Alton R-IV School District

Meet Ms. Mandy Wright-Second Grade Teacher Hometown: Alton High School: Alton College: Williams Baptist University Years of Experience- 4 years (Doniphan and Faith Christian Academy) Birthday: February 25th Favorites: El Charro, shopping at flea markets, taco salad, mandarin oranges, dark chocolate, apples and peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies, ooey gooey butter cookies, cheesecake, coffee, Sprite, pine and lilac scents, daffodils, the color blue, and the STL Cardinals. Mandy has one cat and four dogs. She enjoys reading books, listening to music, and going for walks.

Meet Mrs. Molly Chester- Sixth Grade Teacher (ELA) Hometown: Thayer, MO High School: Thayer, MO College: MSU-Springfield Experience: first year Birthday: January 17th Favorites: Olive Garden, Target, pizza, apples, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, Dr. Pepper, cinnamon scents, daisies, the color blue, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. She has one dog named Lulu. She loves to travel, read books, go to the river, fish, and spend time with family. Wish list for classroom: more books!

Meet Mrs. Korena Ming- Special Education Paraprofessional Hometown: Hinckley, IL High School: Hinckley-Big Rock College: Waubonsee CC-general education MacCormac College- paralegal Everest College- medical assistant Experience: Head Start Birthday: July 18th Favorites: Kohl's, pizza, watermelon, M&Ms, gum, trail mix, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, coffee, water, coconut/seasonal scented candles, ALL flowers, the colors green and blue, and the Cubs! She and her husband live in Alton and have three children (Kamdyn, Raina, and Kashton). She has six dogs and three cats. She loves to watch movies, travel, play roller derby and softball, and spend time with her family.

Meet Mrs. Rebecca Bryant- Alternative School Teacher/ISS Hometown: Summersville, MO High School: Summersville, MO College: Southwest Baptist University Experience: 10 years as a sub and paraprofessional at Summersville, Houston, Van Buren, Mtn. View, and Success; first year teaching Birthday: March 3rd Favorites: Olive Garden, apples, oranges, dark chocolate, pretzels, sweet tea, apple pie scents, yellow roses, the colors green and cobalt blue, and the Green Bay Packers. She lives in Summersville and has four children (Connor, Tara, Gabriel, and Isobella). She has one basset hound named Roscoe. She enjoys watching movies, traveling, being outdoors with her husband and kids, and her church. Wish list for classroom: student binders for the students to keep track of goals, etc.

Meet Mrs. Jerri Williams-First Grade Teacher Mrs. Williams lives in Alton, but graduated from Van Buren, MO. She graduated from the College of the Ozarks and has been a very active substitute teacher at Alton Elementary for many years. This will be her first year teaching. Some of her favorites include Colton's and Las Margaritas restaurants. She loves tacos, watermelon, chocolate, goldfish crackers, chewy chocolate chip cookies, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, sweet tea, Coke, pink roses, the color pink, and her favorite sports teams are the Alton Comets and VB Bulldogs. She does not like coffee, but loves a beach vibe smell. Mrs. Williams and her husband have two girls (Hattie, 9; Hadlee, 4). She has several cows and a dog named Sammie. Her birthday is August 27th and she loves to shop at Maurices, Target, and Dollar Tree. She enjoys having fun with her girls, watching movies, and spending time at the river. Wishlist for her classroom: hands on science supplies and fun seating for her reading corner

NEED AN EARLY ACT SCORE? Registration deadline is Friday, August 16th for the September 14th ACT. www.actstudent.org

9th Grade Orientation at 5:15 this Thursday, August 8th. 12th Grade Orientation at 5:45 this Thursday, August 8th. 7th Grade Orientation at 5:45 on Tuesday, August 13th. Hope to see you in the high school cafeteria!

Meet Mrs.Jana Gauley- Sixth Grade Teacher (Math) Mrs. Gauley graduated from and lives in Bakersfield, MO. She attended college at Arkansas State and MSU-Springfield. She has 25 years experience in education and has worked at Gainesville and Bakersfield School Districts. She is a former high school softball coach. Her birthday is March 2nd and she loves to shop at any mall and Hirsch's. She enjoys hamburgers, apples, butterscotch candy, Clif Bars, black coffee, tea, lilies, the color blue, pumpkin pie candles, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. She has two boys (Chris and Taylor Bales) and loves spending time with her four grandsons. Her pets include Toby, Bigs, Frankie, Cash, Max, and Jo Jo. She prefers being at home and working outside on the farm. Her classroom wish list includes Expo markers, grid paper, #2 pencils (not mechanical), and sticky notes.

