Welcome Back, Afflerbach Families!
Welcome back to another great year at Afflerbach Elementary! I hope your family had a wonderful summer and that your children are excited to be back at school. There is always something special about the beginning of a new school year—the excitement in the hallways, reconnecting with friends, meeting new teachers, and the opportunity for all of us to start fresh.
Our theme this year is “Together We Succeed!” This is more than just a theme—it represents what I believe makes Afflerbach such a special place. When students, families, teachers, and staff work together, we create the conditions for every child to be successful. Two of the most important ways families can partner with us this year are by making good attendance a priority and by reading together at home.
Every Day Matters
One of the simplest and most powerful things we can do for our students is make sure they are at school every day and on time. Every school day provides opportunities for students to learn, practice new skills, build relationships, and receive support from their teachers. When students miss school, even a few days here and there, those missed learning opportunities can add up quickly.
We understand that children get sick and that families occasionally face circumstances that make an absence unavoidable. When your child is healthy, however, please make school attendance a priority. Establishing good attendance habits now helps children understand that being present matters. If your family is experiencing a challenge that is making regular attendance difficult, please reach out to us. We want to work with you and help.
Read, Read, Read!
Another powerful way you can support your child's success is by making reading part of your family's daily routine. Just 15–20 minutes of reading at home each day can provide valuable additional practice and help children develop vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and—most importantly—a love of reading.
Reading at home doesn't have to feel like homework. Read a favorite book together. Let your child read to you. Take turns reading pages. Talk about the characters and make predictions about what might happen next. For younger children, reading aloud to them is incredibly valuable. For older students, ask them about what they are reading and have them tell you about their favorite part. And remember—reading in any language spoken in your home is valuable!
As we begin this new school year, I want you to know how grateful we are to have you as part of the Afflerbach community. Our staff is committed to providing your children with a safe, caring environment where they are challenged, supported, and encouraged to grow. We cannot do that work alone. We need you as our partners.
Be here. Read every day. Stay connected. Together We Succeed!
I am excited about what this year will bring and look forward to celebrating our students' successes with you throughout the year.
Welcome back, Afflerbach!
