By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel
Is there a copy of Jaqueline Edelberg and Susan Kurland’s book, “How to Walk to School” on Dr. John Covington's desk? The story of the make-over of the Nettelhorst Elementary School in Chicago seems an inspiring one, but can we apply the approach here in Kansas City?
One lesson is clear; parents do make a difference. Another lesson is...bring your checkbook.
Their story made Oprah, so perhaps this is old news. Their book presents an honest narrative of how concerned parents, led by Jaqueline, teamed with an innovative principal, Susan, to make Nettelhorst a true neighborhood school of choice and excellence. But after 50 pages into the book, there still was nothing about education…
Much of this story concentrates upon the physical makeover and redesign of the school. From Jaqueline's bio, she describes herself as a “fine designer”. Through her team-building leadership and vision, she raised funds and secured pro bono architectural work, and got local merchants to donate building materials and services. Pretty sweet deal. There’s no expenses layout, no spreadsheet of investment, as the numbers are downplayed. This is a feel good story and economics can get messy, as we know.
Local public schools probably could use a not-for-profit foundation like the one that bolsters Nettelhorst. Parents certainly have the choice to add resources but this gentrified example of urban education renaissance falls flat without the physical makeover aspect of making the school very beautiful and a neat place for parents to hang out.
Examine the pictures in this book and you will see the design results but no pictures of students. There’s not a great deal of discussion about curriculum and class setting. Teachers are portrayed as skeptical bureaucrats.
If this book lands upon Dr. Covington’s desk, I would suggest he perhaps give the copy to some interested parents, for that is the beauty of this story. When parents become excited about their school and are allowed to participate to add their time, talents, and even treasure…great things happen. There are wonderful parents itching to help, even if it’s to make a school beautiful. Sometimes, as in the Nettelhorst story, beauty and the process of its creation fuels people to do simple things like smile and walk to school.
This is a great book for parents, not educators and administrators.
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