Grade Level Teachers
Connections Preschool
Welcome to Preschool and ECSE!
Early childhood is a time of great discovery! Connections Preschool gives students the opportunity to play with other children while learning important pre-kindergarten skills.
Meet Your Teachers
Afton Jutila
Occupational Therapist
Pinewood Elementary, District Service Center, Greenleaf Elementary, Parkview Elementary
Kindergarten
Welcome to Kindergarten!
We believe that children come to school with their own unique talents and abilities. It is up to us to nurture our students' talents and abilities to allow them to develop to their fullest potential!
We believe that 5 and 6 year old children's first "real" school experiences should be exciting and fun in a structured environment. As we have learned from the research on Responsive Classroom's Morning Meeting, students thrive in an environment that has routine and a sense of community. That routine allows each student to challenge themselves academically and socially because it is safe to take risks. The academic and social components are not entities to be treated and taught separately but together because they are intertwined.
We believe that our classroom environment needs to not only meet our students' academic needs but their social and emotional needs as well. To meet our students' academic needs, we must provide them with learning experiences that offer choice, are differentiated and are developmentally appropriate.
To meet our students' social and emotional needs, we will take time to implement and utilize the components of morning meeting. By making/taking the time to do so, will give each of our students the invaluable learning experience of developing relationships with their classmates. By developing those relationships, the students will be able to function better in an atmosphere where they feel safe and are willing to take the necessary risks to stretch themselves socially and academically.
Meet Your Teachers
First Grade
Welcome to First Grade!
We’re so excited for a year of learning, friendship, and growth. In first grade, students strengthen their reading, writing, and math skills, explore science and social studies, and use technology to share their ideas.
Our classrooms are warm, welcoming communities where students learn independence, kindness, and teamwork. By partnering with families, we create a joyful, engaging environment where every child can thrive.
We can’t wait to make this a wonderful year together!
Meet Your Teachers
Second Grade
Third Grade
Welcome to Third Grade!
Third grade is a year of discovery, growth, and friendship. Our goal is to inspire a love for learning through engaging lessons that fit every learning style.
Students strengthen reading comprehension, explore exciting stories, and build critical thinking skills. Math becomes an adventure with multiplication, division, and fractions, while hands-on science sparks curiosity about the natural world.
Beyond academics, we focus on kindness, respect, and teamwork—creating a classroom where everyone feels valued. This pivotal year builds a strong foundation for future success, and we can’t wait to share a journey filled with exploration, learning, and unforgettable memories!
Meet Your Teachers
Fourth Grade
Welcome to Fourth Grade!
Fourth-graders have learned the basics and now they are ready and eager to apply what they know to their own lives. Fourth-graders are learning how to make responsible decisions and also learn how less-responsible decisions impact themselves and those around them.
Meet Your Teachers
Grace Hjort
Pinewood Elementary
Fifth Grade
Welcome to Fifth Grade!
Fifth grade is an exciting time as students come to the completion of elementary and are getting ready for a new chapter in their lives...middle school! Fifth graders are offered many opportunities to grow their skill sets, such as joining band, student council, and taking part in Patrols.
