Dear Fifth Grade Families,

I hope this letter finds you well and filled with excitement for the upcoming school year at Sahuaro Elementary School! I am thrilled to welcome both new and familiar faces to our fifth-grade classroom. It is my privilege to guide your children through a year of growth, exploration, and academic achievement.

Before we embark on this educational journey together, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Adam Kohn, and I have been part of the Sahuaro Elementary School community for the past nine and a half years. When I'm not in the classroom, you can often find me with my wife and daughter, pursuing our hobbies, which include playing video games, going to the zoo and aquarium, golfing, SCUBA diving, and exploring new destinations through travel. These experiences have taught me the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and embracing new challenges, qualities that I strive to instill in our classroom environment. I am originally from Southern California, however, I have called Arizona home since I was 14 years old.

At Sahuaro Elementary, we embrace a holistic approach to education that focuses not only on academic excellence but also on the social-emotional well-being of our students. We believe in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment where every child feels safe, respected, and valued. To that end, our classroom philosophy incorporates two essential frameworks: PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and PAX.

PBIS is a proactive approach that promotes positive behavior by teaching and reinforcing appropriate social skills. It helps create a culture of respect, responsibility, and kindness within the classroom and the larger school community. By explicitly teaching and reinforcing behavioral expectations, we aim to create an environment where all students can thrive and succeed.

In addition to PBIS, we implement PAX strategies to enhance our classroom community. PAX is a program that focuses on teaching self-regulation, cooperation, and empathy. Through engaging activities and discussions, we will nurture students' social-emotional skills, enabling them to build strong relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and become responsible members of the classroom and the wider community.

Communication is vital for a successful partnership between home and school, so please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. You can contact me via Parent Square, and I will respond as soon as possible. I am also available for in-person meetings by appointment.