Dear Grade 6 Gladiator Student (and Parents/Guardians):

Welcome to the Gladiator Team!  You will soon be starting an exciting new school year at Donegal Intermediate School.  I, along with the other Gladiator Teachers, am anxiously awaiting your arrival. With this letter, you will find forms in your packet that need to be completed and returned during the first week of school.

You will be in my homeroom this year.  I teach Language Arts to all students on the Gladiator Team.  Mrs. Pizzoli will be your Math teacher, and Miss Lindemuth will be your Science and Social Studies teacher.  We are looking forward to meeting you and having you as a student. 

This has been an exciting summer for my family.  My husband, Matt, and our children, Tucker and Rheagan, spent time traveling this summer.  Our travels this summer included:  Raystown Lake, Little Sebago Lake in Maine, Rehoboth Beach, and a day trip to the Baltimore Zoo and Aquarium.  We also spent time celebrating both Tucker’s and Rheagan’s birthdays.  Tucker turned five this summer.  His favorite gift was his new nerf guns and chainsaw.  If you were to drive passed our house, you would find him in the yard playing with all of these things.  Our daughter, Rheagan, turned three this summer.  Rheagan loves baby dolls, playing with her brother, and dancing. 

We will spend a lot of time this school year getting to know one another.  I have been teaching at Donegal for 17 years as a 6^th grade Language Arts teacher.  I too went to Donegal as a child and graduated in 1996.  I then went on to graduate from Eastern Mennonite University with both my bachelor’s and master’s degree in education.

I want all of you to have a successful academic start to your 6^th grade year.  For this reason I recommend purchasing the following school supplies prior to the first day of school:

·         A 2" three-ring binder

·         1 plastic pencil pouch made for three-ring binders

·         4-5 dividers with tabs for your binder

·         1 pack of lined notebook paper for your binder (Replenish as needed.)

·         2+ sharpened pencils for every class, every day

·         Erasers (for pencils)

·         Blue ink pens

·         1 box of colored pencils (Replenish as needed.)

·         1 box of colored markers (Replenish as needed.)

·         Dry-erase markers and eraser (I have white boards for your use.)

·         Highlighters

·         1 – 3 hole folder with pockets (for Math)

·         1 – 100 page lined composition book (for Math)

·         Glue or glue sticks

I have purchased some supplies for you that include:  a composition book for reading class, a spelling book, and folders for reading groups.  All of these tools will enable you to be organized and to locate necessary items quickly.  Since organization is a tool to success, you will spend time during the first week of school learning how to use these materials; therefore, I would like you to bring these materials with you on the first day of school.                                   

Please look for information regarding our annual Open House.  I hope your parent(s) will be able to attend, as I look forward to meeting them. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.  I look forward to seeing you very soon! 

Sincerely,                                               

Mrs. Andrea Bachert

6^th Grade Gladiator Team Language Arts Teacher