EASTHAMPTON — A new supplemental math program introduced this school year for middle and elementary school students at Mountain View School aimed at improving math comprehension in students is drawing complaints from some at the middle school who worry that the program is detracting from the few minutes a day where kids get to be active or creative.

ST Math, a computer-based supplemental math learning program, aims to teach students to understand math concepts through visual puzzles that emphasize trial and error over written instructions.

Depending on their grade level, Mountain View students complete their allotted amount of ST Math time at different points during the school day in addition to their built-in math block. For middle school students, 15 minutes are carved out of their “specials” period — during which they take classes in art, music, physical education and more — for ST Math practice.

At a School Committee meeting last week, committee members reported having received numerous emails and letters expressing concern about ST Math’s placement in the middle school schedule, and several middle school students expressed their ST Math troubles directly to the committee.

One Mountain View sixth grader, Leo Kocen, said he has compiled 170 signatures from fellow students “who would like ST Math removed from specials,” suggesting that the designated ST Math time be moved to their WIN block, which he described as a 30-minute period where students focus on whatever subject they need more concentration on. Kocan also noted that the specials period is typically the only time during the day where students are not using screens for the entire class.

“Some people look forward to taking a break from screens,” Kocan said. “But with this, now screens are a part of every single block in our day. Carrying our laptops to gym and other specials is also impractical.”

Kocan stated that, overall, ST Math is a beneficial program, but those benefits are being “overshadowed” by its implementation during specials.

“It’s taking away 15-plus minutes a day of our active, creative, artistic time,” said another middle school student, Sasha Marks, noting that he has “not met a single student that has enjoyed ST Math.”

A third Mountain View middle schooler, Welcome Hersey, stated that the program’s implementation seemed “rushed,” and expressed that there seems to be a lack of communication regarding the program and its scheduling. He was followed by two additional students who voiced their support for ST Math being removed from specials.

Community member Jan Davis advocated for greater communication between school officials, educators and caregivers, as it has been unclear to parents who makes the final decisions regarding middle school schedule changes.

Davis also expressed the importance of creative outlets for students, particularly through music programs, and said that there is a need for the middle school and elementary school portions of Mountain View to be treated in a more distinct manner, as middle schoolers have “different needs” than elementary schoolers.

Another community member and Mountain View Middle School parent, Lindsey Rothschild, spoke to her surprise at the fact that her child came home talking about doing math during specials time, and the lack of communication about the program’s implementation.

“When we are not communicated with, and then when we do communicate and then we’re dismissed, it’s really disappointing,” said Rothschild. “By taking it out of specials, I feel like the school district is saying these specials aren’t important.”

Rothschild also stated the importance of specials classes for the social and emotional learning of students.

“With so many cuts to specials and no foreign language programs, our school schedules seem increasingly driven by testing,” Rothschild said in a later email to the Gazette. “This approach feels unfair to both students and specials teachers, diminishing vital opportunities for students’ holistic development.”

Jessica Falcon, president of the Easthampton Education Association, also said in an email to the Gazette that concerns have been raised among educators about the implementation of ST Math during specials.

“While many teachers are enthusiastic about the new program, there have indeed been concerns raised by some affected educators regarding the allocation of time during the Specials block,” wrote Falcon.

During the superintendent updates portion of the meeting, Interim Superintendent Maureen Binienda stated that the district adopted ST Math because of its evidence-based curriculum and unique visual approach to teaching “math concepts.” She also expressed one of the benefits of the program is that it is supplemental, taking place in addition to scheduled math curricula, which can be challenging to fit into a busy middle school schedule.

Binienda noted that there is ongoing discussion about fitting ST Math into the WIN block.

“We’re still looking to see if there’s another place that we could put it, however, it is a three-year grant … there hasn’t been a place where it’s been put in that the math scores have not increased, and it’s a special grant that we are very fortunate to have received,” she said.

Binienda stated that the district would continue with the ST Math program, but is continuing to examine other possible places for the 15 minutes it needs in the schedule.

In Easthampton, the ST Math program is primarily funded through a three-year grant awarded by the One8 Foundation, after which period district officials plan to assess its efficacy.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.