The board actually voted to reduce the class caps and I am sitting here staring at my computer screen in total shock because I really thought this was going to be a much longer fight. People kept saying we were shouting into the wind but then 448 of you showed …
July 23, 2018
Final supporters
**Attention parents: Please attend the next Board of Education Meeting where this letter and petition will be presented:
Thursday, June 28, 7 pm, Central School Library
**
June 18, 2018
Dr. Larry Mussoline and the Haddonfield Board of Education
1 Lincoln Avenue
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Dear Dr. Mussoline and Board Members,
We, the undersigned, are parents, teachers, community members, and taxpayers of Haddonfield. We are writing to express our deep concern about the large class sizes in Haddonfield’s elementary schools. Despite the wonderful teaching staff, we believe that the overcrowding in our classrooms is serving as an impediment to learning and is harmful to the students.
We respectfully request that the Board of Education review and revise the district policy on maximum class sizes in grades K-5. Specifically, we request that the policy be revised to reduce the maximum number of students in each class prior to the start of the 2019-2020 school year.
For reference, policy 2312 (approved in 2010) dictates that Haddonfield’s maximum class size in grades K-3 is 25 students and in grades 4-5 is 27 students.[1] Current class sizes in Haddonfield have been trending upward since this policy was put into effect, with class size approaching the maximum allotted.[2] This should not be the norm. We propose instituting a new policy with a maximum class size of 20 students in grades K-3 and 22 students in grades 4-5.
The primary goal of this Board must be to provide students with the necessary classroom environment and resources to succeed. We know that smaller class sizes combined with qualified teacher support leads to better developmental, behavioral, social, and academic outcomes.[3] Haddonfield’s commitment to ‘growing in excellence’ should afford every district elementary school teacher the ability to implement differentiated instruction[4] within his or her classroom. This requires teachers to get to know their students well allowing them to develop different lessons based on every students needs.[5] This can only be successfully achieved with small groups in manageable classes.
Extensive current and historic research clearly shows that class size affects performance results. For example:
- The well regarded Tennessee Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio Study (STAR Project) and subsequent research found that students who were assigned to smaller K-3 classes:
- Scored higher on achievement tests, received higher grades, and had better attendance
- Continued to outperform their peers when returned to larger classes
- Earned consistently higher grades in high school and scored better on English, math, and science standardized tests
- Had higher earnings in adulthood and a greater likelihood of attending college.[6]
- When class sizes are reduced, major changes occur in students’ engagement in the classroom. Engagement is composed of “learning behavior” and pro- and antisocial behavior. Both are highly related to academic performance.[7]
We realize this issue has been brought to the Board before but we feel strongly that reducing class size must be a priority when making budgetary decisions for the school district. We propose the Board create a community committee to solicit input on how to account for the increased cost of smaller classes. Working together toward our shared goal of excellence we can give Haddonfield children the best opportunity for educational success.
Respectfully,
Concerned Haddonfield Community Members (via petition)
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/smaller-haddonfield-class-sizes
cc:
Asst. Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Mr. Michael Wilson (via email)
Elementary School Principals Mr. Gerry Bissinger, Mrs. Valerie Cline, Mrs. Shannon Simkus (via email)
[1] http://www.haddonfield.k12.nj.us/Registration/ELEMENTARY%20SCHOOL%20CLASS%20SIZE%20&%20ASSIGNMENT.pdf
[2] Haddonfield School District Enrollment 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 attached hereto.
[3] Martel, Christopher. “The Research on Class Sizes.” http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/framgov/files/f/lIHWPAdgsds94aG8IhQk0wPc2Rv-1Fhy-2oBhoxe/ClassSizeMartell.pdf
[4] Differentiated instruction is a way of teaching based on the premise that teachers should adapt instruction to student differences. It asks teachers to modify their instruction to meet students' varying readiness levels, learning preferences, and interests. Robb, Laura. “What is Differentiated Instruction?, Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teach...
[5] Id.
