Good Evening Parents,
I hope your three-day weekends are all off to a good start. Unfortunately, I will have to delay posting the weekly blog. I am feeling ill this evening, due to migraine headache. The primary reason for updating you with this information is because on Curriculum Night I mentioned that the weekly blog will be updated regularly on Friday afternoons. I intend to maintain this timing throughout the school year, but I hope that you can offer your patience with me in these outlier circumstances. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, and I can assure you that the weekly blog will be updated in full tomorrow.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Conforti
Friday, August 31, 2018
Friday, August 24, 2018
Week of August 27-31
Families of 4C,
As we head into week four, I thank you all for a wonderfully strong start to the school year and I’d like to encourage your families and your scholars to continue to persevere through the demands of fourth grade!
You are cordially invited to attend our 3rd-5th grade Curriculum Night, taking place on Wednesday, August 29th. The purpose of the event is to break down a typical day that your student experiences and to provide some general information and tips to help your child in and out of the classroom. The event starts at 6:00 pm in the Arete gymnasium, with opening remarks from Mr. Gillingham, Mrs. Vaughan, and our Specialists. From 6:30 to 7:30, parents will join Mrs. LaVell and myself in 4C for review of classroom procedures and policies, demonstration lessons, and a brief Q&A session. If you have a question on your mind, feel free to send it to me in an email ahead of time. I will be compiling a list of parent questions to prepare an FAQ for Curriculum Night to ensure your pressing questions are addressed. Due to limited seating, this is a parent-only event. Overflow parking will be available at The Falls Event Center located just east of the school.
In the spirit of fostering a healthy campus environment, we would like to ensure that all our scholars are equipped with some brain food! Please send your child with a healthy snack to eat at recess (no cookies, candies, etc.), and a water bottle if they do not already have one. We also ask that you avoid sending your child with any snacks of the aforementioned sort as a birthday celebration, and consider healthy snack alternatives or a classroom book to donate instead!
Grade Reports will be sent electronically on Friday, August 31. You can expect your child to also bring home their mailbox of graded work for weeks 2-4 on the 31st as well. The first few weeks of grades have been recorded manually (not yet digitally) in our classroom thus far, as we were experiencing some technical difficulty with the online gradebook in the first few weeks. IT has since resolved the issue, so you may expect electronic grade reports to be sent regularly after this Friday.
Fourth Grade will be doing MAP Testing on Thursday, August 30. This test is simply a diagnostic measurement to gauge where students are, and it will not impact their grade in any way.
Poetry: Poetry recitations for “Humanity” by Elma Stuckey will begin on Monday! Any students who do not have time to recite Monday will be given time for their recitation on Tuesday.
Roots: Students will be quizzed on roots 1-10 on Wednesday. The will also learn roots 11-13. Roots lessons will begin with a weekly quiz from the previous week’s roots cards, and will conclude with students learning 3-4 new roots.
Grammar: Last week, students learned how to classify and diagram simple sentences identifying nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and article adjectives. On Monday, students will take an Adverbs and Adjectives Test with Classification and Diagramming. We will also be introducing prepositions and pronouns. For homework, students will be continuing paragraph edits for the article “Birthday Mail.” Edit sections Monday through Wednesday will be taken for completion and neatness (students should have around 8-10 edits per sections), and Thursday will be taken for accuracy (students will be told how many of each kind of edit in advance). These edits should be completed day-by-day, and students should not work ahead to other sections until the day it is assigned.
Literature: Students reviewed the types of narrative perspective last week, looking at first, second, and third person points of view. Students also learned the difference between third person objective, subjective, and omniscient points of view. As we continue to read The Princess and the Goblin, we will take a closer look into characterization and practice narrative perspective. We will centralize our characterization focus using STEAL, looking at a character’s Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, and Looks. Students will continue to have regular journal entries to summarize chapters, and these will be completed for homework if class time does not permit completion. Students should be reading independently for 25 minutes every night. Any assigned reading for other subjects will fulfill this reading requirement. Reading logs will be turned in and graded at the end of each month.
