Francis Wyman PTO eNews - March 12, 2006

Special eNews from the
Francis Wyman PTO

March 12, 2006

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FRANCIS WYMAN PARENTS*

As part of the PTO’s commitment to our students, parents and teachers, we would like to make you aware of an important budgetary decision made at the last School Committee Meeting, that will affect our students, next year and beyond.

Three years ago, we had a 4^th and 5^th grade teacher retire, and it was decided to leave those spots unfilled, due to the smaller grade sizes over the next two year period. The budget request for next year included our promised fifth 5^th grade teacher from 3 years ago. It was made clear, at the last School Committee Meeting, that Francis Wyman will NOT be receiving the teacher due to lack of funds. This year, we did receive the needed 4^th grade teacher, as promised, and we now face not having a fifth 5^th grade classroom for next year. The average class size of this year’s 4^th grade is 20, and if 5 classrooms go down to 4, there could be 25 students per 5^th grade class next year. Looking further ahead, this year’s 3^rd grade has an even higher number of students than this year’s 4^th grade. This decision will affect all grades following, due to grade sizes being the same size or larger. We need our children to receive an equal education as the other schools in town, so all 5^th grades come together at 6^th grade, at the middle school, on equal ground.

We as parents and an organization need to make sure our children have what they need during their entire education at Francis Wyman Elementary and onward. Please consider hearing this call and help our students. We need you, a parent and PTO member, to call the School Committee Members (names and phone numbers below) and voice, if you so choose, that a fifth 5^th grade teacher IS NEEDED at Francis Wyman, and it should be approved in the 2006-2007 budget as promised.

To reinforce this statement and need, please attend the next School Committee meeting (date/time/place below). When the issue is brought up, we need to show support, that we want our children to have what every child deserves … a basic, strong education!!

Thank you in advance for your support as always.

FW PTO Executive Board

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Next School Committee Meeting … Tuesday, March14 @ 7:30 pm … School Committee Meeting Room at BHS (Central Office)

BURLINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Thomas F. Murphy, Jr. (781) 273-0240

Christine Monaco (781) 272-8922

Stephen Nelson (781) 221-5802

Sharon Sotiros (781) 229-6270

John Vanella (781) 273-0423