With an approved operating budget under our belts, we can now move forward with all the important activities that help us prepare for next year. It is hard to believe, but as of this post we have 60 days left in this school year! The days will be packed with new learning, practicing skills, exploring concepts, and measuring progress. We have our Artists in Residence coming up in just a week, with culminating activities on April 8th. Our fourth graders will take the NECAP Science test this spring, and all our students will participate in the end of year testing that helps us know how to plan for instruction next fall. In my experience as an administrator, this is one of the busiest times of year - we're still focused on instruction for this year, while planning for next year!
At the end of the week, I will send home a "parent input form" regarding next year's class placement. I can remember filling these out every year for my two children, Adam (now 20 and a sophomore at Middlebury College) and Megan (now 22 and a special education teacher in NYC). How I agonized over those forms! It didn't seem possible that "the school" could know my children as well as I did. Indeed, the teachers and school counselors did not know the children I knew at home, but they had unique insights into how my children interacted and behaved at school. In the spring of her fifth grade year, Megan came home in tears. The teachers had placed in her in a teaching team that would separate her from her closest friend, Lindsay. She was devastated! Of course, we were outraged and promised to "take care" of the problem.
When we arrived at school at our appointed time, we found the entire fifth grade team, including the Unified Arts and the principal waiting to hear us out. I talked about Megan's friendship with Lindsay and how important it was to her. Gently, each teacher described how Megan relied heavily on Lindsay's approval. They were concerned that Megan needed to branch out and have confidence in herself and her work. After hearing them out, we agreed with their decision. It was indeed, a humbling experience! Megan ended up in a different team from Lindsay. The girls' friendship remained strong, and Meg's self confidence blossomed.
I relate this story not to discourage you from writing your thoughts, hopes, and fears for your child. Rather, I want you to know that we DO appreciate the perspective of parents AND we will exercise our own good judgment about the best learning situation for all our Ospreys. I'm confident we can work together to make next year a wonderful year for each student.
At the end of the week, I will send home a "parent input form" regarding next year's class placement. I can remember filling these out every year for my two children, Adam (now 20 and a sophomore at Middlebury College) and Megan (now 22 and a special education teacher in NYC). How I agonized over those forms! It didn't seem possible that "the school" could know my children as well as I did. Indeed, the teachers and school counselors did not know the children I knew at home, but they had unique insights into how my children interacted and behaved at school. In the spring of her fifth grade year, Megan came home in tears. The teachers had placed in her in a teaching team that would separate her from her closest friend, Lindsay. She was devastated! Of course, we were outraged and promised to "take care" of the problem.
When we arrived at school at our appointed time, we found the entire fifth grade team, including the Unified Arts and the principal waiting to hear us out. I talked about Megan's friendship with Lindsay and how important it was to her. Gently, each teacher described how Megan relied heavily on Lindsay's approval. They were concerned that Megan needed to branch out and have confidence in herself and her work. After hearing them out, we agreed with their decision. It was indeed, a humbling experience! Megan ended up in a different team from Lindsay. The girls' friendship remained strong, and Meg's self confidence blossomed.
I relate this story not to discourage you from writing your thoughts, hopes, and fears for your child. Rather, I want you to know that we DO appreciate the perspective of parents AND we will exercise our own good judgment about the best learning situation for all our Ospreys. I'm confident we can work together to make next year a wonderful year for each student.
