"In 2nd grade, the emphasis was on reading primarily through the LIPS program where Henry was spending two hours a day. I remember thinking around spring break this is just not working. By the end of the year, he was making huge strides in his reading. To this day reading remains one of his academic strengths and I am often surprised at the difficulty of the book she chooses to read. Thank you to his teachers and the LIPS staff for the gift of reading"
"I remember Henry's first day at your school in 1st grade which was only five years ago. We had just been through a very tough year in public school and worried that our son was not going to make it in school. We had been through the stage where you fear the worst for your child as doctors scared you with their lingo and we had been through a year where we watched Henry withdraw from the process in his first year at a new school.
Things did not change overnight but here is my memory of the changes. In 1st grade with Mrs. Golden, Henry got his confidence back and wanted to be at school again. This is huge and I will be forever grateful to Mrs. Golden for this gift to my son. In 2nd grade, the emphasis was on reading primarily through the LIPS program where Henry was spending two hours a day. I remember thinking around spring break this is just not working. By the end of the year, he was making huge strides in his reading. To this day reading remains one of his academic strengths and I am often surprised at the difficulty of the books he chooses to read. Thank you to his teachers and the LIPS staff for the gift of reading. In 3rd grade with Mrs. Geitner, Henry learned to deal with increased expectations in math,and all areas of assignments. The balance of structure and caring for each of the kids was another building block in Henry's growth. I want to thank you Mrs. Geitner. In 4th grade with Mr. White, Henry continued with increased expectations and began to enjoy history in particular. I want to thank you Mr. White. In 5th grade, Henry has dealt with multiple teachers and expectations. I want to thank you Ms. Constantini as Henry has certainly grown in his love for writing and creativity. I want to thank you Ms. Domaracki for helping him to enjoy science. I want to thank Mr. Fulmer for social Studies and the years of caring for Henry in a special way on the bus and at school. I want to thank Ms. Orselli and the LIPS tutors for helping Henry with math. This is an area of struggle and will continue to work at it. I want to thank Ms. Givens for music, Ms. Quinta for art, and Coach Linda for PE.
Over his five years at Tampa Day School has been the challenge of behavior and social skills. The whole team has been an important part of this challenging area. I want to thank Andrea, TJ, Lois, and Walt in particular for their hours upon hours of working with Henry over the years. We still have a long way to go in developing these skills but we have also come along way. I am sure that I have left someone out so please know that it is the team as well as individuals who have helped to shape my son. What y'all do as the Tampa Day School Community is magical and please know that we as parents are very appreciative. I feel like I am giving a speech at the Academy Award only this is much more important to me than that Award. I will forever be grateful for the foundation that you have helped establish for my son as he continues to overcome his learning disabilities and develop as a young man.
I know that many challenges still await us in the years ahead with academics, social skills, and behavior. I also know that he stands a better chance of succeeding because of contribution of your team. Please know that Karen and I will forever be grateful." – H.C. Parent