Integrating Gr7 and 8 into high school.
#352928 - 12/02/09 09:39 AM
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dragonfly
Reged: 05/12/08
Posts: 1088
Loc: canada
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Hey there.
Wondering what anyone's thoughts are on grades 7 and 8 being moved to the high school with the 9-12.
Our school board wants to boost the declining enrollment rate in the high school by placing our 7 and 8's there.
We live in a rural community with the closest "big"city an hour away.
We have a school population of 144 and we are full.The other schools involved in this process are running at half full.
Just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with this.
I can't really find any information for a pro or con.
Thanks
chris
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IBS-D since 1999...mostly stable..i do cheat too.Bad me.
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I've taught at the middle school and high school level, so I have experience working with different ages of kids. In general, I don't think putting 7th thru 12th grade students together in the same school is a good idea. 7th and 8th grade are difficult ages as kids transition from children to adolescents. I think it would not be good for them to be influenced anymore than they already are by older teens behavior. That age of kid is trying to grow up so fast as it is, without the daily influence of 17 or 18 year old teens. I feel that middle school and high school are split for good reason - we need to let kids develop maturity slowly. That's my two cents.
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Thanks frygurl.
One of the issues we also have is that our teachers are not allowed to voice their opinions about this whole thing.
that is frustrating because who knows better than our teachers what our kids really go through in school.
I am glad to hear an actual teacher tell me its not a good idea.I didn't think so either,but the board of trustees is making it sound like its the next best thing and we all know that's not true.
It all comes down to politics and money.
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IBS-D since 1999...mostly stable..i do cheat too.Bad me.
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I agree with Frygirl. Middle school is already a big "drama" and stressful for not only the kids but the parents. If you really want to reek havoc, put them in with the "big kids". Not a good idea!
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We don't actually have middle school.we have K-8
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IBS-D since 1999...mostly stable..i do cheat too.Bad me.
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Teachers rarely have a voice, especially on things that really matter. I've learned the hard way about the politics of teaching.
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The name doesn't matter. Frygirl referred to it as middle school, also, as most do, I believe. The 7th and 8th grade are still separate from high school...correct? So, you could call it what you will, but you would still be combining two separate entities. Same premise, different name.
Not a good idea for the younger kids.
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Would you be willing to write a letter about a teachers point of view?
I'm not sure it would help but we would like as much ammo as we can get.
Since you're from the US i would think your job might be safe. 
If not I totally understand.
Thanks chris
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IBS-D since 1999...mostly stable..i do cheat too.Bad me.
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I don't think I'm comfortable with that since I am so far removed from the specific situation. I doubt it would do much good anyway, since as we said before, teachers are rarely heard. The board of trustees has their reasons for such a decision, however ill advised. Usually it's the parent community that can be heard of they make some noise. At least, that's how it worked in my district. Good luck!
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