I make a difference
Moving the 6th grade to the high school
For anyone reading this that is not familiar with the 6th grade at Raymond Central Schools, the Ceresco school is K-5, Valparaiso is K-6 so all 6th grade students from the district attend classes in Valparaiso. Not an ideal situation because of the location
After talking with the elementary principals recently I found out our current buildings are at capacity. The 08-09 kindergarten class is so large it has been split into 4 classes which required some creative re-arranging at both sites to accommodate the growth. Moving the 6th grade from Val to the high school is a logical and necessary step which will provide room to accommodate current and future elementary growth and will give the students better educational opportunities. Someone pointed out that students in 3rd grade are learning things my generation learned in high school. At the high school site they can have beginning classes like speech, AG, IT, and DI that they do not have now. Many teams that we compete with in DI begin when the students are in kindergarten. Our kids are way behind when they start out in 7th grade. They can have a much improved music and band program and our band teachers time can be better utilized teaching instead of traveling. They can have access to specialized equipment like the science labs, and media center.
After several failed bond elections from 1980 through 1993 several board members, citizens and administrators attended a seminar at UNL to explore the educational benefits of a middle school. I was one of the attendee's along with Dr Gould, I don't recall exactly who else went, but I do remember that while we could not agree on where to build the elementary building(s) each and every one liked the middle school concept. In June of 1994 a bond issue was voted on which would build new in Ceresco, remodel Val, and included an addition to the high school to accommodate the 6,7,8 middle school. The bond issue failed and the middle school option went down the drain. I am not aware of any other plan to bring the 6th grade together at the high school since the 1994 attempt.
I see the move as a positive step for the students, administration, teachers, parents, relatives and taxpayers.
Educationally better for students
Eliminates the complications for transportation and improves efficiency and operational savings
Safer transportation since many students would have a shorter bus ride
Better location for parents to attend events
Better location for athletics, more opportunities possible
Brings the 6,7,8 students together district wide
Eliminates the need to add classroom space or portable classrooms at the elementary buildings
I think its a 'no brainer'. I can't think of a single downside. I have personally spoken to many parents, teachers, and administration over the past few weeks and have yet to find anyone opposed to the move for any reason. I have gotten many positive comments. We need to solve our current space problems and plan to move the 6th grade to the high school by adding the necessary space to accommodate our needs. This will be a great and functional improvement for everyone in the district.
This is number one on my list of improvements
After talking with the elementary principals recently I found out our current buildings are at capacity. The 08-09 kindergarten class is so large it has been split into 4 classes which required some creative re-arranging at both sites to accommodate the growth. Moving the 6th grade from Val to the high school is a logical and necessary step which will provide room to accommodate current and future elementary growth and will give the students better educational opportunities. Someone pointed out that students in 3rd grade are learning things my generation learned in high school. At the high school site they can have beginning classes like speech, AG, IT, and DI that they do not have now. Many teams that we compete with in DI begin when the students are in kindergarten. Our kids are way behind when they start out in 7th grade. They can have a much improved music and band program and our band teachers time can be better utilized teaching instead of traveling. They can have access to specialized equipment like the science labs, and media center.
After several failed bond elections from 1980 through 1993 several board members, citizens and administrators attended a seminar at UNL to explore the educational benefits of a middle school. I was one of the attendee's along with Dr Gould, I don't recall exactly who else went, but I do remember that while we could not agree on where to build the elementary building(s) each and every one liked the middle school concept. In June of 1994 a bond issue was voted on which would build new in Ceresco, remodel Val, and included an addition to the high school to accommodate the 6,7,8 middle school. The bond issue failed and the middle school option went down the drain. I am not aware of any other plan to bring the 6th grade together at the high school since the 1994 attempt.
I see the move as a positive step for the students, administration, teachers, parents, relatives and taxpayers.
Educationally better for students
Eliminates the complications for transportation and improves efficiency and operational savings
Safer transportation since many students would have a shorter bus ride
Better location for parents to attend events
Better location for athletics, more opportunities possible
Brings the 6,7,8 students together district wide
Eliminates the need to add classroom space or portable classrooms at the elementary buildings
I think its a 'no brainer'. I can't think of a single downside. I have personally spoken to many parents, teachers, and administration over the past few weeks and have yet to find anyone opposed to the move for any reason. I have gotten many positive comments. We need to solve our current space problems and plan to move the 6th grade to the high school by adding the necessary space to accommodate our needs. This will be a great and functional improvement for everyone in the district.
This is number one on my list of improvements
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