A Letter to the Preschool Families

Dear families,                                                                                                               

It is such a pleasure and honor to join you and your children at the onset of their school-based educational journeys. Preschool is a place where small people with tremendous personalities gather, not only to solidify foundational skills, but also to learn how we can all benefit from one another. We learn to value our natural curiosity and use it to embark on exploratory adventures together; we learn to appreciate the diversity that we all present and respect the expertise that each child brings to our investigations; we learn that there are many different ways to increase our understanding, and we use imagination, creativity, and critical thinking to enhance our learning. Perhaps most importantly, we learn how we can contribute to a peaceful, supportive, and productive community. I am thrilled to partner with you, your family, and Pelham Elementary School to offer your child a rewarding, nurturing, and empowering introduction to a life-long love of learning.

But we all know that learning does not begin now. Your child has already been given hundreds of learning experiences from his or her first and most influential teacher: you. You know your child like no other, and you naturally tailor every lesson that you teach to his or her specific needs, strengths, and interests. I aim to do the same. One way to “hit the ground running” would be for me to have an introduction to your child. That’s why I ask that you write a letter to me--just a page or two, please--describing the qualities, motivators, needs, strengths, and interests that your child brings to our class. With this information from the start, I will be better able to meet each child where he or she is and individualize our activities to make them exciting, accessible, and enriching for everyone.

Later in the summer, I will be calling to set up a home visit with you. To receive a visit is voluntary, but I do encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for the children to meet their teacher one-on-one in the place where they feel most comfortable. At this time, I will plan to collect the letters you have written as well as a family picture and the information sheet enclosed. I will also bring an “All About Me” book for you and your child to fill out and decorate any way you choose. While there, I also hope to take a photograph of each child so that when the students step into the classroom on the first day of school, they will already feel a sense of belonging as they see their own smiles and those of their families decorating the room. If you choose not to have a home visit, no worries! We will make other arrangements to be sure your child still has these things in place on the first day.

Thank you for the cooperation and support that this community has already shown Pelham Preschool. Working together, we are bound to make a positive and powerful impact on your children’s lives!

Sincerely,

Nettie Harrington Pangallo (Ms. Nettie)