This week in kindergarten we will be focusing on perfecting our phonics skills. We will be working on sounding out words as well as decoding words. We will also be writing in our journals. I am so impressed with how well everyone is doing on their writing skills. The journals they turned into me yesterday were amazing! Keep up the great work of practicing at home.
This week we will finish up our time telling section. We are learning how to read analog and digital clocks to the hour. So far everyone is doing a great job of figuring out how to tell time. After spring break we will begin money. I have introduced a few money songs that you might ask your students to sing to you at home but after spring break we will really dive into telling the difference between and counting money.
This week has been full of assessments and I can not believe the progress everyone has made since the beginning of the year. I can see growth in everyone!
Conference slips went home today. Please mark on the bottom portion whether or not you will be able to come to your assigned time. I know the paper says the 25th and 26th but obviously I cannot fit everyone into those two days so some of you might be scheduled for a different day. I am really excited to get to share the growth of your students with you.
Please continue to bring in those tshirts, remember, AM students need a red tshirt and PM students need a navy blue tshirt. I am getting a lot in so keep it up! Remember, we need all shirts by the end of March.
We are still in need of copy paper. If you are able to donate copy paper I would appreciate it!
Next week is spring break, I hope everyone has a fabulous break. Remember to continue to read with your child each night as well as review things they learned in school. This would be a great time to practice money, time, or sight words!
The week after spring break and during conferences is the school wide book fair. Please consider going to the book fair with your child to help support our school. The library will be closed during that time so if your child is in AR he or she will not be able to check out books during that time.
I hope everyone has a great break, let me know if you have any questions.
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.