Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 133, Number 14, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 3 April 2014 — Page 5

Every time I hear ‘Hosanna’

This week's Pastor Corner By Pastor Tom schiefer First Brethren Church

ber the events of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. Our attention as worshippers is directed to the Lamb of God, the suffering servant and the savior of the world. It begins on Palm Sunday and its familiar refrain of "Hosanna!" Several years ago, I did some reflecting on the implications of proclaiming and hearing that cry and I tried my hand at putting those reflections to verse: Every time I hear "Hosanna" -1 will not be the same; m It's a word for all the people who glorify the name. Every time I hear "Hosanna" - It's depth shall shake my knees; T As the one who is both God and man approaches Calvary. Every time I hear "Hosanna" -1 life an earnest prayer; To save my soul and all mankind from separation and despair. Every time I hear "Hosanna" - His praises must be sung; For he, christ, of David's line is now in man among. Every time I hear "Hosanna" - the first thing I must pray; Is for his kingdom come on earth forever and today. Every time I hear "Hosanna" - the next thing on my lips; Is praise for the deliverer, whom his people he equips. Every time I hear "Hosanna" -1 dose my prayer this way; That the church of God will carry on the message of that day. Every time I hear "Hosanna" -1 will not be the same; For in that week he bled, and died, and took away my shame. May my feeble attempt at poetry and the heart-felt reflections of my send assist you on your journey during Holy Week this year.

Cultivating the culture off excellence at Wa-Nee Schools Dv Anv \\J rkT’rn >4 fKat P3TI MlslllpP. fTPfill 111311 cHPCF dt NOfthWOOd S(

By Amy Wenger Advance Correspondent WAKARUSA Wakarusa Elementary School served as the setting for the most recent gathering of the Wa-Nee Community Board of School Trustees on Monday, March 24. Along with the change of venue came an encouraging discussion, led by prindpal John Payne, about the upward trend in overall student performance, test scores, and mastery of reading skills. Payne, who is now in his second year at the helm of leadership for Wakarusa Elementary, prpvklejLthjf board with an overview t>f the School's mlsSfOfi fdr what he defined as "Cultivating the Culture of Excellence," as was' illustrated through a presentation in which he also detailed the various ways those objectives are executed on a consistent basis. Payne specifically cited such goals as fine arts participation, study trips, professional development, and motivational incentive programs as beneficial to both teachers and students. He also noted that Kris Fielstra, the school’s guidance counselor, has been instrumental in organizing classroom visits and lessons to the students. To date, Payne said, more than 5,000 minutes and 125 different lessons have been carried out in the case of the latter. Parents were also lauded for their willingness to step up and volunteer for the cause of education, Payne said, informing the board that during the school's recent Jog-a-Thon fundraiser, approximately $15,000 was raised for the school, up from about $13,000 one year ago. Also shared by Payne were impressive statistics illustrating increased success in the ISTEP examinations, with the average percentage of improvement for language arts and math in the third through fifth grades at around five percent, closing in on the 90 percent range. Payne also expressed optimism over the number of students reading at or above their grade level, with the percentage of kindergarten students at 79 percent, Ist grade at 83 percent, and 2nd grade at 88 percent. Third grade students at the similar level totals ninety percent, with 4th grade at 85 percent and sth grade at 90 percent. "We're going to continue to focus on individualized instruction, so that each student can grow at the level that they're at," Payne said. He went on to acknowledge the school's recent "A" designation from the Indiana Department of Education, adding, "What this translates to is that it’s important, and it defines us in the public's eyes, but it's not what defines us and our staff here. We're all

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Holyft Week iSrJ ship. During this week,, we join with Christians around the world to remem-

By Dani Molnar Editor The Nappanee Church of the Brethren began hosting their free community meals in January of this year; since then, average attendance for the event has reached nearly 150 people. "Anyone can come and eat and it's totally free," Lee Ann Mast explained. Local bakeries donate foods, and Faith Mission of Elkhart donates a lot to make the meal possible. The Women's Fellowship for the church provides paper products. Deb Lehman explained that the idea came when John Shafer of the Chicago and Michiana Five came to the church looking for a location to hold free meals for the community-at-large. "I just think personally, it's exciting to see our church doing something for the community," Lehman said. "I just really think it's great for the church and Nappanee period." Community members agree. Tish Gissinger explained that after working the school cafeteria for year, coming home to cook dinner hasn't always been appealing and haying the option to come to the free community meals, eat and

