Welcome Letter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 Welcome to the First Grade! I am looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you and am looking forward to making this a productive and fun year at Paramount Academy.  I would like to start out by introducing myself to you.  My name is Ms. Catalina Morris and this is my first year here at Paramount Academy.  I have worked in classrooms all over the Phoenix valley including many at Paramount, and am excited to continue my teaching career.  In addition to working with students in the classroom, I have also worked with children in coaching and after-school programs.  I am a 2006 Alumnus of Stanford University, where I was a member of the varsity softball team.  In addition to my teaching career, I spend the summers playing professional softball in Washington D.C.

                The first day of the 2007-2008 school year is Monday, August 13^th.   School begins at 7:55am with the final morning bell for morning assembly.   There will be supervision for your child on the playground after 7:30am, but if you arrive earlier than this time you must check your child into morning care in the multi-purpose room, which begins at 7:00am.   We will have morning assembly at 8:00am except on rainy or very cold winter mornings.   On those bad weather days students will go directly to their classrooms upon arrival on campus.  If a student arrives after 8:00am, a pass from the office will be necessary for late entry into the classroom.  Our school day ends at 2:40pm except for the occasional early release days at 1:00pm.  Pick up for my class will be in from of the multi-purpose room.  On rainy days or exceptionally cold or hot days, pick up will be in the classroom. 

               Students will be provided with a lunch break as well as snack-time mid-morning.  Please send either a packed lunch or lunch money with your child as well as a healthy snack for his/her snack break.   Please do not send sodas or foods that require warming.   Although students are given an opportunity for a snack in the morning, please make sure your child has breakfast before leaving home for maximum energy.  Students are also allowed a water bottle to keep in their cubby during class.

              Every student will have a homework folder with their name on it.  This folder will be sent home every day with the student’s homework, as well as an agenda sheet with a behavior color and occasionally notes from me for the day.  Also included in the folder will be work to keep at home and memos from the school.   After completion of the homework, finished work should go back into the folder and brought back to school the next morning to turn in.  Check your child's folder every night to help with homework directions, to keep up with your child's progress, and to be aware of any information I may have for you.  Feel free to include any notes you may have for me in this folder as well.  Use this folder as a communication tool!

              I am very excited to work with your child this year at Paramount.  Please feel free to contact me for an appointment if you have any questions or concerns.  I am available to meet before and after school or via email at cmorris@paramountacademy.com.  Let's work together and support your child's education for a successful year!

Sincerely,

        Ms. Catalina Morris