Meadows is wrong! P.S. Both of my children attended Meadows.

# 350:

5:24 pm PDT, Mar 25, Deborah Sanderfur, Tennessee

# 349:

8:07 am PDT, Mar 25, Greg Smith, California
Because of Meadows Elementary, our child Julie is now attending UCLA as a sophomore. A few months before Julie began her first day of school as a kindergartner at Meadows, we spent much time choosing where we wanted to live in Thousand Oaks. Because of Meadow's reputation, we chose a neighborhood which was serviced by Meadows Elementary. I honestly believe the strong fundamentals Julie received at Meadows provided her the solid building blocks which set her educational base, allowing her to continue as an "A" student throughout high school and now onto UCLA. Please do not abandon Meadows. Perhaps at this moment there are not as many children in the immediate vicinity to fill Meadows, but we all know that young children living in any neighborhood is simply cyclical and that T.O. should keep this gem ready for future children who will surely benefit from this wonderful school in the future. Simply use it's facilities for some type of higher learning temporarily until the cycle once again brings eager children who will surely benefit from Meadow's wonderful track record. Do not scrap Meadows, rather keep her as an investment for our neighborhood's future children.

# 348:

3:32 pm PDT, Mar 20, Jessica Fancon, Oregon
you can never have too many schools- you can never have too many opportunities for children to learn. not all the kids in rich Thousand Oaks have the money to afford private schools- and maybe if meadows had better teachers more parents would ask their kids to go there! it isn't the quality of the teaching that i am petitioning for you to save- although i did have one amazing teacher in 5th grade- it is because of the architectural value of the building. you think the new strip mall style architecture looks good? yuck. please please please don't rip down what will become, with every passing year, a historical monument.

# 347:

1:45 pm PDT, Mar 20, Judy Wagner, California
Class of 77. Why would you close a school that works? The community obviously loves the school. You've got second and third generation attendees signing the petition. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't parental involvement the only factor with a positive correlation to educational success (no offense to teachers here...) If you've got all of these involved parents who want this school, it seems like the school board would be shooting themselves in the foot by driving the parents out of the district. The board should be making Meadows an example for poorer performing schools. Also, Meadows has a wonderful location that the district won't be able to replicate in 5 years when they need the school again - and they will. Neighborhood demographics change every 8-12 years.

# 346:

2:20 am PDT, Mar 20, Kathryn Watterson, Arizona
Meadows Class of '76 This is exactly the reason I moved to Phoenix with my 3 children instead of back home- the schools in California are not the priority of those in power. Realtors shall soon need a disclaimer for all buyers stating, if one has the resources to live in T.O., California, then they will be expected to send their children to private school. This is criminal and yet possibly another horrible outcome to No Child Left Behind on the entire school level, not just an individual child. The top achievers suffer while the academically challenged achievers are catered to- yet in this circumstance it is a landmark in the community and a blue ribbon school. Meadows closing is a mistake. NO SCHOOL in your neighborhood!? The better school should certainly be the one to stay if any have to go but what kind of community leader would not at least increase sales tax a fraction to address this critical issue before closing one of the best? Do any of those in power remember (way??) back to when they had school age children? Do any have children? Gas prices can jump $1.00 and it doesn't stop many from driving. Is it too late for a recall election?

# 345:

10:58 am PDT, Mar 19, Philip Kligman, California
Meadows has always been a Beacon of Light. Don't let the Light go out.

# 344:

7:40 am PDT, Mar 19, Sam Kligman, California
I went to this school and it was unique and entirely too valuable to cut. Don't let a true gem go to the wayside. It has produced successful positive people who are now your peers. Assess it from the right perspective, the educational one and realize its necessity.

# 343:

7:08 am PDT, Mar 19, Adrienne Kligman, California

# 342:

6:29 pm PDT, Mar 18, Teresa Abraham, California
Keep Meadows Open. Bring other students here, they will benefit from such an outstanding institution. Teachers are excellent, parental involvement is superb, and students from other schools who may be subject to closing will be at an advantage to partake of what Meadows has to offer. My 3 children attended, and I cannot say enough about it. They, Chloe, Travis and Caroline are also in support of keeping Meadows open

# 341:

4:51 pm PDT, Mar 18, Sandra B. Matthews, California
Also in support are husband, Harold and daughters Krystin and Erika Matthews.

# 340:

12:36 pm PDT, Mar 18, Meg Vanselow, California
We moved into our home 5 years ago before we even had children. One main draw to our neighborhood (2 blocks behind Meadows) was knowing that our children would have a short safe walk to a school with a history of high academic standards and would be going to school with the neighborhood children. Now, due the school board's need to "diversify" my child's life (which I think we as parents can take responsibility for)my child would go from the opportunities provided by a Blue Ribbon school to a low academic score performing school. Why is the school board not providing the opportunity to the children of the low performing schools to attend a Blue Ribbon school? It seems that the need for the school board to appear politically correct has outweighed our children's rights to a quality education (funded by our neighborhood's tax dollars). The only ones that will benefit from closing any of the schools in Thousand Oaks are the private schools where we will now be sending our children. Also � can someone from the school board let me know how I can make up for the depreciation of my home�s value if I decide to sell? How do I explain to a potential buyer that there was a great Blue Ribbon school right around the corner, but the buyer would need to drive their children over busy streets to attend a low academic performing school? Will anyone from the school board ever need to be explaining this?

