On December 18th, the Boston School Committee voted unanimously to approve the expansion of the Haley Pilot Elementary School to a K-8.

This is wonderful news for the Haley. They will be able to continue the excellent inclusionary work they have started in kindergarten all the way through 8th grade. However, as a result of this expansion, the school will no longer be a part of the Roslindale K-8 Pathway.

The Haley was one of 6 elementary schools feeding into the Washington Irving for middle school. The remaining five elementary schools are the Bates, Conley, Mozart, Philbrick and Sumner. Pathway students are guaranteed priority seating in the Irving's 6th grade, including the advanced work classes (AWC).

There are still parents at the Haley who want their children, Haley students, to retain the privilege of guaranteed priority seatingat the Irving for AWC.

We feel that this is unfair as the Haley now has its own 6th grade and opted-out of the feeder into the Irving (largely based on the idea that AWC was NOT an inclusive practice.)

Please sign this petition to keep Pathway AWC seats for Pathway students. Every year there is a waiting list for AWC seats in the 6th grade at the Irving.These seats should be for students who are at the Bates, Conley, Mozart, Philbrick and Sumner.

Please keep in mind that this would not eliminate the choice for Haley families, only the priority guarantee. Haley families, like those at any other non-Pathway school are welcome to select the Irving as one of their options for grade 6.

Note, we understand that some current Haley families made the decision to opt-out of AWC for 4th and 5th grade because of a strong desire to remain there for the entire K-5 experience. With that in mind, we can see grandfathering in these two classes.

Thank you!