Welcome Incoming Students!

I am looking forward to meeting everyone on September 6th!

About Me (Professional):

• This will be my tenth year teaching 5th grade at Thornell Road.
• I earned my undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo.
• I worked for several years at Paychex before choosing to return to school and pursue a profession in education.
• I earned my graduate degree in Childhood and Special Education from Nazareth College.

About Me (Personal):

• I live in Pittsford with my wife Casey, our sons Kieran (age 5), Logan (age 3), our yellow lab Maggie (age 6), and cat S'mores (age 1).
• I enjoy outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking, especially the Adirondack high peaks!
• I have completed Esther, Colden, Whiteface, Dix, Hough, Grace Peak (formerly known as East Dix), South Dix, Macomb, Marshall, Skylight, and Gray.  When I hiked my first high peak I wasn't planning on becoming a 46er, but we will see what happens in the coming years.

For the Parents:

I am looking forward to working not only with your children this year, but also you!  If you have a question, please don't hesitate to ask me as I highly value open communication and cooperation.  Last year parents mainly communicated with me through notes, emails, phone calls, and meetings.  Once we get your children set up with Microsoft Teams, I strongly recommend having your child show you their student view, so you know where their assignments are posted, as well as copies of handouts.  While we want to guide students towards independence, I have found that having parents check in with student progress from time to time is helpful.

Please note:  Homework postings will occur on Microsoft Teams after we get the class set up in the coming weeks. You will receive handouts in your children's Take Home Folder.  

Please also note the following.

• Parent signatures in agenda for 2 weeks, then no longer required.  If a student misses a day then the 2 weeks resets.  This is to help students get back into the school routine after the summer.
• Parent/teacher/student conference times will be released on Sign Up Genius in the coming weeks.
  
• If interested, please sign up as a parent volunteer coordinator and/or party sign up (also on Sign Up Genius).  The link can be found in your welcome back packet.
  

Here's to a great year!