Dear Natchitoches Parish School Board Members,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing on behalf of the parents, teachers, and friends of Fairview Elementary to express our strong opposition to the proposed plan to move Fairview 6th graders to Lakeview Jr/High School.

Fairview Elementary has a long-standing reputation for excellence in education, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for our students. We believe that the proposed move would have several negative impacts on our children and community.

Concerns:
• Age Appropriateness: We believe that 6th graders are too young to be integrated into a Jr. High school environment. The environmental change could lead to social and emotional challenges for our younger students.

• Academic Readiness: The transition from elementary to high school is a critical period in a child’s educational journey. Fairview has an unprecedented record for educating our students and preparing them for the next phase in their lives. We fear that moving 6th graders to a Jr./High school setting prematurely could disrupt their academic progress and development.

• Safety Concerns: The safety and well-being of our children are our top priorities. We are concerned about the potential risks associated with placing younger students in a Jr. High school environment, where they may be exposed to situations and influences that are not suitable for their age group. Additionally, there are ongoing administrative issues at Lakeview that need to be addressed before considering such a move.

• Community Impact: Fairview Elementary has always been a close-knit community where students, parents, and teachers work together to create a supportive learning environment. Moving our 6th graders to Lakeview High School would disrupt this sense of community and continuity.

• Sports Participation: While we understand the benefits of allowing 6th graders to participate in Jr. High sports, moving the entire class for the sake of a small percentage who participate is not justified. The current system of busing students who wish to play sports is sufficient.

Question: What is the Louisiana curriculum for elementary? Is it K-6? If it is different from K-6, on what basis are you making this proposal?

You all are in the positions that you are because we the people of Natchitoches Parish felt you would genuinely represent us as parents, but most importantly…our children. We hope that we are wrong to feel there is a hidden agenda behind this proposal. If so, just be transparent with us. Help us understand. We all want the best opportunities for our children and the teachers that work so hard to give our children the guidance and knowledge for what awaits them. So, let’s work together on this.

As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

We kindly request that you reconsider this proposal and explore alternative solutions that would allow our 6th graders to remain at Fairview Elementary. We believe that maintaining the current structure is in the best interest of our children’s academic and social development.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response and hope to work together to find a solution that benefits all students.

Sincerely, Parents and Friends of Fairview Alpha Elementary School