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Mrs. Elizabeth Carpanzano » Biography

Biography

Elizabeth Carpanzano

Grade 1 Teacher

Email: [email protected]

  

Teaching at The Catholic Academy of Stamford is an opportunity for me to share the blessings of the Catholic faith with my students, their families, and my colleagues. I am grateful that my two daughters were educated in Catholic schools from Pre-Kindergarten through college and are now serving the Stamford community, one as a kindergarten teacher at Mater Salvatoris Catholic School and the other as a registered nurse at Stamford Hospital.

 

I have lived in Stamford with my husband and have been an active parishioner of the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist for the majority of my life. The former St. Cecilia School became the primary avenue for me to volunteer my time as a parent for many years before spending more than a decade in kindergarten, first as a teacher assistant and then as the teacher.

 

Three years ago, I was given the opportunity to expand my current teaching experience from first grade teacher assistant and resource teacher to first grade teacher. I recognize the richness of the gift of Catholic education that makes all students lifelong learners.

 

It has always been a privilege to educate these young students, especially in the Catholic faith. In fact, teaching has never felt like a “job” but rather a vocation, a passion for serving God by sharing his love with my students and their families. What a blessing it is for me to teach where I can infuse God’s message of peace, hope, and joy into my students’ educational experience each day! My approach with students is simple: good choices make God smile so we shine with the light of Jesus.

 

 Education/Certification:

  • B.S., Summa Cum Laude, State University of New York at Geneseo
  • M.A., University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Certificate, IMSE Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training
 

Posts

Reminders for week of 11/13-11/17/23

Dear Parents,
 
I hope that you are enjoying a restful long weekend!
 
If you had a chance to look at your child's report card on the Portal, please be advised that you should focus on the Skills (N-not yet , W, M) rather than the number/letter grades. The Skills are your child's "report card".
 
See the Marking Code Key below:
 
Marking Code Key
E= Exceeds grade-level standards
M= Meets grade-level standards consistently
W= Working toward mastery of the standard or is inconsistent
N=  Not yet meeting grade level
I = Insufficient evidence provided usually due to lack of attendance or effort
X = Not assessed at this time
 
We will discuss your child's progress at the conference, but please be aware now that a Skill grade of "W" is usually the norm at this time of the year. The "M" is what we hope each student achieves by the end of the school year! And, "W" covers a large area of progression as the skill is being worked on toward mastery. It usually means that the child is not consistent yet in that particular skill and needs more practice to achieve the "M". However, some students may not achieve the "M" in some skills until second grade as many of the first and second grade skill areas overlap. I hope that this helps you understand the Skill-based report card a little better! It is a bit complicated!
 
Please refer to the Homework Cover Sheet for this week's Spelling Test words, and all upcoming tests leading up to the Thanksgiving Break.
Monday 11/13 is an EARLY DISMISSAL day for Parent-Teacher Conferences. There is NO AFTERCARE OR BEYOND THE BELL ACTIVITIES on Monday 11/13! Please be prompt picking up your children AND arriving for your Conference. Students are not allowed to attend conferences in first grade. I sent home in folders this past week a sheet of confirmation for the day and time for each conference. I am looking forward to meeting with you and discussing your child's progress! 
 
If you are planning to have your child's picture retaken on Monday 11/13, you should have already contacted Mrs. S. in the office and received a Lifetouch order form in your child's green folder on Thursday. 
 
Please send in stuffing for the hungry in our community by Wed 11/15. Thanks to all who already contributed!
 
For the Book Fair, your child will create a "Wish List" of books (and I am sure other fun items!) on Tuesday when we visit the Fair as a class. The Wish List will come home and you may decide which books/items your child may purchase when they go back on Friday during their Gym time with Mr. Gartner. Please use the e-wallet option or send cash/check clearly labeled in an envelope with your child's name and teacher name in case it gets lost. You may also choose to take your child to the Fair during the week to purchase the books for your child. Please refer to the Book Fair schedule in the CAS Sunday email blast.
 
