In the fall, Shuksan Middle School will welcome 200 additional seventh-graders and seven teachers as a result of the Whatcom Middle School fire in 2009. It will be an adjustment for students, staff and parents as the district and the school address issues such as transportation and space limitation in the school.
Principal Andy Mark said space is the biggest challenge the school will face. Additional portables may be needed and the seventh-graders, who traditionally occupy the second floor will be dispersed throughout the school.
Mark said although there have been numerous parent concerns he feels parents and students have become used to the idea of the students being integrated into the school.
“It is an unfortunate situation because you never want kids to have to change schools,” Mark said.
According to Mark, the student ASB elections will include the relocated seventh-graders, and will likely be held in the fall instead of the usual spring, so the new students can participate in the election.
Parent is concerned about discipline and class availability
Michelle McConas has a stepdaughter at Shuksan, and a son and stepson going into the sixth grade at Shuksan in the fall.
McConas said she is worried increasing the student population by 200 students will only increase social conflict between groups of students.
Incidents of bullying and violence already concern her despite the strict discipline policy at the middle school, she said.
She is also concerned her students will have difficulty participating in classes and programs due to limited space.
Principal says class sizes and curriculum will not be affected
Mark said there would be no difference in class sizes because of the seven faculty members being relocated to Shuksan.
The curriculum between the two schools is identical so students are on the same track and the new students will be integrated into the same classes Shuksan students are in, he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment