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.
🧡 Happy Thanksgiving from Primary Focus 🧡
"The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow"Over the River and Through the Woods by Lydia Maria Child (Yes- this is a Thanksgiving song!) Hi Reader, This Thanksgiving I'm feeling especially thankful for YOU. Thank you for being a part of the Primary Focus community! Some of you I've met through workshops, calls, conferences, coursework, and social media. Others I haven't met (yet!) but your interest and support means so much. Something Special for Your Kids: If you've been keeping up, then you know I've been live streaming lessons for kids aged 4-7 every morning. This is to support kids impacted by CBP / ICE raids in North Carolina. I will continue to share special Thanksgiving lessons through Friday. I hope your kiddo can watch- I've planned special Thanksgiving activities for the rest of the week. Something Special for the Community: I'm also fundraising to support the Carolina Migrant Network (they provide free immigration legal services) and an anonymous neighborhood association in Charlotte (rent support and groceries for those impacted by the raids). We are just shy of $600- can you donate today? Share Something What's making you smile this week? Are you celebrating Thanksgiving? Reconnecting with family? Respond to this email to share! I'd love to hear from you :) What's New?🧡 Little Focus: The Little Focus Livestream has brought me so much joy the past two weeks. It feels wonderful to teach again. It's been featured on the news here and here. I have about 30 families consistently joining. Will you donate to support the Carolina Migrant Network and the Charlotte community? 😴 Laying Low: This Thanksgiving I will be enjoying the day with my husband and a few friends in Charlotte. We ordered a turkey from Mac's Speed Shop (amazing BBQ) and bread from Verdant Bread. We will see family in December, so it felt right to spend a nice weekend at home to unplug. Things I LoveFriends, I'm sure you have a lot of things on your list to shop this weekend. If you make an order at Target, Amazon, Walmart, or Nordstrom will you use one of these links to shop? And other than that if you're shopping for gifts- I challenge you to buy 1 local gift per person! Small businesses need your support more than ever! Be kind to yourself- Happy Thanksgiving! |
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.
"Just when you think you're in control" Here it Goes Again by OK Go Hi Reader, We're doing a deep dive today. I'd love to hear your thoughts after reading this! We gotta talk about tech in schools: On January 15, 2026, congress held a hearing on the impact of screen time on kids. During the hearing Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd shared the results of his assessments on school data over the past 50 years. For hundreds of years, we've counted on each generation outperforming the last in...
"So no one told life was gonna be this way" I'll Be There For You by The Rembrandts Today is the Lunar New Year, one of the most important holidays celebrated in China, Vietnam, South/North Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Mongolia. In these countries, the world is shut down so families can celebrate together. Think Christmas or Thanksgiving. But for families living outside these countries, they have to go to work just like any other day. So if there's an...
"I just need one more chanceTo prove my love to you" On Bended Knee by Boyz II Men Hey Reader, This newsletter is dedicated to Billy, my first grade crush (he wore a leather jacket to school and had a double decker pencil case, such a bad boy) and Andrew T. my second grade crush. Hope life is good for them, wherever they are 😂 Welcome to the Lazy-Smart Club Where members know working hard doesn't always mean you get ahead. Today's topic: Class Valentines. Work smarter, not harder. 💌 Hack #1:...