Issue 21 – December 2024
Thank You Teachers!
Teachers are very important. They help students learn reading, writing, and more. They also care about students and how they feel. Teachers listen, help with problems, and make students feel safe. In newcomer classrooms, students share their languages and culture. They are happy to work together. At Lincoln, Ms. Gleason, Ms Horn, and Ms Apte make learning fun and help students feel strong and happy. You can find Phoenix teachers, Ms Samit, Mrs. Ottesen, and Ms. Loftis working hard every day to help students grow and dream. On the other side of Kalamazoo at Loy Norrix, Ms Kruger, Ms Felix, and Ms Zabik are helping students learn and having fun, too.
We say thank you to all teachers for their help, kindness, and hard work. You are special!
Headlines
Group Work and Presentation
In geography class, Ms. Loftis gives students worksheets with questions about pollution. After that, she asks them to work in small groups to answer a few of the questions together. To help them learn better, she allows the students to use tools like Google or AI to search for information and find the correct answers.
When it is time to present, each group writes down their answers and explains them to the class. While presenting, they try to use simpler words or synonyms to explain any difficult terms. They also include pictures in their presentations to help others understand their ideas more clearly.
This teaching method helps students learn in a deeper way. It breaks down complex topics into smaller, easier parts. It also helps students practice teamwork, research skills, and public speaking. Most importantly, it makes sure they truly understand the topic—not just memorize the answers. Thanks, Ms. Loftis!
Headlines
Library Time Fun
Students in Ms. Gleason’s class are having so much fun reading their books in the library. Every Monday, the students go to the library. They are encouraged to choose books they like to read.
The library is always a fun time of the day for the students. They can choose books they like and read with their friends on the blue carpet. They can read books at home with parents and siblings, too!
Many students enjoy reading picture books or graphic novels. They also like reading about sports, animals, and musicians.
Students get to choose from many different kinds of books. The library has something for everyone! The library also has books in many different languages. Happy Reading!
Headlines
Talking Science
At Phoenix High School, students learn about the environment by reading, writing, and speaking using scientific words and phrases. Students present topics and share facts about glaciers, pollution, climate change, and more. They use pictures, draw diagrams, and create posters. They use technology, too. Students learn science better when they can see and talk about it.
Learn science words to talk about climate change with the high schoolers!
environment: natural features of a place like weather, land, animals, and plants
glacier: very large piece of ice that moves slowly over land
pollution: making the air, water, and soil dangerously dirty
climate change: long term change in temperature and weather
Around Town
A Caring Classroom
Newcomer classrooms are welcoming. Students work together and make friends. They are a community. Students respect themselves and others. They listen to each other, and they listen to the teacher. Everyone knows learning English is hard work, so they help each other.
Teachers welcome all students. They are kind and hard-working. Most importantly, they set an example for the students to help each other learn and to try new things. Ms. Samit, at Phoenix High School, is a newcomer herself. When she shares her stories, students listen to her and learn from her experience. Her stories set an example and help students share their own stories. Thanks, Ms. Samit!
Ads and Resources
Children’s Nature Playscape
302 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States, Michigan
Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar
| Date | Activities |
|---|---|
| May 16 | Lincoln Field Day Trip to K |
| May 26 | Memorial Day; All Buildings Close |
| May 28 | Loy Norrix Graduation |
| May 29 | Kalamazoo Central Graduation |
| May 30 | Phoenix Graduation |
| June 4 | KLIP Graduation |
Contact and Acknowledgements
Lincoln Lower Elementary
Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Lincoln Upper Elementary
Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net
Lincoln Kindergarten
Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Milwood Middle
Kawther Mohammed
mohammedKS@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Phoenix High School
Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Kalamazoo Central High School
Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Loy Norrix High School
Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net
Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net
Oakwood Adult ESL
Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages
Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net
Acknowledgements
Teaching Volunteers
- Angela Abdul-Nour
- Emiliano Alvarado Rescala
- Emma Becker
- Camila Benavides
- Magic Brouwers
- Cate Cotter
- Courtney Cotter
- Hannah Crawford
- Enrique Delzer
- Nick Gouveia
- Gerardo Herrera-Sanchez
- Olivia Holmes
- Hayden Johnston
- Alondra Lopez
- Lauren MacKersie
- Anthony Mares-Viveros
- Kimberly Martinez
- Allie Nutt
- Anna Phyo
- Emily Tiihonen
Instructor
Candace Bailey Combs
Design Director
Kathryn Lightcap
Layout
Calia Scivally
Editor
Mphumelelo Khaba
