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.
Not Little, Not Big
"I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare"I'm just a kid by Sum 41 (pull out your old CDs the kids LOVE 2000s rock and emo) Hi Reader, 🍎 One week til the next School Talk workshop! Save your spot here Oh to be 11...Not little anymore, but not big either Getting those first tastes of freedom "do you want to stay home?" But not so free to go at it alone There are two grades in elementary school that are considered extreme: Kindergarten and Fifth Grade. The kids are in unique ages and need special attention for their developmental stage and academic challenges. If you've got a baby that's in fifth grade (or will be next year) this video is for you. I worked with fifth grade teachers to create it. There are tips for supporting their feelings in a complex developmental age, how to approach the first signs of puberty (cough B.O.), and make difficult curriculum feel applicable to their life. Go leave a comment with your best advice (or question!) for fifth grade. What's New?🍎 Workshops: Applying to magnet and private schools? Stressed out with the confusing process? Come to the Kindergarten School Talk Workshop. I'll get you set up with a plan so you can make confident decisions for your child. Save $10 with code EARLY10 I'd love to see you in person at the workshop next Tues 10/21. 🎥 Grade Level Series: Did you know I have videos for each grade in elementary school? Go like and comment on the grade your kiddo is in or that your teach. 🥰 Surprises: My heart is so warm after my trip to Indiana last weekend. First, we visited my grandmother. I brought her Wendy's (this polite woman kills for a Jr Baconator) and sat outside in the gorgeous fall weather. Then Mike and I went to our friend's surprise birthday party. Friends & family from all over the country flew in. As folks arrived, they went to his house and rang the doorbell to surprise him. There were over 20 people there. It was really special to celebrate him! Things I Love👚 Saved the Day!: This local company saved my butt last weekend! We ordered custom shirts for the surprise party and they got delayed. Two Tired Moms saved the day and made us shirts with a 2 day turn around. They make custom items but also have their own collection for adults or kids. I love this spooky goose shirt and neon ghosts for Halloween. 📚 Fall Sale: Nordstrom is having their 25% off fall sale right now. I've got my eye on this fashionable floral jacket and my favorite sweater from last year is marked down right now. 🍂 Top Clicks: In the last 6 weeks, these have been your favorite suggestions from this newsletter:
My book club is reading a spooky book for fall and I'm nervous! What are you reading right now? |
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.
"Let me see what Spring is like on Jupiter and Mars" Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra Spring is almost here (March 20!) Reader, Spring is a beautiful time of year celebrated by cultures all over the world. Celebrations take form as the new year, tales of good triumphing over evil, and agriculture. Many of them will be observed in your own town. I picked out 5 festivals you could probably attend in your city. After you read this, just search name of festival + your city + kids This...
"You were in it for realShe was in her phone" Opalite by OK Go Hey Reader, This newsletter is a response to last week's newsletter. Read it here What you're saying about tech in schools: In January Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd shared the results of his assessments on school data over the past 50 years to Congress. The results were astounding, suggesting that when a country's school system widely adapts technology, student test scores are impacted. Here's what some of you said in...
"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...