Teacher Placement for 2008 – 2009 

Grade-level placement of teachers and the assignment of students to classrooms are both approached through a thoughtful and collaborative process.  We appreciate your valued input received through the Parent Input Form.  Based on an enrollment projection provided by the Kent School District, our student enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year is expected to be around 380 students.  With this in mind and barring any unforeseen changes, staff placement for next year follows.  Please keep in mind that staffing, as well as grade-level configurations, may change due to increased student numbers caused by summer enrollments.

Kindergarten:                         Ann Whalen (Full Day), Allene Foss (A.M. Half Day)

First Grade:                            Liz Firman, Alexandra Benfield (new hire)

First/Second Grade:             Debbie Zografos

Second Grade:                      Shannon Tulloch, Tina Rodgers

Third Grade:                          Heather Neal, Ann Reed, Carrie Shafer  (new hire)

Fourth Grade:                        Scott Seelbach, Dotty Watson

Fifth/Sixth Grade:                  Kaitlin Hammett, Heidi Heistand, Lindsey McKinnon, Megan Whitney (new hire)

ELL:                                         Barbara Blake

Special Education IP:             Aliscia Morrow

PE:                                           Alison Carchedi

Music:                                       Emily Robinson (new hire)

Instructional Coach:              Simona Funk (half-day)

Counselor:                              Trisha Hurt (half-day)

Librarian:                                 Mimi Vosper (half-day)

Media:                                      Beth Sommerville (half-day)

Educational Assistant:          Simona Funk (half-day)

Nurse:                                      Arlene McKee (two days) 

Unfilled positions will be filled through the hiring process before school begins in the fall.  Students will meet next year’s grade-level teachers on Thursday, June 19.  Your child’s 2008-2009 placement notice will be in their report card envelope issued on the last day of school, June 20.  Report cards are held in the office for students absent on the last day of school or those with unpaid fines, as well as for negative lunch account balances. 

Good-byes 

It is necessary to say good-bye to several valued staff members: 

§  Erika Theckston Reynolds and Luke will be moving to Alaska where her husband is a fisherman.  She will be teaching 5^th grade there.

§  Jennifer Boleyn, Stephen and Kirsten are moving to Greenville, North Carolina to be closer to family.  She hopes to move into teaching English/Language Arts at the middle or high school level.

§  Larra Leonardson is focusing on some personal and family goals and plans to guest teach in the district, including here at Glenridge.

§  Teresa Humphrey is moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho due to her husband’s job.  She hopes to continue teaching there.

§  Megan Martin is transferring to Sunrise Elementary.

§  Cheryl Hupalo is retiring.  Her plans include spending more time with the grandchildren, traveling (someplace warm and sunny!), classes, and doing volunteer work.

§  Margaret Geffrey is retiring.  Her summer plans include relaxing, exercise, outings with family and friends, substitute organist service and wedding playing, gardening, reading, sorting, and puttering.  Future plans also include traveling, volunteering, and more of the summer fun! 

These changes represent a continuation of life-stories and signal the personal and professional growth that defines this dynamic staff.  Please join me in personally thanking those who are leaving us.  We are grateful for the leadership and expertise they have shared with all of us, wish them well in their new life adventures, and hope they drop by every once in awhile to update us on their latest adventures.