Reconfiguration For 2011-2012 School Year
School Board Approves Changes For Next Year
January 14, 2011
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The South Bay Union School District will be undergoing a major change next school year. As discussed at the Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday evening, the District will move forward with its plans to reconfigure our two elementary schools and open a 7th and 8th grade site-based charter school. On Thursday evening, the members of the South Bay School Board unanimously approved (5-0 vote) the reconfiguration of grades at Pine Hill and South Bay Schools.
Beginning next school year, 2011-12, all students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade will attend Pine Hill Elementary and students in grades 4th to 6th will attend South Bay School. The staff will make every effort to attend to the concerns parents raised regarding transportation, scheduling of events, and school safety.
In addition, the School Board reaffirmed its intention to develop a charter school at South Bay School that would include a site-based junior high program for the 2011-12 school year.
Both of these changes will require a great deal of effort and coordination of services, and the district staff is committed to do “whatever it takes” to make these changes as seamless and positive for your students. A Parent Advisory Committee has been created to ensure we are addressing the needs of parents in the South Bay District. Over 16 parents have already signed up to help us get it right.
If you would like to join the Parent Advisory Committee, or if you just have questions or concerns, please contact me at 476-8549 or pmeyers@humboldt.k12.ca.us.
Click here to download this article as a pdf.
Sincerely,
Paul Meyers
Superintendent/Principal
Reasons For Reconfigurationof Grade Spans at Pine Hill & South Bay Schools
Click here to download this document as a pdf
Proposal: Convert Pine Hill Elementary to a K-3rd grade school and South Bay Elementary to a 4th-6th grade school.
Cost Effective
Reduces expenses and helps address current financial challenges brought on by state budget cuts to schools
Efficient Use of Resources
Improves efficiency and effectiveness of school support staff: resource, intervention, speech, counseling, music, etc.
Combines curriculum and library resources by grade level
Playgrounds designed for age-appropriate activities
Technology and software specific to upper and lower grades
After School program enrichments specific to grade levels
Improved Academic Opportunities for Students
All students and teachers of the same grade are together at one school site
Improved collaboration among teachers to enhance and align curriculum, share materials, ideas and strategies, and provide more options for students
Reduces combination classes and allows for greater personalization of educational program
Provides more balanced classrooms
Provides Capacity to Increase Enrollment
Relieves over-crowding at Pine Hill and allows for enrollment growth. Pine Hill is currently at capacity and is estimated to grow by another 20 students next year. Grade reconfiguration reduces the number of students at Pine Hill and allows for more growth in primary grades.
Staff Supports Grade Reconfiguration Proposal
Reasons for Creating a Charter School to Include 7th and 8th Grades at South Bay School
Provide parents a choice for their child’s junior high education
Increase enrollment and better utilize the South Bay School facility
Allows students to remain together in South Bay School District for 9 years
Proposed Design of Charter School
- Departmentalized core subjects: math, science, social studies, and English
- Science and technology focus
- Wide variety of elective offerings
- Concert and jazz band
- Competitive sports program
- “School within a school” concept
- Separate recess and lunch periods
Proposed Reconfigurationof Grade Spans at Pine Hill & South Bay Schools
Click here to download this document as a pdf
Current Enrollment
District Pine Hill South Bay
K 61 51 10
1 53 43 10
2 54 41 13
3 61 46 15
4 64 46 18
5 54 35 19
6 49 28 21
Total 396 290 106
Special Day Class 10
Independent Study 1
Grand Total 407
Anticipated Enrollment 2011-12
District Pine Hill South Bay
K 60 50 10
1 61 51 10
2 53 43 10
3 54 41 13
4 61 46 15
5 64 46 18
6 54 35 19
Total 407 312 95
Special Day Class 10
Independent Study 1
Grand Total 418
Current Grade Configuration
Recommended Option – Change to a K-3; 4-6 Configuration for 2011-12
Pine Hill
Classroom Teachers = 13
Grade Level # of Students
K 16
K 17
K 18
1 22
1 21
2 19
2 22
3 23
3 23
4 26
4/5 28 (20/8)
5 27
6 28
Total 13 290
South Bay
Classroom Teachers = 5
Grade Level # of Students
K/1 15 (10/5)
1/2 18 (5/13)
3/4 23 (15/8)
4/5 23 (10/13)
5/6 27 (6/21)
Total 5 106
Recommended Option – Change to a K-3; 4-6 Configuration for 2011-12
Pine Hill (K-3)
Classroom Teachers = 11
Grade Level # of Students
K 20
K 20
K 20
1 20
1 20
1 21
2 22
2 22
2/3 19 (9/10)
3 22
3 22
Total 11 228
South Bay (4-6)
Classroom Teachers = 7
Grade Level # of Students
4 26
4 26
4/5 25 (13/12)
5 26
5 26
6 27
6 27
Total 7 183
Reasons for Grade Reconfiguration at Pine Hill and South Bay Schools
Cost Effective
Reduces expenses and helps address current financial challenges brought on by state budget cuts to schools
Efficient Use of Resources
Improves efficiency and effectiveness of school support staff: resource, intervention, speech, counseling, music, etc.
Combines curriculum and library resources by grade level
Playgrounds designed for age-appropriate activities
Technology and software specific to upper and lower grades
After School program enrichments specific to grade levels
Improved Academic Opportunities for Students
All students and teachers are together at the same school site
Improved collaboration among teachers to enhance and align curriculum, share materials, ideas and strategies, and provide more options for students
Reduces combination classes and allows for greater personalization of educational program
Provides more balanced classrooms
Provides Capacity to Increase Enrollment
Relieves over-crowding at Pine Hill and allows for enrollment growth. Pine Hill is currently at capacity and is estimated to grow by another 20 students next year. Grade reconfiguration reduces the number of students at Pine Hill and allows for more growth in primary grades.
Staff Supports Grade Reconfiguration Proposal