Parents Don't Think Fifth-Graders Belong In Middle School

Just a few weeks ago students kicked off a new school year, but now some parents are already worried about next year. That's because the grade levels at three schools in east Dublin may be reconfigured, and parents are concerned about what this means for their children.

At a school board meeting on Aug. 24, the board heard the recommendations from the DUSD Boundary Committee, a group made up of staff and parents that was convened to balance enrollment at several schools.

Norm Lee, who is part of the committee, has one child in fifth grade at Dougherty and another in seventh grade at Fallon.  Therefore, any decision will impact both of his kids next year.

"The district guidelines for elementary enrollment is up to 650 students. Green has been well over that and projections suggest that it will continue to be unless a viable solution is found," Lee said.

The committee determined that changing the school boundaries was the least desirable option and instead focused on changing grade level configurations at Green Elementary, Fallon Middle School and Kolb Elementary, which will open for the 2011 – 2012 school year.

The committee's recommendation was as follows: Green, which is at capacity, and Kolb should become K-4 schools and Fallon would be converted from a K-8 school to a 5-8 school. 

If Fallon becomes a 5-8 middle school, it will be the only school of that configuration in Dublin and neighboring school districts, including Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville and Castro Valley.

"Diverting students to Dublin's less populated schools was not acceptable due to travel time, method of determining which students were to be diverted, and community acceptance," said Lee.  

However, Lee added that he wants the board to consider whether there is a way to keep things the way they are now at Green without causing overcrowding and to discuss the kind of support that will be provided for students to ensure that a potential transition to the new configuration will be seamless to the community and district.

The committee's proposal doesn't sit well with parents such as Green Elementary parent Lisa Doherty. Doherty, a mother of three, worries about the possible behavioral effects of sending fifth-graders to a middle school.

"One of my main concerns regarding this recommendation is that my children will be forced to worry about social and peer pressures sooner than they are emotionally capable of," said Doherty.

She is worried that, "My children will miss out on one last year of protected childhood, in a safe and nurturing environment surrounded by childlike opportunities, like those only found on a K-5 campus." 

Doherty is doubtful that the same programs offered to a fifth-grader at Green will be offered at Fallon. 

Sonia Gurusiddaiah has three children, one of which is in the fourth grade at Green this year.

"My main concern about the change is that my daughter will not get to enjoy the full elementary years.  I believe that this is being done for financial reasons only and not for the kids' benefit," said Gurusiddaiah.  

She shares Doherty's feeling that she doesn't want her fifth-grader to be in a middle school setting, even if the students will be kept apart from the middle school kids.

Gurusiddaiah said possible alternatives to avoid the conversion is for, " the board to look at changing the boundaries; another option is to have kids voluntarily go to Fallon for fifth grade, as they did this year.  Portables at Green are another option."

Other parents have echoed concerns about the changes, and the board has responded by scheduling a parenting community meeting on Sept. 20th so parents can voice their opinions.

"We can never advocate enough, for the interest of our children, families and future of our community," said Green parent Regina Pangelinan.

In addition to the upcoming meeting, staff has met with leaders from Green and Fallon to begin discussion about what the fifth-grade program might look like should the board determine that this is the best option.

"The board will review any additional information gathered from the Town Hall meeting and the leadership discussions and discuss the issue, again, at the Sept. 28 (board) meeting. We look forward to finding the best possible solution to the problem and to communicating that to our parent community as soon as possible," said Superintendent Stephen Hanke.

As of now, both sides feel hopeful that the best interests of the children will be kept in mind, regardless of the outcome. 

"I feel positive and optimistic that we can work together and come up with a good solution for everyone, most importantly, our children," said Doherty.

At the upcoming Town Hall meeting district staff will be seeking additional information and answering questions from the Green, Fallon and future Kolb communities.

"In Dublin, our fundamental purpose is student learning.  We look forward to working with the community to develop a plan that best meets the needs of our students," said Hanke.

The parent community meeting regarding the Green/Fallon/Kolb Boundary Committee recommendation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at Green Elementary School.  

For additional information regarding the Boundary Committee Recommendation for Fall 2011, click here.