Dissolution Of Grand Terrace Elementary School- Transition Kindergarten Program

Dear Board President,

My name is Monica Chairez, a parent in the District, and I’d like to bring to your attention a matter involving my child who is enrolled in TK at Grand Terrace Elementary School. Last week I received a call from the school, informing me that the District will be dissolving TK and the last day will be Friday, Aug. 31 of this year. Cecelia from the office called me again yesterday and stated that the date has changed because only 2 students showed up for school yesterday so last day for the TK will be Tuesday Aug 28th.

This took me by complete surprise. I couldn’t understand why or how the school could do this do our children. Under the program, my son has thrived. He learned a lot within the few weeks he’s in there, including how to write his name, how to sing the sounds of the alphabet and identify letters. He is enjoying being in school and is ready to learn more.

This is very important at his early development stage. Hearing that his TK class will end did not go well when I had to break the bad news to him. He kept asking “why mom, why?” He doesn’t want to leave his school, as he loves it there and likes his new friends.

Sending him to a different school also would present a logistics challenge, since all other schools are extremely far away. After school day care also will become a hardship, if I were to move my child.

I understand this is the first year the District launched TK, but I believe you should give it a chance and advertise it to draw more students. Some parents are probably not even aware that Grand Terrace Elementary has TK. I recently called Terrace View Elementary asking about their TK and they said they were at full capacity. If the District were to advertise, I’m sure TK in Grand Terrace could attract more students to keep it open.

I implore you to reconsider keeping this program open for our children, and give it a real chance to succeed. I would like to discuss this with the Board president as soon as possible. My number is 909-272-2244.


Respectfully,

Monica Chairez
Concerned parent