Students were moved into their new classes today, Thursday, after lunch. The staff puts the utmost value on student placements and we want to make sure we are providing a safe, secure and enjoyable learning environment for all our students. Teachers looked at learning abilities, friendships, overall class composition and parent requests as they placed students in their classes. Last spring, returning students provided a list of five friends and we have tried to place your student with at least one of their identified friends.
In September, it takes some students several days to settle in to new environments with new classmates. Change is difficult. It can take a couple of weeks before students become comfortable in their learning environment. The beginning of the school year can be emotionally difficult due to changes in schedules, sleep patterns, and activities and as a result, disappointments can be magnified. With our support and yours, most students adapt to their new class quickly. Please reflect on, rather than react to, your child’s placement. If your child is disappointed, talk to them about their frustrations, encourage them to think about some positive outcomes and work to build resiliency in your child. Change is difficult for all families and how we model adaptability and resiliency can be life skills you instil in your children. It is extremely important to remain supportive and trust your children to be able to adjust to new learning situations and to make new friends.
I have found in the past that with your support, students are able to adapt to and benefit from a variety of experiences. As parents, we want to fix problems and “help” our children and in turn, underestimate their ability to problem solve and adapt. Your help with this process is crucial. Please help your child by encouraging them and focusing on the benefits of change, making new friends and experiencing new challenges. As a parent, you can take action by working to develop a positive relationship with your child’s teacher. Our goals are the same as yours – we are striving to create a positive learning environment that is fun and educational for both your child and all the students at Pebble Hill Traditional School.
I have had a few parents ask me about straight versus mixed grades. The research shows that students do as well, and sometimes better when placed in multi-age classes. Whether your child is in a mixed grade or a straight grade this year, our teachers will do their best to take the individual needs of each child into consideration and will work to help every child move forward with his or her learning. My first five years of teaching, I only taught mixed grades and I enjoyed the multi-level classes. I had a variety of levels within each grade and enjoyed the dynamics of the older and younger students building relationships that continued through to high school.
Below are some links to some articles about split grades.
https://www.todaysparent.com/family/split-classes/
https://theconversation.com/are-mixed-grade-classes-any-better-or-worse-for-learning-38856