October 13, 2025

 

I hope everyone had a nice and enjoyable Fall Break!

 

Thank you to the Timlick family for bringing in Pizza Friday snack this week and to, Michael Book, for picking up the pizza!

 

Safety Practice: We will be practicing a Soft Lockdown drill tomorrow Tuesday, October 14^th  in the morning.

 

Field Trip: We will be having our next field trip to ASU Earth and Space Exploration building this Thursday, October 16^th. We will be leaving around 9 am and returning around 1 pm. We will be having a picnic lunch at ASU.

Thank you to the drivers and chaperones of this trip!

Skye Lucking, Erin Ford, Elizabeth Williams, Paul Howell, Michael Book, Shannon Sigala, and Erika Sigl.

 

Homework: Students should be working on their review packets for math this week, they will be getting a new packet of homework this Friday, October 17^th. Students should also continue to read 20 minutes nightly and practice their high frequency spelling words for tests on Fridays.

 

Novel Study: We will be starting our next novel study book this week. We will be reading the book, A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga.

 

Moon Journal: This month we are studying the moon. The students have a moon journal that they will be filling out nightly. If they miss a day they can use this site, Moon Phases 2025 – Lunar Calendar , to see what the moon was for that night. They will be tracking the moon for a whole month.

 

Scholastic: Check out the new Scholastic flyers by clicking the following link, flyers like these. Place an order, through our class ordering page. Your books will arrive at school about 10 days after I submit our classroom order.

  

Order due date: 10/31/25
Shop our class page: https://orders.scholastic.com/KK63X

 

Happy reading!
Class code: KK63X

 

September 29, 2025

 

A big shout out and THANK YOU to parent volunteer, Katie Banovich, and grandparent volunteer, Jeff Schaefer, for coming in last week and helping the class start our garden! Jeff helped fix our irrigation system as well. Students are excited to see it grow.

 

Thank you to the Desai/Hardin family for bringing in Pizza Friday snack this Friday and to parent volunteer, Kevin Watson, for picking up the pizza this week!

 

Pajama Day: This Friday, October 3^rd will be our first Pajama Day. On Pajama Days students are allowed to wear their pajamas to school and bring in one blanket and/or pillow. They also are allowed to bring in any school appropriate games, books, or movies. Movies should be age and school appropriate and rated G or PG. Students need to have all of their weekly work completed to participate in Pajama Day activities.

 

Homework: Students should be finishing their math homework packets by the end of this week; Lesson 20 is due this Friday. We will be handing out review packets on Friday as well.

We will not be doing spelling practice or tests this week, we will continue spelling after Fall break.

 

Next week is Fall Break, October 6^th-10^th. School resumes on Monday, October 13^th and Review Lesson 1 will be due along with 20 minutes of reading.

 

Whole Class Lessons Given in September

•      History: Characteristics of the Human Animal, Closest Living Relatives
•      Science: Solar System: Gravity, Orbit and Seasons
•      Geography: Africa Continent Study and Study of Tides
•      Novel Study: Finished Maroo of the Winter Caves
•      Writing: Informational Writing- KWL chart, outline, editing, making a 5-paragraph essay

 

Novel Study: We will be starting our next novel study after Fall break. The next book we will be reading is A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga. If you would like your student to have their own copy of the book please purchase it before Wednesday, October 15th. 

 

 

 

September 22, 2025

 

It was great seeing everyone at the Class Social this weekend. Thank you again to the Smith/Brieske family for hosting!

 

 

Math Tests: Now that students have started their math packets, we have started taking weekly math tests. We take math tests on Monday mornings, and they go over the last 4/5 lessons from the previous week.

 

We will grade math tests in class, make corrections with the students if needed (if they score lower than 70%) and send home the tests in the students’ communication folders by the end of the week or following week.

 

To help students be successful you can remind them to study the concepts in their homework packets over the weekend.

 

 

 

Goal Setting Conferences: We are continuing Goal Setting Conferences this week. This Friday, September 26^th is another Half-Day school will be out at 11:30 am.

