Horizons school not renewed, programs merged

michael g wrote:

If these "kids" can only make it through a school that caters to their every whim, how useful are they going to be in the real world, with or without a diploma.

A lot more useful than if they were just tossed out into the street without the benefit of the extra education they receive in these alternative schools.

And believe me, they don't get their "whims" catered to. That's what they do in suburban charter schools, not alternative schools.

By seeing that you're from Jenison, I could apply a stereotype to you that your are a fundamentalist christian bible-thumper that frowns aupon all things that people that are not fundamentalists would consider fun. Is that correct? Or am I just applying a generalization to you without ever having been around you or your home?

See my point?

Seeing you don't know that my INTERNET PROVIDER is from Jenison, I could apply a stereotype that you are a moron. See my point?

Passing in a regular public high school is EASY. If you show up on a semi-regular basis and make half an effort, the teachers won't fail you. If you can't manage that, you don't deserve a diploma.

michael g wrote:

Seeing you don't know that my INTERNET PROVIDER is from Jenison, I could apply a stereotype that you are a moron. See my point?
Passing in a regular public high school is EASY. If you show up on a semi-regular basis and make half an effort, the teachers won't fail you. If you can't manage that, you don't deserve a diploma.

Yeah its just too bad that the teachers and counselors at "regular" public school don't give a rats ass about you making it so if you have any sort of problems going on at home or at school they just let you skip until finally you drop out or they kick you out. At alternative schools they care and encourage you to succeed

michael g wrote:

Seeing you don't know that my INTERNET PROVIDER is from Jenison, I could apply a stereotype that you are a moron. See my point?
Passing in a regular public high school is EASY. If you show up on a semi-regular basis and make half an effort, the teachers won't fail you. If you can't manage that, you don't deserve a diploma.

Well, seems as you don't have the sack to create an account here, Jenison is the only thing I had to go on. I understand how it works, which would be why mone shows Zeeland sometimes and Wyoming other times.

Now, is passing high school in a traditional setting easy? For most, like me and as you claim, youself, it IS easy. But there is a group of students out there that do need extra attention and the alternative school setting does provide that. It isn't for every kid (obviously), just as traditional schooling isn't for every kid, either.

Your inflexibility and lack of understanding proves to me that you have never had a family member that has had troubles in school. Good for you and your family. But the time may come- it may even be with your own child- that your family will experience this situation.

I hope for whomever it is in your family that goes through this that there is a viable alternative still available to them. If there isn't, then they will be subjected to the kind of ridicule that is so quick to spring from the lips, and in your case, fingertips of people with little to no understanding of the challenges that are faced by students on the fringe.

It is better to help these kids then to sweep them aside and let society support them for the rest of their lives.

Alternative Supporter wrote:

<quoted text>
But when you have kids who are going to just quit altogether, which is the lesser of the two evils? An "Alternative" education provides more one-on-one which is ultimately the best benefit any student can get out of school.
At this point, who is to say that Public school is any better than "alternative" school. I have actually seen the benefits from it as well as visited.

Would you see the same benefits if your family had to pay tuition for you to attend?

The government,through tax payers dollars provides an education for all children. If a child cannot function in the public system, then it should be up to their parents to provide for alternative education, it should not be up to the tax payer.

West MI reader wrote:

<quoted text>
Would you see the same benefits if your family had to pay tuition for you to attend?
The government,through tax payers dollars provides an education for all children. If a child cannot function in the public system, then it should be up to their parents to provide for alternative education, it should not be up to the tax payer.

I'm as conservative as they come when it comes to most social issues, but this one isn't one of them.

By your logic, the same thing should apply to parents of children that are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled, as well.

Special education (which is what these alternative schools are) should be paid for by the parents too then, right? These parents should be punished for having children that are handicapped by your logic.

Many of the kids that go to these alternative schools do have learning disabilities. The public (regular) schools, don't have the resources to be able to address these kids, and often they are ostracized by the other kids in these schools, which can lead to feelings of incompetence and lack of confidence on the part of the student with the learning disability.

