Something I Wish I Would Never Have to Write

I feel fortunate to live in the great state of Wisconsin where I feel the education I received in my childhood was one of the finest in the nation.  I was lucky to have art, music and phy ed on a regular basis.  We had band starting in sixth grade and foreign language in the middle school and high school.  We had sports, plays, music, a fully funded library, and even a gifted and talented program.  My hometown district, Baraboo, rightfully bragged about all it had to offer and the success of its students.  I remember some tests but the emphasis was on quality education not test scores.

Is it too much to ask that my own children have access to the same things?  One would not think so but apparently the answer is yes, it is.  I have previously vented about the educational and financial state of Wisconsin.  I knew cuts would hit us not only in the form of Ben's paycheck but changes at both his and the boys school.  I was hoping it would not be so severe.

John and Sam (and hopefully Andrew in 2012) have the good fortune to attend one of the excellent schools in the Milwaukee Public School System (yes, there are excellent schools in MPS!).  The are learning in not one, but two languages at Milwaukee German Immersion School (MGIS).  Starting in 4K the children receive all instruction in German.  Instruction in English does not begin until 2nd grade with reading.  As a first grader John can read and write in two languages as well as hold a mostly-fluent conversation in German.  100% of children who finish 5th grade at MGIS graduate from high school.  Sounds too good to be true for a public school in Milwaukee, right?

Regardless of your political opinion, cuts to MGIS and all public schools in Wisconsin are going to hit hard.  I can only speak to my boys' school where they are facing an unprecedented budget shortfall of $420,000 for the 2011-2012 school year.  (Yes, that is four zeros after that 42!)  What does this mean for their school of 600 students?   Physical education is currently provided once every three days, next year it will be once every two weeks.  In a time when the entire nation is battling against the increase in obesity among adults and children alike, you would think this wouldn't be happening.  Music is currently provided once every three days, next year it to will be provided once every two weeks.  A reading resource teacher meets with students every day of the week, next year the teacher will meet with students once a week.  Currently there are eight classroom assistants each working 30-35 hours a week, next year there will be 3 assistants each working 20 hours a week; this will leave the 4K and 5K teachers with a ratio of 25-30 students to one teacher for nearly the entire school day.  The list continues: library assistant hours are cut nearly in half, a literacy coach staffed by district offices in eliminated, and a math teacher leader also staffed by the district office is eliminated.

Luckily, the parents and staff at MGIS are strong and working together to close the gap by starting a viral fundraising campaign.  Our immediate goal is to raise $700 for each student.  Attached is the link to our group, Hilfe.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/54819234/Close-the-Gap-Final-PTS#source:facebook

Unfortunately, not every MPS school will be so fortunate to have parents go to bat for them.  The children that have so little are on the brink of losing so much more.