The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, the union that represents the school district’s teaching staff, released results of survey to gauge community sentiment on the idea of moving fifth-graders to middle school.
The NFT survey found that 88 percent of parents and residents were opposed to the move, which stirred controversy when introduced this year. According to results, 87 percent of educators polled were opposed to the plan.
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A press release from the NFT says the online survey had “more than 800 responses – 573 from community members and 257 from teachers and other certified school staff.”
The proposed plan to move the fifth graders from the elementary schools to the district’s three middle schools was placed on hold last month after consideration from district officials. Several board members told LevittownNow.com the plan is still being investigated and more research will be done.
“We recognize reconfiguring the middle school model may still emerge as part of a consolidation proposal, and we call on the School Board to work more closely with parents, teachers and school staff as this process continues. The Community Outreach Team and the NFT leadership will continue to solicit feedback as the district develops a plan to reshape our school system,” NFT Vice President and Community Outreach coordinator Tara Huber said in a statement.
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The NFT release said the results of the survey conducted was presented to the ad hoc committee and sent electronically to all school board members.
Many parents have spoken out against the plan at recent board meetings, however, a limited amount have voiced their support for the plan.
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“Teachers and parents alike believe strongly that 10-year-old fifth-graders are not emotionally or socially prepared for the transition to middle school,” sixth-grade teacher at Poquessing Middle School said Christine in a statement. “Teachers and parents know these students. They spend more time with these children than anyone else.” She noted that survey respondents were concerned about social interaction between fifth-graders and older students during unstructured middle school time.
Neshaminy High School teacher and Penndel resident Suzi Drake, who is co-chair of the NFT Committee for Political Action and played a “key role” in the survey results collection, said that moving the fifth-graders to the middle schools “will impose a false maturity onto 10-year-olds.” She said the students need more time to “mature cognitively, socially and emotionally in an elementary school environment that is purposefully designed for them.”
Paul Notwick, a NFT vice president and fifth-grade teacher at Walter Miller Elementary School, was also quoted in the NFT release.
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“Fifth-graders have leadership opportunities in the elementary schools that they would miss out on if they move to middle school. Being on the safety patrol, serving as classroom helpers for the younger grades, and participating in various council, social and school spirit activities are chances for them to mature and feel like they are the big kids,” Notwick said.
On Saturday, LevittownNow.com will run a Letter to the Editor from ad hoc committee member Stephen Pirritano.
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