Ridgewood prides itself on its remarkable public school system. The foundation of this success is laid in elementary school, and right now the young students whose preschool experience was grounded in unprecedented pandemic times need additional support. The future success of these students throughout their time in RPS will be based on the foundation that is laid in K-2. And right now, that foundation is negatively impacted by class size and lack of classroom aides.

We, the undersigned, recognize an unnerving need for immediate intervention for the students transitioning from kindergarten to first grade for the 2022-23 school year. We strongly believe it is necessary both for student safety and educational foundation that the first grade section at Ridge include FOUR dedicated first grade classrooms.

We also strongly believe it is in the best interest of the students and teachers that ALL Kindergarten and First Grade classes for 2022-23 have a dedicated aide who works full time in each class, every day.

We make this request because of the immediate need, serious safety concerns, and also in anticipation of the continued loss of success and esteem of the Ridgewood school system if these students do not receive the proper and necessary foundation for their educational experience. This year in particular the students have faced many extra challenges that have affected learning, mastery of curriculum, and social and emotional development. Teachers have been asked to go beyond normal expectations of teaching without any additional support. Today's elementary school students will be high school students before we know it - and the future success of our celebrated school district depends wholly upon these students and teachers being given adequate resources and support to succeed. A solid educational foundation for all Ridge students today will only save the district in the long term, while also ensuring the continued tradition of excellence of the Ridgewood Public Schools. In an effort to avoid the need for significant support services for many of our children as they progress through their academic career, we are asking for 4 dedicated 1st grade classrooms and more support in each room.