Academics
Bringing a global focus into the classroom
Our curriculum offers a rigor that ensures students will be prepared to lead productive, fulfilling lives. In addition to our core curriculum, Diamond Path offers students physical education, art, Chinese, Spanish, music and enrichment classes, special education services and English language learner support. Both remedial and enrichment classes are taught before and after school throughout the year.
The international studies theme is woven into learning experiences throughout the day. Students learn about who they are, the world in which they live, how the world works and how our planet is shared. Diamond Path students develop a point of view about their place in the classroom, school, neighborhood, country and world.
At Diamond Path, children develop an understanding of the world’s people, places, wonders and challenges. Through a rigorous core curriculum and active and engaging specialized classes, students learn how to live and work across cultures and international boundaries.
Kindergarten
Welcome to Kindergarten at Diamond Path Elementary!
Kindergarten is one of the most important and exciting years of your child's school career. It is a year full of opportunities for you and your child's teacher to work together in your child's growth. Feel free to contact us at anytime if you have any questions or concerns. We're looking forward to working together to make this a rewarding, successful year for your child!
Kindergarten Schedule 2024-2025
9:15-9:40 Arrival/Breakfast/Morning Routines
9:40-9:45 DP Morning News
9:45-10:00 Morning Meeting
10:00-10:30 WIN (“What I Need” time)
10:30-11:10 Functional Phonics
11:10-11:40 Science/Social Studies
11:40-11:45 Bathroom break
11:45-12:10 Lunch
12:10-1:00 Literacy
1:00-1:50 Specialists
Language
Art
P.E.
Media
Music
1:50-2:05 Quiet Time
2:05-2:10 Snack
2:10-2:55 Math
2:55-3:00 Pack and Stack Chairs
3:00-3:30 Recess
3:35 - 3:45 Closing Circle/Dismissal
Specialist Schedule
Supply List for 2025-2026
To simplify the back-to-school process and lower the cost for families, Diamond Path will be ordering all kindergarten student supplies. Parents are asked to pay a $30.00 donation to cover the cost of supplies for students. This can be paid through My Payments Plus (sorry, no cash or checks). The supplies will be given to students by their classroom teacher when school begins.
Resources
Meet Your Teachers
Grade 1-5
Grade 1
Welcome to First Grade at Diamond Path Elementary!
The first grade teachers are excited to work with your children! Please send your child with a healthy snack each day and a water bottle if needed. We follow a 6 day cycle for specialists and your child's teacher will inform you of their schedule. Please also make sure that your child is ready for the weather at recess each day. We look forward to building a community of global learners!
School Supply List 2025-2026
FIrst Grade supply list 2025-2026
Personal Items - Please Label
Backpack
Tennis shoes
1 wide ruled spiral notebook
Crayons - 24 ct.
Scissors
Markers - 2 packs 10 basic colors, name on one box only
Colored pencils - 12 ct.
pencil box
1 pocket folder - any color or design
Wired Headphones - no ear buds or wireless
Community Items
Thick, black expo markers - Two 4pks. or more
#2 sharpened pencils - 24 ct.
2 rolls Scotch tape
4 glue sticks
Yellow highlighter
2 boxes tissues
Optional
Paper towels
Sharpies
Ziplock Bags - quart, gallon size, or sandwich
Clorox wipes
Gift card for classroom needs - optional (Target or Walmart)
Meet Your Teachers

Kari Helfinstine
Grade 1 Teacher
Diamond Path Elementary
Grade 2
Welcome to Second Grade at Diamond Path Elementary!
Diamond Path second grade teachers look forward to working in partnership with you and your child to continue your child's education. Second graders focus on becoming independent learners as well as developing the skills necessary to work effectively in small and large groups. Throughout the year second graders will enjoy learning through fun-filled hands-on activities, interesting literature, independent practice, group activities, sharing, and educational field trips.
School Supply List for 2025-2026
SECOND GRADE SUPPLY LIST 2025-2026
Personal Items: Please Label.
Backpack- no wheels
1 wide-ruled composition notebooks- black
1 wide-ruled spiral notebook- student choice for color
1 2-pocket plastic folder- student choice for color
1 highlighter- yellow
Crayons (24 pack only; Crayola preferred)
1 box of markers (10 pack only; Crayola preferred)
1 box of colored pencils (24 pack; Crayola preferred)
1 large school box (approximate size 11 x 8)
1 pair of earbuds/headphones, wired
Community Items:
4 large glue sticks
2 black Expo whiteboard markers- Fine Tip
1 box of YELLOW #2 pencils (sharpened; Ticonderoga preferred)
2 large pink erasers
2 PaperMate black flair pens
Last name (A-M) 1 box of gallon Ziploc bags, Last name (N-Z) 1 deck of playing cards
Scissors (Fiskars preferred)
2 large boxes of Kleenex
Optional Items:
White kitchen paper towel rolls
Scotch tape refills
Additional pair of earbuds/headphones, wired
$5 gift card for supplies
Resources
Meet Your Teachers

