My daughter is a Lee Avenue fourth-grade student. As you may know, it is a crucial year for the children as they take state tests that reflect how our school district is doing. In the beginning, I was concerned that they were starting the class year with 25 students. I felt it was a lot of children and with so many homes for sale in the area there would be a problem with too many children in a class. Fourth grade is a crucial year with the state tests.

Well, my fears are realized as my daughter's class is up to 29 students as of December. Another fourth-grade class was up to 30 students. This is not good for the kids or the teachers. I spoke to a Brian Hayward [assistant superintendent for personnel] and was told that the maximum amount of fourth-grade students is 29. But that is only until October; after October there is nothing that can be done. I have been in contact with other concerned parents and just rechecked with Mr. Hayward and was told the same information, fourth grade maximum class size is 29 children until October. I wonder what happens if more kids come into the fourth grade at Lee Ave. in the next six months. Why do we have to teeter on the edge until it is too late to do anything? I asked about putting an aide in the class but was told they were going to do nothing about this. I find this disturbing in more ways than one, especially with many months to the school year left.

A new student in my daughter's class speaks no English. There actually was a translator in the classroom for him. But no aide to help the rest of the kids. Many parents have been addressing their concerns regarding the overcrowded conditions of the classrooms. There are fourth graders being tutored because they are having a hard time in these classes. The more intelligent kids are sitting by the ones who need help, which is fine, but it's not their job to explain the work. They should be learning.

There is actually no more physical room in these classrooms either. Is it only Lee Ave with this problem? Is it the only school that is overlooked? I wonder because there is work being done throughout the district and our sidewalks are still crumbling amongst many other things. I do not know why the classes are not split up. I knew this was going to happen in the beginning of the school year. Why didn't anyone in the school district?

Don't we pay someone to look at the homes for sale and how many kids may be coming in? This cannot be a surprise. Children will not do well in classes that are overcrowded and teachers are frustrated. This needs to be addressed and taken care of. I don't understand how it got to this point and why parents have to beg for what we and the kids deserve. Why can't this school district strive to be better? Why can't we have excellent state test scores? We can, but putting 30 kids in a classroom like sardines is not the answer. I would love to see the district do the right thing.

Marie Grebe