Teachers prepare for bigger class sizes - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU
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"I wanted to get an early start because the more I can get done, like the physical things in the classroom, all the structures in place. This way when school officially starts and when the teachers come back I can focus on the students," said second-grade teacher Theresa Corry.
Piece by piece, Theresa Corry is rebuilding her second-grade classroom at Bracken Elementary in North Las Vegas. Only this time, she needs to make some extra room.
"There will be more students this year than what we had in the past. Last year we had 20, before we had 18. In second grade, the smaller you can keep the class size the more individual attention you can give the students. Twenty-two is going to be quite a bit," added Corry.
Two more students may not seem like much, but when you add them to the daily equation, it can be a handful.
"You figure about 30 minutes per student per day. That's why you see us hauling things home on the weekend. That's why when you see us at the movies we have a stack of papers while we are waiting in line," said Corry.
The school will add 30 additional students to its 500-student roster. With an overall decreasing school district budget, the school has turned to other means, like grants.
"What we are provided is not enough. By itself, we couldn't do the job we are doing with just that source. We have to have multiple sources kick in to help make this school really what it is," said principal Kathleen Decker.
Back inside the classroom, Corry says she has to invest her own money into her students' education.
"Realistically, yes, I can get more students because I have a large classroom. However, if we want a good education, to me, at second-grade level, 16 through 18 students is the best," said Corry.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
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