October Bear Cub Newsletter

 Bear Cub News

                    Academy of Tucson Elementary School

October 4, 2011

Principals Message

We can officially say that the Academy of Tucson Elementary School is in full swing of students working towards academic excellence and becoming responsible and respectful citizens. We had our first family event on Friday September 30th to kick off the book fair and to support the fourth grade students in their fundraising efforts. Thank you to all the families who participated. Our next family event is Friday, October 7, 2011 at Skate Country from 5:00-7:00pm. Hope to see you there! Remember that we have a Fall break this year and that parent/teacher conferences will start on October 17^th. It is an expectation of the Academy of Tucson for parents and/or guardians to attend conferences. The week of the 17^th will be early release days so please make sure that your child is picked up from school in a timely manner. There will be no after school activities on those days except for the OTT aftercare students.

At the end of September, the fourth grade students attended a bicycle safety training program in which everyone who participated received a free bicycle helmet. In an effort to promote healthy living through our Safe Routes to School Grant, we have started a walking club for families and students on Tuesday mornings before school. Thanks to all the dedicated parents who have made this club possible. We also will be participating in a “National Walk to School Event” on Wednesday October 5, 2011 at 7:10 am. Our journey will start near Wrightstown Elementary School and then will proceed to the Academy of Tucson Elementary School.

Just a quick note, out of respect for the cultural diversity of our school community we do not celebrate Halloween at the school. Festivities that will take place in the classroom during October will be focused on curriculum related activities. Please remember that we are transitioning out of the T-Shirts for second and third quarter as per our dress code policy although Academy of Tucson T-Shirts can be worn all year. 

The remainder of this newsletter is dedicated to the fantastic staff at our school!

Calendar

October 5th: Walk to School Event/Early Release

October 7th: PAC Meeting 8:00 am

              Skate Country Family Night

October 13th-14th: No School

a.     End of First Quarter

b.    Fall Break

October 17^th-21^st Parent Teacher    Conferences: Early Release Day

                     Kinder dismissal @ 11:15

                     1^st-2^nd dismissal @ 11:25

                    3^rd-4^th dismissal @ 11:35      

October 26^th: McDonalds Family Night more info. to come
October 25^th-28^th: Student Council Spirit Days more info. to come

Ms. Poppen-Principal-2^nd year at the Academy of Tucson. Undergraduate Degree-Arizona State University, Graduate Degree-Ohio University, Current Doctoral Student-Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership. I enjoy and appreciate the students, staff, and families of the Academy along with traveling and baking.

Mrs. Fite-Office Manager-6^th year at the Academy of Tucson. Enjoys horseback riding, taking care of her other animals, and spending time with family. Enjoys reading and supporting her child in Boy Scout activities.

Mr. Webber-Student Services Coordinator-4^th year at the Academy of Tucson. Enjoys sports/camping, spending time with family and friends and does community outreach through service organizations.

Mrs. Van Hise-4^th Grade Teacher-21 years teaching. Graduate of University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. Became a teacher to have an academic and social impact on future generations.

Mrs. Fata-4^th Grade Teacher-11 years teaching. Graduate of University of Arizona. Became a teacher to guide students to become positive contributors to our society.

Mr. Mitchell-3^rd Grade Teacher-5^th year at the Academy of Tucson. Graduated from the University of Minnesota in Elementary Education and has a Masters in Communication, Arts and Literature. He enjoys spending time with his family and dogs. He also enjoys playing soccer.

Mrs. Thompson-3^rd Grade Teacher-12 years of teaching. Graduate of Cal State Long Beach and the University of Phoenix. She enjoys teaching because of the enthusiasm of the students. She also has fun doing crafts, sewing, camping, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Mrs. Brown-3^rd Grade Teacher-Graduated from the University of Arizona and has been teaching for 5 years. She became a teacher to make a difference and she strives to have her classroom be a safe, consistent, and happy place for learning to occur. She enjoys spending time with her family, U of A basketball games and of course doing her nails.

Ms. Lakavage-2^nd Grade Teacher-Graduated from Northern Arizona University. Has taught for 14 years. She became a teacher to make a difference in children’s lives. She enjoys reading and watching movies.

Ms. Birkholz-2^nd Grade Teacher-3^rd year at the Academy of Tucson. Is a graduate of the University of Arizona as well as the Academy of Tucson High School. She enjoys working with the students in her class and has fun walking her dogs along with going to the movies.

Ms. Purdy-1^st Grade Teacher-Has been teaching for 14 years. Received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her graduate degree from Northern Arizona University. In her 20’s she walked into an elementary school and decided that she wanted to become a teacher and has been there ever since. She enjoys running, hiking, gardening, and bird watching.

Mrs. Siath-1^st Grade Teacher-Has been teaching for 17 years and this is her 2^nd year at the Academy of Tucson. Undergraduate Degree-Northern Arizona University Elementary Ed./Special Ed., Graduate Degree-Northern Arizona University-School Counseling. Hobbies-swimming and fashion

Mrs. Pierson-1^st Grade Teacher-Has been teaching for 18 years and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. She got into teaching because she always loved playing school in her grandmother’s kindergarten class. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and planting flowers.

Ms. Bryant-1^st Grade Teacher-Has been teaching for 14 years and this is her 1^st year at the Academy of Tucson. Graduated from the University of Arizona College of Education. She has additional training in reading and math intervention strategies. She became a teacher to make learning fun. Her hobbies are: art, landscaping, design, sports, and animals/science.


Mrs. Cain-Kindergarten Teacher-Has 25 years  of teaching experience. Graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University. She enjoys playing the English Handbells and reading.

Mrs. Conser-Kindergarten Teacher-Is in her 20^th year of teaching.
She graduated from Calvin College and has her degree in education with additional training in special education. She has always been drawn to work with students with special needs. She enjoys most outdoor activities.

Mrs. Murhpy-Kindergarten Teacher-Is in her 16^th year of teaching and she graduated from Prescott College. Her hobbies include camping and collecting Disney memorabilia.

Mrs. Wetmore-Kindergarten Teacher-Has been teaching for 6 years and has started her 2^nd year at the Academy of Tucson. She became a teacher to enlighten and challenge students to build a strong foundation in different subjects as they pertain to life and school. She enjoys painting.

Mrs. Hughes-Interventionist-Has been teaching at the Academy of Tucson for 9 years and before becoming an interventionist taught 2^nd grade. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona. She enjoys spending time with her family and during the summer you will find her boating, swimming, water skiing, and tubing on Lake Roosevelt.

Mrs. Mitchell-P.E. Teacher-Has been teaching for 5 years and graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American as well as Pima Community College. Along with teaching, she also coaches cross country and track for the Academy of Tucson High School. She shares her talents in coaching with others since she was a runner in college. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Teitelbaum-Librarian/Art Teacher-Has been at the Academy of Tucson for 6 year. She enjoys sharing the love of art and reading with students. She is a graduate of DePauw University and she enjoys bowling, reading, stamping, sports activities, and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Cmiel-Music Teacher-Has been teaching for 29 years and this is Mrs. Cmiel’s first year at the Academy of Tucson. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in Instrumental Music Education. She is expecting her first grandchild in November and she enjoys spending time with her family.

Ms. Coco-Exceptional Education Coordinator-Has been with the Academy of Tucson Organization for 8 years and is in her 40^th year of teaching. She earned her undergraduate degree at Mt. Union College and her graduate degree from University of Western New Mexico. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends along with playing golf and traveling.