Levi Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee (TN)

My first three years of education were experienced at Levi School. My principal was Ms. Bertha Forest. I must have enrolled about 1955 or 56, right after my small pox vaccination. There was no kindergarden then. Parents were expected to do that training. For my age, I could read quite well actually and print, too, (as I had been taught to read from the Bible), count to 100 by 1s, 2s and 5s and spell my name, address and phone number (which was EX 1307, by the way) I was allowed to monitor the school bus for one week. In that time, one automobile disobeyed the bus stop sign and I got the plate number. I recall it to this day. The number was Tennessee 2-4851. I met my first girlfriend at Levi School. Her name was Vicky Dalton. I think she was in first and I in second at the time. I remember in 2nd, we were dismissed early from Levi because of a snow. The bus let us out and you could see the grass over the top of the snow, but the rare snow was a great surprise. I lived at 1203 Margret Road. My older brother, Richard, also went to Levi School. In 1957, my father drowned in the Mississippi River and my mother remarried in 1959. We moved to Indianapolis, Indiana (the home of the 500 mile race). Our first morning in Indianapolis brought a 9 inch snowfall... I recall being thrilled. I have done well enough in my lifetime though, like most, I did not become rich. I have always worked hard most of the time and was lucky enough to continue my education through a BS degree. I had to earn the money to go to school by working on farms and gas stations. It required saving the money for years. Today I looked back, to reminisce I suppose, at the school I attended. It saddens me to see that it is doing so poorly academically. I pray that, for the sake of those students who now attend 'my old school', this improves. The minds, curiosity and abilities of children have never changed. I wonder 'how can that be', when I see 'suspensions' as a category for elementary school children. I am even more disappointed when I read in category-after-category, Levi doesn't rise to the level of the potential of its students. Although I am certain you have already taken corrective actions, the records show a failure of those that teach rather than an inability of students to learn. I hope this improves for their sakes, and for the sake of 'my old school'. The future of our nation is molded by the hands that shape the minds of our children. I do not envy your task. At the same time, I do not absolve you of your responsiblity. There is no dishonor in being 'in last place'; someone has to be, no matter how good they are. It is a dishonor to stay there.

Frank C. Wade,
President
Accord Pest Control
Envirosure Integrated Pest Management Servics, Inc.
Indianapolis, IN 46217