I was talking to a student about his past school experiences. I asked him if he had any positive experiences with school and he immediately said "Mrs. Sue Roy." The student then went on to list clear behaviors that she demonstrated towards him. He clearly remembered how he was treated in 3rd grade and he said, she was very nice, she taught me how to be nice. He said he wanted to call her and say "thank you." It was incredible to hear his story and how she (Sue Roy) impacted his life while he was in 3rd grade. How he was treated in the 3rd grade obviously affected him, even to this date. Today, the student is in high school. I am so proud to be part of a team that treats the kids (students) in our care with dignity and respect. It is an honor to be part of a district team that provides a safe environment to all students we serve. I was inspired by this students story and Mrs. Sue Roy. This story reminded me that every interaction is an opportunity to have a lifelong lasting impact on students. I hope this story can resonate with you as it did with me and be reminded that every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive school experience with the students in our care. Sue, WELL DONE!

We would like to recognize Harold Lee and Donny Peterson, they work for the custodial services department at GRHS. Upon returning to our classrooms, our classrooms look absolutely AMAZING! We really appreciate the Harold, Donny, and the entire custodian team at GRHS. All of them do an outstanding job. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and they are greatly appreciated!

Huge shout out to #318’s ESP’s for an incredible difference they continue to make with our students! Here's a picture of Sheila working on gross motor development with a student on the new sensory path that she made in the DAPE/Motor Room in our elementary schools! Our ESP’s are top notch!!

After a trying year with quarantines and resets. Sean Martinson and Clayton Lindner have been consistent and calm throughout every change that was handed to us. Their ability to remain calm and consistent have been the building blocks for our staff to do the same. We really appreciate them!

I just wanted to share a major note of appreciation for our GRHS tech guy, Randy. Randy always makes certain that I have everything I need to make the tech part of my lesson run smoothly. For years, he has made sure to have my classroom set up perfectly to be able to video call with numerous guest speakers. These sessions have opened up the world (quite literally) for my students and provided them experiences that they may not be able to have without technology. The photos below show my students Zooming with Sayed, a refugee from Afghanistan, as we learn about migration and refugee situations throughout the world.

I want to acknowledge Kimberley Powell for going above and beyond her nursing duties yesterday! After finishing her busy day at the school, she took her personal time to pick up groceries and supplies for a family who could not get to the store due to the entire household quarantining.

Jennifer Morrison is a fantastic para. She is organized, hard-working, has good rapport with students, is calm, determined and also very helpful and supportive of other staff. Although new to our district, she is a real leader, obviously experienced and a positive person, an invaluable member of Independent School District 318. I am blessed to share a classroom with her.

I want to thank Gigi Pehrson and Julie Rasmussen. Last Thursday, we were notified that middle and high schools now need to offer saliva testing for students. Each of them took it in stride and had an organized plan adapted and additional test kits ordered by Friday morning.

I know both of their plates are already overflowing, but instead of complaining, they took it in stride, and did just what they needed to keep kids safe and the district in compliance. We are so lucky to have them with us! And it’s just one more example of why we have the best Admin Professionals around!

Out of the blue my son who is in 8th grade asks me, "do you know why Ms. Holm is my favorite teacher mom?" I said I assume it's because it is gym class? He said, "no, she is the only teacher that gives me compliments and makes me feel like I am good at something." Thank you Ms. Holm for supporting these kids in some of the most difficult years of their lives developmentally and during this most difficult school year. You are a Rock Star!

Thank you to Liz Cherne and Emily Hermel! They do such a great job managing new enrollments, address changes, and everything necessary for new and returning students. I know the job has gotten harder with moves to and from homeschool and online schools too. Not every district sees the number of incoming students that we do during the year, but these two handle it with ease. Thank you for being the first welcome to our new kids and families.

Thanks to the GRHS staff for being so helpful to subs. Willing to show us around, show us where things are, etc. Kindness is appreciated!

A BIG shout out to the GRHS Staff for filling in for each other in times of absences. As substitute teachers are in short supply, our teachers are willing to give up their precious preparation time or add onto their class sizes to take on students from absent staff. Team work!
An additional shout out to third floor teachers - without your smiles, humor, great ideas and support this tough year would be a lot tougher!! It is so great to be able to walk into anyone's room and get an enthusiastic greeting! Thank you!!

Pam Francisco is an amazing teacher. She goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. Here she is outside before anybody else gets here blowing the sidewalks off to make sure everything is perfect for our final pickup day in Bigfork!

Thank you for everything you did to make graduation special and meaningful for the kids in Bigfork!

We had the privilege of delivering breakfast and lunches to students this spring and we got to wash buses together! Thank you to our school district for providing jobs for us! We had a blast together and the employees at the bus garage were great to work with!!

Saying THANK YOU just doesn't seem like enough when it comes to our Food Service, Bus Drivers and Paras. We have been getting meals delivered for a few weeks now and it has been stress-relieving, hope-instilling, and sanity-saving all in one. The highlight of my children's day is meeting the school bus to say “Hello” and “Thank you” to the Bus Driver and Para(s) delivering food. They always have a smile on their face and are day-makers for two little girls. As a mom working full time from home, this has been a sanity-saver for me. THANK YOU to our Food Service Staff; THANK YOU to our Bus Drivers; and THANK YOU to our Paras for brightening my children's day and saving my sanity!

The custodial team at RJEMS is simply wonderful! I have yet to meet a single staff member that doesn't go above and beyond his/her normal duties to keep the school running like a well-oiled machine. There are always smiles on their faces and a continual willingness to help students and staff alike. We greatly appreciate all you do for us! Thank you.

Our GRHS Custodians always go above and beyond, especially for our home events at the high school. I wanted to also thank them for cleaning the hallway of trophies and cases, that is a huge task, and they look awesome.

I would like to send a shout out to our awesome secretary Geraldene. She is always so kind and thoughtful and always doing things for our staff, students and families. We have watched her handle very stressful situations with grace and a smile and she makes our days better by being here. We appreciate her so much!

A great big thank you to office staff Sandy Anselmo, JoAnn Jorgensen, Kim Powell, food service, bus drivers, and all the ESPs for helping organize and carry out day care organizations, meal deliveries & pick up, and materials pick up. They have been so patient in answering parent & teacher questions. We couldn't do anything without you!

Big shout out to everyone in the Technology Department and specifically Bill, Nichole, Denny, and Chris for always answering questions with a smile and sense of humor. Bigfork Elementary Team had a lot of questions regarding SeeSaw, Google Hangouts, etc. and you were always available to help us and answer our questions. During the Distance Learning Planning Period, things were changing fast and the Technology Department was consistently taking calls, answering questions, and problem-solving for us. Thanks for being so helpful, happy, and supportive of staff during this unique time!

Rob Eide is top-notch! I have had him help me with my son's lost iPad, and he came on the same day I put in a request to have a student iPad fixed. He does a great job and is always kind and courteous. Our tech department does a fantastic job taking care of all the devices we have in the district. Thank you!!  

I am so thankful that I can go to work and know that Cohasset School will be plowed out and our walkway cleared so we can safely walk to work. Thank you to our maintenance peeps who are up extra early to do this for us and the entire district!!