TCS News to Know

Teaching our kids to be successful in life is more than just about the accomplishments. Too often, students get the message that they need to be the best at something, have the most friends, and even like everything that they are doing to be "successful." The truth is that is not real life. Life is going to be filled with challenges, struggles, and people who are not always kind and supportive. Teaching our kids to be resilient and self-empowered are valuable skills to help them succeed. Encouraging perseverance when things get tough, how to keep trying even when failures happen (and they do happen!), and taking responsibility for one's own actions can allow students to realize that while they can't always control the circumstances around them, they can control how they choose to respond and react. This is a powerful lesson for all students!

Each year, the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation, provide funding to the Calhoun ISD for a mini grant program to support educators from Barry. Branch, and Calhoun Intermediate School Districts. Grant applications are submitted and read by a committee of educators to determine funding. Tekonsha Community Schools is pleased to announce that we have received funding for two different mini grant proposals!

K-12 Music Teacher Mrs. Ashley Hall received $1000 to fund her grant, "Exploring Children's Literature Through Music." With grant funds, Mrs. Hall will be able to purchase another Orff xylophone to use with her K-5 music classes. Grant funding will also allow her to purchase a variety of children's story books that contain dialogue and refrains that help to teach students about rhythm, melody, dynamics and expression. The xylophone will play out these musical concepts. The elementary currently has two of these instruments, so this addition allows more students to be actively engaged in the learning at the same time!

Mrs. O'Keefe also received $1000 for her grant, "Experiencing a Total Eclipse." Funding from the grant will allow for a student assembly in both the HS/MS building and the elementary building from the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society to talk about the total eclipse of the sun that will be happening this year, on April 8, 2024. The presentation will give a preview of this historic event, explain why solar eclipses happen, and show how to safely view the eclipse. Grant funding will also allow for the purchase of safety glasses for all students, to allow them to safely view the eclipse when it happens.

Over the years, Tekonsha staff have received a number of mini grants from the Binda Foundation and the CISD. We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity that the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation has shown to help support these unique learning opportunities to students not just in Tekonsha, but across Barry, Branch, and Calhoun Counties!

Just a reminder, students under the age of 13 should have a responsible adult present at any home sporting event to supervise the student. Also, students need to stay in the gymnasium, gym lobby, or cafeteria for concessions. Thank you!

The awards night to honor our fall football and cheer teams will be held on Thursday, November 30th at 6 pm in the high school cafeteria. All members of the junior high and high school football teams, as well as the football cheer team, are invited to come and be celebrated! The program will be immediately following the Winter Sports Parent Meeting. Please direct any questions to your coach!

Thanksgiving is a time for helping others, and Tekonsha Schools was the beneficiary of generosity from a Marshall business. A huge thank you to Lisa Sands-State Farm in Marshall for donating Thanksgiving meals to six Tekonsha families! She is pictured with one of her employees, Ashley Davis, a former Tekonsha grad!

It's time for the basketball student section theme nights! All students are encouraged to dress up to support the team and show their school spirit during the following high school games! Since all students get into all home events for FREE this school year, students that come dressed up for the theme will get a FREE popcorn coupon! Go Indians!

The season of cold and snow has officially arrived. Weather permitting, our elementary students go outside for recess every day. In order for them to stay warm and dry, it is critical they come to school with appropriate winter clothing. During the winter months, students should have a coat, snow pants, outside snow boots, gloves, a hat, and a pair of dry inside shoes to change into after playing outside.

Once there is measurable snow on the ground, students who are lacking snow boots and snow pants will only be allowed to play on the sidewalk. It is important for kids to have the proper winter gear so they can get fresh air, have physical activity, play with their peers, and remain dry and comfortable when they return to class.

If you are unable to provide your student with any of the required winter-wear, please complete and return the slip below and we will be happy to assist you!

Students in Mrs. Sayles' 4th/5th class spent some time channeling their inner turkeys to write a persuasive essay on why people should eat anything other than turkey for their Thanksgiving meal. This creative writing assignment helped students to practice writing an opinion piece, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. Students also were responsible for peer editing their writing.

Thank you to all that have already signed up! Please check the link below to see the dates and times that still need volunteers! The Boosters also plan on doing a gift wrapping station at the Tekonsha Christmas Festival in December, so they are accepting donations of wrapping paper. These can be dropped off at the HS or at the concessions stand if you come to watch a game.

Mark your calendar for the December Boosters Meeting on December 6 at 6:30 pm in HS Cafeteria!

