Student Placement

2015 - 2016

As we approach the final months of school, we will begin the process of placing students for the 2015-2016 school year. Student placement at Island Park is guided by the following beliefs and principles:

Every Island Park teacher is dedicated to high academic standards and meeting the learning and social needs of each child.

Every child's placement is important and deserves careful consideration. Classroom teachers, specialists (PE, library, and music teachers), learning support staff and the principal are all part of the placement process. Parent input is important and valued. However, classroom groupings based solely on parent requests can result in unequal class size, and/or classes organized by friendship groups, neighborhoods, sports teams, etc.

Students benefit from new experiences. A life lesson for children to learn is that working with a variety of student and teacher personal styles is enriching and helps prepare them to successfully handle new and different experiences.

Balanced classrooms should reflect our diverse society. All classes will be balanced with regards to student instructional levels, behavior, gender, learning styles, and number of students.

Accordingly, SPECIFIC TEACHER REQUESTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. (see school board policy 3110 P) However, I welcome any new or additional information you have about your child's learning or adjustment needs. A special consideration form is available for this purpose in the main office and on the school website. Please return your completed form to the office by May 1, 2015 so that your input can be referred to during our placement process. Again, specific teacher requests will not be considered.

Placement Process Timeline - A Snapshot View

Optional Island Park Elementary Special Consideration forms due May 1

Initial balanced class/student groupings are configured May/June

Adjustments are made due to changing enrollment August

Final class rosters and teacher assignments determined Late August

Notification of placement will be available the week prior to the first day of school via Skyward. Thank you for your support and optimism as we go through the placement and notification process. Island Park remains dedicated to providing your child with a quality and enriching learning experience.

Sincerely,

David Hoffman

Principal

Island Park Elementary School

Elementary Student Placement

Application for Special Consideration

If you need to share information that should be given special consideration when the school makes classroom placement decisions for students for next fall, please complete this form filling out the gray fields. Per Board Policy, please do not request a specific teacher, as these forms will be rejected.

Please return this form to the school office manager (see email address below) by FRIday, May 1, 2015.

Name of Student:

Grade Next Fall:

School:

Name of Parent Completing the Form:

Telephone:

E-mail address:

Date of Application:

If, in your judgment, you have information that should be used as part of the "Special Considerations" process, please check the appropriate box below and please explain in the space provided.

Student has a disability / handicapping condition.

Student has a professionally documented academic need(s).

Student has a professionally diagnosed emotional or behavioral adjustment problem.

Student has other significant educational needs as identified by parent(s) / guardian.

Student has other significant social considerations as identified by parent(s)/guardian

(such as a history of persistent conflict with a peer).

Other:

Explanation:

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS FORM IS FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A SPECIFIC TEACHER.

Email Address: carol.siebert@mercerislandschools.org