Dear Parents/Guardians:
We are excited to announce the Westmoreland Central School District will again be offering a grades K-1 “Multi-age Classroom” for the 2023-24 school year.
A multi-age classroom is a mixed-age group of children balanced by age and ability. The purpose of a multi-age classroom is to support learners at all levels in a child-centered approach. The teacher(s) acts as a facilitator of learning, rather than instructing the whole class based on a predetermined set of skills or curriculum. This unique grouping fosters collaboration, social emotional learning, positive peer skills and the development of age appropriate academic skills while maintaining rigor and high expectations for all students.
Our grades K-1 multi-age classroom will include 24 children – 11 kindergarten students and 13 first grade students. The students will be taught by two general education teachers in a co-teaching environment. Again – the multi-age classroom will support learners at all levels. For example:
A kindergarten student can receive instruction at the kindergarten level;
A first grade student can receive instruction at the first grade level;
A kindergarten student who is already beyond the kindergarten level, can receive instruction at the first grade level; and
A first grade student who needs extra practice or reinforcement of certain concepts previously taught, can receive additional instruction at the kindergarten level.
An informational meeting for parents/guardians on the grades K-1 multi-age classroom will be held on Tuesday May 9, 2023, in the Primary Elementary School cafeteria, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. The enrollment and selection processes will be discussed, and more information on both, among other topics, will be provided at the meeting.
Westmoreland's K-1 multi-age classroom was created in partnership with Dr. Sandra J. Stone of Northern Arizona University. Dr. Stone specializes in multi-age learning and will lead staff training and professional development on the unique mode of instruction. She has also been contacted by other districts in our region interested in offering a multi-age classroom.
We hope you will join us on May 9th for more information on this exciting endeavor!
Sincerely,
Stephen Polera
Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Pupil Personnel
Jessica Maine
Primary Elementary School Principal