Prevent the Redistricting of Jones Elementary School to Severn River Middle School
Prevent the Redistricting of Jones Elementary School to Severn River Middle School
The Issue
As a community deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we've watched our children grapple with the uncertainty and changes the virus brought to their young lives. Those attending middle school or about to enter it have been disproportionately affected - a crucial period before their stepping up to high school, significantly marked by familiarity and continuity. Right now, this continuity is under threat as our kids from neighborhoods feeding Jones Elementary School are being proposed to move to Severn River Middle School across the highway instead of staying at Severna Park Middle School. This proposed move will further complicate challenges for our children, removing them from a familiar environment where they have nurtured friendships and a sense of belonging.
An educational institution is not just a building; it's a second home, a fortress of safety and familiarity, and more so, a catalyst for personal and academic growth. Switching schools during these pivotal middle school years can lead to negative effects on their academic performance, social relationships, and overall wellbeing. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, frequent school moves can increase the risk of poor achievement and dropout rates (APA, 2012).
We are, therefore, calling on our local authorities to reconsider this move. According to numbers published on the AACPS website, SPMS is not at capacity, and even if overcrowding is the problem attempting to be solved, moving kids from Jones, one of the smallest elementary schools, would do little to remedy that issue. Scenarios that keep cohorts together and minimize disruption should be explored.
Our children deserve consistency. Let them remain and continue their academic journey in Severna Park Middle School, their familiar territory and comfort zone. Let's give them the stability they need in these changing times to achieve success, despite what they have already been through. Please sign the petition to support our children's educational continuity.
How Can You Help Our Kids?
- Sign and share this petition
- Submit comments directly to this website: http://www.aacpsredistricting.org
- Write a personal letter to the Board
- Attend meetings about this issue and share the impacts in-person
782
The Issue
As a community deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we've watched our children grapple with the uncertainty and changes the virus brought to their young lives. Those attending middle school or about to enter it have been disproportionately affected - a crucial period before their stepping up to high school, significantly marked by familiarity and continuity. Right now, this continuity is under threat as our kids from neighborhoods feeding Jones Elementary School are being proposed to move to Severn River Middle School across the highway instead of staying at Severna Park Middle School. This proposed move will further complicate challenges for our children, removing them from a familiar environment where they have nurtured friendships and a sense of belonging.
An educational institution is not just a building; it's a second home, a fortress of safety and familiarity, and more so, a catalyst for personal and academic growth. Switching schools during these pivotal middle school years can lead to negative effects on their academic performance, social relationships, and overall wellbeing. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, frequent school moves can increase the risk of poor achievement and dropout rates (APA, 2012).
We are, therefore, calling on our local authorities to reconsider this move. According to numbers published on the AACPS website, SPMS is not at capacity, and even if overcrowding is the problem attempting to be solved, moving kids from Jones, one of the smallest elementary schools, would do little to remedy that issue. Scenarios that keep cohorts together and minimize disruption should be explored.
Our children deserve consistency. Let them remain and continue their academic journey in Severna Park Middle School, their familiar territory and comfort zone. Let's give them the stability they need in these changing times to achieve success, despite what they have already been through. Please sign the petition to support our children's educational continuity.
How Can You Help Our Kids?
- Sign and share this petition
- Submit comments directly to this website: http://www.aacpsredistricting.org
- Write a personal letter to the Board
- Attend meetings about this issue and share the impacts in-person
782
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on February 1, 2025