Elementary School Placement for Stratton Fourth Graders
26 Comments
S
Songtao Lu
11 years ago
Featured
I am deeply concerned to put the fourth grade kids into Ottason Middle school. Those kids would lost not only recess time, but also the connection with their elementary peers. Please make a plan that's beneficial for those kids
S
Stratton Fourth Grade
· petition starter
11 years ago
Just to clarify: no where in the district's plan does is say that the children at Ottoson would not have recess. The Superintendent said at the meeting that they would have use of the field as well as potentially some asphalt space weather permitting. There will not be a play structure.
Physical education as a class and a special period happens in the gym and can happen year round. The gym space at OMS is very tight especially considering enrollment growth. The Superintendent said that middle school students would be scheduled for Physical Education first and then the elementary students would be able to use the gym during the remaining time. We are very concerned that there will be little to no remaining gym time precluding physical activity in a gym which is especially critical in winter months when outdoor recess isn't possible.
However, the students at OMS will be allowed out for recess and will be given use of the field for that time.
M
Matthew Landau
11 years ago
Featured
I am also very concerned about plans to provide appropriate recess for 4th graders, and about accommodations for students who currently rely on Mrs. Condon's occupational therapy facilities at Stratton. Will Stratton 4th graders lose access to these services if housed at OMS for a year?
N
Neva Corbo-Hudak
11 years ago
In her email dated March 26 notifying parents of the relocation plan, Superintendent Bodie says that the classrooms planned for Ottoson will accommodate the expected increase in middle school enrollment in 2017. The choice to use Ottoson for two elementary school grades is based on future classroom needs rather than on providing a quality educational experience. It is outrageous that the district's logistical concerns are taking precedence over its students.
Housing the Stratton fourth grade at Ottoson is completely inappropriate. Despite words to the contrary, Ottoson is not a comparable site to any of the six other elementary schools. Fourth graders need access to age-appropriate facilities and resources, such as an elementary library, art and music rooms, a playground, and professionals and educators trained in their age group. Classrooms at Ottoson would not fill the social, emotional, or wellness needs of fourth graders and would require nine- and ten-year-olds to spend the majority of their time in one room for an entire school year. They will be deprived of experiencing a school community and isolated from other elementary-aged students. This is NOT an acceptable learning environment and is clearly subpar to the experience that all other Arlington fourth graders will be given.
Our children – who have warmly welcomed other students into our space and community – should not have to sacrifice their education and well-being because of the district’s enrollment issues. The location for the Stratton community must be reconsidered with our students as the top priority.
S
Stratton Fourth Grade
· petition starter
11 years ago
ipetitions is asking for a donation after you sign - this is NOT required in order to sign this petition. You can just cancel out of the page and carry on with your day.
A
Amy Landau
11 years ago
We are parents of one child currently in second grade and one child at Ottoson. I consider the issues raised in this petition to be very important to the well being and successful learning of our child and I hope you give a considered response to this petition.
V
Valerie Wey
11 years ago
I think it is inconceivable to stop children from having outdoor recess. Children are already too much confine inside the school. Outdoor activity is an essential part of the normal development and should be aken into consideration as much as the intellectual development.
R
Robert V. Fisher
11 years ago
This is bad plan and must be reconsidered.
J
Jessica Porter
11 years ago
Parent of two children
J
Jessica Porter
11 years ago
Parent of two children
A
Antonio P. Carchedi
11 years ago
Featured
When the Thompson school was being renovated the Stratton School accepted Thompson children. Our rooms were full to capacity. The Thompson children were not turned away. The Thompson children were not relocated to modular classrooms. In fact, the Thompson children were provided a quality education at a quality elementary school.
The Stratton children deserve the same opportunity to receive a quality education at a quality elementary school. Our children are under a lot of pressure to learn, and keep pace with all other 4th grade children. They do not need the additional stress of an unpleasant and quite frankly inferior learning environment.
I urge Dr. Boddie find a place for our children in a quality elementary school.
A
Antonio P. Carchedi
11 years ago
Featured
When the Thompson school was being renovated the Stratton School accepted Thompson children. Our rooms were full to capacity. The Thompson children were not turned away. The Thompson children were not relocated to modular classrooms. In fact, the Thompson children were provided a quality education at a quality elementary school.
