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Issue 74 Combined Grade Classes
Nearly every child in our school district - if not in California - will
be a student in a combined grade class at some time in their education.
A combined grade class is one in which two (or more) grades are taught
in one classroom. The reason for revisiting this configuration from
schoolhouse days is our present adherence to the Class Size Reduction
law limiting primary grades to 20 students and the need to reduce the
overall teaching staff to minimum numbers in order to meet ever
tightening budget constraints.
Unfortunately, students don't come to schools in neat groups of 20 or 30
at each grade level. Hence there are a variety of combined (or multi-)
graded classes in each elementary school. Students in these classes are
taught the curriculum of their grades, just like any other class. The
teaching is not simplified, nor are the grades united. The school has a
responsibility to teach the California educational standards to each
child. These classes are no exception. If your child is in a combined
grade class this year, please be assured that his/her education is not
being compromised. Instead, be proud that your child was considered an
independent learner and therefore a good candidate for successful
participation in a multi-graded class. This means that while the
children of one grade are being instructed by the teacher, your child
and the others in his/her grade are capable of following the directions,
staying focused and remembering the teaching they have just had in order
to complete their work without constant monitoring.
It is an opportunity for students to learn to work co-operatively, to
make friends with children in other grades, to understand the importance
of patience (instead of "me, me, me"). And combined grade teaching is
highly successful - especially when given support by parents and
administrators. Special praise goes to teachers who are instructing two
grades simultaneously. If your children are in their classes, we hope
you will show your support as well by volunteering in the classroom or
supporting them at home. It is up to us to insure that they - and every
other class - are win/win situations!
Remember to sign up on your school’s e-mail emergency list
The school district has created a series of e-mail mailing lists to be
used in case of a school emergency to get information out to parents as
quickly as possible. There is a separate list for each school and they
are not the same ones currently being used for sending weekly bulletins.
The emergency mailing lists will be used only for messages of an urgent
or emergency nature. Parents are invited to add as many e-mail addresses
as they wish to each emergency list in order to increase the chances of
receiving an urgent message quickly wherever they might be. There is no
limit to the number of e-mail addresses that you may add to each list
and no cost as well. For example, you might add the e-mail addresses for
your work, your home, and even those of your spouse or other family
members.
To Subscribe: The procedure for signing up for these mailing
lists depends on whether the e-mail address that you want to add is
already signed up for a school mailing list. If so, open any school
mailing that you have received at that address and click on the link
that you find at the very bottom of the message. It will take you to a
page that will allow you to add that address to any school mailing list
or remove it from any list as well.
For e-mail addresses that are not currently receiving any school
mailings, you may sign up by going to any of the school websites and
following the instructions on the homepage. Find your school website at
the district site – www.husd.com. You must do this separately for each
e-mail address to be added. If that is not convenient, send an e-mail
message to plouvau@husd.com including the names of the schools you wish
to be added to and what e-mail addresses to add.
To Unsubscribe: You may click on the link at the bottom of any
school message to make changes, including removing yourself from any or
all lists.
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