Chesterfield parents demand increased bus drivers and smaller class sizes amid student issues
March 01, 2024 | Unionville-Chadds Ford SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Concerns over overcrowded school buses and the need for additional third-grade teachers dominated the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board Meeting on March 1, 2024. Parents voiced their frustrations regarding the current state of transportation and classroom sizes, highlighting the impact on student safety and learning.
One parent, Sherry, raised alarms about her son’s experience on a crowded school bus, where multiple students were forced to share seats, leading to incidents of bullying. She urged the district to hire more bus drivers to alleviate the situation, which has worsened due to a reduction in bus routes over the past year. “The bus is kind of very crowded,” she stated, emphasizing the need for a safer environment for students.
Another parent, Jill Lazar, echoed these concerns, advocating for the addition of a third-grade teacher for the upcoming school year. She noted that the pandemic has left many students struggling with social skills and communication, exacerbated by larger class sizes. “Kids fall through the cracks, and it becomes a problem,” she explained, stressing the importance of smaller class sizes for effective learning and conflict resolution.
The meeting also featured comments from parents regarding the challenges faced by students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). One parent expressed frustration over the lack of support and resources for her children, stating, “My kids deserve to read. We're not less because we're in poverty.” She called for better attention to IEPs and more appropriate educational resources.
In response to these concerns, board members acknowledged the importance of community feedback and committed to reviewing policies related to class sizes and transportation. The discussions highlighted a growing urgency within the district to address these issues as they directly affect student well-being and educational outcomes.
As the meeting concluded, board members expressed gratitude to the parents for their engagement, reinforcing the message that their voices are crucial in shaping the future of the district. The board is expected to take these concerns into consideration as they plan for the next school year.
One parent, Sherry, raised alarms about her son’s experience on a crowded school bus, where multiple students were forced to share seats, leading to incidents of bullying. She urged the district to hire more bus drivers to alleviate the situation, which has worsened due to a reduction in bus routes over the past year. “The bus is kind of very crowded,” she stated, emphasizing the need for a safer environment for students.
Another parent, Jill Lazar, echoed these concerns, advocating for the addition of a third-grade teacher for the upcoming school year. She noted that the pandemic has left many students struggling with social skills and communication, exacerbated by larger class sizes. “Kids fall through the cracks, and it becomes a problem,” she explained, stressing the importance of smaller class sizes for effective learning and conflict resolution.
The meeting also featured comments from parents regarding the challenges faced by students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). One parent expressed frustration over the lack of support and resources for her children, stating, “My kids deserve to read. We're not less because we're in poverty.” She called for better attention to IEPs and more appropriate educational resources.
In response to these concerns, board members acknowledged the importance of community feedback and committed to reviewing policies related to class sizes and transportation. The discussions highlighted a growing urgency within the district to address these issues as they directly affect student well-being and educational outcomes.
As the meeting concluded, board members expressed gratitude to the parents for their engagement, reinforcing the message that their voices are crucial in shaping the future of the district. The board is expected to take these concerns into consideration as they plan for the next school year.
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