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Kayla Anthony » Back to School 2025-2026

Back to School 2025-2026

Dates to Note:

Friday, August 1, 2025 – Optional Open Houses for All Students

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

Monday, August 4, 2025

First Day for All Students

 

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Parent Orientation in your child’s classroom, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

 

School-wide information can be found on our Family Resources Page

 

Posts

class update

February 8th Newsflash

 

Class Happenings

Hello Families...There is a lot that will be happening over the next few weeks of school so please read below to get all the details.
 
First off, I want to give a big congratulations to our class (obviously with parent help) for reaching and surpassing a tremendous goal of raising so much money for Fun Run. The students have earned some incentives for next week and will be having a week of work mixed in with some days and times of fun. 
  • Tuesday- homework pass students are exempt from doing lesson review 4 day 1, music in class
  • Wednesday- 30 min free time
  • Thursday- video brain break, game day ( bring board games)  
  • Friday- pajama day, food party, movie in class
 

Valentines boxes

students will need to bring in a box to decorate to put grahams and cards into by Wednesday decorating will be done on Thursday, grahams will be passes out Friday 
 

Valentine Grams are on Sell Now!!

Valentine’s Grams are a sweet way to spread love while supporting our E2 classes’ Overnight trips. Purchase yours now through the morning of February 13. Order forms are linked below and are available at each campus office.

Valentine Grams will be delivered to classes Friday, Feb. 13th

Click for a Printable Valentine's Gram Form

We do still need more Hershey's Kisses (no nuts, please).

Donations can be dropped off in the Elementary Front Office or the Elementary Library. Thank you for supporting this fun tradition!

Calling on Student Helpers

Our class will be selling Valentine Grams Friday morning from 7:45am-8:30am. We will need about 6-8 students who can get to campus by 7:45am to help sell at the Elementary campus carline and the Early Childhood carline. 

Villa’s Valentine Dance 

Friday, February 13th (E1) 5:30-6:30pm & (E2) 6:45-8:00PM

We’re so excited to announce our first-ever Elementary Valentine’s Day Dance, proudly planned and organized by a committee of our amazing students! This event is designed for one parent or grown-up to attend with one student, with the option for siblings to join as well. Enjoy a fun evening of music, dancing, a photo booth, pizza included with admission, and roses available for purchase.


This event is ELEMENTARY-ONLY, and we can’t wait to launch this brand-new Villa tradition with our community!

Parent volunteers are needed for the Elementary Dance. Events like this can only happen when we have enough volunteers to make them run smoothly. Click below to sign up.

Event help and Breakdown/Cleanup

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FAEAD29A6F58-61467378-villa#/

Tickets to the dance are available online only. Please use the Eventbrite link below to purchase tickets.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/villa-valentines-dance-tickets-1979740967527

Art History 

It is very important that students stay focused on completing all requirements for their Art History project. This long-term project helps students learn how to meet important due dates, break a large assignment into smaller goals, and put forth their best effort to create a high-quality project. This includes the written report, tri-fold board, and all the requirements for each.

Please read below for details on the next due date and upcoming requirements for the Art History Project.

Art History Fair Important Dates

Feb. 27th
  • Written Report Final Draft
March 2nd 
  • Tri-Fold Board due and project due 
  • students can bring materials to work on in class 
March 5th
10-11 parent viewing 
 
No School
Monday, February 16th- Observance of Presidents Day
 

E2 Student Shrek Performance

Our Elementary II students are excited to bring you "Shrek the Musical Jr." - a musical performance. There will be two chances to catch the show...

  • March 5th & 6th 
  • Third Street Theater in Downtown Phoenix!

    This production is being co-led by Clare Broyles (Villa teacher) and Tamara Kemper (Villa parent), so you can reach out to them at [email protected] if you have questions.

     

E2 Student Shrek Matinee Performance

Our E2 students have been invited to view a matinee performance of the Villa Production of Shrek Jr. Students will travel by cars over to the Phoenix Center for the Arts Theater and leave our school at 9:15 AM. They will depart the theater at around 11:15 AM to be back to school by lunchtime. (Students in the performance will have alternative transportation arrangements). We need drivers! A permission slip will be handed out today. 

