The fifth- and sixth-grade teams at Dolores Elementary and Middle Schools have been finalizing plans for next year's big change, when the Dolores Middle School's sixth grade moves from the middle school and into the elementary school.

Dolores Elementary School Principal Sherri Maxwell reports that both grades will have three teachers.

"This will allow us to keep our class sizes between 18 and 24 students. Our school board is very supportive of keeping class sizes down," Maxwell said.

Maxwell said the goal is to allow students a chance to begin switching classes while retaining the family feel of the elementary classroom in order to prepare students better for middle school.

The schedule looks like all students will take a STEM elective class (science, technology, mathematics and engineering) at those grade levels.

"I am very excited, about these additional growth opportunities for our students," Maxwell said.

The sixth-grade team has completed its textbook ordering, and the new materials are trickling in.

The only plan the school was not able to bring to fruition was sixth-grade band.

"We looked at the schedule and realized that there just wasn't a good place to pull band students without greatly impacting their academics. We even looked into offering band for just the final quarter of the year," Maxwell said. "The good news is that Amy Bean, our music teacher, is going to offer a sixth-grade drumming program this fall. She wants to make sure that sixth-grade music offers something fresh and new."

To discuss the transition more in depth, the school will host a fifth-grade parent meeting on Tuesday, May 19, at 5 p.m. in the elementary school.

Plan to discuss schedules, class configurations and the leadership retreat at this meeting.