A recent Greenfield Recorder story headlined “Mohawk studies why kids leave district” misrepresents the experiences of many families leaving the district this year.
It states that students are going to other high schools because “their brothers or sisters already attend (another school.)” Why have siblings left the district in the first place? Mohawk continues to disregard student concerns.
The article states, “Parents voice concerns about a lack of academic rigor at Mohawk, but teachers thought this was inaccurate.” If a student says a class is too easy and a teacher disagrees, listen to the student. And listen to parents. We can share some reasons we are sadly exploring other options for our children.
1. Mohawk has abolished traditional honors classes for all subjects and advanced math for 7th grade. Traditional honors classes involve honors instruction and honors-level classroom discussions. Instead, students can take “optional honors” for which the students do extra credit work with minimal guidance (verses whole class instruction) and thus get “honors” on their transcript without the vital instruction or dialogue. This is not an acceptable substitute.
2. They removed 8th grade algebra (taken by 8th graders all other area schools).
3. To silence concerned parents, Superintendent Michael Bonticonti has created an untenable solution. Instead of letting the advanced 8th grade class complete algebra for which the school purchased books, an 8th grader may take algebra in the high school and must sacrifice related arts (foreign language, woodworking, art, communications, leadership skills, and digital literacy) and chorus, band and P.E.
If we lose advanced classes, lose honors instructed classes, and lose rigor, then Mohawk will keep losing students. It is easier to bring back the high standards now than it is to bring back students and their siblings once they have left for a better education.
Lesley Parker and Wendy Keyser
Ashfield