JRA: Primary : Denise LaMilza

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our very special TK/K classroom.  My name is Denise LaMilza, but everyone calls me Dede.  I will be your child's teacher this 2009-2010 school year.  I have been teaching at Julie Rohr Academy since 1984.  Throughout the past 25 years I have met so many wonderful people at JRA and made many beautiful friendships.  I cannot believe I am starting my 26th year at JRA.  I look forward to adding this year to my long list of treasured memories.

I am originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan near the Detroit area and graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  In Michigan, I taught Special Education for the multiple handicapped, preschool for the learning disabled, kindergarten, and first grade.  I have also traveled extensively and speak a conversational French and German.

I enjoy spending my spare time with my family and friends enjoying a good home cooked meal, good conversation, and a good movie.  I keep very active after my school day helping out with our cow/calf operation - the J & L Cattle Company.  I am a member of the Sarasota County CattleWomen's Association and have served as Secretary, Vice-President, and President.

My husband Dominic and I will be celebrating our 35th anniversary on August 17th.  Dominic is Director of Purchasing for the Johnson Smith Company in Bradenton.  Our family also includes our son Gabe, our pug named Frodo and two felines - Cupcake and Twinkie.  Gabe has overcome many developmental, physical, and health issues throughout his young life and has become a truly remarkable young man.  Gabe just celebrated his 31st birthday and is working for Publix.  He attended JRA for eight years, beginning with kindergarten in 1984.  It is hard to imagine how the years have flown by.

There are several matters of importance I would like you to know.  Your child may bring his/her own morning snack, or we will provide one.  In the classroom will be a message center labeled with your child's name.  When you pick up your child at the end of the day, please check the center and his/her tubs for any papers or messages.  Each class has its own clipboard with a class list on it called a "sign in/sign out sheet."  I will write messages to you on the sign in/sign out sheet almost daily.  So often, the person responsible for picking up a student will hastily sign the student out and pay no attention to a message that may have been written on the sheet.  It is the child who misses out when this occurs.

Note:  It is required to sign your child in each day and sign your child out whenever your child leaves the school.  The Sign-out Sheet is a legal document!  Thank you very much for paying close attention to this important issue.

Each child will have a labeled tub of his or her own that will hold pencil cases and workbooks.

Your child will need the following supplies:

• 1. A sturdy zippered pencil case (a zippered bank bag works well). Please do not purchase the small tubular type. They are too small.
• 2. At least 4 regular pencils (sharpened) and a couple of erasers (NO Toy Erasers!) The pink erasers work best.
• 3. Safety scissors your child can work comfortably (Fiskars scissors work very well).
• 4. A box of 24 Crayola crayons. Please do not bring more than 24! (To prevent your child's crayon from being lost, write your child's first name on each crayon.)

NOTE: Items 2, 3, and 4 should be the only items in the zippered pencil case.

• 5. A 4 oz. bottle of Elmer's white glue (not the blue glue)
• 6. Another zippered bag to hold:
• A. 8 large wide tip Crayola markers
• B. 8 this tip Crayola markers

REMEMBER:        Please label all supplies.  First name (or initials) on each crayon and marker, please!

• 7. Two coloring or activity books to use during homeroom.

***PLEASE: NO BACKPACKS, JEWELRY, OR TOYS.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I am looking forward to an exciting and stimulating school year with your precious children - Let the memories begin!

Yours very truly,

Mrs. Dede