Dear Ms. Finder,

On behalf of the parents for this current year’s Kindergartners, we would like to place a formal request to Dr. Melnick and the Board of Education. We are asking that an additional First Grade class be formed for the 2016-2017 school year. The efforts you and the district have made this year in placing a part time TA in both Mrs. Bierwiler and Mrs. Burgos’ classes have certainly been appreciated. Given the large class sizes, the additional support the teacher’s assistants provided was helpful. We understand that you and the teachers truly felt that the half day TA support would be sufficient to ensure that our children would continue to receive the individual and small group instruction that we all consider a part of the GWL experience. However, as the year has progressed we believe the children, parents and teachers have begun to feel otherwise, and that without sufficient teacher support throughout the entire day, our children will not be able to benefit to their fullest potential.

Although our teachers are incredible and experienced, the large class sizes, combined with such young students, have resulted in less than optimal learning conditions. Our request is that you begin discussions with Dr. Melnick and the North Shore Board of Education, regarding the importance of adding a fourth class for next year’s first graders. All parties involved are cognizant of how critically important these early educational years are in building the fundamental skills necessary for lifelong learning.

Thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

Regards,

Kindergarten Parents at GWL