Math: This week we will begin our chapter on multiples and we will be taking our chapter test on multiples on Wednesday (8/29). Toward the end of our week, we will begin working with Order of Operations.
Spalding: As we finish up our last rules pages, we will begin dictating words this week. You can expect your child to have regular Spalding homework starting this week.
Science: We are starting our new Science unit on Electricity this week, and we will continue working in this unit until we take the test in week 6. Students will be given regular quizzes throughout the unit in order to gauge understanding. They should be reviewing their notes consistently during the week to stay prepared. Students will learn about electricity usage and human impact, static electricity, currents, circuits, and engineering with safety.
History: As we continue our unit on the Middle Ages for the next few weeks, students will learn about the church’s influence in shaping nations, powerful empires and emperors, and they will be taking a closer look at the European continent. Students will continue identifying European countries on a map, and will have a quiz on this next week. Students will be tested on the first four chapters of the unit on Friday.
I hope to see many of you at Curriculum Night on Wednesday!
--Mrs. Conforti
As we head into week four, I thank you all for a wonderfully strong start to the school year and I’d like to encourage your families and your scholars to continue to persevere through the demands of fourth grade!
You are cordially invited to attend our 3rd-5th grade Curriculum Night, taking place on Wednesday, August 29th. The purpose of the event is to break down a typical day that your student experiences and to provide some general information and tips to help your child in and out of the classroom. The event starts at 6:00 pm in the Arete gymnasium, with opening remarks from Mr. Gillingham, Mrs. Vaughan, and our Specialists. From 6:30 to 7:30, parents will join Mrs. LaVell and myself in 4C for review of classroom procedures and policies, demonstration lessons, and a brief Q&A session. If you have a question on your mind, feel free to send it to me in an email ahead of time. I will be compiling a list of parent questions to prepare an FAQ for Curriculum Night to ensure your pressing questions are addressed. Due to limited seating, this is a parent-only event. Overflow parking will be available at The Falls Event Center located just east of the school.
In the spirit of fostering a healthy campus environment, we would like to ensure that all our scholars are equipped with some brain food! Please send your child with a healthy snack to eat at recess (no cookies, candies, etc.), and a water bottle if they do not already have one. We also ask that you avoid sending your child with any snacks of the aforementioned sort as a birthday celebration, and consider healthy snack alternatives or a classroom book to donate instead!
Grade Reports will be sent electronically on Friday, August 31. You can expect your child to also bring home their mailbox of graded work for weeks 2-4 on the 31st as well. The first few weeks of grades have been recorded manually (not yet digitally) in our classroom thus far, as we were experiencing some technical difficulty with the online gradebook in the first few weeks. IT has since resolved the issue, so you may expect electronic grade reports to be sent regularly after this Friday.
Fourth Grade will be doing MAP Testing on Thursday, August 30. This test is simply a diagnostic measurement to gauge where students are, and it will not impact their grade in any way.
Poetry: Poetry recitations for “Humanity” by Elma Stuckey will begin on Monday! Any students who do not have time to recite Monday will be given time for their recitation on Tuesday.
Roots: Students will be quizzed on roots 1-10 on Wednesday. The will also learn roots 11-13. Roots lessons will begin with a weekly quiz from the previous week’s roots cards, and will conclude with students learning 3-4 new roots.
Grammar: Last week, students learned how to classify and diagram simple sentences identifying nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and article adjectives. On Monday, students will take an Adverbs and Adjectives Test with Classification and Diagramming. We will also be introducing prepositions and pronouns. For homework, students will be continuing paragraph edits for the article “Birthday Mail.” Edit sections Monday through Wednesday will be taken for completion and neatness (students should have around 8-10 edits per sections), and Thursday will be taken for accuracy (students will be told how many of each kind of edit in advance). These edits should be completed day-by-day, and students should not work ahead to other sections until the day it is assigned.
