dear third grade parent.

"Dear Third Grade Parent" is the way I start numerous letters through the school year.

Field trip notes,
notes about grade cards and school events,
and notes including class announcements.

Before the school year begins though, there are different types of things coming to mind when I think about writing a letter to my future students' parents.

Dear Third Grade Parent,

Your child is important to me​.  I will work as hard as I can to make sure that she knows that.  There will be days that he feels tired of school or he might get frustrated with a task in our class.  There will be days that she might get her feelings hurt by a friend or not be happy with feedback she received.  I will make sure your child knows that at the end of the day, regardless of his effort or behavior or interactions with others in our classroom...he is still loved for and cared for.  No matter her academic or athletic ability...she will know that she belongs in our room and we are thankful to have her here.

We are a team.  Please, please, PLEASE hear me on this.  I am on your side.  I am on your child's side.  Every school year, at some point, a difficult conversation will come up.  Your child will say or do something that is not appropriate.  He will neglect to do his homework.  She will make an unkind remark to another student at recess.  He will rush through his work without putting forth his best effort.  It will happen.  Children make mistakes.  Teachers make mistakes.  Parents make mistakes.  We all make mistakes.  We have to work together so your students knows that we are fighting for him or her.  We expect that he will try hard and be kind and treat others the way he wants to be treated.  We expect that she will be responsible and persistent and loving towards others.  You know your child better than anyone.  You know what makes him tick and what makes her shut down.  You are your child's number 1 cheerleader and biggest advocate.  Let's team up and help your child to stretch and grow this year.  When we expect this TOGETHER, our kids WILL rise up to meet our expectations.  Please back me up at home and I promise that I will back you up in the classroom.  

There is power in the words and actions of a child in a public school setting.  Your child has the ability to change the world with his words.  He can encourage and inspire his classmates.  She can motivate and include her peers.  By being an example of acceptance and humility, your child has the power to be a difference-maker in his school...even at age 8 or 9.  Please talk with your child about showing mercy and kindness.  I will work hard to build a community of friendship and inclusion in our classroom through the day, but please build on this culture in your home...around the dinner table, in your vehicle, and after ballgames.  Remind them that some of their friends might be hurting because of situations at home.  They might be feeling left out on the playground, even if nobody is excluding them on purpose.  Let's strive to raise kids who are kind and compassionate and who invite other children into their circle.

I am human.  Yes, I am a teacher.  I have been doing this a long time.  I have a degree that says I know how to do this job, but I am human.  I mess up.  I have a bad day every once in a while.  I work hard to meet the needs of every individual student and I still miss the mark sometimes.  I forget to do things.  I am married and a mother myself.  Sometimes, if we're being honest, our mornings do not run as smoothly as I wish they would.  Every once in a while, I might still be thinking about something that happened at home when I greet my students in the morning.  I should be able to separate my personal life from my school life, but I am human.  However, I can promise you this.  I will love your child as if he or she were my own.  I will worry about him and fret about her.  I will see things at WalMart that remind me of my students and make impulse purchases on my grocery trip just to see them smile the next morning.  I will have sleepless nights this school year, thinking about whether some of my students are being fed or given appropriate shelter.  I will buy book after book on Amazon until I can crack the code of what makes your child love reading.  Sometimes, I will find something out about a student and I will contemplate inviting that child to come be a part of our family.    

Third Grade Parent, we have about 36 weeks together this year.  

Let's work together and make this the best year that we can for your student.  

You support me and I will support you, as we support your sweet boy or girl.  

Let's give her our very best every single day.

And let's encourage him to give his best every single day, too.

We can do this.

Love,
Mrs. Newkirk