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General Year Round Education, Calendar, Registration, Placement and Enrollment, Educational concerns, and Intersession,
Q: When will it be implemented?
A: The year round calendar will be implemented at the beginning of the 2000-2001
school year. Red, Yellow and Green tracks will begin school on August 28, 2000,
which is the same day that the traditional school year begins. Blue track's
school year begins on September 25, 2000.
Q: Is there more absenteeism because of YRE?
A: No, actually we have a DECREASE in absenteeism. Studies have shown
that attendance improves with a year round calendar. Students and teachers are
usually refreshed throughout the year with several short vacations or change
of pace intersessions.
Q: How well will transition happen?
A: Our entire district has been working with this transition. Going year-round
affects each department in a school district. We are hoping that all the time
and effort put into planning will make the transition quite smooth.
Q: Why is Foxboro the only school to go year-round?
A: At this point, Foxboro is the only school going multi-track year-round in
the Travis Unified School District. We anticipate that in the future we will
be able to provide more continuous learning opportunities in the district. It
is always best to start with one school to make sure that we iron out all the
kinks before adding another school.
Q: Will any current Foxboro teachers go to Golden West?
A: All of the teacher placements are still in the process of negotiations. We
do not anticipate, however, any of our teachers moving to Golden West.
Q: Is Foxboro planning on keeping 6th grade?
A: Our Governing Board is very supportive of providing parents with options
for their children. We will continue to have sixth grade at Foxboro. In fact,
next year we will have four sixth grade classes. One sixth grade class will
be on each track.
Q: Are the 6th graders allowed to go to Golden West?
A: We do have some 6th grade classes at Golden West. Last year, I believe, that
we had five Foxboro students who decided to attend Golden West for sixth grade.
Please call Golden West for information as to when they will be hosting a parent
information night for incoming 6th graders if you are interested.
Q: What is this presentation?
A: The purpose of the Koffee Klatch meetings is to inform parents about year-round
education and continuous learning. We will be explaining the year-round calendar
as well as the process for track selection. We are providing this opportunity
to parents so that they can ask questions and receive immediate feedback about
any concerns or anxiety they might have in regards to the year-round calendar
and process.
Q: What if we don't want our child to go year-round?
A: Of course, we believe that year-round education and continuous learning is
a huge benefit to children. We do understand, however, that a change in calendar
may cause some families a great deal of inconvenience. The open enrollment process
will still be available. We are encouraging parents to go ahead and fill out
a track selection ballot now. Parents will need to apply for an intra-school
agreement at the traditional site of their choice.
Q: Are you going multi-track year-round because of space?
A: Yes, multi-track year round is a strategy used to ease overcrowding. We are
able to accommodate more students because approximately one-fourth of our enrollment
will be off-track.
Q: Has new housing been considered?
A: Yes. The Travis Unified School District's Business Department has been in
contact with the builders in the area. We are anticipating an increase enrollment
at Foxboro due to the new housing.
Q: Any plans to build new schools?
A: The Travis Unified School District is working with K2K Incorporated, which
is a consultant firm for facilities planning and management. An update is given
at general Governing Board Meetings.
Q: Where does Mello-Roos go?
A: Mello-Roos taxes go to the Travis Unified School District to pay for facilities.
Q: If we are off our calculation of the number of students due to new housing,
will it affect the classroom size?
A: No, our class size will remain the same as far as the number of students.
We will also no longer be using the workrooms as regular classrooms.
Q: There is a rumor that Travis will go year-round, is that true?
A: We anticipate that Travis Elementary will go single track year-round in the 2001-2002 school year. They may go multi-track year-round if we have a dramatic increase in enrollment.
Q: Will year-round expect uniforms?
A: No, we will not have uniforms because of going year-round.
Q: Will Golden West and Vanden go year-round?
A: At this point, we are only looking at the elementary levels for the year-round calendar.
Q: Why isn't the middle school going year-round?
A: At this point, Foxboro is the only school going multi-track year-round in
Travis Unified School District. We anticipate that in the future we will be
able to provide more continuous learning opportunities in the district. It is
a very good idea to start with one school and iron out all the kinks before
adding more year-round schools.
Q: Why did it take thirty years to get year-round here?
A: The year-round issue has been discussed for years. We have met it head on
at this point due to the facilities crunch. We recognize the value of continuous
learning. Our Governing Board and Superintendent are looking at the option of
providing the year-round option at other sites in the future.
Q: What is the benefit of YRE?
A: Year Round Education has so many benefits. The most important benefit is
that it provides students with continuous learning. The year-round schedule
helps students retain what they have learned and cuts down on the time needed
for review. Year-round also promotes positive teacher and student morale. The
frequent breaks allow them to return to school more refreshed. The multi-track
year-round calendar provides parents with options for their family. We all do
not have vacation time available during the summer months. Our multi-track year-round
calendars provide parents with four different options.
