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Welcome To Betsy's Classroom
| 100% of WASL Scores
Met or Exceeded State Standards Spring 2006! |
2006 4th graders
"Math is Cool" State Champions! |
Dear 4th/5th Grade Parent,
Welcome to Pioneer’s 2007 – 2008 school year! My name is Betsy DeHaas and I am pleased to be working with your child as his or her teacher. I am looking forward to teaching and getting acquainted with each and every one of your children. Together we will be exploring many exciting themes: Trees & Plants, Pacific Northwest, Space, Fantasy, and Oceans & Seas.
I am a 1997 graduate of the University of Idaho in English Literature/Secondary Education and have a current Idaho State Teaching Certification. I completed my Master’s of Arts in Primary Education with the University of Alabama and this is my fifth year working at the primary level.
I have lived and taught in Ecuador for the past eleven years and this is my first year back to life in the USA. I was looking for a change that would bring me closer to my family. A friend told me about Pioneer School and when I looked it up online, I just had to apply. Pioneer’s mission, philosophy, and teaching practices are a perfect match to my own beliefs and practices in the field of education.
I believe that children are our future and that as a teacher it is my role to provide a model of the type of behaviors our children need to develop. We will be working together to create a supportive classroom community where learning can take place for everyone at all levels. I also believe that each child is special in his or her own way, and needs support, love, and guidance in discovering what it is that makes him/her unique in this world. This is why I teach!
It is a privilege to be working with you and your child this year at Pioneer and you are a very important part of this team. Your insight, thoughts, opinions, and help are highly valued. Please don’t hesitate to communicate. You can call me here at school, leave a message on my cell (509) 385-7673 or better, send me an email: betsy@pioneerschool.com. Together we can make this a year of positive learning and growth for your child!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth C. DeHaas (Betsy)
Helpful Tips
School Attendance
Your child’s regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to his/her success. I can’t emphasize this point enough!!! Many academic learning activities are group oriented and involve interaction with classmates. Therefore, it is next to impossible to make up work at home. Please view school as a priority, and see to it that your child attends every day except in cases of illness or emergency.
Changes in Transportation
If you plan to pick up a child who normally rides in another vehicle, or you wish for your child to ride a different car than usual, you must send a written note.
Washington State Booster Seat Law
Please be advised of Washington
’s new child restraint laws effective June 1, 2007. Please see the attached printout. The fines are at least $112 per child.Break and Lunch
Here is a suggestion for healthy snacks you can put in your children
’s lunch boxes. Here is an idea of a list of goodies your children could bring to school:Milk (plain or flavored) Quesadillas/tacos
Yogurt
Juice Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Fresh fruit Ham and cheese sandwiches
All types of nuts
Fresh vegetables (cut up carrots, etc.)
Pita bread sandwiches or pizza Complete meals (we have microwaves to warm up food)
Birthdays
Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring treats for the class on the day of his/her birthday. Please send a note a day or two in advance, so I can set aside some class time for the party. Please do not send birthday party invitations to school unless the entire class has been invited, (or all the boys or all the girls). Although it may seem convenient to distribute invitations this way, it can result in hurt feelings for those not invited.