Saranac Community Schools

HONEY CRISP!! The FFA will be selling apples on Tuesday, 9/21, from 3-4:30pm on the west side of the JR/SR High by the red trailer. Apples are $1 per pound. Enjoy these tasty treats.

Back by popular demand, HEART Heros! We take time every week to recognize one student from every grade level that goes above and beyond to make our school a better place! Sophia Flanagan - Sophia does a great job listening and following directions and is a kind and helpful friend. Stella Scaggs- She is a great listener. Lilah Peterson- Lilah is a hard worker and tries her best. You can find her working quietly ON-TASK and always has her supplies out and ready on time! Way to go, Lilah!! Maggie Donker - She is a good friend to others! Reid Ickes - Is a great friend and leader in the classroom! Rhys Ward - He has had a terrific start to the school year by volunteering to share ideas with our class and remembers to use HEART! Alli Grose - She works hard every day and is always willing to help others. Austin Mulford - Always works hard and tries his best in Art class! Alexis Ryan- has a great attitude and works to improve herself every day!

Congrats, 2021 HoCo Court! Seniors-Cam Jackson, Megan Chipman, Paigelyn Guernsey, Natalie Olsen, Chris Orman, Garrett Foster, Parker Edwards & Logan Wood Juniors-Maddy Hesche/Cody Kuiper & Elijah Powell Sophomores-Alex Peterson/Maddie Trahan Freshmen-Leah Wernet/Colten Goff

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce Krista VanKuiken. Krista will be working in the Food Service Department. Krista has 4 kids in the district and enjoys spending time with her family.

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce Mary Hall. Mary will be working in our transportation and custodial department. Welcome to the Saranac Community Schools family Mary.

Please join Saranac Community Schools in welcoming Colin Pett to our staff. Colin is a 2021 Saranac grad and will be working in the tech department. Welcome Colin.

It is our pleasure to welcome Nancy Feuerstein to the Saranac Community Schools family. Nancy, a Saranac graduate, will be working in our Food Service Department. Welcome Nancy!!

It is our pleasure to introduce Annmarie Yerke. Annmarie will be working in the high school as a para-pro. Annmarie enjoys working with kids and spending time with her son. Welcome to the Saranac Community Schools family.

It is our pleasure to introduce Rhonda Lasby. Rhonda will be working in our transportation department. Rhonda, a Saranac graduate, has students in the district and enjoys spending time with her family. Welcome Rhonda to the Saranac Schools family.

It is our pleasure to introduce Miriah Studer, Hello Saranac Community Members! My name is Mariah Studer and I am thrilled to introduce myself to you as the new high school English and theatre teacher. I graduated from Northern Michigan University with my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and was selected as NMU’s English Student Teacher of the Year during the Winter 2020 semester. I recently moved to Grand Rapids from Oakfield, Wisconsin. During my year at Oakfield Middle/High School, I taught a variety of both standard and advanced high school English classes and electives. I love getting students excited and involved in the education process by providing them with choices in reading materials, assessments, and activities. Outside of the classroom, I am an avid outdoorswoman and enjoy hiking and backpacking with my dog, Charlie. I also enjoy farmer’s markets, coffee shops, baking, and hosting board game nights with friends. Words can not express my excitement at joining the Saranac community or the gratitude I feel for the warm welcome I have already received from so many of the faculty/ community members and students. I look forward to learning and growing alongside the students and staff within Saranac Community Schools throughout this upcoming academic year. Warmly, Mariah Studer

Saranac Community Schools would like to welcome Andrew Clementz as our athletic director. Andrew is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in sports management with a minor in business and a coaching certificate. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing and watching sports, hunting, and spending time with family.

Please join us in welcoming Mike Serne to Saranac Community Schools. Mike will be working in custodial, maintenance, and transportation. Mike enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors. Welcome Mike!

Thank you to the high school students who who joined us yesterday for the first meeting of the Spirit Club for the 21-22 school year. This is a student-led group that promotes school spirit by planning events, themes and activities throughout the year. The group meets periodically and all 9-12th grade students are welcome to participate. Students with questions should contact seniors Megan Chipman or Paigelyn Guernsey.

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce our new football coaching staff. Head Coach Kirk Jackson, along with coaches Jason Kushmaul, Rob Bush, and Dan Nordhof. Best of luck to all!

Please welcome Kristen Priest! After nearly 11 years working in the Entertainment Industry on films, television shows and live theatrical events, I am finally back in Saranac and ready to begin my teaching career. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre and Entertainment Arts from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Television, Film and Theatre Production from California State University, Los Angeles. Due to the pandemic, I thought it was a perfect time to earn my teaching certificate through Michigan's Alternate Route Program with Teachers of Tomorrow. My focus is Elementary Education, Language Arts and Special Education. After having the opportunity to substitute teach last year at Saranac, I am humbled to be invited to join the teaching staff. I am looking forward to this new adventure at Saranac Elementary.