The post above this one is a prime example of why people that don't have any understanding of the situation should hold off on their opinions until they have complete information- and maybe they need to develop a little compassion in the process.

What I see you saying is that if a child isn't cutting it in a traditional setting, but they don't warrant being placed into special education with the disabled kids, then they should be thrown out of the school system altogether.

Most of the kids that attend Omega and Horizons in Wyoming come from families that simply can't afford private school. This doesn't even begin to address that point that there aren't any private schools in the area here that have the resources to address their needs.

An education is a right afforded to all children in the United States. It isn't doled out just to the kids that can function in a traditional environment. It is available to all.

I pay property taxes in Wyoming and support the existence of both of these schools. I know for a fact that these two schools have become schools of choice for many kids from outside of the Wyoming school district.

If you are like me and you don't want these kids out on the street and living off of public assistance, you shoild support the existence of these schools as well.

...or maybe you have a bowel obstruction that needs to be removed like our governor?

For those of you who believe that you can judge the students at either Horizons Community High School or Omega without having walked in their shoes--how very sad. You do not know their stories, the obstacles they have had to overcome because the adults in their lives failed them. Do you really think they just woke up one day and decided to drop out of their traditional programs? These students began struggling alot earlier than high school--and noone was there to help them. They had to learn how to advocate for themselves and their futures. These are the students who know how to think for themselves, deal with conflict, and cope at times of adversity. They don't run home to mommy or daddy and get a hug or a pat on the back. They create their own family, respect and support one another, and learn that it is our differences that make us strong. From what I can tell, the teachers and students at Horizons should be very proud of the young men and women who stood so bravely before the board of education and advocated for something they believe in. They are the true heroes in this world.

Some of the students written about in the GR Press article about Horizon's closure were in their early 20's. How many years of school do I (& the other taxpayers) have to provide to people who don't treat what we're doing for them with some thanks & respect? How many "do overs" do these people get?QUOTE]

Hello Bucko,
I’ve been a teacher at Horizons for 22 years. I am not responding to argue with you, I just wanted to set the record straight about the 20 year olds you mentioned in your comments. One of those 20 year olds is only in his third year of high school. You see Frank’s mom died when he was a child and he was sent to live with a single aunt who had six kids of her own. The father he never knew was in prison and there were no grand parents. Middle school was unbearable because the “regular” kids tortured him with cruel teasing about his dead mother. When this pint-sized kid starting fighting back with his fists to protect his mother’s honor, Frank should have been given counseling and support but instead they expelled him. Over the next few years he was passed on to different people who generally conditioned his stay as “until something else comes up”. Never in one place for more than a few months, Frank had no one to get him up for school, take him to the doctor or dentist, see that he ate properly…. you get the idea. Frank missed 8th and 9th grades entirely and no one even noticed. Nobody cared that this 14 year old was truant from school for over 2 years. Your tax dollars did not pay for Frank to attend school for those two years. By what should have been his sophomore year, Frank was living with a friend who wanted to enroll at Horizons so he came along. The friend lasted less than a year but Frank has been with us ever since….well except for the times he’s been homeless and had no transportation to school.
Another thing that will make you happy you is that Frank has never accepted government help….ever. He could be soaking Uncle Sam for food stamps, housing, social security money, and I am sure many more sources of aid. Frank will not even accept Medicaid health insurance. I’m willing to bet everything I own that you couldn’t have dealt with the toothaches that Frank endured due to lack of dental care. Try dealing with 4 abscessed teeth at once and still trying to come to school. This kid has pride beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Frank is also one of the brightest students we’ve ever had at Horizons, even with all of the gaps in his education Frank still got a 26 on his ACT this year.
I wonder what your life was like when you were going through school. Did you have someone who cared if you had a good day or not? Was there always food in the refrigerator, clean clothes, and a bed to sleep in? I had all that. I bet you provided your daughter with all of that and I bet she is doing a great job providing those things to your grand children. Imagine if it was your grand child who faced a life like Franks.
To me, Frank is a hero for waking up everyday and seeing the glass half full. He inspires me daily with his attitude and passion for life and learning. Frank doesn’t have many people telling him he’s amazing and sharing his accomplishments. He gets that mostly from his Horizons family. Selfishly, I wish we could have had him a full 4 years but I understand your concern about tax dollars. When someone never has a first chance, their second chance shouldn’t be considered a “do over”.
Our other 20 year olds have a story too, each a remarkable example of holding onto your dreams and never giving up. I am not sure when Frank will be able to start college or how he’ll pay for it but I can tell you that he will do it without government help, even if it takes another 20 years.

