New for ALL of us!

We have a couple of new policies that will be impacting ALL of our Dolphins soon.  One is a brand new policy recently approved by the School Board which will change the way our students in Kindergarten through Second Grade are promoted.  The other is the way we implement the background check for visitors to the school.
Students in grades K through 2 will be receiving a letter in their Report Cards in February that will further explain the promotion changes.  Basically, these students will need to score at least 55% on the FAIR test which is mandated by the state DOE for all elementary students.  This new provision was passed recently by our School Board.  The FAIR test measures student proficiency in Reading.  It is administered three times during the year and basically evaluates the student's score compared to a standard for success.  Students must reach the target by the final administration of the test or be retained and attend summer school.  There are some safety nets built in including a chance to take another test before summer school.  Look for more information in your report cards and a letter from your teacher about your child's success on the FAIR.
The second big change is how we implement the background checks for visitors to the school.  Currently, visitors who want to attend field trips, help out in class or mentor students MUST have been cleared as a School Volunteer.  This clearance includes a background check.  THE CHANGE is that ANYONE wanting to visit in the school will need the background check.  This policy includes coming to school to eat lunch with your child.  We want to make this as easy as possible for everyone so, please go to the DCPS website and file your Volunteer Application today.  Once you have been approved, we will create a volunteer pass for you. 
I know this sounds a bit like overkill and I thought so at first but this week I had to look up someone on the FDLE Sexual Predator website.  Do you know how many predators are listed within two miles of Greenfield?  It is scary!  We want to do our very best to make sure all of our children are safe at school.