CHurt
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 03-29-12
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03-31-12 10:59 AM - Post#147398
Why do we have our 6th graders still in elementary schools? I understand the neighborhood school concept, but speaking as a parent of an about to be 6th grader, I think it's time to move on. I know the middle schools are maxed out with kids - why can't the district repurpose 1 elementary in each cluster for 6th grade centers? Or 5/6 intermediate schools that can focus more on this age group?
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chf
enthusiast
Posts: 490
Loc: NW Allen
Reg: 12-22-07
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03-31-12 02:36 PM - Post#147402
In response to CHurt
In my conversations with parents in Plano, where 6th grade is in the middle school buildings, I've found that the student experience is not a lot different. The curriculum is the same. In the Plano schools, the 6th graders are effectively segregated from the 7th and 8th grades. They do not participate in athletics or other "middle school level" extracurricular activities.
When our son was in 6th, the structure was geared towards preparation for middle/high school. They are expected to take much more responsibility for themselves and they switch classes like the higher grades (i.e. they don't stay with their home room classmates). There was a definite difference in how the students were treated vs. 5th grade.
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2705
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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03-31-12 09:36 PM - Post#147415
In response to CHurt
Way back when moms drove Country Squire station wagons with faux wood paneling, I was in the first year of 6th graders staying in elementary school. If I remember correctly, it was a space issue at the time. That was also our last year in Allen schools so I heard no more about it.
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it. 
Will work for shoes!  |
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Levansfour
enthusiast
Posts: 490
Reg: 05-09-05
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03-31-12 09:59 PM - Post#147417
In response to chf
It is middle school level classes and the kids do switch teachers for subjects. I felt that it was a good transistion for my kids before being thrown into a large school with older kids.As far as room for kidos all of my kids were in temporary portable buildings from what I can tell most elem. schools have had major expansions and most portables are gone that is a great improvement!
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2705
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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03-31-12 10:21 PM - Post#147418
In response to Levansfour
We were in portable buildings back in '86 at Rountree.
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it.
Will work for shoes! |
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TRBell
enthusiast
Posts: 384
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 03-15-04
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04-01-12 03:22 AM - Post#147426
In response to V-Girl
Why would you want to rush them into middle school? The transition from elementary to middle school is the hardest transition these kids make even more than middle to high school. Why not give them one more year of maturity to help them with this huge change. They are learning the same curriculum no matter what. I, for one, am glad the 6th graders are still at the elementary.
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chickypez
enthusiast
Posts: 431
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-13-07
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04-01-12 05:02 PM - Post#147444
In response to TRBell
I feel the same as SAHM. Why the rush to get them grown up faster?
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CHurt
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 03-29-12
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04-01-12 08:58 PM - Post#147449
In response to chickypez
the core classes may be the same, but what about the electives? PE, Orchestra, band and Choir 2 days a week instead of every day like EVERY OTHER DISTRICT IN THE STATE?!?
As long as they pass the test....who cares about the well rounded kid.
And don't for a second think that the 700 member marching band makes up for 6th grade 11 year old kids music kids having class in storage rooms, spare portables and closets 2 days a week. And expected to perform at the same level as Plano, Lovejoy, McKinney....or every other middle school in the state.
And what about the 5 year olds? We are protecting the 11 year olds from the 13 year old....what about the 5 year olds from the 11 year olds?
This district set up is opposite of nearly every district in the state. I think the leadership should be questioned.
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Mrs. Tex
enthusiast
Posts: 214
Loc: Allen
Reg: 11-01-07
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04-01-12 10:54 PM - Post#147458
In response to CHurt
I LOVE that 6th graders are not in middle school yet!! Great choice by AllenISD!! This has worked well for my 3 sons.
I don't understand the hurry...they'll get to high school soon enough!!!
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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04-02-12 07:30 AM - Post#147462
In response to Mrs. Tex
One of the main reasons that we chose to move to Allen instead of Plano was because 6th grade is still elementary school year here. Elementary school years were the simplest, happiest times in my children's AISD education - why rush them away from that??
