Keep magnet schools open

I am writing to you in regard to the imminent school closures in the Pleasant Valley School District. The district needs to keep its K-8 programs at the three alternative schools of choice, Los Senderos Open School, Los Primeros Structured School and Santa Rosa Technology School.

There are many families that feel that an overcrowded middle school with 1,000-plus students is not an option for their children. Sixth through ninth grade is one of the most critical times in a child's academic development. Children who are in schools with large student populations receive less individual attention and they tend to fall through the cracks when problems arise.

A smaller kindergartenthrough-eighth-grade program can offer children the attention they need at this crucial stage.

The Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development published a report that stresses the importance of small schools, lower teacherstudent ratios and flexible scheduling for middle school students.

The same report stressed that a successful middle school experience leads to better performance in high school.

I urge the committee and board not to close any of the schools with K-8 programs. Sharon Paige Camarillo