As of this morning, this petition has 48 signatures representing the families of 40 children in Stratton's second grade. The plan is for this petition and its signatures to be presented at the School Committee meeting tomorrow evening. If you are available to attend and show your support that would be wonderful. The meetings are held at the High School (enter through the front doors and head upstairs) and start promptly at 630PM. The time for public comment is at the beginning and usually lasts about ten minutes. We have a parent who will speak and we need others there to show their support. It shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes after the start time. Thank you.
J
John Donlan
11 years ago
I share in these concerns
M
Mina Papoulidis
11 years ago
Our children should not have to compromise their elementary school experience. My son will turn 9 years old in August of that year, and the culture shock of him having to share a school with 12, 13 and 14 year olds is unacceptable. The new environment of being in Junior high is a hard adjustment for appropriately aged students, we should not have to inflict this experience on our younger children. 4th and 5th graders still need the proper nurturing and guidance to help them adjust and gain confidence to enter junior high in a positive manner that will help them succeed. This experience will do more harm than good for a lot of young students. I strongly urge the school committee to rethink this decision and put yourselves in the place of the children at stake. I know I speak for a lot of concerned parents. Please, don’t over-look our children!
D
Demetri Papoulidis
11 years ago
Demetri Papoulidis
J
John R McNulty
11 years ago
The current proposal goes beyond being an “inconvenience” to the 4th grade school children. It will be a major impairment to the entire learning environment that inevitably will have a negative impact on their education. Moreover, this will occur right at a time when the students would still be in the process of adjusting to standardized testing. In short, these children will be kept in a cramped overcrowded space, with very limited access to physical activity, surrounded by large numbers of children who are developmentally way ahead of them, all the while being cut off from the full set of resources available to all other elementary school children. Distance can be deceptive depending on one’s perspective; however, I feel this is a rather obvious “short end of the stick” that these future 4th graders will be asked to endure.
S
Shaileen Pokress
11 years ago
Speaking from 11 years as a Stratton parent, I urge the school committee to consider the accommodations offered to other schools during their rebuilds, which often caused a less than optimal situation at the Stratton. We have happily shared our space when asked. Our children deserve the same consideration that has been given to other students in the district in years past. Having to use a school building that is designed for older children is not on par with the experience other schools' students have had when they've been relocated.
J
John R McNulty
11 years ago
The current proposal goes beyond being an “inconvenience” to the 4th grade school children. It will be a major impairment to the entire learning environment that inevitably will have negative on their education. Moreover, this will occur right at a time when the students would still be in the process of adjusting to standardized testing. In short, these children will be kept in a cramped overcrowded space, with very limited access to physical activity, surrounded by large numbers of children who are developmentally way ahead of them, all the while being cut off from the full set of resources available to all other elementary school children. Distance can be deceptive depending on one’s perspective; however, I feel this is a rather obvious “short end of the stick” that these future 4th graders will be asked to endure.
I am deeply concerned to put the fourth grade kids into Ottason Middle school. Those kids would lost not only recess time, but also the connection with their elementary peers. Please make a plan that's beneficial for those kids
Just to clarify: no where in the district's plan does is say that the children at Ottoson would not have recess. The Superintendent said at the meeting that they would have use of the field as well as potentially some asphalt space weather permitting. There will not be a play structure. Physical education as a class and a special period happens in the gym and can happen year round. The gym space at OMS is very tight especially considering enrollment growth. The Superintendent said that middle school students would be scheduled for Physical Education first and then the elementary students would be able to use the gym during the remaining time. We are very concerned that there will be little to no remaining gym time precluding physical activity in a gym which is especially critical in winter months when outdoor recess isn't possible. However, the students at OMS will be allowed out for recess and will be given use of the field for that time.
I am also very concerned about plans to provide appropriate recess for 4th graders, and about accommodations for students who currently rely on Mrs. Condon's occupational therapy facilities at Stratton. Will Stratton 4th graders lose access to these services if housed at OMS for a year?
In her email dated March 26 notifying parents of the relocation plan, Superintendent Bodie says that the classrooms planned for Ottoson will accommodate the expected increase in middle school enrollment in 2017. The choice to use Ottoson for two elementary school grades is based on future classroom needs rather than on providing a quality educational experience. It is outrageous that the district's logistical concerns are taking precedence over its students. Housing the Stratton fourth grade at Ottoson is completely inappropriate. Despite words to the contrary, Ottoson is not a comparable site to any of the six other elementary schools. Fourth graders need access to age-appropriate facilities and resources, such as an elementary library, art and music rooms, a playground, and professionals and educators trained in their age group. Classrooms at Ottoson would not fill the social, emotional, or wellness needs of fourth graders and would require nine- and ten-year-olds to spend the majority of their time in one room for an entire school year. They will be deprived of experiencing a school community and isolated from other elementary-aged students. This is NOT an acceptable learning environment and is clearly subpar to the experience that all other Arlington fourth graders will be given. Our children – who have warmly welcomed other students into our space and community – should not have to sacrifice their education and well-being because of the district’s enrollment issues. The location for the Stratton community must be reconsidered with our students as the top priority.
ipetitions is asking for a donation after you sign - this is NOT required in order to sign this petition. You can just cancel out of the page and carry on with your day.
