Signatures 39 total
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Name: Jennifer Maggiolino on Feb 2, 2007Comments: It is not fair to change our schedule so late in the year!Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 2, 2007Comments: No one is against the All-Day program. Its also completely understandable that this is the direction that the school is heading. However, it only makes sense to enforce this new schedule upon families whoFlag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 2, 2007Comments: Its going to be very difficult for these families to get their FIRST choices at other schools. The lack of compassion being showed to these parents concerns me dearly. I've lost tons of respect for the current administration. Who knows what they'll do next.Flag
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Name: Stacey Lin on Feb 2, 2007Comments: You have our full support!Flag
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Name: Lisa And Tim Goss on Feb 2, 2007Comments: I support being given the opportunity to send my four year old daughter to a five morning a week program next school year.Flag
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Name: Lauren Hamm on Feb 3, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Joanna Charmant on Feb 3, 2007Comments: It is simply not reasonable to expect families, especially with more than one child, to afford these sums of money for preschool education. The median household income in Shrewsbury is $64,500 per year. Keep Montessori education available for everyone.Flag
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Name: Matthias Walz on Feb 3, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Kamala Sampath on Feb 3, 2007Comments: We don't want to loose a good teacher for our kids because of the change in program. My elder one benefitted by attending this school and I want the same benefits for my younger one too.Flag
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Name: Melinda Nies on Feb 3, 2007Comments: Please count us in, however I feel that three or four full days would be best for our child, not necessarily 5 mornings. I know there are many differing views, but 5 full days does seem like too much for us. Right now our son goes 3 afternoons. Thanks for your effort getting this started, Regards, Melinda Nies-Charlie Tonelli parents of Michael TonelliFlag
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Name: Char Willingham on Feb 3, 2007Comments: This change is supposedly teacher motivated. I can't imagine that the teachers would have been in favor of this idea. If they had known, that families would be stripped of their choices and their children forced into an all day program. Those in charge of this decision must keep in mind, that this organization, like any other, functions on word of mouth. Is this the opinion of Montessori that you'd like to have planted in the minds of potential students and their families Forcing children into a schedule they may or may not be ready for and forcing parents into choosing finances over a Montessori Education. This tarnishes the vision of Maria Montessori in my opinion. Allow these children to continue with their Montessori education and enforce full day on the families of the new preschool group entering next year.Flag
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Name: Scott Willingham on Feb 3, 2007Comments: If this decision is not financially motived and all of this is done to the benefit of the child. Then offer five full days for the price of five mornings. I have a hard time understanding how you can say this is not a financially motivate decision. When you will profit roughly $40,000 a year if all families comply. To make a decision so late in the year is so incredibly inconsiderate to the people who have chosen to put their hearts and souls into this Montessori program for sake of their childrenFlag
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Name: Sylvia Rollins on Feb 3, 2007Comments: Our daughter has had the enourmous privilege of being part of the Montessori Community for two years- going from 3 afternoons to extended day (2 full days/3 mornings). I can't imagine having her into a 5 full day schedule at 4! We respect those who choose such schedule for their children (not because they are obligated to do so); no one is opposed to having 5 full days as a choice. But for those of us who don't agree with that schedule, it is only reasonable and fair that other choices be made available. We strongly support a 5 morning program (or even better two or three full days, the remaining mornings) for ALL 4 year olds. Our son already looks up to our daughter's teacher, and is excited to go to her school. We desire for him the same Montessori education opportunity that has been offered to our daughter. Will you strip a child of such an opportunity because of forcing him to attend 5 full days of school at the tender age of 4 Will you lose a member of your tight school community and force us to look for alternate education, simply because you are unwilling to meet the needs of families and offer schedule choices for a young 4 year old student Please reconsider your decision and hear the voices of concerned parents. Bring back the five morning/extended day option for ALL 4 year olds!Flag
