From the Desk of Mrs. Talerico

Dear Family,

            My name is Joy Talerico, and I will be your child’s fourth grade Reading/Language Arts teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.  I will be spending a great deal of time with your child this upcoming school year.  Because of this, I would like to take the opportunity to tell you a few things about myself –both personally and professionally.

            I was born and raised in Taylor.  As a student, I attended Riverside School District for both elementary and high school.  I attended the University of Pittsburgh where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Graduate degree in Elementary Education.  After graduating college, I moved to Austell, Georgia, where I taught with the Cobb County School District for four years.  I moved back and have been teaching at the Riverside School District for 18 years.   I taught fifth grade for nine years, and this will be my tenth year as a fourth grade teacher.  I received my second Graduate degree in Educational Leadership at Wilkes University in 2012.  

          I am married to my husband, Fran, and am a mother to my two beautiful children, Giuliana and Colston.  Giuliana will be in sixth grade this year, while Colston is entering third grade.  Ever since becoming a mother, my teaching has evolved. With that said, when your child enters my classroom, I promise to have their best interest in mind and will encourage and nurture them to be the BEST they can be.

            This year will be a busy and exciting year for your child. Six years ago, grades 3-6 adopted a new reading series, Wonders.  Wonders will provide many opportunities for your child to use reading strategies and skills as they read non-fiction texts on various topics.  It will also allow your child to compare and contrast texts to get a better idea about the topic on hand.  The series also provides spelling, vocabulary, grammar skills, and writing.   In addition to homework that will be sent home accompanying our Wonders series, at home, students are required to read a book at least 20 minutes a night at their level while applying reading strategies and skills.

     Fourth grade students are tested in April for reading, math, and science.  Our goal is for students to shine and score proficient or above proficient on the standardized tests.  In order to achieve this goal, we will work hard in both school and at home.  Therefore, I need your help.  As a parent, you are the most important person in your child’s life, and we need to work together to ensure your child reaches his/her fullest potential.  I need your support with homework assignments, academic goals, classroom discipline, and reinforcing what is taught in the classroom.   Together, parents and teachers working as a TEAM, everyone can achieve more.

     Each family was asked to supply a few necessary school supplies- highlighters, Expo markers, a white board, a white board eraser, a pack of post-it notes, colored pencils, glue sticks, and hand sanitizer.  In addition, each student will be given a Reading Folder and an Agenda.  

     The students’ Reading Folder and Agenda should travel back and forth to school and home every night.  I ask that you please check this folder each night for important papers that may stay home or have to be signed and returned.  Homework will be given Monday-Thursday and it is your child’s responsibility to write into their agendas.  Please ensure that your child completes all of their homework each night, since homework is your child’s chance to practice concepts and skills that were taught during that school day.  I will also send a Remind message home that states the homework.  After homework is completed, please sign their agenda as to maintain communication and awareness of homework, projects, quizzes, tests, and material we are covering in class, as well as upcoming events.  The folder will also contain any and all important papers that can be used to study.

        Throughout the school year, I will work with each child to ensure they reach their full potential.  In order for me to accomplish this goal, I encourage any questions, comments, suggestions, or any other forms of feedback that you may have.  Please feel free to contact me via email, telephone, or you can write a note in your child’s agenda.  I will maintain a consistent flow of feedback to you throughout the year on your child’s progress.  My classroom website, found on Riversidesd.com can also update you on the important information, as well as allow you to see what we are doing in school.  I hope to see you at Back to School Night.  Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter and I am looking forward to a great year!

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Mrs. Talerico