E-mail sent to Principal about "Solution" by Steph Morgan

Steph sent this email today, 8/20/08

Dear Principal Rynchek,

I see the letter posted on the website to the Kindergarten parents about the class size issue at Lake Harriet Community School. You state that the issue is now "remedied". I wanted to express my grave disappointment in this "remedy." Having class sizes at 27 or 28 instead of 30 is not much of a solution. I think that is still much too big of a class size and teacher ratio, especially for kindergarten. My long term concern is what happens next year. As I understand it, the five K sections break down into 4 for first grade. With the numbers you have now, (if my math is correct, you have approximately 135 K students) that will mean 34-35 kids in a first grade class. That is beyond acceptable. As I consider my options, I am thinking about the future years, and I frankly don't know what is best for my child at this time. I want to send him to the Minneapolis public schools, and especially want to support my community school, however I can't stomach the idea that he might be in a class of 35 next year, and in future years.

I have talked with other parents, some with incoming kindergartners and some with children already at LHCS. All are as outraged and disappointed as I am. I learned that the last year K sections were smaller, around 23 or 24 per section. I wonder why LHCS accepted a bigger class this year, considering the lack of space and teacher resources? My concern is that it does not appear to be your concern that the class size is too large this year. I had originally asked that a sixth kindergarten section be opened for the 2008-09 K class. That would get the class size down to about 22 or 23. You must have the space for it, as you have three sections in the morning, and could presumably have three in the afternoon. It would of course require another half-time teaching position.

I hope the school is thinking ahead now to what will become of this large group of kids next year, and the following years, so that their school experience is not just "fine" or "manageable" as it will have to be this year, but exceptional.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Morgan

Tuesday Aug 19

I spoke with Ms. Murphy, principal at the lower campus, on Monday. She left a message on behalf of the school board. Their solution remains to attempt to even out the kindergarten classes so all sections have 28 kids. I'm so discouraged and saddened by this decision. It reflects on the sad state of Minneapolis schools.

Last year kindergarten classes (five sections) had about 23-24 kids per class. They removed a section for first grade so now there are 28 first graders in a class. I'm really concerned they will do this again next year. That will leave classes for first grade next year at 35?!

I will be working in a public school that has 15-16 kids in kindergarten and first grade classes. I wish I understood what is happening in Minneapolis. I'll be redoubling my efforts to pass the referendum.

Mary's response

Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, the demand for our school will only grow. However, the building is at maximum capacity. This is an issue the planning people at our district offices are aware of and working on. Mary Rynchek

Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 10:22 AMTo: Ellen Murphy; Mary Rynchek; mpssup@mpls.k12.mn.usSubject: Lake Harriet Kindergarten

Dear Lake Harriet Principals and Superintendent,

As a future Lake Harriet mom (my children are not in school yet), I was disappointed to hear about increasing kindergarten classroom sizes for September. Class rooms in the upper 20’s and even 30 do not provide an adequate learning environment for young children. I am aware there are space concerns for the future, but those can be addressed at a later time. I strongly recommend that another kindergarten section be opened before the start of the school year. Please review your plan for this year as well as proactive planning for future years. I have a feeling that the class room size issue will only get bigger as more children move to the area to attend Lake Harriet.

Thank you,

Jenny Bender

Future Parent E-mail

I generated another e-mail for future parents since this issue will impact them, too. Admin says they are enrolling so many kids because parents want the school. We want a great school not a school with huge classes. Pass it along to parents of little kids in the area.

Please forward on to all current and prospective Lake Harriet Community School families.

Dear parents, I write to you as a parent, a teacher and an advocate of public urban education. I have a son entering kindergarten at Lake Harriet this fall. Morning kindergarten classes at Lake Harriet have 30 children with one teacher. This is unacceptable for young children. NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), the accrediting board for pre-k through grade two, states the best practice for effective class size for kindergarten is significantly fewer than 30 kids per classroom. http://www.naeyc.org/ The administration state they want to please parents by admitting them to the school. We need to inform the administration that we want Lake Harriet to continue to be a quality school, not a school with class sizes that prohibit a quality education. SOLUTIONSWe must act quickly and express the need for another section of kindergarten be opened before the start of the school year. We want what's best for the children and so do the principals and teacher's at Lake Harriet. Advocate for your children to ensure they have a positive school experience. Future parents, act now to let the administration know what kind of school Lake Harriet must be. 1. Call Now and let them know you believe another section of kindergarten must be opened!Our principals:Ellen Murphy - Lower Campus 668-3212 ellen.murphy@mpls.k12.mn.usMary Rynchek- Upper Campus 668-3210 mary.rynchek@mpls.k12.mn.us Superintendent: Dr. William Green Phone: 612-668-0200 mpssup@mpls.k12.mn.us School Board Chair: Lydia Lee 824-0893 2. Support the referendum. Visit http://strongschoolsstrongcity.org/. I have 20 signs in my car and am willing to distribute them. Let me know if you want a sign. Let's work together for our children and for Lake Harriet School! Mindy Barry285-8324

Class Size Issues

I hope this blog can be used as a communication tool. We can share what we've done the responses to the rest of the concerned community. Thanks Rich for the great idea.

I spoke with Lydia Lee on Wednesday evening and she was very receptive. She is going to speak with the board liason and I hope to hear from one of them today (Friday).

I have left two messages for the principal at the upper campus and I haven't heard back from her. Has anyone else had better luck?