Dear Parents or Guardians,                                                                    May 1, 2009

It is once again the time of year when we begin to plan for next year’s classroom student placements. All staff at Blackwell agree that this process is one of our most important responsibilities and that balancing classes according to a set of criteria allows us to establish classes that create the optimal teaching and learning environment for every child in our community.  

We believe each classroom is a small community, and we support the philosophy that classrooms need to be representative of the various social, academic, and physical needs of students at Blackwell.  One factor that we face each year is the possibility that we may have to create several combination classrooms.  Whether we are creating a straight grade or combination grade classrooms we strive to place students in classes that are balanced, partially based on the following criteria:

Time and care will be taken to create balanced classes using the following process:

1.    Parents wishing to complete an optional “Parent Input Form” may do so between May 1 and May 15, 2009.  This form will be available from the school office on Friday, May 1, 2009.  The optional parent input forms are due in the school’s office on or before May 15, 2009.  

2.    During this same period of time, current teachers will fill out placement forms on each student. 

3.    After these forms are completed, current teachers will meet to create equally balanced classes without assigning a teacher to them.

4.    The specialist team will meet with each grade level to review placement of students with special needs.

5.    The grade level student placement team will review each class list and corresponding Parent Input Forms to consider adjustments while maintaining overall classroom balance.  

6.    Classroom assignments will be mailed to our community late the third week of August. 

We have also asked that staff members refrain from discussions with parents regarding placement with a specific teacher for significant reasons.  First, it is possible that a specific teacher may not be teaching at that grade level next year.  Secondly, experience has taught us that a parent’s input is most valuable when it focuses on the uniqueness of the child rather than the perceived performance of a particular teacher.  Finally, enrollment levels may mean that we gain or lose a teacher only days prior to the start of school and class configurations would change accordingly. Your understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

The entire Blackwell Elementary staff has worked exceptionally hard to provide consistency in the curriculum across all grade levels and will continue to do so in the future.  Please be assured that our primary objective in forming classes is to create equitable learning environments to meet the educational needs of all children.  Thank you for joining us in this collaborative process.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Bryant

Principal

P.S. You can find a detailed copy of our Student Placement Policy and Procedures posted on Blackwell’s website.