General Year Round Education, Calendar, Registration, Placement and Enrollment, Educational concerns, and Intersession,
Q: When are the breaks for vacations?
A: Our multi-track calendar is based on a 60-20 plan. This schedule uses a calendar
of three approximate 60 days attendance periods followed by an approximate 20-day
break. Children will have three four-week vacations throughout the year. These
vacation periods will vary depending on the tracks. Our calendar has allowed
for the following off-track times:
Red track off track times will be December, April, August
Yellow track off track times will be November, March, July
Green track off track times will be October, February, June
Blue track off track times will be September, January, May
Q: Will everyone have the same winter vacation?
A: Yes! Our year-round calendar has the same winter break and Thanksgiving
break as the traditional calendar. We also have the same legal holidays. The
weeklong spring break will not be included for each of the tracks on the year
round calendar. However, if you look at the tracks, each track provides one
month off in the spring.
Q: Is this calendar board approved?
A: Yes! The Governing Board approved this calendar on Feb. 8, 2000. These
Koffee Klatches are a direct result of the calendar's approval.
Q: Will blue track have one more month of vacation time every year?
A: Families who choose blue track will receive a longer summer vacation this
year only. Blue track will end their school year in August and then start their
next school year at the end of September. The tracks loop around year after
year.
Q: Will Kindergarteners follow the same schedule as this year?
A: Because of the 175 days of instruction, we will need to increase the kindergarten
day as well to ensure that they receive the same number of instructional minutes
as their traditional counterparts.
Q: Do we know which track will be AM or PM for Kindergarten?
A: This year, Green Track and Blue Track are assigned as A.M. kindergarten.
Yellow and Red Tracks will have P.M. kindergarten.
Q: Will there be a track that coincides with the traditional calendar?
A: Each of the tracks has its advantages. With our calendar, red track has December,
April, and August off. This will coincide as long as Spring Break is scheduled
in April. If the break ever happens to be scheduled in March, then Yellow track
will also follow pretty closely. Yellow track has November, March, and July
as the off-track months. Every track has the same Winter Break, Thanksgiving
Break, and all major holidays as the traditional calendar.
Q: How does this calendar coincide with Golden West?
A: One of the exciting things about this year-round calendar is that it has
the same start time as Golden West and Vanden. Depending on the track, however,
you child may not have a long break between sixth grade at Foxboro and seventh
grade at Golden West. We see this as a huge benefit. Going to Middle School
is quite a transition. How wonderful it will be for these Foxboro students who
still are academically fresh! They will not have much time to forget those important
skills that help to make Middle School a bit easier!
Q: Is this calendar posted on the Internet?
A: We are very proud of the Travis Unified School District's website. Please
visit us at http://www.travisusd.k12.ca.us/.
You will find year-round information as well as the year-round calendar on that
site. You may also go to the Foxboro site to read updates on year-round. We
are posting the questions and answers from each of our Koffee Klatch meetings
on our site.
Q: Will we get a copy of the calendar?
A: Yes, we are handing out calendars at the Koffee Klatches. We will also be
mailing them home in the enrollment packets. You can also print one off of the
district web site. We will have them available in the office for new enrollees.
Q: It appears that yellow and green get a week less teaching time. Do all
tracks have the same number of instructional days?
A: Yes, each of the tracks has the same number of instructional days that is
175 days. Students on a year-round schedule will have the same number of instructional
minutes as their traditional counterparts. The instructional days are just a
little bit longer on year-round.
Q: Has it been decided about what grades are on each track?
A: The Governing Board supports balancing the tracks. In order to avoid involuntary
track changes in fourth grade, we will have some multi-age classrooms on each
track. Multi-age classrooms are a fact of life with YRE schools because we have
less flexibility in placing students especially if the school is full. We are
very excited about this great opportunity to provide more learning options for
students and parents.
Q: Do they get an Easter break?
A: No, although each of the tracks has a month in the spring as off-track time,
the week long Spring Break does no longer exist in the year-round calendar.
Q: If we start in September, so how long of a gap will there be the 1st
year?
A: If your child is placed on Red, Yellow, or Green Track, he/she will begin
school on August 28, 2000. If your child is placed on Blue Track, he/she will
begin on September 25, 2000. This will mean that for the 2000 summer ONLY, your
child will have an extra month of vacation.
Q: What is the shortest gap?
A: The shortest gap this year will be from June 9 to August 28. In future years,
however, Blue Track, Green Track, and Yellow Track will end one school year
mid-August and start another school year one week later.
Q: Do the holidays stay the same?
