My assignment was for two days in 6th grade this week. It came with an addendum note that stated: “…class will be held in the library both days”. When I arrived Monday morning, the office clarified what was going on.
It seems that 6th grade enrollment had dropped over the summer. As a result all five 6th grade classes were under populated. The decision was made to disband one of the 6th grade classrooms and re-absorb the students into the remaining four.
Coincidentally, the 1st grade classes were over populated and the, now the newly surplused, 6th grade teacher was now going to be the teacher for the “over quota” 1st graders.
The “new” 1st grade teacher, under contract, is allowed a two day transition period to dismantle the old 6th grade classroom and setup her new 1st grade classroom. My job is to cover those days and be with her 6th graders until they disperse to their new class assignments.
All this was finalized by the school district on Friday, the third day after the start of the new school year. I found out later via “teachers lounge scuttlebutt” that the district has been “grappling” with situation since mid-summer.
The uncertainty and apprehension among the kids was obvious as I was asked several times both days if I knew which classes they were going into. I had no answers. It was Tuesday afternoon when I delivered them to the 6th grade wing when they finally had the answer while meeting their new teachers.
I can’t imagine that the situation will be much better over in the 1st grade wing come tomorrow.
2 comments:
Ah yes, the lovely "class balancing". You'd think they could figure this stuff out before the school year starts.
Happened at our school and no subs needed (had a large amount of kids drop day before school started). All they had to do was divide the kids into the new classes and THEN teacher would have 2 days to switch her class. There was no need for the 6th graders to sit in transition wondering like that.
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