LETTERS: KINDERGARTEN AIDS CRUCIAL TO LEARNING

To the editor:

It has come to my attention that once again there might be cutbacks in our school system. A couple of the teacher assistants in kindergarten at Alma Schrader will probably not have jobs this next school year. From what I have been hearing, the ratio of teacher assistant to student will be 1 per 61, 2 per 66, and three per 71. I dare any of you that make these decisions to set in a kindergarten classroom for one full day and see if you could manage 22 plus five and six year olds by yourself.

I am in there almost everyday so let me give you some examples. There is the teaching part, bathroom breaks, unruly children, recess time, lunchtime, TLC time, and what do you do with the children when one gets hurt and the teacher has to take them to the nurse? What about the children who have a disability and require a wheelchair or aid in walking? Is it worth our children's safety to cut back -- think of the liability if someone gets hurt. What about after school, when the children either go with a parent, or to a designed daycare center or to a bus.? The teacher cannot possibly be in three places at one time.

Kindergarten is so important to our children. My son has learned so much this year both mentally and socially. I do know if there had not been an assistant, the children would have been deprived of a lot of learning -- isn't that what school is all about? These children remind me of a tree -- kindergarten is the root and with the nourishment provided by parents, teachers, and their assistants they will grow and blossom.

You people that make these cutbacks seem to find the resources to push a bond issue, then why can't you find it in yourself to provide the best possible education and environment for the future students that you are going to put in these new buildings.

GAIL MEYER

Cape Girardeau

and the names of 32 other concerned parents