Please read letter regarding Mrs. Stewart's upcoming maternity leave January 9, 2007 Dear Parents and/or Guardians, I hope you and your family had a wonderful break from school. The students came back to school eager, excited, and ready to learn. They are already into the swing of things and prepared for a successful second half of the school year. It is so exciting to see how quickly they are developing their skills in all subject areas and are becoming independent workers. I am also preparing for some big changes in my own life. I will be having my second child at the end of January. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new baby boy to join our family. It has been a difficult decision to make, but I have decided to remain home with my new baby for the remainder of the school year. After I have my child, I will be on maternity leave until the 2007-2008 school year. I am excited at the opportunity to be home with my child but I am also quite saddened to leave such a wonderful group of first graders. This is an amazing group of students and I will miss each and every one of them. I have had such a pleasure being their teacher and working with such great children. When I begin my maternity leave in January, I will be replaced by Ms. April Whiteis. She has been in the classroom several times this year as a substitute teacher and to observe my teaching. The children have really enjoyed having her join our classroom and I know they will welcome her to our first grade. Ms. Whiteis is a recent graduate of St. Catherine’s University. She has been a substitute teacher in St. Paul this year and is very excited at the opportunity to join the wonderful staff and teachers at Prosperity Heights. She has two children of her own; she has a four year old boy and a six year old girl who is in first grade at a St. Paul public school. Ms. Whiteis comes very highly recommended and I know the children will be in excellent hands with her. She is very skilled in discipline and is trained in both Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop. She will continue to give the children the care, attention, and education that they deserve. I will also be in close contact with Ms. Whiteis and help her with any questions or concerns that she may have as she takes over the classroom. Please feel free to contact me or Mrs. Freeman if you have any questions or concerns. I will really miss this group of students but I look forward to hearing about their progress in school. Sincerely, Bridget Stewart