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Name: Nathan Rollins on Feb 3, 2007Comments: This is an important issue, not just for the families directly affected by the school's decision, but for every family with children enrolled and every family considering a Montessori education for their child. I feel that the school needs to be more sensitive to the concerns and desires of their customers than has been exhibited by this decision. Yes, I feel that 3 and 4 year old children may not be ready for a 5 full day schedule, and that the parents should have a choice. But more importantly, I think that the school's long term success, with respect to finances and reputation, is dependant on their commitment to the quality of their product and the relationship they create with their customers. I would like the choice be given back to me, or at the very least, a concrete and viable reason that the choice has been taken away. I personally feel slighted by the decision, and the way it was implemented. Why were we not informed of the idea before it was finalized Why did I find out about it on my enrollment form ("oh, by the way...") Why was the decision made in the first place (Is this an example of "follow the child") Why is Auburn NOT forced into this scheduleFlag
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Name: Neal Neslusan on Feb 4, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Kelly McDonough on Feb 4, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Colleen Levins on Feb 4, 2007Comments: The administration should be very concerned about the school's reputation in the community and future financial support from families due to their extremely poor change management. If the school is in a state of change, then they should apply the same phased in, equitable approach across the board. Offer every age group a part time option, not just the 3 and 5 year olds. I'm sure a driver of the part time option for 5 year olds is the struggle with retention kindergarteners necessary to meet state requirements as they transfers out to other schools. I urge the administration to move toward full day in a less drastic, less negatively impactful way by mandating it only to incoming children.Flag
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Name: Shilpa Pherwani on Feb 4, 2007Comments: We believe that a 4 years old kid is not ready to be sent to school full-day and it is usually a compromise for working parents. I sent my son 3 mornings then 5 mornings and when he entered kindergarden then all-day and I would like to have the same option available when my second child is ready for school.Flag
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Name: Jen Shanley on Feb 4, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Ron Weeden on Feb 4, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Christine M Williams on Feb 4, 2007Comments: I stand in strong support of the 5 day program for the pre-schoolers- I believe that adaquate notification should have been given to the parents of students already in the Montessori program, and it wasn't-Flag
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Name: Brian Maher on Feb 5, 2007Comments: My oldest son went to Montessori through kindergarten and he had a choice. He never went full day and only extended day when he was 5. I know how hard it was for him to go to full day in 1st grade. I don't think it is appropriate to demand that of all our 4 year olds. I also feel the school has handled this very poorly and the parents who have genuine concern have been treated rudely from the board all the way down to the secretary. Considering the tuition we pay for our children to attend, I would expect a little more cooperation. I don't know how I can continue to recommend the school to others with an administration who thinks so little of the parents and children who attend.Flag
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Name: Susan Greene on Feb 5, 2007Comments: I have opted not to re-enroll my daughter at SMS partly because of the schedule, but also because my family is planning to move in the next year, and not knowing where we will be living, I had a hard time making such a large commitment to SMS without much options for backing out. If we were going to be staying put in Shrewsbury, there is a great chance she would not have been re-enrolled due specifically to the all day schedule. She loves it there and is absolutely thriving in the environment, but it was a pretty severe change from 2.5 hrs. 3 days per week, to 6 hrs. 5 days per week.Flag
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Name: Patricia Foglia on Feb 5, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Juliann Johnson on Feb 5, 2007Comments: Its really interesting that this full day schedule is not being enforced in Auburn. The sudden desire for age integration, when that's exactly what we had when extended day was 3 full days and 2 mornings. Those long days being Tue, Wed, Thur overlapping with the 3 afternoon children. It appears that this year that extended day schedule was purposely changed to Mon & Fri when the afternoon children wouldn't there, so that you could now enforce full day for the sake of age integration! Here's a bright idea for next year: Kindergarten could have 3 long days Tue, Wed, Thur with 2 mornings or the OPTION of full-day. The 4 year olds now being forced into full day, could then attend 2 long days Mon & Fri with 3 mornings or the OPTION of full day. The new 3 year old preschool children could attend 5 mornings with their second year being full day.Flag
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Name: O'Connor Family on Feb 5, 2007Comments: How about you not force anything upon anyone! Lets bring back the option of choice. Allow the 4 and 5 year old children to attend extended day or full day. Those parents of the 3 year old children will not be happy either when during their second year, full day is forced upon them. If you insist on traveling this route, you might as well install a revolving door at the entrance of the SMS. You think by screening incoming families now that youFlag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 5, 2007Comments: There is a less drastic more diplomatic approach to traveling toward a full day program. Phasing in, may be the best solution. We phase in our children at the beginning of the school year, why not into full day schedule New students are being given that option next year. 3 year olds will start out on a 5 day morning schedule, then eventually add 5 afternoons. Its unreasonable to assume that children currently attending 3 afternoons will seamlessly transfer to a 5 full day schedule. Unless, its been the goal of the administration and the board to force these families out all along! Is this to make room for a bunch of 3 year olds whoFlag
