We are a group of parents and community residents that oppose the moving of 5th graders into the district's middle schools. We believe that 10 and 11 year-olds are not ready for the peer pressures they will encounter in a 5-8 middle school environment. We are concerned that our children are already growing up too fast and now the Neshaminy School Board wants them to grow up even faster.
We are also concerned that there is a lack of empirical evidence to support the inclusion of fifth graders in middle schools. The 5-8 grade middle school model is a relatively new and untested trend. We do not want the Neshaminy School Board using our children as its guinea pigs.
We are also concerned that throughout the decade long debate over school consolidation the Neshaminy School Board has failed to inform the community that grade reorganization was part of the discussion. We believe this amounts to a gross lack of transparency on the part of the school board. Given this lack of transparency, we are very concerned that the board wants to push this plan through quickly (for the 2014-2015 school year) without the input of the Neshaminy community – the parents and the taxpayers.
As parents we sincerely hope that the school board reconsiders this proposal. As taxpayers, we demand that the concerns of the entire Neshaminy community be heard and that ALL questions related to this proposal are answered before a final decision is made.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 4, 2014
March 3, 2014
Reaching this level of support shows how many of us feel ignored by the board. This fight is draining but seeing this many people hold the line keeps me focused on the goal.
Reached 100 supporters
March 2, 2014
109 Comments
Please keep the 5th graders in the elementary school. It makes no sense to close Walter Miller because it is the most updated elementary school in the district. It also has sidewalks where the children can walk safely to school.
I cannot believe this would even be considered. Has ANYONE on the BOE served in education? Common sense dictates that this is a poor judgement call developmentally speaking- 10 and 14 year-olds are worlds apart. Figure out some other horrible way to fix your budget issues.
In my opinion 10 and 11 year olds are too young to be placed in Middle school. The added peer pressure not to mention the greater opportunity to be bullied by students that are three grades ahead of them. They should leave 5th grade where it is.
I also think this an awful solution. Even my current 5th grader quickly said (without bias) "I barely feel ready to go next year as a 6th grader. Trust me, those 4th graders won't be ready next year." Another point, is that many parents rely on the kids club for before /after care. Has that been taken into consideration?
As a recent home buyer in the area, in large part due to the high quality elementary schools, I find this idea and the lack of transparency in communication to taxpayers disgraceful. I will remember this in all future elections.
No I don't want my 4th graders in middle school next yr.
KEEP MILLER OPEN TOO
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
We are a group of parents and community residents that oppose the moving of 5th graders into the district's middle schools. We believe that 10 and 11 year-olds are not ready for the peer pressures they will encounter in a 5-8 middle school environment. We are concerned that our children are already growing up too fast and now the Neshaminy School Board wants them to grow up even faster.
We are also concerned that there is a lack of empirical evidence to support the inclusion of fifth graders in middle schools. The 5-8 grade middle school model is a relatively new and untested trend. We do not want the Neshaminy School Board using our children as its guinea pigs.
We are also concerned that throughout the decade long debate over school consolidation the Neshaminy School Board has failed to inform the community that grade reorganization was part of the discussion. We believe this amounts to a gross lack of transparency on the part of the school board. Given this lack of transparency, we are very concerned that the board wants to push this plan through quickly (for the 2014-2015 school year) without the input of the Neshaminy community – the parents and the taxpayers.
As parents we sincerely hope that the school board reconsiders this proposal. As taxpayers, we demand that the concerns of the entire Neshaminy community be heard and that ALL questions related to this proposal are answered before a final decision is made.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 4, 2014
March 3, 2014
Reaching this level of support shows how many of us feel ignored by the board. This fight is draining but seeing this many people hold the line keeps me focused on the goal.
Reached 100 supporters
March 2, 2014
109 Comments
There is research indicating that younger students attending middle schools have a higher rate of behavioral incidents, lower academic achievement, and lower graduation rates as compared to same-age peers who remain in an elementary school setting. Why would we set our kids up for potential failure?
Please keep the 5th graders in the elementary school. It makes no sense to close Walter Miller because it is the most updated elementary school in the district. It also has sidewalks where the children can walk safely to school.
I cannot believe this would even be considered. Has ANYONE on the BOE served in education? Common sense dictates that this is a poor judgement call developmentally speaking- 10 and 14 year-olds are worlds apart. Figure out some other horrible way to fix your budget issues.
In my opinion 10 and 11 year olds are too young to be placed in Middle school. The added peer pressure not to mention the greater opportunity to be bullied by students that are three grades ahead of them. They should leave 5th grade where it is.
I also think this an awful solution. Even my current 5th grader quickly said (without bias) "I barely feel ready to go next year as a 6th grader. Trust me, those 4th graders won't be ready next year." Another point, is that many parents rely on the kids club for before /after care. Has that been taken into consideration?
As a recent home buyer in the area, in large part due to the high quality elementary schools, I find this idea and the lack of transparency in communication to taxpayers disgraceful. I will remember this in all future elections.
No I don't want my 4th graders in middle school next yr.
KEEP MILLER OPEN TOO
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
There is research indicating that younger students attending middle schools have a higher rate of behavioral incidents, lower academic achievement, and lower graduation rates as compared to same-age peers who remain in an elementary school setting. Why would we set our kids up for potential failure?