East China School District News

Reflecting Back

Dear East China Schools Community,

As the school year closes, I would like to take this opportunity to express how proud I am of our school community. Our parents, students, teachers and support staff worked hard this year to create meaningful learning opportunities and fun memories for our students. The 2022-2023 school year ended with graduates walking through their elementary schools, field days, firetruck rides, awards ceremonies, graduations and the signing of yearbooks. The ECSD spirit continues to shine through the faces of our staff and students.

The ECSD Bond work is in full swing with construction at Marine City Campus, the gym and lockerroom addition at St. Clair High School and this summer will begin parking lot work at Belle River Elementary and St. Clair High School. It is so exciting to see these new and updated learning spaces come to life. Our students and staff are lucky to live in a community that supports their needs and education.

Thank you for a wonderful year and I am already looking forward to next school year.

Have a great summer.

Suzanne Cybulla

Palms Elementary News!

Vandenbossche Farms visits Palms, donates marigolds!

The Young 5’s class, as well as Kindergarten and 1st grade classes, were treated to a short lesson on soil, planting, and flowers from representatives from Vandenbossche Farms. Leading the discussion was East China Board member, Mrs. Pat Biebuyck, and each student was able to not only learn, but also plant their own marigold flower. The students got to take their newly potted flower home with them to give to whomever they wished! We hope there were some happy moms out there as this happened the Friday before Mother’s Day. Thank you to Vandenbossche Farms for their donation of time, knowledge, and flowers!

Mr. Scilian’s PE classes were “Off to the Races” at Palms!

While the upper elementary finished their striking (baseball/softball) unit, Mr. Scillian introduced something new to our lower elementary recently. With the Kentucky Derby occurring earlier in the month, Mr. Scillian and the students decided to do some horse racing in class! The students had a blast and prepared for their upcoming Field Day events! We love bringing new and engaging activities that can be connected to the real world to our students!

Kindergarteners learn about Life Cycles at Palms!

Mrs. Schindler's Kindergarten class recently studied, and drew, pictures of insects, labeled a plant diagram and created coffee filter flowers to further understand the difference between living and non-living nature. They made a phonics train to practice the letter 'e'. The ticket to board was spelling a cvc word where the middle vowel was an 'e'. As they wrapped up their plant life cycle unit, they also planted grass, zinnia flowers and tracked their thinking over the past month on their plant concept board! This was a great connection to the Vandenbossche marigold flower activity as well. The students loved this learning and the connections they made to our world!

Mrs. Carol McFalda - Latchkey Head Caregiver, Palms Elementary

This week's Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Carol McFalda from Palms Elementary School. Mrs. Carol is beloved by so many in the East China School District, but especially at Palms! She has spent the last 14 years at Palms Elementary as the Latchkey Head Caregiver and has worked for the East China School District the last 25 years! In the past, she has also worked at Gearing Elementary School & Pine River Elementary as a noon aide and at Latchkey at Gearing. In addition, some may know Mrs. Carol for her 11 years working in the Summer Adventure Program. When asked what she loves about working at Palms Elementary School, she stated that, “I just love the people that work at Palms. They are always ready to help each other out. I just love the size of the school, the parents, and most of all the kids. The kids are the best and they surely keep me on my toes! She surely loves her time working at Palms! We want to thank Mrs. McFalda for all her hard work and dedication to not only Palms Elementary School, but also to the East China School District!