Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary School

🩺💙 Thank you, Nurse Salena Poston!
👩‍⚕️❤️ Caring for our Panthers every day!
🩺🤍💙 Nurse Appreciation Week
❤️‍🩹 Thank you for keeping our students healthy & safe!
🩹🏥 Our school is better because of you!

🐾Today we’re celebrating an incredible leader who makes a difference in ways big and small—Dr. Marsh!💙🖤
From the moment he walks through the doors, he sets the tone with positivity, care, and a commitment to doing what’s best for our students and staff📚✨ He leads with purpose, supports without hesitation, and always finds a way to lift others up🙌💡
Our school is stronger, brighter, and better because of him. Thank you, Dr. Marsh, for everything you do each day—you are truly appreciated!👏🎉
🐾💙🖤

💙🖤 Big smiles, grateful hearts, and Panther pride! 🐾
Our Koontz Panthers had the best time celebrating the amazing cafeteria team who help keep them energized and ready to learn each day! From serving meals with care to brightening students’ days with a smile, these incredible staff members make a lasting impact far beyond the lunch line 🍎🥗✨
The sweet “thank you” from our students says it all—your hard work does not go unnoticed!💙
👏 Let’s hear it for our Koontz Lunch Heroes! Drop them some love and appreciation today! 🐾💫

🧵💙Last week, our 3rd–5th grade ESL students had a very special guest speaker, Mrs. Brenda Ryder!

As a culminating event for their learning about handmade traditions, Mrs. Ryder shared her family’s beautiful tradition of quilt making. She brought quilts that have been lovingly made from the mid-1800s all the way to today🪡🧶✨

🧐Students were excited to ask thoughtful questions about how and when the quilts were made, who taught her, and the stories behind them. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect learning with history, culture, and family traditions.

🐾Our Panthers thoroughly enjoyed this special experience and the chance to learn from such a meaningful family tradition!💙

🔬🐾 Last week, our Panthers wrapped up their Ecosystems review and learned all about dairy farms and how they connect to the units we’ve explored so far! 🐄🌱
💬The focus was on decomposers and the essential role they play in an ecosystem 🍂🪱💚. Students had the exciting opportunity to hold and examine a real cow skull🐄! Through thoughtful questioning and by using their background knowledge, they worked together to figure out what had happened to the cow and how decomposers contributed to the process🧠✨

Students also explored an interactive app that allowed them to watch and investigate the decomposition process on their own📱🔍, giving them a hands-on way to deepen their understanding of this important science concept.

We are so proud of their curiosity, critical thinking, and engagement!🌟🐾

This week, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day and the incredible women who help keep Koontz Elementary running smoothly every day! 💙✨
📣A huge shoutout to Ms. Rhodie, Ms. Hawkins, and Ms. Ramos 👏
From answering phones📞 to managing budgets💵 and keeping our data organized 📊, they truly do it all!
They are always ready to support our students, staff, and families with a smile 😊🏫💙
Problem-solvers🧩, organizers🗂️, multitaskers📋, and superheroes in disguise🦸‍♀️✨

💙 Thank you for being the heart of our school office—Koontz simply would not run without you! 🐾🌟

☀️ 🌍 🌔 🌙 ⭐ 🪐 ☄️

🐾💙Koontz Elementary Panthers Celebrate Excellence!💙🐾

We're proud to recognize our outstanding staff members who go above and beyond each day for our students and school community!🍎✨

🏆 Teacher of the Year: Ms. Thompson, 3rd Grade
🌟 Teacher Assistant of the Year: Ms. Lewis-Hunter, 1st Grade
💼 Staff Member of the Year: Melinda Rhodie, Front Office Secretary

Your dedication, passion, and commitment make Koontz Elementary a truly special place. Thank you for all that you do! 💙🐾

✨What an unforgettable evening at Culture Night!🌍

Our school community came together in the most beautiful way, and the energy throughout the night was truly something special. Families, students, & staff explored cultures from around the world—sampling delicious foods 🍽️, sharing conversations, and celebrating the rich diversity that makes our school so unique. The smiles and positive feedback said it all!

As students traveled from room to room, they dove into learning about different countries, creating meaningful crafts🎨, and engaging with each experience with excitement and curiosity. It was incredible to see their enthusiasm shine.

The program in the multipurpose room was a true highlight—filled with vibrant clothing, impressive talents, & pure joy. We were especially proud to watch our students present the countries they represented, showing both knowledge and pride👏

We were also treated to a beautiful performance by Mrs. Safrit, who played and sang Danny Boy🎶, & enjoyed the energy and joy brought by Mrs. Reid’s presentation.

🤗Thank you to everyone who helped make Culture Night such a memorable and meaningful experience!🌎💫