Casual Day for a Cause on Wednesday 11/15: Bring $2 and wear red, white, and blue to support Wreaths Across America.
 
Wear Gym uniforms and sneakers to school for Friday's Mass this week.
 
There will be a Parent Craft this Thursday 11/16 in the afternoon! I look forward to another wonderful activity for our class to experience! Thank you, parents for signing up to volunteer for this craft. More opportunities each month will be posted by our Homeroom Parents. Volunteers will be rotated to offer all Virtus Trained parents the opportunity to help in our classroom. (Maybe even some dads will sign up!)
 
This past week we completed our 2nd Catholic Identity Service Project for the Homebound. Mrs. Thota and Mrs. Gustafson went on a hunt to find very small pumpkins (Great job, Moms! Thanks so much!). With Mrs. Lorenti's help, we decorated them with tissue paper squares, mod podge and glitter to make them shiny. Then we wrote a message of gratitude and a Thanksgiving greeting on "leaf" tags: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever." (Psalms 107). I delivered them to Sr. Sally and will also give some to Fr. Mariusz to bring to the elderly/homebound parishioners.
 
When I spoke with Sr. Sally, she mentioned how much those she visits enjoyed receiving the paper flowers we made in September. One elderly couple she visits still has them on display in a planter of soil that they pushed the stems of the paper flowers into! It's so wonderful to hear this feedback of the difference that a simple act of kindness can make for someone! Please see the CAS photo site for the pictures of this project and check out the new galleries and photos that I have added to existing galleries as well. Enjoy!
 
If your child will not be in school any of the days next week due to Thanksgiving travel plans, please let me know ASAP for planning purposes on my end. I truly appreciate that communication very much!
 
Thank you for all you do to make my job easier each day! Your children are a breath of fresh air, spread cheer and kindness like confetti, and are so very enthusiastic in their learning! 
 
Blessings,
Mrs. Carpanzano

Reminders for Week of 11/6-11/10/23

Please be reminded that there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday 11/7 AND on Friday 11/10. There WILL be homework on Monday and Wednesday as well as a Spelling Test on Thursday!
 
Each student's Parent-Teacher Conference date and time will be coming home in folders on Monday 11/6. Please look for the sheet and remove all papers every day from folders so that there will be room for more! We are very busy bees in first grade and have lots to show you each day!
 
Please see Homework Cover Sheet for more information.
 
Have a great week!

UPDATED (in red) Info. for Week of 10/30-11/3/23

Dear Parents,
 
This past week was another busy one in first grade! We concluded our Pumpkin Project by scooping out the pulp and seeds! After the seeds for each pumpkin were roasted, each child counted them. I was very impressed with the way students counted groups of 10 seeds and kept track of them to reach their final numbers. Try to guess how many seeds your child's pumpkin had inside....you may be shocked! 
 
A BIG THANK YOU TO Mrs. Cicchesi, Mrs. Horn, Mrs. Michalek and Mrs. West for volunteering to help two of our Homeroom Parents, Mrs. Gustafson and Mrs. Thota with the Slime Making activity last week! The kids were great listeners and had an amazing time adding the ingredients in the correct order and stirring for a long time to make their own batch of slime to take home. I appreciate all the preparation, organization, and enthusiasm that all the Homeroom Parents and volunteers provided to make this a successful, fun activity. We are already looking forward to our November 16th craft with a new set of parents to come in to help us! One important goal is to offer ALL parents who are Virtus Trained the opportunity to help out in the classroom and see their child in that environment as they interact with their classmates...it's priceless!
 
Please see the CAS Photo Site to view our Pumpkin Project and Slime Activity!
 
There will be a Halloween Parade on 10/31 at 8:15am! You are invited to join us outside in the back to view it. (If it's raining, the parade will be in the hallway.)
Your child may wear a costume TO SCHOOL as long as it is weapon-free and non-violent. In addition, please be sure that your child is able to easily use the bathroom and be able to run around at recess with the costume/shoes. Your child may change out of the costume/shoes if you bring a change of clothes or if they are wearing something underneath.
 
