Kindergarten teacher writes heartwarming letter to parents

On the first day of school, kindergarten teacher Rosangela Paine is almost as attentive to the freshly grieving mothers – and fathers — as her new 5-year-old charges.

"They just want to hang for a little bit. There’s tears," says the 26-year veteran of goodbyes.

But parents at Palm Beach Public Elemneary School in Palm got special solace last month. As they departed, Paine had a packet for them, complete with tea, tissue and cotton balls and a letter.

Dearest Kindergarten Parents, Here is a little "gift" for you as you leave your precious one with me on the first day of school. As you hold this cotton ball in your hand, the softness will help you to remember the gentle spirit of your child. After you've gone home and dried your tears, make yourself a hot cup of tea and relax.

Remember that together you and I work for your child to be the best they can be.

"Thank you for trusting your child to me for the coming school year. I will do my very best every day to be your child's guide in learning and exploring this bright, new world they've just stepped into.

Sincerely, Mrs. Paine

Paine has handled the children deftly as well. The night before schoool, their parents sprinkled "Jitter Glitter" under their pillows. Their supply came with a poem mailed to their homes earlier that week.

"The glitter will help you to sleep through the night, Letting you wake up feeling fresh and bright" one pastel pink stanza declares.

>> Need something to lift your spirits? Read more uplifting news

Paine has dozens more tricks up her sleeves to charm parents and bewitch students throughout this school year, says class volunteer Joy Barr.

"Probably the best teacher your child will have," says Barr, whose bias began when her sons stepped into this room four and five years ago.

Paine, a Jupiter, Florida, resident who has taught at Palm Beach’s only public school for more than a decade, calls her class Kindergarten by the Sea. For years, she’s filled the school months with endless activities from a teddy bear picnic to lots of "celebrity" guests: Her husband, also a teacher, looks suspiciously like Johnny Appleseed each year.

It’s not all fun. Mrs. Paine has a reputation for homework packets that require lots of reading and student presentations in character – students have chosen to be everyone from Goldilocks and the Big Bad Wolf to Henry Flagler and even a very G-rated Donald Trump.

She can’t remember exactly when she created each activity, but she keeps the materials, the notes home, the Jitter Glitter poem, the plans and assignments organized in big binders. And she documents every moment as they play out in class.

Each year, Paine creates a Shutterfly account where she posts pictures and shares with parents. By year’s end, with the help of her grown daughter, she delivers an hour-long movie that captures each of students at play, at work and in character. The movie is screened for the parents at an end-of-school gathering at a local restaurant.

More than a decade ago, Paine was unable to drop off her oldest daughter on the first day of kindergarten so her husband took up that task. He snapped a picture. And that’s when Paine resolved, "I’m not missing one of those moments ever again."

That girl, Nicolee Paine, is now 23, and in her spare time serves as Paine’s filmmaking accomplice.

"According to my husband, the reason I love kindergarten is I have such a hard time watching my children grow up," said Paine, whose other daughter is 19.

It’s easy to see why parents find Paine charming, but what is it about kindergartners that keeps her coming back?

"It is really comforting. They are extremely sweet. They’re honest. They believe everything you say. There is no talk back," said Paine. "There’s no formula. I see what they need. I teach the way I wish someone was teaching me."

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