Orchard View Elementary Looping Orchard View Elementary
Orchard View Elementary School

February 26, 2008

Very soon, we will begin making up our class lists for the 2008-2009 school year.  Looping is the opportunity for students and a teacher to stay together for two consecutive years.

Several school communities in our area realize the benefits of the practice of Looping and are using it successfully.  Orchard View has also had a Loop in the past in grades 2 and 3 and found it to be successful.

For the 2008-2009 school year, Mrs. Ahonen is scheduled to be in 1st grade and her class will start the Looping process and remain with her through 2nd grade, as Mrs. Bickel will transition back to 1st grade in 2009-2010 to begin Looping with her students through second grade.

Here are a few of the key benefits to looping:

  1. Extra Learning Time - Time is gained at the beginning of each second year because the teacher will have known what each student's ability is and where to start their learning process.
  2. Students Know the Expectations - Instead of learning a new system of procedures and room routines, the students can jump right into learning.
  3. Established Relationships - The students will have already established rapport with the teacher and the other students in the room.

Additionally, for the above reasons and more, Looping can also have a positive impact on third grade ISTEP scores.

If you have a student who will be in 1st grade for the 2008-2009 school year and you are interested in your child being considered for the Looping process, please fill out the Parent Input Form found in the March newsletter and return it to the school by April 25.  You may also print out this form at our website by clicking on the link “Parent Input Form.”  You may choose not to be part of the looping process by marking the appropriate section on the form.  There will be limited space in the looping classroom, as I must keep the sections balanced.  Therefore, I cannot guarantee all who wish to have their child in the Loop will be able to do so, but I will do my best to honor as many requests as possible.  If you leave this part of the Parent Input Form unchecked your student may be placed in the Looping classroom if space remains available.

Please contact me at 825-5405 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Mr. Sloan, Principal