Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time....
We're referring to the 10-month school year that we had planned to introduce this academic year. We envisioned classes continuing through the month of June, instead of ending at the end of May.
We have done a survey of parents and teachers and the response has been heard loudly and clearly. While some families appreciate the idea of the additional month of school, many parents look forward to spending the month of June with their children on vacation or doing other activities. Students who have friends and siblings in other schools found the idea of continuing classes while everyone else was on summer break unappealing.
One of the other factors that we have to consider is the faculty, who normally look to the summer as a time to recharge their batteries, continue their professional development, or earn income from summer jobs. The teachers give 110 percent of their energy to their students from August to May, and really look forward to that extra month away from the demands of school.
Considering the strain on the faculty, and our understanding that half of the children will not be with us in June, running classes as usual will not work. We considered using the month to work with the smaller group of elementary students and possibly a few secondary students to allow more time for review and enrichment. In speaking with the students we realized that, with more than half of their classmates not in school, we will need to offer a program that the students will feel is something different from classes as usual.
So, here's the revised plan that we hope will benefit our teachers, while honoring our agreement this year to families who would like to have their children attend in June.
The 2011-2012 school year will officially end on June 1, 2012.
For the remaining month of this year's ten-month school year (June 4 - June 29), we will provide a modified Montessori classroom experience for toddlers and primary students.
For those elementary and secondary students who stay on, we will offer studio programs in academic areas, the arts, and physical activities. We are looking forward to a unique program in June that your children will find fun and engaging!
Participation in the programs that we will offer in June will be optional and will not effect student grades or their move to the next level in August.
Next year we will return to the traditional opening and closing dates that follow the Sarasota pubic school calendar.
In consideration of the large number of students who will not be with us in June, we are rescheduling several end-of-year events.
Rescheduled End-of-Year Events
We have rescheduled our annual Arts Show for May 3.
Moving Up and Commencement Ceremonies for all NewGate students will be held on Friday, June 1.
Other activities leading up to commencement, such as class end-of-year parties and the annual recognition dinner, will be held during the last week of May.
Please let us know if your child will be with us in June.
In order for us to plan staffing correctly and to be sure that supplies and materials are adequate for the studios, we need to know in advance which students will be with us.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 941-922-4949.
Sincerely,
Tim Seldin Headmaster
PS: The children's and teachers' Wish List for this year's Annual Fund follows. Several families mentioned that they had missed the recent email.
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