Letter to the editor
To the editor:
The committee for redistricting is proposing to convert the Dayton/Deans Elementary School into two separate pre-school/kindergarten schools. The proposal would move the kindergarten class from Indian Fields to Dayton school and the kindergarten class from the new elementary school to Deans. The students currently attending Dayton/Deans would be re-districted to the new elementary school or one of the existing schools in the district.
Can someone please explain how this redistricting plan makes any sense? Current research points to the positive impact that a small school has on academic achievement. Why would anyone want to eliminate this small, effective elementary school? This is a school where teachers know all the children by name. The students do very well by all academic indicators and measures. Not to mention, that the separation of the younger children in Deans (K-2) makes the kindergarten transition for most students and parents very easy. The small school population and the commitment of the parents and teachers make this a tight knit, family oriented school that provides an effective learning environment.
The proposed configuration for the new school and Indian Fields would isolate the kindergarten students in a separate building than the remainder of the elementary students. How frequently will these students interact with the other elementary students? Who will be their role models?
While we do agree there are some challenges with an elementary school that is physically split between two buildings located at opposite ends of Georges Road, none of these would justify eliminating the Dayton/Dean elementary school. Unfortunately, the redistricting sub-committee does not have representation from parents that have children attending Dayton/Deans. Perhaps adding a parent with this experience could provide a more balanced view of what would be lost if this plan was implemented. We challenge any member of the redistricting committee to spend a few days evaluating our elementary school. We don’t want uninformed people to be deciding the fate of our children’s education.
Diane Rice
Donna Wotton
Donna Medel
Dayton/Deans School parents