Dear Parents,

As some of you are aware we are making some slight changes to the sixth and seventh grade classes for the third and fourth quarters. Some of these changes are not sitting well with the students and they are giving only part of the story. I waited to send this letter out so that I would be able to use the mid-term grades as a marker of why these changes are important. Here is a list of some of the changes that we are considering for the third and fourth quarters: 1. All students will be grouped based on ability levels instead of grade. We currently have a robust group of sixth graders that tearing up the course 2 coursework. They are doing a fantastic job and have clearly demonstrated by both desire and by ability that they can take their learning to the next level. In that the course work of C2 and C3 are similar and only differ in regards to rigor level I have decided to bring them into the C3 curriculum full time. This will affect nearly 20 sixth graders. I am so excited because this means that they will have Algebra one in the fall. So do know that if your child is one of these students I will need at least one week during the summer to refresh and make sure that they don t loose anything during those six weeks 2. We have a cohort of seventh graders that have done exceptionally well in C3 and are being moved up to Algebra One early. Since they are starting the mid-year they will have part one for the next two quarters and then part two in the fall. Exciting news because Geometry is right around the bend. I am so thankful to the Elementary math school team for all the hard work they put into these kids so that I inherited such a cohort of students who want that push to the next level. Awesome work team. 3. Unfortunately due to low performance I am moving some students from C3 to C2 and others from C2 to C1. This is mainly due to no to low homework lessons being turned in. I am trying to end the cycle of the perennially low performing student. Not turning assignments, no doing assignments is unsustainable and quite frankly unacceptable. I have indeed spoken to many parents about this trend with their child. The thing that is also upsetting is when the work is not turned it denies me a true reading of your child s ability to do the work. In far too many cases there seems to be a carelessness and attitude of bravado when the work is not turned in, as if it is something to be proud of, as something has been accomplished. For most of these students I have spoken to the parents at least once about my concern. Right now I understand many parents might be upset to know that their child would be repeating lessons that were done last year but when work is not turned in it leads me with the impression that they are unable to handle the level of rigor that the current class has. The logic being that if the rigor is on par then they should be able to do it, if it is not being done then it is too difficult, hence why the shift in curriculum. 4. Some students have already requested as to what would be the scenario that would lead them back into the advanced level curriculum? My answer was a stellar third quarter. My concern is (and this is especially true

with the seventh graders) is to present them with Algebra One with them being unprepared or underprepared for the rigor. 5. Availability. I have made myself abundantly available. Throughout the first and second quarters I have given my phone numbers, paid for and created the www.skinnymath.org, created a twitter feed @skinnymath, and I have a very open door policy. 6. For a small cohort of students who a) have after care so that they have somewhere to go when we are done and/or b. parents who will indeed be there on time to pick them up at 4:30 there will be mandated tutoring. Mandated is exactly what it means. I am taking this measure because I simply can not see students who are at least one grade below level continue on this same path. They need extra time, and I am going to commit this time for free. Normally I tutor at the rate of 35 an hour that would not be assessed to any parent. It is mandated but its also free. This differs from the other school tutoring because this will be on the lessons we are currently doing. This is not for homework/classwork purposes only. This is for greater comprehension and to get students on grade level as soon and as strongly as possible. It will also be a prep for the MSA s that are coming up soon.

If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed in this letter please feel free to contact me asap. skinnymath@me.com I am always available except from Friday afternoons to Saturday after Sunset for religious observation. I look forward to your continued assistance with 1. Getting your child on grade level. Goal C 2. Keeping your child on grade level. Goal B 3. Getting your child above grade level . Goal A