Share with us what you believe to be your child’s special strengths, relative weaknesses, talents, extracurricular interests, etc. Take as much space as you like. We appreciate parental anecdotes and insights. (2500 characters minimum)
Peregrine falcons can reach speeds of up to 242 miles per hour. It takes about 1,800 gallons of water to manufacture one pair of jeans. The largest diamond ever found weighed 1.37 pounds. What do these pieces of information have in common? I recently learned them all from Sawyer, who knows so many interesting facts that I call him my walking encyclopedia. Ever since he was little, Sawyer has been fascinated by the world around him and that is one of his biggest strengths. His curiosity has pushed him to learn about all kinds of topics, from animals and architecture to scientific inventions and space travel. The bookshelves in his room are filled with titles such as 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) and Encyclopedia of Animals, which he has read over and over. He currently has a subscription to The Week Junior, a newsmagazine for kids that covers current events, medical discoveries, movie releases and other subjects, and he eagerly reads each new issue as soon as he sees it in our mailbox. Sawyer loves discovering new things and this passion inspires him to always wonder, ask why and keep learning.
Another one of Sawyer’s strengths is his determination. Whenever Sawyer faces a challenge, he does so with focus, resolve and his signature cheerfulness. In math class, he was having trouble with multiplying two-digit numbers. He worked with his math tutor, studied the textbook examples and completed practice worksheets until he understood the topic better–and ultimately earned an A on the unit test. When our family went biking on a challenging bike path, Sawyer took on several literal uphill challenges, but he pushed himself, pedaled harder and made it up every steep hill during the three-hour bike ride without a single complaint. This past summer, Sawyer was especially determined to learn how to swim. He had been afraid of going into deep water for years, but he took swimming lessons for several summers and taught himself to gradually become more comfortable in the water. This summer, he finally learned how to swim and passed his deep-water test at camp!
Sawyer’s thoughtfulness is another strength. When Sawyer’s little sister fell asleep on his bed, he carefully placed cushions next to the bed in case she rolled off of it. When his teacher passed out origami paper for a project and overlooked Sawyer’s classmate, he immediately gave the classmate all of his paper. When I am cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, he always asks me if he can assist. Sawyer also currently volunteers as a lunch monitor at school, where he helps take care of the kindergarteners during their lunch period and plays with them during recess. Sawyer is constantly mindful of others and it is one of his best qualities.
Sawyer has many interests. He likes to hike and explore nature. He enjoys playing chess and is a member of his school’s chess club. He has fun building elaborate LEGO structures. And given his curiosity and joy in learning new things, it’s no surprise that Sawyer also loves to read. He loves reading the aforementioned Week magazine, along with books about engineering and science. He also likes Harry Potter, Wings of Fire and other fiction titles. After he wakes up in the morning, he reads a book. Before he goes to sleep at night, he reads a book. When he comes home from school, the first thing he always does is plop on the couch and dive into whatever book he borrowed from school that day. He is so enthralled with books that, over the years, I have actually had to yell dozens of times, “Sawyer, stop reading right now!” because he needs to get ready for school, eat dinner or complete some other task. He even intently reads the back of cereal boxes while he eats breakfast!
Sawyer is interested in art, as well. He especially loves Impressionist art and has spent hours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art taking in the works of Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir. When we went to Paris last year, his favorite part was seeing Monet’s “Water Lilies” at the Musee de l’Orangerie. Sawyer also likes to create art. He is a member of his school’s art club, where he studies the styles of different artists and makes art inspired by their techniques. He also spends a lot of his free time creating thoughtful, detailed drawings of anything from landscapes to cartoon animals. His artwork is so impressive that his friends often ask him to draw pictures for them!
It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Sawyer Chan for admission to Garden School’s middle school program. I have had the pleasure of teaching Sawyer this year in both English Language Arts and Mathematics in our gifted fifth grade class, and I can confidently say he is a standout student in every sense of the word.
Sawyer is an exceptionally hardworking and responsible learner who consistently demonstrates both academic excellence and genuine curiosity. In mathematics, he approaches problem-solving with focus, persistence, and confidence. Whether tackling complex word problems or exploring new concepts, Sawyer is not only quick to grasp material, but also thoughtful in his explanations and reasoning.
In ELA, Sawyer’s reading comprehension and writing abilities are well beyond grade level. He engages deeply with texts, offering interpretations that are both creative and well-supported. His writing is clear, structured, and expressive, showing both technical skill and voice. He consistently meets and often exceeds expectations for class assignments, and he approaches revision as an opportunity to grow rather than a task to complete.
Beyond academics, Sawyer is a kind, respectful, and conscientious member of our classroom community. He participates thoughtfully in discussions, listens well to his peers, and contributes to a positive and productive learning environment. He completes all assignments on time, takes feedback seriously, and always gives his best effort.
It is clear that Sawyer would thrive in a challenging and nurturing environment like Garden School, where his academic strengths and love of learning can continue to grow. He is more than ready for the demands of middle school, and I am confident that he
would bring enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and a strong work ethic to your school community.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information. It has been a joy to work with Sawyer, and I offer my strongest recommendation for his admission.
Warmly,
Elaine Gianninoto
Grade 5 Teacher
You are a rock star!
Love,
Mom
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