Dear Baldwin Park Families,

I am delighted to share some wonderful developments taking place across our classrooms. I want to shine a spotlight on an exciting area where our students are growing and thriving: the increased use of math manipulatives.

Walk through our halls and you’ll see students working eagerly with colorful math manipulatives—blocks, counters, number lines, and more—each day. These hands-on tools are bringing mathematical concepts to life, helping children visualize numbers, patterns, and operations in new and meaningful ways. Teachers are weaving manipulatives into their lessons to spark curiosity and deepen understanding, whether students are counting, sorting, or solving problems.

The use of manipulatives encourages active learning, allowing students of all abilities to explore math at their own pace and build confidence in their skills. It’s truly inspiring to watch students light up with discovery as they piece together puzzles or model equations with their hands. We believe that when learning is interactive and playful, it opens doors to a lifelong love of mathematics.

As we continue to nurture these practices, we invite you to ask your child about their experiences with math manipulatives or group work. Their stories offer wonderful glimpses into their learning journeys. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we strive to create an environment where every student can shine.

Mr. Schwartz

Principal, Baldwin Park Elementary