Welcome Letters and School Supply List

Do you send out a welcome letter and school supply list to your new students before school starts? 

 I do and thought that would be a good place to start blogging again for the upcoming school year.  My letter always includes a little about myself and my family, an invitation to a preschool orientation night, and a request for a family photo.  This is something I started doing a few years ago and love it!  I ask the parents to bring a framed family photo to school the night of orientation or open house.  They help their child choose the perfect spot in our classroom for their photo.  The purpose for this is to create a feeling of community in the classroom.  I have seen my students showing off their photo to their new friends, pick it up to give mom and dad a kiss, or just carry it around with them sometimes.  The photos are conversation starters among parents during class parties as well.  A great way to help people connect.

This picture is from last year. You can see a few of the pictures around the room.

My school supply list is a little different each year.  I take an inventory at the end of the year to see what we will need for the upcoming year.  Last year I added a WISHLIST to my supply list.  I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner!  I had a great response from the parents.  I'm sure you are like me and every other teacher out there.  We spend a small fortune of our own money in our classrooms.  The extra supplies were very welcome and the parents enjoyed sharing.