Dear Parents and/or Guardians,                       

     During the next couple of months we will be discussing the placement of students for the 2008-2009 school year.  This is a very involved process as decisions are made on what is the best placement for your child and how to address his/her needs for the upcoming school year.  Issues that teachers/administration take into consideration for students placement are listed below.
     Maintain a comfortable and equitable number of children in class sections. It is important that no one classroom have a substantially larger number of students than other classrooms at that grade level.
     The overall mix or blend of students should be balanced to insure that the composition of the classroom is not overloaded with students who are active, reserved, have many special needs, male, female, etc.  There are many factors that impact the “chemistry” and management of a successful classroom. It is very important to consider these in order to influence the nature and amount of learning to take place.
     There are certain children who contribute to the learning of other children and those who interfere with the learning of others.  Consequently, there are children in whose best interest it is to be together or separated.
     The child's present teacher has a year’s worth of current, rich information and insight concerning the conditions under which your child learns best.
    In order to maximize the child’s learning, it is important that equitable, compatible, balanced classes be assembled.  These classes reflect what teachers know about the conditions under which a child is productive.
     Another key component that goes into the development of these class lists is parent’s feedback about their child.  I invite you to write a letter describing you child’s strengths and weaknesses both academically and socially.  As the primary care giver of your child you know things about your child we at school may never know and may be helpful in finding the best match between your child and their next teacher.  When composing your letter please do not ask for a specific teacher because we will not accept specific teacher request.  If you would like to write a letter, please have it delivered to the elementary office by June 13, 2008.  I will take all the information from teachers and parents and make final class lists by mid July.
     Students currently in grades K-5 will be notified of next year’s placement by letter over the summer as will the newly registered kindergarten class.       

                                    Sincerely,


                                    Mr. Mitchell Toleson
                                    Principal

 

A A Gates Elementary
30 Maple Avenue
Port Byron, NY 13140
315-776-5728 x1050