Dear Families,

I wanted to send a quick note with an update on staffing information.  Due to small class sizes as well as other factors, our district Human Resources Department has requested that we reduce the number of classes in sixth grade from four classes to three classes.  Our three sixth grade teachers will be Mrs. Gilling, Ms. Grill, and Mrs. Wren.  Mrs. Leigh, who was teaching sixth grade will move into the second grade vacancy, replacing Mrs. Demas.  Mrs. Leigh has taught several grade levels over the last ten years.  Last year she taught third grade at Cactus View Elementary in the Paradise Valley School District.  I know she will be a great addition to the Second Grade Team.  Just as a reminder, I’ve listed all grade level teachers below.  We are still interviewing for our .5 STEM teacher.  I hope to have an announcement regarding that teacher soon.  

Kindergarten:

• Mrs. Adler
• Mrs. Engels
• Mrs. Smith
• Mrs. Snapp

First Grade:

• Mrs. Canella
• Mrs. Ogden
• Mrs. Orsini

Second Grade:

• Mrs. Essert/Mrs. Hornbeck
• Mrs. Fouts
• Mrs. Leigh

Third Grade:

• Mrs. Gengle
• Mrs. Okraski
• Mrs. Whaley

Fourth Grade:

• Mrs. Calamaio
• Mrs. Hughes
• Ms. Orr
• Mr. Sanchez

Fifth Grade:

• Mrs. Ives
• Mrs. Schultz
• Mrs. Scheuermann

Sixth Grade:

• Mrs. Gilling
• Mrs. Grill
• Mrs. Wren

Enjoy your last week of summer and I hope to see you all at the Back to School Morning, Friday, August 7th, 8:00 - 9:30 am.

Respectfully,

Lora Herbein, Principal

July 26, 2015

Dear Families,

I hope you have had a fabulous summer and have enjoyed some rest and relaxation.  I’m sure at this point your little ones are ready to come back to school.  I am very excited to start the 2015-16 school year with all of you.  There has been a bit of change and movement both at the end of the school year and over the summer. I am  thrilled to introduce our new staff members.  I know you will soon get to know them and enjoy them as much as I do.  I anticipate a fabulous year learning and growing at Pinnacle Peak Elementary.

Our class lists will be posted on the outside door of the school on Thursday, August 6th at 4:00 pm.  Our teachers have worked very diligently trying to create classes that are an optimum learning environment for our students.  I analyzed all parent input and did the best I could to honor input, when it was possible.  All our teachers are absolutely wonderful and I know your child will have a great year.  Our “Back to School Breakfast” for students and parents is Friday, August 7th, 8:00 - 9:30 am.  Please join us for a light breakfast,  as well as an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and see the classroom.  Our PTO will be there with PTO information and Spirit Wear. We will also  have a table with a short bio and photo from our new teachers.  Please make sure you check this table out so you can start putting faces with names.

    

Please join me in welcoming the following staff members to Pinnacle Peak for the 2015-16 school year.

Jenny Snapp- Kindergarten

Meridith Ogden - 1st Grade

Dianne Orr - 4th Grade

Jessica Hughes - 4th Grade

Emily Leigh - 6th Grade

Stephanie Stickford - Music

Kathryn Napolitano - Para Educator

Leah Koistinen - Records Secretary

Several staff members are shifting roles or grade levels:

Andrea Ciotola - Administrative Assistant

Cindy Orsini - 1st Grade

Debbie Gilling - 6th Grade

Kayla Essert - 2nd Grade - Job sharing with Amy Hornbeck

Rachel Rossi - Reading Specialist

Our Miss Debbie Romney will be joining Dr. Mike Lee, the former Principal at PPES,  in the Professional Development Department at our district.   Stephanie Arnold and Evelyn Demas have resigned for personal reasons.   We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

If you are new to Pinnacle Peak, please make sure you stop by the office to pick up a district calendar, the Student Drop-off and Pickup information, and the links to all things Pinnacle Peak, from my blog and twitter feed, to our PTO website and links.  We will have a New Parent Orientation on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 8:30 am in the Library.  I hope that you will be able to join us to learn all about our wonderful school.

Enjoy your last few weeks of summer.  I’m looking  forward to seeing everyone on Friday, August 7th at our Back to School Breakfast.

Respectfully,

Lora Herbein, Principal