# 339:

10:59 am PDT, Mar 18, Rebecca Griffin, California
There has to be a better way to balance this district's budget. Closing schools, laying off teachers, and increasing classroom sizes locally will certainly not benefit our future teachers, scientists, leaders, and decision makers who are currently in elementary school.

# 338:

9:56 am PDT, Mar 18, Ryan Reynolds, California
I am a former student of Meadows and the staff teaching philosophy at meadows is unmatched in the area. Closing this school wont solve education problems, and smaller classrooms like at meadows teach better and brighter students, who will be more successful in society. The board needs to be more farsighted and not making decisions on money alone.

# 337:

9:50 am PDT, Mar 18, Katheryn Dizon, California
I think the School Broad's proposal to close any of our schools would be a tragedy. I do not think wise minds are working this situation. I hope that it will be reconsidered before it is to late.

# 336:

9:39 am PDT, Mar 18, Name not displayed, Washington
I have two boys who attended Meadows School beginning in 1964 and the education they received at Meadows gave them a great start in life. We all loved Meadows; It was/is a unique and outstanding school. As an aside, I know he is deceased but I want to say, Mr. Earl was a great influence in their lives as well.

# 335:

9:38 am PDT, Mar 18, Robert Reynolds, California
DO NOT CLOSE MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (a National Blue Ribbon School)!! This would be a detriment to our community!!!

# 334:

8:48 am PDT, Mar 18, Alison Watase, California
Meadows provides a warm, wonderful, loving basis for academics. It would be heartbreaking to see it close. My children are Meadows alumni, they are successful in life and further education, and I feel a large part of their success is due to this great start!

# 333:

8:45 am PDT, Mar 18, Kaitlin Witting, Arizona
I was the first class of students to transition from Meadows to Los Cerritos for sixth grade. My Mom, Aunts, Uncle, Sister and now Cousins have all/ do attend Meadows. Don't close our memories.

# 332:

5:20 am PDT, Mar 18, Judy Seeger, California
This school is why many people pick this neighborhood. It offers a variety of services volunteered by the teachers. It would be a shame to close this school.

# 331:

12:19 am PDT, Mar 18, Richard Habib, California
Closing Meadows Elementary school is akin to "throwing out the baby with the bath water." Surely there is a more intelligent and productive solution to this matter.

# 330:

12:04 am PDT, Mar 18, Nancy Berry, California
I feel that it would be a travesty to close this award-winning school. The budget needs to be reconsidered and if necessary, other funds secured to avoid this huge mistake.

# 329:

11:45 pm PDT, Mar 17, Susan Witting, California
I went to Meadows in the 1960's and was in the first class to attend the school from K to 6th grade. I moved back to Thousand Oaks and this particular neighborhood after getting married and having kids so they could attend Meadows. My kids are now in their 20's, I still live in the neighborhood and think it would be terrible to close this neighborhood icon called Meadows that has been a focal point for this area since before the city was a City.

# 328:

10:58 pm PDT, Mar 17, Gary Dunn, California
It would be a shame to close down a top performing school with such great history in the community. Attended K - 6 starting fall of 1975 and graduating in the spring of 1982. Save Meadows!!!!!

# 327:

9:34 pm PDT, Mar 17, Kris Henrichsen-Coyne, California
I went to Meadows in 1966-73. I moved back here last years so my 4 kids could get the same great education I did, and am heart sick they are doing this-- against the will of the people they represent.

# 326:

6:22 pm PDT, Mar 17, Nancy Nakagama, California

# 325:

5:50 pm PDT, Mar 17, Egbert Souse, California
Please read this article about Meadows: http://www.riprense.com/javitz.htm

# 324:

10:13 pm PDT, Mar 16, Melanie Morimoto, California

# 323:

3:35 pm PDT, Mar 16, TAYLOR WEIDNER, Colorado

# 322:

9:55 pm PDT, Mar 14, Anonymous Thousand Oaks, California
I moved here 12 years ago finally found the right girl got married have one 18M boy and one on the way. I live 2 blocks from Meadows. I am furious at the board and city allowing this type of attack on our children. I don't like thier cavalier and insensitive demeaner. I will be sending my kids to private school if Meadows closes. We are sick with sadness.

# 321:

9:18 pm PDT, Mar 14, Rebecca Fujinami, California
Please reconsider this decision and the impact of closing a school which continues to have measured success in education of the children of Thousand Oaks.

