August 23, 2017
Dear Parents,
Aloha and a very warm welcome to Dapplegray Elementary School and the Court 4 Ohana! I hope you and your child had a wonderful summer and are ready to begin a fantastic journey of discovery and learning together! Kindergarten is a year of phenomenal growth socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Your involvement, love and encouragement in your child’s journey as their parent will help make this a successful and memorable year for them. If you will, take just a moment from our busy adult lives, and remember the magic and joy of the Kindergarten world of play, friends, letters, numbers, stories, sharing, building things, painting and you will see that creativity and imagination are everywhere. Each night as you talk with your child about their day and celebrate the best efforts they put forth on their work, please remember that often the process is more important than the product. The learning taking place in Kindergarten is accomplished by doing, touching and experiencing in a way different than the later grades.
I highly encourage all parents to embrace this process and come join us and be involved as much as you are able. I urge you to work alongside your child with their homework, talk with your child daily about their day, join the PTA, donate to the PEF, enjoy events for parents, volunteer in the classroom and be an integral part of the Dapplegray community. We have extraordinary teachers, a wonderful principal, dedicated staff and amazing kids, but what really makes a school great is fabulous parent support. I believe communication between teacher, parent, and student is critical, so please know I can be reached by phone (310) 541-3706 x214 or email at . Writing short notes is also a great way to share information.
I’m very happy to begin my 3rd yearof teaching Kindergarten at Dapplegray and my 15th year of teaching in the K-1-2 grades. My husband Chris (an architect) and I have lived in Manhattan Beach for over 11 years and are blessed with a large blended family. We love calling the South Bay home! Our three boys are college age, and our daughters Ansley and Makena are a Sophmore in high school and a first graderrespectively. Our two retrievers, Roxy and Junie, round out our ohana and bring us immeasurable joy (and mischief). I grew up primarily in Tucson, AZ, but attended high school for a period on Oahu. Hence, Hawai’i holds a special place in my heart. I attended Arizona State University and earned a degree in Marketing. After 5+ years of working for Mizuno Sports in Georgia I found my true calling and earned a second degree in elementary education. Raising, nurturing, chasing, chauffeuring, encouraging, loving and supporting our children is my primary ‘hobby’ but love of traveland continuing to learn and discover remains a lifelong passion.
I sincerely look forward to working together as a team and know we will have a successful year in Kindergarten!
Mahalo nuiloa,
Heather Conaway, Court 4