The BUZZ ...

June 19, 2017

Dear Earth School Families,­

It’s the last full week of school and the last BUZZ for a while. I want to end by thanking everyone for making it a great year. As I always say on school tours, it’s the community that really makes the Earth School great! Thanks to all the families, teachers, staff and children who have worked so hard this year “learning and growing as community.” Enjoy a wonderful summer! June is always bittersweet as we say so long to our graduates. If you are graduating or moving away, please stop in to the office for a few hugs before you leave and please stay in touch! We look forward to hearing news of our Earthlings’ next big adventures!

We will be sending Class Welcome letters and supply requests in midsummer. We will email these unless you have requested paper notices. Please be sure to inform Jocelyn of any email/address changes. You can find letters and class supply lists on our website (once you know your class). For families that are not returning, please be sure to pick up your child’s portfolio and other possessions from your class before you leave. Likewise, let us know if something comes up and you are not returning in September so we can update our registers and fill our seats. Narrative Reports will be distributed on Friday. PLEASE CHECK LOST & FOUND BAGS IN THE 6^TH STREET LOBBY BY WEDNESDAY. REMAINING ITEMS WILL BE DONATED/DISCARDED.

Last week, we met with our Budget Director for our annual budget meeting. We went through the complicated process of comparing our anticipated enrollment and other funding sources against our staffing needs and other expenses. As usual, there is just not enough money to pay for everything we need and want. We have had to make some adjustments to our program so that we provide the best possible education within our budget. We have determined that due to the added cost of the blended Pre-K and K model, we cannot offer it at this time and will be creating separate Pre-K and K classes. While it is disappointing for both families and educators when decisions come from budget cuts or “red tape,” I believe that we have come up with a satisfactory solution known as “looping.” Beginning in September 2017, we will have two Pre-K classes and 3 K classes. Those Pre-K teachers will “move up” with their classes in September 2018 becoming K teachers. Next year’s K teachers will move down to Pre-K in September 2018 and loop up the following year with their students. This will preserve the “two-year with the same teacher” model that we have elsewhere in the school. The “third” K class will not loop and will be especially for children who enter the school in K. This year it will also be the ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) class.

Finally, thanks to everybody who completed the internal survey. While it’s not always easy to hear critique, we will use it constructively to review and revise our work.

Love,          

Abbe