Laserfiche WebLink
in jeopardy because of the proposed cuts in this budget. She urged the community to <br />come together and support the override on the behalf of our students. <br />Casey Vieira, 8th grader at Parker spoke in favor of keeping the foreign language <br />program explaining what a positive impact being able to take a foreign language in <br />middle school has had on her. <br />Parker grade 8 students Smirtha and Sarah also spoke about the impact the ability to <br />take foreign language in middle school has had on them. They both felt it is <br />important for middle school students to have the opportunity to take a foreign <br />language. They have had opportunities that younger students will not have until high <br />school. <br />RMHS Director of Guidance Lynna Williams spoke as both a parent and an educator <br />asking the community to support our schools. She shared the impact of past cuts at <br />the high school with increased class sizes, fewer classes, and longer turnaround from <br />teachers returning work. Our kids are being negatively impacted in all academic <br />areas. treading needs to stay competitive with neighboring communities. The high <br />school staff will feel the effect of these cuts as the younger student come from the <br />elementary and middle school levels. She feels there will be an increase in special <br />educational services due to the reduced resources because students are not getting the <br />supports at the elementary and middle school levels. School is not just about tests <br />and papers, quizzes, and projects, it is a place to develop relationships, learn to make <br />healthy choices and learn from your mistakes. Teachers will have less time to <br />connect with students because of higher class sizes. She asked the community to step <br />up and financially support the schools. <br />RMHS Social Studies teacher Jeff Ryan next spoke and wanted to focus on a aspect <br />that would be negatively impacted by the proposed cuts. He spoke of college <br />recommendations for the seniors. This activity is not contractual but teachers write <br />them because they love the students and want to help them out. With higher class <br />sizes, time to write these recommendations for seniors will become limited. This will <br />have an adverse effect on college acceptances and the quality of the schools our <br />students get in. He implored the community to do what it takes to support the <br />schools. <br />Parker ELA teacher Andrew Spinali spoke about the loss of the double ELA block. <br />The ramifications of this cut will be felt right up to the high school. The double block <br />at the 6th grade level allows for pacing of curriculum and the ability to revisit <br />concepts in which students are struggling. 6th grade students come into middle school <br />with limited skills in inferencing, identifying main idea and theme and developing <br />plot needed for writing. These skills are developed at grade 6. With the loss of the <br />double block there will be a loss of direct teaching time for these focus areas. This <br />will result in more basic skills being taught at the higher middle school levels and <br />slowing down of instruction/curriculum at the upper grades. <br />Parker 7th grade Spanish teacher Leah Cristi spoke on behalf of her colleagues <br />beginning by saying how disheartening it is to stand here again addressing the cut of <br />middle school foreign language and implored the Town to do what is right for the <br />public school students. Language based learning supports academic achievement. <br />Students that study foreign language score higher on standardized tests and <br />outperform students that do not study foreign language, especially in math. As stated <br />Page 1 2 <br />