Heartfelt Gratitude and Thanks to Our Arrey Elementary School Community
Dear Arrey Elementary School Students, Families, Staff, and Community,
As we find ourselves immersed in this season of gratitude and thankfulness, I am moved to express my deepest appreciation for the remarkable individuals who make up our beloved Arrey Elementary School family.
To our incredible students and their families, thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to education. Your support and involvement in your child's learning journey are fundamental to their growth and success. Your trust in us to nurture and guide these young minds is both inspiring and cherished.
To the dedicated staff at Arrey Elementary School, your passion for teaching and nurturing the potential within each student is a beacon of light. Your tireless efforts, creativity, and kindness make a significant impact on the lives of our students every day. Thank you for going above and beyond to create a loving environment where learning thrives.
Lastly, to our broader community that consistently supports us, thank you for being the pillars of strength and encouragement. Your belief in the power of education and your continued support empower us to strive for excellence in all that we do.
In this season of reflection and gratitude, I am profoundly thankful for each and every one of you. Together, we make Arrey Elementary School a place where dreams are nurtured, knowledge is cultivated, and hearts are inspired.
Wishing you all a joyful and thankful season ahead.
Warm regards,
Brandy Williams
Principal
Arrey Elementary School
Ms. Oralia Piper
Hello! My name is Oralia Piper. I have 2 beautiful daughters and 5 grandkids. I have been married to my husband, Randy, for 22 years. I have worked as an educator in the Truth or Consequences Municipal School District for over 30 years. I worked in the Lordsburg schools for 6 years. I started as an Educational Assistant in Kindergarten, and also served as the Title I and Migrant liaison in Arrey. I taught Pre-K at TorC Elementary, and then returned to Arrey, to continue my work in Title I and Migrant. When we returned to Arrey, my husband was the Superintendent, and we have been here ever since. I currently serve as an Educational Assistant and am also the school's PE Coach. Arrey students are unique! I have witnessed students grow from their elementary years through their young adulthood. We have had so many successful students...Valedictorians, Salutatorians, Educators, Doctors, Lawyers, and Nurses. I truly love and enjoy what I do!
Ms. Melissa Jimenez
Hello, my name is Melissa Jimenez, and I have been working as a Title 1 Educational Assistant at Arrey Elementary for 14 years. My job involves working with students from Kinder through 5th grade. It is a privilege to help them achieve their academic goals. Building relationships with these students has been a rewarding experience, and I take pride in making them feel successful in their learning. I enjoy making crafts, going on walks, and traveling in my free time, but spending time with my family is what I cherish the most. Working at AES has always been a fulfilling experience for me.
Ms. Dulce Carter
Hi. I am Dulce Carter. I was born in Veracruz, Mexico. I came to the United States about 32 years ago, and have been living in New Mexico since then. I hold a degree in Education with a Science background from Mexico. I received my GED to learn English and taught GED classes for close to 20 years through the Dona Ana Community College and the HELP Program. Most of the English I know I learned by myself. I started working at Arrey Elementary on the school bus as an aide 17 years ago. It was during this time that I began as a substitute teacher and Educational Assistant. I have been working in Pre-K, Kinder, 1st Grade, and the last few years have been working in Special Education. I love to help the teachers and kids. I love to see the students shining faces and smiles every time they see their teachers in the mornings, then run to hug them! It's amazing how wonderful this school is for kids. It gives me the motivation to continue working in education for the community, by helping families with their GED's, ESL, citizenship and especially at the church. The church is something I love doing with all my heart! School and church have become my second home for about 30 years of my life. School is home. Church is family.
Ms. Lucy Carrillo
My name is Luz Elena Garcia-Carrillo (Mrs. Lucy). This is my fourth year at Arrey Elementary School. I am an Educational Assistant for Special Education. I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. My family consists of my husband Ramon, and my three kids, Brenda, Ramon, and Dylan. I also have four grandkids, Dante, Kaylani, Elena, and Liam. For the past three years I have worked with Pre-k students. I really enjoy working with them. I have learned a lot throughout the years working with Ms. Barbra. I hope to continue working here at this wonderful school with all my co-workers.
Ms. Maria Maldonado
Hi, my name is Maria R. Maldonado. I am the Educational Assistant in Pre-K at Arrey Elementary School. I moved to New Mexico when I was 16 years old and have lived in Arrey since then.
I attended Hot Springs High School and graduated in 1993. On my free time, I love to spend time with my family, my husband Sergio and my three kids, Sergio, Isabel, and Carlos. We also have beautiful twin granddaughters, Brynlee and Braelyn. Arrey Elementary has been such an enjoyable place to work. It’s a great experience to be able to see students grow every day, both physically and academically.
