OT: Split SK/grade 1 class

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I also worry that she would be bored. This is one reason we put her in French Immersion, she would have been bored to tears in an English class.

Does BC not have a system in place to ensure that children with exceptionalities (on either end of the spectrum....those who excel or those who struggle) get their specific education needs met?

Here in Ontario, Individual Education Plans can be put into place for students who require a modified curriculum, either for enrichment or to address academic challenges. Even waayyyy back in the 80's, when I was identified as gifted, the school system provided enhanced educational opportunities to ensure I was challenged and engaged in my daily learning.

 

[BLAZEY]

I know there is for kids who struggle, and there is enrichment for those who excel when they reach higher grades. I was also in the "enrichment" class as a child as was DH. Both DH & I were in split classes as children Just we were the lower grade in the split. That was the way it was done back then, kids that needed to be challenged were put in the split as the lower grade and we were taught to the level of the higher grade. I think we will see how she fares this year, and if we don't like the results we will make sure she is not in a split class in the future, at least not as the higher grade of the split.

 

[thr33boys]

I think that split would be an awesome opportunity for some SK kids. When my daughter was in SK, she could already read chapter books and was definitely ready for more learning than SK offered. I am sure there are other SK kids who would do really well in that situation.

I can see there could be a few SK students who could benefit for sure. Unfortunately, I met with the principal yesterday and the reason for the split has nothing to do with student abilities in either grade. It's simply there are only 6 SK students in the school registered in the English stream and 15 grade 1 English. If there is enough parent support to pressure our trustee, they may be able to hire another kinder teacher and alleviate the over-flowing jk classes and put the SK's in there.

There are still 4 year olds in the class, my son will turn 7 early in the New Year.

I went into the class this morning with DD6 and I could see the difference between the kids. You had Kindergarten kids crying and not wanting mums to leave and Grade 1 kids settled. I worry as DD6 is in Grade 1 she will not getting the full Grade 1 curriculum.

You would have noticed that last year as well if jk was an option. It's almost a right of passage for both students and parents. I know it's hard to watch. A few years ago when my middle was in jk, a neighbour boy was so upset and crying so much and his parents were too. They ended up having to leave while he was still in the yard because as long as they were there, he was beside himself. I felt so bad for them. I stayed till the kids went inside to watch my son enter the school. I was able to get a nice picture of the neighbour boy with a smile on his face to show his parents that he did settle and to let them have a keepsake.

What I find interesting is that in Ontario, I've read they will not implement an sk/1 split in EFI - simply because of the different percentage levels of French to English instruction.

I hope your daughter adjusts quickly and enjoys her time.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Wow! Did your son have Ms. Beadle at Walnut Grove? Seriously, that is nuts. Glad it worked out well for him. It must have been a real small community. My husband is from a very small town (he actually had the same kinder teacher as my Dad) but he never had splits like that.

I'm fine with splits in general, my other 2 have had several but I have to be convinced the sk/1 can be effective.

I was able to find the article from Today's Parent (wayyyyy back in 2005) that I was interviewed for in regards to Jake's unique multi-grade split class.

You can check it out here, if you are bored on this rainy Sunday afternoon :

http://www.hpedsb.on.ca/ec/services...class/documents/TodayParentarticleOct2005.pdf

 

[thr33boys]

I was able to find the article from Today's Parent (wayyyyy back in 2005) that I was interviewed for in regards to Jake's unique multi-grade split class.

You can check it out here, if you are bored on this rainy Sunday afternoon :

http://www.hpedsb.on.ca/ec/services...class/documents/TodayParentarticleOct2005.pdf

Thanks Gina for taking the time to find and post this article. I do agree that some kids can benefit from a kinder/grade split but in my son's case, the childrens' abilities was not an influencing factor in their decision. They only had 6 English sk kids, so they all got chosen to go with all the 15 grade 1 English kids. An alternative, would have been to hire another kinder teacher to help alleviate the over-flowing jk classes and add the sk's to that. But this is a loophole that someone in the system found when the full day kindergarten program was introduced. It's strictly a cost saving measure. They now don't have to hire the 2 ECE's which are typically there for kinder classes.

I have asked the teacher for information on how the class is going to be run so perhaps once I hear from her, I'll be less apprehensive.

I'd even feel better if they at least did away with the learning centres and had the room appear more typical of a grade 1 setting.

Thanks again

 

[Debbie]

If you believe that this was strictly a financial decision,with no regard for the children, I would also suggest you contact your local school board trustee and your local MPP. Appropriate funding for education is vital for our children.

 

[thr33boys]

If you believe that this was strictly a financial decision,with no regard for the children, I would also suggest you contact your local school board trustee and your local MPP. Appropriate funding for education is vital for our children.

It absolutely is, the principal even said it was. I'm considering approaching other parents to see if they are on board with taking this up the ladder to get it changed.