Taken from the Weekly Parent Updates between Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Ms. Ingel, Damian Thomas’s kindergarten teacher

8/14

Damian is making lots of friends! He’s very articulate for a boy his age. He makes an effort to talk to everyone, even the shy kids.

8/28

Damian has an imaginary friend. I notice him talking to the air beside him, though he stops when I remind him to pay attention. An active imagination is a good thing, so I don’t want to discourage it. I’m sure we’ll find a balance between playtime and school time.

9/11

Damian is exhibiting excellent leadership skills! He takes initiative when we break into smaller groups, and he volunteers to do little things around the classroom. The other children listen when he offers ideas, and he’s very good at organizing group games. These are definitely qualities we should nurture.

9/27

I wanted to update you on the minor behavioral issue we discussed earlier. Damian promised to stop hiding drawings around the classroom, but I found several more. I’m not sure if they’re from before my talk with him, but I wanted to let you know. They’re much of the same: stars, scribbles, patterns inside circles. They’re very intricate for a child his age, but finding them unexpectedly is disruptive. I’ll keep you updated if I discover any more.

10/2

Damian has a new nickname. The children have started calling him “Dominus.” I asked Damian where the name came from, and he said his imaginary friend gave it to him. I asked what his imaginary friend’s name was, but he said it was a secret. Is it possible Damian got this name from a movie? His imagination is growing by the day.

10/16

Damian seems to be at the center of a new game. During recess, the kids all form a circle with him in the center. They repeat some kind of rhyme, but I haven’t been able to hear it, as they stop when I or another adult get close. Has Damian spoken to you about this? I don’t think he’s being made fun of, but I don’t want to stand idle if there’s bullying going on in my classroom.

10/30

Damian has been very involved with the Halloween activities we’ve done this week, and he’s very excited about the Halloween Festival the school is hosting tomorrow. He even says he and the rest of the class have a surprise for me, and I’ll finally get to meet his imaginary friend. Isn’t that sweet? I suspect it has something to do with the circle they’ve drawn on the playground. Damian embellished it with his scribbles—I’m so proud he’s internalized the difference between school time and playtime. I hope you’re both proud as well.