# 320:

12:58 pm PDT, Mar 14, Charles Ratcliffe, California
Meadows is always one of the best schools in the Conejo Valley!

# 319:

11:02 am PDT, Mar 14, George Campbell, California
It makes no logical sense to close a school that has produced outstanding results for years and years, to send kids to schools that do not perform as well. It would seem to me that it makes more sense to look at schools that are not performing as well and send those children to high performing schools, if in fact, closing two schools is the only way to meet the financial needs. However, I would also suggest that, like any large business, the district should look at middle and senior management to make sure the funds being allocated in these areas are being used in the most efficient way. Having worked for several large businesses, it has been my experience that there is much room for economizing in these areas. Enough maybe, to elimate the need to close Meadows Elementary.

# 318:

10:47 am PDT, Mar 14, Letitia Uyehara, Hawaii
My cousin attended Meadows and now his children go there. It would be a shame to destroy this school that is an asset to the community.Rather than mega, impersonal schools, Meadows offers both parents and teachers a high degree of security and nurturing lost in other schools.

# 317:

10:41 am PDT, Mar 14, Wendi Campbell, California

# 316:

10:38 am PDT, Mar 14, Brian Campbell, California
Meadows was my first school after moving to Thousand Oaks in 1976. Good memories!

# 315:

10:52 pm PDT, Mar 13, Jessica Weitz, California
Don"t we want the best for our community? I'm surprised a community that can donate $5 million to a Little League ballpark, can't figure out a better way to save some money in the education budget. How many kids are gonna leave this school system for private schools if they close Meadows? How much revenue will be lost when that happens? Meadows was our first choice, for the teachers, the test scores and because of the size. It seems like they have enough room to take in "diverse" kids as well.

# 314:

9:15 pm PDT, Mar 13, Name not displayed, California
Please keep Meadows Elementary School open! You have wonderful dedicated students and parents, whose lives will be dramatically affected by this closure.

# 313:

8:34 pm PDT, Mar 13, Lisa Kairis, California
Please save Meadows anyway you can :)

# 312:

3:28 pm PDT, Mar 13, Chris Lemieux, California

# 311:

10:58 am PDT, Mar 13, Sabrina Loreno, California
The best school i have ever been to.

# 310:

7:57 am PDT, Mar 13, Sandee Creager, California
Please, do not close this school.

# 309:

6:21 am PDT, Mar 13, Dave Tanabe, California
Save a vital resource...save our school!

# 308:

9:18 pm PDT, Mar 12, Rachel Roth, California

# 307:

4:25 pm PDT, Mar 12, Catherine Newton, California

# 306:

2:37 pm PDT, Mar 12, LISA KITAHATA GULARIAN, California
Please please please consider other options! If you take a look at this school it isn't teachers and students. It is a community of supportive families! My brother's children attend there and my daughter and I have helped out there ittis a friendly small town kind of atmosphere. The people are just so loving and open! It is a great place to grow up. The school is receiving another award for achievement this next month. That shows the quatlity of the education. Avoid taking this school away from this great neighborhood. Please, please, please!!! Thank you very much!!

# 305:

2:01 pm PDT, Mar 12, Gloria Barnett, California
For more impact, add a personal comment here

# 304:

1:54 pm PDT, Mar 12, PERRI WESTLAND, California
even though I don't live in the area a friend let me know about the school closure - I never agree that closing a school to balance the budget is the right way to go. As an accountant, I deal with budgets on a daily basis and from what I have read it seems that the school board has not taken the time to really research this issue. Why close a school that is a National Blue Ribbon school - it would seem that the school board would want to shout from the roof tops that a school like Meadows is in the school district. I would be interested in finding out the real reason why this school is being selected to close - probably a political one rather than a budget issue.

# 303:

1:16 pm PDT, Mar 12, Charlie Hirsh, California

# 302:

1:16 pm PDT, Mar 12, JOE JACOBSEN, California
BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS WENT TO MEADOWS. MEADOWS IS A PART OF MY HISTORY, AND MY KIDS. PLEASE DON'T TAKE AWAY THIS GREAT SCHOOL. I STILL LIVE CLOSE BY AND WOULD HATE TO SEE THIS PROPERTY BECOME A CONTINUATION SCHOOL FOR A BAD ELEMENT OF KIDS, OR A WEED FARM!!!!!

# 301:

10:57 am PDT, Mar 12, Cheryl Kitahata, California
I am a Meadows Mom, volunteer, and calling on all people to stand up for what is right and to fight against what is wrong. NO schools should close in our district! Find another way, not another school. Write to Time Magazine! Write to Newsweek! Call the Governer! (we only get the standard form letter response...) Shout out to YOU TUBE! Pass along this petition site! Get the word out. Obviously, the Board is not listening to it's direct contingency. Let's let them hear from the world! Stop the vote for school closure! It will be YOUR school next!!!

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