WaylandSchoolCommittee.org |
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Superintendent letter to parents regarding FY09 redistricting April 1, 2008 Dear Parents, Undoubtedly, parents and school employees alike, as well as many students, are wondering what the future holds for them now that the School Committee has decided on a 2 ˝ elementary school model for next year. I'd like to address the consolidation of our elementary schools. I trust that in doing so, I will answer some of the questions that surround the uncertainties of what will happen next. Please call or write to me should you have additional questions or suggestions that you would like addressed. Most everyone will agree that the Wayland Public Schools have long enjoyed a favorable reputation for overall academic excellence, individual student accomplishments, and the professionalism of the instructional staff. Our arts and athletic programs, as well as other extra curricular opportunities, add equally to a school experience that is envied and respected throughout New England. The schools’ good reputation is often cited as the primary reason for moving to Wayland; likewise, our ability to recruit and retain highly qualified staff is grounded in the community's continuing support of these professionals. By almost every measure, Wayland's public schools are noteworthy and praiseworthy. The upcoming school year, however, holds uncertainties that raise questions and concerns that now need to be addressed. Due to a declining student enrollment and increasing financial pressures on the town, it was decided that all kindergarten students would be housed at the Loker Elementary School starting in September 2008. The idea of bringing these students together in one school is not without precedent and should provide advantages for students and instructors alike. Numerous questions about bus routes, school starting and ending times, the extended day program, BASE, and how lunches will be served at Loker School are being addressed, but cannot be answered at this time. I expect that by the end of April/early May, we will have clear, concise answers to these and many other questions. The assignment of students in grades 1-5 to the Claypit Hill and Happy Hollow Schools is also being carefully planned. It is my intention to notify parents as to which school their children have been assigned by the end of April and certainly no later than early May. Currently, the administrators are attempting to assign children to one school or another based upon criteria that were publicly discussed with the School Committee on March 24th. There are five or six variables by which the recommended plan will be judged. We must place approximately 400 students at Happy Hollow and approximately 600 students at Claypit Hill. Assuming a successful override, all elementary classes will remain within established class size guidelines. Student distribution by grade level must also be considered to ensure the proper number of classes per grade within each building. Unless absolutely necessary, we will not move Happy Hollow students to Claypit, or vice versa. A predicted continuing decline in enrollment must be acknowledged in our planning, as we want to balance space as it becomes available between the two schools. We don't want one school to remain at capacity while the other has an increasing number of empty classrooms. Transportation costs and bus routes will be studied especially carefully in an effort to control costs and try to ensure that no child is on a bus for longer than 40 minutes. It's important to note that the particular location of a child's home within Wayland may determine whether he or she is first on or last off the bus each day. We will not place siblings in grades 1-5 in different schools, and we will attempt to keep whole neighborhoods intact. Obviously, boundary lines must be drawn, but it is not our intent to disrupt families and neighborhood friends unnecessarily. I would like to assure parents that specific class and teacher assignments will be announced prior to the close of school on June 19th. The principals are discussing a number of end-of-the-year activities that will be undertaken to help acclimate those children who are changing schools. Teachers, too, want to know to which schools and grades they have been assigned. These decisions will be made shortly, as student placement in next year's classes necessitates numerous meetings between teachers, specialists, guidance counselors, and the building principals. We are fully aware that next year will be different from this year; thus, we will be especially attentive to our discussions about students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. Parents, as has been true in the past, are encouraged to communicate directly with the building principals regarding specific information about their son or daughter that they would like considered before final classroom and teacher assignments are made. This should be done before May 1st, as the principals and instructional staff will meet during May to determine student assignments to specific classrooms. I ask that parents and others be patient with the administrative staff as we work our way through these challenges. I am encouraged by the fact that Wayland has endured similar changes in the past and in the memories of most people has always emerged as a stronger, more focused public school system. I don't believe that the residents of this community, who over the years have enjoyed the benefits of one of the state’s premier school systems, will suddenly abandon their youngest citizens. I believe that Wayland has a bright future and that the schools and your children will continue to be a source of community pride that is both well deserved and honestly earned. Thank you. Sincerely, Gary A. Burton Superintendent of Schools |