Choice, growth, opportunity: A letter to the community, the school district and fellow parents.

As a parent of four very unique, energetic boys, I have had the experience of struggling through the public school system with my 16-year-old son and again with my 6-year-old kindergartener. I am very thankful for our wonderful educators, administrators and all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to educate our most vulnerable and impressionable populations. I am thankful for your willingness to work through the individual idiosyncrasies of each child — challenging, teaching, struggling and growing with each precious one.

I am writing this letter today to implore you to support and give approval to the opening of Desert Sky Montessori School in Redmond. The Montessori method, which is so very different from the main stream methods, might feel foreign or old- fashioned to some educators. You might consider “why support opening this public charter school?”

As an educator and administrator, even a parent or community member, we all on occasion experience the child that doesn’t quite fit in, cannot keep the wiggles in, struggles with each transition and even perhaps has a learning disability. The Montessori method is proven to bring success, esteem and the joy of intrinsic rewards to these children — the children that all too often fall through the cracks or barely pass each year and are emotionally impacted by the constant struggle and correction. These children may have previously had a joy and love for learning prior to the beginning of their formal education in the standard method of public education.

The Montessori method is successful in educating a healthy “normal” child; it is also proven to bring success to a child struggling to learn. I can think of many examples our small city has chosen time and again to be inclusive and supportive of our entire population, not just those already finding success.

Redmond has grown from a small town to a small city in a mere decade. The governing body has done a wonderful job of helping it grow in a healthy manner. Examples surround us all and are enmeshed in our local culture. We celebrate holidays and the changing of seasons with festivals and parades. We honor our veterans and our country. We now have the largest all-inclusive playground in Oregon in the recent opening of Hope Playground in the heart of Redmond. The growth of our businesses and public areas is carefully managed. Opening a public Montessori school would only further the hopes and vision of our community.

I implore you to support and approve Desert Sky Montessori School. The board and many volunteers have been working tirelessly for years, sacrificing time and personal resources to open this school. They are working diligently with the goal to open this public Montessori school in the autumn of 2016.

The next community fundraiser to assist in funding the work of opening this wonderful school is the First Annual Desert Sky Montessori Harvest Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m Nov. 12 at the Redmond Grange. The tickets are $7 per child, $10 per adult, $30 for each family of four and children 3 and under are free. You may arrange to purchase tickets at 541-213-8682. You may also make direct donations, volunteer time or request more information and address any concerns by contacting Bobbie at the same number.

Thank you for hearing and considering my plea for your support in providing our precious children with another choice and perhaps opportunity to grow, learn and become successful contributors to our community.

— Leanna C. West lives in Redmond.