Literature: Students reviewed the types of narrative perspective last week, looking at first, second, and third person points of view. Students also learned the difference between third person objective, subjective, and omniscient points of view. As we continue to read The Princess and the Goblin, we will take a closer look into characterization and practice narrative perspective. We will centralize our characterization focus using STEAL, looking at a character’s Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, and Looks. Students will continue to have regular journal entries to summarize chapters, and these will be completed for homework if class time does not permit completion. Students should be reading independently for 25 minutes every night. Any assigned reading for other subjects will fulfill this reading requirement. Reading logs will be turned in and graded at the end of each month.
Math: This week we will begin our chapter on multiples and we will be taking our chapter test on multiples on Wednesday (8/29). Toward the end of our week, we will begin working with Order of Operations.
Spalding: As we finish up our last rules pages, we will begin dictating words this week. You can expect your child to have regular Spalding homework starting this week.
Science: We are starting our new Science unit on Electricity this week, and we will continue working in this unit until we take the test in week 6. Students will be given regular quizzes throughout the unit in order to gauge understanding. They should be reviewing their notes consistently during the week to stay prepared. Students will learn about electricity usage and human impact, static electricity, currents, circuits, and engineering with safety.
History: As we continue our unit on the Middle Ages for the next few weeks, students will learn about the church’s influence in shaping nations, powerful empires and emperors, and they will be taking a closer look at the European continent. Students will continue identifying European countries on a map, and will have a quiz on this next week. Students will be tested on the first four chapters of the unit on Friday.
I hope to see many of you at Curriculum Night on Wednesday!
--Mrs. Conforti
Friday, August 17, 2018
Week of August 20-24
Families of 4C,
Thank you for another great week of learning! We are all settling into our routines and getting a feel for the work to be expected each week.
Math: On Monday, we will be starting our new unit on factors. Students will be taking their test on factorization at the end of the week on Friday.
Science: On Monday, we will be taking a short quiz reviewing protons, neutrons, electrons, volume, mass, and density. Students should review their notes for these vocabulary terms. Throughout the week, we will be continuing our Chemistry unit, as we do a lab on mixtures and solutes. We will finish up our Chemistry unit with the Unit Test on Thursday, and begin learning about electricity on Friday.
Spalding: This week in Spalding we will still be continuing our rules pages in class. You can expect to begin dictating words to your student later this week or early next week, depending on the time it takes for the class to make our way through the rules.
History: On Monday, we will begin our new history unit on Europe in the Middle Ages. We will start with reading about the Roman Empire, move through the Dark Ages, and learn about the role that churches played in forming nations during this time. On Friday, we will take a short quiz on Europe in the Middle Ages.
Grammar: On Monday, students will be taking a test on sentences and nouns. We have been learning about the four types of sentences, the five parts of a complete sentence, and we have learned about singular and plural forms of common and proper nouns. Throughout the week, we will be introducing verbs and learning how to classify and diagram simple sentences. On Friday, students will take a test on Diagramming Simple Sentences with nouns and verbs.
Literature: We are continuing our journey through "The Princess and the Goblin" and you can expect your student to have regular Journal Entries to complete for each chapter. Time is given in class to start on Journal Entries, and should only be homework if not completed in class.
Poetry: Students should continue to practice their Memorization of "Humanity" by Elma Stuckey. We will be doing recitations of this poem next week.
Greek and Latin Roots: Students will be taking a Roots quiz on Wednesday and will be tested on roots 1-4. They have already learned through their first 7 roots, and will continue with learning roots 8-10 this week.
If you'd like to see what your student is up to in Specials, please check the links below!
Thank you for another great week of learning! We are all settling into our routines and getting a feel for the work to be expected each week.
Math: On Monday, we will be starting our new unit on factors. Students will be taking their test on factorization at the end of the week on Friday.
Science: On Monday, we will be taking a short quiz reviewing protons, neutrons, electrons, volume, mass, and density. Students should review their notes for these vocabulary terms. Throughout the week, we will be continuing our Chemistry unit, as we do a lab on mixtures and solutes. We will finish up our Chemistry unit with the Unit Test on Thursday, and begin learning about electricity on Friday.
