WELCOME TO MANDARIN KINDERGARTEN!!
August / September 2019
Hello, Wonderful Parents:
My name is Rachel Chen Dressel, but because we already have a Mr. Dressel (my husband!) in first grade, the name by which the children will know me (in Chinese!) is Teacher Chen or 陈老师 (my maiden name). Partnering this year with Mrs Lynam, I will be teaching the Mandarin side of kindergarten. I am so looking forward to meeting and getting to know each of you!
I believe that this is going to be a very wonderful and amazing year. Besides immersing your child in Mandarin in the classroom, some highlights of our school year will include the celebration of several different Chinese festivals ( e.g. Chinese Moon Festival, Chinese New Day, and Dragon Boat Festival) to help your child to understand and experience some aspects of the art and culture of China.
As your child's teacher, it is my intention to do my best to introduce Mandarin to your child through integrating various elements of language arts, science, math, storybook reading, music, games & role-playing and other FUN hands-on activities to keep little hands and minds actively engaged.
In my experience, the children will appreciate and respond well to this approach, and within the space of a school year, will acquire rudimentary Mandarin listening and speaking proficiency, making many great new friends along the way.
I look forward to taking this journey with you and your child this year. As the Chinese are often heard to say, "A good start is half the success!"
If you are interested in donating additional items, I would welcome any inexpensive little trinkets and toys to the classroom treasure chest for rewarding our students. Please send these in with your child or feel free to drop the items in the front office or at my classroom door (room 11).
For your child’s personal items, please be sure to mark or label your child’s name somewhere on each personal item. I will put all the lost and found items in the box in front of my room.
P.S. In the morning, Mrs. Lynam’s class will start with me in room 11 tomorrow. Mrs. Chen Dressel’s class will start with Mrs. Lynam in room 13 tomorrow morning. Each week, the schedule will switch back and forth like this. To identify which classroom your child will begin his / her day, please always look for the color-coded fox picture on one of the classroom exterior doors.
Thank you so much for all your support,
Rachel Chen Dressel
陈老师