Dear Parents,

A new school year is about to begin.

We are in it together through thick and thin.

I'm glad you are on my team and I think we will have fun.

Laughing and learning to get the job done.

I am excited to welcome you all back! I am excited to partner with all of you to make your child's school year a success.

I plan to send this newsletter out each month to inform you of some of the things I am doing at Diamond Hill. This way you can ask your children about the topics below and help reinforce what they are learning. I also put some tips in that may benefit you as parents. Please feel free to call or email me anytime - aksmith@acsdsc.org.

I will be working with new students this month to help them transition to Diamond Hill Elementary. My goal is to welcome them and to help them overcome any fears about being a new student. We are the best school in the nation and I want them to know that we are thankful that they are joining us. Please encourage your child to welcome our new students by introducing themselves and asking "getting to know you" questions. Try role-playing this conversation at home.

This is the classic and all-encompassing character word. I thought we would start the year with the number one thing we want our students to be - respectful. Students can learn more about respect by going to my Google Classroom or by checking out my bulletin board in the Kindergarten/1st-grade hallway. The teachers will talk with them about respect all month long and they will be on the lookout for students who show respect. We will recognize these students who get caught being respectful at the end of the month.

Did you know...? Why Daily Attendance Matters:

Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.
Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.
Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.
Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.
Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

Who to contact if your child doesn't want to come to school: Mrs. Smith - aksmtih@acsdsc.org

Set Up Routines

This is our number one focus at the beginning of the school year because when we do this, our year runs smoother and is more successful.

At home, make sure your child:

Gets enough sleep. Set a reasonable bedtime (before 9 p.m.) so that they'll be rested and ready to learn in the morning. Consistent bedtime routines go a long way in helping kids have a great day at school.
Eats a healthy breakfast. They're more alert and do better in school if they eat a good breakfast every day. Breakfast is free for all students at Diamond Hill. Breakfast is serviced from 7:15 - 7:35 am each morning.
Use a wall calendar or personal planner to record when assignments are due, tests will be given, extracurricular practices and rehearsals will be held, etc.
Organize and set out what they need the night before. Homework and books should be put in their backpacks by the door and clothes should be laid out in their bedrooms.