August 2024
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Kossmann’s First Grade! My name is Gena (pronounced Jenna) Lipkin, and I will be your child’s teacher this year. First let me say how thrilled I am to be working with all of your children this year! I know this will be a unique year that lies ahead. I thought you may be interested in my professional background and how I arrived here today.
I hold a degree in Elementary Education and am certified preschool through 8th grade. After graduating from college I taught Kindergarten in Elizabeth, New Jersey for a few years. During that time I became a certified Lead Teacher of High/Scope, a phenomenal educational program which addresses all aspects of a classroom. The district loved what I was doing so they asked me to become an Early Childhood Facilitator and train 25 other teachers to do what I was doing. I then left the public school to start my family. I continued to teach part-time in the religious sector, working with a 4th grade class. I substitute taught in WTS, and taught preschool, all before beginning the Extended Day Kindergarten at Kossmann School 14 years ago. Eleven years ago I was thrilled to be a part of the district's first full-day Kindergarten, and have now been in 1st for 8 years.
I am ecstatic to be able to teach 1st grade this year and to not have any commute, as I also live in Long Valley. My personal 3 boys, Mason (24), graduated UCONN and works in NYC (cyber-security); Trey (22), just graduated Monmouth and is doing marketing for MetLife; and Baylor (19), is studying micro-electronic engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. I enjoy vacationing with my family – especially to Hilton Head, SC and any waterfall in the Northeast. I also find pleasure in paddleboarding, photography, scrapbooking, reading and playing board games with my family.
I believe in open communication with you, and encourage you to contact me with any questions or issues. I can be reached through a phone call to Kossmann School at 908-850-1010 x1259, a letter in your child’s folder, or email: [email protected]. (Please make sure all correspondence is clearly marked “Ms. Lipkin” and is placed in your child’s folder.)
Please note! Kindly read the “News & Notes” link for more specifics about our class/year, including our supply lists. During the school year you'll receive direct emails from me.
I look forward to meeting you at the Walk-Thru and embarking on a fabulous first grade year together!
Warmly,
Gena Lipkin
"Ms. Lipkin"
F/K 1st Grade Teacher