[6] Martel, Christopher. “The Research on Class Sizes.” http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/framgov/files/f/lIHWPAdgsds94aG8IhQk0wPc2Rv-1Fhy-2oBhoxe/ClassSizeMartell.pdf
[7] Finn, Jeremy D. Finn, Gina M. Pannozzo, and Charles M. Achilles. “The “Why’s” of Class Size: Student Behavior in Small Classes. Review of Educational Research. September 1, 2003. Vol 73, Issue 3, pp. 321 – 368. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543073003321
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 19, 2018
June 19, 2018
I really thought this might just fizzle out but the energy lately is honestly kind of overwhelming in the best way possible. It feels like people actually want this change as much as I do which makes me feel less like I am shouting into a void because my coffee was too strong this morning and I started worrying about the kids being packed in like sardines again.
Reached 100 supporters
June 18, 2018
30 Comments
Just look at the house sales in town. Every time an older couple/person who has not had kids in the schools for 20+ years sells a young family with kids moves in. Soon we will get to a crisis point with over population in our schools. We need to build a new middle school and make Central one big elementary that can handle the over flow from all the sections in town.
The issue with overcrowding is particularly alarming when you consider how many kids with food allergies there are at the school. My child is actually afraid to go to school because of all the non-holiday class parties and birthdays they celebrate.
As a high school teacher, I've taught classes of 20 and I've taught classes of 25-27 and I can tell you that size makes a big difference. Smaller class sizes enable teachers to be more effective at reaching each and every student and giving them the support and attention they need. Please do this.
There’s a reason why high school A&P classes are kept small. It makes for a better learning environment. Our elementary class sizes are getting out of control. Considering that the big draw to Haddonfield is the schools and we’re all willing to pay more in property taxes for it, we deserve better.
As a former third grade teacher, I have watched the landscape of the curriculum adapt from full class instruction to small group instruction. As this trend and style of education continues, small class sizes are of utmost importance in order for teachers to be able to administer those group instruction moments and maintain expected classroom behaviors.
With increased State aid to severely underfunded schools, including Haddonfield, perhaps this conversation can continue to grow as the budget expands over the next seven years. Moving Kindergarten to a different site, and allowing for more staffing of new classrooms, the potential is there.
I strongly support reducing the class size policy.
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The board actually voted to reduce the class caps and I am sitting here staring at my computer screen in total shock because I really thought this was going to be a much longer fight. People kept saying we were shouting into the wind but then 448 of you showed …
July 23, 2018
Final supporters
**Attention parents: Please attend the next Board of Education Meeting where this letter and petition will be presented:
Thursday, June 28, 7 pm, Central School Library
**
June 18, 2018
Dr. Larry Mussoline and the Haddonfield Board of Education
1 Lincoln Avenue
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Dear Dr. Mussoline and Board Members,
We, the undersigned, are parents, teachers, community members, and taxpayers of Haddonfield. We are writing to express our deep concern about the large class sizes in Haddonfield’s elementary schools. Despite the wonderful teaching staff, we believe that the overcrowding in our classrooms is serving as an impediment to learning and is harmful to the students.
We respectfully request that the Board of Education review and revise the district policy on maximum class sizes in grades K-5. Specifically, we request that the policy be revised to reduce the maximum number of students in each class prior to the start of the 2019-2020 school year.
For reference, policy 2312 (approved in 2010) dictates that Haddonfield’s maximum class size in grades K-3 is 25 students and in grades 4-5 is 27 students.[1] Current class sizes in Haddonfield have been trending upward since this policy was put into effect, with class size approaching the maximum allotted.[2] This should not be the norm. We propose instituting a new policy with a maximum class size of 20 students in grades K-3 and 22 students in grades 4-5.
The primary goal of this Board must be to provide students with the necessary classroom environment and resources to succeed. We know that smaller class sizes combined with qualified teacher support leads to better developmental, behavioral, social, and academic outcomes.[3] Haddonfield’s commitment to ‘growing in excellence’ should afford every district elementary school teacher the ability to implement differentiated instruction[4] within his or her classroom. This requires teachers to get to know their students well allowing them to develop different lessons based on every students needs.[5] This can only be successfully achieved with small groups in manageable classes.
