Spring Fever

It's coming, friends! I think we can all feel it in the air. The season is changing and spring excitement is in the air. Can I just add, our hallways are positively BUSTING with learning samples that have been taking place in the classroom. Children's learning is being celebrated and shared! They are so proud to explain their dioramas, all about posters, their contribution to the rainforest, their paintings and artwork. Learning experiences like this time and energy to provide for our children but it is oh so enriching! I'm excited for our parents to see this celebration of learning at South Side when they visit during parent teacher conferences next week.

Love Does

The following is the piece for our blogs:

As we approach Holy Week next week, our desire is to point our children to the cross and to the empty tomb. We also have much to learn from walking in Christ's footsteps through the events leading up to Good Friday and Easter morning. In the upper room, you will remember, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in act of loving servanthood. He challenged His disciples, and the words hold true for us today, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:17. We have an opportunity to move our children into action. It's small, but we believe effective. Even though the water crisis in Flint has been replaced by other stories in the media's attention, the people of Flint remain in need of clean water and supplies. Maple Avenue Ministries has partnered with several churches in Flint who are reeling due to several help centers recently closing their doors. Children in the region impacted by the unsafe water are in need of individually packaged toothbrushes as well as tubes of ProHealth Crest toothpaste (because that brand offers the amount of fluoride needed but is missing from the bottled water). Would you be willing to help? If you and your child can talk through the needs of the people in Flint and, following the lead of Christ, we can act as a servant and offer to reach out in love. Our collection of toothbrushes and toothpaste will be delivered on Wednesday, March 28, so we have a tight turn around. If you are willing to participate with your child, we believe the experience to bless and be blessed will be valuable. 

Multiage Classroom
Karina Schebor will be joining our ranks at South Side. She has experience in both multiage classroom settings as well as success in working with high ESS needs. She will be teaching first and second grade in our multiage classroom and joining both our first and second grade teams! Welcome Karina!

Spanish Immersion Teachers
Hillary Klipp-Lopez and Perla DeLeon will be transitioning to teach in our Spanish Immersion program. Hillary will be our new kindergarten teacher. Perla will be our new Spanish Immersion preschool teacher.

ESS Resource Teacher

Lynae Stielstra is joining the ESS team as a Resource Teacher at PR and SS next year. Her prior experience, gifts, and passion also make this a great fit for her and the role.

As more movement and placement news becomes available, I will let you know! 

Heather Bouwman

An HC alum and author is coming to talk with our students on Wednesday, April 11 at 11:00. Please bring your students right on time equipped with a piece of paper, pencil and writing surface (perhaps if clipboard if you have them). 

We'll officially send everyone off with a "happy spring break" next week but, in the meantime,