Keep Newtown’s Educational

System Strong

To the Editor:

I am writing after reading the Middle Gate School Newsletter. On page 1 there is the Advocacy Corner. It updates parents at the Middle Gate School on budget proceedings and it lists clearly the update of the Board of Education budget proceedings. The numbers are clearly concerning. After reading the recent article in The Bee regarding possible changes in population, I felt compelled to write a letter to the editor.

By why of introduction, I am a physician at the University of Connecticut Health Center. My areas of expertise include adult and pediatric sleep, critical care, and pulmonary medicine. More importantly, I am an assistant professor in the School of Medicine. I finished my training when I was 30 years old, which is not uncommon for subspecialized physicians such as myself.

Since I spent most of my life in school and now am a teacher by means of the medical school, I have strong views of the value of education. I am a firm believer that a strong school system can have dramatic effects on a town. Certainly I have selfish reasons for pursuing a strong school system. I have four children and we chose Newtown not only for the strength of the town but on the advice of other physicians who praised the educational system of Newtown.

My husband and I have been very pleased with the education our children have received thus far. We are concerned about the potential budget cuts. A change in the quality of the school system could have far-reaching effects such as affecting the housing market, the efflux of well-educated people, and a potential change in tax revenue as a result.

The message that a budget cut sends to the people of Newtown and surrounding towns across the state is that the people of Newtown do not care about their schools or teachers.

Now I know that is not true, so I urge all parents and grandparents to call or email their district representative. Be proactive and let your elected representative know that you think that a strong education system is one of Newtown’s strongest assets and you do not want to see it change.

Sincerely

Jennifer Papa Kanaan, MD

Quarry Ridge Road, Sandy Hook                                March 17, 2010