Hayes Kindergarten

[Justine Cooper]

Update:
Third class officially added this Monday Sept. 10th with a teacher moving over from Roosevelt with very high recommendations. My son will be one of the 19 moved into the third classroom. Looking forward to the new class size and hope the transition will go well. It is a full day so all three are full day with a couple students from each leaving after half day.

[Mona Ewing]

Thanks to all my friends and to all the kind and supportive parents I have met at Hayes this past week. I really do appreciate all they have done.

And thank you to Colleen, Justine and Corey for your kind words.

After a week of craziness, and an attempt to add a 1/2 day kindergarten class, some parents (that I know of) have already been informed of the additional all day kindergarten teacher and their child's placement. After knowing there would not be a 1/2 day class added, I suggested that they consider keeping the 1/2 day children in each class (that are split between the 2 classes) together, so there would be some normalcy for them, not leaving them feeling even more singled out by splitting the 6 or 7 into the 3 classes. No such luck. They did split the children up into the 3 classes.

I would like to thank my friend Danielle for posting my letter on the Lakewood Observer site. Without Danielle’s support, friendship and emergency meetings at Caribou, I would have never made it through this past week. Danielle is a wonderful person, a wonderful mom and I am truly lucky to have her as a friend. It is unfortunate that her frustrations and her words were misconstrued. Her concerns about this new (so-called) PILOT program are valid, and there are a lot of questions that have gone unanswered for many of us.

This could have been avoided if the administration would have had information readily available, instead of, “We don’t knowâ€Â￾, “We can’t answer that just yetâ€Â￾, We’re not sure what all day will look likeâ€Â￾ “You’ll have to call us backâ€Â￾, they SHOULD have been able to answer these questions long before July or August, better yet, before curriculum night 2 days before school! There should have been parent surveys, public meetings, copy of the sun post article sent home to preschoolers, sent home with the Chalk Talk, explaining to families what to expect and explaining what a PILOT program means for the community as a whole. In my judgment, as well as speaking to others, this was done with poor planning. It sounds like they were NOT ready to implement a program of this magnitude, even though I do agree with piloting an all day proram.

In my opinion, to have a severely inadequate website, during “Lakewood’s Timeâ€Â￾, with so many changes happening, is inexcusable and irresponsible. There needs to be SOMEWHERE where people can access information, without calling the school district over and over, or getting the information AFTER THE FACT!!!

Since this week's events, (embarrassed that I didn't start this earlier) I have been researching different full-day/half-day/extended day programs, as well as, speaking to a Superintendent from Topeka, KS whose school district offers a similar program. It was a very interesting conversation. If anyone is interested in the information I have found, I'm considering having a discussion group.

I did not feel the need, before the start of the school year, to research all day kindergarten, because my husband and I had already chose the 1/2 day program. Yes, by feeling some peer pressure and after second guessing a decision that has been 2 years in the making, I’ve been looking into it. If anyone is interested in looking at the research or interested in a discussion group, let me know. I am still choosing the, so-called ½ day class, or as I call it, the full day class with two children leaving.

I really think it would have made more sense to offer two full day classes, first come first served, up to 22 students per class for each, then the option to be put on a waiting list, and still have ½ day a.m. and ½ day pm. (Just like they do in EVERY other elementary school in this district). This would have solved the numbers issues and would have utilized the EMPTY kindergarten room while PILOTING a new program. Hmmmm, makes perfect sense!? But then again, what do I know, I'm only a parent.

During my fact finding mission, I recently read through the 2006 Fifty Year Committee Interim Report. I found it really interesting. I would highly recommend reading it. Discussion group anyone???? I know we’re all busy raising small children but I’m starting to think that we really need to stay on top of all the changes that are occurring.

Stay informed, your child’s social and educational experiences may depend on it!

Thanks for listening!

Mona

[Justine Cooper]

Not to drag this thread up again, but on a positive note, in the PD yesterday there was an article talking about school districts such as Shaker Hts and Solon and others who not only have implemented full day kindergarten but have charged individuals to pay for it because Ohio is one of the states that do not allocate money there. Many states do however because of the benefits they found. These school districts may now have to refund money to the families that pays because it is unconstiutiional but I did find it pretty cool that Lakewood has implemented this at their own expense and see the value in it.

