Important Information Regarding Changes At Quail Run

Hello Quail Run Parents!

Please read this email thoroughly so that you will be aware of the schedule adjustments happening this Monday.

We’ve been speaking with many of you to get your input and to hear your concerns. We’re making a few changes this week to simplify the schedule, to help with keeping track of coats and backpacks and to help parents engage with teachers around their child’s needs and progress.

Beginning Monday, November 8th all students will have an assigned hook or locker. These hooks are assigned by grade level and children will drop off their coats, boots, backpacks, and lunches before going to class or recess. On Monday morning your child’s grade-level teacher will show them their assigned hook or locker location. Please note that after this change, children will only need to carry their notebook, pencils and binders with them from class to class. (Please label your child's belongings, and be sure to check the Lost & Found for any missing items.)

We’ve also streamlined the class schedule, starting Monday. Students will still have their same classes, but in a different order than last week. This will make the schedule easier on students by bringing consistency though the week. Grade-level teachers will accompany 1st-5th grade students throughout the day. (7th and 8th grade schedules were distributed during Academy last week.) You can find the new K-6th Grade schedule at QRPS.org under News and Updates. Please look over the schedule to see what your child’s 1st period class will be.

We understand that change introduces uncertainty, so we will have grade-level teachers helping students find their first period class and moving with them throughout the day.

First period Class Assignments:

1st Grade Reading
2nd Grade Writing
3rd Grade Math
4th Grade Science
5th Grade Gym
6th Grade Band

Kindergartners will remain with their kindergarten teachers in their classrooms.

Some of the positive things that will come from the schedule change:

• Simplifies the schedule, making it easier for students, parents and teachers
• Brings consistency to the schedule from day to day
• Minimizes the transition times between classes, since the next class will be located closer, allowing for more in-class instruction time
• The location of student’s hooks and lockers will be on the way to lunch or recess
• Allows for more teacher preparation time
• Makes it possible for more supervision in the halls, at recess and at lunch

With the changes in the schedule, there have been some teacher reassignments. Ms. Hopkins will be joining our Kindergarten team and Mr. Leatherbarrow will be teaching Drama: Literature in Motion.

We’ve heard from you, our parents, that the mentor teacher model wasn’t working well for you, so we will be replacing it with the new Grade-Level Specialist model for 1st-5th grade. This improves continuity for your child during the day and provides more supervision in the hallways, at lunch, and during recess. You will have one teacher who sees your child in every classroom environment, who you will meet with in future Parent Teacher Conferences and who is very familiar with your child’s learning style.

Ms. Ashley Box will be our second grade teacher and Mr. Trent Larsen will be our fourth grade teacher. The 1st, 3rd and 5th Grade Specialist positions will be filled shortly, with our paraprofessionals filling in until the full-time teachers start later this week.

Unfortunately, these changes eliminated the need for three members of our faculty. This was a difficult decision that was made to better support the changes to the schedule and curriculum structure. We are sad to say goodbye to Ms. Jonas, Mrs. Bagley, and Mrs. Grogan and wish them the best in their future endeavors.

We recognize that there are a lot of new changes happening all at once. We want the parents to feel comfortable and informed. We are having a parent Q&A session on Sat, Nov 13 from 10 am to 12 pm. Please come and ask any questions you might have. You can also email questions ahead of time to questions@QRPS.org.

We are also excited to welcome Mindy McKnight to the Board of Trustees as the new Parent Representative. Thanks to all those parents that took the time to cast their vote. Mindy will focus on improving communication between the school and parents, developing teacher appreciation awareness and coordinating volunteers.

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as Quail Run grows into the learning center we all envision. We love working with your students!