Spalding: This week in Spalding we will still be continuing our rules pages in class. You can expect to begin dictating words to your student later this week or early next week, depending on the time it takes for the class to make our way through the rules.
History: On Monday, we will begin our new history unit on Europe in the Middle Ages. We will start with reading about the Roman Empire, move through the Dark Ages, and learn about the role that churches played in forming nations during this time. On Friday, we will take a short quiz on Europe in the Middle Ages.
Grammar: On Monday, students will be taking a test on sentences and nouns. We have been learning about the four types of sentences, the five parts of a complete sentence, and we have learned about singular and plural forms of common and proper nouns. Throughout the week, we will be introducing verbs and learning how to classify and diagram simple sentences. On Friday, students will take a test on Diagramming Simple Sentences with nouns and verbs.
Literature: We are continuing our journey through "The Princess and the Goblin" and you can expect your student to have regular Journal Entries to complete for each chapter. Time is given in class to start on Journal Entries, and should only be homework if not completed in class.
Poetry: Students should continue to practice their Memorization of "Humanity" by Elma Stuckey. We will be doing recitations of this poem next week.
Greek and Latin Roots: Students will be taking a Roots quiz on Wednesday and will be tested on roots 1-4. They have already learned through their first 7 roots, and will continue with learning roots 8-10 this week.
If you'd like to see what your student is up to in Specials, please check the links below!
- Art: https://cal-archwayareteart.blogspot.com/
- French: https://aretefrench.blogspot.com/
- P.E.: http://aretepe2-5.blogspot.com/
- Music: http://archwayaretemusic.blogspot.com/
Please take notice of Great Hearts new heat advisory policy:
On days when the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning, students may not go outside for recess once temperatures have reached 107 degrees F. At all other times, teachers should be vigilant about assessing students’ needs for hydration and looking for signs of heat exhaustion.
Bearing heat in mind, Mrs. LaVell and myself offer opportunities for students to get a drink during classroom transitions. Please encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school and to take responsibility in filling it up at lunch to avoid missing class time.
Feel free to reach out with any further questions you may have about this week. I hope you all enjoy a peaceful weekend!
--Mrs. Conforti
Friday, August 10, 2018
Week of August 13-17
Good Evening Families of 4C,
Our first full week of school is in the books! This week your students learned and reviewed school and classroom expectations. We will be practicing these expectations every day to ensure we create the best scholarly environment possible.
On Monday, we will be taking our first math quiz. Students can review this quiz by completing their math worksheet over the weekend. Next week, your students will be continuing the Chemistry lesson in science and the Geography lesson in history, and there will be quizzes in both of these subjects later in the week (date TDB, see student's daily agenda). We will also be starting our Spalding phonograms and rule pages, and we will be continuing reading "The Princess and the Goblin" in Literature.
If your family has yet to acquire a copy of "The Princess and the Goblin," please try to send your child to school with their copy on Monday. If you are unable to get one by Monday, please aim for them to have it at the earliest convenience.
Theory Time books are needed for all students for Music class. These books may still be available at Barnes and Noble or if not they can be found at Amazon (please make sure it is not written in if buying used). The book list with ISBN number can be found on the Archway Arete website. Please send this book in with your child by Thursday, August 16th. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact Mrs. Kaye at SKaye@ArchwayArete.org.
Parents, please note our restroom policy below:
Our first full week of school is in the books! This week your students learned and reviewed school and classroom expectations. We will be practicing these expectations every day to ensure we create the best scholarly environment possible.
On Monday, we will be taking our first math quiz. Students can review this quiz by completing their math worksheet over the weekend. Next week, your students will be continuing the Chemistry lesson in science and the Geography lesson in history, and there will be quizzes in both of these subjects later in the week (date TDB, see student's daily agenda). We will also be starting our Spalding phonograms and rule pages, and we will be continuing reading "The Princess and the Goblin" in Literature.
If your family has yet to acquire a copy of "The Princess and the Goblin," please try to send your child to school with their copy on Monday. If you are unable to get one by Monday, please aim for them to have it at the earliest convenience.
