Rising 5th - should parents provide background context on peer behavior dynamic?
Hello! My rising 5th grader "Jane" is psyched for school to start next week. Her assigned teacher is known for being strict and prepping students well for middle school and we couldn't be happier.
However - Jane faced some tough peer behaviors last spring in 4th that verged on bullying with a couple classmates, "Amos" and "Andy" . At one point there was a physical situation that resulted in Amos receiving discipline. The teacher handled as best she could, but a lot happened outside her view (transitions, specials, sub days). Luckily Amos isn't in Jane's class this year, but Andy is. Andy was very "in the mix", and over the summer the few times we crossed paths he was not kind. So now Jane is expressing a lot of apprehension about the class, table groups, etc. TBH I think table groups will sort themselves out, but I am worried that if Jane has to share lockers with Andy (which happens in our school), there may be issues.
Usually we give our kids wide berth and only talk to the teachers at conferences and events. And I know that 5th is the right time to learn how to navigate these peer situations, which will only get more complex in middle school. And I don't want to be "that parent". And yet...Jane is highly sensitive and emotional (she holds it all in at school lets it all out at home) and last spring was challenging for us. Adding to it all is the fact that we have new admins (both principal and AP) and none of last year's 4th grade teachers are still at the school this year (ie for sharing background context etc).
Would it be out of line to email the teacher later this week and request that they not share lockers? We do have a back to school/ drop off supplies night on Monday, but it's the night before the first day and wouldn't be the right place to have that kind of conversation (and lockers and table groups will already be assigned by then). Appreciate any insight, kind educators on the internet!