Conferences will be held inside the classroom if before school or after school or in the front of the classroom during the morning times. During the conference students will be going over their goals they have set for themselves for this school year. Stefanie's class: Stefanie's Goal Setting Conferences 2025-2026

If none of the available times work for you, please email me at [email protected] and we can find another date and time that will work.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 15, 2024

 

Goal Setting Conferences: We will start Goal Setting Conferences this week. This Friday, September 19^th is another Half-Day school will be out at 11:30 am for conferences.

Conferences will be held inside the classroom if before school or after school. If during the morning school time they will be in the front/back of the classroom. During the conference students will be going over their goals they have set for themselves for this school year.

If you have not done so already, please sign-up for a time to meet by clicking the following link, Stefanie's class: Stefanie's Goal Setting Conferences 2025-2026

If none of the available times work for you, please email me at [email protected] and we can find another date and time that will work.

 

Picture Day: We will be taking school pictures tomorrow Tuesday, September 16^th in the morning, around 10:30 am.  

 

Please look out for an email from the photography company Studio W Portraits in the coming weeks. They will email you from [email protected]. You don't want to miss this email, as the entire ordering process is done online, which makes getting your photos fast and efficient.

 

 

Class Social: We will be having our first class social this Saturday, September 20^th at 1 pm at the Dockery Household, 4639 E Glenrosa Ave. Phoenix, AZ, 85018!

Please RSVP by clicking the following link, Evite: Online Invitations, Greeting Cards & Party Ideas.

We hope to see you there!

 

September 8, 2025

 

Homework: Students received new homework packets on Friday. Students should do one lesson per night. Please continue to check and initial your student’s math homework. 

We will be starting Math Tests on Monday mornings based on the homework tests start next Monday, September 15^th. To help your student be successful you can have them review the previous 4 lessons over the weekend. For example, the first test will be going over the concepts learned in Lessons 1-4.

 

 

Field Trip: We will be going to the Arizona Science Center tomorrow Tuesday, September 9^th. This will be a full day field trip, please make sure your student arrives on time, brings a sack lunch and good walking shoes. Students may bring money to purchase something at the gift shop but are responsible for keeping track of it on their own.

Thank you to the parent drivers/chaperones who will be attending the trip!

 

 

Safety Week: This week is Safety Week we will be going over the different drills and practicing an off-site evacuation. A permission slip was sent home last week for your student to walk off campus, please turn it in by this Wednesday, September 10^th. We will be doing the evacuation Thursday morning, September 11^th.

 

Goal Setting Conferences: We will be having Goal Setting Conferences Friday, September 19^th and Friday, September 26^th, both days are half-days and school is out at 11:30 am. Goal setting conferences include the student, parents and teacher and are meant for the students to share their goals for this school year.

Please sign-up for a time to have a Goal Setting Conference by clicking the following link, Stefanie's class: Stefanie's Goal Setting Conferences 2025-2026

 

 

Class Social: Our first-Class Social will be on Saturday, September 20^th at the Dockery’s House. Click HERE to see the Evite and let us know if you will be joining us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our class Coordinator, Jessica Brodie (602) 549-1222.

Hope to see you there!

 

This Friday, September 15^th is a Half-Day for Staff Professional Development, there will be No Circle. All of the school will be out at 11:30 am.

 

 

September 2, 2025

 

I hope everyone had a nice three-day weekend!

 

Enrichment classes start this week.

 

Thank you to the Brieske/Dockery family for bringing in Pizza Friday snack this Friday and to parent volunteer, Andrew Tuttle, for picking up the pizza!

 

Homework: Students will be finishing up their Rev-Up packets this week and will be getting their new homework packet this Friday, September 5^th. Students continue to do one math lesson a night and at least 20 minutes of reading.

There will be no spelling practice or tests this week.

 

Goal Setting Conferences: We will be having Goal Setting Conferences Friday, September 19^th and Friday, September 26^th, both days are half-days and school is out at 11:30 am. Goal setting conferences include the student, parents and teacher and are meant for the students to share their goals for this school year.

Please sign-up for a time to have a Goal Setting Conference by clicking the following link, Stefanie's class: Stefanie's Goal Setting Conferences 2025-2026

 

Whole Class Lessons Given in August

• Science: The Beginning of the Universe, The Solar System
• History: Timeline of Life, Timeline of Humans 
• Geography: Continental Drift-Pangaea 
• Writing: The Writing Process, Narrative Writing, Paragraph Writing, Editing 

August 25, 2025

Pizza Friday: Pizza Friday forms are due today Monday, August 25^th. The first Pizza Friday will be this Friday, August 29^th! We will be getting our pizza from Barros this year.