Ms. Yesenia Rodriguez
Hi, My name is Yesenia Rodriguez. I am a Special Education Educational Assistant here at Arrey Elementary School. I have two Associate degrees in Criminal Justice and Art. I plan on furthering my education by enrolling at New Mexico State University in the Spring to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. I am a single mother of two beautiful daughters who also attend Arrey Elementary School. I enjoy spending quality time with my girls, family, and going camping. One of the things I enjoy most at Arrey Elementary School working as an Educational Assistant is the sense of fulfillment I get from making a positive impact on the lives of our students. I have the privilege of working with children who have unique learning needs, and its incredibly rewarding to see their progress and growth.
Ms. Ariadne Virrueta
Hi my name is Ariadne Virrueta. I am an Educational Assistant for SPED at Arrey Elementary and an Assistant Cheer Coach at Hot Springs High School. I am 21 years old from Dallas and look forward to studying accounting. I am a proud mom of a Winnie dog and a proud Aunt to the cutest baby. Working with the kiddos at Arrey has been a life changing experience. I love working with the kids next to my amazing coworkers who never fail to make me laugh. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of their lives and to be contributing to the amazing Arrey community.
Ms. Annette Miyamoto, LPN
Hello Parents,
We are off an running this school year. It's getting chilly in the mornings. Please send your kiddos with jackets or sweaters. We have a lot of jackets available for students who need them, so just give me a call and I will let them pick one out.
If your child uses an inhaler or an EPI pen, please bring them to me in the nurses office right away in case there is an emergency and your child needs it.
Allergy season seems to be blooming. If your child takes allergy medication, please make sure they take it before school so that they are able to stay in school and focus on their schoolwork.
Covid is still with us. Please remind your kids to wash their hands and not share things with others. Those germs are still out to get us. If your child is sick, please keep them home so others don't get sick.
My door is always open if you need to visit with me.
Wishing everyone a healthy and safe holiday this season.
Thank you,
A. Miyamoto, LPN
Thanksgiving Lunch will be served on Thursday, November 16th. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY WEDNESDAY, 11-8-23, IN THE FRONT OFFICE. We will also be selling tickets during Fall Festival on Friday, November 3rd. Tickets are $5 per person. Please bring exact change. All AES students will eat for free. You will be required to sign-in with your ID.
Hi Families! Happy Fall!
Besides egg cartons, we also need empty and clean one-gallon ice cream buckets.
Students are getting good at making amazing art! The display that was put up at the Sierra County Fair was beautiful!
This month, kindergarten through second grade students are practicing painting techniques while learning about color. It is so very exciting to mix two colors in order to make a third! Students in grades three through five are engaged in bookmaking projects. Third graders are creating pop-up books, fourth graders are making accordion books and then using lines to show motion, fifth graders are making handmade books and then filling them with visual symbols.
As always, please reach out with questions or concerns.
Be well,
Thea Storz &
Rhonda Nickles
Hi Families:
Arrey Elementary will hold its 3rd Annual Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
Classroom Spelling Bees will be held the week of January 8th, and five students from each class will participate in the school Spelling Bee on January 18th.
If your child participates in the school Spelling Bee, you are welcome to come watch, you’ll just need to check in with the office as usual.
Our school Spelling Champion will represent Arrey Elementary in the El Paso Spelling Bee. The winner of THAT bee will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be in the late spring of 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland.
Please note that during the school competition, students will be given words randomly, without regard for age or grade.
The spelling word study list is attached to this newsletter. Teachers also have plenty of paper copies available.
For more information about the Scripps program, for study tips, and for reading lists, please visit
Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions.
Happy studying!
Thea Storz
Art Teacher
tstorz@torcschools.net
Regular school attendance is essential for your child's academic success and overall development. Attending school regularly ensures they have the opportunity to build a strong educational foundation, acquire essential skills, and establish valuable social connections. By being present in school, your child not only gains knowledge but also cultivates discipline and a sense of responsibility, setting the stage for future opportunities and a fulfilling educational journey. Please make sure your child attends school regularly. We can't teach an empty chair.
- Students should not be dropped off before 7:45am. We do not have staff available to monitor them at that time. Please wait in the car until 7:45am. Thank you.
- Parents: if you have a new phone number or a new address, you must come to the front office to update this information. If there were an emergency, we need updated information to be able to contact you. Please stop by the office and update all information with Ms. Kenia.
- ID's are required to check students out of school or any time to enter the building for events. Please make sure you always have your ID available.
- If your child is absent, you must bring in either a Dr's excuse, or a handwritten note explaining the date they were absent and the reason.
