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Class Placement
Adapted from a Letter from Principal Cathy Howard, Barron Park Buzz, May 7, 2004
As we approach the end of the school year, we begin to consider student placements for next year. Class lists will be finalized in August and posted at 5:00 PM the Friday before school opens.
The teachers and I consider three major perspectives as we work together to develop class groupings:
- Individual child’s needs
- Balanced classroom composition, and
- The need to create balance among classrooms at a grade level.
- We strive to achieve a good match between the child’s learning style and the classroom environment.
- We strive to provide friendship possibilities within the classroom for each child.
- We strive to achieve a balance of boys and girls within each classroom.
- We strive to ensure that each classroom reflects the ethnic diversity of all the students at that grade level.
- We strive to ensure that each class reflects the range of learners, from independent to needing special support. We strive to ensure that each class reflects the range of academic abilities.
- We strive to establish social dynamics within each class that work to foster a positive learning environment.
- We strive to include in each class parents who are interested in and available to help with in-class activities and field trips.
As you can see from the range of variables we consider, the task of forming classes is complex. We take the classroom grouping process seriously, always trying to put the best educational interests of the children first. We expect parents to trust and respect the judgment of the staff in making classroom placement decisions. If you have specific information you would like to provide about your child’s learning or social/emotional needs, please submit that information to me in writing. Please note that we cannot accept requests for specific teachers; please do not put the teachers in an uncomfortable situation by making such a request.