When: March 6, 2026, 9:15–11:30 AM

Where: Phoenix Center for the Arts Theater

Address: 1202 N 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004

This is all I have for now. Have a blessed and beautiful Week!!

Class update

Hello Families, below is all the information you need to know for this week and upcoming weeks....

 

Pizza Friday Payment

For families who chose the half-payment option for Pizza Friday, the second half payment of $75 is due by Friday, January 23rd

Homework

  • Math- Lessons & Practice sets 61-65 due tomorrow
  • Reading- 20min of daily reading
  • Spelling- Practice sent home every Monday
  • Art History Packet- Notecards due this Friday, January 23rd
*Students were given a lesson on how to do notecards to help prepare them for their research notes of their specific artist.
 

 Fieldtrip

 ASU Gammage (Step Afrika)
Huge thank you to the parent Drivers/Chaperones for making today possible: Anah, Chelsea, Tom, Hannah, Emily, Michelle, Megan, and Paulette
The show was amazing! The students loved it

 

Early Dismissal

Friday, January 23rd- 11:30 dismissal for parent/teacher conferences
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
 
Fun Run
The kick off of our annual Fun Run fundraiser begins this Friday, January 23rd. Your child will come home with a lanyard that will give you the details you need to help get your child registered. This fundraiser is a great one that helps support our classrooms in a big way. 
 

Villa's Valentine Dance

 

They’re looking for parent volunteers to help support the Valentine’s Day Dance! Please click on the link below if you'd like to help out in some way. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FAEAD29A6F58-61467378-villa

Valentine Grams Fundraiser

 Hey Villa Families! Valentine’s Day Grams are coming back! 
Valentine’s Day Gram sales will run from January 30 through February 13, and grams will be delivered to students on Friday, February 13. This is a fun way for students to send a sweet Valentine surprise to friends, classmates, and staff!
 Hershey’s Kiss donations are needed to help make this fundraiser a success.
 Hershey’s Kisses only, please — no nuts

We are also in need of Parent Volunteers, if you would like to help there are a few options. Please click the link below if you are interested in helping. 
Thank you for helping us spread the Valentine’s Day cheer and support our student-led fundraiser! 
Please contact Kaila Durocher with any questions, [email protected] 
 

class update

Hello Parents, please read below for class updates

 Pizza Friday Payment

For families who chose the half-payment option for Pizza Friday, the second half payment of $75 is due by Friday, January 23rd.

Homework

  • Math- Review Packet (Monday page due tomorrow 1/12)
  • Reading- 20min of daily reading
  • Spelling- Practice and prepare for test
  • Art History Packet- Notecards are due January 26th
  • students are able to work on project in class 
 

 Early Dismissal

Friday, January 16th & January 23rd- 11:30 dismissal for parent/teacher conferences

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

  • Conferences start this week. Conferences will be 20min long.
  • Students will share and/or take home their portfolios with a small sampling of some of the works they completed the first half of the year. 
Progress reports will be emailed this week

No School

Monday, January 19th- In observance of MLK Jr Day
 

Villa's Valentine Dance

I'm proud to say that a few of my students asked Ms. Margo if they could organize a fun Valentine's Day Dance for Villa elementary students, with the goal of creating a fun community event for students and parents. Well, their wish was granted, and the dance will take place Friday, February 13th. 
 

