A wonderful program that helps children feel connected to their learning community, and where teachers work together to create the best learning for each individual and embrace each child.
M
Matthew Groose
10 years ago
We are looking to buy a house in the school district, but not having this program as an option for our kids could be a dealbreaker for us. The multi-age separates the school from the rest in my opinion.
S
Susan Sherman
10 years ago
I have had two children in the PALs program and can not say enough good things about the program. It would be a disservice to the Verona school system to discontinue this program.
D
Donna Anderson
10 years ago
parents need another alternative to learning for their children.
M
Mary Elizabeth Pollard
10 years ago
Both of our children participated in the PALs program, and I believe it created the solid foundation upon which the rest of their education has been built. The teachers encouraged our kids to take risks as learners and step outside of their comfort levels to really see what they could achieve. By supporting them as they took these chances, today our kids are not afraid to take on new challenges: to get up in front of an auditorium full of people, to start a club, to respectfully push the boundaries, and to truly be active learners. Not only did the teachers push our kids to be active learners, but they encouraged us as parents to be actively involved in our kids’ education, as well as the education of all students. They invested in not only the students but the families, realizing that it take all of us working together to truly help each other reach our potential. This program was not meant to end when these teachers decided it was time to follow other opportunities. Surely the administration has had more foresight than to not plan for this day.
J
Joel Gerrits
10 years ago
Both my kids went through PALs. It's a great program that could meet the academic needs of both kids--regardless of whether they needed more of a challenge or extra help. The collaboration among students, teachers and parents is unmatchable. This cannot be replicated in traditional classrooms and this program must be kept. It was the best part of their education in VASD.
D
Deb Gerrits
10 years ago
As a former PALS student, I want to say that PALs was a great program, it helped me learn to be a good speaker and to develop leadership skills. I really liked the multiage part, it was nice to have older students and younger students together.
T
Thomas Brunold
10 years ago
It would be a shame to eliminate the PALS program. The UW Madison Chemistry department has just received $300,000 to change the way we teach freshman chemistry. We (faculty) will spend a significant amount of time to develop student-centered, active learning methods not unlike those developed and employed by the PALS program.
C
Claire Gilliam
10 years ago
Being a PALs student was the absolute best part of my educational experience so far. I would hate to see it discontinued.
T
Tobias Butcher
10 years ago
I attended Stoner Prairie and was a part of the PALs program from 2007 to 2009. It is a great program, and I would hate to see it go.
J
John Pollard
10 years ago
The PALs program was the best part of my kids' experience in Verona.
C
Carol Wanta
10 years ago
The administration needs to go forward with the PAL Program. It is our duty to be more responsible for our children. We can't let these children be held back, especially if this group has the capability to move forward. Who are we to stop them. If you have to hire more teachers to replace the ones that are retiring, why not look for ones that are qualified for this PAL program. We need and the administration need to do right by our Kids.
,
D
Donna Anderson
10 years ago
my children benefited greatly from the PALS philosophy. Please continue it for children in the future.
S
Steve Lynam
10 years ago
A multiage program is unparalleled for peer learning. It can only be poorly mimicked in traditional classrooms.
J
Jay Schad
10 years ago
The PALS program represents the best SP has to offer its students and families. The PALS program provides a solid foundation for success in the middle school and high school years. We will have a second VAHS graduate this year and the PALS program may well be the best learning opportunity our kids had during their school careers.
C
Celia Kiela
10 years ago
My two children are PALs alums and in retrospect, it was the highlight of their educational careers in the Verona District. They were challenged, they were known, they formed friendships, they could express their creativity and follow their curiosity. The teachers were committed to the concept and they welcomed parents and volunteers in their classrooms to be active participants in raising our village. They worked harder than most teachers my kids have had since because teaching across age groups with varied content requires an investment of energy and certainly an expense of it, yet they often made it look effortless. Because of PALs my kids are critical thinkers, better writers, excellent presenters and know how to navigate group work in a meaningful way. That's the kind of stuff we hope for. These teachers also designed the program to persist beyond them. If the district hasn't met them on this goal, it has done a great disservice to the families who are currently in the program by not having the foresight to plan, as well as to families who haven't even entered the schools yet. The administration needs to make its case for why it has taken the course that it has. The parents and students deserve better communication and management.
S
Savang Chhorm
10 years ago
please save the program
T
Theatrice Byas
10 years ago
I loved PALS.....
L
Linda Eddy
10 years ago
My daughter graduated from high school in 2015. She participated in the PALs program and I believe the early experiences she had in this program set the foundation for her later success in middle school and high school. The environment of the PALs program allowed her to develop confidence and leadership skills. She not only learned academics but also responsibility and critical thinking skills. I sincerely hope the Verona School District reconsiders its decision to discontinue this amazing program. It would be incredibly sad to see the tradition of this unique program come to an untimely end.
