This is an exciting time of year, for both children and caregivers! As students transition to their new classes, it is very common for them to experience a mix of emotions as change can be hard, especially for children. A lot of careful and thoughtful time is put into the organization of classes, and staff have been working through this process since last May.
Some of the many factors that are considered when placing children include:
- Previous year’s teacher and school-based team recommendations
- Family input, if submitted
- The overall composition of the class being created
- Learning styles
- Intellectual, academic, emotional, social & physical development
- Behavioural supports, if needed
- Need for additional services such as learning assistance, ELL, and Education Assistants
- Student leadership skills
- Pre-existing supportive relationships between children
- Pre-existing conflicts between children
- Provincial legislation for class size and composition limitations
Combined Classes:
We have many combined classes this year. Some of you may have questions about your child being placed in a combined-grade class, where students from different grades learn together. We want to reassure you that combined-grade classes are a common and well-established educational practice in Canada. In fact, research indicates that one in every five Canadian students experiences a combined-grade classroom during their elementary years and thrives in classrooms structured this way. More information about combined classrooms can be found here.
Supporting Students with Transitioning to their New Class:
As we move to our new classes, some students will be happy and excited, while some understandably will feel nervous and shy. Our teachers will spend the next couple of weeks working to build connections and classroom community to make students feel welcome and included. The class placement process is one that educators value and take very seriously. As we place your children, we balance their needs as individuals as well as the needs of the class.
Sometimes, families send in requests, and we will certainly take your wishes and information into careful consideration when looking at the configuration of the classes. As parents, you know your child(ren) so well and your input is valuable. It is important to note that a request is not a guarantee of placement.
Often when our children are placed in new classes, there are a lot of emotions. Students have friends that may or may not be in the new class with them, or they really had hoped for a particular teacher and were placed elsewhere. This is healthy and normal and one of many ways children learn resiliency, dealing with difficult things, and accepting change as a natural part of life.
We, as the adults in these children’s lives, have a great capacity to help our children by validating their emotions (“that must feel sad to not have ___ in your class with you this year”) while also calmly affirming that they can adjust to new environments and expectations and will do well. Focusing on the positive aspects of school life and their new class can do a lot to help children see the good things that come out of new experiences and new relationships.
I encourage you to be positive with your children as they come home from school in the coming weeks.
When we show that we are worried, nervous, or uncertain about the new year, they too will feel these emotions. Staying positive and sharing with our children that this is an exciting time of year will make your children feel better and ensure a smooth transition to their new class. If they are not placed with a friend they were hoping to be with, this is a great opportunity to practice and build resilience and share that this will be a great opportunity to make even more friends!
Once we finalize student placements, changes are no longer possible without impacting several other students and classes. For this reason, we respectfully ask that parents work with their child(ren) and your assigned teacher in a positive and proactive manner to build a fulfilling and rewarding year. This is a chance for all students to experience new opportunities, meet new challenges, and make new friends. 
