Only the most naive among us would think it easy. Colleagues, not adversaries Like parochial and private schools, public schools have contributed much to the intellectual, economic and moral life of this nation. Their graduates take their place in medicine, law, business, education, religion, the arts. Their staffs include some of the most creative, devoted and professional people I have ever met. If, over the past two decades or so, we have somehow been forced into a corner educationally, feeling that public, private and parochial schools are adversaries and that we must choose a ''side,'' let us free ourselves of such limited and damaging notions.
All schools have strengths.
All have missions. All face challenges. And all deserve our interest and support. This coming week, public schools will get their turn in the spotlight. They're celebrating today, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Forest Fair Mall with more than 150 exhibits.