For those of you who do not know, after fighting hard two years ago to have a 7th class added, this upcoming school years, our childrens' classes are being reduced from 7 to 6. This means that instead of an average of 18 students per class, the class average next year will be 22. This raises serious concerns as 3rd grade is the first year for standardized testing and a smaller class would be more conducive for our children's learning. There are also concerns about increasing the class sizes in light of this particular class and the fact that 3 of the 6 classes next year will be co-taught classes. In addition, there are concerns about the classroom environment (congested, too hot etc); distractions to the children.
It has been explained that the school does not view the loss of a 7th teacher as a "cut" because the school is gaining an "AIS" teacher. AIS stands for Academic Intervention Services and is available to all students. Dr. Brady has advised that common core learning standards have created a greater need for AIS at Springhurst. This begs the question whether the larger class sizes in conjunction with common core is created the need for AIS and smaller classes would alleviate any need.
I implore anyone with concerns about these larger classes next year to sign this petition and attend the BOE meeting on 5/21 at 7 pm in HS/MS Library! Thank you for your time and attention!
For anyone that has questions or would like to learn more about our conversations to date with the BOE and Dr. Brady, please feel free to contact me (NIcole Sullivan) at [email protected] or 917-446-2571.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
May 24, 2015
9 Comments
Please do not reduce our classroom teachers for next year, perhaps reducing administrative costs could help reduce budget impact.
For the same reasons the school added a 7th class two years ago, the 7th class should remain today. A 22.22% increase in class size is rather substantial.
Students behave better and pay more attention in smaller groups, so I would love to see our school bring back the extra class.
Larger class sizes can only be harmful to everyone, regardless of whether an additional AIS teacher is hired. Third grade is an important transition to testing and we need to help our students by maintaining 7 sections.
With the school taxes we pay there is not reason why there should be more then 18-19 kids per class in the next years 3rd grade.
My son has benefited from smaller classes and we hope to see him thrive academically with the continued support as the academic years get even more challenging.
This proposal would be devastating for special needs kids.
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For those of you who do not know, after fighting hard two years ago to have a 7th class added, this upcoming school years, our childrens' classes are being reduced from 7 to 6. This means that instead of an average of 18 students per class, the class average next year will be 22. This raises serious concerns as 3rd grade is the first year for standardized testing and a smaller class would be more conducive for our children's learning. There are also concerns about increasing the class sizes in light of this particular class and the fact that 3 of the 6 classes next year will be co-taught classes. In addition, there are concerns about the classroom environment (congested, too hot etc); distractions to the children.
It has been explained that the school does not view the loss of a 7th teacher as a "cut" because the school is gaining an "AIS" teacher. AIS stands for Academic Intervention Services and is available to all students. Dr. Brady has advised that common core learning standards have created a greater need for AIS at Springhurst. This begs the question whether the larger class sizes in conjunction with common core is created the need for AIS and smaller classes would alleviate any need.
I implore anyone with concerns about these larger classes next year to sign this petition and attend the BOE meeting on 5/21 at 7 pm in HS/MS Library! Thank you for your time and attention!
For anyone that has questions or would like to learn more about our conversations to date with the BOE and Dr. Brady, please feel free to contact me (NIcole Sullivan) at [email protected] or 917-446-2571.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
May 24, 2015
9 Comments
Smaller class size is clearly vital for our students. In the 10 years that I have had children at Springhurst, the worst experience by far was when a grade was reduced by one class (2009-2010). Class size was 25 students - they barely fit that many desks in the room. Both the teacher and the students suffered.
Please do not reduce our classroom teachers for next year, perhaps reducing administrative costs could help reduce budget impact.
For the same reasons the school added a 7th class two years ago, the 7th class should remain today. A 22.22% increase in class size is rather substantial.
Students behave better and pay more attention in smaller groups, so I would love to see our school bring back the extra class.
Larger class sizes can only be harmful to everyone, regardless of whether an additional AIS teacher is hired. Third grade is an important transition to testing and we need to help our students by maintaining 7 sections.
With the school taxes we pay there is not reason why there should be more then 18-19 kids per class in the next years 3rd grade.
My son has benefited from smaller classes and we hope to see him thrive academically with the continued support as the academic years get even more challenging.
This proposal would be devastating for special needs kids.
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Smaller class size is clearly vital for our students. In the 10 years that I have had children at Springhurst, the worst experience by far was when a grade was reduced by one class (2009-2010). Class size was 25 students - they barely fit that many desks in the room. Both the teacher and the students suffered.