Dear Families,

I would like to thank all of the families who have read our disseminated information on the topic of grade level / grade span schools and share a special thank you to the over 800 school family members who took time to respond to at least one of the two unique surveys sent out to the community since last spring. Please know that every comment, question, and suggestion were read.

As we have mentioned, there still has not been a decision yet as to what our school district will look like once we open the Preschool - Grade One Early Childhood Center. This continues to be a discussion. What I can guarantee you is we will be structured in a grade-level/grade span structure in the following schools.

Preschool to Grade One: (Early Childhood Center)

Grade Six to Grade Eight: (LMS)

Grade Nine to Grade Twelve: (LHS)

We have been sharing this information and collecting feedback from our school families in an effort to involve you in the Grade Level Schools process. Although the decision will be made by the representatives of the School District, we wanted you to be able to have opportunities to have voice.

The Superintendent and Central Office Administration strongly believe that moving to a full grade level schools model is the most advantageous structure for our students, academic programs, and schools. Gratefully, we have received all levels of feedback from our community: support, nervousness but a willingness to try, constructive suggestions, and of course, support in keeping School 4 and School 5 each with grades 2 - 5. We respect every perspective!

If we do proceed with the Grade Level Schools Model for 2025 - 2026, the following structure would be implemented:

Preschool to Grade One: (Early Childhood Center)

Grade Two - Grade Three: (School 4)

Grade Four - Grade Five: (School 5)

Grade Six to Grade Eight: (LMS)

Grade Nine to Grade Twelve: (LHS)

As we did in November, we will once again be discussing this matter at our December 16, 2024 Board meeting during the New Business section of the meeting. We do hope to make a decision soon as we have spent many months discussing the topic. You may wish to join us at the meeting if you would like to share any questions, comments, or concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting, or you may reach out to me at ANY time to share your questions, comments, or concerns as well. We can set up a meeting time to chat in person, we can talk on the telephone, or we can share emails with one another.

All information will be collected as part of our data, too.

Email: koneil@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

Telephone: 856-783-0276 (ext. 3103 or 3104)

It is important to summarize where we were and where we are now in this exploration process:

1. The District held community presentations to introduce the concept of grade level / grade span buildings. Those meetings were recorded and posted in English and Spanish for future viewing.

2. A website was created on the District webpage to house up-to-date information.

3. Written information on the concept was disseminated at the Municipal Building, the Public Library, and the local Police Station.

4. The District distributed the first survey (May 2024) following the initial introduction of concept. The goal of the survey was to get an idea if the community would be open to exploring the concept. The response was very even so it was determined it would be worthwhile continuing to discuss the topic.

5. The results of the spring survey were shared in newsletters and in a video over the summer.

6. To ensure the topic was still being communicated, the District included information about it in the summer mailings and throughout July & August.

7. Based on the gathered information from the survey, the District created and shared a final sketch of what a grade span configuration would look like in Grades Two - Five.

8. A presentation was recorded and posted on the district website, and it was also shared in a packet to families. In addition, videos were shared at some Back-to-School Nights, and the Superintendent was able to speak with families at other Back-to-School Nights. (Each Back-to-School Night is structured differently.)

9. A second survey was then distributed to families after they had a chance to learn about the final proposal. The goal of the survey was to inquire if parent concerns were satisfactorily taken into consideration, and we inquired how parents felt about the specific actions taken to address any original concerns.

10. The District has reached out to several successful school districts who also employ a grade level / grade span structure, too. We are currently in the process of collecting that information.

11. Research on the benefits of teacher collaboration, targeted staff professional development, and research on the potential benefits of grade-level teaching team articulation is also currently being reviewed in its relationship to student learning and student achievement.

12. The District is also currently exploring how this model would support the development of a Bilingual Program. Developing our Bilingual and Intensive ESL services/programs are priorities of the Superintendent and Curriculum Offices.

13. The Special Services Department is researching the Department's ability to add additional special educational supports in both potential structures.

Email: koneil@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

Telephone: 856-783-0276 (ext. 3103 or 3104)