My daughter is a fourth-grade, academically or intellectually gifted student at Faith Elementary School. I would like the school board to consider some reasons to keep Faith Elementary open.

The learning environment is a focused, positive, and encouraging one. Smaller class sizes allows students need to be addressed without overextending teacher capabilities.

My child has thrived in the environment that Faith Elementary offers and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Large schools are not ideal. The relationship that teachers have with students and parents means so much to the learning process. The principal, Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis, knows my daughter and encourages her and other students regularly. I am not sure this would happen in larger schools.

I believe that these qualities are what lead to the good reputation that Faith Elementary has — a reputation of high test scores and a safe learning environment. When my child reached school age, friends were jealous that we live in the Faith school district.

In this era of school violence, I do not have to worry about my child’s safety at Faith. The school does not have the discipline problems that some schools have, and my child feels safe. The environment has allowed her to work to achieve her full potential without fear of bullying or violence. Test scores and safety should be reason enough to keep Faith open.

— Jody Crotts

Salisbury