An impassioned group of parents filled Parkside Elementary School's multi-purpose room Monday night to implore the San Mateo-Foster City School District to reconsider plans to phase out Parkside's Montessori program in favor of focusing on the STEM approach.
A one-hour meeting explaining proposed changes to the Parkside curriculum did not sit well with parents, who were denied a chance to voice their opinions on a project that began with a study session in late October.
San Mateo-Foster City School Superintendent Cynthia Simms told the standing-room only crowd of more than 100 that Parkside is "moving to the STEM system."
Simms said the decision was based on teachers' recommendations after she charged the school with the task of developing a "common vision" for Parkside.
Simms said she visited 20 schools in the district, sat in classrooms and listened to teachers.
"Obviously, here, you have a split school," Simms said. "There is strong parent support for the Montessori program and you don't have that, necessarily, with the traditional school. Having one vision was my only concern."
Parkside principal Lori Fukumoto said Simms directed her to consider a one-focus school, and staff began looking for ideas.
"Montessori and STEM floated to the top," Fukumoto said. "The teaching staff recommended going to the STEM model."
The first vote was taken in December and resulted in an 11-11 vote of the credentialed staff, according to Fukumoto.
"In concensus building, people were given the chance to give their gut feeling," Fukumoto said. "On the second vote, they choose STEM or would go along with the majority."
Fukumoto said that vote was taken on Jan. 29. The parents were never notified of the process until receiving an e-mail, or a phone call, on Friday.
The e-mail was sent by Parkside Administrative Assistant Gladys Fonua and read:
"There will be an important meeting regarding program changes at Parkside for the 2014-15 school year on Monday, February 11 in the LGI. Montessori Families-your meeting will begin at 6:00 pm and you may want to stay for the general meeting beginning at 7:00 pm. Traditional Classroom Families-your meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you on Monday."
While the SM-FC School District has not yet approved the decision, it is clear the board used Monday's meeting as a public hearing and can move forward as planned.
Under the Brown Act, Monday's meeting cannot be classified as a public hearing, as no clear agenda was established, even though notice was given 72 hours before the meeting.
Simms was joined by Assistant Superintendents Molly Barton and Susan Totaro, making it appear to be a quorum. There were no Trustee members, however, introduced at the meeting.
"I respect the opinions of teachers, administrators and trustees," said Davin Cole, who has a first-grader enrolled in the Montessori program. "But this was done with zero input from parents. What is the PTA if not for interacting with administrators?"
"I want to cry right now," said another parent. "I moved into this district specifically to participate in the Montessori program. I am infuriated this has been kept a secret."
Another alleged that teachers, also absent from the meeting, were "muzzled," and the shift in policy "shoved down our throats."
Simms and Barton both promised that every question will be answered, and passed out index cards for that purpose.
The next school board meeting, scheduled for Feb. 21, will take up the question of writing a magnet school application. That meeting should provide the public with another chance to comment.
STEM and Montessori can be taught together there are even programs for Montessori teachers to be certificated in STEM. Enrollment for Montessori is low. But they are still running a lottery system to get in and they talked about increasing the Montessori program at Shoreview but they don’t have the room??? Why not just open it up to open enrollment than? I was told by the district rep; one of the l reasons is that they don’t want Montessori in a traditional school is they don’t want the split between programs. Even if they don’t get the grant they still phase out the program. On top of all this B.S. they try to sneak a meeting and squash parents from asking questions. Presenting it as a done deal when it is not and both programs can co-exist. So what are the real issues? This program has been in place for 35 years and produced outstanding students, even stating that the test scores at Montessori schools are higher. So what are the real issues? Could it be that the new principle and district leaders are un-able to handle both, but do in more affluent neighborhoods? So what are the real issues?
Funding is supplemented by the parents in from cash donations and fundraising and volunteering in the classrooms. So Montessori students do not cost the district anymore than non-Montessori students. So it sounds like this could be the major miss conception that needs to be addressed.
this is what your up against, ...Simms directed a "single focus" and staff was given the opportunity to decide one or the other, not both...seems like the teachers are also on board w/STEM vs. Montessori ....might ask them why...
I know this is just one person, but if she's any indication, I would have serious concerns about the standards at Montessori schools. Yes, yes, I do understand that it's basically just glorified day care, but just the same, you'd think an educator should, you know, have some education.
In retrospect, I am in complete agreement with you on that quorum item. However, it certainly was a public hearing. And I did point out, this was not a final decision by the board. Dr. Simms merely said "we are moving to STEM," as though it were a done deal.
The funding for the STEM program, as far as was revealed Monday night, is coming from Orcale.
You should know that she is not at all typical of a Montessori teacher. Find out what Montessori is before you make judgements.
