June 2, 2025

Dear Parents,

          It’s hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close. It feels like yesterday I was meeting all of you for the first time. Thank you for all your participation and continued support. Your children would not have flourished as much without both of us working together.

          The summer is a time that the children look forward to enjoying. Turn off the television, go outside, and read under a tree. Please remember that they have learned many strategies in reading throughout the year. As with anything else, practice makes perfect. For children at this age not to forget the strategies learned, they should read at least 30 minutes a day. Poetry folders are a great resource for reading material. They also continue to have access to UFLI activities at home so they can continue to practice the heart words and reading strategies. Please take advantage of the Canton Public Library and make frequent visits! Happy Reading!!

          Those hot days riding in a car can be a great opportunity to practice number sense. Counting, reading license plates, signs, mental math, addition and subtraction facts, and number stories all help to sharpen the children’s math skills. One fun game is to say a name, and then the next person says a name that begins with the last letter of the name just said, and on and on that way. You can play it with categories such as food, cars, t.v. shows,--almost anything. Continue to utilize the Math Rocks game folder. 

          The students have greatly improved their writing skills. Keeping a daily journal of activities and journeys will keep those skills intact. After going to a movie, they can write a “review” of it. Did you like it? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Children can also draw and label a map of different road trips. Children also can write letters to friends and relatives. The children have written many stories throughout the year. I’m sure they still have many more story ideas they can begin to explore.

          I would like to thank our room parents Mr. Molinaro and Mrs. Besinger for doing an awesome job this year creating activities for the children to complete. I have enjoyed having all of your children in my first grade class. Mr. Viola and I wish all of you a happy, healthy, safe summer vacation. Enjoy! See you in September. 

Best regards,

Mrs. Gaspa