A: Yes, all legal holidays will be observed under the year-round calendar. Thanksgiving
Break and Winter Break is also the same. The weeklong break in the spring will
not be available at the same time on all tracks.
Q: If you do not want Red Track or Yellow Track, will you have to go AM
Kindergarten?
A: Yes. P.M. kindergarten will only be offered on Yellow and Red.
Q: What does the schedule look like? 90/30?
A: Our district decided on the 60-20 calendar. This means that students will receive approximately 60 days of instruction followed by approximately 20 days of off-track time.
Q: Will sixth graders in Blue track only have a week off?
A: Those students who are on Blue Track will have approximately one-week break between 6th grade at Foxboro and 7th grade at Golden West. They will have received their breaks throughout the year prior to starting 7th grade.
General Year Round Education, Calendar, Registration, Placement and Enrollment, Educational concerns, and Intersession,
Q: Will people get special consideration based on day care?
A: We cannot guarantee this, however, we do encourage you to write this in the
"special considerations" section of your ballot. Day care providers
actually find that their business is enhanced by year-round. They have a steady
stream of employment and income because of the constant off-track time.
Q: What constitutes valid proof of residence?
A: A PG& E bill will work. So will any utility bill or tax bill. A driver's
license and P.O. Box will not be considered as proof of residence.
Q: To whom do we give the ballot? A teacher?
A: Please return your ballots to the Foxboro office. DO NOT TURN THEM INTO
THE DISTRICT OFFICE! If you have your child return them to his/her teacher,
we run the risk of it not making its way to the office.
Q: Who gets first priority for tracks?
A: Anyone who gets his/her ballots in between March 10 and March 17 will receive
equal priority. We will try to give everyone his/her first choice if this works
out. Our goal, however, is to keep families together.
Q: Will there be enough room for everybody to get into Foxboro?
A: The intent of our Governing Board is to give first priority to those currently
attending Foxboro and to those who are on our waiting list. If we have room,
we will give second priority to those who reside within TUSD and want to attend
Foxboro. Our Governing Board also values the staff members of TUSD. We do not
want to lose them. Therefore, staff members will also receive priority for their
children.
Q: How will we be notified of our track?
A: We will be mailing home the track selection notification in June. The teacher
name will be posted by the beginning of school.
Q: When will we be receiving information about track selection/schedule?
A: Parents who have children currently attending Foxboro in grades K-5 will
have their ballot selection packets mailed to them on March 3. We will also
be sending packets to those parents who are on our waiting list but couldn't
attend Foxboro due to overcrowding.
Q: How do I know if my child will go to Golden West or Foxboro for sixth
grade?
A: Parents who would like their child to attend Golden West for sixth grade
will be invited to an informational meeting some time in April. My suggestion
would be to fill out a track selection ballot just in case you decide that you
want your sixth grader to attend Foxboro. If you change your mind, we can always
remove your child from our enrollment.
Q: How will we be able to prioritize tracks?
A: Each parent who has students currently enrolled (K-5) and our wait list parents
who live in our attendance area will be mailed home their packets on March 3.
You will be able to choose your first, second and third choice of tracks. We
can't guarantee your first choice, but we are pretty confident that parents
will get at least their second choice of tracks. Our goal is to keep siblings
on the same track. We must follow this process to ensure that we do not split
families.
Q: Will siblings be in the same track?
A: We are committed to keeping families on the same track. Some parents do like
the flexibility of having their children on different tracks. By splitting their
children, some parents found that they were able to provide some individual
quality time with their children that usually isn't available due to them being
off at the same time.
Q: Do we have to choose more than one track?
A: You will need to prioritize your track choice as to what works best for your
family. We are asking that you mark your first, second, and third choice on
the track selection card.
Q: Do I fill out a ballot if my child will be coming to Kindergarten?
A: If you have a child currently attending Foxboro in grades K-5, you will be
registering your incoming kindergartener on March 14-16. You will be able to
fill out a track ballot at that time for your child. If you have an incoming
kindergarten student who does not have a current K-5 sibling, you will enroll
your child on May 2-4. We need to follow this process to ensure that we keep
families on the same track.
Q: What are special considerations?
A: If there is something very important that you would like the school to know
as to why you are choosing this track. We cannot make any guarantees, but we
will try our best to honor those special circumstances.
Q: How do we select split tracks?
A: If you would like your children to be split between tracks, mark the correct
box on your track selection ballot form.
Q: What are the deadlines for track selection?
A: We are asking parents to return their track selection ballots along with
their proof of residence to the Foxboro office between March 10-17. Our office
hours are from 7:30 to 4:00 p.m. DO NOT BRING THESE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE!
All ballots returned between March 10-17 will have equal consideration.
Q: How is preference made?
