April - May 2002 Edition

Open Up The Doors   By Arlene P. Liebman, Fair Lawn High School PTA Secretary    I am writing this letter at the request of the Fair Lawn High School Parent-Teacher Association, the parent group that represents almost 1,500 families with children at the high school level. This letter is in response to the recent news articles and negative publicity cast upon Fair Lawn High School and its student population. It is unfortunate that the neighbors of our community's high school have directed their time and energy to snubbing the facility that has clearly been the "hub" of our town, along with the 1500 students we have always been so proud of.   Several months ago, Fair Lawn High School, as all other high schools across the state, was directed to follow state regulations that now forbid smoking on any school property. As the high school is surrounded on all sides by homes, this became a difficult challenge. Our PTA fully supports the neighbors' issues related to the small population of students who have stood on the sidewalks of their homes, often littering with cigarette butts.    Our high school, including its administration and student government, has fervently worked with the Board of Education to resolve this issue with the community, and ultimately, the smoking issue has improved. As a result of this concern, all residents of Fair Lawn, not simply high school students, need to be aware that the littering law is now an offense that can result in a fine and community service.   The smoking topic, unfortunately, has now escalated to various issues with unrealistic expectations. Our school's neighbors have now decided that it is unsightly for high school students to be seen standing outside of the school during and after school hours. They have asked, and it has been granted, that all doors facing the street be kept locked at all times (except at morning arrival time), so that no one may enter the building through the main entrances of the building.    Students, parents, and visitors, are now told that even during an activity such as our National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, or our annual senior citizen soiree, or simply, a memorial concert sponsored by the Borough Council, the Community School and the Board of Education, they must enter through the doors in the rear parking lot of the building. The neighbors have also decided that it is unsightly for any school bus to stop in front of the building for any school related function. Most recently, the request has also been made to eliminate all parking on the streets in front of the main entrance of the school.   Although the PTA acknowledges the locking of doors during school hours is necessary for safety issues, it is unreasonable to ask visitors to enter only through the rear doors. Our school parking lot is used entirely by teachers and senior students who have permits (granted on a lottery basis). It is necessary, therefore, for anyone coming to the school, to park on the streets adjacent to the building, which are obviously close to the main entrances. During evening functions, the main doors should also be accessible to its visitors, particularly handicapped visitors, who need the front driveway for easy entrance.   We are confused by what our neighbors' expectations are when living across the street from the one high school in our community. Surely, they have realized that their own children, just as our children now, have benefited from the outstanding education our high school has offered. Surely, when purchasing a home that faces the one high school in our town, these neighbors must have realized what goes along with that decision. It is totally unrealistic to expect a high school to only exist on the inside parameters of its building.   Fair Lawn High School has been asked to place a cloak over its walls, to hide itself from the community, when in fact, this school has always been the center of our entire town's activities. Our building is not just utilized by its students, but by the Fair Lawn Community School for classes, by senior citizens for various functions, by the Fair Lawn Recreation Department, and Fair Lawn All Sports for activities for people of all ages. The building is also used by our Board of Education as well as our Borough Council for community sponsored activities.   It is extremely upsetting that Fair Lawn's image as a family community has now been tainted by the ongoing negative publicity the high school's neighbors have cast upon our school and children. The small population of students who have been criticized for smoking/littering, and even loitering, only represents 2-3% of the school's population. This single issue has now overshadowed the many accomplishments, awards, and contributions made by our school and its students over the years. The persistent negative reportage offered by these angry neighbors has impacted on the reputation of our town, our schools, and ultimately, the market value of their own homes.   We should be proud of our high school for being such a fine institution of learning. We should be pleased that we live in a town that is able to provide such wonderful educational, physical, and social programs for the entire population of Fair Lawn. It is our hope that the Fair Lawn community will support our stand, asking that the doors of Fair Lawn High School be opened, once again, welcoming our children, our families and friends, with open arms.    It is a home for thousands of people, a place where our entire community can experience whatever our forever changing society has to offer. Let us be proud of our students and our educational system. Let us be proud of our reputation as always having been a community that families want to live and raise their children in.     What Do You Think?: Send an e- mail to editor@fairlawnnews.com or post a message on the Fair Lawn News Discussion Forum.