To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to congratulate the Bayonne Board of Education Trustees Desmond, Finnerty, Cruden, Lowandy, Munoz, President Broderick, and Vice President Wilbeck on voting in favor of changing the passing grade back to a 70, which was changed to a 65 back in 2012-2013 school year. The two Trustees who voted to keep the passing grade a 65 were Garelick and Kushnir. This is very disturbing to me since as trustees, you would think they would want the best education for the students instead of holding them back.
My biggest concern of the passing grade being lowered to 65 was that the standards in the classroom would be lowered. I must say as a parent to four children, I was very glad to see that the teachers in Washington Community School never compromised their way of teaching. My daughter is going into 3rd grade in September 2016 and I can honestly say she has received nothing but the best from her teachers. My oldest daughter was a freshman in September 2013 and, overall, her teachers were very good. I don’t think they lowered their standards either. What I really was very upset over is that my son was a senior in June 2013. It was written on the bottom of his transcript that up to a certain date the passing grade was a 70 and then up to June 2013 the passing grade was 65. I was so angry at that because it looked like the board of education was asking our teachers to lower their teaching standards.
Well, I must say I am proud that all of my children have been educated in the Bayonne public school system. They have received a very good education. My children are 3rd generation graduates from Washington Community School and both our sons graduated Bayonne High and our daughter will be graduating from Bayonne High in June 2017.
As a parent I am thankful that the passing grade was put back to a 70. In my opinion, it makes the students have to strive for more and not have to settle for a 65. In my house, a 65 is not passing. I don’t feel that letting the kids off the hook from studying sends the right message and by lowering the grade, that gave the kids an excuse not to push themselves.
I would just like to say Thank you very much for listening and keeping your campaign promise.
CHERIE LA PELUSA