Dear Families,
Each Spring La Madera teachers and the administration begin to form classes for the upcoming school year. The task of assigning a student to a specific class is neither an arbitrary or capricious act; it is a carefully planned and thought-out process. To provide parents with the process for forming classes, the steps and considerations that go into the process are presented below.
Preliminary classes are formed in June. Changes in class make-up are inevitable due to the changes in enrollment that occur during the summer and immediately after school opens. These enrollment changes can be caused by families moving away, new students enrolling, and budget changes which affect staffing. These all affect previously formed classes. As a result, class assignments are subject to change through the first few weeks of school.
A team of staff members is involved in the decision-making concerning each student’s placement for next year. This team includes, the current teachers and the principal who all meet to determine each student’s placement. Other support staff members, who may have knowledge of the student and his/her work, are also included in the process. This is neither a prioritized or all-inclusive list of criteria
- Age
- Gender
- Maturity
- Siblings (age and grade level)
- Number of years in a combination class
- Registration date
- Classroom behavior
- Work and study habits
- Learning style of the student
- Achievement level in reading
- Best teaching style for the student
- If the student previously had the teacher
- Recommended separation from another child
- Special needs (such as GATE, Special Education, or English Language Learner)
Because there are many factors to consider concerning student placement, requests for specific teachers are not accepted. You can be confident that every consideration is given to ensure that each student receives the best possible educational placement. Like you, we want what is best for each child and we are dedicated to accomplishing that. I wish you and your child a most successful new school year.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gas
Principal
La Madera Elementary School
Saddleback Valley Unified School District
GO KOALAS!
