Dear Parents,

          Welcome to fourth grade!  Your children are embarking on an adventure in learning with a new team of teachers.  We are here to help them reach their hopes and goals for the year.

          This is my 24th year as a teacher in the Haverford Township School District, and I feel it is a privilege to help your children grow and learn.  I am so excited to be getting to know your children this year! 

          Although fourth grade is a fun year, it is also a challenging year. Students will be expected to begin to take charge of their own learning, with teachers and parents as guides.  I will be teaching students how to manage their time in order to be successful in all areas, inside and outside the classroom.  You can greatly assist your child in these management areas by supporting organizational strategies at home.  Ways to help might be by providing a consistent homework time, leaving room for extra-curricular activities, and setting aside time to talk about the day with your child.

          Fourth graders will continue to use the Chatham Park Assignment Book (Student Planner).  They will be required to record their assignments in this book each day.  Assignments are written on the board in each classroom and students are expected to copy them at the end of each period.  It is vital that parents review the assignment book each night in order to be sure that your child is following through with assignments and to check for any teacher communication.  In addition, important announcements and student work will come home in the Take Home Folder, which also should be checked daily.

          I believe that parents and teachers are partners in the education of our children, and good communication is key in that partnership.  I am always happy to talk about your child!  You can contact me at school by calling 610-853-5900, ext. 1206.  I will return your call at the end of the school day.  My e-mail address is hardy@havsd.net. 

                    We want this to be a wonderful year, and we are grateful for your help and involvement, volunteering at school and working with your child at home.  We want this school to be a safe haven and a center of learning for your child; working together, we can achieve this.