Welcome!

Okay, so we are going to give this a shot! While attending a professional development this past weekend, I met a teacher from just outside of San Antonio who uses a blog to keep her students and parents updated on what was happening in her classroom.  I was so excited about this idea that I immediately started working on a blog of my own for my Pre-AP English I class.  Eventually I hope to create a blog for each of my courses I teach, but this seemed like a good place to begin.  My goal will be to update this blog daily with assignments, reminders, due dates, etc that parents and students are always needing to know.  I hope it will become a way to bridge the communication gap that inevitably widens as the school year gets busier and busier.  I know I am busy, as I am sure you all are as well.  So feel free to ask questions!  If you need to email me, please do so at any time.  kfriend@vpsd.org. 

Please notice the right sidebar on this blog.  This includes links to nonfiction and fiction reading lists I have set up on Amazon.com for my students. 
*Disclaimer: Parents, please use the reviews and information provided by Amazon to screen any books you think you might not want your child to read.  While I try to filter inappropriate content out as much as possible, it is simply a part of our history and our society.  We are surrounded by subject matter that might not always be pretty or aligned with our moral standards.  However, I do feel that some of it is more beneficial than harmful.  That choice, I am leaving up to you as a parent. 

I have also included a link to the page for a columnist for the Miami Herald, named Leonard Pitts.  This author is highly acclaimed, a bit controversial, but that is to be expected with a writer whose column is entitled, "In My Opinion." :)  His writings are poignant and beautifully written.  I urge my students to explore his writings, as well as those of other modern day writers.

Parents, please encourage you child to regularly check this blog for any news they might need to know!

Sincerely,

Ms. Friend