Phone:  402-715-2900  Fax:  715-2911  http://www.mpsomaha.org/abbott/

1313 N. 156th St. Omaha, NE  68118

October 31, 2003

Volume 1, Issue 11

It is the time of the year that parents begin making formal teacher requests for next school year.  I want to explain how the process works and what requests will be considered.  During April the teachers at each grade level will put together class lists for next year using the following criteria:

· Male/female ratio

· Different academic levels of students including those in special education and in the HAL program

· Matching individual learning styles with teaching styles as best we can

Keeping classroom dynamics in balance

 

As you can see, a great deal of thought and effort goes into making these class lists.  Granting every request is unrealistic and would undo the long process that has been carefully put together and jeopardize the integrity of that work.  In addition, children need to work in and with a variety of circumstances now and in the future both in terms of personnel and environment.  As parents, we won’t be requesting their bosses and coworkers in the future.  Granting requests based on what a neighbor or friend says will not be considered.  On a personal note, I have never requested a teacher for any of my children, and they have done quite well in school.

 

If you have some unusual circumstances that you feel you must address, please do the following:

· Make a formal request in writing addressing your child’s learning style and the type, not the name, of the teacher that would benefit your child.

· Turn in the request by April 25, 2008.

 

The fifth grade teachers departmentalize, in other words, one teaches all science, another all social studies, etc.  Therefore, all fifth grade students will have each fifth grade teacher.  Thus, no need to make a request.

 

 

 

 

 

YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY MATTERS

 

Parents: 

 

When you are dropping off or picking up your child from school, please DO NOT let them walk or run in between cars.  This creates a dangerous situation, and we don’t want anyone hit by a car.  Thank you.

CODE YELLOW/CODE RED DRILL

 

 

This week we practiced our third code yellow/code red drill of the year.  This time we were observed and evaluated by both the Omaha Police and

Douglas County Sheriff department.  Several

students were quizzed by the officers.  All students that were asked questions knew exactly why we were practicing and what to do.  They were very impressed by the children and the adults.