UNFAIR IMPLICATIONS

I am writing in regard to the drug bust the television stations did their
best to link to our school, Lowell Elementary.

They filmed in front of our school, without permission of the principal,
even though the drug house was a couple of blocks away from where they
stood. They called the school several times, came to the office, and
circled the school most of the day like sharks on a feeding frenzy. They
filmed students through the fence, again without permission, doing their
best to link the incident to Lowell.

Where are they when our students are going about the daily routine of
learning? Where are they when students are buying more than 20,000 books
from our "bookstore" to increase their love of reading? Why don't they
check our crime reports that the state requires and see what little crime
we have at Lowell? The neighborhood respects our school; we have almost no
graffiti and no vandalism. We have not suspended a student for drugs. This
drug bust had nothing to do with Lowell.

Where were they on International Night when parents and students of all
ethnic groups came together for student performances and to share ethnic
foods with one another? Where were they for our Cinco de Mayo carnival when
the whole neighborhood comes out for a really grand time, and again, with
no trouble?

If this drug bust had happened in "new Fresno North," would the sharks have
been swarming? I wonder.

Jackie Smiser, Office Manager, Lowell Elementary School, Fresno