“Coffee with the Principal” – 10/3/11
Questions and Answers
(typed and possibly paraphrased from the notes)
Did you miss coffee Q&A with Principal Rhine this week? If so, you can view notes from the discussion here.
1. If Lakeview closes, will the boundaries for Crocker change? Will we get new students?
Beth’s answer: It’s a good possibility that we will. We have one extra classroom and can accommodate more students. I do not have any details at this point; no information from the district.
If they close the five elementary schools currently on the list, I believe 882 regular students are affected. (I can’t remember the number of special education students but it was approximately 30.) Some schools that might be affected by Lakeview closing are Crocker, Glenview, and probably Cleveland.
2. How many students do we have?
Beth’s answer: 395 students; The closures will not affect us this school year, 2011-2012.
3. Can the PTA fund a classroom teacher?
Beth’s answer: Technically yes, but the PTA money is “soft” as there is no guarantee it will be there every year. I believe our budget would have to pay for the teacher if the PTA didn’t continue to fund the position and our budget doesn’t have the money. We would be subject to the district guidelines for hiring and the union contract for the position. We would not be able to hire any specific teacher and someone would most likely be assigned to the position.
4. What’s the legal class size limit?
Kindergarten – 27 students
1st – 3rd: 30 students
4th – 5th – 31 students
5. When are plans to be finalized for new students coming to the school?
Beth’s answer: I haven’t heard anything definite yet. The school board still has to commit to closing Lakeview.
We had a discussion about how we can welcome new families into the Crocker Community, help transition to new school. Ideas: Welcoming committee, buddy families, picnic…
6. How would this impact our staff?
Beth’s answer: If we open up a new classroom, we would need a new teacher. Other than that, no word on teachers being bumped from site to site. A list of
teachers prioritized by hire date was created last year when many teachers across the district received pink slips. Many things will still need to be settled within the district and the union, such as possible teacher bumping, before we know what will happen at Crocker.
6. Do we have a sister school?
Beth’s answer: Yes, we do, it’s Emerson Elementary over in the Temescal Neighborhood.
Discussion followed about what we can do to support them. Beth will talk to the principal and find out if there is something in particular that we can help with, something concrete vs. just giving them a check. We could add an option in our Book Fair to donate to other schools, i.e. Emerson.
7. What does a sister school relationship consist of?
We brainstormed things that we could do – donate carnival games not being used, invite them to the carnival and share proceeds, have a carnival at their site, offer clean-up work or garden days. PTA could have a community service committee to partner with Emerson. We could encourage inter-school pen pals, or invite them to an Open House here.
8. Can there be a schedule for lunch locations?
Beth’s answer: The staff is notified via staff bulletin on Sunday evening/Monday morning. We moved inside for lunches this week due to the unpredictable weather and the bees, who learned to come at lunch time for food! We all like to eat outside more and will try to continue to do this. A parent offered to help out setting up yellow jacket traps. (Yeah!)
9. Can there be acoustical enhancements to the MPR?
Beth’s answer: There are some in place already, plus the wooden paneling. With 120+ children in one room, there is going to be some noise. Overall, they are doing a good job in the cafeteria.
10. If and when there are school closures, is it possible for parents from Crocker to assist in transitions for families who would be assigned to Crocker?
Beth’s answer: Absolutely.
Christine Hatcher, a Crocker parent and a Teacher-on-Special Assignment at Lakeview came by. She shared with us some of the conversations at Lakeview. If Lakeview closes (and other schools, too), those families will have priority placement for schools in the fall. She and the principal are having conversations with families about making sure the new school is the right “fit” for their children. Some families from Lakeview may not opt to send to Crocker. 60% of the Lakeview students are from outside of the Lakeview neighborhood and may opt for other schools that are closer to their home or with a better “fit” for their families and children’s needs.