Theory Time books are needed for all students for Music class. These books may still be available at Barnes and Noble or if not they can be found at Amazon (please make sure it is not written in if buying used). The book list with ISBN number can be found on the Archway Arete website. Please send this book in with your child by Thursday, August 16th. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact Mrs. Kaye at SKaye@ArchwayArete.org.
Parents, please note our restroom policy below:
- Students are encouraged to use recess, lunch time, and before/after school for any restroom visits or trips to the water fountain. These are our "Bathroom Hours."
- Before school- 7:20-7:50
- Recess- 9:55-10:10
- Lunch- 11:55-12:35
- After school- 3:05-pickup
- Students will be given two (2) emergency passes to be used during class time IF they have an emergency and are not able to wait until the next slot for Bathroom hours.
- Students are asked that if they have an emergency and need to go during class, that they do not ask to go during direct instruction time. Instead, they should wait until a group/independent working time or a transition. (This frees the learning environment from distraction and allows class to function more smoothly).
If your child has a medical condition or concern that requires them to use the bathroom more frequently (beyond Bathroom Hours and 2 emergency passes), please send me an email so I can work with your family to better accommodate them.
Mrs. LaVell and myself are working diligently in these first weeks to offer as many reminders as possible to students to use Bathroom Hours. Our goal is to work with our fourth graders to help them become responsible for their own time management, and to ensure they don't miss out on any of the fun learning in class!
Finally, many of you expressed interest in volunteering in our class. Thank you! I will be reaching out in the following weeks to touch base with some of you about ways you might be able to get involved with our class. If any of our 4C family members are interested in being our lead classroom parent, please send me an email directly so I know you have interest in the position. As I am a bit newer to the Archway Arete family, I would appreciate if you would also include in your email any past experience as a classroom volunteer or as a lead parent to help provide me with some background.
Thank you for a great first week and a strong start to the school year!
--Mrs. Conforti
Monday, August 6, 2018
First Day of School
Good Afternoon 4C Families!
Our first official day as Fourth Graders has come and gone! Today your student took their first Spalding Test, learned about reading maps, and learned many procedures for our classroom and for the school. Mrs. LaVell and I are both eager for another day of learning tomorrow, and for many days to come after.
As you prepare your child for the following days of the school year, there are a couple housekeeping notes to keep in mind:
Our first official day as Fourth Graders has come and gone! Today your student took their first Spalding Test, learned about reading maps, and learned many procedures for our classroom and for the school. Mrs. LaVell and I are both eager for another day of learning tomorrow, and for many days to come after.
As you prepare your child for the following days of the school year, there are a couple housekeeping notes to keep in mind:
- It is hot, hot, hot! If possible, please send your child to school with a reusable water bottle each day. This helps them stay hydrated throughout the day while not making them miss class time to get a drink from the water fountain.
- Please note that the MPR will be treated as a silent study hall in the afternoons during pick-up. Students will be expected to work on homework quietly while they wait to be picked up. Make sure your child brings a book to read during this time for the days they may not have homework, or if they finish their homework early.
- Tomorrow is our first day of P.E.! Students are expected to wear all black athletic shoes to comply with dress code. Please reference the Archway Arete Uniform Policy to make sure your child is properly outfitted!
Lastly, our classroom is well-stocked with most supplies thanks to the generous families of 4C! In order to maintain a clean and healthy learning environment, our classroom will go through tissues and disinfectant wipes often. We will gratefully accept donations of either of these items throughout the school year. You will also be notified if need arrises for any other materials or supplies as the year progresses.
Many of you have emailed to ask about subscribing to our class blog. I have updated the blog so you may now enter your email address if you would like to subscribe so you don't miss a post. As always, you may reach out to myself or Mrs. LaVell if you have any further questions or concerns.
Kindest Regards,
Mrs. Conforti
Friday, August 3, 2018
First Week of School
Good Afternoon 4C Families!
We are incredibly excited to have our students in class this Monday! We hope everyone has a restful weekend and comes ready to learn!
