When Priscilla Medeiros and Per Axelson moved their family from Brazil to Piedmont, they were nervous about their daughter, Amanda, starting kindergarten with very limited experience speaking English. To their delight, on the first day of school the staff at Beach Elementary arranged for another student who is a native of Brazil to help Amanda get settled and translate classroom instructions into her native language of Portuguese.
At the same time Reading and English Language Specialist Stephanie Valdez-Kaminsky started working with Amanda on a successful English fluency program. Amanda’s kindergarten teacher, Pam Quintella, also provided a highlighted PEF Student Directory to Priscilla and Per to help them connect with other families for playdates. “I could not have imagined a more smooth and supportive transition for Amanda,” says Priscilla.
Teachers and staff who go above and beyond for our students are one more reason why Piedmont schools are exceptional. #PiedmontProud