submitted by Kim Spangenberg
As most parents do, I want the best for my kids. As an educator, I know the challenges of making this happen in our schools. Every student has potential, but how do we get them to realize this potential, and promote the knowledge and skill development necessary for them to succeed in today’s world?
There is a call for educational practices to change across the country, to better prepare students for college and careers in the 21st century. The shift is away from simply delivering content to a focus on skills and application of content. Students must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively, think critically to address problems and engineer solutions, and use technology effectively.
This shift demands a new approach inside our classrooms. Our world is changing, and to prepare our students, we must change our educational practices as well. The MURSD Strategic Plan recognizes this essential change and outlines a plan to move our district forward, in order to prepare Mendon-Upton students for the future.
Our classrooms are no longer confined by four walls; technology has broken down the physical barriers. Students have information at their fingertips and can interact with peers and professionals around the world. Global perspective is essential to addressing the problems of today and preparing for the world of tomorrow. If we do not support the expansion of our classrooms, our students will most certainly be ill prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead and will not be competitive in a global society.
Our students need the opportunity to explore, ask questions, be creative and take risks, in order to gain the skills and confidence to succeed in the 21st century. Class size absolutely impacts how we provide these opportunities. Access to technology to explore content, acquire information, retrieve data and communicate globally is critical. Career exploration and practical experience are invaluable. These key features of education will help support the development of those crucial skills for our students.
Mendon-Upton students are the leaders of tomorrow. Preparing our students to handle the challenges that lie ahead is an investment in the future of our towns, our community, and our world. This override will have an immediate impact on our students and our community. Let’s make sure it’s a positive impact that allows the district to continue moving forward. Please make this investment in our students and our future, and vote Yes on the override.
Kim Spangenberg
Upton
UPTON DAILY 
As a non parent I do support educational opportunity for our youth and I understand that some of them will be the leaders of tomorrow. Since I am not in touch with what the curriculum is today I was appalled recently to learn that the schools no longer teach cursive writing. How the heck are they supposed to be able to sign a legal document or read historical documents or early deeds if they are doing research or survey work. I asked my nieces (in two other towns) if it was true. They said their schools don’t teach it either and told me they are teaching their children to write their names. Said it is painful to watch them struggling to write. I can’t believe it. What about the basics? What happened to that? Before I can support an override I want to know that.
I have also heard that cursive writing is not being taught in many schools, and I agree that is surprising and a disappointment. I do not know the reasons for this shift, but it is happening in the general population and there must be a reason. However, having two children in the MURSD, I can tell you that it is still being taught in our school district. Third graders learn cursive with a year-long workbook program.
My children (MU students for a varying number of years) all learned cursive in third grade and were NEVER required to use it for anything after third grade. One writes perfectly “normally” in cursive, one has a signature that looks like a second or third grader is writing it, and the youngest prints their name whenever they are required to “sign” something. It’s horrible.
It’s so obnoxious to see all these pro override letters and not one addresses the affordability of these overrides. I wonder what Kim and others do when the get an unexpected bill, like they need a new boiler? Do they still take that vacation in the Caribbean or do they decide to take a stay-cation? Do they go to their employer and demand that the employer pay for it? You and I both know that to these people money isn’t a concern.
Here’s hoping that either Mendon or Upton (or both) realizes we can’t afford the Superintendent’s “vision” and kills this thing. Last time even with the warnings of dire consequences, when Mendon killed it, somehow, miraculously, the schools got by. Every year student populations go down yet their budget never does. Of course the little kiddies need their i-pads. Sure they do.
Frank
Can you define “these people” for me? I am curious…
If you disagree, that’s fine, it’s a free country, but keep your personal insults to yourself.
My take is when Frank says “these people” he means those penning the pro-override letters.
As wondering pointed out I’m speaking about pro-override people. Just out of curiosity what did you think I meant? Minorities? Women? So Anthony do you have an opinion on the override or are you just looking for straw man arguments? How about rebutting anything I said?
There was nothing miraculous about the recovery of the MU schools. 5 years ago, we were in deep trouble. Over 60 educational positions were eliminated. Students were in enormous classes, and significantly less learning occurred. Our accreditation as a school district was about to be taken from us. We all know what happens to towns that can’t educate their children. They become depressed areas with plummeting home prices. Thankfully, the towns hired a forward thinking, creative, tenacious superintendent who along with hard-working, committed staff and community, breathed life back into this school system. As a homeowner, I am extremely grateful. My home is now worth greatly more than the little I will pay to educate our community’s children. You can squash this override, if you like, but you can’t do that AND maintain your home or community value. You can’t have it both ways. No miracles here except the huge improvement in the school system. In all the years I have lived here, I have never seen the school system in such good shape. As an educator, it hurts to think we might move backward.
Mine couldn’t drop any lower. You got anything else ? The little you pay? Ok….