Gentle Reminder the first day of school is September 5, 2007!
Enjoy the remainder of your summer:)'s
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Follow-Up to ACS May 24, 2007 letter
Allen Christian School
171-10 Linden Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11434
May 24, 2007
Dear Rev. Elaine,
I received a voice mail on May 22 from Ms. Morant stating that you are in receipt of my letter dated May 10 and that the two of you would like to meet with me to discuss my concerns. Thank you for your prompt response. Although a meeting on an individual basis would be appreciative I would like to request an open forum meeting and or [O1] written communication that address the issues outlined below before the school year ends. An open forum meeting preferably would allow parents and teachers to attend because my concerns are not exclusively mine and are shared by others, please see http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ACS/signatures.html and attachment.
Small classroom sizes for Fall 07’ third grade – many parents were attracted to ACS because of the small classroom size. We do not want to pay private school tuition for public school classroom sizes. We feel that a classroom size of sixteen with a student teacher ratio of 16:1[O2] would be the most beneficial for our children and the teachers. Many of the children are used to a small classroom size because they have been attending since Pre K-3 with an average classroom size of 16.
Physical Education and gym – our children have watched television several times instead of participating in physical education.[O3] It is to my understanding that this is because the gym was either being utilized for an event or being repaired. We would like to know how we could get a rooftop gym so that our children can have daily physical activity to prevent obesity. [O4] It has been reported recently by the American Journal of Pediatrics, that there is a significant increase in African-American children being overweight. Also, it has been noted that the importance of daily social play creates a healthy learning environment for children as well. Another alternative such as a closed side street where the children may have daily physical activity during recess we would like to be considered.
Capital Expenditures, School Board and PTA meetings – We would like to receive timely notices of the School Board meetings[O5] with postings to the website and academic calendar so that we may attend and be informed about the school’s strategic planning goals and upcoming capital projects.[O6] Also concerning capital expenditures, we would like to be informed as to when our school will receive a formal library[O7] , updated science lab facilities [O8] and the flooding in the basement repaired[O9] . With respect to the PTA meetings[O10] , we would like for the Founders or a Representative to attend and increase teacher attendance[O11] with a lead teacher representing each grade as well to promote a parent teacher partnership relationship.
Again, the purpose of this letter is to express my concern that many others share because we want the best educational advantages for our children. Unfortunately, some parents are considering other schools because of the aforementioned issues as well as issues not addressed in this letter. We have overcome many challenges and obstacles in the Pursuit of Excellence in the past and I understand growing pains. Therefore, I am confidant that the issues will be expeditiously addressed.
Yours truly,
M.N. Chatman-Whtifield
cc: Rev. Edwin G. Reed, Minister of Finance & Development
Linda Morant, Director
[O1]Meeting was held on July 30, 2007 at 4:30 pm with Dr. Flake (Rev. Elaine) Mrs. Morant and Myself
[O2]A class room size of 20 will be the goal for the upcoming 3rd class and it is expected to be three third classes for fall 07 school year, although Dr. Flake did mention that a good teacher could teach a class with 15-25 children. If the class size is large additional staffing is usually provided based on a request from the teacher. Parents are encourage to meet application deadlines because cut offs will be applied and they will not be able to be as accommodating in the past in order to limit the classroom size.
[O3]Are open to suggestions for alternatives to replace TV watching when the gym is not available. Mrs. Morant stated that the content of the TV shows were educational and age appropriate.
[O4]In progress however the leaks are being repaired first. However, the rooftop gym is the ultimate goal.
[O5]Annual school board meetings are being revamped, however they will be pubicized once they are back on the calendar.
[O6]Dr. Flake stated that copies are available of financial expenditures and Ms. Banfield is working on an annual report for the school. Also, the information is publicized in the church report. Dr. Flake would also be happy to share the financial report of the school.
[O7]In progress, is a lending library, although a librarian is not present/hired.
[O8]There is a science lab for the upper grades.
[O9]A continuous problem that Mr. Hancock has been called in on, however they are working on it. Jamaica is built on a water table therefore it is an interior structural problem due to heavy rain fall.
[O10]The “T” for teachers may be dropped in the PTA meetings and be called a Parents meeting like some other schools have according to Dr. Flake
[O11]Will explore methods on increasing teacher attendance at the PTA meetings. As an alternative the website’s goal is to increase communication with the teachers and parents by listing assignments and missing assignments. However, the challenge may be for parents to give their email address to receive timely notices.
