The fourth grade ELA test scores for Drexel Ave. and Powell's Lane schools are something to celebrate and the article in last week's edition of The Westbury Times was much appreciated. The progress made is the result of everyone working together -- parents, students, teachers, and administrators -- as the article pointed out. Unfortunately, one very important group was omitted -- the volunteers.

Westbury is fortunate to have many people not directly connected to the school system who give of their time to work with our students. With respect to the ELA scores, one group in particular needs to be acknowledged -- the members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Pi Pi Omega chapter. These women, all professionals, and many of them retired teachers, worked as volunteers in the Saturday Academy all year long. They arrived at 8:30 a.m. and worked all morning, assisting in classrooms, the computer lab and office.

It was their presence that made it possible to have a one to five adult to student ratio, a number that enables each student to have quality individual instructional time. It should be noted that this sorority group has been working in the Westbury schools for many years and ran a prototype of the Saturday academy, unassisted, for the last two years.

As a teacher in the Saturday program during the fall semester, I know from personal experience how valuable their presence was. I am confident that all the teachers, students, parents and administrators join me in thanking them for their assistance.

Rosalie Rafter

Reading/Language Arts/ESL Coordinator

Westbury Public Schools