NO CANDY or FOOD is to be distributed to students today- (no candy is ever allowed for your child's snack or lunch at school.) Some parents have asked if they can send in a pencil, cards or other small non-food items on Halloween. That is fine with me as long as you have one for each student in the class (16).

There will also be No Homework on Halloween Day! :)
 
First Quarter Ends (11/1): Portal will close and reopen 11/9
 
Parent-Teacher Conferences: will be held the week of November 13th. A sign up sheet will be sent home tomorrow in your child's folder for you to indicate your preferences and then I will confirm the actual time and day once all are returned by the due date (11/3). You have the opportunity to ask me questions about your child's progress anytime, but especially at these conferences.
 
On Monday (11/13) and Wednesday (11/15) there will be afternoon and early evening in-person conferences. (I do not hold meetings before school.) These conferences are NOT mandatory, but highly suggested. First grade students are NOT allowed to attend conferences. Please refer to the Conference Information page that will be sent home in folders tomorrow along with the sign-up sheet. (Please keep the Conference Information Page at home and just send in the sign-up page.)
 
NOTE: Winter Uniforms begin tomorrow (10/30). This means NO SHORTS are to be worn anymore.
 
All Saints Day Mass (Wednesday 11/1): Wear REGULAR uniforms!
 
NO MASS on Friday 11/3: Wear Gym uniforms and sneakers
 
For additional information, please refer to the weekly Homework Cover Sheet that has been posted and will come home in folders as usual on Monday. 
 
Have a Blessed Week!
Mrs. C.
 

Reminders: week of 10/23-10/27/23

Dear Parents,
 
Thanks to your generosity, we had an abundance of pumpkins to use for our science exploration project! This past week, we observed the pumpkins for color, size, shape, and number of lines. We also made predictions about whether a pumpkin can float and how many seeds each pumpkin may have inside. There was a lot of excitement in our room, which will continue early this week as we conclude our project by scooping out the pulp and seeds!
 
IF YOUR CHILD CANNOT TOUCH THE PUMPKIN "GOOP", PLEASE LET ME KNOW VIA EMAIL ASAP so that I can be aware of any potential allergy or skin reaction your child may have had in the past with this type of activity. (If your child does not want to touch the insides of their pumpkin, please let me know that as well.) Thank you!
 
On Thursday of this week, several parents who have already signed up will come in to do a Class Craft. This was planned and prepared by the Homeroom Parents after my initial meeting with them in September to plan the crafts for the year. It will be led by them with the help of 3 volunteers.
 
This activity involves making "slime", another science experiment for the students to enjoy! It also involves an art activity to decorate the container. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP IF YOUR CHILD CANNOT TOUCH THE INGREDIENTS OF "SLIME": Elmer's white liquid glue, contact lens solution-contains boric acid, baking soda and plant-based non-toxic orange food coloring.
 
Please be on the look out for the next email/electronic sign up for our Thanksgiving Day craft scheduled for Thursday 11/16 at 12:30! The homeroom parents will send it to you and please do not sign up if you already are signed up and coming in for the October craft. Let's be sure that ALL parents who are Virtus Trained get the opportunity to help out in the classroom and see their child in that environment as they interact with their classmates...it's priceless!
 
Reminder that Wednesday 10/25 is an EARLY DISMISSAL at 11:15am
NO AFTERCARE OR BEYOND THE BELL! Please arrive early as there will be lots of cars in the lot. Teachers need to attend Professional Development. Thank you!
 
There will be a Halloween Parade on 10/31 at about 8:15am! You are invited to join us outside in the back to view it. (If it is raining, the parade will be in the hallway.)
Your child may wear a costume to school as long as it is weapon-free and non-violent. In addition, please be sure that your child is able to easily use the bathroom and be able to run around at recess with the costume/shoes. Your child may change out of the costume/shoes if you bring a change of clothes or if they are wearing something underneath.
 