Unfortunately, with high-stakes testing, there is a need to have students test better at earlier ages or we lose money as a school district so the money should be well spent.

On another note, I let everything go and believe there is a reason for everything, so when my son was assigned to the new classroom and new teacher I felt like that was where he was supposed to be. It turns out that she is also working on her Special Education license at Cleveland State and she is so wonderful I feel beyond blessed that my son is in her class in this program. I see a difference in him already and although the transition was a little rough for some of the kids switching classrooms, I think ultimately that we are all blessed with the class sizes and teachers!
Thanks again to Mona for advocating for smaller class sizes so it was expedited quickly!!!!

[Suzie Dean]

but I did find it pretty cool that Lakewood has implemented this at their own expense and see the value in it
I think ultimately that we are all blessed with the class sizes and teachers!
Thanks again to Mona for advocating for smaller class sizes so it was expedited quickly!!!!

While many commend Lakewood schools for the full day kindergarten program the parents at Grant and Taft are dealing with having two classroom with sizes approaching 30. Perhaps before the district pays for full day kindergarten they should focus on having all schools having the same small kindergarten class sizes. I know of several parents at grant that have called the district with the concern of the class sizes with no response. Don't all kindergartners deserve small class sizes in this major milestone of their lives...or is it only those lucky enough to be in a new school.

[Dee Martinez]

I have two friends who have children in the Hayes kindergarten program. When I brought up the concerns in this thread, they were sort of taken aback.

In both cases, they understood the overwhelming task the schools were facing. It was a race to get the schools completed for the opening of the year. The alternative, keeping the schools at the church locations for a little while, would have caused even more confusion.

When you got the "we dont know yet" answer, that was pretty truthful, I think.
kindergarten registration is iffy at best. Remember, these are children who are totally new to the system. Some parents register right away, some wait until the last minute. Lakewood has a lot of coming and going, more so than other districts. By nature parents of kindergarteners are younger and tend to move more.

My friends are pretty pleased with the way things are working out. I understand the frustration when its your child but please try to keep in mind that one month doesnt make a school year.
In retrospect the schools might have been better off not taking on the all-day program the same year the new buildings were coming online. Thats two huge projects to tackle at once. Would that have been a better way to go in your opinion?

[Justine Cooper]

Suzie,
If that question is directed at me then my answer is YES every single Kindergarten class in Lakewood should have similar small class sizes!! I hope the parents are directing their outrage at those numbers to the school board. If the full day is taking away from the half day then that should be addressed, and none of us were told that. I was simply expressing my happiness for one child's class and the school's class size. I would have no awareness of other school's class size until you put it on here. Of course all should be equal!!! Is anything being done about those classes?

[Suzie Dean]

Several parents have contacted the board (with calls not returned), some have attended the board of education meeting parents spoke out with the concerns of class sizes, they were told that the district is aware of the problem but does not have the money to pay for additional teachers but yet they have the money to pay for all day kindergarten....whats wrong with this picture??!!

[Justine Cooper]

I have two friends who have children in the Hayes kindergarten program. When I brought up the concerns in this thread, they were sort of taken aback.

In both cases, they understood the overwhelming task the schools were facing. It was a race to get the schools completed for the opening of the year. The alternative, keeping the schools at the church locations for a little while, would have caused even more confusion.

When you got the "we dont know yet" answer, that was pretty truthful, I think.
kindergarten registration is iffy at best. Remember, these are children who are totally new to the system. Some parents register right away, some wait until the last minute. Lakewood has a lot of coming and going, more so than other districts. By nature parents of kindergarteners are younger and tend to move more.

My friends are pretty pleased with the way things are working out. I understand the frustration when its your child but please try to keep in mind that one month doesnt make a school year.
In retrospect the schools might have been better off not taking on the all-day program the same year the new buildings were coming online. Thats two huge projects to tackle at once. Would that have been a better way to go in your opinion?

I agree the timing may not have been the best and surely they should find a way to make the other schools' classes smaller before we get too into the school year. I myself get taken aback when anger seems to be directed at the parents in the full day program as if we are the cause of the problems.

