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The Pine Bough
Pine River School Newsletter, March 2025
Reading is Our Superpower!
March is here, and that means it is time to celebrate Reading Month! We are going to show everyone how Reading is Our Superpower! We are on a mission to help every Pine River student unlock the joy and adventure that comes with reading. As part of our One School, One Book program, we’ll be diving into Almost Super, a fun and exciting story about what it really means to be a hero.
One of the highlights of the month will be our Literacy Night, where families can join us for an evening of reading fun! The event will include our Build-A-Buddy workshop, the PTO Book Fair to stock up on great reads, and engaging reading activities that bring books to life.
Our goal? To inspire a love of reading that lasts a lifetime! Get ready for a month filled with book adventures, reading challenges, and superpowered stories!
Cultivating a Love of Reading at Home
Dear Pine River Families,
As both a principal and a former fourth grade teacher, I have seen firsthand the power of reading in shaping a child’s imagination, confidence, and curiosity. But even more importantly, as a mom, I know the magic that happens when reading becomes part of a family’s daily life.
Some of my fondest childhood memories involve getting lost in the pages of Charlotte’s Web. I can still picture myself curled up with that book, feeling the weight of Wilbur’s friendship with Charlotte and the life lessons woven throughout the story. That book, like so many others, opened my heart and mind to new perspectives and emotions. It was more than just a story—it was an experience.
I want that same experience for every child at Pine River. A love of reading isn’t something that happens overnight; it grows when books become a joyful part of home life. Whether it’s reading aloud before bed, listening to audiobooks on car rides, or simply setting aside time to read together as a family, small moments can create lifelong readers.
Here are a few simple ways to cultivate a love of reading at home:
- Let your child see you reading—kids model what they see! 📚
- Read aloud, even to older kids—stories take on new depth when shared. 📚
- Allow children to choose books that interest them—ownership builds engagement. 📚
- Visit the library together and explore different genres. đź“š
- Ask open-ended questions about what they are reading to spark conversation. đź“š
Reading isn’t just about developing strong literacy skills; it’s about fostering curiosity, connection, and a lifelong love of learning. Thank you for all you do to nurture that love at home!
Happy reading!
Rachel Card
ECSD Elementary Art Exhibit at Alice W. Moore Center for the Arts
The following students' artwork has been selected for the St. Clair Art Association Elementary Student Art Exhibit. The exhibit will be located in the Alice W. Moore Center for the Arts Gallery in downtown St. Clair. The exhibit will run until March 7th.
Young Fives
Daniel French
Kindergarten
Adam Bosanic
Quinn Bryan
Penelope VanTiem
First Grade
Willow Burton
Bear Hill
Georgia Kolis
Hollyn Matthys
Wyatt Ridenour
Harleen Shea
Second Grade
Magdalena Karl
Reese Mitchell
Alexa Nickels
Lucy Roberts
Third Grade
Logan Potthoff
Daniel Riley
Emmeline Sayers
Tatum Shaw
Simon Slota
Fourth Grade
Riley Brozik
Scarlet Muldermans
Joshua Schindler
Thomas Shubnell
Isaac Todaro
American Legion Poppy Poster Contest Finalists
Emma Smith
Josie Dennison
Connor Kelly
Rae Lumley
Kaitlyn Ball
Kylie Mudermans
Jackson Weeks
Tommy Shubnell
Kora Robbins
Hannah Ball
GSRP Enrollment Information
Text: Will your child be 4 years old by December 1st? Then, it is time to sign up for FREE high-quality PreK. All Michigan 4-year-olds can now qualify, prioritizing families that need it most. Click the link below to apply. If you have questions, call the ECSD Early Childhood Center secretary, Chris Klecha, at 810-676-1010.
Absence Letters
In alignment with Board Policy #5301, we want to inform you of our practice regarding student attendance. Regular school attendance is essential to student success, and we are committed to supporting our students’ consistent presence in class.
