Message From Mrs. Gershman
P.S. 26 Queens
The Rufus King School
195-02 69th Avenue
Fresh Meadows, New York 11365
(718) 464-4505
Dr. Dina Koski, Principal
Mrs. Debra Gershman, Assistant Principal
Dear Parents:
Welcome back from what I hope was a restful and relaxing summer. During my summer “travels” in Fresh Meadows, Bayside and Douglaston, I met several P.S. 26 families. Many parents asked me for suggestions of things they could do to encourage their children to write more and enjoy writing.
When you see a writing opportunity, go for it! I’ll be interested in your feedback when you try some to the following suggestions.
Ø Set up a message center where each day you write a short message to your children. They can write messages back to you. Soon they will be writing the first messages of the day.
Ø Encourage your children to keep journals. Arrange a time when the family can listen to their entries. A family discussion could follow.
Ø Whenever you travel, allow your children to buy postcards for friends and family members. They can even send some to themselves so the postcards will be waiting when they arrive home.
Ø Children can also put postcards into albums and write captions about the sights they visited. They will enjoy revisiting their vacations through these photos. They will also see how their writing has improved throughout the years.
Ø Write stories with your children. You can take turns until the story is completed. Read the story. Reread the story and change the ending. Try writing a silly or scary story.
Ø Find a pen pal in another city, state or country. The children can exchange letters and birthday and holiday cards.
Ø Have your children make a book of family stories that have been told over and over from one generation to the next.
Ø Tell your children about something that happened to you when you were younger. Leave off the ending and let them write and ending.
Ø Set up a time during the week when everyone in the family writes. Use a timer. When the timer goes off, member of the family can share their writing. Have a discussion about the writing.
Ø Encourage your children to keep diaries in which they write their goals, dreams and feelings. It is a great way for them to express themselves. They will also enjoy reading them when they are older.
I have an open door policy and can be reached anytime after 7:00 am. I look forward to seeing many of you at Parent Orientation, P.T.A. meetings and school activities. I know it is going to be an outstanding year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Debra Gershman