Alpine School District just announced the discontinuation of the 3rd grade A.L.L. (Advanced Learning Lab) program beginning in the 2023-2024 school year; taking away vital access to a challenging educational environment for scores of 3rd grade students during a critical crossroads age for social and emotional development. 

Studies have shown that the proper framework laid at this age is crucial for future academic and social success. Often these programs do not begin early enough. For children who require a more challenging curriculum, waiting for placement can be excruciating, with students often losing interest in school and learning because they aren't being sufficiently challenged. (Even beginning in 3rd grade is considered delayed--comparable school districts in Utah begin offering advanced learning programs as early as 1st grade, so we are already behind). The Saratoga Shores 3rd grade A.L.L. program has been a tremendous boon to many students with unique needs. It has not only helped to reverse behavioral problems created by lack of academic stimulation and instilled pro-academic habits and ethics, but it is also in incredibly high demand.  Discontinuation of this class will be a disservice to the surrounding community and the children it is already prepared to benefit.

It seems that this decision was made abruptly, without input from the public, and was NOT made by the Alpine School District Board of Education. For those reasons, we believe we have a chance to become participants in the discussion and hope to garner the support of those making these decisions. We believe that the decision makers are well-meaning, want the best for all students, and are trying to make things work for everyone. We recognize the difficult position they are in. But we hope that this petition will prove how meaningful and needed this program is, and that there are many of us ready to do what is necessary to preserve it. We have been told that the District will start allotting FTEs (grant funding to schools based on enrollment) in February, so we must act now to make our voices heard.

Please join us in voicing your support for the continuation of the 3rd Grade A.L.L. program in Alpine School District and at Saratoga Shores Elementary. Our kids deserve better. Our communities deserve better. Every student deserves to be educated and challenged according to their needs. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely, 

Parents and Concerned Citizens in Alpine School District

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Skip to the bottom for text of the letter you can sign!

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NOTE: Change.org automatically asks for donations to support the cause, but I’m not sure any donations are needed in this case. Sharing the petition with those within Alpine School District will be very helpful. Thank you for your support!

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Please feel free to add your comments, including your location, regarding how this program has impacted your family and share your experience. 

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Read on for more context and information regarding this issue:

Alpine School District utilizes 10 "magnet schools" for their A.L.L. program, and only 3 of those schools offer a 3rd grade program. It seems that the 3rd grade program is being cut due to under-enrollment at Foothill and Highland Elementary, the lack of uniformity across the district, and the financial challenges created in light of the failure of the $595 million bond last November. We understand these issues. However, we feel that while the elimination of the existing Saratoga Shores 3rd grade A.L.L. program will make things uniform across the District, it will not be equitable. It will be taking away access to educational opportunities for students who need them and will be a huge setback to the program as a whole. 

 

Below is a letter addressing all of these concerns, addressed to Alpine School District:

We were astounded to learn of the discontinuation of the 3rd grade A.L.L. program at Saratoga Shores Elementary. We implore you to reconsider this decision.

We understand that the catalysts may have been under-enrollment in some schools, the lack of uniformity across the district, and the financial challenges created in light of the failure of the $595 million bond last November. However, we feel that the elimination of the existing Saratoga Shores 3rd grade A.L.L. program would be a huge setback to the program as a whole.

The Saratoga Shores 3rd grade A.L.L. program has been a tremendous boon to many students with unique needs. It has helped to reverse behavioral problems created by lack of academic stimulation and instilled pro-academic habits and ethics. Third grade is a critical crossroads age for social and emotional development. The proper framework laid at this age is crucial for future academic and social success for all students, and particularly for students of color, who are disproportionately disadvantaged by a lack of early advanced academic opportunities.

From a logistical sense, with empty classrooms at Saratoga Shores Elementary, the 3rd grade A.L.L. program helps in the short-term to relieve some of the overcrowding in surrounding schools, without drawing from the transportation budget because A.L.L. parents drive their own children. Furthermore, this arrangement reduces the complexity of surrounding 3rd grade teachers' workload by removing these students into an academically-appropriate environment with peers who push them to reach their potential.

The existing 3rd grade A.L.L. program at Saratoga Shores Elementary is in high demand and thriving. Discontinuation of this class would be a disservice to the surrounding community and the children it is prepared to benefit.

We urge you to re-examine this decision and to allow for public discussion and input.

Respectfully,

Parents and Concerned Citizens in Alpine School District