Dear Parents,

     It is my pleasure to welcome you and your child to kindergarten!  This will be a wonderful year full of learning and fun, not to mention an incredible year of change.  You will be amazed as you watch your child bloom as a child of God, friend, reader, writer, mathematician, scientist, thinker, and so much more!

     I look forward to working with you and your child.  If you need to relay important information to me before dismissal, please call the school office (802) 862-6696 and leave a message with the office administrator.  This will ensure that any urgent information is received prior to dismissal. For all non-urgent messages my email is:  sculupa@cksvt.org.  

     Thank you in advance for trusting me with your precious child.  I promise to treat your child the way I would want my child to be treated.  I will do my best to make this an amazing year!

                              Blessings,

                                         Mrs. Susan Culupa

Teaching Philosophy

Each child brings to the classroom their own unique personality and learning style.  My goal is to celebrate these differences and nourish each child academically, socially and emotionally so they continue to grow in their journey to become the child of God that each is called to be.  I believe in differentiating lessons to best meet these individual needs so that success is achieved at all levels.  Ultimately, I strive to create a classroom environment where each student feels valued, accepted and comfortable in asking questions and sharing their thoughts and wisdom in a safe, loving community of friends.

Classroom Management

The Kindergarten classroom management is based upon conducting ourselves in a manner that is conducive to being a disciple of Jesus.  Daily emphasis is placed on using kind words and doing kind actions.  Following the Responsive Classroom Approach, the class and I will generate rules that will allow us to establish a calm and orderly classroom that is filled with empathy and good will for others.  Reinforcing language will be used to highlight student skill, attitudes, work processes and the quality of work products.  Reminding language will be used to prompt children to remember for themselves established expectations.  For example, “What will you need to do so you can be ready for math quickly?”  Redirecting language will be used when students need clear, non-negotiable instructions as to what to do.  I will use statements or commands that are clear and respectful.  For example, if a child is running my language would be “please walk”  as opposed to “Stop running!”

I believe in giving logical consequences for misbehavior that are respectful, relevant and realistic.  This year, when a student is not displaying appropriate behavior, they will be told to “take a break”.  This strategy will be used to help students learn and practice self-control.  It allows students to make mistakes, gives them time to refocus and the opportunity to return to successful participation.