The following remarks were made at the September 8 WW-P Board of Education meeting:
Good evening, everyone! My name is Steven Chen, currently a third grader at Maurice Hawk.
The reason I’m standing right here tonight is because last week I heard my parents talking about chamber music and A&E (accelerated and enriched) programs. They probably will be canceled for the fourth and fifth grades in my school.
My first reaction was why? I was told that school is a place where students learn knowledge. But as you know we are different. I have so many friends at school. Some are good at math or writing, and some are talented at music or sports. If everyone can find a suitable spot that can offer just the right level of knowledge for us, then nobody will feel bored or frustrated in class.
Like me, I play piano and cello, and I really love them. That’s why I’m so eager to join the chamber. But when I was told it will be gone, I was so shocked. Why can their older kids have it, and our third graders just don’t have any chance to see it when we go to grade four?
The A&E program is the same thing. Some kids love math. Why can’t they study math there any more? I’m not sure if I’m good enough to get in, but if yes, I will definitely go. Because I want to be challenged and don’t want to waste my time at school.
I love my school, I love my teachers and my friends. I want my school to be better. So please, please keep those good programs for the students who really need them. So next time when someone asks me, do you like your school? I can tell them: oh, yeah! I love my school. We have so much fun to do and everyone is happy at school. That is what we kids want from our school.
Steven Chen
