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

Three years of middle school would be horrible. Two years was bad enough, and three years would cause more divide between the students.

Hmmmm. I remember similar proposal by Bexley schools 25 or 30 years ago when we lived in Bexley. It did not fly, period. And we were glad. Good Luck!

The school board is very out of touch if they believe the overwhelming response to this change is positive.

After attending the town meeting with an open mind, I left more convinced that we need to keep our 6th graders in elementary school. There is simply no valid reason or need to make this move. What I kept hearing about was increased performance, which we don't need and all the programs in place to support the trauma of moving to middle school.

I have not been able to attend town hall meetings, but nor has district sent out a rationale or pro/con list for this decision. I saw a powerpoint of proposal once, and would like to see that again. District could communicate this powerpoint proposal AND a pro/con list via email so that parents can understand the many pros/cons from the administrative/teacher/parent perspectives and also the reason for the proposal in the first place. Not all parents can attend meetings. As a family not in Central Bexley, I appreciate a walkable distance to school for my K-6 children. My child will walk to school in 7th grade, and one concern I have is the difference in maturity of a 6th grader making that trek vs a 7th grader (proper dress, crossing Broad St, etc). Can a bus pick up 6th graders at Maryland and Montrose to drive them to Cassignham? I also am concerned about a 6th grader's close proximity to not only 7 & 8th graders, but 9-12 graders in, essentially, the same building. Beyond those two concerns, there are the many other social and academic concerns already noted by others.

Bexley's Elementary, Middle, and High School consistently perform at the top of state rankings. Significant changes such as this should only be made on the basis of clear supporting data or in order to solve a significant issue or problem. This appears to be neither. I also agree, it is foolish and short sighted to rush kids into an environment where many will be ill equipped to deal with increased social pressures, and potentially bad options.

Lets leave the set up as is. It works and allows kids the chance to grow and gain confidence before moving on.

I am not convinced that moving our community's children in 6th grade to the middle school is a good idea. Leave the 6th grade in elementary school until moving them to a middle school environment is justified and necessary.

As an educator for the past 14 years, I have not heard any data or reasons to support an enormous move like this. I am concerned about the financial, social, emotional, and academic repercussions of this decision. I do not support it and am deeply disappointed by the process in which this has been presented. As a Bexley alumni (K-12) I expect more of my beloved Bexley. We are better than this.

I would like to see a well thought out plan on how adding 120 students into the Cassingham school building will impact the school, especially the lunch room. In an already full building, the board needs to have a feasibility study done on the impact of the added students and staff. I am not directly apposed to the change, but I am apposed to rushing into this decision without a clear understanding of the impact on the students, staff and the facilities. I do not believe anyone who is telling us that it will not cost more.

We have a wonderful model right now that is special and unique to our community. It allows our kids to flourish and gain confidence before leaving the elementary setting.

Keep our kids, kids. Keep 6th grade where it is.

I am not opposed to a transition. I am opposed to a transition that is not well thought out. I feel strongly that we are rushing into this decision. I am hoping that more thought and weight can be give to the social emotional benefits of either configuration.

As a parent of a Bexley Alumni and a Licensed Independent Social Work- Supervisor, I have serious concerns about the "proposal" to move all sixth grades to the Middle School. The psychosocial needs of a sixth grader are far different than those of an eighth grader. Even many 7th graders are unprepared for the change. Exposing sixth graders to high school and middle school high risk behaviors, poses risks to kids long past their teen years. This is one of several reasons I oppose this change. Sometimes difficult decisions need to be made by leaders of a community institution, such as our school system. When leaders suggest however that there will be opportunities for gaining community feedback and input, before a final decision is made, it corrodes the community's trust. Corrosion of trust is hard to recover from.

I think we should proceed carefully in considering a grade reconfiguration. The transition to middle school/junior high is notoriously difficult for many children. I want to be convinced that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks before supporting this.

Junior High should be just that. Also, yay petitions!

My concern is Introducing the children to the middle school atmosphere and exposing them too soon to social situations that will potentially have a negative effect on them that could last the rest of their lives. Also putting excess strain on a school system that is already at capacity. LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS. It's not broke, so don't change it!

I think the 6th graders are too young to be exposed to the types of activities the junior high students engaged in when my children were in Bexley schools .

Former student, Bexley homeowner. I'm for keeping things as is. No need for this expense and upheaval.

There are more negatives than positives.