Principal’s Message May 2013

Late Start Mondays in 2013-14:

Big nationwide changes are in store for education with a new “Common Core” of national learning standards that will change the way we teach and the way we assess learning. In order to get ready to implement the Common Core in the Fall of 2014 and continue to provide our students with an excellent education we need some prep time. Most schools are doing this by either using minimum days(early out) or late starts. Harloe will be implementing the Late Start option EVERY MONDAY next year by starting school at 9:15, allowing teachers to work from 8:00 to 9:00 AM. School will start on Mondays only at 9:15. To make up for the lost classroom time on Mondays we will extend every full school day by five minutes, ending every day at 2:40 instead of 2:35.

To summarize the start and end of school for next year:

Teacher requests for next year:

Considerable time and effort goes into assigning each student into a class. We will build classes with balance and equity. Many variables have to be included such as:

·  Placement of Special Education students.

• Critical behavior problems and retentions.
• Balance of low, medium, and high academics.
• Male to female ratio and class size limits.
• "Chemistry" issues - usually students not to be placed with others.
• Teacher input - learning style, environment needs, and teaching style.
• Other special needs generated from Student Study Team and SAFE.
• Dispersal of role model students.
• Parent “Placement Consideration”/Teacher Request forms

All teachers at Harloe follow the same grade-level curriculum for their assigned students.  Each teacher has a teaching style and approach different from their peers. As evidenced by our recent State Achievement Award, Harloe is an excellent school filled with outstanding teachers.

Beginning May 6^th you can pick up a Placement Consideration/Teacher Request Form in the Harloe office. This is for those who want to request a specific teacher or classroom situation for their child next year. This is only input– we will do our best but there is no guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests. A student is entitled to placement at the appropriate grade level.  They are not entitled to a specific teacher or class. If we are unable to satisfy your request, please be understanding and supportive of the teacher your child receives and we will try to grant your request next year.

Until the state financial situation changes, we will load classes right up to 28:1 (K-3^rd) and 32:1 (4^th-6^th) and we will likely have combination classes again.  If you would like your child to be in a combination class you can make that request. Students in a combination class this year will not be assigned another combination class next year unless a combo is requested. The district can and will make changes to our staffing right up to the time school starts in August. If a staffing change occurs that affects your request we will let you know.This is what the teaching assignments for next year look like right now:

  K- Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Sverchek, Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Tabarez

  1- Mrs. Sistek, Mrs. Huhn, Mrs. Atoigue, Mrs. Tabarez

  2- Mrs. Scicchitano, Mrs. Flores, Mrs. King/Mrs. Eldridge

  3- Ms. Pringle, Mrs. Quintana, Mrs. Jacobson

  4- Mrs. Darway, Mrs. Mihlhauser, Mrs. Scudder

  5- Mr. Easland, Mrs. Prickett, Mrs. Brown

  6- Mrs. Hubert, Mrs. Cajas, Mr. Kilbert

The request forms are due back in the Harloe office no later than May 24.  This will give the staff time to consider and incorporate parent input. Late requests will not be considered.

Anti-Bullying Education

School is a lot more than reading, writing, and math. Character education is a big part of what we teach at Harloe as well. Now that state testing is over we will take the opportunity to reinforce our teachings about tolerance and being nice to each other. All classes will do a small unit on anti-bullying.

Additionally I want to invite all parents and students in Grades 3-6  to attend the screening of the film “Bullied” , a teaching-tolerance documentary that offers an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment. Following the film, there will be a brief presentation on new California laws impacting K-12 schools and local initiatives in SLO County Schools. The evening will conclude with a panel of students sharing their experiences with bullying in middle and high school along with a community resource fair to support educators doing this work.