April 1, 2026

Dear K–4 Families:

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, our staff at Samuel Staples Elementary School will soon begin the thoughtful process of creating class placements. We understand how meaningful this process is for students and families, and we would like to share how decisions are made.

Our priority is to place each student in a classroom where they feel supported, challenged, and confident. In doing so, we carefully consider each child’s academic profile, social development, and overall learning needs to build well-balanced classrooms that support all learners.

On April 24th (Early Dismissal), teachers will meet with their grade-level colleagues to collaboratively develop initial class groupings. These groupings take into account a variety of factors, including academic strengths, peer dynamics, and gender balance. The administrative team will then review all placements and make any necessary adjustments based on our broader understanding of student and staff needs.

We value your perspective as a parent or caregiver. If you would like to share insights about your child’s learning style or the type of environment in which they thrive, we invite you to complete the attached document.

IMPORTANT: Please download the file before editing. Once you have completed the form, save your changes, then upload the finalized document as an attachment to the intended recipient

​​Submission of this form is optional. To help us maintain an equitable and efficient process, we ask that you submit only this form (rather than additional letters) and that you do not include specific teacher requests.

Please return the completed form directly to your child’s teacher on or before April 8th, so that your input can be considered.

Final class placements will be completed over the summer. Kindergarten families will receive placement information by mail in August, while families of students entering Grades 1–5 will be notified via email when placements are available in the PowerSchool parent portal.

As in past years, changes to class assignments are made only in rare and extenuating circumstances.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Fox Santora

Christina Ulreich-Kean