Dear Parents,

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to North Elementary School. We are expecting great things this year! The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten years are such an exciting time for both children and parents. We are glad you have made the decision to start your journey at North Elementary. We take great pride in providing the very best learning environment for your child.

Our pre-kindergarten classes help your child to prepare academically for later school success, but it offers opportunities to build social-emotional skills and foster a positive self-esteem. Pre-kindergarten is important because it provides a foundation for kindergarten and makes the transition to kindergarten much easier.

Kindergarten is a big step in your child’s life. One thing for sure is that kindergarten isn’t what it used to be. The days of naps and unstructured play are long gone. Your child will be expected to learn a number of concepts throughout the year, like reading. You heard me correctly—READING! These kids are entering a world where they're expected to learn and show proof of it. Since kindergarten is much more rigorous now, you may worry that your child's capacity for success is limited. Just know that their success is our main goal, and we will do everything we can to ensure all kindergarteners have the right tools and skills to be successful in first grade!

I want you to know that I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your child’s learning experience. There are two gifts we give our children: one is roots and the other is wings. We know your child’s roots begin at home. We look forward to establishing a partnership with your family to insure your child has strong wings to fly and be successful in learning for years to come.

Thank you for sharing your child with us this year,

Pamela Smith, Principal