about individual student achievement, and that they can achieve to the best of their potential. The social skills, the programs we offer, all of the things that makes this school unique...l’m really excited about the direction that we re moving in. Achievement is improving here, and we're going to continue that focus." In other promising news, Director of Curriculum Jim Bennett issued some of the most recent data regarding daily attendance rates for each of the district's five schools. In every incidence, Bennett said, the numbers were above the 96 percent mark. > Woodview Elementary was the school >that registered the lliighest attendance, at ( 97.05 percent. From b time period beginning with enrollment in August of 2013-up until March 4, the school gained four new students as well. North Wood Middle School was not far behind, at 97.01 percent. There was a slight drop in the total number of students from August to March, however, down from 738 to 730. Wakarusa Elementary also lost a small number of students, from 542 in August to 536 in March, but an impressive attendance rate of 96.99 percent. At Nappanee Elementary, two new students were added, from 401 in August to 403 in March. Average daily attendance came to 96.47 percent. North Wood High School experienced the greatest student loss, with 17 students departing, from a total 824 in August to 807 in March. The average percentage of daily attendance is at 96.18 percent this year. Much of the remainder of the board agenda dealt with personnel matters, including the following staffing changes, all of which are effectively immediately unless otherwise noted: New employees are Tammie Charleston-Alien, part-time custodian for North Wood High School; Crystal Yoder, parttime assistant for Woodview Elementary; Jennifer Faller, cafeteria substitute; Toby Sell, bus substitute; Melanie Weldy, full-time cafeteria at North Wood Middle School, effective April 14; Felicia Hochstetler, part-time cafeteria at North Wood Middle School; and Nancy Miller, substitute bus monitor.

Resignations are Stephanie Prickel, Bth grade cheer coach at North Wood Middle School; Tracy Brugh, part-time ! custodian at North Wood Middle School; Lynette Franks, part-time custodian at North Wood Middle School; Heather

Community

Free community meals taking off in Nappanee

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Visitors take advantage of the free community meals at Nappanee Church of the Brethren. The free meals have been occuring since January of this year and have quickly become an important part of the community. (Photo by Dani Molnar)

fellowship, is valuable to the community. "I think it's really great what they're doing for the community here," she said.

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. a O „, Nbw Paris on St Rd 15 to Co. Rd SO then west 2 miles or North of Nappanee Indiana on St Rd 19. 2 Miles to County Road 50. then East 7 Miles to Auction Site. (Watch for Auction Signs on:) MONDAY-4P811 7.2014-1:30 PJI. sanfi 4380 hrs (Engine has zero hours on a fresh overhaul); 1948 JD B Tractor w/dam shel Skid 9 ioader w/ 60' Material Bucket. 1943 hrs; JD 60 Skid loader w/44 Material Bucket & Manure Forks. —————■—i SSSSSSSSISSS le?i4M 940 Rushel Gravitv Wagons; (2) Parker 175 Bushel Gravity Wagons. Mayrath 64 ,10 PTO Auger w/ (5) J&M 250 Bushel Graity 9 ' 40 - Elevator; Mayrath 40 Elevator. JD 300 Picker w/3 row 30 & 2 row M-taldTjD Bar Mower Rhino 5' 3pt Rotary Mower; Bush Hog 6' 3pt Ditch Bank Mower; Rhino S' 38 £ ImopTO Blower; JD 16A Flail Chopper; (2) Miller 4100, 16' Forage Wagons. w/JD Mi * iS™ Q I«W Hay Tedder 4 Rotor fold; JD 640 Hay Rake w/Dolly Wheel; JD 337 Square Baler S pkTup * Gandy Dry Applicator; 18 Fiat Rack Wagon w/JD Tandem Axle Gear; floor); Bison 16'x7' BumperHilct^vestod^Daile^^^^ B _______________— SPESsfff^SHri^S^edel^fKS^SS^SS" 3 Ton BrockFeedJ3in l Other M/sc Items on AiJCtionDay. m 1111 i|i rMMMMMMMMM RalfouateTTOO Gallon AG Chem Sprayer w/Raven 440 Monitor & 45' Boom; 2000 JD 925. 9FT. MOCO w/Flail Conditioner Auction Not.: The Sommers Family have sold their farm and *'' f^*** 0 " *° Wisconsin. One and one half hour auction with very little miscellaneous PLEASE DON'T BE LATE!

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Advance News * Thursday, April 3, 2014

Free community meals are from 5 Mondays and Thursdays at Jhe Nappanee Church of the Brethren, located at 301

Mishler, freshman cheer coach at North Wood Middle School; and Mary Miller, school nurse at Nappanee Elementary, effective April 4. A leave of absense was approved for Missy Foor, parttime physical education teacher at Wakarusa Elementary, from August 13, 2014 until May 28, 2015. The final act of business for the evening was the board's appointment of Sue Myers to the Wakarusa Public Library Board. Myers will serve as the replacement for departing board member Sheila Aukerman, whose term was originally set to expire on October 3, 2014. Aukerman submitted j her . Letter of resignation earlier this month, and dted job conflicts'as her feafcbh for leavifrg thAbOaM.' Ifi' MytrS'S let- > 'ter of application,'she indicated that she would be willing to continue serving on the board for another term, which is four years, once she fulfills the remaining months of Aukerman's term. The members will revisit Myers's request in September and make their decision at that time. The next meeting of the Wa-Nee Community Board of School Trustees will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14 in the Administration Building.

SPRING CLEAN & CHECK!

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Mack Dr., Nappanee. For more information, call the church office at 574-773-4044

Make a fresh start, with a "Spring" hearing aid clean & check-FREE of charge! • We accept Medicare, If Hearing Medicaid, and most Center major insurances. Suzanne R. Ginter, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

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