[Justine Cooper]

Several parents have contacted the board (with calls not returned), some have attended the board of education meeting parents spoke out with the concerns of class sizes, they were told that the district is aware of the problem but does not have the money to pay for additional teachers but yet they have the money to pay for all day kindergarten....whats wrong with this picture??!!

That is not good enough. What else can be done to make those changes?

[Suzie Dean]

Justine,

My anger is not directed to you or other parents that are in full day kindergarten. I don't even have a kindergartner in the system at the present moment, but I will and I have. I am upset with the board. I express my thoughts of the class sizes over and over again. I even made calls about the middle school enrollment sizes. I don't think its right to have 17 in one kindergarten class and 30 in another. That certainly isn't fair. But when the district won't respond to parents phone calls and concerns what do you do....you come on a community forum and express your thoughts and hope that someone is reading and they will do something about it.

[Dee Martinez]

Think about this for a minute. Its not as easy as it seems.
If you have 40 kindergarteners, its an easy call. Two classes of 20.
If you have 27, its a tougher call.
Do you hire full time staff to teach 14 in one class and 13 in another?
Every district not just Lakewood deals with this numbers game. Again kindergarten is the worst because you never know until the last minute who is going to show up. If a parent waits until 8 am on the first day of school to register their child, the school has to take him or her.

Remember that while parents have their demands so do taxpayers, the majority of whom dont have any kids in the schools. Many of us oldsters who went to school before class size became a huge issue rememeber when there were 30-35 students in a class and somehow we learned. The idea that a class of 27, which may include an aide, doesnt exactly fill us with horror.

(Also there isnt much difference in staffing between all day and half day. Teacher X either teaches 2 half day classes or 1 full day class)

Its a juggling act to be sure. Thats not a job you would want.

[Suzie Dean]

Ok, so I made a few phone calls...with not very polite responses from some I might add...

These are the numbers...

Harrison has 3 classes with about 25 in each class

Lincoln has 3 classes with 21,20, and 17

Roosevelt has 2 classes with 25, and 23

Grant has 2 classes with 27 and 28

McKinley has 3 classes with 16, 16, and 16

Hayes has 3 classes with approximately 20 in each class

Taft has 2 classes with 26, and 25

So tell me...why is it ok for a school that has 48 kids (McKinley) to have 3 classes when a school that has 55 (Grant) is only able to have two classes

My daughter was in kindergarten last year at Grant. We had 3 classes with the class sizes at about 17 per class and they took away our third class because they didn't see it necessary. We then went to two classes with 25+ in each class.

But yet....McKinley is allowed to have 16 in a class with 3 classes????

[Justine Cooper]

Suzie,
I agree with your frustration and anger at the numbers and anything that parents can do to help with change then please let us all know. I care about every child. When I started going up to Hayes to help out with lunch and recess it was because there were not enough adults for all those children! My children have adapted well to school and there are now more adults to help out with this chaotic time of day, but I will continue to go help twice a week, because there are some kids that need that extra nurturing. I want you to know that my happiness with Hayes classes does not exclude me for being concerned with the other kindergarten classes and think many should be advocating for smaller class sizes. I would suggest that parents that can help out could take a day a week to be an aide until the classes get smaller. I do think kids that age need more than one adult per that many students.

[Dee Martinez]

Heres the issue.

Once a child is registered for kindergarten, that child is now a student in the Lakewood school system. The next year he or she is a known entity and is assigned to a school. Johnny Smith went to McKinley for kindergarten. He is going to McKinley for 1st grade, unless we hear otherwise.

A kindergarten student is a brand new entry into the system. Apart from knocking on doors and saying "do you have any kids?" how are the schools to know from one year to the next who is going to show up? And where some parents might take registration for granted, is it so hard to understand that for a very young parent, the need to register your child in June or July may not be so apparent?

Based on the numbers, it seems obvious that you would transfer some McKinley teachers to other schools. But how would you know that unless parents registered?

Its very telling that the school right in the middle, Lincoln, is also in the most stable area of the city.

Give the schools a little slack. Kindergarten enrollment is for all intense and purposes a dice roll.

[Stephen Eisel]

Dee, when does kindergarten registration begin?