A: All of this data will be gathered and sorted by track preference, grade level,
and siblings. The data will be printed out showing the best possibilities that
provide for families to be kept on the same track.
Q: Do we go through this again next year?
A: No, thank goodness! Once your child is placed on a track, he/she will remain
on that track while they attend Foxboro. They will only switch tracks if you
request a track change.
Q: How are we going to get all my children on the same track?
A: When parents fill out their track selection cards, we are asking that you
include all siblings on that ballot. We are committed to keeping families on
the same track unless the parents choose to split their children between tracks.
Q: Will we know which teachers are on what tracks ahead of time?
A: At this point, this decision is still in the process of negotiations. We
are encouraging parents to choose their tracks based on the schedule that is
best for their family. We strongly believe that each and every one of our teachers
is outstanding.
Q: Will my children be eligible to go to another school if my SDC student
cannot come to Foxboro?
A: The open enrollment process (Intra-School Agreement) is an option for those
who would like to remain on a traditional calendar. We would like to have students
remain at their neighborhood school, but we realized how this might cause some
difficulty for some families. Because our SDC students are remaining at Cambridge
next year, we understand why parents may need to apply for an intra-school agreement.
Please contact the Cambridge office if you have an SDC student who lives in
the Foxboro attendance area.
Q: Can we plead our case for a particular track?
A: Of course there are no guarantees, but we do have a "Special Considerations"
section on our ballot. Please let us know about any special circumstance that
you would like for us to know.
Q: How difficult or how easy is it to get into Foxboro?
A: If you are currently attending Foxboro, or if you are on our waiting list,
you will get first priority. If we still have room, then we will be accepting
open enrollments from people who live within the Travis Unified School District.
Finally, if we still have room available we will consider accepting new Inter-District
Agreements. (IDA's)
Q: How will it work when we cast our ballot?
A: All information will be entered into a computer. The computer will create
a matrix that will use all of the parameters with keeping the family on the
same track unless otherwise indicated. Everyone within the window period should
be able to get at least his/her second choice.
Q: When will we get the ballots in the mail?
A: Our office will be mailing the ballots and information home to you on
March 3. If you have not received your ballot by March 8, please call our office.
Q: What about people who are not attending Foxboro now? Will they receive
a ballot?
A: If they are on our waiting list and are being overflowed to another site,
they will receive a ballot.
Q: Will those of us with just one child be put on the bottom of the list
for track selection?
A: No, just because you have one child does not mean that you will not get your
first choice in track selection.
Q: How will year-round affect my child who was born on December 28? Is the
kindergarten cut-off date any different?
A: According to California Education Code 48000, "A child shall be admitted
to a kindergarten at the beginning of a school year, or at any later time in
the same year if the child will have his or her fifth birthday on or before
December 2 of that school year."
Q: Will priority be given to students with siblings in Golden West and Vanden?
A: Although we cannot guarantee track placement, we are anticipating that parents
will receive at least their second choice as to track selection. Children who
currently attend Foxboro will have first consideration in the track selection
process. Each of the tracks has benefits and can work well with the traditional
calendar. We have provided room on our ballot for parents to write special considerations.
Q: What is the track selection procedure?
A: Track selection ballots will be mailed home on March 3. Parents are asked
to complete the ballots and return them to the Foxboro office between March
10-March 17. All ballots returned during this period will receive equal consideration.
We are asking parents to prioritize their first, second, and third choices as
far as track preference.
Q: If your child attends Foxboro on an IDA, does it need to be approved
before you elect track?
A: We have a copy of the IDA's on file. If your child is attending Foxboro currently
on an IDA, we will re-enroll him/her. You will still need to go through the
IDA process.
Q: Why are we accepting IDA's if we are over enrolled?
A: Foxboro is currently not accepting IDA's, except for children of staff members.
The IDA's who are attending Foxboro have been doing so for years.
Q: Can we separate our children between tracks, and why would we do this?
What are the advantages?
A: Yes, we will provide parents with the option of separating their children
between tracks. By splitting their children, some parents found that they were
able to provide some individual quality time with their children, which usually
isn't available. Some parents found that this helped in budgeting daycare. These
families were still able to take family vacations because Winter Break, Thanksgiving
Break, and all major holidays are the same on all tracks.
Q: Will busing to other schools stop?
A: At this point, we anticipate that we will be able to accommodate all our
current enrollees, plus all of those on the waiting list, as well as new students
moving into the Foxboro attendance area. At the present, we are bussing students
to other schools in the district because we are impacted at certain grade levels.
If these parents do not want their child to return to Foxboro, they need to
go through the intra-school agreement process and transportation will no longer
be provided.
Q: In the ballot, do I name my child presently going to Scandia?