They’re looking for parent volunteers to help support the Valentine’s Day Dance! Please click on the link below if you'd like to help out in some way. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FAEAD29A6F58-61467378-villa

Valentine Grams Fundraiser

 Hey Villa Families! Valentine’s Day Grams are coming back! 
Valentine’s Day Gram sales will run from January 30 through February 13, and grams will be delivered to students on Friday, February 13. This is a fun way for students to send a sweet Valentine surprise to friends, classmates, and staff!
 Hershey’s Kiss donations are needed to help make this fundraiser a success.
 Hershey’s Kisses only, please — no nuts

We are also in need of Parent Volunteers, if you would like to help there are a few options. Please click the link below if you are interested in helping. 
Thank you for helping us spread the Valentine’s Day cheer and support our student-led fundraiser! 
Please contact Kaila Durocher with any questions, [email protected] 
 
This is all I have for now, Thank you!

class update

Homework Changes- 
Answer Keys have moved online; they can be found on my teacher page on the school website using the link below
 
Homework policy will be enforced beginning this week 
day 1 no homework- note home, please sign and return 
day 2 no homework- child calls home
day 3 no homework- day 3 no homework contact from teacher and or admin to create success plan
 
Winter activities 
Secret Santa 12/17- 
students will draw names randomly and purchase a gift for a classmate for under 20 dollars all gifts will be due on 12/15
 
Ginger bread houses- 
ginger bread house building will be the morning of 12/18
 
12/19 pajama day
 
Art History Fair
Next due date rough sketch due 12/8

class update

camp surf

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), 

This Spring, we are so pleased to offer our E2 students a wonderful and engaging overnight trip experience. Students will travel by charter bus to San Diego, California, for a two-night stay on May 6-8, 2026. The total cost for the class trip is $336.00. The trip installments will be billed as follows:   

PAYMENT 

DUE DATE 

AMOUNT 

1st Payment / Deposit 

Nov. 1, 2025 

$ 112.00 

2nd Payment 

Dec. 1, 2025 

$ 112.00 

Final Payment 

Jan. 1, 2026 

$ 112.00 

ECA fees must be paid in full by November 1st or have a current payment plan in place with the billing office that is being followed for students to participate in the overnight trip. These monies are used to cover expenses incurred above and beyond those paid for by trip fees charged to students. Chaperones will be required to pay a cost of $336.00 due in February 2026. We do realize that making payments can be difficult, and at no point do we want a child to miss this educational experience. If your family cannot afford the cost of this trip, please contact the Finance office. 

Cancellation Refund schedule:  

If cancelled by 3/6/26 – 50% refund  

If cancelled by 4/3/26 – 25% refund 

Refunds considered after 4/6/26 require family or medical emergency documentation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Erin Ford at [email protected]. 

If you prefer a different billing arrangement, please contact Jazmine Gray, in Billing, at [email protected].  

 Thank you for all the support,  
Kayla and Paul 

 
Homework
Lesson 1-5 due this week 
spelling goes home today, test on Friday 
 
Fall Spirit week
11/27 crazy hair day
11/28 backwards clothes day 
11/29 fall colors/ pumpkin carving
11/30 fan shirt (anything you are a fan of, ex: band, football team, etc/ class flag football game
11/31 pajamas and hot cocoa 
 
Class Social: Parents vs. Kids Kickball Game
Date: October 18th
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Location: Granada Park

class update

Safety Week

This week we will be going over different drills to make sure students have a better understanding of how to respond to different scenarios if ever necessary. We will be having discussions/practicing 1 drill a day. We will be practicing an off campus evacuation drill this Friday. Please look for a permission slip today and return by Friday am, giving your child permission to walk off campus to the alley across the street in order to practice this drill. 

Homework

Math: Lesson and Practice Set 1-5 (Lesson & practice set 2 due tomorrow Tuesday)

Math tests will be given weekly after every 5 lessons. The tests correspond with the homework lessons the students complete weekly. Students will be given their first math test this Friday, September 12th. 

Field trip

Class field trip September 25th from 9:00-1:30 to ASU school of space exploration 

Newsflash

Hello parents,
 
Goal Setting Conference Sign Up
 
Class Field Trip
Permission slips to ASU will go home today please return them signed by Friday, September 5th. 
 
Spelling
Spelling will begin Monday 9/8. Students will receive a list of spelling words at the beginning of the week to practice at home. A test on the list they practiced will be given every Monday.
 

week 2 Newsflash

Newsflash

Happy Tuesday! Students are doing a great job of getting adjusted to the classroom and the systems we are putting in place and they have really stepped up in working hard to set a good example for the class. I'm proud to say that the 4th graders are adapting well, but will most likely take about 2-3 months to become fully comfortable with the E2 transition. I know that change can be hard, I'm grateful that so far everyone is working together to really help make each day run smoothly.

