Keep a full year of Science and Social Studies in Belvidere South Middle School's 6th grade

To Whom It May Concern:

We are writing to you personally as concerned parents of Belvidere South Middle School students and taxpayers of the Belvidere Community Unit School District #100. We are quite disappointed in hearing that BSMS is considering removing one half of a school year of social studies and one half of a school year of science curriculum for 6th grade students who will begin this fall.

To begin with, we do not understand how policies, procedures, and curriculum decisions can drastically change without parent or community input. The Board of Education does not communicate decision making information to the people of the community, at the most it is difficult to locate when they do. We simply dont understand why a principal, who is so influential in his building practices, would keep himself so removed from parents as well, when he states that he believes there is a gap in this communication that he would like to rectify.

If the Board of Education pushed through the Washington Magnet School focusing on science, technology, and math, how is it that science is not important in 6th grade at South? Will Washington 6th graders get a full year of science next year? Will those students out perform and outshine in that area on ISATs in 7th grade the following year? Are you disregarding the essential science growth of South 6th graders compared to that of Central Middle Schools if they will be receiving a full year of science curriculum compared to the proposed half that Belvidere South Middle School may receive? Overall, is the decision, or proposal, to cut one half of either social studies and/or science instruction going to stunt the growth of our future leaders? This plan contradicts the direction in which the district seems to be moving, how does this fall into the Student-Centered Excellence motto the District so proudly touts?

We also ask you, What is the driving force behind this proposed curriculum change? Parents in our community have heard that the focus is to meet the needs of students who are in the intervention category outlined by the AimsWeb assessments. If this is true, we are surprised to hear that the needs of a minority of students are changing the entire schematics of 6th grade in the fall. To remove social studies and science curriculum in order to focus on these students who need additional help is ludicrous. We have nothing against meeting the needs of students of different abilities, but at the cost to the majority is too much to ask. We commend this district for pushing teachers to follow guidelines outlined in the Response to Intervention and Positive Behavior Intervention and Support programs, the students can only benefit from these programs if followed with the intent they were written with. As parents with children of varying needs, we are happy to see that the district is reaching out to every student, but are they truly meeting every students needs?

As being one of the few districts in the state of Illinois to have retained the gifted education program, are we meeting the needs of these students equally? Taking out curriculum that would enhance their education is not a wise choice. Reducing their curriculum, in any amount, for these students who excel in these areas is such a disservice to them and their future. So, if the changes you are contemplating stem from intervention scheduling, this proposal needs to be reconsidered.

Our final thought in regard to these two subjects you are considering reducing pertains to the importance of each of these subjects at the middle school level. They may be electives in high school, but how do children know to choose these courses if not previously exposed to the content? A full year of social studies and science in the 6th grade is essential. Social studies covers ancient civilizations. This is the beginning of humanity! The material covered empowers children to follow the steps of discovery. It is human nature to want to know how the world and its people have evolved and how early man solved problems and overcame obstacles are just a few of the fascinating educational points covered in this material. Many ways of life today can be traced back to ancient people, these include; building structures, military and government development, religion, mathematics, medicine astronomy, and reading and writing found in the Library of Alexandria. The fact that students can learn about ancient ways and have the opportunity to visit some of these places is fascinating to them, what a way to help children become life long learners and discoverers of their world!

Science is equally important. The material covered in 6th grade teaches children about earth science, chemistry, astronomy, and ocean life. We are talking about future geologists, pharmacists, marine biologists, doctors, and engineers. Science is the foundation of our natural environment. Everything requires some form of science that range from growing and making a better product to putting a man on the moon. Consider the current situation in Japan and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, where would we be today without those who devoted their lives to science?

To restate what we said earlier, Why would the Washington Academy be put into place with a focus on science, and the leaders of South Middle School disregard the importance of science education to its students? We would appreciate if parents were informed of the possibility of changes like this before they are put into effect. Your district website states, Children First. Are you really thinking about our children? BCUSD needs to validate and communicate with the CU part of the acronym. We strongly suggest that BSMS does not remove any portion of curriculum that is anticipated by parents of the community, that parents and community members be notified of these possible changes, and to be allowed to meet with BSMS administrators to have their voices be heard on the proposed changes in the upcoming years curriculum prior to a final decision being made. We are, therefore, asking that you reconsider the schedule for the students enrolling for the 2011/2012 school year and thereafter, social studies and science need to remain a part of their education for the entire year and by our signatures below we are stating our dissatisfaction with the proposal for eliminating one semester each of social studies and science.