Positive stories reflect good things at local schools

The issue of The Acorn of June 22 is filled with positive issues.

The article on the dedication of the "Secret Garden" at Round Meadow Elementary School (dedicated to Marsha Fayne) is superb.

Our family came to know Marsha and Peter Fayne at Adat Elohim synagogue in Thousand Oaks in 1985. We served on several committees together.

I did classified "subbing" in the Las Virgenes Unified School District and while no particular school was my favorite, I first "worked for" Renee Lamkay at White Oak Elementary School, followed by my assignments and her "relocation" to Willow Elementary School. Subsequently, Renee went to Round Meadow and not only did I again work for (and with) Renee, but I worked with Marsha Fayne.

Your article stating "during her last few years, Marsha faced many health challenges" is putting it mildly. When able to, her students and colleagues came first — yes, they were her top priority in the educational field.

Our son had "strict-but-fair" teachers in Oak Park, but strict and consistent go together and that also describes Marsha.

She was a professional educator in every sense of the word and no doubt, she is looking down upon the "garden" and smiling with great satisfaction that [the emphasis she placed on the] importance of literature on a regular basis has left its mark and came to fruition with "The Secret Garden" at Round Meadow Elementary School.

Eileen Kahn

Oak Park