LETTERS

We have to get it correct for all kids

Posted 10/13/16

To the Editor: Regarding the proposed Warwick Public Schools Elementary Consolidation Plan... I have some concerns to share. I hope that both the Consolidation Committee members and present School Committee members are listening. First, a thank you -

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LETTERS

We have to get it correct for all kids

Posted

To the Editor:

Regarding the proposed Warwick Public Schools Elementary Consolidation Plan...

I have some concerns to share. I hope that both the Consolidation Committee members and present School Committee members are listening.

First, a thank you - thank you for serving on your respective committees. I know it can be time-consuming and demanding, but your work is appreciated. And a reminder: some of you have been elected to your committee position by your constituents, who you are supposed to represent, and of which I am one. I pray you take that role seriously, as we are counting on you to do what's best for all of our students, especially in this moment.

About Elementary Consolidation...let's get this year right first!

I understand that Warwick needs to consolidate its elementary schools. But, for the sake of our students, the current proposed elementary consolidation plan must be held off until at least school year 2018-19.

There is already a Special School Committee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th for the School Committee to vote on this Elementary Consolidation Proposal. I implore every school committee member to move to hold off on voting on this proposed plan. It is not the right plan and it is not the right timetable. And I am going to tell you why.

This year we need to focus 100 percent on successfully completing the consolidation already begun at the secondary level.

This year we need to be honest and examine class makeup – especially with consideration to the term "least restrictive environment" – it can mean different things to different students. We need to focus 100 percent on ensuring that each student's IEP/504 is met and that they are not added into just any class just to make scheduling easier. There is no excuse for that. If we need to add more classes, more educators, so be it, do it. Course/class makeup should not be a numbers game. And since we are tasked with educating every student, let's get it right the first time, because when it comes to delivering education, time is not a luxury we have. No student should lose a year or a semester or even a quarter while this is being worked out...we have to get it correct now for all students, Special Ed and otherwise. Period. Warwick was always a shining star when it came to our Special Ed Services. We can be that again. All that being said, we need to adjust class sizes with special consideration to all of our Special Ed students now, today, especially at Warwick Veterans Junior High.

Next year

Now, about next year. For school year 2017-18, we need to focus 100 percent on successfully moving our current grade 5 and 6 students into what will be our two middle schools. That should be our primary focus next year - not elementary consolidation. The lessons from August 2016 to today relative to secondary consolidation should be enough to remind us not to do too much at once.

Explore the possibilities

I also have a question to share relative to the proposed elementary consolidation plan - why wouldn't the relocation of the Drum Rock Early Childhood Center be to Holliman Elementary School?

Pilgrim High School houses the Career & Technical Center's Early Childhood Center Program. Pilgrim High School also shares a property line with Holliman; the two schools are literally in each other's backyards. Why wouldn't we make it so these two early childhood programs are on the same campus? Relocate the Drum Rock Early Childhood Center to Holliman Elementary School where it can easily be part of the Early Childhood Career & Technical Program offered at Pilgrim High School. To not at least look at what it would take to outfit Holliman as the new Early Childhood Center is just plain short-sighted!

Why choose John Brown Francis, where we will not only have to pay to make JBF the new Drum Rock, we will also have to pay to bus the PHS Early Childhood Career & Technical Program students each time they participate in/visit the new Drum Rock Early Childhood Center at JBF? And each time we bus the PHS Early Childhood Career & Technical Program students equals a transportation bill of what cost? Did the elementary consolidation committee compare the cost of what it takes to make Holliman the new Drum Rock versus the cost of what it takes to make JBF the new Drum Rock PLUS the transportation costs to bus the PHS Early Childhood Career & Technical Program students from PHS to JBF - forever?

The Early Childhood Center is a beautiful and beloved program serving our youngest and some of our most fragile students. It deserves a new home that will fulfill all the program's needs and enhance Warwick's entire Early Childhood program - including having the PHS Early Childhood Career & Technical Program in close proximity to the new Early Childhood Center. The two schools are so close that they share a long property line! Plus, with the accessibility of this campus approach, there will be no time or money wasted on bussing. If anything, this closeness will allow us future opportunities to grow both programs!

We must explore this possibility! Why shouldn't our Career and Technical Center have this wonderful, growing, and hugely beneficial program opportunity? Why wouldn't we further enhance and grow a program for the benefit of so many of our Warwick students on so many levels? My understanding is that the Consolidation Committee only visited the schools they chose to close - they should have visited them all, and now, at the very least, visit Holliman, see how close it is to PHS and see the potential it holds to make our Early Childhood program a gem!

Put the brakes on this elementary consolidation – the time isn't right – the schools aren't right – and we need to get this and every other consolidation right! Our students deserve nothing less!

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Laura Testa

Lifelong Warwick resident & parent of two students at Pilgrim High School

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  • Justanidiot

    anyone over 50 has screwed it up for us, lets not do it to our kids. if our elders had kept their heads out of their backends then we would not be facing the problems we are today. RI would be the best state. thanks gramps

    Thursday, October 13, 2016 Report this