Meet Mrs. Brittany Fettig- Special Education Paraprofessional Hometown: Alton, MO High School: Alton, MO College: MSU- West Plains Favorites: Nakato Restaurant, Hobby Lobby, sushi, tacos, kiwi, Caramello, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake/chocolate icing, decaf McCafe, root beer, water, apple cinnamon candles, calla lilies, the color maroon, and the STL Cardinals. She and her husband have three children (Emiley, Noah, and Adeline) and three pets (Lola, Bobcat, and Sugar). She enjoys traveling, reading books, baking, sewing, and hiking.

Meet Mrs. Valerie Pitts- Fifth Grade Teacher (Science/Social Studies) Hometown: Mtn. Home, AR High School: Mtn. Home Colleges: MSU-WP, Arkansas State, Williams Baptist Experience: 17 years between Thayer, Kosh, and Hartville Birthday: October 20th Favorites: Olive Garden, Amazon, pizza, strawberries, pink Starburst, chocolate chip cookies, funfetti cake, Mtn. Dew, Gerber daisies, the color purple, the smell of Gain original, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. She and her husband, Matt, have two boys (Gaige, 16 and Easton, 12) and lives in Thayer. She enjoys watching her boys play sports, traveling, and reading books.

It was brought to our attention that there were no pencils on the 3rd grade supply list! 3rd graders will need pencils and a composition notebook.

Meet Mrs.Elizabeth Williams-First Grade Teacher Mrs. Williams' hometown is Tylare, California. She attended college at Azusa Pacific University & Grand Canyon University. This will be her first year teaching. She and her husband live in Thayer, MO and have three children (Annabelle, 9; Riley, 7; Ryden, 6) and a dog named Dandylion. Her birthday is November 10th. Her favorite restaurants are Chili's and Chipotle. She loves to shop at Target and the Goodwill. Some of her other favorites are Mexican food, black cherries, chocolate, granola bars, chocolate chip cookies, red velvet cake, caramel frappe coffee, blackberry lemonade, flavored water, cinnamon scents, sunflowers, the color teal and the Dodgers. In her spare times she loves to go to yard sales, spend time with her family, explore new places, and read books. Wishlist for her classroom: comfy seating for a reading nook

With the remaining employee spotlights we will use a different format. We want to share some likes, dislikes, and other important details about them. We think this information may come in handy if you want to treat your child's teacher or aide on occasion. Ms. Allyson Hartwick- Kindergarten Teacher Hometown: Harrison, AR College: North Arkansas & ASU Years of experience- 2 @ Green Forest Elementary Birthday: 9-27 Favorites: Chili's Restaurant, shrimp, blueberries, chocolate, trail mix, chocolate chip cookies, coffee, green tea, tiger lilies, the color green, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. She does not have any kids but has 5 pets named Mayzie, Jozie, Xena, Penny, & Hank. She loves to kayak, swim, fish, hunt, target practice, read, and travel. Wish List for Her Classroom: books!

Chris Walker-School Resource Officer (SRO) Officer Walker comes to Alton R-IV to fill the position of School Resource Officer. We are excited about this new position and believe he will bring many positive things to our district. Chris has an extensive background in law enforcement. He has attended officer academies in AL, CA, and WA. He holds an Associate of Science in Administration of Justice from College of the Canyons. Chris served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman for five years, was the Deputy Sheriff of Los Angeles County, CA for nine years, and came to us after serving as a Reserve Deputy and Jail Administrator for Oregon County. He holds multiple certifications and awards in law enforcement. When Chris isn't working he enjoys camping, hunting, fishing and athletics. He has a positive and professional attitude and truly cares about the safety and well-being of others. If you see him around, please take the time to introduce yourself and welcome him to Alton R-IV.

NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Alton R-IV has several new employees this year. We are excited to introduce you to them by featuring them over the next few weeks. We hope that this will help you learn more about them, put a face with a name, and welcome them to our community!

New student enrollment starts tomorrow! New Student Registration will be July 31 and August 1 from 8:30 until 3:00. Parents with students new to the district will need previous school phone and fax number and address. They will also need proof of residency in the Alton School District such as a rent receipt, bill, or other mail sent to their Alton address. A current shot record and birth certificate for the student(s) will also be needed.

Please join us! Your child will receive everything on his or her school supply list free of charge! If you need proof of enrollment, stop by the school. Hope to see you there!

8th and 12th Grade Students: Be sure to bring in your updated shot record before school begins!

7th Grade Orientation will be held Tuesday, August 13th at 5:45 in the high school cafeteria. Students will have the opportunity to meet their teachers and pick up their schedules at that time. Hope to see you there.

Open House will be held Tuesday, August 13th from 6:00 until 7:30 in both the Alton Elementary and High School buildings. Please come out and meet the teachers and staff for the 2019-2020 school year.