Jim wrote:

I could not be happier.. Since this school opened in this area, the neighborhood has had to put up with graffiti on our street signs, graffiti on the buildings and kids loitering around with their underwear hanging out.
Good Nove!!

For your information any graffitti posted in Wyoming had absolutely nothing to do with the Horizons students--ask the Wyoming Police Department if you don't believe me.

Tara wrote:

<quoted text>
Im not saying that. You dont know the students there nor the teachers there. I was going to drop out numerous times, but my teachers CARED enough to keep me there. They never let me down, and now that Horizons is no longer an option for me i didnt want to continue school...But YET AGAIN my teachers picked me up when i fell and got me back on the track i need to be on.
All of you who understand i thank you very much.
All of you who think we are "bad" kids by the way some dress and dot things, seriously need to get a reality check. Havent you ever heard "Dont judge a book by its cover" There is more that meets the eye. We are just teenagers, but we are very dedicated to our school and the teachers. I have never felt more welcome anyhwere in my life, and they took that away from us. Nobody really knows Horizons thay way the students and teachers do, so before you sit on your pedistal and point fingers and judge people on how they dress or how they wear their hair you should get to know something about them first. Im not trying to sound rude but nobody truly knows how much this means to us.
Like i said before Horizons will remain in my heart forever. We are more than a school. And if you cant understand that then i dont know what else to say.

Tara! I love that you are thinking far more reasonably than some others here.*Pshsh* And to think, you're just one of these darn Horizons students...

You're a superstar, kiddo.

Horizons Teacher wrote:

Some of the students written about in the GR Press article about Horizon's closure were in their early 20's. How many years of school do I (& the other taxpayers) have to provide to people who don't treat what we're doing for them with some thanks & respect? How many "do overs" do these people get?QUOTE]
Hello Bucko,
I’ve been a teacher at Horizons for 22 years. I am not responding to argue with you, I just wanted to set the record straight about the 20 year olds you mentioned in your comments. One of those 20 year olds is only in his third year of high school. You see Frank’s mom died when he was a child and he was sent to live with a single aunt who had six kids of her own. The father he never knew was in prison and there were no grand parents. Middle school was unbearable because the “regular” kids tortured him with cruel teasing about his dead mother. When this pint-sized kid starting fighting back with his fists to protect his mother’s honor, Frank should have been given counseling and support but instead they expelled him. Over the next few years he was passed on to different people who generally conditioned his stay as “until something else comes up”. Never in one place for more than a few months, Frank had no one to get him up for school, take him to the doctor or dentist, see that he ate properly…. you get the idea. Frank missed 8th and 9th grades entirely and no one even noticed. Nobody cared that this 14 year old was truant from school for over 2 years. Your tax dollars did not pay for Frank to attend school for those two years. By what should have been his sophomore year, Frank was living with a friend who wanted to enroll at Horizons so he came along. The friend lasted less than a year but Frank has been with us ever since….well except for the times he’s been homeless and had no transportation to school.
Another thing that will make you happy you is that Frank has never accepted government help….ever. He could be soaking Uncle Sam for food stamps, housing, social security money, and I am sure many more sources of aid. Frank will not even accept Medicaid health insurance. I’m willing to bet everything I own that you couldn’t have dealt with the toothaches that Frank endured due to lack of dental care. Try dealing with 4 abscessed teeth at once and still trying to come to school. This kid has pride beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Frank is also one of the brightest students we’ve ever had at Horizons, even with all of the gaps in his education Frank still got a 26 on his ACT this year.
I wonder what your life was like when you were going through school. Did you have someone who cared if you had a good day or not? Was there always food in the refrigerator, clean clothes, and a bed to sleep in? I had all that. I bet you provided your daughter with all of that and I bet she is doing a great job providing those things to your grand children. Imagine if it was your grand child who faced a life like Franks.
To me, Frank is a hero for waking up everyday and seeing the glass half full. He inspires me daily with his attitude and passion for life and learning. Frank doesn’t have many people telling him he’s amazing and sharing his accomplishments. He gets that mostly from his Horizons family. Selfishly, I wish we could have had him a full 4 years but I understand your concern about tax dollars. When someone never has a first chance, their second chance shouldn’t be considered a “do over”.
Our other 20 year olds have a story too, each a remarkable example of holding onto your dreams and never giving up. I am not sure when Frank will be able to start college or how he’ll pay for it but I can tell you that he will do it without government help, even if it takes another 20 years.

