Yes, students are monitored

In response to "Teachers skip service meetings" (Jan. 11), there are several inaccuracies and misconceptions contained in Ms. Dittman's letter concerning the collaborative meetings in Moorpark schools.

There is no relationship between attendance at the quarterly (four times per year) afternoon inservices and the weekly collaboration periods. The implementation of the collaboration periods is based on research pertaining to student achievement. Through the process of accreditation, common planning time on a regular basis was identified as a best practice in improving student achievement.

The Moorpark Unified School District and the Moorpark Educators Association have been diligent in monitoring student loitering at all of the usual locations, including the malls, parks, etc. We have witnessed no unsupervised students at any of these locations. To imply that there are kids roaming the streets unsupervised is a gross misrepresentation.

It is important for parents to note that nothing has changed in terms of delivering their children to campus at the usual time on collaboration days. Students may still show up at their regular times and participate in academic and enrichment activities.

Parents can feel confident that kids who make it to school at the regular time are well supervised. We urge all parents to speak with their children about the importance of traveling directly to school each and every school day.

These collaboration periods are a fine example of the district and teachers working together to provide the best possible education for the children of Moorpark.

Thank you to Ms. Dittman for offering another option. The district/teacher/parent committee charged with monitoring these periods will certainly include it in their discussions.

In terms of her sarcastic references about attendance, the teachers of Moorpark don't need to be reminded about how to be professional- they exemplify it everyday. In today's high stakes educational environment, there is no room for ill-considered, flippant remarks. Richard Gillis, President Moorpark Educators Association