New reading series next year for Norwalk students
Feb. 15—NORWALK — There will be a new reading series for grades K-5 next year for students in the Norwalk City Schools district.
New next year will be the "Wonders 2023" by McGraw Hill.
The change did not come without some debate. Two teachers from Maplehurst Elementary said the present series "Super Kids" has been great, and there is no reason to change.
After much discussion, the board voted 4-1 to accept the new series with Jeremy Norris voting no.
"I respect everything they have to say," Norris said. "I understand what they are talking about. But I also respect the unanimous teachers from Maplehurst from kindergarten through first grade that say this program, The Wonders, is not good for their students because of the environment they are coming from as the majority of kids don't have a pre-K.
"I can't give a yes on this unless the kindergarten and first grade are separated from 2 through 5 just because I understand where they are coming from," he added. "I am a man of my word. I said that how I was going to vote. Unlike some politicians here, I am a man of my word. That is where I am at."
"I don't have the skills as you guys do to make this decision," board member Alison Crawford said. "I have a 16-year-old who is my oldest. I have a 6-year-old who is my youngest. My second-grader talks to my kindergartner about Super Kids. They literally talk about what Super Kids are on.
"I have seen in my own family that it works. ... Super Kids only has K through second grade. I think that is the biggest problem. I understand what thought process what we are trying to do and what Brad (Superintendent Brad Cooley) has been doing this whole time."
Crawford admitted she feels a little "wishy-washy" on the subject.
"It is really tough," she said. "If Super Kids had a K through 5, I think we would have a completely different discussion right now — but they don't. I am going to trust my administration and my team that is telling us that this is the best thing for our district.
"I don't feel good about it. ... We have amazing teachers in every building and right now there is a divide ... I don't like that feeling. I am hoping this is the right thing to bring our teachers together."
Board member Duane Moore also had his say.
"First of all, it is not the board's responsibility to micro-mange our administration and our leaders," he said. "We have a top-notch team. A top-notch curriculum person, a top-notch superintendent, we've got a top-notch, two literacy people who we have seen help improve grades already.
"The grades are dropping every year," Moore added. "If I was coaching football and I was losing yardage on every play, what are you going to do? You are going to change it. The same way with this. If we are losing something every year, I don't think we have no choice. We have to look at something else.
"When you bring something like this on the table the hardest thing is going to be change. I don't the Super Kids is broken ... our kids are coming in behind. The break is between our schools. ... The world has changed."
Maplehurst teacher Jessica Enderle said the schools have been through this process before.
"I know what it will look like already," she said. "I have taught for 33 years and I know this is the best one I have ever done. We are doing very well with that program.
"We feel this is the best our kids. ... It is so special. Why buy something when we already have something so good? We love it. We are so passionate."
Cooley said he has confidence in the decision.
"It comes down to people," he said. "A good teacher will make essentially any program work well. Quality teachers make anything happen. I'm very pleased. I know the collective work in our district ... we are going to be on one team.
"We will be closing those gaps from one grade level to the next."
Jen Gerber, director of instruction and technology, talked about the decision.
"There is no question we have good, passionate people. Julie Weyer, who talked earlier, there is not question she is passionate about her job. She is a good, quality educator.
"We went through a very lengthy process," she said. "Wonders is not just some random program we picked. In the research I did, Wonders is rated higher. They have made upgrades to their program. I would never recommend anything that I wouldn't put my own kid in."
Gerber added the decision is based on the entire school district, not just one building or grade level.
"Across our district our kids do struggle with literacy," she said. "My fear is if we keep doing the same thing we have been doing the last 10 years it's not going to be as effective if we make this change. I know this is not a magic bullet. I have never promised that.
"I don't take it lightly when teachers don't agree with something," Gerber added. "But at the same time in my role I have to make the hard decisions and stand behind them. I believe it is the necessary one and I will stand behind that 100 percent."