Very well written. Seems like Frank does indeed have his mind straight. My question to the ex-Horizon teachers is this, will you have jobs at Omega next year?

Will C wrote:

<quoted text>Very well written. Seems like Frank does indeed have his mind straight. My question to the ex-Horizon teachers is this, will you have jobs at Omega next year?

We are hopeful that many of the Horizons staff will be able to transition to the new program but lots of things are unknown at this point. Our fight for Horizons was never about our jobs, due to our years in the district, 90% of us will be placed somewhere in Wyoming. Our kids need us, and until we get the last one through, we will try and stay with them. Thanks for asking.

Well, a week has gone by and all is forgotten--the students, parents, staff, and school. The safety net provided for some of the neediest students in our district will be gone--and since it is no longer "news" neither will the needs of the students and the outcome of the board decision ever be questioned again- And yet we go on as if our decisions impacted noone.

Concerned adult wrote:

Well, a week has gone by and all is forgotten--the students, parents, staff, and school. The safety net provided for some of the neediest students in our district will be gone--and since it is no longer "news" neither will the needs of the students and the outcome of the board decision ever be questioned again- And yet we go on as if our decisions impacted noone.

As the program is being merged with Omega, the safety net isn't gone, it will just be in a different place. Though I am concerned about this change, I don't think that it will be as bad as you are making it out to be.

Of course you can keep in mind that Wyoming isn't the only school district out there, and there are several good alternative programs out there.

I am hopeful that something good will come out of this. Alternative schools are often a mix of people that are simply struggling in a traditional setting, and those that are truly criminal. I am hopeful that the criminal element will be identified and removed from the alternative setting, thereby producing a better learning environment for those that truly want to learn.

The building the housed Horizons is quite old and is in need of some major repairs. If we want to maintain the quality- and improve upon the quality of the education in our district, we need to get the old buildings out of the loop that simply aren't economical to continue to repair anymore. The building that houses Horizons is just one of those buildings.

Saif wrote:

<quoted text>
As the program is being merged with Omega, the safety net isn't gone, it will just be in a different place. Though I am concerned about this change, I don't think that it will be as bad as you are making it out to be.
Of course you can keep in mind that Wyoming isn't the only school district out there, and there are several good alternative programs out there.
I am hopeful that something good will come out of this. Alternative schools are often a mix of people that are simply struggling in a traditional setting, and those that are truly criminal. I am hopeful that the criminal element will be identified and removed from the alternative setting, thereby producing a better learning environment for those that truly want to learn.
The building the housed Horizons is quite old and is in need of some major repairs. If we want to maintain the quality- and improve upon the quality of the education in our district, we need to get the old buildings out of the loop that simply aren't economical to continue to repair anymore. The building that houses Horizons is just one of those buildings.

The building you speak of at least has a gym and space for students to move about. The Omega building has neither. Yeah, I get that the building is old--but the option is far worse. Students will no longer have access to a cafeteria, gym. outside fields, trees, or breathing room. There is no place for arts and pe--no space for community meetings, and no place for students to just be kids. Omega is nothing but a parking lot.

