To the editor:

This is an edited version of a letter I sent to the Saranac Lake Central School District superintendent earlier today (Sept. 24):

Dear Diane Fox,

I am writing this letter the morning after Curriculum Night at Petrova Elementary School. I came home with very mixed feelings about the learning environment that the school district is providing for my son and his fellow kindergarteners this year. The kindergarten year is such an important time for them as they embark on a new path toward lifelong learning. I, among many other parent and teachers, feel that the large class size across this year’s kindergarten cohort does not provide the best possible setting for their social, physical and academic development.

As you well know, the kindergarten curriculum has become much more rigorous in recent years. The academic expectations of our youngest students are very high. In addition, kindergarteners have much to learn about socialization with teachers and other students, classroom behavior and institutional guidelines. My son has 22 students in his classroom. The three remaining district kindergarten classes are also large (19 to 23 students each). I understand that not very long ago, the cap for class size was 15 students. At St. Bernard’s School, classes are divided once they approach 20 students per class. We have wonderful, hard-working, compassionate kindergarten teachers and teachers’ assistants in our schools, but their attentions and energies are spread thin with so many active little people in their classrooms. Specials teachers (for music, art, library, technology and physical education) must also be challenged with these large classes.

I am frustrated and disappointed that the district made the decision to reduce its number of kindergarten teachers and create a situation where each class is too large to promote a comfortable and supportive learning atmosphere for our youngest students. Please consider this perspective that is shared by many parents and teachers and hire an additional kindergarten teacher this year.

I know this is a difficult time for our public schools due to budgetary restrictions and overall declining enrollment. However, the kindergarten year is such a vital year for helping our children build social and academic skills that will serve them well throughout life. Money and time spent on our kindergarteners is money and time well spent.

To parents who share this concern, please voice your opinion with the superintendent’s office. The decision to reduce the number of kindergarten teachers in our district does not serve our best interests nor those of our children.

Sincerely,

Audrey Schwartzberg

Saranac Lake