A: What a great question! You would name your Scandia child is he/she is on
our waiting list. If we have not had room for your student this year, but you
are planning on attending Foxboro next year, please indicate this on your ballot.
Q: Do I list an incoming Kindergartener in the ballot?
A: Yes, there is a section for you to write the name of your incoming kindergartener.
Q: When will information come about Golden West?
A: An informational meeting should be held some time in April for those parents
who would like their sixth graders to attend Golden West.
Q: For those of us who have children at Vanden, what is the track closest to traditional?
A: All of the tracks will have the same legal holidays as the traditional calendar as well as the same winter break and Thanksgiving Break. Red Track has the months of December, April, and August off which is probably the closest to the traditional calendar. Yellow Track also works well because it has the months of November, March, and July as the off track months.
Q: Will ballots be given to sixth graders?
A: No, because our sixth graders will be going to Golden West, they will not be receiving a track selection ballot. These ballots are for those students who will be attending Foxboro next year.
Q: Will sixth grade siblings (Kinders) be given special considerations?
A: If your kindergartener will not have siblings at Foxboro next year, we will enroll him/her in May. We need to make sure that we register our siblings first.
Q: Is this the actual ballot?
A: Yes, this is the actual ballot. We are handing it out as information. You will be mailed another ballot on March 3.
Q: Will this open the opportunity for students from other districts to come to Foxboro?
A: Year-round is becoming increasingly popular. Many of the year-round schools in our area are full. Parents from other districts are inquiring about the possibility of attending Foxboro. At this point, we are not accepting any new IDA’s. In the future, IDA’s will only be considered after those who live in our attendance area and those who live in our district.
Q: If I already filled out an Intra-School Agreement for next year to attend Cambridge, will this reduce my ability to come to Foxboro next year? (I’ve changed my mind)
A: Cambridge will need to serve their attendance area first also. So, please fill out a track selection ballot. You can contact Cambridge and tell them that you have changed your mind.
Q: Will busing be available if I choose not to go year-round?
A: No, transportation will NOT be provided. Foxboro is a neighborhood school. If you choose not to attend your neighborhood school, then you will need to provide your own transportation.
Q: Do we put incoming Kindergarteners on ballot?
A: If you have an incoming kindergartener, please indicate it on the ballot.
March 14-16, we will be conducting kindergarten registration for incoming
kindergarteners who have siblings currently enrolled in K-5 at Foxboro.
Q: With the growing population, what about inter-district kids, do you allow
them to come in?
A: Foxboro has not accepted any new IDA's this school year with the exception
of children of staff members. Students who have been at Foxboro for years on
an Inter-District Agreement will remain at Foxboro.
General Year Round Education, Calendar, Registration, Placement and Enrollment, Educational concerns, and Intersession,
Q: What am I going to do about daycare? I have two older children in traditional
school and one will be in year-round?
A: We will have intersession available for some of our students during off-track
time. We have also been in contact with the City of Vacaville. TGIF has many
programs available to parents. In addition, if your two older children watch
your younger child, then you may want to look at Red Track as your top choice
for track selection.
Q: Room assignments, when will we be notified?
A: You will receive your track selection notification in June. The teacher and
room numbers for your track and grade will be posted prior to the beginning
of school. We will keep you updated on this process.
Q: Do our kids follow the same track each year?
A: Unless parents request a track change, your child will follow the same track
year after year. This helps your family plan for the long-term.
Q: What about instruction time if tracks are changed?
A: Depending on the time of the change, your child may lose some instruction
time or may gain some instruction time.
Q: Can we transfer from Foxboro to Cambridge?
A: The open enrollment (Intra-School Agreement) process is still an option for
you. I encourage parents to make a track selection now. Cambridge will need
to service its attendance area first. We can always drop you from our enrollment
if you are accepted at Cambridge. If you fail to fill out a ballot, however,
you may be stuck with what is left over as far as track selection.
Q: If my child is on an Intra-School Agreement at Cambridge and has been
for a couple of years but we live in the Foxboro attendance area, do we remain
at Cambridge?
A: This is a confusing issue! If you live in the Travis Unified School District
attendance area and have been attending Cambridge on an Intra-School Agreement
for the past couple of years, you will continue to attend Cambridge. If you
would like to attend Foxboro, you would have to apply for another Intra-School
Agreement to come back to Foxboro.
Q: Will children on a waiting list be more apt to be in a multi-age classroom?
A: No, not necessarily. We do have parents who have requested that their child
be placed in a multi-age classroom.
Q: Can you change tracks once we start?
A: We will have a track change request process. Sometimes parents and students
pick and track only to realize that it really isn't working out as well as they
thought. They can put in a track change request and will be put on a waiting
list for the track that you request. If an opening occurs, we will contact you.
