Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
The Newton Board of Education will be voting on whether or not to move the 5th grade students to the antiquated Halsted Middle School for the 2014/2015 school year. This pending decision was brought to parent’s attention just 3 weeks ago, and has not been properly researched or planned. We ask the Board of Education to keep in mind the following:
More than 40 years of National Middle School Association research studies show that 10 and 11 year olds are NOT mature enough to handle the pressures that exist from older students. Developmentally, students in grades 6, 7 and 8 have more in common in terms of physical, psychological, social and intellectual development than do those in other age-grade combinations. Fifth grade students typically have not yet reached early adolescence. Fifth grade student's developmental level is more closely linked with students in grade four.
Grade level configuration determinations should not be determined based on a desire to increase the preschool population, but the foundation of an educational program that is student-centered and meets the needs of young adolescent learners.
While 5th grade was in the Halsted Middle School previously, a referendum was passed to build an addition to the existing elementary school and move the 5th grade back to the elementary school. This was decided by the voting members of our community. Clearly it was done so for a reason- it is the best learning environment for our young children.
The Newton Board of Education has yet to release any educational impact studies and has not presented any educational advantages of a 5-8 middle school configuration existing within the walls of an outdated building that is nearly a century old, with limited facilities, a limited life span, no field space, and limited access for students with disabilities.
There are other viable options that should be considered, including moving the preschool to Project Self-Sufficiency, or even Halsted. Preschoolers do not require the same facilities currently available to our k-5 students, i.e. science lab.
We strongly oppose moving 5th graders into the Halsted Middle School. Please keep academics, and the k-5 children, at the forefront of your decision-making process.
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Updates
December 7, 2013
The Board of Education has yet to acknowledge our concerns regarding the move of our fifth graders. I am currently drafting a formal letter to every board member demanding a transparent review of their plan. Call your local representative today to insist they vote against relocating these ten-year-olds to Halsted.
December 7, 2013
The momentum behind this effort is undeniable and shows the Board of Education exactly how much our community values these students. Take a moment to text this link to three friends who live in the district. We need to keep this pressure on until the vote happens.
33 Comments
Kids are being forced to grow up too fast as it is and so much more is expected of them academicly,it makes no sense to move them into a more hostile environment.Moving them would be a huge mistake,not only for the children but tax payers when the "board" calls for more money to renavate the school to accomodate the influx of students!Its a loose/loose situation!
Placing the children in a building thats NOT eqipped to deal with the population is ridiculous as it is so when considering the move would be ctostrophic for our youths development its clear to see the boards merely interested in polotics and monetary gain,NOT our children!KEEP the system as it is!
Bottom line, my son is not ready for the move. We may consider catholic school if this proposition is voted in for the 2014-2015 school year.
I am the parent of 5 children who have gone through or are currently enrolled in Newton schools. My youngest son is now in the 4th grade at Merriam Avenue School. I believe that he would be much better off staying at Merriam next year for 5th grade. The Halstead School should have been either demolished years ago. It is so outdated and depressing in its current state. When the addition was built at Merriam School they should have incorporated both schools into one. The savings to the taxpayers would easily have surpassed the investment over time. Just think-1 principal, nurse, secretary, etc. instead of 2, maintenance and utility costs would be reduced drastically. I could go on...
I strongly disagree with how this decision seems to have been made without adequate notice to parents or opportunity to respond or present other options. I can't help but feel this is being pushed thr
The middle school is not the appropriate place for 5th graders, developmentally or educationally.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
The Newton Board of Education will be voting on whether or not to move the 5th grade students to the antiquated Halsted Middle School for the 2014/2015 school year. This pending decision was brought to parent’s attention just 3 weeks ago, and has not been properly researched or planned. We ask the Board of Education to keep in mind the following:
More than 40 years of National Middle School Association research studies show that 10 and 11 year olds are NOT mature enough to handle the pressures that exist from older students. Developmentally, students in grades 6, 7 and 8 have more in common in terms of physical, psychological, social and intellectual development than do those in other age-grade combinations. Fifth grade students typically have not yet reached early adolescence. Fifth grade student's developmental level is more closely linked with students in grade four.
Grade level configuration determinations should not be determined based on a desire to increase the preschool population, but the foundation of an educational program that is student-centered and meets the needs of young adolescent learners.
While 5th grade was in the Halsted Middle School previously, a referendum was passed to build an addition to the existing elementary school and move the 5th grade back to the elementary school. This was decided by the voting members of our community. Clearly it was done so for a reason- it is the best learning environment for our young children.
The Newton Board of Education has yet to release any educational impact studies and has not presented any educational advantages of a 5-8 middle school configuration existing within the walls of an outdated building that is nearly a century old, with limited facilities, a limited life span, no field space, and limited access for students with disabilities.
There are other viable options that should be considered, including moving the preschool to Project Self-Sufficiency, or even Halsted. Preschoolers do not require the same facilities currently available to our k-5 students, i.e. science lab.
We strongly oppose moving 5th graders into the Halsted Middle School. Please keep academics, and the k-5 children, at the forefront of your decision-making process.
Updates
December 7, 2013
The Board of Education has yet to acknowledge our concerns regarding the move of our fifth graders. I am currently drafting a formal letter to every board member demanding a transparent review of their plan. Call your local representative today to insist they vote against relocating these ten-year-olds to Halsted.
December 7, 2013
The momentum behind this effort is undeniable and shows the Board of Education exactly how much our community values these students. Take a moment to text this link to three friends who live in the district. We need to keep this pressure on until the vote happens.
33 Comments
As a middle school teacher who taught 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, I know that 5th graders are not emotionally prepared to handle the stresses of middle school. All students deserve to feel loved, protected and confident in their school surroundings.
Kids are being forced to grow up too fast as it is and so much more is expected of them academicly,it makes no sense to move them into a more hostile environment.Moving them would be a huge mistake,not only for the children but tax payers when the "board" calls for more money to renavate the school to accomodate the influx of students!Its a loose/loose situation!
Placing the children in a building thats NOT eqipped to deal with the population is ridiculous as it is so when considering the move would be ctostrophic for our youths development its clear to see the boards merely interested in polotics and monetary gain,NOT our children!KEEP the system as it is!
Bottom line, my son is not ready for the move. We may consider catholic school if this proposition is voted in for the 2014-2015 school year.
I am the parent of 5 children who have gone through or are currently enrolled in Newton schools. My youngest son is now in the 4th grade at Merriam Avenue School. I believe that he would be much better off staying at Merriam next year for 5th grade. The Halstead School should have been either demolished years ago. It is so outdated and depressing in its current state. When the addition was built at Merriam School they should have incorporated both schools into one. The savings to the taxpayers would easily have surpassed the investment over time. Just think-1 principal, nurse, secretary, etc. instead of 2, maintenance and utility costs would be reduced drastically. I could go on...
I strongly disagree with how this decision seems to have been made without adequate notice to parents or opportunity to respond or present other options. I can't help but feel this is being pushed thr
The middle school is not the appropriate place for 5th graders, developmentally or educationally.
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As a middle school teacher who taught 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, I know that 5th graders are not emotionally prepared to handle the stresses of middle school. All students deserve to feel loved, protected and confident in their school surroundings.