We are parents of one child currently in second grade and one child at Ottoson. I consider the issues raised in this petition to be very important to the well being and successful learning of our child and I hope you give a considered response to this petition.
I think it is inconceivable to stop children from having outdoor recess. Children are already too much confine inside the school. Outdoor activity is an essential part of the normal development and should be aken into consideration as much as the intellectual development.
This is bad plan and must be reconsidered.
Parent of two children
Parent of two children
When the Thompson school was being renovated the Stratton School accepted Thompson children. Our rooms were full to capacity. The Thompson children were not turned away. The Thompson children were not relocated to modular classrooms. In fact, the Thompson children were provided a quality education at a quality elementary school. The Stratton children deserve the same opportunity to receive a quality education at a quality elementary school. Our children are under a lot of pressure to learn, and keep pace with all other 4th grade children. They do not need the additional stress of an unpleasant and quite frankly inferior learning environment. I urge Dr. Boddie find a place for our children in a quality elementary school.
When the Thompson school was being renovated the Stratton School accepted Thompson children. Our rooms were full to capacity. The Thompson children were not turned away. The Thompson children were not relocated to modular classrooms. In fact, the Thompson children were provided a quality education at a quality elementary school.
[email protected]
As of this morning, this petition has 48 signatures representing the families of 40 children in Stratton's second grade. The plan is for this petition and its signatures to be presented at the School Committee meeting tomorrow evening. If you are available to attend and show your support that would be wonderful. The meetings are held at the High School (enter through the front doors and head upstairs) and start promptly at 630PM. The time for public comment is at the beginning and usually lasts about ten minutes. We have a parent who will speak and we need others there to show their support. It shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes after the start time. Thank you.
I share in these concerns
Our children should not have to compromise their elementary school experience. My son will turn 9 years old in August of that year, and the culture shock of him having to share a school with 12, 13 and 14 year olds is unacceptable. The new environment of being in Junior high is a hard adjustment for appropriately aged students, we should not have to inflict this experience on our younger children. 4th and 5th graders still need the proper nurturing and guidance to help them adjust and gain confidence to enter junior high in a positive manner that will help them succeed. This experience will do more harm than good for a lot of young students. I strongly urge the school committee to rethink this decision and put yourselves in the place of the children at stake. I know I speak for a lot of concerned parents. Please, don’t over-look our children!
Demetri Papoulidis
The current proposal goes beyond being an “inconvenience” to the 4th grade school children. It will be a major impairment to the entire learning environment that inevitably will have a negative impact on their education. Moreover, this will occur right at a time when the students would still be in the process of adjusting to standardized testing. In short, these children will be kept in a cramped overcrowded space, with very limited access to physical activity, surrounded by large numbers of children who are developmentally way ahead of them, all the while being cut off from the full set of resources available to all other elementary school children. Distance can be deceptive depending on one’s perspective; however, I feel this is a rather obvious “short end of the stick” that these future 4th graders will be asked to endure.
Speaking from 11 years as a Stratton parent, I urge the school committee to consider the accommodations offered to other schools during their rebuilds, which often caused a less than optimal situation at the Stratton. We have happily shared our space when asked. Our children deserve the same consideration that has been given to other students in the district in years past. Having to use a school building that is designed for older children is not on par with the experience other schools' students have had when they've been relocated.
The current proposal goes beyond being an “inconvenience” to the 4th grade school children. It will be a major impairment to the entire learning environment that inevitably will have negative on their education. Moreover, this will occur right at a time when the students would still be in the process of adjusting to standardized testing. In short, these children will be kept in a cramped overcrowded space, with very limited access to physical activity, surrounded by large numbers of children who are developmentally way ahead of them, all the while being cut off from the full set of resources available to all other elementary school children. Distance can be deceptive depending on one’s perspective; however, I feel this is a rather obvious “short end of the stick” that these future 4th graders will be asked to endure.