By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

Krystal Andino will spend more time in the school she is currently attending. She's not going to summer school nor is she being left back. She's simply going to the sixth grade.

For years, teachers at the Joyce Dunbar School, also known as C.E.S. 126, have bid a tearful farewell to its graduating class of fifth graders. This June, that will all change. Four sixth-grade classes will be housed in the two-story building, providing one more year of companionship and maintaining stability for its children.

"Continuity is important for a child," said District 9 Acting Interim Superintendent. Stanley Mims. "This move helps to alleviate the anxiety associated with children having to attend a new school."

Although continuity is key, for parents the idea of providing middle school grades in the Highbridge area is crucial. All of the public schools in Highbridge are elementary. Upon graduation, children attend one of two public middle schools. C.S./I.S. 218 located on 167th Street and Gerard Avenue or J.H.S. 145 located on 165th Street and Teller Avenue- Parents feel the trek to either school is a long and often dangerous one.

Ana Andino, Krystal's mother, is pleased with the additional grades. "I never liked the idea of having to put my daughter on a city bus by herself - She's only 11-years-old."

Most Highbridge parents share that sentiment. "It's ridiculous," said Maggie Hunter, whose son attends J.H.S. 145. "Why must we send 11-year-olds to the other side of town just to go to school? It's good that (District 9 officials) are looking at ways to fix the problem."

Mr. Mims said that the parents have posed the same complaint for years, but the district's hands were tied. Under tremendous financial stress, especially since the terrorist attacks on Sept 11, the Board of Education simply did not have the resources to build a middle school in Highbridge. The superintendent looked at all surrounding schools and felt C.E.S. 126 was the best choice.

"The most important part of the selection was space," Mr. Mims said. We would never squeeze the children in just to make people happy."