NO CANDY or FOOD is to be distributed to students today- (no candy is ever allowed for your child's snack or lunch at school.)

There will also be No Homework on Halloween Day!
 
Parent-Teacher Conferences: will be held the week of November 13th. A sign up sheet will be sent home soon in your child's folder for you to indicate your preferences and then I will confirm the actual time and day once returned by the due date.  We continue to work on individual DRA reading tests this week. I will discuss the results and suggestions at that time, if needed. You have the opportunity to ask me questions about your child's progress anytime, but especially at these conferences.
 
On Monday, 11/13 we have an Early Dismissal with in-person conferences in the afternoon. On Tuesday and Wednesday of that week, there will be Zoom conferences after school. (I do not hold meetings before school, though.) I am very flexible, so we will find a time, day and Zoom vs. in-person conference that works for both of us, if you want to meet with me. These conferences are NOT mandatory, but suggested. First grade students are NOT allowed to attend conferences.
 
For additional information, please refer to the weekly Homework Cover Sheet that has been posted and will come home in folders as usual on Monday. 
 
Have a Blessed Week!
 
 

Homework Cover Sheet and Reminders for the Week of 9/18-9/22/23

Please see the weekly Homework Cover Sheet for Spelling Test words and other reminders. Our first Spelling Test and Math Chapter 1 Tests will be on Friday 9/22. 
 
We will practice the Spelling Word list daily and in many ways in class. Please also practice at home with your child.
 
Use the colorful Math Textbook pages that come home daily to review the skills your child needs for the test.
 
The CAS Sunday Email blast is very helpful for other school-wide reminders and information from Miss Brady. Please read that also to be informed of the week ahead!
 
Thank you very much for your support! Let me know if you have any questions. May your week be blessed!
 
 
 

Updated Post: Please Read

Dear Parents,
 
There was a problem with the first post on Edlio being incomplete for some odd reason, so I emailed it and reposted it here. My apologies for the inconvenience. 
 
I hope that you are enjoying this long Columbus Day weekend! I just want to make you aware of several important items:
 
1. Your child brought home several "booklets" and paper "statues" these past few weeks, and will continue to do so over the course of the year. Most of these will be related to different saints' feast days, the heroes of our Catholic faith! Others will be for science or social studies topics, such as Columbus Day. I encouraged the students to keep these together in a bin or on a shelf somewhere for them to reread. It is important for students to have the opportunity to read a variety of materials and reread them as well. Students may include these booklets as part of their Reading Logs.
 
2. Please consult the Homework Cover sheet for most of the information. The Superkids stories are NOT attached as the cover sheet states but rather you should use the hardcover book that you already have at home to read the weekly stories.
 
3. When reading with your child, please remember to ask them to retell the story in order, reflect on what they think is the most important/their favorite part of the story, and make a connection from the story to their own experiences. As discussed at Back to School Night, and presented in the written reading suggestions packet, this comprehension practice is as important as the fluency part of reading with your child. During DRA testing (Developmental Reading Assessment), your child will read a story for me, reflect on it, and make a connection. The fluency part they are used to doing for the DRA, but as they advance into first grade, reflection and connection are other factors that determine your child's DRA level. This is a new skill that is practiced in the classroom as well. The testing window is from Tues. 10/10 through 10/27 as it is done individually with your child. Please note: plenty of sleep and a good breakfast are also very important! Thank you for your cooperation!
 
4. Your child may have mentioned that we have a brand new rug for our Reading Corner thanks to Raaga's family! The students and I greatly appreciate this gift for our classroom from my Wish List! Not only is it colorful, it has a square for each child to sit comfortably on, and it is well-liked during story as well as recess time! Many thanks as well, Raaga and family, for the new pencil sharpener, water bottles, and prizes for our treasure chest (which I think will be quite useful very soon as many students are approaching the "Super Star" at the middle of their individual Star Charts).
 
