It’s now the year 2008. Rapidly growing countries such as China, Indonesia, India are moving toward a knowledge economy. Fighting for global position, and with the staggering numbers in their populations, they are looking to add 200 million spaces for students and more than 10 million teachers, according to the UNESCO Institute for statistics. This new reform of education worldwide will pump millions of highly intellectual 21 Century learners into the pool of a global economy, and will vie for better jobs and higher pay.

Nearly 1,900 students will go through the high school in the next four years. Where will they fit in the global environment? It’s a simple three-part equation; improve their effectiveness, equip teachers and students with better tools for the classroom, and create communities of learners based on a new pedagogy model. We must facilitate their acquisition of 21 Century skills of multilingualism, connectivity to cultures, intellectual curiosity, the ability to adapt and problem solve, and to be technologically, scientifically, and mathematically advanced.

No problem. Well, not really.

In the year 2000 opportunities abounded at Newtown High School. In 2009 science classes will be held in portables, English classes on bleachers. Opportunities to generate 21 Century learners are not only unoptimized, in some cases, they are unavailable.

External forces and issues aside, there is no time to waste. We must support the high school project and finish it once and for all. Newtown’s 21 Century learners deserve a competitive chance. They are worth the money.

Desiree Galassi

On Behalf of Middle Gate PTA

151 Huntingtown Road, Newtown                              October 1, 2008