ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
3701 S.W. 104th Street * Seattle, WA 98146
Phone (206) 933-5350 / Fax (206) 933-5351
www.halcyon.com/arborhts
May 27, 1999
Parent Bulletin
Dear Parents,
Each spring our school staff begins the very important process of placing students in classrooms for the next school year. A great deal of time and effort is put into this process. We want to be certain that each child is in the best learning environment possible and that the classes are balanced in terms of size, gender, ethnicity, academic level, student behavior, etc. The process we use involves a great deal of input from the staff. Primary and Intermediate teams will make placement recommendations. These recommendations will be reviewed by the office. Every effort is made to be certain that the classes are balanced in every way possible.
Arbor Heights has a strong teaching staff who do a fine job of educating all of the children in the school. The cooperation and support of the parents have helped to make this possible. We always welcome parent input and are always available to talk with you about any aspect of your child's education. Requesting specific teachers for your child, however, creates several problems for all of us in the school community. First, we are never really sure until August who will be teaching the various grades (transfers, retirements, etc. sometimes occur during the summer). Second, not all requests can be honored if we're truly trying to create balanced classes. It would be difficult to explain to one parent why their request was not honored when that parent may be aware of one or two cases where requests were granted. Third, we are a public school and we do not discriminate relative to student placement. By granting some requests and not others we would be implementing a discriminatory practice. I'm sure you can see that equity is the issue here.
Please be assured that our staff takes the job of assigning to classrooms very seriously and we will work with you throughout the year to see to it that your child gets the best education possible.
The ITBS results were received at the school, however...the scores were calculated incorrectly at the testing office. If your child's test results were sent home already, please disregard them. The correct test results will be sent home with students report cards on June 18th.
Sincerely,
Barry S. Dorsey
Principal
Young Author's Conference
Please join us this evening at the Young Author's Conference. The students of Arbor Heights have been working diligently on their books and would like to give you the opportunity to view their work. The books will be on display from 6:00 - 7:30. We will be having the Ice Cream Social during the same time. Nina Laden, the guest author/illustrator, was here today and gave some very interesting presentations. We wish to thank all the volunteers that met with groups today to listen to our students read the books they wrote. What a special day for everyone. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL LIBRARIAN for all her hard work and dedication to put this memorable event together. From searching for and booking the Author, scheduling the day, finding caterers and volunteers, explaining the program, organizing the T-shirt design contest, and more...ALL THIS WHILE CONTINUEING HER CLASSROOM VISIT SCHEDULE - we salute you Ms. Napolitan!!
Volunteer Luncheon
The invitations have gone out! If you were a volunteer at school this year your child should have brought home your invitation to the June 10th Volunteer Luncheon. It is imperative that you call in your RSVP (933-5350) so we can plan accordingly. The luncheon will take place from 11:30 - 1::00 on June 10th. This is an adult only affair, so please make daycare arrangements for children not in school. If you have not received your invitation, and you did volunteer work for Arbor Heights this year, please call the office and let us know if you can attend the luncheon. Again, because the staff caters this affair, it is important we know how many adults will be attending.
See the back of this bulletin for news from the PTSA
Social and Volunteer Recognition
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 9th for The First Annual End of the Year Social and Volunteer Recognition Reception. This is a separate function from the schools daytime Volunteer Luncheon that will take place on Thursday, June 10th from 11:30 - 1:00.
Please join us at 7:00 p.m. on June 9th in the school cafeteria. We have also invited parents of incoming Kindergarten students. What a wonderful chance for you to welcome a new set of parent volunteers!