March 26, 2008 03:17 pm Question: To keep children safe on voting days, some Haverhill city councilors support a state law that forbids high-risk sex offenders from voting at polls in schools or libraries, forcing them to vote by absentee ballot. Do you think that is the answer? Please e-mail responses to editor@hgazette.com or call 978-556-8528 and leave a message. In response to last week's question: School Superintendent Raleigh Buchanan wants to move grade five out of elementary schools and into middle schools to help with overcrowding and provide room for all-day kindergarten. What do you think?
This makes sense. They way things are now, if children start out in kindergarten, they are in the same building for six years and that's a long time. They change over the years. If they move in fifth- rather than sixth-grade, they have one more year in their new building. If parents are opposed because they are afraid of their children mingling with children in upper grades, they need to understand that children hear all kinds of things everywhere. It's a different world. I hear things coming out of kindergarten and first-graders mouths all the time. If it's out there, it's coming home so that's no excuse. Diane Boulanger Prescott
As a secretary in Haverhill schools for 20 years who is now retired, I feel very strongly that fifth-graders belong in the middle schools. It was that way all during my tenure — fifth- and sixth grades at one end of the building, or on separate floors, with different recesses, lunches, etc. Absolutely no problems! Give the space in the elementary schools to the young population coming up! Anonymous >
I think this is a really bad idea. I work in a middle school in Haverhill. They have no control over the kids in the middle schools: They are just running wild. To put fifth-graders with eighth-graders is a big mistake. They are still babies. There is no reason to do this. And they need to control the middle schools more. Anonymous
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