Extensive current and historic research clearly shows that class size affects performance results. For example:
- The well regarded Tennessee Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio Study (STAR Project) and subsequent research found that students who were assigned to smaller K-3 classes:
- Scored higher on achievement tests, received higher grades, and had better attendance
- Continued to outperform their peers when returned to larger classes
- Earned consistently higher grades in high school and scored better on English, math, and science standardized tests
- Had higher earnings in adulthood and a greater likelihood of attending college.[6]
- When class sizes are reduced, major changes occur in students’ engagement in the classroom. Engagement is composed of “learning behavior” and pro- and antisocial behavior. Both are highly related to academic performance.[7]
We realize this issue has been brought to the Board before but we feel strongly that reducing class size must be a priority when making budgetary decisions for the school district. We propose the Board create a community committee to solicit input on how to account for the increased cost of smaller classes. Working together toward our shared goal of excellence we can give Haddonfield children the best opportunity for educational success.
Respectfully,
Concerned Haddonfield Community Members (via petition)
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/smaller-haddonfield-class-sizes
cc:
Asst. Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Mr. Michael Wilson (via email)
Elementary School Principals Mr. Gerry Bissinger, Mrs. Valerie Cline, Mrs. Shannon Simkus (via email)
[1] http://www.haddonfield.k12.nj.us/Registration/ELEMENTARY%20SCHOOL%20CLASS%20SIZE%20&%20ASSIGNMENT.pdf
[2] Haddonfield School District Enrollment 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 attached hereto.
[3] Martel, Christopher. “The Research on Class Sizes.” http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/framgov/files/f/lIHWPAdgsds94aG8IhQk0wPc2Rv-1Fhy-2oBhoxe/ClassSizeMartell.pdf
[4] Differentiated instruction is a way of teaching based on the premise that teachers should adapt instruction to student differences. It asks teachers to modify their instruction to meet students' varying readiness levels, learning preferences, and interests. Robb, Laura. “What is Differentiated Instruction?, Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teach...
[5] Id.
[6] Martel, Christopher. “The Research on Class Sizes.” http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/framgov/files/f/lIHWPAdgsds94aG8IhQk0wPc2Rv-1Fhy-2oBhoxe/ClassSizeMartell.pdf
[7] Finn, Jeremy D. Finn, Gina M. Pannozzo, and Charles M. Achilles. “The “Why’s” of Class Size: Student Behavior in Small Classes. Review of Educational Research. September 1, 2003. Vol 73, Issue 3, pp. 321 – 368. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543073003321
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 19, 2018
June 19, 2018
I really thought this might just fizzle out but the energy lately is honestly kind of overwhelming in the best way possible. It feels like people actually want this change as much as I do which makes me feel less like I am shouting into a void because my coffee was too strong this morning and I started worrying about the kids being packed in like sardines again.
Reached 100 supporters
June 18, 2018
30 Comments
In coming 4th grade at central elementary school is a big class! They need to add an extra teacher as they have in the past ! Currently there are only three 4th grade teachers making classroom size over 25 students per/class! Larger classrooms DO NOT breed success!
Just look at the house sales in town. Every time an older couple/person who has not had kids in the schools for 20+ years sells a young family with kids moves in. Soon we will get to a crisis point with over population in our schools. We need to build a new middle school and make Central one big elementary that can handle the over flow from all the sections in town.
The issue with overcrowding is particularly alarming when you consider how many kids with food allergies there are at the school. My child is actually afraid to go to school because of all the non-holiday class parties and birthdays they celebrate.
As a high school teacher, I've taught classes of 20 and I've taught classes of 25-27 and I can tell you that size makes a big difference. Smaller class sizes enable teachers to be more effective at reaching each and every student and giving them the support and attention they need. Please do this.
There’s a reason why high school A&P classes are kept small. It makes for a better learning environment. Our elementary class sizes are getting out of control. Considering that the big draw to Haddonfield is the schools and we’re all willing to pay more in property taxes for it, we deserve better.
As a former third grade teacher, I have watched the landscape of the curriculum adapt from full class instruction to small group instruction. As this trend and style of education continues, small class sizes are of utmost importance in order for teachers to be able to administer those group instruction moments and maintain expected classroom behaviors.
With increased State aid to severely underfunded schools, including Haddonfield, perhaps this conversation can continue to grow as the budget expands over the next seven years. Moving Kindergarten to a different site, and allowing for more staffing of new classrooms, the potential is there.
I strongly support reducing the class size policy.
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In coming 4th grade at central elementary school is a big class! They need to add an extra teacher as they have in the past ! Currently there are only three 4th grade teachers making classroom size over 25 students per/class! Larger classrooms DO NOT breed success!