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Primary Focus Newsletter

Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.

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Subtle hints parents usually miss

"It'll be fine by dusk light, I'm telling you baby" Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan It's been a while Reader, This is my first newsletter of 2024, and I'm so happy you're here! There are endless things to keep us busy in this life, and it means a lot you've given a little of your time to Primary Focus. What their teacher is trying to tell you... 🚨 Midyear testing is happening and you are about to get a ton of data about your child. I urge you to listen closely to warnings. It's a lot...

girl in pink tank top wearing eyeglasses reading book on beach during daytime

"I hate that I love you,I can't put nobody else above you" I Hate U, I Love U by Gnash ft Olivia O'Brien Hi Reader, Reading is an essential skill. From text messages to reading emails, adults are reading all day every day without even realizing it. That's why it can be so scary and frustrating when you realize a child doesn't like to read. Whatever you do to fix this, just know it's about the long game... Here are 5 tips to get your little one to love reading: Read Together: Reading alone...

a young boy playing in the snow with a frisbee

"In the lane, snow is glistening" Winter Wonderland by Richard B. Smith & Felix Bernard Hey Reader, First newsletter of 2025, welcome to new subscribers and welcome back to long time readers! It's inclement weather season! ...the strangest time of year Some of us live on edge in the winter wondering how far you can stretch PTO and sick days for school cancellations and the constant sniffles circulating your home. You're not alone- when I was in the classroom I heard a lot of stress from...

"In the lane, snow is glistening" Winter Wonderland by Richard B. Smith & Felix Bernard Hey Reader, I'm smiling ear to ear today, because my viral video was featured on Unilad :) In case you were wondering, no these publications rarely reach out when making articles like this, so it was a total surprise. Have you heard of Winter Break BRAIN FREEZE? Learning loss happens to all children during long breaks from school. While summer break is the famous one, we also see it during winter breaks...

"Mama said there’d be days like this." Mama Said by The Shirelles Hi Reader, When your child gets in trouble at school, it can feel overwhelming. You hear about it secondhand and try to balance your child’s version with the teacher’s. You’re managing their feelings, questioning the consequence, and juggling dinner and evening activities—all at once. This Newsletter is sponsored by OK Ready, by Scholastic - the monthly book box for kindergarten readiness. Use this link for up to 20% off and...

"I saw your face, and I knew it was a signAnd I still think about that moment all of the time" Love You for a Long Time by Maggie Rogers Hi Reader, We are more than halfway through American Indian Heritage month! I want to share some inspiration to talk with your kiddos! Quick tip: if you know the name of a person's tribe, it is always preferred to use the name. If you're speaking generally, then it's often preferred to say American Indians, Native Peoples, or Indigenous Americans. The term...

"Make it up as we go along" This Must be the Place by Talking Heads Hi Reader, 💕 A note to my wonderful readers: The goal of this newsletter is to provide educational tips and news to help your children thrive in school and to keep you informed about educational policies that may affect your family. I’ll often share my insights alongside the news, based on thorough research and my experience as an educator. I’ll always aim to make clear what’s opinion versus fact, and I’ll cite sources for...

Hi Reader, 💐 Hi there! Thanks for giving a few moments of your busy day to this newsletter Did you know November 1 is the worst day of the year? Well- just to teachers. The day after Halloween is a notoriously tough day in school. Kids who were out trick or treating are exhausted. They can be cranky, sleepy, or hyper from the excitement. Right now teachers everywhere are sending notes to parents begging them not to let their kids bring candy in Nov 1. Because after Halloween, teachers become...

"We're singing in the car, getting lost upstateAutumn leaves falling down like pieces into place" All Too Well by Taylor Swift Hi Reader, Happy fall! Autumn is a time of year loved around the world. Here, stateside we usually hear about Halloween and Thanksgiving, but there are so many unique festivals celebrated this time of year. If you're already tired of hearing about "spooky scary skeletons" this is for you! 4 Autumn Holidays to Teach your Kids About 🥮 Mid Autumn Festival: I used to live...

"I have to celebrate you, baby I have to praise you like I should" Praise You by Fatboy Slim (Mike and I entered our wedding reception to this song 😄) Hi Reader! During my livestream yesterday, I got this question: My child (age 5, kindergarten) wants constant affirmation for the smallest things. How much is too much and how can I show him he needs to do hard work to get praise? Rephrase the praise: Praise is good, but to a child looking for affirmation it can be like an addiction. Rephrase...

"The things I was taught only took me so far, had to figure the rest out for myself" Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves Hi Reader! I was inspired by a recent article by Gene Fashaw on EdSurge on using a growth mindset to help students with math. I connected with it because as a child I deeply believed I was naturally bad at math. It wasn't until I went to college to study education that I realized some misconceptions in elementary school prevented me from excelling in math. I don't want the next...