Medford, Ore.– For Kelly Osberg the future of her 2nd and 4th grade kids is top priority. “I want them to have the best education possible.”
She’s excited about a new proposal coming from the Medford School District.
It wants to add one thousand 6th graders to their middle school system.
“We went to full day kindergarten and got a lot more kindergartners. Elementary schools are getting to the point of getting full, ” said Natalie Hurd, Spokeswoman for the Medford School District.
Wednesday night parents will get to hear all about the proposed recommendation for the first time at a public meeting at Hedrick Middle School. “We’re letting academics drive this decision best for them academically, socially, and emotional,” said Hurd.
Hurd said this is just the beginning of an idea that could be beneficial for 6th graders and for enrollment in their 14 elementary schools.
“Frees up some classroom space for K-5.”
Hurd said since October, a task force has been researching other 6th through 8th grade middle schools.
“They’ve looked at some of the best 6th grade classes through out state and those are 6-8 configuration. There is no magic configuration for kids’ success but what the research shows is that it’s how to best care for kids during transition.”
Osberg said it could open up a window of extra curricular activities for her kids.
“Music in school five days a week. This is exiting transition with kids going through same emotional issues.”
There will be another meeting Thursday at McLoughlin Middle School at 6:30pm. Before anything else can happen he 6th grade task force has to present their recommendation to the school board December 14th.
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