Dear Hardy Families,
I would like to thank you for a wonderful school year. We made it through a very challenging winter together and as I stood on the curb each winter morning scooping children out of cars, I didn't believe that summer and the warm weather would ever arrive!
Now that it has, I reflect on our school year and all of the progress that the children at Hardy have made. The three C's moved us through the school year and served as guideposts as we learned what each C looked like in all areas of our school life. My favorite stories from parents are the ones that include the three C's outside of school. This makes me feel like students are really internalizing these values.
Responsive classroom has given our students and teachers the structure to think about the community in which we learn and teach. I am very pleased with the consistency this structure has provided for our students. Expectations are clear and because of this, students feel safe and ready to learn.
On an academic note, we are also very proud. Throughout DeFrancisco's Declarations, you were able to read about so many of the inquiry based, experiential learning in which your children were engaged this year. This kind of learning captures the goals of the Arlington Public Schools and our goals at Hardy. Thank you for a very successful Math Week! Having parents in our hallways and classrooms learning with children is something that is important to the Hardy staff.
Over the Summer:
As you work with your children over the summer, we have put together a helpful packet around reading and math. This packet should have made it home to you this week. All students will be reading with a focus on where their books are taking them. They can write or draw about the adventures they take with the characters in the stories they read. In addition, children can tally the minutes that they read. Depending on the grade level, children will use ten frames, coins or fraction bars to keep track of their reading. There is also an information sheet reminding both students and parents about DREAMBOX, which is available to students over the summer as well. Please remember that summer is certainly a time for a break, but parents always ask what they can do with their children over the summer so we hope these guidelines help.
You can expect an email from me from time to time over the summer to update you on staffing and other news for the fall. As always, I thank you for your partnership in your child's education. I can begin to say how lucky I feel to have your support in so many areas of our school. I am lucky.
I hope you have a relaxing summer full of family adventures.
I will see you OUT and ABOUT!
Kristin DeFrancisco
--
Kristin DeFrancisco
Hardy School
Principal
I would like to thank you for a wonderful school year. We made it through a very challenging winter together and as I stood on the curb each winter morning scooping children out of cars, I didn't believe that summer and the warm weather would ever arrive!
Now that it has, I reflect on our school year and all of the progress that the children at Hardy have made. The three C's moved us through the school year and served as guideposts as we learned what each C looked like in all areas of our school life. My favorite stories from parents are the ones that include the three C's outside of school. This makes me feel like students are really internalizing these values.
Responsive classroom has given our students and teachers the structure to think about the community in which we learn and teach. I am very pleased with the consistency this structure has provided for our students. Expectations are clear and because of this, students feel safe and ready to learn.
On an academic note, we are also very proud. Throughout DeFrancisco's Declarations, you were able to read about so many of the inquiry based, experiential learning in which your children were engaged this year. This kind of learning captures the goals of the Arlington Public Schools and our goals at Hardy. Thank you for a very successful Math Week! Having parents in our hallways and classrooms learning with children is something that is important to the Hardy staff.
Over the Summer:
As you work with your children over the summer, we have put together a helpful packet around reading and math. This packet should have made it home to you this week. All students will be reading with a focus on where their books are taking them. They can write or draw about the adventures they take with the characters in the stories they read. In addition, children can tally the minutes that they read. Depending on the grade level, children will use ten frames, coins or fraction bars to keep track of their reading. There is also an information sheet reminding both students and parents about DREAMBOX, which is available to students over the summer as well. Please remember that summer is certainly a time for a break, but parents always ask what they can do with their children over the summer so we hope these guidelines help.
You can expect an email from me from time to time over the summer to update you on staffing and other news for the fall. As always, I thank you for your partnership in your child's education. I can begin to say how lucky I feel to have your support in so many areas of our school. I am lucky.
I hope you have a relaxing summer full of family adventures.
I will see you OUT and ABOUT!
Kristin DeFrancisco
--
Kristin DeFrancisco
Hardy School
Principal