I am very excited about starting the new school year.  I have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know many of our PBE families the last few years, and our PBE children are truly wonderful.  They are smart, talented, and very funny.  Again, I am lucky to be working with them every day and I look forward to seeing their smiling faces.

PBE is fully implementing the NYS Common Core Curriculum.  Philosophically, Common Core directs us to teach fewer ELA and mathematics concepts, but to teach the selected concepts with deeper understanding and creative problem solving.  Our students will be required to interact with more non-fiction materials and students will learn to use various strategies to solve mathematical equations and problems.

I have spoken many times about the partnership between you, the families, and the school.  It is even more imperative that we work together to ensure that all of our students attain academic success.  You can assist us by doing the following:

• Please make sure that your child arrives to school on-time everyday regardless of taking the bus or being dropped off.  We can all help in developing good routines and responsibility.
• Have your child read more non-fiction such as biographies and history, books about animals or places, science, how-to selections, and news.  Fiction is still an important part of our elementary program, yet research has shown that our students lag behind in reading informational text.
• Make sure that your child completes and hands in all homework.  In addition to the responsibility, homework provides independent practice opportunities for new skills learned during the school day.

If you would like to learn more about the New York State Common Core, please visit www.engageny.org.

Thank you again for all of the support that you provide to your children and our school.  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me here at school.  Have a great school year!

Sincerely,

Eric Winter
Principal