Welcome to Mrs. Kentop's Class...
This will be your best year EVER!
Hello!
My name is Erica Kentop and I am going to be your child’s fourth grade teacher at Forest Glen Elementary. I just wanted to drop you a note before the school year began to introduce myself to you, and get you excited for the school year to begin (because I know I am excited to meet you!). I figure I would send home an email with an attachment of a website I use for my weekly newsletters, www.smore.com. I though this was very appropriate with our technology 1 to 1 iPad initiative this year! Get used to a lot of electronic communication from me!
A little bit about me....
I am a 33 year old graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a degree in Elementary Education grades 1-8 and a minor in Spanish. I am absolutely thrilled to be starting my tenth (did I really just say 10, wow) year as a teacher here at Forest Glen and cannot wait for the school year to begin. I have so many great ideas I want to do! I believe its very important to create a sense of community in the classroom and make everyone feel accepted, safe and welcomed. Also, 6 years ago I began the journey to getting my masters in counseling through Concordia University and I am very excited to be pursuing this part of my career. I also LOVE technology! I am so excited about the 1 to 1 iPads for the classroom!
In my free-time I enjoy doing a few things. I have an amazing sassy dog named Ellie. My husband and I have an almost 4 year old little girl Eva. Eva and I have had so much fun together this summer! It’s going to be really hard to leave her but coming to work to hangout with such great students like you makes it much easier. I am sure your student will come home with stories that I tell of Eva and Ellie because I like my students to not only know me as a teacher, but on a personal level, so I tell them lots of stories about what is going on in my life. We have recently become campers and have our camper on a permanent site up in Kewaunee. That has been so much fun for us to do as a family. I also LOVE to read and try to get a lot of that in over the summer. My favorite author is Jodi Picoult. My favorite foods are sushi and homemade cookies. My favorite color is red and I love watching the Brewers, Packers and Badgers play.
iPads!
Did you just say HOMEWORK?!
I wanted to write this letter to give you and your child your first homework assignment. Yes, I said homework, and its still summer so I promise it won’t be anything too hard! Please write me a letter with your parents telling me about yourself and your learning style (parents, please put in your two cents too). Are there any concerns that you have coming into this new school year? Are there any allergies or medical conditions that I should know about? What are your likes and dislikes? Who are the members of your family? What are some fun things that you did this summer? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I cannot wait to hear from your family and hear all about you! I would really appreciate you putting in a little bit of time to write this letter. You can respond to this email or bring me your letter to open house. 5 Timbertail tokens will be rewarded to everyone who does their first homework assignment!
Your SECOND small piece of homework you need to do is bring a picture or 2 to Open House for our brag board. Have it be a picture of people or things that you are proud of! You can earn an additional 5 tokens for bringing in at least 1 picture.
Eva was a flower girl in my brothers wedding!
My family at Elliott's wedding
A fun trip to the Shed Aquarium!
Finally...an end to this letter!
I also want to say thank you for trusting me with one of the most important parts of your life, your child. I honestly consider myself lucky to be a teacher and to be able to work with such amazing students. In conversation, I often refer to my students as “my kids” because the bond and the relationship that I create with them while here is such a wonderful experience and I don’t often feel that calling them “students” makes people realize how very important each and every one is to me! You can trust me when I say your child and their education are in great hands.
Just in case you forgot, the Open House that we will be having is going to be on Wednesday, August 27th from 4:30-6:00 p.m. I hope to see you all there and I can’t wait to meet you!!
Mrs. Erica Kentop
Email: erickent@hssd.k12.wi.us
Website: kentop.weebly.com
Location: 1935 Cardinal Lane, Suamico, WI
Phone: 920-662-7903