Welcome Back! I hope everyone had a great break. Thank you to everyone who came to fall conferences, I had a great time getting to share the wonderful accomplishments each student has done. If we did not get a chance to meet, please contact me with a time that works best for you. We have lots of fun activities coming up in the month of October (what is left of it) so please make sure you are marking your calender with all these fun and exciting activities.
This week we will be reviewing our letters and starting our reading groups. I will be implementing a new dibels board in our reading groups in order to practice the skills that are assessed on our dibels. We will also be focusing on fall and pumpkin activities as well as diving into our math books with the tricky teen numbers.
This Saturday, October 24th, is the fall festival. This is a great family fun festival with games, bounce houses, face painting, food, and a craft fair. This is a great way to support our school and our PTO since all the money earned comes right back to the school. Wristband envelops went home on Tuesday, if you want to order your wristband ahead of time they are 6 dollars, if you buy your wristband the day of the festival it is 8 dollars. Only children who want to participate in the games or bounce houses need a wristband.
On Tuesday, October 27th, we will be having our math curriculum night in the multipurpose room from 6-7pm. Come to this exciting night to get new and fun ways to help teach math at home.
On Wednesday, October 28th, we are having a read to kids day. For each person that comes and reads our class a story, our classroom receives a free book from the united way. Everyone is encouraged to come and read - moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends, grandmas and grandpas. The more readers, the more books! Please email me at ktrowbridge@jocombs.k12.az.us with a time you would be able to come read. We will have readers all day long at all times so whatever time works for you... works for me! Please help support our classroom by coming and reading to our class.
On Thursday, AM class will be joining all of the kindergarten classes for a pumpkin investigation. If you would like to help on this day please let me know.
On Friday, October 30th, we will be have our fall harvest party. Students are welcome to dress up as their favorite story book character or hero. Please no scary items or scary masks. Lots of parent volunteers are needed to make this party successful. On Tuesday, I sent home a party information sheet with a donation needed for the party, please return this slip as soon as possible if you are NOT able to donate the item. Donations are needed by Wednesday the 28th. Everyone is welcome to come to the party, the more helpers, the better the party with be! AM party is from 9:30 - 10:50 PM party is from 1 - 2:50. PM will be in a parade at 1:30 with the entire campus.
October is an exciting month for kindergarten filled with a lot of fun activities. Please email me if you will be able to read to us or help at any of our activities. If you have any questions, please contact me!
Mary Wolters
Hi! My name is Mary Wolters. This is my seventh year teaching at Simonton. I taught second grade for four years and this is my third year teaching Kindergarten. I have 3 children; ages 22, 20 and 17. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Reading Endorsement and an ESL Endorsement. I am looking forward to an awesome year with your children!
Trisha Wright
Welcome to kindergarten students and parents. It is my pleasure to introduce myself to you. My name is Trisha Wright and this is my sixth year teaching kindergarten at Simonton. I am a graduate of Arizona State University with my bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Kids and teaching are my passion and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. I am excited to start a fun filled school year with your child and would like to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s first year in school.
Kelly Trowbridge
Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Kelly Trowbridge and I was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2006, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008, and a Masters degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement in 2009. This will be my third year of teaching at Simonton. This is my second year of teaching kindergarten but my first year of teaching an am/pm session. Teaching is my passion and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I am very excited and enthusiastic about getting the opportunity in helping your child start or continue his or her educational career.
Joline King
Welcome Kindergarten at Kathryn Sue Simonton Elementary School. We are so excited to be your partner in educating your child. My name is Joline King and this is my twenty-first year teaching, my eighth for the J.O. Combs District. I am a fourth generation Arizonian and have made the East Valley my home with husband, three children and our beloved dog Salvador for the past twenty-three years. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood after completing an Associates Degree from Eastern Arizona College. I also have a Master's Degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning. My children, both at home and at school are my greatest joy! I have three children that are almost grown: Matthew 24, Jennifer 20 and Bryant 18. I look forward to a great year full of fun and lots of learning.