Grade Configurations for Next Year:
The school board has approved staffing for next year that includes teachers for grades K-1, grade 2-3, grades 3-4, and grades 5-6. Because of the small number of pre-kindergarten children, pre-kindergarten programming will be offered through the Northfield program. Next year the board will take another look at Roxbury's pre-kindergarten enrollment to consider whether an on site program is practical.

This grade configuration gives us ideal classroom sizes: K-1 will have about 11 students, 2-3 will have 14 students, 3-4 will have 13 students and 5-6 will have 14 students. This year's grade 2 students will be divided evenly into next year's 2-3 and 3-4 classrooms. I'm concerned that some of our second graders may mistakenly equate staying with the same teacher as staying back. We will be underscoring with our second graders at school that both classrooms mean they are advancing to third grade.

In placing students, the teachers and I will be looking at a number of factors as we do our best to create "balanced" and teachable classes where all children will be successful. We will seek to balance classes by number of students, gender, social needs, academic needs, and behavioral considerations. We will not group kids in such a way that we have a fast class and a slower class. We will also try to place students where they can develop socially in a positive environment. That means pairing students with a teacher who we think the child will best respond to or "click" with and where there is the opportunity to develop friendships with peers. For those students who are going into third grade (and for all others as well) the students teacher and grade level will be designated on their final report card in June.

Playground Project:
We are looking to really spruce up our playground for next fall. The school board will consider recommendations for upgrades from the P.T.O. and school staff at their meeting on Monday, May 12 at 5:30. There are a number of upgrades to increase safety (like repairing or replacing the fence) or to increase fun (installation of a hoop shoot) that will be considered. Our playground area may not be that big, but it has a lot of potential to be much better than it is. We hope to plan a work day later this spring, so keep an eye out for a sign up to help out. Many hands make light work in making our dreams become a reality.

Step-Up Day:
Correction: The sixth grade students that are planning on attending the Northfield Middle School next year will visit on Friday, June 6 ^th 1:00-2:30 p.m. Transportation will be arranged by the school.

C.L.I.F Program:
The C.L.I.F program will be visiting the school on Tuesday, May 27 ^th . They will be showing the students new and exciting books that will be available at the Roxbury Free Library this summer.

VT Symphony Orchestra:
We have invited the VT Symphony Orchestra to visit the school on Friday, May 30 ^th . They will perform at 1:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. Any parents wanting to attend are welcome.

Bus Changes:
Please call before 2:00 p.m. or send in a note if your child will be changing their dismissal routine.

Preschool Registration:
Northfield Elementary will hold their Preschool Registration and Play Base Screening on June 2 ^nd through June 6 ^th . If you are interested (must be 4 years old by September 1, 2008), please call Cindy Burke at 485-6161 to schedule an appointment.