This will be on a space available basis. You must realize, however, that we
may need to split your family if you have more than one child. Openings on different
grades occur at different times throughout the year.
Q: How many times can we change tracks?
A: It probably isn't in the best interest of your child to jump from track to
track. Hopefully, you will be placed on a track that works well for your family
and you will stick with this track throughout your child's schooling at Foxboro.
Q: How do you prioritize who gets to switch tracks?
A: These will be on a waiting list. Those first on the waiting list will be
called first.
Q: If you have split kids, is it possible to switch tracks after it school
has started?
A: Yes, you may request a track change. You will be placed on a waiting list
for the track of your choice.
Q: Is your child pre-assigned to a teacher?
A: Your child will be placed in his/her appropriate grade and track prior to
the teachers being assigned this year. Teachers will remain on the track in
which they have been assigned unless they leave the school or apply for a position
on a different track.
Q: Will there be one grade per colored track? (Red, first grade; Blue, second; Yellow, fourth…)
A: One class, grades K-6, will be on each track. So, if your child starts kindergarten on Blue Track, for example, he/she will remain on Blue Track all the way through sixth grade. (Unless, of course, you move out of the area or request a track change.)
Q: Will there be TGIF?
A: TGIF has many wonderful programs. They have an off-track program available as well as before and after school recreation. Please call Lisa at 449-5657 or 449-5630 for more information.
Q: Will kids have same classmates during the entire year?
A: Yes, unless your child switches tracks, he/she will have the same classmates.
General Year Round Education, Calendar, Registration, Placement and Enrollment, Educational concerns, and Intersession,
Q: Will there be air conditioning in the summer?
A: Yes, Foxboro does have air conditioning throughout the school.
Q: Will my child have added curriculum?
A: Your child will have more time for learning and less time for forgetting.
They will get an enriched and extended curriculum because they will retain their
information. Isn't that great!
Q: Will the workrooms be used next year as classrooms?
A: No, all classes will be held in large classrooms. The workrooms will most
likely be used for intersession and storage.
Q: When teachers rotate, where will the kids go?
A: The students will follow the same rotation schedule as their teacher. They
will have the same teacher throughout the year if they do not switch tracks.
Usually the room rotation is right next door. The teachers do an excellent job
of telling the students which room they will go to when they return from their
off-track time. We will also have a room rotation schedule provided in the office.
Parents will have the rotation schedule available.
Q: Do you mean that the students will not be in the same environment all
year?
A: The children will be rotating classrooms. This provides students will a new
exciting environment every three months. Teachers will personalize their rooms.
Teachers already change their bulletin boards and rearrange their rooms throughout
the year.
Q: Do volunteers need to help teachers take down all of their stuff when
they leave?
A: We always appreciate parent volunteers! However, most teachers already have
very similar bulletin boards such as a word wall, calendar, or area to display
student work. The teachers work together and decide which bulletin boards that
they would all like displayed in their rooms. They also may do some "skeleton"
bulletin boards in which the background and frame is left up. The teachers can
quickly tack up what they would like to display. The teachers will mainly pack
up their personal belongings.
Q: Will my child need to pack up all of his books and materials every time
he tracks off?
A: Students will only need to pack up their personal belongings. All of their
supplies and books will be provided no matter into which room they rotate.
Q: Will Foxboro's start time and ending time remain the same as this year?
A: No. To make a year-round calendar work, the number of student days is decreased
from 180 to 175. Your children will get the same number of instructional minutes
as the children on a traditional calendar. In order to ensure this, we need
to extend the school day. We do not have our bell schedule at this point, but
we anticipating that we will need to increase our days by approximately fifteen
minutes.
Q: Who will be teaching on each of these tracks?
A: Unfortunately, we do not know this at this point. This is still in the process
of negotiations. We think that all of our teachers at Foxboro are excellent.
We encourage you to make your track selection decision based on what is good
for your family.
Q: How much time will teachers have to set up and will that take away from
instructional time?
A: Our teachers are provided with added teacher workdays at year-round sites.
They also work together to provide as much time as possible for the teacher
who is tracking on. Many teachers who are tracking off provide awards assemblies
or field trips on the track-off minimum day to free up the classroom.
Q: Will teachers be making their selection by seniority?
A: This decision is under the process of negotiations. I'm sorry that we are
unable to answer that at this point.
Q: When will teachers be assigned to tracks?
A: That issue is still the process of negotiations. We are anticipating that
they will be assigned by June.
Q: Do I write special considerations for my Kindergartener who has special
need such as a current IEP for Speech/Language Services?
A: Yes. Any information is helpful. If your child has special needs or a current
IEP, please note that on your track selection ballot card. Support services
will be provided on each track.