Concerned adult wrote:

<quoted text>
The building you speak of at least has a gym and space for students to move about. The Omega building has neither. Yeah, I get that the building is old--but the option is far worse. Students will no longer have access to a cafeteria, gym. outside fields, trees, or breathing room. There is no place for arts and pe--no space for community meetings, and no place for students to just be kids. Omega is nothing but a parking lot.

Alternative schools should be more a way to catch the kids up academically and allow them to re-enter the traditional school population than they should be about arts and PE.

Horizons had more of an arts-related curriculum, I agree, but I think that they were moving too far from that part of things to warrant continuing the charter.

I would much rather my tax dollars go to getting the kids caught up and back into a regular school than coddling to them because they want to wear black and mope in a corner all day long.

Saif wrote:

<quoted text>
Alternative schools should be more a way to catch the kids up academically and allow them to re-enter the traditional school population than they should be about arts and PE.
Horizons had more of an arts-related curriculum, I agree, but I think that they were moving too far from that part of things to warrant continuing the charter.
I would much rather my tax dollars go to getting the kids caught up and back into a regular school than coddling to them because they want to wear black and mope in a corner all day long.

My son is not coddled at Horizons nor does he wear black and mope in a corner. Horizons has done FAR more for my child then the public school he attended up until we found Horizons. People who stereo-type make me ill!!! So what you are saying about someone who wears black clothing is a bad person?

Linda H wrote:

<quoted text>
My son is not coddled at Horizons nor does he wear black and mope in a corner. Horizons has done FAR more for my child then the public school he attended up until we found Horizons. People who stereo-type make me ill!!! So what you are saying about someone who wears black clothing is a bad person?

Then your son is behind in his education, right?

I'm not stereotyping. I live right up the street from that school. I have a kid that used to attend Omega, so pardon me, and kiss my behind, while your at it.

The kids that you see outside that school belong to one of a few groups.

1. Emo/Scene (you may consider them to be the sensitive artistic ones) kids that wear black, stare at the ground, and think they are depressed all the time (some of them may very well be depressed).

2. Kids that got behind in school and were failing in a traditional setting.

3. Kids with behavior problems (gang troubles, troubles with the law, etc)

4. Pregnant teenage girls.

Who did I leave out? Your perfect son doesn't fit any of those groups right? Mine had behavior and education troubles. I can admit it. He turned out to have dyslexia and once it was found and worked on, he was able to re-integrate into the traditional schools.

My point is that these alternative schools shouldn't be treated as a landing point, but more of a way station in a child's education.

Art school is great, but if a child can't graduate then they won't ever get into an art college.

Saif wrote:

<quoted text>
Then your son is behind in his education, right?
I'm not stereotyping. I live right up the street from that school. I have a kid that used to attend Omega, so pardon me, and kiss my behind, while your at it.
The kids that you see outside that school belong to one of a few groups.
1. Emo/Scene (you may consider them to be the sensitive artistic ones) kids that wear black, stare at the ground, and think they are depressed all the time (some of them may very well be depressed).
2. Kids that got behind in school and were failing in a traditional setting.
3. Kids with behavior problems (gang troubles, troubles with the law, etc)
4. Pregnant teenage girls.
Who did I leave out? Your perfect son doesn't fit any of those groups right? Mine had behavior and education troubles. I can admit it. He turned out to have dyslexia and once it was found and worked on, he was able to re-integrate into the traditional schools.
My point is that these alternative schools shouldn't be treated as a landing point, but more of a way station in a child's education.
Art school is great, but if a child can't graduate then they won't ever get into an art college.

Kiss your behind? Wow I wont bothering commenting on that one..
My son belongs in none of the above listed. Well wait he was behind in his schooling due to...(well that is none of your business as to why) But he is now where he needs to be and doesnt want to go back to public school. He wants to graduate with his class. My son has grown more in the past year and I am truly proud of him. He doesnt do drugs, smoke, drink nor is in a gang. Thank God I do not have those worries with him.
Oh and by the way my son went to Omega for one year.. Not a good year either.
And as you we also live in the neighborhood. I have lived in this neighborhood all my life. Thank you very much