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starrlac
enthusiast
Posts: 642
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 11-03-00
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04-02-12 09:22 AM - Post#147470
In response to CHurt
I also like that 6th grade is still in the elementary school here. I have an older daughter who went to a grade 5-6 intermediate school in another district, and have now had two children go through 6th grade in AISD. There has been no difference in the appropriateness of their education. My oldest son is now in 9th grade and in band. The Allen students don't have any problem competing with the other schools at contest...Allen students do very well. One big difference w/ Allen band compared to some other districts is everyone who wants to be in band can, and there is no fee to participate in band. Some area districts charge several hundred dollars just to take band.
This year at an AISD elementary school I have children in 6th grade, 2nd grade, and K. The children are very segregated by age and I have no qualms whatsoever with my Kindergartener being around 6th graders because all the children are supervised all the time. There are even opportunities for 6th graders to serve as teacher's helpers in the younger grades which benefits both the younger and the older child.
It would be difficult to impossible to take one elementary from each cluster (I guess you mean feeder schools for the middle schools) and repurpose it for 6th graders. There are many more k-5 students that would have to be displaced to other schools than there would be 6th graders leaving, and both the displaced K-5 students and the 6th graders would require a lot more bussing than neighborhood schools require.
We've had students in AISD for a long time...since 1996, and will continue to have students in AISD for a long time as we have a 3 year old. No school district is perfect, but we have been very happy with AISD and it is one of the main reasons we chose to live in Allen.
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Abby
enthusiast
Posts: 120
Reg: 01-10-03
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04-02-12 03:21 PM - Post#147496
In response to starrlac
I have a high school daughter. Middle school was torture for her. I was so glad she only had two years in middle school. She enjoyed being the being the oldest in the school in 6th grade
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Levansfour
enthusiast
Posts: 490
Reg: 05-09-05
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04-02-12 05:21 PM - Post#147520
In response to Abby
I so agree middle school is one of the hardest times in a kids life. None of my four kids had it easy in middle school,high school was no problems.
As far as being concerned about our kids being behind other districts I believe our high ranking high honor bands,choir,encore bands and choirs, theater speak for themselves.Never mind our AP/IB programs and dual credit courses. Have you checked out some of the major awards we have won. Or heard about all the very sucessful kids that have come out of those programs with scholarships to high ranking colleges?You do not get those babies with out being a "well rounded kid" All of my kids have done amazing with this school district and either have attended or will be next fall to private universities. )TCU and Baylor) All with major scholarships. So my point is having 6th grade still in elem. schools is not a big deal.
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TRBell
enthusiast
Posts: 384
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 03-15-04
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04-03-12 04:56 PM - Post#147625
In response to CHurt
the core classes may be the same, but what about the electives? PE, Orchestra, band and Choir 2 days a week instead of every day like EVERY OTHER DISTRICT IN THE STATE?!?
As long as they pass the test....who cares about the well rounded kid.
And don't for a second think that the 700 member marching band makes up for 6th grade 11 year old kids music kids having class in storage rooms, spare portables and closets 2 days a week. And expected to perform at the same level as Plano, Lovejoy, McKinney....or every other middle school in the state.
And what about the 5 year olds? We are protecting the 11 year olds from the 13 year old....what about the 5 year olds from the 11 year olds?
This district set up is opposite of nearly every district in the state. I think the leadership should be questioned.
Are you kidding me? This has got to be some of the most absurd reasoning I think I have ever heard.
To begin with, I don't even understand the thought you are trying to get across in the first 2 lines of this post.
I would be interested in seeing your documentation that backs up your statement of AISD not performing at the same level as Plano, Lovejoy, McKinney....or every other middle school in the state.
Have you actually been in an AISD elementary school?? If so, you would know that the older kids are extremely segregated from the younger kids. Recess, Gym and lunch times are held separately. I'm not sure in what regard you are using the term "protection". That can be taken in a few different ways.
If you are this unhappy with AISD you may need to look into relocating to Plano, Lovejoy or McKinney.
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Abby
enthusiast
Posts: 120
Reg: 01-10-03
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04-03-12 05:39 PM - Post#147630
In response to CHurt
My daughter was in orchestra in 6th grade and thrived. It was my responsibility to make sure she was educated. 3 years of middle school would have been torture. I can only image 8 grades girls with six grade girls....or 8 grade boys and 6 grade girls.