When a student reaches 10 absences during the school year, the building principal will send a written notice to the parent/guardian. This letter will encourage regular daily attendance and provide important information about the truancy process. Additionally, a second notice will be sent if a student reaches 15 absences.
We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that your child is present and engaged in their learning every day.
Golden Dustpan Award
The Golden Dustpan Award was created to recognize the class that works the hardest over the course of a month to keep their classroom neat and clean. Each month, Ms. Cece and Ms. Lillian, our custodians, will choose a class and present the award. Students in the class will receive a class certificate, a class pizza party, and the honor of displaying the golden dustpan on their hallway cubbie.
For the month of February, Mrs. Malburg's class earned this prestigious honor! Keep up the great work keeping your classrooms clean, Pioneers!
Box Tops for Education!
Skyward Family Access
Using Skyward to Access Your Student's Information
How to log into to Skyward Family Access:
- Go to the district home web page at www.ecsd.us.
- Click on the Parents link, then Family Access link.
- Enter your Login ID and Password on the Skyward Family Access login screen.
Breakfast and Lunch
Pioneer Code of Conduct
Kind,
Courteous,
Respectful,
Responsible,
and always Safe!
Pioneers of the Month
All of our students strive to be motivated learners, as well as model citizens. Each month we will honor students from each class who exemplify the following qualities:
Academic
- Student prepares for classroom activities.
- Student approaches learning with enthusiasm.
- Student has made steady progress in the classroom.
- Student has been working to his/her potential.
- Student completes all assignments and homework.
- Student has a good work ethic and is diligent.
Leadership/ Citizenship/ Character
- Student demonstrates respect of self and others.
- Student assists others in need.
- Student shows acts of kindness.
- Student demonstrates a positive attitude.
- Student displays good conduct.
- Student is a positive role model by example.
- Student participates and puts forth full effort in all areas.
- Student follows school rules.
Young Fives/Kindergarten
Mrs. Guzowski's Class: Ulrich French and Theodore Binnal
Mrs. Malburg's Class: Ian Bosanic and Mabel Ebert
Ms. McCloskey's Class: Ella May and Maisy Teague
Mrs. Schneider's Class: June Senger and Roman Kolis
First Grade
Mrs. Bean's Class: Wyatt Ridenour and Emersyn McDonald
Mrs. Jensen's Class: Avett Barck and Riley Snay
Mrs. Trudeau's Class: Chloe Mills and Jessa Vollmer
Second Grade
Mrs. Gorski's Class: Harper VanSprange and Vera Treadaway
Mrs. Huston's Class: Brooke Marsh and Alexa Nickels
Ms. Minor's Class: Addison Westrick and Reese Galliker
Third Grade
Mrs. Sloat's Class: Laudie Sultemeier and Emerson Genaw
Mrs. Wahl's Class: Dahlia Schultz and Easton Gauronskas
Mrs. West's Class: James Aragona and Avery Curtis
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Alley's Class: Kai Bjornson and Ainsley Shaddox
Mrs. Pousha's Class: Alice Eggert and Joshua Schindler
Mrs. Ursitti's Class: Hailey VanSprange and Dylan Yancy
C.I. Class
Mrs. Kierszykowski's Class: Roman Hope
Pioneers of the Month will be honored at our STARS assembly on Friday, February 28th, at 2:30 p.m. in the gym. Parents of those students being recognized are welcome to attend. Please check in at the office first.
Yard Sign Pickup
Parents of our Pioneers of the Month may stop in and pick up a yard sign to display at home during the next month. Just buzz the office at the front doors when you arrive, and we will provide you with a sign. Near the end of the month, please return the sign so we can get it ready for a new honoree.
Pine River Mission & Vision
Mission: The mission of the Pine River school community is to work collaboratively, providing an enriched curriculum that allows for intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative growth in a positive and safe environment, empowering all children to become productive lifelong learners.