A Message from Jill & Tim
March 20, 2023
Dear parents/guardians of current kindergarten through fourth-grade students:
At the end of each academic year, all schools meticulously engage in the process of class placement for each of our students. This process is a sensitive and complex endeavor for teachers, parents and building administration. Each year, grade-level teams, special education teachers, special area teachers and the school psychologists work closely together to create class groupings that meet the following criteria:
a balanced range of achievement and ability levels in each class
a balanced number of students in each class receiving special services and additional supports
a balanced number of students and genders
balanced inter-relationships of various combinations of students, including behavioral, social and emotional considerations
Each of the above factors are given careful consideration and discussed by each team. As always, parents are welcome to communicate any unique information or perspectives in terms of notable peer groupings, strengths, or areas of focus for their child to me via email at jkatkocin@ridgefieldps.net by Friday, April 7, 2023. This is completely optional and in no way required, but is the best avenue for parents to connect with me directly about any special situations. Please note that requests must be made on a yearly basis. Previously written letters are not considered during current class placement as many factors can change over the course of a year or more. Letters written in the spring of 2022 will not be considered during the 2023 placement process.
It is important to note that as a placement team, we will consider each request received, but it is not always possible to accommodate every single request. Additionally, we ask that you please do not make specific teacher requests. While we are greatly receptive to parental input regarding your child’s needs, it is not possible or appropriate to accommodate parental requests for specific teachers. The assignment of a teacher is the final part of the class placement process, and is not made with the current classroom teachers present. It is important to also understand grade level staffing can change throughout the summer and a teacher may need to move grade levels. Placement changes will not be made despite this occasional occurrence.
Our goal is to balance classes to support academic, social and emotional equity. This multifaceted process takes a number of meetings at each grade level throughout the spring and we will not make changes after the deadline. Your input will be taken very seriously as each team goes through the placement process and we appreciate you entrusting us to make the best placement decision for your child next year. Please ensure that your requests are shared in writing with me, no later than Friday, April 7, 2023.
Thank you for your support and continued partnership.
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Cultural Night:
This past Thursday, we had our first Cultural Night, which was a HUGE success! We had food, dances, and performances from around the world! What a wonderful evening, where our community shared in learning about one another, enjoying food, entertainment, and fun! Thank you to members of our PTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for planning and organizing this event!
Schedule Changes:
Last Day of School:
- Due to the snow day this week, our new tentative last day of school for students is now Monday, June 19th.
- Kindly encourage your children to stop placing spoons under their pillows, wearing their pjs inside out, and doing snow dances!! 😉
- Of course, this date may change due to any weather cancellations that may occur.
- Just a reminder to families that our elementary schools will have early dismissal days for conferences on Tuesday, April 4th and Thursday April 6th.
- There will be no school Friday April 7th-Friday April 14th for Spring Recess.
Kindergarten Registration:
Kindergarten Registration is underway! If you have a child turning 5 before January 1, 2024 please contact the main office at (203) 894-5825. Please note that kindergarten enrollment numbers have an impact on the number of sections of kindergarten, and the overall staffing within Scotland. Information has been shared with incoming families. If you have a child entering kindergarten in August, and have not received information about kindergarten registration, please reach out to Mrs. Lupinaccci at llupinacci@ridgefieldps.net.
Have a great week!
Kind regards,
Jill & Tim
Reminders:
- If you need to make a change to your child's dismissal after the daily cutoff time of 12pm, you will need to send an email to both canderson@ridgefieldps.net and llupinacci@ridgefieldps.net in order for us to make that change. We really appreciate your help with this!