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Name: Pratik Amin on Feb 5, 2007Comments: I would like to have an option of 5 Mornings program available to children. Please do not force full day option as only option. My daughter is attending her first year at Montessori in 5 mornings schedule and loves her teachers. But at the same time I think she should also enjoy her childhood. It would be too much for a four year old to attend full day school. We are also looking forward to send her younger sister to attend Montessori from next year if we will have 5 mornings option available.Flag
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Name: Sangeetha Ramkumar on Feb 5, 2007Comments:Flag
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Name: Christine And Ken Symonds on Feb 5, 2007Comments: The school's stand has been a great disappointment to us. Please reconsider the needs of the parents and children involved. We are a large part of what is Montesuori.Flag
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Name: Simi Raviraj on Feb 6, 2007Comments: I would like my daughter to go for a 5 day morning program. She is going to be going to full day for a long while starting kindergarten, at least now for another year let her have the shorter schedule.Flag
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Name: Lisa DeFalco on Feb 6, 2007Comments: I sign this petition in support of keeping schedule flexibility at Shrewsbury Montessori (5 mornings as well as extended day) prior to grade K. Although I do not seek a 5 morning schedule.Flag
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Name: Support For The Preschool Families!! on Feb 6, 2007Comments: You have our full support in your efforts to regain flexibility within your preschool schedule. I hope that the school and its board members are just as swift in reversing this disastrous decision as it was in presumptiously implementing it, without the approval of the parents. Mr. Lilly and board members, youFlag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 6, 2007Comments: The founding principle of my business is to "do the right thing" at ALL times for our clients, our colleagues, our families and ourselves. Every decision made or action performed must pass this test in order to proceed. We aim to have long-term client partners, rather than trying to maximize revenue/profit in a given year. My competitors are focused on revenue growth, profitability and shareholder value. I am taking away their clients at a rapid pace. They haven't figured out why. Satisfied, fulfilled, educated families who are made to feel a part of the Shrewsbury Montessori community could very likely work with the school to meet its short and long-term budgetary requirements. This community could possibly become longer-term supporters, even well after their children are no longer in the school. Families that feel forced into a situation that doesn't meet their needs will leave or (at best) reluctantly stay. I can't imagine that this group of families will become good references or longer-term financial supporters. Montessori education is based on the unique needs and abilities of each child. Three, four and five year old children should not be forced to go five full days. Each family should be able to decide what is best for their child. There has to be a better way to balance the unique needs of each child with the school's financial needs. I would be happy to help figure out a better solution if given an opportunity.Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 7, 2007Comments: Both my kids enjoyed the flexible Montessori schedule and greatly benefitted from the phased program. I do not believe the extended program should be thrust on the 4 year olds. Also, it is not in the best interest of the Management to corner the parents to this situation at this late a stage. To rectify this situation, the Management should reconsider the decision and invite the affected parents to a meeting and provide them a patient hearing and then arrive at a reasonable decision.Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 7, 2007Comments: I am in favor of offering families options. Personally, I feel that 4 year olds are too young to be going to school until 2:30pm. The school claims they informed families sometime last year that this change would be happening. If that were true, how come so many families are upset with this news Given current families' reactions, the Board should rethink this decision and support the current enrolled families to help build long term relationships.Flag
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Name: Naing Naing Aung on Feb 9, 2007Comments: Signing the petitionFlag
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Name: Naing Naing Aung on Feb 9, 2007Comments: Signing the petitionFlag
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Name: Michael Boland on Feb 17, 2007Comments: As with ALL of the parents we've spoken with, we were NOT informed of this change in January 2006 as the school is insisting. We were fully expecting to send our daughter to Shrewsbury Montessori next year for five mornings. We feel that five full days is just too much for our pre-schooler. It is very hard on parents/children when a drastic change is forced upon them this late in the registration process. As many parents have learned, many of the other schools have waiting lists for both morning and afternoon programs. We are as upset with the way the school has chosen to handle this issue as with the change itself.Flag
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