5. Thanks also to Penelope and Willamina's family for donating the cool Create-a-Story Paper Center that will be used to encourage not only writing but also illustrating story ideas that the students can use during Language Arts personalized learning rotation time as well as recess! Thank you for this blessing!
 
6. It's October and almost time for our Pumpkin Exploration Project, one of my favorites! Please let me know if you are willing to donate a pumpkin for this science and math hands-on project. I will actually need several pumpkins of different shapes and sizes. The students will work in small groups sharing a pumpkin. If you are able to donate a pumpkin, please let me know its size (small, medium, or large) and shape (round or tall) so that we could have a variety of pumpkins to explore. I would need the pumpkins sent in by Oct. 17th, if possible. Thank you.
 
7. We have been extremely busy in first grade! I want to tell you what a wonderful visit we had with Sr. Sally as part of our Catholic Identity Service program on September 25th. You can see for yourself from the photos that I posted on the CAS photo site how engaged the children were with Sr. Sally's stories of the homebound parishioners that she visits weekly! Perhaps you have already seen the photos or heard from your child about this special religious sister! Sr. Sally expressed how important it is for us to visit the homebound and elderly, especially grandparents! Sr. Sally also gave the first graders their own Rosary beads! We will use them during the month of October as we honor Our Lady of the Rosary (feast day was 10/7). They will also be sent home at some point for your child to keep! Sr. Sally prayed the "Hail Mary" prayer with the students and told them how she prays the Rosary throughout the day, especially before going to sleep at night. We presented Sr. Sally with beautiful handmade tissue paper flowers with "Jesus Loves You" on the leaves that your children made with the help of our Art teacher, Mrs. Lorenti. I am sure you already heard all about the positive energy that Sr. Sally brought to our classroom during her visit! She truly loves her vocation and it shows! We will continue to make and provide her with get well and holiday cards to brighten the day for her homebound parishioners throughout the year.
 
I cannot thank you enough for all your support to me and your children!
 
May your week be blessed,
Mrs. Carpanzano

Busy Monday Ahead-Arrive Early!

On Monday, 9/25/23 we will have a college student observing our Superkids lesson for an hour. Then, Sr. Sally will come to first grade to speak about her ministry visiting the sick that will support our Catholic Identity Service pillar of CAS. Please have your children arrive early tomorrow (or everyday!). Doors open at 7:40am! The earlier the better...especially tomorrow because of these special guests and in order to put all contents back into desks. (The CCD program uses our classroom most Sundays to teach religion to the students of St. Cecilia/St. Gabriel parish.) I have my students put all desk contents into the huge Ziploc bags to store in our closets in order to safeguard our books, folders, pencil cases, headphones, etc. Your children did an AMAZING job packing those bags on Friday, and I will need everyone to school early tomorrow (and every Monday...or even every day, if possible!) to put it all back so that we are ready for our busy Monday! Thank you for your cooperation!

Craft Funds Info Letter

There will be a letter in your child's folder tomorrow explaining the funds needed for our first grade crafts and activities led by our Homeroom Parents. Please wait until you read the letter to send any funds to school. Thank You!

Please see the weekly Homework Cover Sheet for Spelling Test words and other reminders. There will be a Spelling Test and a Religion Chapter 1 Test on Friday 9/29/23. 
 
We will practice the Spelling Word list daily and in many ways in class. Please also practice at home with your child.
 
A Religion Ch. 1 Study Guide as well as the stapled textbook packet will be coming home to help your child review for the Test on Friday.
 
The CAS Sunday Email blast is very helpful for other school-wide reminders and information from Miss Brady. Please read that also to be informed of the week ahead!
 
Thank you very much for your support! Let me know if you have any questions. May your week be blessed!

