Classroom Teacher Requests
We do our best to make sure all students have the best school experience possible. Our goal is to provide fair and equitable treatment for all children as a means to encourage and support their learning. Teachers consider many factors as they recommend placement for your child. Please rely on our professional judgment and trust that we will place children to provide the best possible learning environment. Parent requests for specific teachers will not be considered. In rare cases, it can be helpful for us to know if there are circumstances that would have a serious negative impact on the student or create a conflict of interest for the family. In these cases, please state your concerns in writing to the principal.
Promotion/Retention
At our school, we believe that each student should be given every opportunity to succeed academically and socially. Our promotion and retention practices are designed to support students' long-term growth while honoring the guidelines set by state laws and local school board policy.
Promotion
Students are promoted to the next grade when they demonstrate academic readiness and overall developmental progress. Promotion decisions are based on:
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Classroom performance and grades
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Standardized assessment data
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Attendance and participation
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Progress toward grade-level standards
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Input from the instructional team
Retention Process
In some cases, a student may benefit from an additional year in the same grade to better master essential skills. Retention is considered only after thorough intervention and collaboration between school staff and the student’s family. The retention process includes the following steps:
- Early Identification (If a student shows signs of academic difficulty, the teacher will provide targeted interventions throughout the year.)
- Parents will receive an at-risk letter and be invited to a face-to-face meeting to discuss concerns and the plan for support.
- The student will receive appropriate academic interventions and be monitored regularly.
- A student support team meets monthly to review progress using classroom performance, assessments, and other relevant data.
- If the student shows limited improvement by April, the teacher may refer them to the Retention Team.
- The Retention Team (which may include administrators, teachers, specialists, and support staff) will review all collected data to determine whether retention is likely to benefit the student.
- A final meeting will be held with the parent/guardian to discuss:
- Student progress
- Support provided
- Retention recommendations
- The complete body of data collected
- Parents are encouraged to share their input to help the team make an informed decision together. While parent input is valued and considered, the final decision regarding promotion or retention rests with the school principal in alignment with district policies and educational best practices.
Our Goal
Our goal is for all students to be successful, confident, and well-prepared for the next stage in their learning. Retention is never taken lightly—it is always a collaborative decision made with the child’s best interests at heart.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress at any point in the year, we welcome open communication and partnership with families.