4-13-17 FSE Thursday Blast

Upcoming Events

• Week of April 17th PARCC continues  see schedule here.
• Wednesday, April 19th, 7:00pm PTO Meeting in the LC
• Friday, April 21s, NO SCHOOL Teacher Compensation Day

17-18 Class Placement

Dear Parents,

Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a difficult endeavor.  This process involves hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff members. We take this responsibility very seriously.  Our process for creating class lists is detailed below.

• Teachers identify the social and academic needs of each student.  They refer to existing data and record pertinent information to assist them in their decision-making.
• Teachers meet as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced.  Balanced classrooms meet each student’s academic, social and emotional needs.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic strengths, needs and friendships.  Learning specialists and the specials team also collaborate with classroom teachers to provide feedback.
• Each grade level team creates a draft of their class list, which is then submitted to me.  I review each child’s placement and ensure that all parent input has been considered. Classroom teachers approve any additional changes to ensure classes remain balanced.
• Class lists are finalized in July to reflect the addition of new students.

This process is consistent across grades K-5.

We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students.  It is a delicate balance that takes tremendous thought by professionals who know and care about your child.  Please remember that our ultimate goal is always to create balanced classes that promote the success of each child.  Please also know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons and that our process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents, and administrators, we are reluctant to make changes once this process is complete as moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire classroom.

We do value parent input and welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs and learning style.  We will take into consideration all pertinent information that you share with me on or before FRIDAY, April 28th.  While we welcome your input, we cannot honor specific teacher requests.  Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me (Kelli Smith).  I will accept either a letter or email (kelli.smith@dcsdk12.org).

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing.  As you can imagine, I receive a great deal of parent input and verbal information that is nearly impossible to track.  Further, please direct all of this communication to me, as I am ultimately responsible for reviewing final class lists in July when teachers are not available.

Sincerely,

Kelli Smith, FSE Principal

17-18 School Supplies

You can order your school supplies for next year here: www.1stdayschoolsupplies.com. For every kit sold the FSE PTO receives four dollars.

FSE Summer Enrichment/Camp

• Camp Invention

Douglas County Community

DCSD Night Colorado Mammoth Tickets

Equestrian Summer Camp