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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"Anytime you feel danger or fear, then instantly I will appear"I'm Every Woman by Whitney Houston β³οΈ In Case You Missed It! Today is the LAST DAY for the Early Bird Discount for June's Workshop. Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout Hi Reader, Last week I returned to my old workplace to proctor the EOGs. These are the "End of Grade" state exams in North Carolina. These tests are long and really challenging. I'm going to be honest with you- I HATE STATE TESTING And I know a lot of you do too. It's really hard to see our littles get so stressed about the test. I get stressed just thinking about them. I popped off about the awful pressure here. I was lucky enough to be placed in a classroom with 3 former kindergartners of mine. Their faces lit up when I walked in. And mine did too- because I'm so damn proud of them. Last time I saw these kids they were so little, they whined about chip bags being too hard to open, they couldn't read the notes I sent home, multiplication was a cool math trick for big kids. And now here they were, one of them almost cresting 5 feet, giving me big hugs for good luck. And as I stood in silence for 2 hours, they sat and read...and read...and read! I couldn't believe it. Kids are capable of INCREDIBLE THINGS. If you just give them the chance they will amaze you. Their teacher's pep talk was surprisingly short. Before the test she simply said, "I've taught you everything that's on this test. You know what you're doing. You can do this." She didn't coddle them. She didn't seem nervous. She sincerely gave them the words they needed to hear. Words they could repeat to themselves. I wasn't even taking the test and I felt a new confidence. I am prone to using too many words. Watching this teacher wrap all her encouragement into a few short sentences impacted me. Maybe it doesn't need to be so floral. Maybe less is more, so the one listening can take it in. So my reader, what are the words your kiddos need to hear today? Can you put it into a few short sentences? Can you give them the confidence they need? Do they know they can do hard things? Respond to this email to share what your little needs encouraging for. π What's New?π Story time: Last Friday I was the story time reader at Betty by Moxie Mercantile Boutique. We brought out the bells and sang songs. If you're local to Charlotte, they do this every Friday at 9:30am. I'll be back June 27! πΈ IG Official: Ready to take it out of the newsletter? Come say hi and follow me on IG. @PrimaryFocus_β Things I Loveπ 9 Summer Reading Programs: Check out 9 summer reading programs so your child can earn free pizza, cake, books and more! π Comfy Jeans: I've been trying the baggy / wide leg jean trend and finally found a pair that fit me right! So many pairs were way too baggy. Of course the pair I finally found is Good American and right now they are 30% off. Sale ends today. π₯° Great Movie: I saw Lilo and Stitch in theaters last night. I'm generally skeptical of the live action Disney movies, but this one was awesome. It's a tear jerker, but I also laughed out loud several times. I think kids and adults of all ages would appreciate this movie. Don't forget- AMC theaters have discounted tickets on Tuesdays! Did you know responding to someone's newsletter helps keep it out of spam folders? Respond to this email to say hi :) |
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.
"If I'm not there, it won't get done" Man Child by Sabrina Carpenter π‘ One Ticket left to tomorrow's Kindergarten School Talk Workshop ! Hello Reader, Take a second and think about how you organize your day. Some people are methodical spending time every day maintaining their list. Others do a once weekly (or monthly) reset and let everything go in between. The hardest part of time management is just how much there is to do! Work, home, school, meals, fitness plans, clothing, and then add how...
Hi Reader, πΊπΈ Nothing says The Fourth of July like the Supreme Court deciding all their cases before summer recess! This year there was a lot of discussion around education. I broke down 4 important cases so you can understand how this will impact your child in school. Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond (Religious Charter Schools) What happened?Oklahomaβs virtual charter board approved St. Isidore of Seville, a Catholic virtual school, to receive state funding: a first in...
"Wasting the day away..." Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet π₯ New Dates! Come to the Kindergarten School Talk Workshop Mon July 14 or Weds July 16. Early Bird Discount Expires Monday! Code: EARLY10 Sign up here Hey Reader, Imagine your child ended third grade knowing all their times tables. They worked so hard and aced their multiplication quizzes each week. But then... when they return after summer break they are suddenly struggling in math. Their new fourth grade teacher sends home a note...