Dear Room 5 Families,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! My name is Jessica Hickey, and I am thrilled to be your child’s kindergarten teacher! Kindergarten is such a special and important time in a child’s development. In our classroom, students will be busy learning, collaborating, discovering, and having fun! Together, we will build a strong classroom community focused on being respectful, responsible, safe, and kind. As a classroom family, we’ll set expectations and work toward shared goals. Throughout the year, your child will grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

This will be my eighth year teaching kindergarten. I live in Wappingers with my husband, our three-year-old daughter, and our one-year-old son. I began teaching pre-kindergarten after earning my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University in 2015. I quickly fell in love with the classroom and went on to complete my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercy College. In 2018, I began teaching kindergarten special education for the New York City Department of Education in the Bronx. Since 2020, I’ve been teaching kindergarten at Sheafe Road Elementary School, and I truly love working alongside the incredible students, families, and staff in this community.

Please take a moment to review the kindergarten supply list. Supplies should be brought with you to our kindergarten orientation. If you’re unable to bring everything at that time, feel free to send items gradually in your child’s backpack during the first few days of school.

Beginning on the first day, your child will need to either bring lunch from home or order lunch at school. Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students this year. We will also have a daily classroom snack time, so please be sure to send your child with a snack each day.

In the first few weeks of school, students will be learning our classroom and school routines and expectations. We will focus on building independence and practicing procedures to set a strong foundation for a successful year.

I’m so excited to partner with you for a wonderful school year ahead!

Warmly,

Mrs. Hickey