To The Editor: In Support of Modular Classrooms for Reading Schools

February 6, 2015

Dear Editor,

We are Reading residents writing to express our support for the Reading Public School Committee’s unanimous vote to purchase or lease six modular classrooms for use at the Alice M. Barrows, Joshua Eaton, and J. Warren Killam Elementary Schools (two classrooms per school) starting in the 2015-2016 school year. We support this plan for the following reasons:

First, the six modular classrooms would solve the significant need for additional kindergarten, first grade, and music classrooms at these three schools.

The modular classrooms would serve to accommodate overall kindergarten enrollment numbers and requests for tuition-based full-day kindergarten. There are 296 children registered for kindergarten next year, which is one of the highest projected kindergarten enrollments that Reading has had by the registration deadline of December 19, 2014; and 227 of those children have requested tuition-based full-day kindergarten. (See 1/14/15 Memo to the Reading Finance Committee from the Superintendent.)

The modular classrooms would accommodate next fall’s larger first grade class. This year, there are 24 to 25 students in each of the three kindergarten classes at Joshua Eaton. (See 1/14/15 Memo to the Reading Finance Committee from the Superintendent.) Enrollment in first grade will increase as well with the addition of children who attended private kindergarten.

The modular classrooms would allow music to be moved to a stand-alone classroom at Killam and Joshua Eaton. Currently, music classes are being held on stages at these two schools, which were not designated for this purpose.

Second, the six modular classrooms would affirm Reading’s commitment to high-quality education for its children, thereby preserving Reading’s attractiveness as a community in which to live.

The modular classrooms would allow elementary classrooms to remain at the optimal numbers to which the Reading Public Schools have traditionally conformed (18-22 students per classroom grades K-2). Indeed, smaller classroom sizes provide the best learning and teaching environment.

The modular classrooms would allow more Reading residents to send their children to tuition-based full-day kindergarten. Access to full-day kindergarten is important to Reading residents given that 77% of those registered for kindergarten next year have requested tuition-based full-day kindergarten. (See 1/14/15 Memo to the Reading Finance Committee from Superintendent). Further, access to full-day kindergarten is an important consideration for families when house hunting. Of 312 school districts in Massachusetts, 224 offer tuition-free full-day kindergarten. (See Boston Parents Paper, November 19, 2014 article, “The ABCs of Kindergarten”).

This plan would also allow more children to attend their “neighborhood” school throughout their elementary school years, which is important to many current and prospective Reading residents.

In conclusion, we urge Reading residents to contact their Town Meeting Members and ask for their support of Reading Public School Committee’s unanimous vote to purchase or lease six modular classrooms for use at three elementary schools. Current Town Meeting Member contact information can be found at http://www.readingma.gov/town-clerk/pages/town-meeting.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Denise and Sean Ewald (Barrows)
Kate and Tom Grant (Barrows)
Jennifer and Matthew Hillery (Barrows)
Amy Koehler (Barrows)
Etain O’Dea (Barrows)
Heather and Greg Stepler (Barrows)
Denise Henneberry (Birch Meadow)
Heather and Scott Lee (Birch Meadow)
Ashley and Sean Quinn (Birch Meadow)
Erin and Eric Gaffen (Joshua Eaton)
Kristen and Dave Roberts (Joshua Eaton)
Julie and Ed Ross (Joshua Eaton)
Stacy and Michael Weaver (Killam)
Jennifer and Vincent Kane (Killam)
Caitlin Macallister Koehler (Wood End)
Brian and Melissa Murphy (Wood End)