Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Parent Letter

    Posted 08-16-2018 10:09 PM
    Hi. I am going to be teaching PreK for the first time this fall and am in the process of drafting my parent letter. If you have one to share with me or advice about what I should include please share with the group. Thanks! 

    Sincerely,

    Matthew DiGiacomo
    PreK 
    Teacher 
    PS/IS 184 
    273 Newport St
    Brooklyn NY 11212


  • 2.  RE: Parent Letter

    Posted 08-18-2018 08:24 AM
    You should write a letter to the parents AND you should write a letter to each child as well.

    The parent letter can tell them about your background and your interests and how your focus on helping their children learn and grow in ways that lead them to become self-confident adults. You should also explain what your philosophy of teaching and learning is (using simple understandable language without a lot of jargon). If you want parents to volunteer, you should express that as well. Some parents have the time and others do not. If they have a skill that they would like to share with the children, that is useful. You can create a list of ways that parents can participate in the education of the children. You can also make a list of items that you might need in the classroom that they can donate. Do not forget to include in the letter the name of any other adults who will be working with you in the room. I am sure that you will have at least one other adult with you.

    When you write to each child, you should tell them a simple story of who you are and how excited you are to be meeting them. Maybe you will have a special surprise for each of them on the first day of school. You might include a photo of yourself and tell them a little about activities that you enjoy. You might invite them to bring to class a photo of themselves and their family. You could also ask them to bring something that is special to them to share with you.  

    On the first day, you want to make sure that you meet each child and parent at the door and give the child a name tag to wear. You could ask the parent/guardian if there is a nickname by which the child goes. Greet the child and parents warmly and separately. Always bend down to the child's eye level when talking to them. It is possible that this is your first encounter with them. Remember that for some of the children. this will be their first time in any school. Some will be as young as 3. 

    I know that you wrote to me. We can talk further. If you send me your phone number, I will answer any questions that you may have.

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    Nora Krieger
    Associate Professor Emerita/ Chair NJEEPRE
    Bloomfield College/ New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
    Highland Park NJ
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