The Highlighter - May 2024

Unfortunately, St. Johns Public Schools 2024 bond proposal was not approved by voters. However, we will regroup and reflect on what we have learned through this process.

We have an amazing district and community! I witnessed it first hand throughout the campaign, from our staff to our community volunteers, we had one central focus: to do what is best for our students!

And that's what we will continue to do..... focus on what is best for our students and staff with the resources we have.

"Together, we succeed", that slogan was true yesterday, today and moving forward!

Dr. Anthony Berthiaume, Ph.D.

Superintendent

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for our Staff Appreciation BBQ! We hope everyone had an amazing time soaking up the sun and enjoying the delicious food. Your hard work and dedication to our schools do not go unnoticed, and this was just a small token of our immense appreciation. Here's to all of you, the incredible staff that makes our school district what it is. Thank you for everything you do, day in and day out!

Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency (CCRESA) provides critical support for schools in its service area – including St. Johns Public Schools– by providing and enhancing educational opportunities for students, families and educators. Over 1,400 students in the CCRESA service area representing the districts of Bath, DeWitt, Fowler, Ovid-Elsie, Pewamo-Westphalia and St. Johns receive some form of special education services.

The CCRESA Board of Education authorized the district to include a renewal and restoration on the August 6 ballot. If approved, this millage would renew the existing special education millage at the current rate as it expires on December 31, 2024. In addition, if approved, the millage would also restore the current special education millage that Headlee Rollbacks have reduced (0.0517) back to the full amount originally approved by voters. If approved by voters this would generate $870,000 for 20 years, a portion of which would be allocated directly to our districts.

If this proposed millage passes, the cost to homeowners would be .0517 mills, or approximately $5.17/year for a home with a market value of $200,000 (or taxable value of $100,000).

You can find more information at www.ccresa.org.

Kris Ely is an essential member of the Riley Elementary team for St. Johns Public Schools. She feels lucky to have been employed by the St. Johns school district for her entire educational career. "I taught 4th grade at Eureka for 10 years, 3rd grade at Gateway for 3 years and have spent my remaining 17 years in 4th grade at Riley."

What a typical day is like at your job?

"I am in a unique situation at Riley. My fabulous teaching partner, Dawn Kelly, and I team teach all of our 4th graders together. We switch subjects so that while one of us is teaching, the other can move around the room monitoring understanding, answering questions quietly and/or helping the students maintain their focus."

What is your favorite part of the job?

"My favorite part of the job is, of course, the students. It's amazing to see them grow as learners and problem solvers. Meeting them at the beginning of the year is fun, but you don't know their likes, dislikes, learning style or personality. As the year goes on you make connections, you learn what works for them, you laugh, cry, help them overcome their frustrations and celebrate their successes and.... then you have to let them go. It's bittersweet, but worth every minute."

Social Media: Protecting Your Child by Staying Aware & Involved

Date & Time: June 5, 2024 6:30 - 7:30pm via Zoom
Monthly district-specific webinars: Series Topics and Dates

Parent Coaching

• Sign in to ParentGuidance.org
• Click on “parent coaching” to sign up for a trained parenting coach then select “Register for Coaching”
• Coaching is just what it sounds like; one-on-one help with a trained coach, helping you face issues with yourself or your family. Coaching is free and confidential.
• Coaching for Parents
• Learn more about Coaching

• Graduation May 30th at 7:30 p.m.
• MS Orchestra Spring Concert June 4th
• 7th Grade Spring Band Concert June 5th
  

May 17th, 2024

Saint Johns Redwing Band Monday, May 20, 2024 at SJHS

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 SJHS Auditorium Directed by Jennifer Parker

May 22nd, 2024

Click photos to follow links

Congratulations to both Oakview South Elementary School and Gateway North Elementary on being presented with the 2023-2024 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® award!

Watch as Principal Alspaugh shares the exciting news with his Oakview students and staff. Both students and staff were treated to an extra recess, supervised by district administrators.

Congratulations Redwings, keep up the great work!

This class was gifted a Knee and Ankle Sports Injury Assessment Trainer by Realityworks. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are passionate about sports medicine and would like to pursue a career in helping athletes with their injuries. This trainer model will help equip students with practical skills for assessing knee and ankle injuries and give them a sense of what a real injury actually feels like."

Today, we want to give a huge shout out to the unsung heroes of our mornings and afternoons - our dedicated school bus drivers. Every day, they're up before dawn, ensuring our buses are clean, safe, and ready to go. They navigate through traffic, weather, and all the unexpected challenges of the road with a smile, all to safely deliver our children - to and from school. Their commitment to our students' safety doesn't go unnoticed.

CAAC Meet
Haslett 5/21/24
Fowlerville - 5, Williamston - 9, St. Johns - 14, Lansing Eastern - 2, Haslett - 12, Mason - 14,

Congratulations to the new Redwing Record holders!

Ella Schafer: Girls Varsity Disk 132'9, Girls Varsity Shotput 37'11
Ava Schafer: Girls Varsity 3200 meters 10:43:48
Nolan Cullens: MS Boys 70 meters 8.26

Ty Wardin 77
Grant Rustad 79
Chris Stewart 81
Elijah Schultz 84
James Davis 85