Hello!

I am so excited to be your child's teacher for the 2008-2009 school year!  I look forward to getting to know students and families as we work together throughout the school year.

 There will be many opportunities to get to know and help out in our classroom.  The first volunteers I'm requesting this year will be Book Club Volunteers.  Please email me to call you if you'd like to lead a group of readers in oral reading and book discussions. A commitment of 1-3 times a week would be great, for a period of 2-3 weeks depending on the length of the book. Our class schedule is posted now on our site.  Math time is also a time where assistance would be helpful.  Please call or email anytime throughout the year as you see openings in your own schedule when you may want to help out.  There will be periodic requests for assistance in the classroom as well. 

Staying In Touch

I will be sending out newsletters twice a month to keep you informed of classroom events, and periodic emails with reminders.   Please check out the for updates as we add information to our pages, along with Ms. Ciccarelli's column for important dates and events.  Just click on the links to keep yourself informed of class happenings, volunteer opportunities, and special 
events coming up. I  send the newsletters out via email, and then file them on the web page for future reference.   I would very much appreciate it if you would please send me your email address to add to my family group email.   We try to eliminate as much paper waste as possible by sending communication electronicly.   Sometimes there are quick reminders that I send out via email.  I am happy to send home paper copies for anyone who does not have email. 

Speaking of communication, if you have any questions, concerns or things that you would like to be aware of, please feel free to contact me. Many times there are things going on in a child's life that affect their learning and relationships at school.  I am happy to help out in any way that I can if I know about it.  Illnesses or a death in the family, job changes or a lost pet are a few things that cause sadness or worry in a child.  My school phone number is: 651-293-8770.
  If I'm not available, please leave voicemail and I will return your call as soon as possible.  My email address is:  lisa.apel-christianson@spps.org.   I check voicemail and email daily, however, please do not leave any critical or emergency information on voicemail or in email.  Call Rita, our secretary, and she will ensure that I  receive your message. Please let me know in writing if you will need to pick up your child early from school due to an appointment.  It helps me to be able to keep students from missing work and homework if he/she is picked up in the middle of a lesson, and I  am not able to stop to put things together for the child leaving.  Thanks very much.  Also, please note that I believe that your child is too important to discuss at length in an email, and writing can be misinterpreted.  I prefer that we talk either on the phone or in person together.

A Little About Me

I grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. My husband's name is Tom. Our daughters, Gretchen and Annalena are in 7th and 5th grades this year.  We have enjoyed much camping, fishing, hiking and kayaking together this summer.  Our most recent camping trip was to the North Shore where we hiked  and swam in the cool waters of Lake Superior. Family time is wonderful! 

My degrees are in Elementary Education, Reading Education and Early Childhood. I have a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. I have taught first and second grades for most of my career, along with a year as a reading specialist and transitional kindergarten teacher, and then for the past 3 years, third grade. Though I have enjoyed these past 3 years, I am excited to be returning to second grade. I have moved to the south portable this summer, and look forward to teaming with Ms. Rust and Mrs. Blat. We have had planning meetings this summer to work on planners and collaboration pieces. It is very exciting to be part of the Highland Park Elementary Family and the International Baccalaureate Organization. We have 6 Units of Inquiry. We worked on these this summer to align them better to the state standards and to ensure that there isn't overlap in grade level curriculum. I will comment on these Units of Inquiry in my newsletters as we teach them throughout the year so that you and your child may also discuss them, conduct research, and help your child to make even greater connections to their world around them!

Take care and I look forward to working with families throughout this upcoming school year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Lisa Apel-Christianson

HPE: 651-293-8770