25 signatures reached
To: Metuchen Board of Education
Make Edgar Middle School safe and welcoming for our children
On the first day of school in September of 2024, our children were threatened with police involvement for anything from name calling to a slap on the butt. Middle schoolers absolutely need structure and discipline, but treating them like criminals from the start is no way to build an environment of trust and respect.
That attitude persists. The children are punished for the smallest of infractions. They are assumed guilty and not given the opportunity to prove innocence. They are locked out of lunch for arriving late, after being restricted from accessing the most direct route to the cafeteria. They have recess taken away as a punishment, despite NJ state law requiring it for all children in grades K-5. They are not permitted to eat during lunch period if children are loud or out of their seats. I could go on and on.
I know many of you have met with administration, and some with the superintendent, only to be lip serviced or blown off altogether. These people are paid by us to provide a service for us and there is nothing wrong with asking questions and challenging things that don’t sit well with the community.
I am hoping to take these signatures to the board of education and ask for the following:
1. Disciplinary statistics for the past 5 years, since this administration took over. To include month to month, year to year and how Edgar compares to the other schools in our district.
2. Detailed information for the fall of 2024 “parent survey.” Mrs. Acevedo shared a very short summary in the 12/16 bulldog briefs, where she also promised additional information which has to date not been shared.
3. Results of the NJ School Climate Survey which we took in March of this year.
I’m hoping that this information will allow us to create a dialog around what is going well, what is not going well, and what can be done to bridge that gap.
That attitude persists. The children are punished for the smallest of infractions. They are assumed guilty and not given the opportunity to prove innocence. They are locked out of lunch for arriving late, after being restricted from accessing the most direct route to the cafeteria. They have recess taken away as a punishment, despite NJ state law requiring it for all children in grades K-5. They are not permitted to eat during lunch period if children are loud or out of their seats. I could go on and on.
I know many of you have met with administration, and some with the superintendent, only to be lip serviced or blown off altogether. These people are paid by us to provide a service for us and there is nothing wrong with asking questions and challenging things that don’t sit well with the community.
I am hoping to take these signatures to the board of education and ask for the following:
1. Disciplinary statistics for the past 5 years, since this administration took over. To include month to month, year to year and how Edgar compares to the other schools in our district.
2. Detailed information for the fall of 2024 “parent survey.” Mrs. Acevedo shared a very short summary in the 12/16 bulldog briefs, where she also promised additional information which has to date not been shared.
3. Results of the NJ School Climate Survey which we took in March of this year.
I’m hoping that this information will allow us to create a dialog around what is going well, what is not going well, and what can be done to bridge that gap.
Why is this important?
Please comment on the change you’d like to see at Edgar, and share with others if you feel so inclined.