I know that our township’s school system and teachers have taken a bashing in recent months, but I’d like to assure parents that there are many positive success stories here. For the good of the community, it’s important to resist the urge for flight to private schools or to other districts.
Our own children went through this school system, and now our grandson is graduating this spring. He and many of his friends have been accepted by several top-tier colleges — including the Ivies. Be reassured, the list is truly impressive. If you’re thinking that your child will miss out somehow in Montclair on test scores, prestige universities or, most importantly, on actual learning, then please reconsider.
Our grandkids have experienced some amazing teachers and wonderful times, with a diverse group of friends they would not have found anywhere else. That has been invaluable. This pandemic will pass. Please support our schools, not somebody else’s.
Filip Bondy
Montclair resident and MHS girls soccer coach
Montclair Local’s Opinion section is an open forum for civil discussion in which we invite readers to discuss town matters, articles published in Montclair, or previously published letters. Views expressed and published in this section are solely those of the writers, and do not represent the views of Montclair Local.
Letters to the editor: To submit a letter to the editor, email letters@montclairlocal.news, or mail “Letters to the Editor,” 309 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ, 07042 (email is preferred). Submissions must include the name, address and phone number of the writer for verification. Only the writer’s name and town of residence will be published. Montclair Local does not publish anonymous opinion pieces.
Letters must be no more than 500 words in length, and must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be eligible for potential publication in that week’s Thursday print issue. Letters may be edited by Montclair Local for grammar and style. While our goal is to publish most letters we receive, Montclair Local reserves the right to decline publication of a letter for any reason, including but not limited to concerns about unproven or defamatory statements, inappropriate language, topic matter far afield of the particular interests of Montclair residents, or available space.
Town Square: Montclair Local also accepts longer-form opinion essays from residents aiming to generate discussion on topics specific to the community, under our “Town
Square” banner. “Town Square” essays should be no more than 750 words in length, and topics should be submitted to letters@montclairlocal.news at least seven days prior to publication.