Call on alumni for help

First, I would like to thank all of you who have started this forum. I can see the immense amount of work involved, and anticipate great things resulting from this effort.

Further, I am delighted that it is being done for the right reasons, by people who really care. Until I read this, I felt alone in my perception that some of the magic of Steller had somehow faded over the years. Worse, I felt like there may be little or no way for me to have any impact, or give something back.

Ideals are often compromised when reality is harsh, and todays Steller faces new challenges we alums never considered.

Luckily, Steller has always faced hurdles, from inception through the laundry list I read today. On our side is the fact that a big part of Steller has been our keen ability to pull together and improve.

After reading these materials, I agree that there are areas in which the Original Steller mission can be revitalized.

I think the core of "open optional" is the sense of community that allows this freedom to learn.

When I listen to students, and look at how my own child perceives Steller, I am left with one question: How can we revitalize that proud and magic sense of community Steller once shared?

While I was already a believer, I would like to share that my kid was at first quite hesitant to attend this school. This was due to preconcieved notions about Steller. Now that she is here, she loves it, but a negative image of Steller was widely shared through her elementary peers.

With this in mind, I think the image of the Steller community is best rooted in students while they are still in the feeder schools.

Of course freedom is the Steller sales hook, and central to the "open optional" approach. Considering that, perhaps we need to focus on the marketing of the Steller message.

In 1980, when I designed the Stellar school logo, I considered that it was not the wings of the Steller Jay which allowed it to soar. I made the head of the Jay central to the logo because the miracle of flight is truly found in the knowledge of how to use your wings.

This knowledge of course, comes from dedicated teachers.

Right now, there is huge talent found in the staff of Steller. Great commitment, vital ideas, superb technique and driven leadership are all evident.

However, the old saying that it takes a community to raise a child rings true to their education as well.

Perhaps the answers to todays challenges can be found in the braintrust. Our graduates are scattered, but their talents are many. Additionally, we have parents who did not attend Steller, but they have fantastic perspectives learned outside these walls.

Carl Guess, where are you buddy? Kurt Marsch? John Frost? Romney Dodd? Michelle Porter? The list of successful graduates is longer than my arm.

Steller would be well served to call on these Business owners, artists, media moguls, and non profit organizers. Within our family is wealth untapped.

I for one, would like to find a way to give back something to a place that offered me so much.

I look forward to finding my own way to help, and appreciate this forum as a catalyst for parents like me, who want the most for our kids, and the best for Steller.

While "open optional" may mean different things to different people, I think we can all agree that the concept cannot exist if we don't pull together.

Thanks again to those who care.

Kevin R. Tubbs, Class of 1980