Week of Feb. 17.
Classified students need class periods
To the editor:
I am writing to express my concern over what I just read in the newspaper with regard to next year’s schedule shifting from nine periods to eight periods. In reading the report, many students represented themselves at the last Board of Education meeting to express their discontent and concern for AP students, etc. However, as usual, no one has thought about the potential impact this change will have on the classified students. Oftentimes, unfortunately, the plight of the classified student is overlooked by their fellow classmates as well as administrators.
This change will have a dramatic impact on all classified students in that they have the resource support class, which is a credited class, to assist them with the help they need. This is their study hall. If this class is removed from classified students’ schedules, it impacts them in more ways than one.
First, they will not receive the extra help they may need to ensure success in their academic classes. Second, since it is a credited class, they will lose the cushion of having enough credits should they, unfortunately, fail one of their other classes. The impact of this for all students who are classified is devastating in that they will have to attend summer school. The impact for students who are classified, but gifted athletes is even more devastating; they will not have enough credits to participate in a sport according to NJSIAA rules and regulations. For those gifted athletes, who are classified, it is the participation in athletics, that gives them a sense of belonging and positive self-esteem; it is one area where they excel without the constant struggles faced by SE classified youngsters.
If the solution to this problem is to take away an elective so they can still have RSC, that is not a viable solution. The elective process gives those students an opportunity to explore areas of interest. Typically, SE classified students do well in those elective courses, because it is an area they truly have an interest in exploring, the academic rigors in those classes is not as intense, and, most importantly, it gives these students an opportunity to potentially decide a career path for their future.
So, in closing, I would like to know, from one of the powers-in-place, how this eight-period schedule change will be handled with regard to special education students.
Thank you for your time and attention in this matter.
JoAnn M. Pica
Bunker Hill Road
Lawrence
Bridges project can benefit town
To the editor:
Thanks to The Lawrence Ledger for last week’s article that highlighted the Bridges Project, which hopes to stimulate new community partnerships elsewhere in Lawrence like the effort that has benefited young people at Eggerts Crossing Village in recent years.
Members of our planning group are eager to speak with interested individuals and organizations in Lawrence about what has been accomplished through community partnership at Eggerts Crossing Village. If any readers would like a copy of our Bridges Project vision and goals statement, we would be pleased to provide it.
We would especially be interested in hearing from anyone with a vision for getting a new partnership started for the benefit of a particular group of young people or in a specific area within the township.
For any or all of these purposes, please contact Peg Fox at (609) 883-7111.
Tom Wilfrid
Chairperson
Bridges Project