In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible work of our teachers at Pine River! In my opinion, our teachers are heroes who work silently, changing and impacting the lives of our students without any need for acknowledgment. They were never in this job for money or prestige. Their work as educators has always been about the students because the teaching profession is a calling, a purpose.

As this school year is winding down and students, families, and teachers are feeling a bit exhausted, let us take time to recognize the great work and sacrifices that our teachers have made throughout the year for our students. In addition to taking up the task of educating students, they have guided them through daily obstacles and have played a part in shaping who they are and who they are yet to be.

I feel lucky to have the unique perspective in which I see on a daily basis these special small moments when teachers go out of their ways to impact individual students. In my role, I see our teachers working tirelessly to create and deliver interesting and high-quality lessons as well as providing essential social-emotional support so students are ready to learn. Our teachers spend long hours planning, preparing, communicating, and evaluating before and after school, at home, and on weekends. Our teachers know their students inside and out, almost as well as parents, providing strategies and instruction tailored to each child. They divide their time among dozens of students, pouring their hearts into developing each child to his or her greatest potential as a learner and a person. Our teachers care for and love our students.

Pine River families, I encourage you to take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of our teachers. Because we are all so busy, we often only reach out to teachers when there is a problem or concern. Let us take a moment in May to celebrate the work and dedication of our incredible teachers. Brighten a teacher’s day with one or more of these compliments:

• Thank you. It is simple, but meaningful. People in education do not hear this often enough.
  
• We appreciate you. Teachers do not just teach students. They prepare them for life. Saying you appreciate them reminds teachers that their impact goes beyond the classroom.
  
• You deserve a break. Remind our teachers to recharge their batteries and take care of themselves.
  
• Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Our teachers give up their personal and family time to attend meetings, prepare lessons, communicate with families, and grade student work. Tell them their extra work means a lot to you. That compliment will mean a lot to them.
  

From now until the end of the school year, let us support our teachers by working together and cheering them on. Their work is so important because it impacts our students and the future.

With pride,

Rachel Card, Principal

With the increase of students with special academic and health needs over the years, our support staff has taken on roles that are similar to nurses and social workers in the ways they tend to the health and social-emotional needs of students. Those support staff members working directly with children in classrooms have specialized skills and knowledge to help them facilitate the best learning outcomes for children with a wide range of special needs. Our support staff also plays an important role in ensuring students are learning in a safe and supportive learning environment. They foster heartening, trusting relationships with students and improve our school climate by modeling positive behavior and sending encouraging messages to students.

As with teachers, I have the privilege and pleasure of watching our support staff connect with students as individuals. They celebrate successes, provide support and strategies for navigating through challenges, and go out of their ways to make students laugh and smile. It is especially heartwarming to watch a student's bad day flip to a positive one through the efforts of a member of our staff. Their work is challenging and often exhausting, but the joy derived from the growth and development of our students is the greatest reward for their work.

If your child is positively impacted by a member of our staff, I encourage you to let that person know that her/his efforts are not going unnoticed. Our support staff members are the unsung heroes at Pine River, and I am so proud that they are part of our team!

With gratitude,

Rachel Card, Principal

Mrs. Kenyon's second grade class won The Golden Dustpan Award for April! Each month, our custodians choose the class that keeps their room the cleanest. The winning class receives a pizza party, a class certificate, and the honor of displaying the Golden Dustpan on their hallway cubbie.