When you look at your new little baby, there is only one thing on your mind…what a miracle!! And you’re right, there is nothing more precious than a child. But let’s fast forward five years. It’s time for your precious little bundle to start Kindergarten. A scary and new experience..scary being the operating word here. Years ago, Kindergarten was for learning numbers, colors, following directions and making new friends. The classes were very small and the teachers got to know each child and their family. But it’s just not like that anymore. Most schools expect your five year old to know her numbers one to a hundred, all the colors, can write her name and a myriad of other skills that were unheard of. But in this day and age, it’s a must to have these skills to keep up with our changing world.
And while you are truly not thinking about Kindergarten, you really do need to think ahead so when your baby enters school, budget cuts haven’t taken away our wonderful teachers and programs that are so important.
Unfortunately, budget cuts are a real threat to our children’s quality of education in the future. Cuts that would take away the music and arts programs, books, extracurricular activities, crossing guards and more teacher layoffs. Cutting back on these wonderful programs will increase class size. That wonderful Mrs. Jones, your child’s first Kindergarten teacher, will not have the time to get to know you and your child. She will be overworked, underpaid and impatient. To succeed in our demanding 21st century, our children need that individual attention, not over-crowded classrooms and fewer teachers.
So please don’t sit quietly and hope that in five years, when your child is ready for school everything will be different. This is your child’s future and it’s your job to make sure the quality of education stays at it’s highest level.
The National Education Association (NEA) is a huge advocacy group for children and their families. Take a few minutes and read the facts at . Then contact your congressional representative. Please let them know how you feel about your child’s education.
Please Ask Your Community to Take Action Now!
Go to http://www.capwiz.com/nea/issues/alert/?alertid=15045 e 4 co 11&typ and forward a letter directly to your representative and let your voice be heard.
