There is currently controversy surrounding the change in format to our Centralia elementary schools. A lot of the arguments are built around hypotheticals and what-ifs. Nowadays, you can go out to the internet and find data to support just about any argument. I would like to focus on an absolute benefit the new K-6 model will have for my family and many other families like mine.
I have a son who attends kindergarten at Fords Prairie Elementary. At the end of 2017, he became very ill. As a result, he now requires complex medical care, which requires him to have a 504 medical plan to be able to attend school.
He has a nurse who accompanies him to school daily and various other medical accommodations. My son is not an exception — there are many other students in our district who require special medical accommodations, learning accommodations and other complex situations that require input, participation and support from teachers and staff.
Before our son started kindergarten, getting all his accommodations set up, getting familiar with all his teachers, counselor and school administrators was a very scary and daunting task for everyone involved. Our family and others like ours will no doubt benefit from our kids attending one school from kindergarten through sixth grade. Our families will be able to build long and lasting partnerships with the people who educate and care for our children.
Back when the school district started pushing for a new school bond, I volunteered. I helped call Centralia residents to ask for support for the bond. This was long before our son became ill and, honestly, I was completely indifferent on the idea of K-6 versus the current format.
But I will say I feel it was clear at that time the plan moving forward without a doubt was that all our schools would be K-6. That is what our community voted on and passed. Our community showed its support for the bond and passed it. K-6 schools is what our community as a whole wants.
I would like to thank everyone involved in helping pass the bond, as well as all the volunteers and school district staff members involved in the planning and execution of transitioning our schools to the K-6 model. It has no doubt been a very tough task.
Kyle Markstrom
Centralia
