Thank you to all of the parents who came to our spring conferences! I had an excellent turnout and was so glad to chat with you about your child's progress. Since we are down to the last 2 months of school we will spend the remainder of the year fine tuning our writing skills, introducing addition and subtraction as well working toward starting the AR reading program. While all students may not get to AR, I would like for your children to be reading at least 1 book per week from our "Book in a Bag" program. If your child is currently in the AR program I would also like them to be checking out at least one AR book and taking the coordinating quiz. Keeping the reading going throughout the summer is going to be critical. You do not want your child to be taking a 2 month break from this essesntial skill. Their success in starting off the year right in first grade will depend on good reading habits. Therefore, I encourage you to all visit the library frequenly or purchase some leveled readers from the book store or Scholastic. I have been so thrilled with the progress of each of the kids in regards to reading and my hope is for you all to continue to nurture that over the summer!
Our kindergarten field trip is scheduled for Monday, April 12th. It will be a regular school day for your child so they should arrive at the normal time (8:00am). We will leave the school at 9:30 am and return at 1:30 pm. Dismissal will go on as always (2:40 pm), however, if you plan on picking your child up early that day please sign them out in the office. The kids are really excited to visit the farm and next week we will begin reading books and doing activities in regards to farmers and farm life. This will be a fun time for all!
I appreciate all of your help and support with our classroom this year. I know I told many of you at conferences that this has been a SPECTACULAR year for me and I am not ready to let go of this class! You have all made it a pleasure to teach your children and I have enjoyed this group of kids so much. If you should have any questions or concerns about the field trip or any other issue, please contact me. I look forward to spending the last 2 months of school with your kids and hope that each of them enjoy the reminder of their year in kindergarten.
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.