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Welcome to Mrs. Simacek's 5th Grade Class
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About Me
I am originally from Richfield, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. This means I love loons, the Minnesota state bird. My family still lives there, and I enjoy visiting them. I have been married since 1994. We have a 24 year year old daughter, Jenna. She is in her third year as a 4th grade teacher at Redgranite Elementary. We live in the country near Princeton. This summer, I enjoyed reading, swimming, hosting a huge family reunion, a trip to DisneyWorld in Florida, and time with family and friends.
I graduated Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where I had experience teaching 1st -5th graders in the Eau Claire Area School District. I earned a Master's of Science Degree in Education-Reading in 1998 at UW-Oshkosh.
I taught a 4th/5th split during the 1992-93 school year in Princeton. The following year, I taught Reading to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at Princeton Middle School. I taught 28 years at Quest/Murray Park in Ripon. I returned HOME beginning in the 2022-23 school year. I have also worked with children ages 6-14 in Richfield's summer park program for four summers. In addition to teaching, I enjoy snorkeling, reading, scrapbooking, watching snowmobile races, and music.
Background/Experience:
Master of Science-Reading; UW-Oshkosh
Bachelor of Science-Elementary Education, Minor-Language Arts; UW-Eau Claire
5th Grade Quest Teacher in Ripon 2010-2022
4th Grade Teacher in Ripon 1994-2010
Teacher since 1992
Wisconsin Elementary & Middle Level Science Teachers WEST Grant, 2004
Promising Practice Award for Project Madog - Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council, 2003
Jean I. Caudle Graduate Reading Award, UW-Oshkosh, 1999
Wisconsin Elementary & Middle Level Science Teachers - Distinguished Teacher of the Year, 1998
UWEC Student Leadership Award, 1992
Girl Scout Gold Leadership Award, 1987; Girl Scout Leader-2017
2023-24 School Supply List
5th Grade Please label items with your child’s name
1-2 wired (not wireless) headphones or 4 sets of earbuds (headphones seem to work best and are less likely to get lost/broken)
1 plastic supply box 5” x 8”
3 wide lined composition notebooks (NOT spiral notebooks)
1 small bottle of liquid Elmer’s Glue
10 glue sticks
12+ chisel tip dry-erase Expo markers
1 package of 8 markers
1 package of 8-12 sharpened colored pencils (not mechanical pencils)
1 pair of scissors
2-3 highlighters different colors
5 red pens
8-10 pads of standard sized sticky notes
6 2-pocket folders with prongs to hold paper (If possible, 1 each of red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple)
36 sharpened pencils (no mechanical pencils please)
1 backpack
1 large pink eraser
1 pair of gym shoes
1 box gallon zip-top bags
1 box sandwich zip-top bags
3 large Kleenex boxes
1 ruler with centimeters
1 scissors (regular size)
1 black Sharpie
3 1-inch wide 3 ring binders with clear front and back pockets
5 boxes of crackers (more will be needed second semester)
1+ large containers of Clorox wipes
Pair of gym shoes to be kept at school; no black-soled shoes
1 paint/art shirt
1 refillable water bottle
1 box spoons or forks
Band - Band students will need an instrument and accessories.
Optional – additional items if your budget allows
Poster sized tag board
Hot glue gun refills to donate for classroom use
Sharpie markers to donate for classroom use (especially colored Sharpies)
1 8+ oz Purell or GermX Hand Sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
Paper plates
Paper bowls
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