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CHurt
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 03-29-12
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04-06-12 08:50 AM - Post#147784
In response to TRBell
If I am concerned....I should go away?
Wow.....
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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04-06-12 09:24 AM - Post#147788
In response to CHurt
No one is telling you to "go away". We just stated our opinions (based on our personal experiences with our own children) that your concerns are misplaced. One person logically explained why your idea for 6th grade centers is not feasible. Obviously, your opinion that 6th graders should be in middle school is in the minority. You can certainly take your concerns to the administration or whatever you wish. Just don't expect AISD to make changes based on a minority opinion.
And, believe it or not, core classes are far more important than electives (band, athletics, etc.).
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CHurt
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 03-29-12
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04-07-12 08:59 AM - Post#147820
In response to jogo
"If you are this unhappy with AISD you may need to look into relocating to Plano, Lovejoy or McKinney."
Pretty sure Tiffany is suggesting that I go away.
If you look at the education systems in the countries that are topping the United States, they have an almost equal amount of arts education side by side with math and science. The more the arts have been trimmed up in the United States over the last 30 years or so, the further behind we have become. There is a connection.
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CHurt
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 03-29-12
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04-07-12 09:04 AM - Post#147822
In response to CHurt
But orchestra and band wasn't my original point -
Why are 6th graders still in elementary school? It is almost imposable to find any other district that operates that way. What is the logic that makes AISD think this is better?
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starrlac
enthusiast
Posts: 642
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 11-03-00
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04-07-12 09:26 AM - Post#147823
In response to CHurt
Richardson has K-6 in elementary. Maybe it's as simple as it was working fine when the fast growth in Allen began and there was no need to change it. Maybe there is a specific reason for it. Perhaps the 6th grade teachers or the principal at your child's school could tell you.
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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04-07-12 09:29 AM - Post#147824
In response to CHurt
Why are 6th graders still in elementary school? It is almost imposable to find any other district that operates that way. What is the logic that makes AISD think this is better?
My suggestion would be to ask the teachers or principal at your elementary school and let them explain the reasoning before you take the stance that it is so negative.
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CHurt
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 03-29-12
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04-07-12 12:55 PM - Post#147833
In response to jogo
Thanks jogo. I will. I'll let you know what I find out
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chf
enthusiast
Posts: 490
Loc: NW Allen
Reg: 12-22-07
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04-07-12 02:36 PM - Post#147835
In response to CHurt
But orchestra and band wasn't my original point -
Why are 6th graders still in elementary school? It is almost imposable to find any other district that operates that way. What is the logic that makes AISD think this is better?
The 6th grade curriculum is uniform across the state, and it is considered a "middle school" curriculum. This was explained to us when our son was entering 6th grade. Also (as has been said), 6th graders in the elemntary buildings are largely segregated from the lower grades, and in the districts where 6th grade is in the middle schools, they are segregated from the 7th and 8th graders for the most part. So, why are you so concerned about the building they go to?
A district's decision one way or another, is largely driven by economics, history, and facility usage at the time a strategic decision is made. But once that type of decision is made, and facilities are constructed towards that strategy, it is difficult to change the strategy without causing underutilization at some facilities, and over utilization at others. In this particular case, there is no room in the 3 existing middle schools to add an additional grade level, so either expansion or addition of a 4th middle school would be required. At the same time, removing a grade from the elementary schools would (for most of them) cause the buildings to be underutilized. Talk to Richardson ISD about the adverse effects underutilized facilities have on a district operating budget.
As to the "go away" comment, I do have one pet peeve. This may or may not apply to you, as you have not said when you moved into AISD. There are five very good school districts in this area, each taking different approaches to school sizes, divisions, etc. Plano has 6th grade in middle school, and separates 9th/10th in smaller high schools from 11th/12th in giant senior high schools. Frisco has several high schools with grades 9-12, and keeps them smaller (4A) sized. McKinney and Lovejoy also have their unique aspects. I have very little patience with people who don't research and consider these differences when they are deciding where to live, and then rail and complain about how the district does something after they move in. Most frequently, I hear it from people who don't like that Allen has one huge high school, but I've heard it about other things as well.
Like I said, this may not apply to you at all.
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