Board of Education Votes to Approve Sixth Grade Move to Berner Middle School

MASSAPEQUA, NY - The Board of Education recently voted to approve include sixth grade at Berner Middle School in Massapequa by a 3-2 vote.

Starting in September 2017, all sixth grade middle school students will be part of a grade 6 through 8 learning environment.

“This is exciting news for our students and for our District,” Lucille F. Iconis Superintendent of Schools wrote on the school’s website. “Our entire faculty, administration and staff looks forward to working together with you, our parents, as they create the best educational experience for our children.”

Some locals, including Massapequa resident, parent and teacher at the Levittown Public School, Dave Insana, disagree with the move.

“When I first heard of this plan many questions raced through my mind,” Insana wrote in a letter. “Are our 6th graders responsible enough to tackle the challenges of Common Core and the over abundant state tests while at the same time navigating a new school whose population and size dwarfs their experience in their elementary school? Are they emotionally prepared to handle peer pressure and cyberbullying in a school of almost 1,700 students with adolescents who are at a different stage of development of their young lives? This would make Berner the largest middle school in Nassau County.”

He also wrote that he believes sixth graders will be “more successful” in an elementary environment where they can continue to work on their competency and social skills in their “home” environment and that isolating the students will deny them the opportunities for mentoring and leadership.

“They belong in an elementary school where they can benefit from leadership roles and interactions with younger children as helpers and guides,” he wrote. “They are getting a mixed message that says, ’You are old enough to be here, just don’t interact with the 7th and 8th graders.’ What kind of message is that for children who are at an age where how they are perceived by others plays a significant role in their self-worth, self-esteem, and the overall picture of where they fit in?”

Currently, according to Public School Review, there are a total of 32 public middle schools in Nassau County with a 6th-8th grade configuration.

Local parent, Rose Stein, told Newsday that she ”has faith in the administration” and believes, along with several other parents, that the change would “enhance the children’s education.”

Iconis wrote that the district is “confident that expanded academic opportunities will parallel expanded friendships and the social supports that will help all of the students to thrive.”

What do you think?