Letter of recommendation for elementary? (kindergarten, public school, grade, exam) - universities, high schools, elementary schools, teachers... - City-Data Forum

SXMGirl · 02-26-2011, 07:15 AM

Has anyone written a letter of recommendation for a 5 year old to be accepted into charter school? I have been asked to write this type of letter, and other than saying this is a smart, sweet, and well-behaved little girl, I have no idea what to put in this letter. I have never heard of having to do this since we do not live in a competitive area such as NYC and this is not private school. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

nana053 · 02-26-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

Has anyone written a letter of recommendation for a 5 year old to be accepted into charter school? I have been asked to write this type of letter, and other than saying this is a smart, sweet, and well-behaved little girl, I have no idea what to put in this letter. I have never heard of having to do this since we do not live in a competitive area such as NYC and this is not private school. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

No idea what you might say, but... have you looked at the charter school website or their literature? What kind of charter school is it? That might give you a clue about what they are looking for in their students.

SXMGirl · 02-26-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nana053

No idea what you might say, but... have you looked at the charter school website or their literature? What kind of charter school is it? That might give you a clue about what they are looking for in their students.

I took your advice and went on their website. There is nothing to indicate what they are looking for in a student; however, after looking at the site, I am really concerned because there are no female school board members. Not sure if I should express any concerns since it really isn't my business, but I probably will. What is really interesting to me as a public school teacher is that much of the online literature describes expected parent behavior.

ambient · 02-26-2011, 02:08 PM

That sounds like a really bad idea. I can't see a mature, rational adult placing a demand like this upon a five year-old's acceptance into kindergarten/first grade. If the people who run the place are this nutty, I would be worried about the unintended consequences of their pedagogy.

nana053 · 02-26-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

I took your advice and went on their website. There is nothing to indicate what they are looking for in a student; however, after looking at the site, I am really concerned because there are no female school board members. Not sure if I should express any concerns since it really isn't my business, but I probably will. What is really interesting to me as a public school teacher is that much of the online literature describes expected parent behavior.

If they are a charter that operates in a disadvantaged area and takes a lot of students in poverty that is probably to be expected.

Curious though, are they by any chance a Waldorf based school? If so, I would suggest looking elsewhere as the Waldorf curriculum is very *new agey* and they don't teach reading until the kids are 8 or 9. This would put kids at a disadvantage if the charter school fails as many do.

SXMGirl · 02-26-2011, 04:42 PM

I have never heard of the Waldorf based schools, but I am reading between the lines and am concerned about no female members on the board and also parent behavior. It seems to me that the students could be problem children (not that you won't find that everywhere), and the parents could also have displayed problem behaviors. The area is not really disadvantaged but it borders on that type of area. I have already decided that I will express my concerns and leave it at that. Ultimately, I do not make the final decision.

LovingSAT · 02-26-2011, 07:59 PM

While ____ is only five years old some qualities I enjoy is her ability to follow her parents directives to the best of her ability, play nicely with her friends and get along well with my own children.

Her parents are very involved as they take her to story night at the local library. They also attend all our neighborhood get together and we see them at our church on Sunday. Along with ____ they have 3 children between the age of 5 and 15. Two of their children have been recognized at their schools. One was recognized for perfect attendance while the other for A-B honor roll.

I have known the _______ family for the past 8 years as we have lived in the same community.

I am honored they asked me to recommend _____ to your school.

Sincerely,

Name
Address
Phone
Email

SXMGirl · 02-26-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovingSAT

While ____ is only five years old some qualities I enjoy is her ability to follow her parents directives to the best of her ability, play nicely with her friends and get along well with my own children.

Her parents are very involved as they take her to story night at the local library. They also attend all our neighborhood get together and we see them at our church on Sunday. Along with ____ they have 3 children between the age of 5 and 15. Two of their children have been recognized at their schools. One was recognized for perfect attendance while the other for A-B honor roll.

I have known the _______ family for the past 8 years as we have lived in the same community.

I am honored they asked me to recommend _____ to your school.

Sincerely,

Name
Address
Phone

Email

Thanks for this example. Unfortunately, I do not know if I will be able to provide the letter. I have a bad feeling about the school, but, of course, I am not the parent.

LovingSAT · 02-26-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

Thanks for this example. Unfortunately, I do not know if I will be able to provide the letter. I have a bad feeling about the school, but, of course, I am not the parent.

Have they choosen the school? I am sure they did it after careful consideration. Most people who choose a different school do so because it fits into their beliefs.

What is it about the school that you do not feel right about? Google the name of the school and add reviews.
Example St Helena NYC reviews...

That may help you with what other people are saying.

Reneeme · 02-26-2011, 10:10 PM

I would just write as honest a letter as possible. That way hopefully she'll get in if she is a good fit and will not get in if she is not a good fit.

I would have reservations about a school that asks for a letter for a 5 year old too, and so my thinking is that honesty might be the best policy for better or worse. Also, I thought that public charter schools had to be lottery based, but I guess not!!