J
Justin Daering
10 years ago
Featured
I was in PALs. It's unique approach to age and classroom integration was revolutionary in fostering a social ideology that I value tremendously and would like to see more of in our world. This program is a model for classrooms nationwide and should be expanded, not ended.
A wonderful program that helps children feel connected to their learning community, and where teachers work together to create the best learning for each individual and embrace each child.
We are looking to buy a house in the school district, but not having this program as an option for our kids could be a dealbreaker for us. The multi-age separates the school from the rest in my opinion.
I have had two children in the PALs program and can not say enough good things about the program. It would be a disservice to the Verona school system to discontinue this program.
parents need another alternative to learning for their children.
Both of our children participated in the PALs program, and I believe it created the solid foundation upon which the rest of their education has been built. The teachers encouraged our kids to take risks as learners and step outside of their comfort levels to really see what they could achieve. By supporting them as they took these chances, today our kids are not afraid to take on new challenges: to get up in front of an auditorium full of people, to start a club, to respectfully push the boundaries, and to truly be active learners. Not only did the teachers push our kids to be active learners, but they encouraged us as parents to be actively involved in our kids’ education, as well as the education of all students. They invested in not only the students but the families, realizing that it take all of us working together to truly help each other reach our potential. This program was not meant to end when these teachers decided it was time to follow other opportunities. Surely the administration has had more foresight than to not plan for this day.
Both my kids went through PALs. It's a great program that could meet the academic needs of both kids--regardless of whether they needed more of a challenge or extra help. The collaboration among students, teachers and parents is unmatchable. This cannot be replicated in traditional classrooms and this program must be kept. It was the best part of their education in VASD.
As a former PALS student, I want to say that PALs was a great program, it helped me learn to be a good speaker and to develop leadership skills. I really liked the multiage part, it was nice to have older students and younger students together.
It would be a shame to eliminate the PALS program. The UW Madison Chemistry department has just received $300,000 to change the way we teach freshman chemistry. We (faculty) will spend a significant amount of time to develop student-centered, active learning methods not unlike those developed and employed by the PALS program.
Being a PALs student was the absolute best part of my educational experience so far. I would hate to see it discontinued.
I attended Stoner Prairie and was a part of the PALs program from 2007 to 2009. It is a great program, and I would hate to see it go.
The PALs program was the best part of my kids' experience in Verona.
The administration needs to go forward with the PAL Program. It is our duty to be more responsible for our children. We can't let these children be held back, especially if this group has the capability to move forward. Who are we to stop them. If you have to hire more teachers to replace the ones that are retiring, why not look for ones that are qualified for this PAL program. We need and the administration need to do right by our Kids. ,
my children benefited greatly from the PALS philosophy. Please continue it for children in the future.
A multiage program is unparalleled for peer learning. It can only be poorly mimicked in traditional classrooms.
The PALS program represents the best SP has to offer its students and families. The PALS program provides a solid foundation for success in the middle school and high school years. We will have a second VAHS graduate this year and the PALS program may well be the best learning opportunity our kids had during their school careers.
My two children are PALs alums and in retrospect, it was the highlight of their educational careers in the Verona District. They were challenged, they were known, they formed friendships, they could express their creativity and follow their curiosity. The teachers were committed to the concept and they welcomed parents and volunteers in their classrooms to be active participants in raising our village. They worked harder than most teachers my kids have had since because teaching across age groups with varied content requires an investment of energy and certainly an expense of it, yet they often made it look effortless. Because of PALs my kids are critical thinkers, better writers, excellent presenters and know how to navigate group work in a meaningful way. That's the kind of stuff we hope for. These teachers also designed the program to persist beyond them. If the district hasn't met them on this goal, it has done a great disservice to the families who are currently in the program by not having the foresight to plan, as well as to families who haven't even entered the schools yet. The administration needs to make its case for why it has taken the course that it has. The parents and students deserve better communication and management.
please save the program
I loved PALS.....
My daughter graduated from high school in 2015. She participated in the PALs program and I believe the early experiences she had in this program set the foundation for her later success in middle school and high school. The environment of the PALs program allowed her to develop confidence and leadership skills. She not only learned academics but also responsibility and critical thinking skills. I sincerely hope the Verona School District reconsiders its decision to discontinue this amazing program. It would be incredibly sad to see the tradition of this unique program come to an untimely end.
I was in PALs. It's unique approach to age and classroom integration was revolutionary in fostering a social ideology that I value tremendously and would like to see more of in our world. This program is a model for classrooms nationwide and should be expanded, not ended.