This post is long overdue and I apoligize! These past few weeks have been busy. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday break and were able to spend some quality time with family. My family traveled back to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and had a great time. It was nice to have the change in weather too! Anyhow with only 3 weeks left until our Winter Break things might get even more busy...Watch Out!
We are finishing up the alphabet and are learning the last 2 letters (Q & U) this week. Please reveiw all of the letters at home and continue to play games in which your kindergarten student has to come up with words that start with a specific letter or sound. In math we finished Chapter 1 and are on to Chapter 2, Graphing and Patterns. This is a fun chapter for the kids, look for some fun math projects to come home soon. We will be learning about different holidays families celebrate throughout the month of December and started decorating our classroom this week. You will all have an opportunity to see the "Winter Wonderland" during an upcoming Holiday Party. There will be more information on the party to come soon.
Since the weather is cooling off and most mornings are quite chilly it is recommended that all students come with jackets or sweatshirts. We are still doing morning recess before school starts and the kids get cold without proper dress. Thanks for your help with this! Also, tonight is our school-wide curriculum night focusing on science. We hope to see you there.
A homework packet went home on Monday that is due Friday. If you need some extra time,feel free to keep the packet over the weekend and send it in on Monday. We did not have a homework packet last week. I am sorry that most of you saw very few books come home last week too. With me being out of town I did not get the chance to read with the kids. Everyone who brought a book back received a new one yesterday. The kids continue to be excited about reading so keep it up! Your children are doing wonderful and it is a pleasure to have each one of them in class. Thanks for all of your support and hard work!
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.