DID YOU KNOW?
Tacoma’s story spans more than two centuries from the time Captain George Vancouver anchored off Tacoma’s north shore in 1792.
In 1870, Tacoma’s natural deep-water port became an attraction that the Northern Pacific Railroad couldn’t pass up, when it made Tacoma a stop on its transcontinental line.
Old Tacoma and New Tacoma merged in 1884 and incorporated as Tacoma. By 1890, the population reached 36,000 people.
Tacoma is home to the Port of Tacoma, the seventh-largest container port in the United States, and it is within 20 miles of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and 36 miles of the city of Seattle.
Kristi Rolfs,
1st Grade
Kristi Rolfs teaches first grade. She enjoys the enthusiasm of her young students. They are eager to learn and excited to share newly acquired skills and information.
Some of Rolfs’ favorite days in her classroom are Author’s Teas when students have the opportunity to share their ever increasing reading, writing and public speaking skills with their parents and classmates. After her first Author’s Tea of the year, a student described how he felt a little nervous about reading his book to the audience. After he finished he said he felt very proud of himself that he was able to do something so challenging.
The supportive community at Charles Wright makes it a very special place. Rolfs enjoys collaborating with Mandy Wyatt, the other first grade teacher. Rolfs also appreciates the coordination between the specialist teachers and the home room teachers. Through the coordinated curriculum, students are able to make meaningful connections.
Rolfs values weekly math and language arts centers. Students from both first grade classes work together in small groups and rotate through four different math or language arts activities during each session. Parent volunteers help make it possible to have interesting and challenging activities at each center.
Rolfs joined the Charles Wright faculty in 2005. She holds a bachelors degree from Central Washington University and a masters degree from City University. She enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
Some of Rolfs’ favorite days in her classroom are Author’s Teas when students have the opportunity to share their ever increasing reading, writing and public speaking skills with their parents and classmates. After her first Author’s Tea of the year, a student described how he felt a little nervous about reading his book to the audience. After he finished he said he felt very proud of himself that he was able to do something so challenging.
The supportive community at Charles Wright makes it a very special place. Rolfs enjoys collaborating with Mandy Wyatt, the other first grade teacher. Rolfs also appreciates the coordination between the specialist teachers and the home room teachers. Through the coordinated curriculum, students are able to make meaningful connections.
Rolfs values weekly math and language arts centers. Students from both first grade classes work together in small groups and rotate through four different math or language arts activities during each session. Parent volunteers help make it possible to have interesting and challenging activities at each center.
Rolfs joined the Charles Wright faculty in 2005. She holds a bachelors degree from Central Washington University and a masters degree from City University. She enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
