Ithaca Public Schools

South Elementary is proud to announce our September Students of the Month! This month, students were nominated for displaying great teamwork skills. Congratulations, Junior Jackets!

There is nothing preschoolers love more than the freedom to be creative! 🎨🖌️🖍️✂️

You know it's a good day when your stuffie gets to spend the day with you! These Kindergartners in Miss Hayes's room worked hard to earn their stuffed animal party. The stuffed animals got to learn with them and enjoy a day at school 😊🧸

First graders in Mrs. Schaeding's room showed fantastic teamwork as they worked together to complete 120 counting chart puzzles. It was a time full of learning and fun! 🧩🙌

Fourth graders expanded on their science unit about animal sense structures by creating animal ears in STEAM lab!

South Elementary preschoolers are hard at work learning the routines of their classroom. They recently learned how to appropriately use glue sticks and then practiced using them to glue paper shapes. Preschoolers have also learned how to use stamps and ink pads and played daily in the Sensory Table Area.

Celebrating Our September Students of the Month! We are so proud to recognize our incredible September Students of the Month! Each homeroom selected a standout student who showed up, worked hard, and truly exemplified our core positivity traits throughout the month: Curiosity – Asking big questions and seeking new knowledge Teamwork – Working together and lifting others up Open-mindedness – Listening to new ideas and appreciating different points of view Perspective – Seeing the bigger picture and offering thoughtful insights What an honor it is to watch these students lead by example and make our school community a brighter place every day. We love celebrating our students when they shine!

Third graders are reading The BFG and enjoying every chapter. Today they had a chance to show their creativity to make posters.

From elementary leadership to state-level service, our former students continue to accomplish incredible things!
Meet our featured alum from the Class of 2011:

Current Title: Senior Executive Management Assistant, Michigan State Police – Emergency Management Division

Higher Education: Central Michigan University (B.A. in Advertising and Communications)

Favorite North Elementary Memory: "I loved my time in student council, it helped shape me into the leader that I am today!"

It is inspiring to see how early experiences in student government at North Elementary helped build the foundation for an impactful career in public service and executive management.

🌟 Celebrate Showing Up 🌟
Attendance improves when kids feel noticed. Try a simple routine: “High five for being here today” or a weekly family shout-out for effort.

Need support or want to learn more? Visit fewerthan5.com for family resources. Funding for Strive for Fewer than Five is supported by the Region 5 MiFamily Engagement Center.

Our Donuts for Grown-Ups Event is planned for October 20th at South Elementary!

"Library Day" is always an awesome day for our Junior Jackets. Each week, students hear a read-aloud from our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Longanbach, choose a book to take home, and play with the toys that can only be found in the South Elementary Library! 📚 🐝💙💛

We celebrated '9 to 5' or Dolly Parton Day at South! Some of our staff dressed the part with Ms. Stec and Mrs. Schaeding winning best dressed! Students also listened to a book written by Dolly called "Coat of Many Colors" and colored their own coat in the classroom.

"If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours". -Dolly Parton

Sixth graders were challenged to construct working elevators in STEAM lab this week. Without using tape or glue, they needed to really communicate ideas in order to have a working design!

In STEAM lab this week, first graders made models to demonstrate how some animals experience day when others experience night. These super scientists were able to use their models to explain how facing the sun creates daylight and facing away causes darkness.

Awesome job, Junior Jackets and South Elementary Families!!!

Last week, Ms. Hayes's classroom had an Apple Day!! They had an apple tasting where they tried red, yellow, and green apples. Then they voted on which one was their favorite… Green won the vote! 🍏🍎

It was a beautiful day for a trip to the orchard on Tuesday! First graders had a wonderful time tasting cider and donuts, picking an apple, feeding goats and playing with their friends. Thank you to the chaperones that joined them and the wonderful PTO for funding the trip. 💛💙🐝🍎🍏🐐

From North Elementary to stages across six continents, this week’s Alumni Spotlight features recording artist, producer, and host Curt Anderson!
The Snapshot:

Education: Ithaca High School (2003) | Anderson University (B.A.)

Current Roles: Content Producer & Host at Arrivals Club | Recording Artist & Performer

Career Highlights: 4 international Top 5 radio singles, performance tours in 47 states and 64 countries, and tens of millions of views on produced content. He is represented by Authentic Talent + Literary with publicity by CIVIC (a Ryan Seacrest Global Company).

Favorite School Memory: "My family moved to Michigan at the start of my third-grade year, so North Elementary was my first schooling here. I truly loved every teacher I had—they were passionate, caring, and empowered my 'against the grain' personality to thrive.

A pivotal memory was being elected Safety Patrol Captain in sixth grade. At that age, we all struggle with wanting to be accepted and hoping we make a good impact. Winning that vote was an eye-opening moment that showed me how my peers viewed me and gave me real confidence in myself. I couldn’t be more proud to be a product of North Elementary & Ithaca High School."

We love seeing our alumni share their talents with the world while holding on to their hometown roots!