171-10 Linden Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11434
May 24, 2007
Dear Rev. Elaine,
I received a voice mail on May 22 from Ms. Morant stating that you are in receipt of my letter dated May 10 and that the two of you would like to meet with me to discuss my concerns. Thank you for your prompt response. Although a meeting on an individual basis would be appreciative I would like to request an open forum meeting and or [O1] written communication that address the issues outlined below before the school year ends. An open forum meeting preferably would allow parents and teachers to attend because my concerns are not exclusively mine and are shared by others, please see http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ACS/signatures.html and attachment.
Small classroom sizes for Fall 07’ third grade – many parents were attracted to ACS because of the small classroom size. We do not want to pay private school tuition for public school classroom sizes. We feel that a classroom size of sixteen with a student teacher ratio of 16:1[O2] would be the most beneficial for our children and the teachers. Many of the children are used to a small classroom size because they have been attending since Pre K-3 with an average classroom size of 16.
Physical Education and gym – our children have watched television several times instead of participating in physical education.[O3] It is to my understanding that this is because the gym was either being utilized for an event or being repaired. We would like to know how we could get a rooftop gym so that our children can have daily physical activity to prevent obesity. [O4] It has been reported recently by the American Journal of Pediatrics, that there is a significant increase in African-American children being overweight. Also, it has been noted that the importance of daily social play creates a healthy learning environment for children as well. Another alternative such as a closed side street where the children may have daily physical activity during recess we would like to be considered.
Capital Expenditures, School Board and PTA meetings – We would like to receive timely notices of the School Board meetings[O5] with postings to the website and academic calendar so that we may attend and be informed about the school’s strategic planning goals and upcoming capital projects.[O6] Also concerning capital expenditures, we would like to be informed as to when our school will receive a formal library[O7] , updated science lab facilities [O8] and the flooding in the basement repaired[O9] . With respect to the PTA meetings[O10] , we would like for the Founders or a Representative to attend and increase teacher attendance[O11] with a lead teacher representing each grade as well to promote a parent teacher partnership relationship.
Again, the purpose of this letter is to express my concern that many others share because we want the best educational advantages for our children. Unfortunately, some parents are considering other schools because of the aforementioned issues as well as issues not addressed in this letter. We have overcome many challenges and obstacles in the Pursuit of Excellence in the past and I understand growing pains. Therefore, I am confidant that the issues will be expeditiously addressed.
Yours truly,
M.N. Chatman-Whtifield
cc: Rev. Edwin G. Reed, Minister of Finance & Development
Linda Morant, Director
[O1]Meeting was held on July 30, 2007 at 4:30 pm with Dr. Flake (Rev. Elaine) Mrs. Morant and Myself
[O2]A class room size of 20 will be the goal for the upcoming 3rd class and it is expected to be three third classes for fall 07 school year, although Dr. Flake did mention that a good teacher could teach a class with 15-25 children. If the class size is large additional staffing is usually provided based on a request from the teacher. Parents are encourage to meet application deadlines because cut offs will be applied and they will not be able to be as accommodating in the past in order to limit the classroom size.
[O3]Are open to suggestions for alternatives to replace TV watching when the gym is not available. Mrs. Morant stated that the content of the TV shows were educational and age appropriate.
[O4]In progress however the leaks are being repaired first. However, the rooftop gym is the ultimate goal.
[O5]Annual school board meetings are being revamped, however they will be pubicized once they are back on the calendar.
[O6]Dr. Flake stated that copies are available of financial expenditures and Ms. Banfield is working on an annual report for the school. Also, the information is publicized in the church report. Dr. Flake would also be happy to share the financial report of the school.
[O7]In progress, is a lending library, although a librarian is not present/hired.
[O8]There is a science lab for the upper grades.
[O9]A continuous problem that Mr. Hancock has been called in on, however they are working on it. Jamaica is built on a water table therefore it is an interior structural problem due to heavy rain fall.
[O10]The “T” for teachers may be dropped in the PTA meetings and be called a Parents meeting like some other schools have according to Dr. Flake
[O11]Will explore methods on increasing teacher attendance at the PTA meetings. As an alternative the website’s goal is to increase communication with the teachers and parents by listing assignments and missing assignments. However, the challenge may be for parents to give their email address to receive timely notices.
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