Due to low enrollment for the 2015-2016 year, it has been proposed that the North Kitsap AGATE Program teaching staff should be reduced from three teachers to two. This would leave only two classrooms to serve at least 57 students with a class size of 28 and 29, respectively. We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the impact of the class size on program quality and respectfully request that you reconsider this proposal. Since this is a temporary low enrollment, three teachers will likely be needed the following year and Mrs. Taylor may not be available to teach if she takes another position. As parents, we are deeply vested in this program and request that you take measures to help the program grow, not diminish. Sadly, we cannot rely on Washington state to protect the best interest of our students by keeping class sizes low, so we hope that the North Kitsap School Board and Adminstration will make it a priority.
Thank you for investing in our country's future....our children.
12 Comments
I have an incoming 3rd grader who was excited to have Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Fairchild as her teachers next year. She was very disappointed to learn that that might not happen. Two major selling points for us leaving our current school were the two teachers for the 3/4 split and the smaller class sizes (we were told 18 kids per class). Our kids cannot thrive in a classroom with 28 kids. They deserve better.
I'm looking to have my son attend this program for the 2017/2018 school year!
The AGATE program is very successful with smaller classes. Increasing class size will negatively impact the exceptional learning environment for our children.
If you are not already aware, the AGATE program is one of the few educational competitive advantages NKSD has over competing districts. What makes Suquamish AGATE so special is the combination of caliber of students, teaching style / curriculum, and classroom structure. I hope the school board realizes they have a gem in Suquamish AGATE and reject any change to the program that would alter the three elements noted. By changing any one of those three elements, the school board would have normalized an outstanding program and voluntarily eroded a competitive advantage. If this were a business, you would only change things in the program if it would improve the program. Otherwise, hands off!
We could not be happier with the way this school year went. My son benefited by having time with both Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Fairchild. I really hope the program stays as it is.
Students are in this classroom because they need more enrichment and differentiation. The key to achieving this is small class size and a project-based curriculum. Both will be lost with a class size of 28. Please reconsider the cuts proposed for this classroom.
Please preserve the integrity of this wonderful, worldclass program!
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Due to low enrollment for the 2015-2016 year, it has been proposed that the North Kitsap AGATE Program teaching staff should be reduced from three teachers to two. This would leave only two classrooms to serve at least 57 students with a class size of 28 and 29, respectively. We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the impact of the class size on program quality and respectfully request that you reconsider this proposal. Since this is a temporary low enrollment, three teachers will likely be needed the following year and Mrs. Taylor may not be available to teach if she takes another position. As parents, we are deeply vested in this program and request that you take measures to help the program grow, not diminish. Sadly, we cannot rely on Washington state to protect the best interest of our students by keeping class sizes low, so we hope that the North Kitsap School Board and Adminstration will make it a priority.
Thank you for investing in our country's future....our children.
12 Comments
We have had the opportunity to see the AGATE program function both with two teachers and with three teachers. The three teacher model was far superior. The gains these kids made this year are amazing. To go back to two teachers for next year would be a step backwards for the program, both classes would be too large for the differentiation needed for these students. Consistency is vitally important for the growth of the program.
I have an incoming 3rd grader who was excited to have Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Fairchild as her teachers next year. She was very disappointed to learn that that might not happen. Two major selling points for us leaving our current school were the two teachers for the 3/4 split and the smaller class sizes (we were told 18 kids per class). Our kids cannot thrive in a classroom with 28 kids. They deserve better.
I'm looking to have my son attend this program for the 2017/2018 school year!
The AGATE program is very successful with smaller classes. Increasing class size will negatively impact the exceptional learning environment for our children.
If you are not already aware, the AGATE program is one of the few educational competitive advantages NKSD has over competing districts. What makes Suquamish AGATE so special is the combination of caliber of students, teaching style / curriculum, and classroom structure. I hope the school board realizes they have a gem in Suquamish AGATE and reject any change to the program that would alter the three elements noted. By changing any one of those three elements, the school board would have normalized an outstanding program and voluntarily eroded a competitive advantage. If this were a business, you would only change things in the program if it would improve the program. Otherwise, hands off!
We could not be happier with the way this school year went. My son benefited by having time with both Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Fairchild. I really hope the program stays as it is.
Students are in this classroom because they need more enrichment and differentiation. The key to achieving this is small class size and a project-based curriculum. Both will be lost with a class size of 28. Please reconsider the cuts proposed for this classroom.
Please preserve the integrity of this wonderful, worldclass program!
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We have had the opportunity to see the AGATE program function both with two teachers and with three teachers. The three teacher model was far superior. The gains these kids made this year are amazing. To go back to two teachers for next year would be a step backwards for the program, both classes would be too large for the differentiation needed for these students. Consistency is vitally important for the growth of the program.