Dear Fourth Grade Families and Future Mustangs,

We’re so excited to kick off one of our favorite traditions—the 4th Grade Transition Process! Our team at Tom McCall can’t wait to welcome your child into our school community this fall.

At Tom McCall, we pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming, and intentionally inviting environment. We want every student to feel safe, seen, and ready to take on new challenges—whether that’s trying something new in class, making a new friend, or growing in confidence. As principal (and a fellow parent whose own children attended Tom McCall), I understand the mix of excitement and nerves that can come with this transition. It’s a big milestone—and we’re excited to partner with you and your child on this next part of their educational journey.

We’re often asked if Tom McCall still feels like an elementary school—and the answer is a big YES! Tom McCall is very much an elementary experience, unique (and sometimes delightfully quirky) needs of 5th and 6th graders. While we encourage students to grow in independence and confidence, they remain with their class community throughout the day, moving from place to place with their teacher or adult staff. Students enjoy specials like Music, PE, and Guidance, have access to multiple playgrounds for recess, and dive into engaging, hands-on learning that keeps school both fun and meaningful. 

Here’s a snapshot of what else you can expect:

✅ Two-Teacher Model: Each student has two teachers—one for Humanities (reading, writing, and social studies) and one for STEM (math, science, and health). Students spend half their day with each teacher, building strong relationships and consistent routines. This model, also called the “specialist model,” continues in both 5th and 6th grade to gradually prepare students for middle school.

✅ Intentional Class Placement: We build our classrooms with great care. Placement decisions are based on collaboration between your child’s current 4th-grade teacher, our school counselors, and the insights you share in the Parent Input Form. While we’re unable to honor specific teacher requests, we value your perspective and use it to help create the best possible learning environment for your child.

✅ A True District Community: We bring together students from across the Forest Grove School District. Both our EAST and WEST buildings include a mix of 5th and 6th grade students, and classrooms are intentionally balanced with students from elementary schools throughout the district. That means your child will be in a class with peers from multiple schools, and students from the same elementary school may be placed in either building. This blending helps foster a sense of unity, new friendships, and a shared FGSD and Mustang identity.

✅ Parent Input & Future Mustang Night: You’ll receive our Parent Input Form at Future Mustang Night on Thursday, May 22nd from 5–7 PM (starting in the West Building), and it will also be sent to you electronically on Monday, May 26th. Forms are due by June 15th. Our Future Mustang Night includes a fun and informative presentation, info booths in the cafeteria, and student-led school tours hosted by our amazing New Student Greeters.

We know it’s common for students to worry about whether they’ll have friends in their class. We carefully ensure that each class includes familiar faces while also encouraging new connections. Sometimes change feels uncomfortable, but it’s also how we grow. Our job is to make sure your child feels welcomed, supported, and ready to thrive.

We are so glad your child will be joining the Mustang family, and we’re honored to be part of this next step in their journey. We can’t wait to meet you!

With Mustang pride,
Sommer Johnson
Principal
Tom McCall Upper Elementary School