Santa Claus for Schools is a charitable campaign that was started several years ago. Often teachers find that they are in need of “extra” things for their classroom, yet they know that there is not enough general budget money to spend on them. The teachers know that the students would benefit from these purchases, but do not order them in an attempt to save money for the school. At the same time, community members often feel they want to do something to help the schools, but they want to “see” something for their money. This campaign is an attempt to allow people in the community to see their donations go directly to work by purchasing items for classrooms.

In the past, this has been a very successful campaign. We are excited about the opportunity to continue this unique community tradition again this year. We will post the teachers’ “wish list” in the Tekonsha IDEA each week from November 20th through December 30th.

If you would like to make a general monetary contribution to the program, or if you would like to donate to purchase a specific item on the list, please contact Trisha Blashfield at 517-767-4121 ext 100 or by email at tblashfield@tekonsha.k12.mi.us. Checks should be made out to:

Tekonsha Community Schools and sent to 245 S Elm Street, Tekonsha, MI 49092.

We sincerely appreciate any donation, small or large, that we receive. Our students benefit greatly from your generosity!

There are only three more weeks to buy money raffle tickets and they are going fast! Ask a high school student if you are interested! They are only $10 each! The drawing is December 18th for the following prizes:

• 1st - $400
• 2nd - $300
• 3rd - $200
• 4th - $200
• 5th-8th - $100 each
• 9th-14th - $50 each

We will once again be holding The School House Shop: A FREE Drop and Shop Event on Saturday, December 2 from 9 am - 11 am. What makes this event so special is that it is a chance for families to share what they no longer need and perhaps find something that was on their own wish list! As your children outgrow toys that are still in good working condition, donating them to The School House Shop allows another family to provide those toys to their child! This is a great way to clean house and save money at the same time! We encourage all families to donate their gently used toys, and then show up on Saturday to shop from the items that have been collected! All items will be available on a first come, first serve basis, with doors opening promptly at 9 am on Saturday! Please make sure that items donated are clean and in good working order. Stuffed animals are discouraged unless they are brand new. If you have any questions, please reach out to Heather Mack in the Tekonsha Elementary office at 517-767-4121, ext. 300.

For the month of November, students in grades 6, 9, and 11 were recognized as the Students of the Month. These students were nominated by their teachers for showing outstanding effort and achievement in their classes. Way to go!!!

Vayda Nyland was selected as the 11th grade Student of the Month. Her ELA teacher, Mrs. Groholske, shared, "Vayda is a very responsible, hardworking and caring person. She takes her academics as well as extra curricular activities seriously and always puts forth her best effort in everything she does." Vayda is the daughter of Heather Mack, Matt Seely, and Charlie Nyland. Her siblings are Charlie Nyland, Meryll Nyland, and Jack Seely. At school, Vayda is a member of the volleyball and cheer teams, competes with the T-Town Tech robotics team, and is on the National Honor Society. Vayda also attends the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center. For fun, Vayda likes art and reading. After graduation, Vayda plans to attend a good STEM focused school to pursue further education.

Jadyn Morrill was selected as the 9th grade Student of the Month. This is Jadyn's first year at Tekonsha Schools! Jadyn's history teacher, Mrs. Runyon, said, "Jadyn is an extremely hard-working student, who tries her best in everything she does. She is attentive in class, and participates often. I am so happy to have her in my class." Jadyn is the daughter of Jessica and Scott Morrill. Her siblings are Emma and Andrew. Jadyn is a member of the volleyball and cheer teams. For fun, she likes to read and hang out with friends and family. After graduation, Jadyn hopes to attend Baylor or High Point University to one day become a pediatrician.

Kayden Grubbs was selected as the 6th grade Student of the Month. This is Kayden's first year as a student at Tekonsha Schools. Mrs. Butler shared, "Kayden is always willing to work with and help other students with their class work. He is also always engaged with and participating in class lessons. He is kind to him classmates and respectful to Mrs. Thompson and myself." Kayden is the son of Danielle Moore. His siblings are Maleah and Riley. Kayden participates in football, basketball, and plays summer baseball. For fun, he enjoys all sports, and math is his favorite subject. After graduation, he hopes to go to college and play football.

Breakfast and lunch menus for both the elementary and the MS/HS are now available on the website! Click on the links below to access these.

• Elementary Menus
• MS/HS Menus

Website: www.tekonshaschools.org
Location: 245 South Elm Street, Tekonsha, MI, USA
Phone: 517-767-4121
Facebook: facebook.com/TekonshaCommunitySchools