August, 2026

Dear 5-L Students and Families,

I will likely say more than once in our first days together that this is a milestone year for you, meaning it is an important point to reflect and celebrate on your educational journeys.  Together we will work hard to make your last year at Jefferson a meaningful one for you.

Personally it will be a milestone year for our family this year as well as my daughter Sophie is beginning her last year of college.  I can easily recall when she was entering her fifth-grade year at Wilson School as it does not seem like that long ago. Yes, time flies, and yes, we need to make the most of it, and yes, that's what we will do in 5-L . 

My family and I also reside in Westfield so you may likely also see me at a downtown ice cream shop or at the town pool.  My wife Rachel and I could not be happier with the education that our children have received through the Westfield School System. Sophie is a  senior at Villanova,  Zach is a sophomore at Syracuse, and  Ben is a sophomore at Lafayette. Last year, Mrs. Latessa and I had to adjust to what many people refer to as an "empty nest," meaning that our little "birds" left  home. It was bittersweet (lots of vocabulary words already in 5-L!), meaning it's sad (the bitter) to see them go but also happy (sweet) to watch them grow. Since they have been home all summer and we are used to the busyness that comes with having them here, we will need to make that adjustment again this fall.

Speaking of my kids and the seemingly recent memories of them in Grade 5, my teaching approach neatly sums up into treating my 5-L students with the same care and respect with which I would want my own children to be treated at school.  As I enter my thirteenth  year as a part of the Grade 5  team, I remain overjoyed to be a part of the Jefferson community and am looking forward to another big year in 5-L. I have enthusiasm and passion for teaching and learning and hope that "Mr. Latessa's Professas" will respond to it with energy and passion of their own.   I am looking forward to an exciting school year of learning, growing, and having fun.  

I have read several great books over the summer and look forward to sharing them with you.  I have a special shelf in our classroom called “Mr. Latessa's Faves” that I think you will particularly enjoy. In our reading, we will explore big themes, such as home and bravery, and trace our characters’ journeys to self discovery.  As our characters ask and answer the age-old question, “Who am I?” we may in fact discover more about ourselves as well.  

Yes, kiddos, we will do lots of reading.  Will I require you to read daily?  If you are asking this question, I hope that the authors in the favorite shelf and I will change your mindset.  I agree wholeheartedly with Kate DiCamillo, an author with ten books on my favorites shelf, who said, “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.”  If you have yet to find a love for reading, take heart in the sage advice of J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame. She says, “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.”  We will work hard to find you the right "gift" this year!

On a lighter note, since I am originally from Massachusetts, I am an avid Boston sports fan and a loyal citizen of Red Sox Nation. If your loyalty belongs to the Mets, or especially the Yankees, I believe we can get over this hurdle and build a bridge (perhaps another theme of ours this year!) to meet in the middle as fans of the game.

Again, welcome to 5-L. My first assignment is for you to enjoy the last days of summer.  Be a kid!  Go outside (weather permitting) and throw a ball or catch a firefly or play a game of pretend. (This follows a Mr. L  life lesson: Do not think you are too old or too cool for something fun.) Keep in mind this quote from the great mind of Albert Einstein, “Play is the highest form of research.”

I look forward to meeting, or in some cases, reconnecting, with you soon.

Sincerely,

Mr. L.