THANK YOU to the Brodie Family for bringing in Pizza Friday snack this week and to parent volunteer, Kathleen Brieske, for picking up the pizza!

 

Lost and Found: The last week of every month we will do a Lost and Found viewing in the carline area. All things left in Lost and Found at the end of the day on Friday, August 29^th will be donated. Please make sure to check and have your student check the Lost and Found for any items this week.

 

Homework: Students should continue to do one math lesson and read 20 minutes a night for homework. They should also be practicing their High Frequency Spelling words as well. Each student will get their updated list in their take home folders, students who completed all 1200 words are no longer tested.

 

Three-Day Weekend, No School next Monday, September 1^st for Labor Day.

Math Lesson 16 & 17 will be due on Tuesday, September 2^nd.

 

 

 

Monday, August 18, 2025

 

Homework: Students should be working on their Rev-Up math packet doing one lesson each night. They should also be reading 20 minutes a night and fill out the reading log.

 

 

Spelling Practice: Students have started their spelling practice in class. They will either be using the Words Their Way program that helps with spelling rules, or Wordly Wise which is more vocabulary based. Students will not be tested on these programs.

Students will be tested every Friday on the High Frequency Spelling words. Your student will get a list of words on Mondays (today) in their Communication Folder that they should practice for the week and then will be tested in class on Fridays. Students will do 25 words and/or circled words on their list. Once the students complete the 1200 High Frequency packet they will no longer be tested on Fridays for spelling. We will begin testing this Friday, August 22^nd on their High Frequency words, the list of words they are being tested on is their communication folder. If they do not have a list, they have tested out of the program and will not need to take a spelling test. Ways to help your student practice their words at home is also in their communication folder.

 

 

Pizza Fridays: We will be starting Pizza Fridays on Friday, August 29th. The class has decided to get pizza from Barros. Forms to sign-up were in the Parent Orientation packet. Please return the completed form by Monday, August 25^th. If you need support or a different payment plan, please reach out to me by email at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Monday, August 11, 2025

 

It was great meeting new families and seeing everyone again during the parent orientation last week!

 

Parent Orientation: If you were unable to attend the Parent Orientation, we sent home the packet of information with your student on Friday for you to review.

The one thing that needs to be returned is the Pizza Friday form, which is on color paper, and needs to be returned by Monday, August 25^th.

Please also take some time to look at the volunteer opportunities and sign-ups for the class:

Parent Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FAEAD29A6F58-volunteer2#/

Bring in Pizza Friday Snack: Stefanie's class: Stefanie's Pizza Friday Snack Sign-Up

Pick Up/Deliver Pizza: Stefanie's class: Stefanie's Pizza Friday Pick-Up/Deliver Pizza

Bring in food for Mini, Class Leopard Gecko: Stefanie's class: Mini's Sign-Up Class Leopard Gecko

Helping Hands: Stefanie's class: Stefanie - Helping Hands Wish List 2025-2026

 

Homework: Students also got their first homework packet for the year on Friday. The first math review lesson was due today Monday, August 11^th. A calendar is in each of the folders to help you keep track of when each lesson is due. There is a checking key in the folder, and we ask that you check the math lesson each night and then initial.

Students should also be reading 20 minutes a night and filling out the reading log. Please have your student fill out the log each night.

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: Online registration for E2 Enrichments is open this Wednesday, August 13^th at 7pm. ENRICHMENT REGISTRATION | Villa Montessori School

 

Novel Study: Our first-class novel study will be the book, Maroo of the Winter Caves by Ann Turnbull. We have a couple of class copies but if you would like your student to have their own, please purchase the book by August 13^th.

 

Field Trips: The permission slip for booked field trips is being sent home today in your student’s communication folder. Please sign and return by Friday, August 29^th. If you are able to drive/chaperone for a trip please indicate on the form, you will need to fill out volunteer paperwork and need a fingerprint clearance card to chaperone. Villa Parent/Guardian Volunteer Application | Villa Montessori School

 

August 4, 2025

 

Happy first day of school!