Q: Will there be six teachers per track? (one per grade level)
A: We will have approximately nine teachers assigned to a track. We will have
some multi-age classrooms.
Q: Will my child be automatically placed in a multi-age classroom?
A: No, your child will not automatically be placed in a multi-age classroom.
We are providing some exciting opportunities for students. Many children thrive
in multi-age classrooms in which they can have the same teacher for two years
in a row. As we all realize, students do not learn the same things at the same
rate. Multi-age classrooms do provide children with an opportunity to progress
at their own rate and receive standards-based instruction.
Q: Will Kindergarteners have the same schedule as first graders if they
are in a K/1 multi-age class?
A: Again, this allows us with a great deal of flexibility. The kindergarten
students in a K/1 multi-age class will have a morning kindergarten schedule.
They will go home at the regular dismissal time. This allows the remaining ten
first grade students the opportunity with a very small student to teacher ratio
in the afternoon. Talk about getting even greater individualized instruction!
In addition, some kindergarten students may be ready for a longer day as the
year progresses. Teachers may choose to extend their kindergarten day to provide
the opportunity for increased instruction and learning.
Q: Will Kindergarteners rotate?
A: Our kindergarten classrooms will not rotate. We will continue to have morning
and afternoon kindergarten classes share one kindergarten room.
Q: How many students will be on the campus at any given time compared to
what it is now?
A: Currently, we have 767 students on our campus each day. (That is if no one
is absent!) With the year-round schedule, this number will be reduced to approximately
660 students. We will have about 220 students off-track each month.
Q: What about my SDC student who is currently at Cambridge?
A: The SDC students will remain at Cambridge next year. The intent of the district
is to have the SDC students come back to Foxboro for the 2001-2002 school year.
We will be looking at implementing the Learning Center model. Our specialists
will be learning about this model and receiving training in the future.
Q: How does a multi-age class help the first grader in a K-1 class or the
third grader in a 2-3 class?
A: As we all realize, school is the only place in which we are segregated by
age. Multi-age classrooms allow students to learn at their own rates. All of
us learned to walk and talk at our own rate. Just because a third grade student
is in a 2/3 multi-age classroom does not mean that he/she will not be challenged.
Education in California is now based on standards. A third grader in a 2/3 multi-age
class will still be expected to meet the standards for that grade level. This
is also true for the first grader in a K-1 multi-age classroom. Another exciting
thing about a K-1 multi-age class is that once the kindergarten students go
home, the teacher has even a smaller number of students in the class. This provides
for even more individualized instruction!
Q: Will there be any upper grade multi-age classes?
A: We will try to keep these to a minimum, but depending on our enrollment,
we may have to have two multi-age classes in the upper grades on one track only.
Q: How will music work?
A: We will still provide music, PE, library, RSP, Speech and Language, and study
skills to each of the tracks. No matter which track your child is on, he/she
will have access to these services.
Q: Will there still be common planning Wednesday?
A: Yes. Common planning days are more important than ever for our teachers.
Because not all of our staff will be on campus at the same time, we have an
increased need for communication. Common planning provides teachers with the
opportunity to look at student performance data and improve the program. Teachers
learn to teach the state standards, share ideas, plan effectively, and gather
resources. In addition, teachers use this time to plan field trips and assemblies,
their daily lessons, and review student work. This has a direct impact on your
children! Common planning does not affect the number of instructional minutes
that your child receives. (Remember, elementary school teachers are responsible
for twelve subject areas!)
Q: Are children automatically held back with teacher in multi-age, if they
are struggling?
A: Children who are struggling in any grade regardless of whether or not it
is multi-age will go through the same process for retention. We have a draft
version of our social promotion and retention policy that the Governing Board
must approve before it becomes policy.
Q: Does a straight Kindergarten class mean just five-year olds?
A: A straight kindergarten class would be just like what we have now which is
made up of twenty children who are five years old on or before December 2.
Q: Will multi-age benefit to the higher-grade students?
A: Yes. We know that people learn better when they have an opportunity to teach
or help others. Older students will have more opportunities for tutoring other
students, which will in turn reinforce their skills.
Q: Will multi-age classes have same number of students as other classes?
A: Multi-age classes at the primary level will have twenty students. If we have
multi-age classrooms in the upper grades, enrollment will be limited to twenty-eight.
Q: Does multi-age construct curriculum to individual child?
A: Multi-age programs focus and individual students in a diverse setting and
the curriculum is geared to everyone. Multi-age classrooms recognize that students
learn at different rates.
Q: Will everyone below fourth grade be automatically in multi-age?
A: No, we will have one fourth grade class per track. We may have a multi-age
class at this level due to the increase in enrollment.
Q: Will my child have the same teacher all year?
