|
www.brynathynchurchschool.org |
|
The CommuniK-8or |
|
Parent Counsel for Student Placement Looking ahead to next school year, placement of children in classes is an important issue for the school to consider. Many factors play into the school’s decision of how to arrange classes for the good of the individual and the whole. We consider such things as evaluation of individual student needs by the current teacher, the next grade’s teachers’ unique abilities, Student Support Center requirements, balancing classes so one teacher does not have an over-representation of students needing special attention, and yes, even food allergies. Yet another important factor to consider is any counsel we may receive from you about your child’s needs. While we try to be sensitive to the needs of each child, you may be aware of issues that we have not seen. We welcome any information you wish to provide. This counsel could include your child’s personal life (such as a favorite grandparent entering the spiritual world), relationships he or she has with other children, relationships he or she or you may have with potential teachers, allergies or other physical characteristics that might affect placement, etc. Any information you provide will be factored into your child’s placement decision. If you wish to give us counsel about your child’s needs that you think would be important for us to consider in forming classes for next year, please do the following: 1. Pick up a form for this purpose from our school secretary 2. Return the form to BACS no later than 12:15 on Friday, March 28 · Forms received after this deadline will be too late for consideration. · Please do not send these requests by e-mail, phone, or by speaking to your child’s teacher. |
|
Teacher Leaving Heather Klein will be leaving BACS at the end of this year to spend more time with her family. We thank Heather for her dedication to New Church Education and the many years of service she has given. We will miss her very much but wish her all the best as she moves on to full-time motherhood. |
|
As I walked to school one morning this week, I ended up walking a few steps behind a little group of 2nd graders whose happy voices filtered back to me as we all arrived at the crossing guard. My mind had been occupied with the tasks of the day that I would soon be facing, but as I neared the children, my head and my heart were lifted. It’s good for kids to have the sweet delight of neighborhood and classroom friendships. It’s good for them to feel safe in their school environment and relationships so that they can relax into the joy of it all. We know that every moment in our lives, and every moment at school cannot be without stress. Learning actually creates new pathways in the brain, and that takes effort, and sometimes even struggle. The joy comes with the success of the new learning. Through the skill of our teachers, tutors and aides, your children have many opportunities for all kinds of successes at BACS. School also inevitably involves learning around relationships. Students must learn to bend their will to their teachers’ will, just as we all must bend our will to the Lord’s direction. This can be stressful, of course. However, we help the students in age appropriate ways to learn to follow the rules so that we have order in our classrooms. And though they might not be able to verbalize it, children feel safe with order in their world. And, though I don’t know, I would guess that those children who happily walked to school in front of me, had begun their morning with some sort of familiar routine. When children begin their mornings with an orderly routine, including eating a good breakfast, washing, brushing teeth, dressing for school, with hugs and kisses and “have a good day at school” as they go out the door, they feel cared for and confident as they face their day. This is a good thing for kids, and gives them a better chance for success both at school and at play. Thanks for all you do from the home. We will continue to enjoy and nurture your children each school day. GMS |
