8th grade recovery letter

October, 2006


Dear Eighth Grade Parents and Students,

The main focus of the Kalamazoo Public Schools is to ensure that all students learn and succeed in school. Beginning this year, we are implementing an extended learning plan for eighth grade students who are not meeting grade level objectives in the area of English Language Arts and/or Mathematics. We will carefully monitor your student’s progress at the end of each marking period and inform students and parents if intervention is deemed necessary. Students who receive a failing grade in two or more marking periods will be required to take a recovery course/s beginning the second semester (January 2007), and/or be required to attend summer school before moving on to high school in the fall of 2007.

It is our hope that the recovery program and summer school will assist students in mastering grade level objectives needed to be successful in higher grade levels. Upon successful completion of the recovery program and/or summer school, students will be promoted to high school. Detailed information about the recovery program and mandatory summer school will be sent out to identified students at a later date.

Retention may also be recommended if other interventions are unsuccessful, and only as a last resort, by the parent, teacher, and/or the building team. Prior to retention, a meeting will be held with the parent, student and school administration/designee to explain the need for retention and
to review the EDP (Educational Development Plan) for the upcoming school year.

At the high school level, we have adopted a “no repeat” procedure. Students who fail core required courses will need to make up the credit during summer school, through NovaNET® or through the after school program (On Track) offered through Community Education. Please contact your counselor for additional information. There is a cost for high school credit retrieval.

Home Access Center is a valuable tool in monitoring your child’s progress in school. We encourage you to regularly login to Home Access Center, attend conferences and contact your child’s teachers regarding your child’s progress in school.

Working Together in the Best Interest of Children,


Patricia Coles-Chalmers, Timon Kendall,
Assistant Superintendent Director of Secondary Education

October 23, 2006 Weekly Announcements

Monday
October 23
2:30, School Improvement Team Meeting, Rm. 415

Tuesday
October 24
8:00, Instructional Leadership Meeting, West Main - Kevin

3:00, Meeting w/Mrs. Brown, Office Conference Room - Kevin, Gail, Others

3:00, Basketball, Hillside - 7th away, 8th home

6:00, Parent Advisory Meeting, Rm 415

Wednesday
October 25
10:00, Meeting w/J. Mack - Kevin

2:30, Meeting w/probationary staff, rm. 415

3:45, Football at Portage North

Thursday
October 26
2:30, PBS team meeting, rm. 415

Friday
October 27
7:45, Meeting with substitute principals - Kevin, S.C. staff


We have a School Improvement Team meeting Monday, Dr. Cooley and Dr. Burt from WMU will join us for this meeting. We will process feedback regarding conferences and connections classes as part of our agenda.

The annual United Way campaign has kicked off, Ruth will put the pledge cards in your mail box. I hope everyone will consider a donation to this year's campaign. It is not the amount that matters it is the level of participation we can develop in the building that matters more.

We will meet with Mrs. Brown who is an experienced drama person this week. We are going to talk about the prospect of doing a school play, "Brown -v- the Board of Education." Anyone who is interested is invited to our exploratory conversation on Tuesday after school in the office conference room.

A reminder that you have a two week window to do honor roll recognitions with your team. See Karen or Diane if you need an clarification. Maria McCarty is available to help you also if you are trying to find a place to host a recognition.

The PBS team will meet Thursday after school, we will establish our PBS team goals for the coming year.

I have posted a copy of the letter that was sent out to all 8th grade parents last week. It outlines the process for a "recovery" program. This is to be a program for 8th graders who are failing there classes. there is still a need for greater detail. Mr. Kendall will present the program to us on November 6, during PD.