District Reconfiguration Page
The District has been engaged in numerous public meetings to discuss proposed changes in the grade configuration of the District. We’d like to thank the many involved parents and community members who’ve taken the time to attend these sessions. The discussions have been outstanding, and participants have posed many excellent questions. While we continue to answer questions directly at these sessions, we’ll also be posting some of the most common questions on our website to address the questions that have been posed at these recent sessions or through messages sent to the District. This is intended to be a living document, as we will be adding to the list as issues are discussed.
Next Public Session
Monday, April 15 th at 5:30 pm in the Jr/Sr High Media Center.
Please join us if you are interested.
District Reconfiguration Q and A
Question:
What are the proposed grade level shifts associated with the proposed District Reconfiguration?
Answer:
PSES – Grades K-2
SSES – Grades 3-4
RSES – Grades 5-8
CHS – Grades 9-12
PSES – Grades K-2
SSES – Grades 3-4
RSES – Grades 5-8
CHS – Grades 9-12
Question:
What are the benefits of this move?
Answer:
There are many answers to this question, but among the most important are the following:
There are many answers to this question, but among the most important are the following:
- The creation of a true middle school (like several other districts in our region have adopted) will provide a developmentally appropriate setting to address the needs of students in the 10-14 year age group. This age represents the second major developmental stage for children, requiring a tailored approach to meet the academic, social and behavioral needs. Included in the middle school concept is flexible academic periods, built-in opportunities to address anti-bullying
initiatives and enhanced opportunities for both academic intervention as well as advanced/accelerated opportunities to provide additional challenge/rigor where appropriate.
initiatives and enhanced opportunities for both academic intervention as well as advanced/accelerated opportunities to provide additional challenge/rigor where appropriate.
-Students will have an additional year in both PSES and SSES – overwhelmingly parent feedback has been positive on this issue. Delaying a transition to the larger, Roberts Street complex to allow students an additional year in a smaller, more intimate setting is seen as a major plus by our families.
-There is a significant difference between a 7th grader and a senior academically, socially and in every other category. Creating a more distinct separation between junior high and high school makes sense in order to more appropriately differentiate based on the needs of all students.
Question:
How will this effect sports participation for 7th and 8th graders?
Answer:
There is no impact on sports participation. Students are able to begin participation in school sponsored athletic programs starting in 7th grade, and this will continue with any reconfiguration. There is no impact on sports participation.
Question:
Is this happening just to make test scores appear better?
Answer:
This has nothing to do with test scores “appearing” better. Test scores are what they are, and those scores are publicly available. Changing grade configuration has nothing to do with the appearance of what scores are. Base on questions received on this subject, we will be scheduling another public session to review how the district is performing on a variety of NYS assessments given the confusion on this issue. Again, our test scores are moving in the right direction, and our students and teachers should be applauded for their hard work. The vast majority of scores have improved over the past several years. This move is not “covering up” test scores, it is paving the way for continued improvement in scores by creating instructional periods and support systems that will encourage continued growth into the future. We want to continue to grow and improve.
This has nothing to do with test scores “appearing” better. Test scores are what they are, and those scores are publicly available. Changing grade configuration has nothing to do with the appearance of what scores are. Base on questions received on this subject, we will be scheduling another public session to review how the district is performing on a variety of NYS assessments given the confusion on this issue. Again, our test scores are moving in the right direction, and our students and teachers should be applauded for their hard work. The vast majority of scores have improved over the past several years. This move is not “covering up” test scores, it is paving the way for continued improvement in scores by creating instructional periods and support systems that will encourage continued growth into the future. We want to continue to grow and improve.
Question:
Will 4th graders be transported on the elementary bus run?
Answer:
Yes, 4th graders will follow the schedule currently followed by K-3 students in PSES and SSES.
Yes, 4th graders will follow the schedule currently followed by K-3 students in PSES and SSES.
Question:
Will there be opportunities for after school programs, music involvement, etc for 4th graders?
Answer:
Yes, we are committed to making sure that students are not losing opportunities for these types of important activities. We are actively planning for the continuation/expansion for these types of opportunities moving into next year. Plans will be announced as we move closer to the new year.
Yes, we are committed to making sure that students are not losing opportunities for these types of important activities. We are actively planning for the continuation/expansion for these types of opportunities moving into next year. Plans will be announced as we move closer to the new year.
Question:
If 4th grade is moving from the Roberts Street Complex, what is happening to the additional space?
Answer:
Space in the Roberts Street Complex will be utilized to support a variety of the initiatives underway in the district, including space for the incoming satellite mental health clinic, space for instructional programs offered through the expanded SRO service, student/family programs hosted by Connected Community Schools, meeting space for school counselors and social workers, and additional instructional space for academic intervention classes, among other uses.