Distressed Ipswich mothers spoke before the School Committee Thursday, May 15 at the Middle/High School in support of a half-day kindergarten schedule for 2009. After some lengthy discussion, however, the School Committee voted in favor of full-day K; Ipswich will have six classes for next year.
"This is a hard decision, there's no easy answer," explained Winthrop School Principal Sheila McAdams. "Our numbers keep going up. We've had to make some awful choices over the past year."
School officials are looking at classes of as many as 24 children. The district expects to have 134 students, with 78 attending Doyon and 56 going to Winthrop. According to the School Committee, 126 of the 134 families with future kindergartners preferred the full-day route. Eight families were hoping a half-day schedule would be available.
Parents present at the meeting told the committee their children should have the opportunity to learn in and out of the classroom.
"It's hard to find a half-day program in this area," said Ipswich resident Jennifer Hevelone-Harper. "I would like my 5-year-old to have time to take extra piano lessons at home. I think adequate notice ought to be given to parents."
But Doyon kindergarten teacher Diane Hickey felt students would benefit from full-day routines.
"I understand parents want to see their children," stated Hickey. "We don't have enough extra time. They need more help with their letters and more social interaction."
An open door policy at Doyon and Winthrop allows parents to visit during the school day.
"I don't see the need for full days at this age level," added Diane Schoonover.
"We're talking about this issue earlier than last year," explained School Committee member Jeffrey Loeb. "There's no option to have a half-day schedule if we go with this option. Two parents are asking for accommodations."
Ipswich public schools were provided with a $15,000 grant from the Mass. Department of Education. Known as the Kindergarten Development Program, it is designed to encourage more full-day classrooms within the commonwealth.
"We need to maintain the ability to use this $15,000 grant," said Doyon School Principal Ken Cooper.
Smart Music
Also at the meeting, the Fine Arts Subject Area Committee gave a presentation on Smart Music, the new musical technology being used at Ipswich Schools. It is an interactive computer program that lets band students practice, record and receive on-screen feedback while playing. The program also tells aspiring musicians the number of correct notes being played versus incorrect. Since January the Fine Arts Department has offered $25 Smart Music subscriptions to students. Teachers have students do Smart Music lessons, such as Mozart melody assignments, for homework.
"Students are jumping into this very easily. They're teaching us," explained Gerald Dolan, director of the Fine Arts Program and director of bands. "You're paying $25 but getting hundreds of dollars worth of music."
Dolan told the Committee additional funding is needed for Smart Music workstations, which would cost $2,500 per unit. This price includes speakers, microphones, a Mac computer and movable cart.
"We're using a grant right now from New England Bio Labs," said Dolan. "But we're going to need more to make this program accessible to everyone."
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