Welcome to first grade. My name is Kris Durst and I teach a looping classroom. Over the past decade or so, a strategy has been used by schools throughout the country called “looping”. This strategy allows a teacher to “loop” with her students two years in a row. Research has found that looping helps students in many ways:

In the second year of looping teachers know the strengths and weaknesses of a student from the first day of school.

Parents know the teacher well and have formed a relationship with her.

Children feel confident entering school without having those “butterflies” that come with working with a teacher whom they have never met.

The routine of a classroom doesn't have to be learned again.

Review of subject matter can be kept to a minimum because a teacher does not need to assess what the student knows or does not know.

I look forward to the opportunity to begin the looping cycle with your child. First grade is an exciting year filled with learning new skills and practicing skills already learned. Please feel free to stop in see what your child is doing.

You may also email me or call me.