Special Thank you

Big big thank you to Anah and Chris for donating our popcorn machine and fixings to go with it! We are looking forward to trying it out this Friday. :)

ALLERGY IN CLASS

please do not pack any foods with pistachios or cashews any other nuts are allowed. 

Parent Orientation

Thank you to those who were able to attend the parent orientation last week. If you were unable to attend the Parent Orientation, we sent home a folder with your child that included the packet of information for you to look over. 

Pizza Friday

If you would like your child to participate in Pizza Friday and you have not already turned in the Pizza Friday form or payment, please make sure to do so by August 22nd to our class coordinator. 

Homework

Math: Review packet, Monday and Tuesday should be completed 

Reading: 20min of reading daily 

This year students will go to Study Hall if they miss a homework assignment. If you would like to opt-put of Study Hall please email Christy Cantu, [email protected], with your request and how you will help your student make up their missed homework.

Enrichments

The Enrichment Fair was held on Friday, so your child may have expressed interest in an after school activity. Online registration for E2 Enrichments is open this Wednesday, August 13th at 7pm. https://www.villamontessori.com/apps/news/article/1950926

Sign Up Genius

If you haven't already, please checkout the different Sign Up Genius links that are various ways you can volunteer, help or donate in/to the class.

Volunteer in our class

 
plants for class 
 
 
 pizza Friday snack
 
Parent Surveys

Thank you to all the parent surveys that were filled out for me. I have read through them and soon, I will be sending a class email of Q & A with the responses to some of the questions parents asked in the survey. If you were a parent who did not attend the parent orientation, you will find the survey in the folder that was sent home with your child on Friday, please fill it out and return it to me by this Friday. 

upcoming field trips:

our first field trip will be to the ASU Planetarium on September 25th. A signup for volunteers to drive will go out this week. 

Week 1 update

Happy first week of school! Please refer to this class Newsflash weekly to see what is happening in the classroom.This week will be filled with student assessments, team building, student mentor groups along with some work time.
 

Parent Orientation: We will be having our Parent Orientation night this Thursday, August 7th at 6:30 pm in the classroom, Room 201. We ask that at least one parent attends the orientation, if you are unable to attend, we will send home your Parent Orientation packet in your student’s communication folder on Friday.

Homework: Summer Homework should be turned in this week, and if there is any portion of summer homework not completed, your child should use this week to complete it.

Book Talks have begun. Students should have read and completed one book report project this summer. Today, I sent home book talk forms/rubrics with any student who requested one. Each student signed up for a day this week in which they would like to present. Please make sure your child is prepared for their 5-10min book talk, which is a summary and review of the book they read along with an explanation of the project they created.  

Math: Review Packet will be sent home this Friday, August 8th. A calendar for homework due dates will also be set home or you can find a copy under the tab Homework Calendar.

Reading: We encourage students to read about 20min daily at home. The goal is to complete a book every month and to present a book talk each time a book is finished. 

Pizza Friday
Pizza Friday will start Friday, August 29th. If you would like for your child to participate in Pizza Friday please return the Pizza Friday form with payment on or before August 22nd. Half payment ($75) or Full payment ($150) can be made out Venmo or Zelle to our class coordinator Megan Affrunti 
Venmo: @Megan-Affrunti-1
Zelle: Megan Affrunti 847-815-9688
If there is any financial hardship, please reach out to me via email [email protected]
Pizza Friday forms will be sent home Thursday.
 
Class sign ups 
The following sign-up genius links are for ways in which parents can volunteer in the class, our class pet needs, and a sign up for all of our Pizza Friday snacks for this school year.  I will attach the links below and please feel free to look and sign up for anything of interest. 
 
Volunteer link
 
Plants for our class 
 
Pizza Friday snack 
 
Food for class pet 
 
Flowers for our class 
 
Class wish list