Please welcome Mr. Winsor Mr. Jeremy Winsor comes to Saranac Schools with a variety of experiences. Mr. Winsor has been teaching most recently at Fulton Schools. While at Fulton Schools he developed a cross-curricular program building learning opportunities for students and educators alike with the Michigan DNR's Salmon in the Classroom Program." He raised support and constructed the schools greenhouse where he built learning opportunities for students using aquaponics to teach the interrelatedness of the sciences. He has been a teacher-coach at Central Michigan Universities Biological Station on Beaver Island where he co-facilitates a week long professional development for educators. He was a co-author of the "Learning at a Distance Guidelines" released by the Michigan Department of Education at the onset of the pandemic. Jeremy uses a model building, inquiry-based approach to teaching. He has helped start the Saranac Youth Wrestling program and looks forward to coaching the youth wrestlers this school year. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors with his family.

Saranac Community Schools will be introducing some of our new staff members over the next week. First we would like to introduce Taylor Johnston, she will be teaching kindergarten this fall. Taylor is a first-year teacher from Grand Rapids. She recently graduated from Grand Valley State University. She loves traveling, Disney, and her dogs!

August 13th, 2021 Dear Saranac Elementary Families, The staff at Saranac Elementary has been preparing for fall 2021 all summer long. The office is now officially open. If you have questions, you may contact the office at 616-642-1200 between 8am and 3pm or email our principal, Mr. Mike Catrell, catrellmik@scs-staff.org . FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Young 5s through 6th grade Monday, August 30- 1/2 Day, 7:45am – 11:00am Normal School Schedule - Our normal daily instruction begins at 7:45. Our school doors open at 7:20 for student drop off. School dismisses at 2:45. News From The Kitchen - Lunch and breakfast will be free to all students this school year. However, in order for our school to receive federal funding, we need each family to fill out the free and reduced lunch forms which are included in this packet. Breakfast is available at 7:30 AM. EVERY STUDENT must return these forms even if the family does not qualify. Free and reduced lunch forms are included in this packet. Volunteers in the buildings – All volunteers in the school must pass a clear background check. All volunteers must be scheduled with their child’s teacher. Morning Student Drop Off - Please make sure you pull up as far as possible when dropping off your student(s). The goal is to be able to have 5 cars unloading all at once. Student Pick Up – If you need to pick up your child early from school we will follow the same procedure as we did this past school year. Dial 642-1200 and we will have your child come out to your vehicle. End of Day Pick-up – Teachers will walk all students outside of the building upon dismissal. Staff Changes – Please welcome Taylor Johnston - Kindergarten teacher. Mask Policy - At this time masks are not required to be worn in the buildings or during recess. The Federal government requires masks for all students to be worn while using school transportation. PICTURE DAY will be on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 *School Calendar and School Supply list can be found on the school website at* www.saranack12.mi.us. OPEN HOUSE – Thursday, August 26rd, 2021 In order for you and your child to get acquainted with your new teacher and classroom, the staff will be available for you to stop in from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. You are welcome and encouraged to bring any school supplies to place in your child’s desk at this time. Representatives from the Transportation Department & Food Service will also be available for questions and office staff will be available for any documentation still needed for registration. Like to stay informed? Visit www.saranac.k12.mi.us for helpful information, news, schedules, lunch menus, and links. Would you like to be updated about school events, closings and more via text or email? Here’s how: Our school uses the email and phone numbers that you provide upon registration and on the blue emergency contact cards to send out electronic communications. The communications include letters such as this, school cancelations and other important information. Skyward Family Access is an easy way for you to keep-up-to-date with your student’s grades, attendance, behavior, request contact information changes, and more. If you need assistance setting up access, please contact your student’s classroom teacher or the Technology Dept. You can also follow us on FACEBOOK! Like the Saranac Elementary School page for events and latest happenings. Annual Parent Notice Right to Request Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications Because your child attends a school that received federal funds from the Title I program, you may request the following information about the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher(s): Whether the teacher has met Michigan licensing requirements for the grade level(s) and subject area(s) for which the teacher provides instruction. Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency permit or other provisional status through which Michigan licensing requirements have been waived. The teacher’s college degree(s), major(s), and fields(s) of discipline, as well as any graduate degree or certification. You may also request this information about any paraprofessional who provides Title I services to your child. If you would like to receive this information, please contact Teri Bergy at the superintendent’s office (642-1400). Your request will be processed in a timely manner. Sincerely, Mike Catrell Principal catrellmik@scs-staff.org

Mr. Stauffer and the high school marching band enjoyed a great week of practice and comraderie this past week at "Band Camp." Highlights included a giant slip and slide, a visit from SFD and "spirit week" themed days!

Please welcome Brad Hesche as our new Saranac Board of Education Trustee, following a Board of Education led process. A lifelong resident and 1999 graduate of Saranac High School, Brad pursued further education at Ferris State University, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. Brad is married to Shandra (Eliason) Hesche (also a Saranac born/raised/graduate) and resides in Saranac. Brad and Shandra are the proud parents of three Saranac Schools students: Madalyn, Max, and Gemma. Brad has been very active in the community. He is the President of the Saranac Jr. Football & Cheer program, and has also volunteered with youth baseball/softball, basketball, and at Saranac Community Schools. Brad brings an abundance of knowledge and a strong dedication to the Saranac Community. Welcome Brad Hesche!