Mattie Erwin
Grade 2 Teacher
Diamond Path Elementary

Stephanie Sisterman
Grade 2 Teacher
Diamond Path Elementary
Grade 3
Welcome to Third Grade at Diamond Path Elementary!
We are excited to work with your child during this school year.
There are many goals we have for each student. Some of these goals include:
- Becoming a stronger reader and writer.
- Building number sense with a focus on addition, subtraction, place value, multiplication, and division.
- Developing as a world citizen who is responsible, independent, respectful, and caring.
- Learning more about the world around us through science and social studies
School Supply List for 2025-2026
Third Grade Supply List for 2025-2026
*1 package of large pink erasers *2 package of pre sharpened pencils (12 or more) *1 pack of 2 NON-SCENTED glue sticks fine as well) * 2 rolls or dispenser of clear tape * 2 boxes of Kleenex |
*These items will be community supplies to be shared by all. |
Optional items: Large roll of clear packaging tape |
Resources
Meet Your Teachers

Terri Link
Grade 3 Teacher
Diamond Path Elementary

Julie Isakson
Grade 3 Teacher
Diamond Path Elementary
Grade 4
Welcome to Fourth Grade at Diamond Path Elementary!
The goals of the fourth grade teachers are to make learning come alive and to provide experiences that are practical and useful in the global world. We know that students learn best when they are active participants and we definitely provide those opportunities. Hang on tight! Fourth Grade is going to fly by! We are as excited to learn from the students as we hope they are from us. Welcome to one of your child's best years in elementary school!
- School Supply List for 2025-2026
- Fourth Grade Schedule for 2024-2025
- Fourth Grade Parent Night Slideshow
School Supply List for 2025-2026
FOURTH GRADE Supply List
*All supplies have a hyperlink to Walmart to make shopping easier. You are welcome to choose your own store, brands or style of supplies.
- 2 - Wide ruled spiral notebooks
- 4 folders
- 1 box of colored pencils
- 1 box of markers
- 2 colored pens (felt-tip or ballpoint)
- 48 #2 Pencils, pre sharpened
- Pencil Case (bag style)
- 2 large pink or white easers
- Hand held pencil sharpener
- Scissors
- 2 glue sticks
- 2 Highlighter
- 3 rolls of scotch tape in the dispenser
- 12 Whiteboard markers and old sock or eraser
- 1 Large box of Kleenex
- 2 pads of post it notes
- Optional, but appreciated:
Fourth Grade Schedule for 2024-2025
Fourth Grade Parent Night Slideshow
Meet Your Teachers
Grade 5
Welcome to Fifth Grade at Diamond Path Elementary!
Have you ever wondered...
- How do changes in the environment affect an organism?
- Why do we study history?
- How does the surface of the Earth change?
- What can we infer from artifacts?
If so, you will love fifth grade. Fifth grade at Diamond Path is an exciting year filled with lots of learning and fun activities. Some of the highlights of 5th grade are - patrolling, band, student council, field trips, parties, and more.
School Supply List 2025-2026
Fifth grade school supply list for 2025-2026
Be sure to label your supplies.
Some supplies may be collected as community items.
No binders or trapper keepers, please.
- Headphones that have a USBC connector (This is something new, the headphone and ipad charger will be the same connector. )
- Backpack (no wheels, please)
- Non-marking tennis shoes for gym and recess (no roller wheels)
- 1 - Calculator (basic functions)
- 4 folders
- 2 spiral notebooks
- 1- Pencil box for supplies
- 24- Ticonderoga Number 2 pencils (sharpened)
- 2 packs of whiteboard markers
- 2- Flair pens (2 black)
- 2- Highlighters (yellow)
- 1- Pair of scissors
- 1- Glue stick
- 3- Scotch tape rolls with a dispenser (This will be a community supply.)
- 1 - cm and inch ruler
- 2 pack post-it notes
- The Fifth Grade Student Planner will be purchased during the school year
- Washable Crayola Markers OR Colored pencils
- 2 boxes of Kleenex
Optional donation items – Loose leaf paper, student whiteboard, whiteboard markers, sharpie markers, flair pens, colored pencils, additional scotch tape rolls, Elmers glue, and notebooks.
Resources
Meet Your Teachers
Magnet
Support Services
Intervention Services
Interventionists collaborate with classroom teachers to support individual or small groups of students. Interventions may be for academics, communication, social skills, emotional skills, or behavioral skills. They may take place within the student’s classroom or in a small group setting. Interventions may range from daily 30-45 minute sessions or as quick as daily 5-7 minute sessions depending on student need. Some of the interventions that take place at Diamond Path include literacy interventions such as Leveled Literacy Intervention and Reading Recovery, Second Step for social emotional learning, and intervention focusing on communication skill
Gifted and Talent Development
Gifted and talented children are those students with outstanding abilities and capable of higher performance when compared to others of similar age, experience and environment. They have significantly different educational needs from their peers and require educational differentiation as a regular part of their school day to ensure they reach their full potential.
Learn more about our Gifted and Talent Development Program >
English Learners
The Diamond Path English Learner (EL) Program welcomes and celebrates the diversity and unique language experience that English Learners bring to our school. Their multilingual skills and unique cultural backgrounds enrich our school community.
The EL Program at Diamond Path provides instruction and support developing students’ Academic English skills in speaking, listening, reading, and/or writing. Building Academic English supports students’ access and achievement in content and grade level units of study. In addition, we advocate for students by working with classroom teachers and families to identify other educational opportunities that may enhance student learning.
Students in our EL program come with their own individual abilities and level of need. The goal of the EL program is to help each child reach his/her full potential. We encourage parents to continue reading and supporting their child's first language skills at home, as first language literacy helps build and deepen English language literacy! For resources to support and build your child's English language skills, please talk to their EL teacher or grade level teacher.
EL Links
Learn more about the District 196 EL Program >