We successfully kicked off the 2008-2009 school year.  It was so wonderful to see all of our students lining up this morning eager to come to school and start learning. 

          I am very excited about this year!   We plan on continuing doing our favorite thing…learning as much as we can!…. and enjoying it!  Through differentiated instruction, Aims Web, Read Naturally and all our other programs, we plan on making a difference in each student’s life. 

          Read Naturally is a program that consists of a series of high interest, leveled pieces of text.  It utilizes multiple readings. 

**Each student is followed and charted to assess their progress.     

          My goal this year is to improve reading skills in the area of comprehension, accuracy, and rate.

          In Math, we will focus on learning our basic facts, and then move on to long division, fractions, and geometry. 

Just an update…

The first day of school for the 2008-2009 school year will be Tuesday, August 26th from 8:10-11:30 (Grades 1-8)

Wednesday, August 27th will be the first day for preschool from 8:10-8:45 or 12:15-12:45

Labor Day- Monday, September 1st- School is not in session….

for I need to be accepted in your eyes.

Please let me know when I have done well,

for I need to know that sometimes I am like other children.

Please share some of your thoughts with me,

for my intelligence is not impaired.

Please learn all you can about my problem.

I need understanding as well as discipline.

Please bother to correct me and keep me in line as much as necessary.

I cannot steer myself.

Give me your patience, because, although it takes me longer,

I need to succeed just like all the other children.

Please make time in your day for me.

I need to feel that attention and affection are things you want to give.

I will not go away if you pretend I am not there.

Remember that I am a complex person with many traits that are right and fine.

Please help me to see those things in myself. You are my mirror.

Please do not abuse me; for, although I need a firmer hand than most,

I feel lost and alone when I see rejection in your eyes.

I have no motive, and all I can do is say,

“I am sorry” over and over again.

Please remember that I love you,

for you stand beside me day after day in this confusing and frightening world.

You are the reason I am not alone.

— Author Unknown

Compliments of Motivating Moments LLC

http://www.motivateus.com

• 2 Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Ballpoint pens
• No. 2 pencils ( at least 12)
• Colored pencils
• Pencil case- zippered
• Pencil sharpener (hand held with a top to collect shavings)
• Large pink eraser
• Box of crayons
• 4-oz. bottle of white glue
• Highlighters (at least 3)
• 8 Spiral Notebooks Wide Ruled (single subject only)
• 3-ring binder
• Dividers for 3 ring binder
• 2 packages of filler paper-wide rule- 100 count
• Pocket folders
• A ruler with English and metric measurements
• School box (for storing supplies)
• Kleenex (3 boxes)
• Pens (Erasable- Red and Black & Permanent)
• Index cards, ruled 2 packs
• Calculator –make sure it has %, and fractions
• Sharpie-Ultra fine point
• Cloth gym bag
• 2 Containers all purpose disinfectant wipes ( not baby wipes)

    My name is Mrs. Pitsilos and I will be your child’s teacher this year.  I look forward to working with you adn your child to achieve as much as possible in order for them to progress. 

     As you know, your child is top priority; this is why I want to make this a pleasurable and rewarding learning experience.  To do this, I will need parent support and cooperation. 

     Here are some recommendations I have that may help your child’s learning experience more enjoyable:

·     each day spend a few minutes with your child, talking and listening

·     ask him/her what they are reading in school or what homework they have

·     encourage your child to use their imagination and creativity

·     ask questions about their life

·     establish a routine that will bring balance and order in your child’s life

·     teach them to be prepared ahead of time

·     teach good study habits

Your child will be bringing home an assignment notebook daily.  This assignment notebook will indicate the assignments that are to be completed at home.  Please check the assignment notebook daily in order to monitor homework completion.  After all assignments are completed and checked over, please sign the assignment notebook and return it to school with your child. 

I am both happy and excited that I will be working with such wonderful children.  Thank you for all your support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Pitsilos