Our children are more than just numbers. With the class sizes in Durham Region proposed to increase exponentially for the 2015/2016 year, it is time we make it known to our school board, the Minister of Education and our local Trustees that we as caregivers will not support this action plan. By increasing class sizes, we are putting our children's best interests at risk. We are not providing them with an adequate environment in which to learn, grow, and succeed. While we realize that not all classes across Durham will see an increase in class sizes, we believe those that do will suffer. With 30 or more children in one class, an educator is not able to teach to his or her best ability. Rather, most of the educator's time will be spent policing, meeting basic needs, and attempting to make ends meet. http://www.ddsb.ca/Calendar/Attachments/235/Bd%20-%20May%202015.pdf. Pg. 63 In our FDK classrooms, we are lucky to have both an RECE and OCT, but this does not make it okay to increase our already high numbers. Reg. 224/10: FULL DAY JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN allows boards to create large class sizes of 30 children in one class and then create one class of less than 16 children in another in order to save money and not hire a qualified Early Childhood Educator. (Boards are not required to hire an ECE in class sizes less than 16) This regulation circumvents the intention of Full Day Kindergarten as envisioned by Charles Pascal in his report to the Ontario Government "With our Best Future in Mind" In most of our FDK classes teachers are working with children ages 3.5-6 years. With this range there also comes many differing abilities and with an already high class ratio our FDK curriculum is being set up to fail. Now envision having large class sizes through out our primary grades. This does not sit well with us, nor should it sit well with you, our Trustee whose job is to be our voice. You are our link to help make changes happen and be the commanding voice of the taxpayers in our region! We are trusting you to bring awareness to class sizes and stop making our children simply numbers! Regards, Concerned tax payers #childrenarenotjustnumbers