Can you believe this is the last week of February? Next week will be March and we are looking forward to learning new songs and poems. The last couple of weeks we have had a nursery rhyme competition going on between girls and boys on who can sing their nursery rhymes better. The students are really getting a kick out of this and I see them practicing their nursery rhymes every chance they get. Hopefully they are practicing them at home for you to hear as well!
This week we are focusing on middle sounds. Some students have already mastered hearing the middle sound and some need some extra practice. Encourage your student to sound out words at home and tell you what the middle sound is. Next week we will be moving on to the ending sound. Hopefully this will really help those struggling with sounding words out.
Please continue to work on those sight words. The list of sight words given out in the beginning of the year must be mastered before first grade. I already have had several students read me the whole ring! If you need another list of sight words, please let me know.
Hopefully most of you have read the posting to all kindergarten parents. Our kindergarten celebration is quickly approaching and we need t-shirts! AM students need a plain red shirt, and PM students need a plain navy blue shirt. We will be putting something special on these shirts so would like them all to be turned in by the end of March. Please write your child's name on the tag so we know it is theirs! Also, I know there are some families out there who may not be able to purchase a shirt, if you are unable to purchase a shirt, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make other arrangements.
This week we will be finishing up Chapter 6 in our math books, measurement and weight. The students have really enjoyed getting to measure different objects with unifix cubes as well as see how much things weigh. Our next chapter is time and money. Please start introducing your child to penny, nickle, dime, and quarter. This is learned purely by memorization so the more you introduce them to it, the quicker they will catch on.
I hope everyone has a great week, 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.