Kelley Johnson Named 2019 “Teacher of the Year”
(Le Mars) — A Kluckholn elementary 4th grade teacher was named as the Le Mars Community “Teacher of the Year”, and recipient of the crystal bell award. Kelley Johnson was surprised on Monday afternoon when her name was announced during a school assembly program. The 4th grade teacher has been
teaching for the past 26 years. She taught in Sioux City for four years, four years at Kissinger in Merrill, and the last 18 at Kluckholn. Johnson was initially speechless, and humbled when her name was announced as the
“2019 Teacher of the Year.”
The elementary students at Kluckholn were enthusiastic and loud when Kelley Johnson was named as the recipient of the Crystal Bell award.
Johnson says she looks forward to seeing the students each and everyday, and was appreciative of the students reaction.
When asked about her philosophy on education, Johnson paused a moment reflecting on her answer, then said she hopes to treat every student with the kindness they deserve.
Johnson also says she lives for that so-called “light-bulb” moment when a student may suddenly realize the correct answer, and is indeed learning.
Johnson received a plague acknowledging her award. She will be honored at the upcoming Le Mars Community School Foundation banquet. As part of being named the “Teacher of the Year,” Johnson will receive two $500 checks from the school foundation and alumni association. One check is for her personal
use, while the second check is to be utilized in the classroom. Her students made a suggestion as to how one of the $500 payment can be utilized.
The school foundation banquet is scheduled for April 24th and will be held at the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center.
School Board Approves 2019-2020 Budget
(Le Mars) — At last evening’s Le Mars Community Board of Education meeting, members of the school board voted to approve the proposed budget for the upcoming school year. The total Operating Fund Spending Authority for the district equals $29,248,359. The budget for the Operating Fund equals
$24,044,762. The Operating Fund Balance is projected to be approximately $4,922,366 on June 30th of 2019, and the Operating Fund Balance is projected to be approximately $5,681,185 for June 30th of 2020.
Le Mars Rotary To Celebrate 100 Years
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Rotary organization will be celebrating its 100th years of existence by holding a special banquet this evening. John Scheinder serves as the local rotary club’s vice president and chairman for the century banquet. He talks about the mission of Rotary and the various ways Rotary has helped the community, and throughout the world.
Other ways the Le Mars Rotary has helped with local charities was they donated a bicycle to the Josh’s Ride organization which provides a bicycle to handicapped individuals. Scheinder says the main goal of the Rotary worldwide is the eradication of polio. Scheinder tells what’s going to take place at this evening’s banquet.
The Le Mars Rotary official says the banquet’s featured speaker is a past international officer with Rotary.
That Le Mars Rotary Organization banquet will take place at the Willow Creek Golf Course Country Club.
Remsen St. Mary’s Ball Raises More Than $120,000
(Remsen) — Remsen St. Mary’s held its annual fund raiser ball Saturday evening at the Avalon Ball Room at Remsen. Kate Galles Bettsworth was the featured speaker. She is a 1988 alum of Remsen St. Mary’s. Her message to the attending crowd was that you don’t know how much you appreciate home until you leave. She spoke of the values of a Catholic education, and specifically the life-long lessons learned while attending Remsen St. Mary’s.
(photos courtesy of Ann Cole-Nelson)
