In the upcoming months we will begin to think
about and plan student placement for the 2008-2009
school year. This is a very involved process.
One piece of the process is to solicit information
from parents about their child. We encourage
parents to draft a letter to the administration
describing their child’s learning style
and the best classroom environment for their
child. Please also include any issues or concerns
you feel we should keep in mind when we place
your child. While we value your input as a
parent, requests for specific teachers will
not be honored.
Beginning in mid May, teachers will provide
the administration with information about each
of their students by completing an articulation
card. The articulation card includes an assessment
of the child’s performance in math, reading
and behavior. It also lists any special or
related services that the student received
this school year. Finally there is a place
for the teacher to provide any additional information
necessary when placing the student. Historically
this is where a teacher might indicate children
that should not be placed in the same class
or any special talents or interests that a
student might have.
Once we have letters from parents and articulation
cards from teachers, we begin the reorganization
process. Mrs. Frangella and I consider learning
style, academic ability, social development and
gender. We also try very hard to have at least
one other child he/she knows in the class. This
is an extremely difficult process and we do our
best to create classes that have an equal number
of boys and girls and reflect our philosophy of
heterogeneity.
Class lists are developed and are shared with
teachers from previous years, special area teachers,
our school psychologists and speech therapists.
These staff members work with many of our students
and provide valuable input.
Please take a few minutes over the next few
weeks to write a letter about your child’s
learning style and the learning environment
that would nurture his/her growth. I ask that
you have this letter to me no later than May
22nd. Final notification of placement will
be made in our August mailing.
