|
Save Region 14 Elementary |
|
Reconsideration Not Reconfiguration |
|
Email: saveregion14elementary@yahoo.com Phone: 203-228-4582 |
|
For More Information Contact Us: |
|
Website Design and Hosting donated by Coasis® LLC www.coasis.com All contents are copyright © Coasis® LLC a Microsoft® Gold Certified Partner. All rights reserved. |
|
Facts... |
|
Dear Region 14 Parents and Community Members,
Under Dr. Cronin’s proposed reconfiguration, we are facing a number of changes in our schools that have not been fully explored or discussed in the public forum. Much of the information provided to the public thus far has been based on promoting the proposed reconfiguration. Please take the time to read the information provided below and make an educated and informed decision.
Fact:
Dr. Cronin has proposed a new grade span configuration for Region 14. MES and BES will be consolidated and divided into grade span configurations of K-2 and 3-5. There is in fact very little empirical data available on grade span configuration, but recent studies have shown that smaller grade span configurations with more students per grade are actually detrimental to student performance. In addition, a number of recent studies have suggested that students, who attend schools with fewer grade span configurations, i.e. K-8 and K-12 schools, actually perform better than their peers. See relevant studies under grade span configurations in our related links on our website.
Fact:
According to researchers at the University of Illinois, “the division of elementary schools into configurations that include fewer grades requires that students make several transitions from one school to another. Researchers note that transitions can be stressful for students: Alspaugh (1999) found a significant achievement loss during each transition year. He also found that some students regain what is lost in the following year, but it would seem that students who make fewer transitions need fewer years to make up for achievement losses caused by transitions.” See relevant studies under grade span configurations in our related links on our website.
Fact:
A school with students of diverse age groups has the opportunity to develop the self-esteem and responsibility of older students by using them as tutors or mentors for younger students; this is beneficial to both younger and older students alike.
Fact:
On page 3 of the reconfiguration proposal Dr. Cronin lists recommended class sizes for the region. If one were to take these class size recommendations and apply them to the class sizes that are currently in place at both elementary schools, it represents an increase for 79% of the current elementary school classes in both schools.
Furthermore, at the October 4th workshop, Dr. Cronin presented each grade level under reconfiguration with both 7 and 8 teachers. This page was included in the October 4th version of the proposal but was not included in the same proposal given to parents on October 13th; it is viewable on our Freedom of Information page. This document shows how at some grade levels we are able to maintain the recommended class sizes listed on page 3 with one less teacher at each grade level, but fails to note that these recommended levels are higher than what we currently have at both schools. There is a wealth of information available regarding the benefits afforded by smaller class sizes; for more information please see studies relating to Benefits of Smaller Class Sizes under our related links.
Fact:
Reconfiguration represents a consolidation of grade levels between two towns. According to Dr. Cronin’s “commonly asked questions,” this consolidation “would allow us to possibly consider using a staff person in another capacity in the school, rather than as a class room teacher.” Read between the lines: the same number of students per grade and fewer teachers translates into larger class sizes. The primary predictor of academic success is not enhanced communication between teachers or “focused professional development” but is in fact smaller class sizes. Please see the relevant studies under related links on our website.
Fact:
Under reconfiguration, the fifth graders at Mitchell will return to an intermediate school. Woodbury and Bethlehem residents identified a need to return the fifth graders to a K-5 elementary school environment. Furthermore, in order to relocate the fifth graders, over four hundred students from both towns will need to be relocated themselves!
Fact:
Both Mitchell and Bethlehem schools are located centrally within their respective towns. Region 14 is a district of roughly 60 square miles. The distance between BES and MES is roughly ten miles. The average speed of a traveling vehicle is 30 miles an hour. Therefore, to travel from BES to MES represents a travel time of 20 minutes. This is following a direct route with no stops for students. The majority of our students live beyond the ten mile perimeter between the two schools; therefore, the distance traveled to school each day will increase substantially for most students. Regardless, of the extra “layer” of buses, travel times for the majority of our students will undoubtedly increase do the math!
Fact:
A number of students at both schools currently do not depend on school transportation, but are instead dropped off and picked up by their parents. This practice will undoubtedly change as the commute has substantially increased for many families. There is no evidence that the administration has taken these students into account when factoring the estimated time of bus routes.
Fact:
By design, BES and MES are centrally located within each town; under our current elementary school configuration, students within these towns enjoy equal geographic access to their schools. Under reconfiguration, some students residing on the Woodbury/Southbury and Bethlehem/Morris town lines will suffer drastically longer commutes than their peers. Please be mindful that we are talking about children as young as five years old.
Fact:
Studies show that when busing is used to relieve overcrowding, parental involvement in the schools declines. Researchers report that “39% of principals in schools with rides less than 30 minutes duration believed that length of ride had a negative effect on parental involvement; as compared with 67% of principals with longest rides greater than thirty minutes duration.” (Crowley, 2001)
Fact:
According to Dr. Cronin’s November 7th letter, under reconfiguration “one teacher might agree to help a group of students on a particularly challenging topic from which they would benefit greatly. This is called flexible grouping.”
Flexible grouping is nice in theory, but difficult in practice when teachers are ultimately responsible to an entire class of 18-24 students. There are currently five second grade teachers at MES, and yet there is currently little evidence of “flexible grouping,” despite the resources that five teachers have to offer. Under reconfiguration, the administration has estimated busing expenditures to increase by $50,000-$150,000 annually; this money could better be used to implement a real enrichment program.
Final Note:
The renovation referendum failed by a mere 26 votes; the reconfiguration proposal has galvanized an overwhelming number of parents and community members from both towns in an effort to save our community schools. Let’s use this human resource and work with the Board of Education and Dr. Cronin to pass a realistic renovation budget! Our children deserve the best education we can afford them.
Best Regards, Erica Barber Families for Region 14 Elementary
|
|
Save Region 14 Elementary |
|
Reconsideration Not Reconfiguration |
|
This website is optimized for Internet Explorer |