May 17, 2005

Dear Elementary Parents:

Our school system just completed redistricting its elementary schools. The map reflecting the plan is available on our web site. Also you soon will receive a post card indicating your school assignment. In addition to the assignment of students from South Road, 15% of the district’s elementary students were reassigned. Please check the web site or the post card to verify your assignment. If, for some reason, you do not receive a post card by May 25, please call my office at 792-9681. If you lose this form and letter, it is available for downloading on the district web site (skschools.net) and extra copies are in each school.

If you were one of the redistricted families, there are some important things to know.

1. Current 4^th graders from West Kingston, Peace Dale, Matunuck, or Wakefield (entering 5^th grade in September) who were redistricted are eligible to be grandfathered and stay in their current school where space is available. Transportation is not provided - you are responsible for getting your child to and from school – and siblings in other grades are not included. If you would like to grandfather your child, please fill out the attached form and send it to your child’s school or the district office (153 School Street – Hazard School) by May 27.
2. Current district policy allows for students to attend schools other than their assigned one for limited reasons. One reason is to balance class sizes. If you would like to make such a request, please use the attached form. This request must also be received by May 27.
3. Sponsored by CARES there will be a presentation by Dr. Lou Ruffolo on speaking to your child about transition, change, making new friends, and attending a different school. This will be held on June 2 in the Peace Dale cafeteria.
4. There are transition support activities being planned in each school and coordinated district wide. You will be hearing more about these from each school.

Sincerely,

Robert Hicks

South Kingstown Public Schools

Grandfathering and Transfer Request Form – May, 2005

The School Committee approved grandfathering current 4^th graders into 5th grade on a space available basis - current 4^th graders who were redistricted may be able to remain and finish 5^th grade in their current school if space is available.

• Transportation and placement for siblings are not provided.
• Where all grandfathering requests cannot be met, a lottery will be used.
• District policy (5117.1) provides for the transfer of students to equalize classroom loads. A transfer can be considered if it balances class sizes.
• Please do not submit a request unless you are certain you want it. Since these will balance each other in many circumstances, they cannot simply be undone without affecting other families.
• After the deadline, all requests will be reviewed and parents notified of the status of their request.

If you wish to have your child grandfathered or to request a transfer, please use this form to do so. All requests must be received by May 27. Send completed forms to your child’s school or the district office. All requests received by the deadline will be treated equally.

Child’s Name:

Parent’s Name:

Address:

Phone: Email:

Child’s Current Grade: Child’s Current School:

Request (please check): Grandfather Transfer

For transfer request, to what school:

Additional Information:

Parent Signature Date

Office use: date received