A: Yes, unless your child changes tracks, he/she will be with the same teacher
all year.
Q: Will K-3 still be at 20 to 1?
A: Yes, K-3 will still have twenty students in each class. Fourth through sixth
grade will have thirty students assigned to one teacher. If we have a multi-age
class in the upper grades, only twenty-eight students will be assigned to that
teacher.
Q: Can we pick teachers?
A: We firmly believe that all the teachers at Foxboro are excellent. We are
hoping that families make their track selection based on what is best for their
families in regards to schedule. It will be difficult to switch teachers due
to having to change tracks.
Q: Will we know what track teachers are in?
A: These assignments will be posted before the start of school in August.
Q: Is there a benefit to having a child in a multi-age classroom?
A: We believe that there are many benefits of having children in multi-age classrooms.
Children do not learn at the same rates. Multi-age classrooms allow for individual
learning growth. Multi-age programs focus on individual students in a diverse
setting and the curriculum is geared to everyone. Being in a multi-age classroom
program lets children grow in responsibility. They learn from each other and
through the example of others. Younger students are exposed to material above
grade level as they see and hear what the older students are doing. We also
know that people learn things better when they have an opportunity to teach
others.
Q: What is the danger of multi-age for the military?
A: The multi-age classrooms will still be working to meet the California State
Standards. We will not have lower expectations for students in multi-age classrooms.
Q: Will my child have same teacher in multi-age for two years?
A: If your child is a kindergartener in a K-1 multi-age classroom, he/she will
remain with the same teacher the following year. If your child is a second grader
in a multi-age classroom, he/she will remain with the same teacher the following
year.
Q: How will this work with musicals, science camp, etc.?
A: Most things are done at least twice when using a multi-track year-round calendar. Two tracks will go to Science Camp one month, and then the remaining tracks will go the following month. Musicals are usually done by track. So, instead of a first grade musical, there would be a Blue Track musical.
Q: Will Speech/Resource/GATE affect the track selection for a child?
A: We will try to balance the tracks so that all of the Speech and Language, Resource, or GATE students are not all on one track.
Q: Will there be sixth graders at Golden West next year?
A: Yes, there will be sixth graders at Golden West next year. They are working on developing the performing arts academy at the middle school level. An informational meeting should occur in April.
General Year Round Education, Calendar, Registration, Placement and Enrollment, Educational concerns, and Intersession,
Q: Who qualifies for intersession?
A: This will tie in with our social promotion and retention policy. We will
be providing students with early interventions to promote school success. We
will also be looking at opportunities to provide some enrichment intersession
for other students.
Q: Where will intersession be held?
A: At this point, we are anticipating that we will be serving our students at
our school site during intersession. We can utilize any free room or the workrooms.
We may also look to places off campus to provide our intersession.
Q: What is intersession?
A: Intersession is tied to the social promotion and retention policy. We will
be providing students with early interventions to promote school success. We
will also be looking at opportunities to provide some enrichment intersession
for other students. Intersession occurs during the off-track time. We will be
providing it for k-6 students. Intersession lasts for 3.5 hours for two weeks
during the off-track time.
Q: Whose responsibility is it to provide intersession?
A: The school will provide intersession. This is one of the best things about
year-round education. We don't have to wait an entire nine months before providing
interventions for children. These interventions can occur throughout the year.
Q: What will be the logistics of intersession? Will there be waiting lists
like there was for summer school?
A: Intersession is one of the positives about a year-round calendar. Intersession
occurs during off-track time. Intersession is tied in with our social promotion
and retention policy. We will be providing students with early interventions.
They don't need to wait an entire school year before they can get some extra
help. We will be looking at opportunities to provide some enrichment intersession
as well.
Q: Will regular teachers be teaching intersession or will it be a substitute?
A: We will have credentialed teachers teaching our intersession. Often times, an off-track teacher applies to teach intersession and finds it very beneficial to work with children with whom he/she is familiar.
Q: If child is considered for retention, do they automatically go to intersession?
A: Intersession will be tied to our social promotion and retention policy. We
will be recommending students who we think will need the intervention.
Q: Will intersession be multi-age?
A: Intersession may be multi-age. We will have a 12:1 student to teacher ratio.
We will be working on helping the children achieve the state standards.
Q: Will intersession be teacher or parent initiated?
A: We will use teacher recommendation, parent recommendation, the Student Study Team, as well as test scores to determine who will attend intersession. Intersession is a remedial intervention that is provided during off-track times throughout the year.
Q: Will intersession be available for Blue track in September?
A: We are hoping to get this up and running in September of 2000. We should be able to identify these students at the end of this school year. We will definitely have it available in 2001.
Q: Will off-track teachers teach intersession?
A: Yes, teachers who are off-track may apply to teach intersession.