More feedback on Everyday Math and so much more.

To: Livonia Public Schools Board Members;

Please our opinion on this matter of adopting the Everyday Math for the 5th Grade students in the Fall of 2008. For our 4th grader this "new"and supposedly the "best" math program out there, this program has been a Nightmare! My husband is an engineer and a most excellent one at that. He loves math and was shocked at what this new math was requiring of the students. There is NO foundation on which the students are having their math based on. My son went from learning multiplication and getting firm in that in 3rd grade to algebra, fractions and a ton of other unthinkable things. The problem is that again, without the basic foundation building precept upon precept what is one left with? A mess.

We will spend the summer helping him to strengthen all that he has lost. He lost much in the English area as well. There was such a focus on this "new" math that out went the learning of spelling words and other critical skills that he will need as he grows in school.

I would STRONGLY, STRONGLY, recommend that the board NOT approve the adopting of this horrific math program. There has got to be a better program out there.

And by the way, I think that it is noteworthy to say that the community feel that we used to experience when our local school was open (Hull) in my opinion is gone. While the faculty at Kennedy was very good it just was not the same hopping in the car every morning to take my son to school and then waiting at the bus stop to pick him up. Those of you who made the decision to close so many schools without coming before the citizens of Livonia have a heavy load of responsibility to bear due to so many students leaving the schools. What money was saved? Why was more time not taken? Gas alone could just crush this district. What was the purpose?

And while I'm still writing I would like to know who is responsible for the eyesore that Hull has become. There are still many fine residents who use the playgrounds and yet the playgrounds are really in very, very BAD shape. Who on the board cares? I wonder.

Lastly, I am grateful to have voiced my opinion. I did not mention that we are pulling our son from the Livonia Public Schools. Why would I want to send him 20 minutes away to Johnson without having a choice in the matter from the beginning? No way! His sister is now school age.The same thing applies. Our family has decided to move on to a very fine Private School. We do feel very sad that such drastic changes had to occur but we go on and keep doing our best.

I sincerely hope that this board will take the time to LISTEN to all of the citizens of Livonia before making their decision on this math program.

Sincerely, Mrs. Carolina Reed