This post is just a way for me and Peter to cherish the way Shreshu & Harshu are doing personally and at school. Shreshtha is in 3rd grade at the time this post was created and she is improving in all sorts of ways both academic and personally. As parents, especially as working parents, I wouldn't say we missed a lot of development in our kids, but to a certain extent we did miss the ways she has been improving on. To put it in a different way, I just get to know what she's learning and how she's doing, but when it comes to the details of her growth like reading/writing skills, knowledge on a certain topic, I can certainly say we missed them. As an advanced academic student and with the guidance of her class teacher Mr. D, a really wonderful teacher who is also very geeky, Shreshtha has been learning lot of new stuff. I'm writing this post as an example of what detail I'm missing in her growth.

Her class teacher went on a parental leave, to welcome his new born son and to spend some time with him. During this time, he has been just wonderful in keeping in touch with his class kids via the Blackboard (website for class related updates). In one of his posts, he checked how the kids were doing, what their plans were for the new year and few other questions. He posted some pictures of his new born and asked them their favorite and what the baby might have been thinking when that photo was taken. I did not provide any help to Shreshu related to these questions. She reviewed few of the posts from other students and framed hers. I wasn't thinking this to be very important as it does not pertain to the grade or her success, which now I think was a ridiculous thought. So I paid little attention to what she wrote. Now it's been more than a month and accidentally checked her post/reply and was amazed with the way she had put the words. Every time something like this happens I promise myself to pay more attention to what she say and what she does. Now, below is the content that her teacher posted and her reply to it.


Class,

I must tell you how proud that I am with the progress that you have made on you Reading E -Cart Assessment! A big reason as to our success is what we do on Mondays with our standardized test practice. Remember, everything that we do has a purpose.

Secondly, you will be taking you Math - Ecart test next week. As you will remember, we scored a 68% on our first quart assessment. Remember, this test will cover everything that you learned during the first quarter, so really put forth a lot of effort into your morning work and math workshop activities. Our pinata celebration will take place when I return.

Lastly, Mrs. De Francesco and I have attached pictures of the baby for your to look at and enjoy.It has been an awesome time away with our new addition. Your homework, is to keep in touch during this next week. In your response, answer the following questions:

1. How have you been doing personally?

2. What are some new things that you learned?

3. What is a goal that you have for the third quarter?

4. Choose a picture from the list that I have given you, write an appropriate caption that illustrates what the lil D may be saying the picture. Have fun with this!!!!

5. This is for everyone, so you must participate !!!

Well, I have to go change lil D's diaper now so see you soon and remember that I care for each and every one of you and can't wait to see you in a few days.

With love,

Mr. De Francesco

Shreshtha's Reply

Ehhm.... So first of all I want to ask if sleepy is well going [poopy] and changing and listening since the first few days? Answer=

Now... #1. Personally I am doing fabulous and I am sortive improving in writing prompts.

#2. I learned about prefixes and suffixes and

not finished... here's evidence. A prefix is the beginning part of a word. And a suffix is the end part of the word.

#3.My goal for [specifically] 2013 is to learn better cursive than I am writing now.

#4. #3. I love all of the pictures but most 2 favorites [not 1]are the ones with the foot ball and the tie. In the one with the tie he might be dreaming to be a teacher like you [you have to teach him for a head start]and for the one that he laying on the football he might want to be on the Ravens Team!!!!!

Hope u guys have a good time with your new born baby and we miss you!!Come back before Valentines day! And I can't wait till you come back after a long time on Monday.!