There is more than enough interest in our program (waiting lists at both K and 1 are huge) to support another full Montessori program in our district, so why not consider moving the Parkside Montessori to an unused campus such as Knolls? They would benefit from having their own campus, so that all families and teachers are working within similar philosophies. Then build that program alongside the North Shoreview program - work together with resources, and be a model for cooperation between schools. They could move the GATE program from College Park to Parkside, so they could have a STEM GATE in the 4th/5th which would make for a smooth transition to Bayside's GATE/STEM GATE programs just down the road - another opportunity for inter-district collaboration. Not sure what plans are for the Chinese program at College Park after grade 5, but couldn't they use the extra room for a K-8 program there? I would imagine that there would be an even greater demand for the program if it was to become K-8.
Ellen Ulrich city board clerk
Please contact the Trustees and voice your concerns: http://www.smfc.k12.ca.us/current_board
A one-hour meeting explaining proposed changes to the Parkside curriculum did not sit well with parents, who were denied a chance to voice their opinions on a project that began with a study session in late October. It is February and parents are just learning about this issue....Clearly a poor decision on the districts part of collaborating and informing parents and students.. Article states: "Obviously, here, you have a split school," Simms said. "There is strong parent support for the Montessori program and you don't have that, necessarily, with the traditional school. Having one vision was my only concern. Ms. Simms comments regarding the strong parental support for the Montessori program speaks for itself..Not having support necessarily with the traditional school should not warrent enough concern to shut-down a student, parental and community supported program. Article: The first vote was taken in December and resulted in an 11-11 vote of the credentialed staff, according to Fukumoto. "In concensus building, people were given the chance to give their gut feeling," Fukumoto said. "On the second vote, they choose STEM or would go along with the majority." Clearly the staff was split. This also happened in December and parents had no idea this was taking place. A second vote was done when? I believe the District and Administration influenced the second vote.
Parkside Montessori being one program. THE Bayside S.T.E.M. ACADEMY – Cluster classes for gifted students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades in Language Arts and Social Studies as well as acceleration classes for gifted students in Mathematics. Clustering Gate students at one site will increase funding from the state and I am wondering how that will affect Gate programs at other sites within the district. How will this affect API and AYP scores, state test scores at the different sites. Maybe also consider leaving the Montessori program in tact and changing the tradition half of the site to an elementary S.T.E.M. program.
San Mateo-Foster City School District POLICY 2010 COMMUNITY RELATIONS PHILOSOPHY The Board of Trustees is committed to establishing and maintaining effective and ongoing communications between the community and the District. The Board will strive to create and maintain schools that reflect the finest current educational practices. The Board appreciates the importance of the wishes of the local community in the development and implementation of educational programs that offer the best to students and reflect the needs of the community and society. Accordingly, the Board will strive to keep the community fully informed, to the best of its ability, as changes are considered. The Superintendent shall be responsible for: • promoting school public relations at both the school and District level; • aggressively carrying out a public relations program designed to inform parents and community members about District and school priorities and programs; • providing a variety of ways for people to become involved in their schools so they can express their interest in and concern for their schools and students; • anticipating the information needed by the public and providing such information in timely, understandable and appropriate ways; and • responding to requests from the community regarding the District.
• aggressively carrying out a public relations program designed to inform parents and community members about District and school priorities and programs; Good work here • anticipating the information needed by the public and providing such information in timely, understandable and appropriate ways; And here Boy wish I had a PHD then I wouldn't need common sense. What did they think was going to happen? Ho and my spelling and grammer would be better.
I'm guessing the thought is that STEM should be available K-8. Bayside Middle School is STEM, and Parkside is a feeder school to Bayside. North Shoreview Montessori also exists and is a terrific place (grandchildren now attend NSM). I'll be sad to see Montessori leave Parkside and happy that Montessori still exists in the School District. I am not familiar with STEM and how it will play out at Parkside, but administration needs to ensure that the families who participate will continue to support the school as much as the Montessori parents do now, for it to succeed. I will be interested in what happens. The Parkside Montessori Parents Group has always been a vocal and energetic group of folks! mll
http://tinyurl.com/GoMontessori Thank you for your consideration and for passing this web link for the petition to anyone that you know would help our cause. People seek out our community for the chance of getting into the Monessori program at Parkside.... imagine if the program were school-wide where everyone could attend! Dream It! Do It! Sign It! Enjoy your weekend!
If you take the time to achieve a PHD, you should be heard. It does not mean you can dictate to others and disrespect their input. I have worked with many a PHD which understood that everyone’s input is worthy and the end results are greater. Both programs can co-exist. Some have expressed that STEM is not what they want for their young children. They have a valid point and their voice needs to be heard. This should be a team effort to service the public and their children’s needs and those needs are not all the same. Think of the teachers that were important in your life and what worked for you and didn’t work for other kids in the same type of class. Majority vote by staff should not rule when it comes to our children’s education…….