The first week of school we will be establishing and practicing our daily routines and procedures, and familiarizing ourselves with our classroom and our school! Students will be taking a tour of the entire Archway Arete campus with Mrs. LaVell and myself on Monday morning, and we will spend the rest of the day enriching our minds and hearts in learning.
Although the first few days of school will look a bit different, below you can see the daily schedule we will be following M, T, Th, and F.
On Wednesdays, the main difference in the schedule is that they will only have one Specials block in the day instead of two, and dismissal is at 2:05.
Be advised that as our Arete families are still settling into their routines, traffic pickup will be a very busy time and might take a little longer than it will later in the year. Please plan ahead for these conditions when picking up your child from school in the first couple weeks.
I look forward to beginning our fourth grade journey in the pursuit of all that is True, Beautiful, and Good!
--Mrs. Conforti
We are incredibly excited to have our students in class this Monday! We hope everyone has a restful weekend and comes ready to learn!
The first week of school we will be establishing and practicing our daily routines and procedures, and familiarizing ourselves with our classroom and our school! Students will be taking a tour of the entire Archway Arete campus with Mrs. LaVell and myself on Monday morning, and we will spend the rest of the day enriching our minds and hearts in learning.
Although the first few days of school will look a bit different, below you can see the daily schedule we will be following M, T, Th, and F.
- 7:50-7:55 Announcements/ Pledge
- 7:55-9:15 Math
- 9:15-9:55 Specials: Music (M, Th)/ P.E. (T, F)
- 9:55-10:10 Recess
- 10:10-10:50 Science
- 10:50-11:30 Spalding
- 11:30-11:55 History
- 11:55-12:35 Lunch
- 12:35-1:00 History
- 1:00-1:40 Grammar/ Writing
- 1:40-2:20 Literature
- 2:20-3:00 Specials: Art (M, Th)/ French (T, F)
- 3:05 Dismissal
On Wednesdays, the main difference in the schedule is that they will only have one Specials block in the day instead of two, and dismissal is at 2:05.
Be advised that as our Arete families are still settling into their routines, traffic pickup will be a very busy time and might take a little longer than it will later in the year. Please plan ahead for these conditions when picking up your child from school in the first couple weeks.
I look forward to beginning our fourth grade journey in the pursuit of all that is True, Beautiful, and Good!
--Mrs. Conforti
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Meet the Teacher Night
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Mrs. Conforti’s and Mrs. LaVell’s Fourth Grade class! This is your official classroom assignment notification. We are so happy to have your student in our class! We hope to see everyone at Meet the Teacher Night tonight, August 2nd, 2018. Students should bring all school supplies to this event. (Please do not label supplies! Our supplies are communal.) Please note that there are two sessions:
Last name beginning A-M—5:30-6:30
Last name beginning N-Z—6:30-7:30
We look forward to meeting everyone tonight!
About Us:
My name is Mrs. Conforti, and this is my first year teaching 4th grade at Archway Arete. I had the privilege of coming to Archway Arete as an Apprentice Teacher for 5th grade half way through the year in January, and I’m very excited to be expanding my role this year! Before that, I was working as a K-12 school portrait photographer at different schools across the valley after I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in English Literature from The Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University. My time spent covering education as an undergraduate reporter and as a school photographer helped strengthen my desire to be in the classroom where I could work more closely and personally with students.
Since coming to Great Hearts, I have found a natural home that values commitment to shaping both hearts and minds with an eye to virtue, while holding truth, beauty, and goodness to exceptional standards. The love I have for teaching and for empowering younger generations is the driving force behind my excitement for this school year, and I am humbled by the opportunity to foster a love of learning in our classroom. I look forward to getting to know you and work with you this year to ensure your child’s success! In my spare time, I enjoy reading and doing yoga. I was recently married in April to my husband, Anthony, who is attending his first year of medical school. As busy newlyweds, we love to spend our weekends relaxing together with our cat, Achilles!
My blog (conforti4c.blogspot.com) will feature lots of helpful information for parents and students throughout the year, so please check it regularly for new updates and information on what is happening in our classroom! You are also welcome to subscribe to our class blog to ensure you never miss an update!
