| On Monday, June 18, the East Longmeadow School Committee will meet to discuss the need of an additional fifth grade teacher at Mapleshade and Mountain View schools. The class size projections at Mountain View are 27 students and 25 students at Mapleshade. These numbers do not include any children who may move into our district over the summer, something that regularly occurs in our community. Over four days, nearly 800 signatures were collected from a cross section of East Longmeadow residents, which included the elderly, young adults without children, families of school-age children and empty nesters. Everyone shared our concern regarding the quality of education our children deserve! In 2003 and 2004, our current fourth grade children were in first grade. The class size at that time was 27 students. Parents, teachers, and administration worked with the Superintendent to advocate for smaller class size. As a result, the School Committee approved funding for an additional first grade teacher. It was the understanding that the additional teacher would then follow this group through the elementary grades. This occurred in second and third grade, however, in fourth grade things changed. The students went from five third grade classrooms into four fourth grade classrooms. The result was an increase in class size to an average of 27 students. We all commend the teachers, support staff and administration for making the most of a difficult situation. However, 27 children in an inclusion-based classroom is not an optimal environment for learning. The physical space is also not conducive to teaching 27 children. Our teachers and children continue to confront the increasing demands that the MCAS and current federal mandates have placed on them. We need to provide our educators and students with an environment and tools they need to be successful. According to United States Department of Education studies, children in smaller size classrooms obtain higher test scores, participate more in school, demonstrate improved behavior, and retain many benefits of early class size reductions in their later years of schooling. There is no choice; the School Committee must reconsider funding the fifth grade teacher positions for the 2007-2008 school year. Our children cannot afford to be in a classroom with 27 children for three out of their five elementary school years and be expected to be as successful as their peers in smaller class size environments. This group of children was the first big wave to hit the district. Class sizes continue to rise behind them. During this past school year, the district has failed to provide a favorable student/staff ratio for these students. Our School Committee has assured us that they will make every effort to address this in the future. However, our children are at a high risk and cannot wait another year and remain in classrooms that are overcrowded with environments that are not conducive to learning. With a budget that is 19.89% higher than in 2004, we hope that the School Committee will rectify this situation and appropriate the money to fund these important positions prior to the August 1 notification of classroom assignments. Please join us in showing your support at the next School Committee meeting on Monday, June 18 at 7:30pm in the Superintendent's conference room (entrance off Marshall St.). Susan and Mark Moynihan Kristin and John Kirwan Tim and Judy Bates Karen and Tom Byrne Kate and John Rucci Diane and Michael Fradette Jene and John Connor Mary and Donald Deshaies Shauna and Greg Dobek Steve Forbush Lori and Eric Pahl Joanne and Steve Casey Tim and Deanne Daggett Susan and Frank Ciotoli Bryan and Chris Blair Joseph and Donna Imelio Kathy and GA Hyland Denise and Paul Kennedy Corey & Wendy Turer Richard & Diane Damarjian Bob and Lisa Butcher Karen and Bob Phelan Scot Meara Kevin M. Sweeney Dr. Karen E. Marsian Elizabeth Marsian- Boucher David J. Boucher Antonetta I. Marsian Karl W. Marsian Tim and Lynn Brown Joseph & Anne Novak Joe and Gin Forbes Deana DiRico Gregory Fisk James and Anne Mazza Cathy and John Turowsky Laureen and Charles Ross Brian & Janet Rosenkranz Kerry A. & Michael Dowd Beth & Mark Dutille John and Amy Marcotte Cathy and Michael Robare |
