Bexley K-6 for Strong Kids Petition to the Board of Education

6th grade should stay part of the elementary school. It gives kids another year to mature at a pivitil point in their lives before they are thrust into unfamiliar waters

I loved sixth grade at Montrose Elementary school! It kept me a child one year longer.

Come on, Bexley! We can do better. This is an educated, resourceful community. While we do elect representatives to the Board, it does not mean we allow them to blindly answer for us. Involve us along the way! Do not insult us by slapping the word DRAFT on something that so obviously is not.

Our children are currently enrolled in the Bexley Elementary Schools. Our preference is for the current structure to remain in place. To date, I have not seen or heard any compelling evidence based on the past or current Bexley school population that indicates there is an issue. Both children and all of their student friends there are thriving. From the data presented and available, it appears that achievement test scores, historical high school graduation rates and college enrollment matriculation for Bexley are stellar; these all for children who are products of the current system. Our personal experience has been that these same Bexley children are well adjusted, creative, motivated and successful as they move into adulthood and careers. In the current framework, Sixth Grade provides an opportunity for children to experience a milestone transition: the graduation from elementary school to Middle School. Currently that transition is developmentally consistent with students’ cognitive, social, psychological and physical status. They have an opportunity to act and be seen as leaders for their elementary peers. Curriculum and educator interactions are designed to further stretch and challenge them for the middle school phase of their lives. Bexley School systems educators, administrators, and all other support personnel have a great deal to be proud of and the community is in their debt for the legacy of strong leaders, citizens and success that they have nurtured and grown. We are proud to be 15+ year Bexley residents and to have our children receiving educations of the highest quality within the Bexley school system.

I support the current grade structure

My husband and I both graduated from Bexley and have two children who will do the same. Our preference is to have the sixth grade remain in the elementary schools.

The system now is fabulous.

6th graders are not ready for the drama of middle school. Being in elementary for 6th grade helped my mental state

I went to Montrose from 1986-1992 and I can't advocate more strongly to keep 6th grade at the elementary level. The structure of Bexley is what makes it amzib

My own perception is that the process hasn't done the groundwork to persuade residents of the wisdom of reconfiguring the grades. In fact -- true story! -- I haven't heard a single parent say a kind word about the proposal, whereas I'm told that the administration or board view is far more positive. I don't think any plan of such public importance should move forward under such a dissensus.

The school system works.

I had 3 sons in the Bexley Schools and was very happy to have them part of the elementary school in 6th grade. This was a bad idea when it arose years ago and it hasn't improved with time. Children in systems where this has been done have no advantage over Bexley kids either academically or socially. The system works very well for us as it is, why change it?

As a Bexley grad - I feel like the best part of a Bexley education is the focus on the needs of the students. Keeping 6th grade as a part of the elementary school allows for crucial confidence building at a very important age.

Thanks for your time

6th graders don't need to grow up faster!

I would like to see the sixth grade remain part of Bexley's elementary schools.

Hi, Drew. Thank you for your comment. You are welcome to sign and comment, but this petition is not serving as a discussion forum divorced from the signature element so this comment will be deleted momentarily. If you are a current BHS student, you are welcome to join the ongoing conversation on Facebook--search Bexley K-6 for Strong Kids and request to join. Thanks for your insight!

Middle school is a challenging time for the majority of people emotionally, physically, and mentally. I feel this change would exacerbate the strain on students of that age. There are also space constraints of the school to consider. The cafeteria is already too small and students eat in hallways and classrooms when the weather is too harsh to leave the school because the cafeteria cannot accommodate all the people. I don’t see any benefit to students with this change. Sixth grade is one of the most memorial years I spent at Bexley because of Montrose teachers and staff.

Grade 6 needs to stay where it is.

I am concerned about the school day schedule and added stress on my child. (Socially and emotional) I am comfortable with K-6 .Also I am Very concerned the school board will Not listen to the parents concerns and objections to the proposal