The best way to get in touch with me is by email—I check my email regularly throughout the weekday. Please feel free to email me at TMartin@ArchwayArete.org with your questions, comments, or concerns. (Please note that as I was recently married, my email address is my first initial and maiden last name “Martin”; I apologize in advance for any confusion this may cause.)
I am delighted to have your student in our class, and I thank you in advance for your support and partnership in the upcoming year.
Kindest Regards,
Mrs. Conforti
Hello!
I am Mrs. LaVell and I will be the Assistant Teacher in Mrs. Conforti’s 4C classroom. This is my second year at Archway Arete and I am looking forward to a great year with 4th grade!
I am originally from St. Paul, MN where I was an attorney and worked in environmental cleanup and litigation for over 12 years before moving to the Valley with my husband Tom to be a full time mom and raise our family. We have two Arete Prep students, and I have also been a classroom mom and volunteer at Arete for many years before joining the faculty.
I am very excited about the beginning of this school year, and look forward to helping your child have a pleasant and successful fourth grade experience.
Rachel LaVell
RLavell@ArchwayArete.org
Welcome to Mrs. Conforti’s and Mrs. LaVell’s Fourth Grade class! This is your official classroom assignment notification. We are so happy to have your student in our class! We hope to see everyone at Meet the Teacher Night tonight, August 2nd, 2018. Students should bring all school supplies to this event. (Please do not label supplies! Our supplies are communal.) Please note that there are two sessions:
Last name beginning A-M—5:30-6:30
Last name beginning N-Z—6:30-7:30
We look forward to meeting everyone tonight!
About Us:
My name is Mrs. Conforti, and this is my first year teaching 4th grade at Archway Arete. I had the privilege of coming to Archway Arete as an Apprentice Teacher for 5th grade half way through the year in January, and I’m very excited to be expanding my role this year! Before that, I was working as a K-12 school portrait photographer at different schools across the valley after I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in English Literature from The Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University. My time spent covering education as an undergraduate reporter and as a school photographer helped strengthen my desire to be in the classroom where I could work more closely and personally with students.
Since coming to Great Hearts, I have found a natural home that values commitment to shaping both hearts and minds with an eye to virtue, while holding truth, beauty, and goodness to exceptional standards. The love I have for teaching and for empowering younger generations is the driving force behind my excitement for this school year, and I am humbled by the opportunity to foster a love of learning in our classroom. I look forward to getting to know you and work with you this year to ensure your child’s success! In my spare time, I enjoy reading and doing yoga. I was recently married in April to my husband, Anthony, who is attending his first year of medical school. As busy newlyweds, we love to spend our weekends relaxing together with our cat, Achilles!
My blog (conforti4c.blogspot.com) will feature lots of helpful information for parents and students throughout the year, so please check it regularly for new updates and information on what is happening in our classroom! You are also welcome to subscribe to our class blog to ensure you never miss an update!
The best way to get in touch with me is by email—I check my email regularly throughout the weekday. Please feel free to email me at TMartin@ArchwayArete.org with your questions, comments, or concerns. (Please note that as I was recently married, my email address is my first initial and maiden last name “Martin”; I apologize in advance for any confusion this may cause.)
I am delighted to have your student in our class, and I thank you in advance for your support and partnership in the upcoming year.
Kindest Regards,
Mrs. Conforti
Hello!
I am Mrs. LaVell and I will be the Assistant Teacher in Mrs. Conforti’s 4C classroom. This is my second year at Archway Arete and I am looking forward to a great year with 4th grade!
I am originally from St. Paul, MN where I was an attorney and worked in environmental cleanup and litigation for over 12 years before moving to the Valley with my husband Tom to be a full time mom and raise our family. We have two Arete Prep students, and I have also been a classroom mom and volunteer at Arete for many years before joining the faculty.
I am very excited about the beginning of this school year, and look forward to helping your child have a pleasant and successful fourth grade experience.
Rachel LaVell
RLavell@ArchwayArete.org
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