Homework Information-9/11/23-9/15/23

Since you are all subscribed to my teacher webpage, you should receive an email (or two-one for each parent's email address) each weekend with information about the Homework Cover Sheet posted for the upcoming week. If for some reason you do NOT receive this email, please email me and let me know! The Math homework sheets are attached to the paper packet that will be in your child's green communication folder along with the Superkids stories for this week. The Homework Cover sheet is helpful because once we start Spelling Tests (next week), you will know the list earlier and can start practicing with your child sooner, if needed. I also try to list important reminders for the week; however, the Sunday CAS email blast is more complete! Thank you!

High Five Retelling Homework-Spring 2023

HIGH FIVE RETELLING: Main Story Practice Page (attached to the back of the Homework packet)

Since the beginning of the year, we have discussed in class the details of the main story of the week. Now we have begun writing the 5 important parts of the weekly main Superkids story. From now until the end of the school year, part of the homework assignment will be to complete a “High Five Retelling/Main Story Practice Page” worksheet of the weekly Superkids story. It is attached to the weekly homework packet.

This is due on Friday 6/2 with the rest of the packet!

Please have your child complete the attached High Five Retelling worksheet for the main story: "Zoo Clue"  with the following information: 

                Story Title (Main Story of the week)

                Setting (Where the story takes place)

                Main Characters (Who is in the story?)

                Problem (What needs to be fixed/solved?)  

                Solution (How does the story end?)


               Thank you for your continued support!

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN!!!!!!

I am extremely grateful to every student for the Class Teacher Appreciation cards and gifts that I received this week via our wonderful Homeroom Moms! Thank you for spoiling me with the gift cards and delicious breakfast as well as sweet treats from Maine! They are all so wonderful and I am extremely grateful for your recognition of my dedication to teaching your children. It is my privilege to be your child's teacher this year and never a "job" to me but rather a blessing beyond compare! I will always remember your generosity and thoughtfulness!

Today I Thank YOU!

Parents, I am overwhelmed with much gratitude for the many ways you always show your thankful hearts to me, but especially this past week when it was Teacher Appreciation Day! Many, many thanks to you for all the gifts and cards that I received from your children! I LOVED each and every one! They were all so thoughtful and beautiful! I truly appreciated the handwritten notes inside the cards from you the parents, but in particular from the students who also wrote or showed me their sentiments with such kindness, good humor, and heartfelt thankfulness. May God bless you for what you do each day to support my work with your children! Today I thank YOU!

Weekly Reminders for 5/1-5/5/23

Please see Homework Cover Sheet for spelling test words and reminders for this week.
 
In addition to the weekly spelling test, there will be a Religion Test on Friday 5/5. The Religion Test review sheet will come home in folders Monday 5/1. We will be learning about the Mass.
 
A small booklet about the Mass will be coming home this week. Your child should keep it, use it to study for the test and may also bring it to use at Sunday Mass when you go together as a family. (Friday Mass at school is a bonus! Sunday Mass is a holy day of obligation.)
 
Lost/Found: A blue gym sweatshirt was found in our classroom the week before last. There is no name inside and no child has answered that it could be theirs! So, if your child is missing a gym sweatshirt, please send me an email or send a note in your child's folder. Thank you to those who label all clothing!
 
Baby Wipes and Tissues: My gratitude to all who recently brought in one of each of these depleted supplies. With allergy season upon us, our classroom is in need of tissues. In addition, your children are responsibly using wipes to keep their desks clean after snack and lunch. Please send in one of each, if possible. Thank you for your support!
 
Thanks for all your support to make Spirit Week successful and fun! As you know, wearing the orange color paid off and first grade won an Extra Recess for our great participation in Color Competition Day! One nice, sunny, warm day we will all enjoy this extra time to have fun together outside in the fresh air!

Reminders Week of 4/24-4/28/23

Please see Homework Cover Sheet for all of this week's reminders! Thank you!
Ask your child how their lettuce is doing for the Lettuce Challenge! We have been writing/drawing a journal of our observations!