Getting a positive email right from the start is TERRIFIC! It truly does start your year positively, as well!
The one thing I don't understand is "why all the secrecy" with your classlist? I got mine in June for this fall! The children do not know who their teachers will be, but the teachers do know who their children will be! Of course, it is subject to changes with children moving in or moving out, but I still have a general idea how many children I have.
One important advantage of knowing before summer is that you can educate yourself if you know you have children with unique needs coming your way. For example, two years ago, I knew in June that I was going to have an autistic child in my class that fall. Believe me, I read all I could find about autism, so that I could be more informed. I was a bit leary working with him, since I didn't have much prior experience in that area. However, it turned out that he was great kid! (In fact, I had him TWO years in a row, by my choice! The first year, I had him for third grade, and the second year I had him in my 3rd/4th grade split.)
Oops......guess I got a bit off the subject! Glad to hear you got a wonderful email! Have a great year! JKB