 

A couple of reminders:

• Only students in the Circle program should be dropped-off before 7:45 am in the morning. Everyone else can be dropped-off between 7:45 am – 8:30 am. Pick-up is between 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
• We want to encourage independence of the students, in the morning they should have their lunchbox and backpack ready and able to exit the car on their own. If you will be coming on campus you need to get a visitor badge through the main office, this applies to afterschool hours as well.
• Please use grace and courtesy during carline drop-off and pick-up. The first couple weeks will be busier than usual. Please refrain from using your cell phone and only exit out of the designated areas (no one should be exiting or picking up off of Meadowbrook Ave.) Also be mindful of students walking and using extra caution for safety.

 

Vision Board Activity: This Wednesday, August 6^th the students will be doing a vision board activity that goes along with their goals for this school year. We will provide materials for the activity but if your student wants to bring in any special pictures, stickers, quotes or magazines they may.

 

Parent Orientation: We will be having our Parent Orientation night this Thursday, August 7th at 6:30 pm in the classroom, Room 212. 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, students will be getting their first homework packet which is review work this Friday, August 8^th. A calendar for homework due dates will also be set home or you can find a copy under the tab Homework Calendar.

 

Sign-Ups: Take some time to look over the sign-ups for this year under the links tab. You can sign-up for Volunteer Positions, Helping Hands, Pizza Friday Snack, and our class leopard gecko food sign-up. We greatly appreciate all the help!

 

Novel Study: Our first novel study for the year will be the book, Maroo of the Winter Caves by Ann Turnbull. We have some class copies but if you would like your student to have their own you may purchase the book. We will start the novel study on Wednesday, August 13^th.

 

July 28, 2025

 

Hello and welcome everyone to a new school year! I wanted to send a couple of reminders before the first day of school next Monday, August 4^th.

If you need a copy of the supply list, back to school letter, drop-off procedures and/or school calendar you can find it under the Back to School 25-26 tab.

 

Open House: We are having an Open House this Friday, August 1^st from 11am-12 pm in our room, room 212, for students and families to check out the classroom, say hello to the teachers, and drop off supplies. We hope to see you there!

 

Summer Homework: Students should be completing their summer homework and have it turned it by the first week of school. Students will be presenting their book reports the first week to the class. If you need an extra copy of the homework you can click on the Summer Homework tab and find copies, there.

 

Parent Orientation Night: We will be having a Parent Orientation night in the classroom, room 212, on Thursday, August 7^th from 6:30-7:30pm. We ask that at least one parent attend, if you are unable to attend, please let me know so we can get you the needed information.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Looking forward to a great school year! -Ms. Stefanie

 

 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

 

Summer Homework: If your student misplaces their Summer Homework, you can find copies of the work under the tab Summer Homework. Students are expected to do

• 6-weeks of math provided
• Keep a reading log 
• Do a book project on one book they have read over the summer from this book list, Must-read books for elementary school children

 

A big THANK YOU to the Funston family for hosting our class pool party and 6^th grade celebration we all had a great time. Thank you to all parent drivers as well and to our parent coordinator, Teri Kelley, for getting the lifeguard!

 

Pajama Day: Today Monday, May 19^th is our last Pajama Day of the year students are allowed to wear their pajamas and bring in school appropriate games and movies.

 

Summer Homework:  4^th and 5^th graders got their summer homework from me, and 6^th graders are getting theirs today from the middle school. Make sure to review the expectations with your student. Here is a live link to the reading list that student’s should pick a book from to do a project on, https://k-12readinglist.com/reading-lists-for-elementary-school-children/

If you have any questions about the summer homework you can always email me at [email protected].

 

Class Fish: At the end of the year, our class fish are plentiful, and I always give the option to anyone who wants some fish can take them home to keep. If you are okay with your student taking some fish home please send in a note with permission or email me. Just specify how many and what day you would like them.

 

Lost and Found: Make sure to remind your student to check the lost and found for any missing items. All left over items in the lost and found will be donated.

 

Last Day: The last day of school is tomorrow Tuesday, May 20^th. It will be a Half-Day and school will be out at 11:30 am.

Students who signed-up will be performing in the student led talent show tomorrow between 9-10:30 am.

 

Pictures: If you have any pictures from this school year, please upload them to my Shutterfly account. Username: [email protected] Password: Shutterfly28