Celeste Henkel Elementary School

Celeste families-
We currently have some spots open for rising 1st- and 3rd-5th-graders. Please complete the Google form if you would like your child to take part in this great opportunity. ​We will notify you ​by email once your child is accepted. ​Thank ​you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcNgGDc3l-7AjmSDm_CPgXlX4I5aFosYndjGF-B7qgcZ988w/viewform

Mrs. Johnson's class had their book reveal/ Author's tea on Thursday with their families!! The students worked really hard on their book. The book's title is Blink, Blink: A Sneak Peek Into Our Future. The students wrote about what they wanted to be when they grew up and were able to dress up in the precise attire for the book reveal. All students were brave and read their page in front of the audience! We have a future chef, a policeman, baseball stars, a soccer star, a marine biologist, some artists, a garbage collector, a few vets, a landscaper, a carbon fiber technician, future teachers, an ice cream maker, and a singer. One student hopes to work at our very own Riley's Delights ice cream shop here on Old Mountain Rd!! I know that wherever these students are led, they will be amazing at anything they choose to do!!

Dream big. Mrs. Johnson believes in you. You are UNSTOPPABLE!!

Giving Back at Celeste Henkel Elementary

William Shakespeare once wrote, "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." Those words still resonate deeply today. As educators, we aim to ignite a passion for learning in our students and inspire them to find their gifts– those special talents or skills that make each of us unique. Some gifts emerge naturally, while others develop through perseverance, practice, and growth over time.

At Celeste Henkel Elementary, our theme for the last few years has been "Chasing greatness" in our attitude, character, friendships, and learning. This fourfold focus reflects our belief in educating the whole child who will hopefully embody these characteristics for a lifetime.

Earlier this school year, one of our former students, Belle Szafranski, had her mother contact me about giving back to our school through her artwork. After a brief conversation, we devised a plan that would unfold over the next few early release days. During the October Early Release, Belle and her friends, Paisley and Emma, showed up to begin painting a series of iconic book characters on the walls outside our kindergarten classrooms. Armed with sketches and paint supplies, these young ladies didn't waste time getting straight to work. The plain, off-white walls came to life as colorful characters from several beloved books found a new home. The girls returned on the next two early release days to continue their mission, and with each passing day, our students' anticipation and excitement about seeing their artwork grew. Before finishing, I asked the girls to sign their work and pose for a picture so our school community could recognize the young ladies whose vision and generosity of time made these murals possible.

Throughout my thirty-seven years of education, it has always been a highlight to watch former students give back, whether to their school or community. There's nothing more rewarding or inspiring than witnessing students grow into caring, altruistic individuals. Moments like these remind educators why we continue to do what we do, despite the negative rhetoric that seems to dominate the news. As a community, let's keep chasing greatness so we can build hope for future generations. And to Belle, Paisley, and Emma– thank you for sharing your talents, finding your purpose, and giving back to our elementary school community.

–Mr. Saraco, Principal

Summer Break is Here

Good evening, Celeste families–It’s your principal, Frank Saraco, with a final message for this school year.Last week, the hive was bustling with activity as we completed the final five days of the school year. From Kindergarten Awards and 1st Grade Authors Day to 4th Grade Market Day and the 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, every moment was filled with memorable experiences and celebrations. **As I wrap up these Weekly Updates, here are a few final reminders:** We still have open spots in our Summer Learning Adventure for rising 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade students. The program will run from June 8th through June 18th. Applications are attached in the email accompanying this message. Please return completed applications no later than Wednesday, May 27th.On behalf of the entire Celeste staff, I want to wish all of our students and families a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer break. It is truly an honor to serve this wonderful school community.We look forward to kicking off our Centennial Celebration in August as we begin the 2026–2027 school year! [Summer Learning Adventure Application Rising 1st-3rd](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V-IyDopy914FlHcwK1gaOfSvCQ4dkDhm/view?usp=sharing)​[Summer Learning Adventure Application Rising 5th](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rEjP9O9eF5xQl6JYV6lMMPO0lccWeUHY/view?usp=sharing)

On Thursday, our 4th graders shifted gears from their normal day-to-day routine to practice their entrepreneurial skills. Students worked independently or in groups to design, create, and market a product or service. They truly outdid themselves and proved that the future of the business world is bright. Thank you to our 4th-grade teachers for creating an opportunity for our students to participate in this meaningful, real-world experience!

On Friday, May 22nd, we proudly celebrated our 5th-grade students during the Moving Up Ceremony in our school gym. 🎓✨

As students entered the gym, families watched with pride as their children reached another important milestone in their educational journey. Throughout the ceremony, students were recognized for their hard work, growth, and achievements by both their classroom and enhancement teachers.

We also honored our flag team for their dedicated service and paid special tribute to the family members who have served or are currently serving in the military. 🇺🇸

A special congratulations goes to A’mirra, recipient of the Principal’s Award presented by Mr. Saraco. A’mirra truly exemplifies what it means to “Chase Greatness” through her attitude, character, friendships, and commitment to learning during her time at Celeste.

The ceremony was filled with pride, joy, and a few bittersweet goodbyes as our students celebrated this accomplishment and began their summer break. We are so proud of the Class of 2033 and can’t wait to see all they accomplish next! 💙