Saranac Community Schools

Saranac Community Schools is excited, and sad at the same time, to announce the retirement of Shawn Austin effective tomorrow September 30th. Shawn started at Saranac Community Schools in August of 1998 in Food Service. She moved into the Transportation Department in November of 2000. So for nearly 21 years, she has been running transportation here at Saranac. The district has been fortunate to have Shawn as part of the school family. We will certainly miss her dedication and hard work each and every day. However, even more importantly her positive attitude, smile, and friendship will be deeply missed. Shawn has brought a smile to work every day since August of 1998. Please join us in congratulating Shawn as she moves into retirement to spend time with her family. We wish her nothing but the best.

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce Mark Hall. Mark is very active in the community and will be working in our transportation department. Welcome to the Saranac Community Schools family Mark.

Congratulations, Seniors! Four years of Powder Puff... undefeated!

HONEY CRISP!! The FFA will be selling apples on Tuesday, 9/21, from 3-4:30pm on the west side of the JR/SR High by the red trailer. Apples are $1 per pound. Enjoy these tasty treats.

Back by popular demand, HEART Heros! We take time every week to recognize one student from every grade level that goes above and beyond to make our school a better place! Sophia Flanagan - Sophia does a great job listening and following directions and is a kind and helpful friend. Stella Scaggs- She is a great listener. Lilah Peterson- Lilah is a hard worker and tries her best. You can find her working quietly ON-TASK and always has her supplies out and ready on time! Way to go, Lilah!! Maggie Donker - She is a good friend to others! Reid Ickes - Is a great friend and leader in the classroom! Rhys Ward - He has had a terrific start to the school year by volunteering to share ideas with our class and remembers to use HEART! Alli Grose - She works hard every day and is always willing to help others. Austin Mulford - Always works hard and tries his best in Art class! Alexis Ryan- has a great attitude and works to improve herself every day!

Congrats, 2021 HoCo Court! Seniors-Cam Jackson, Megan Chipman, Paigelyn Guernsey, Natalie Olsen, Chris Orman, Garrett Foster, Parker Edwards & Logan Wood Juniors-Maddy Hesche/Cody Kuiper & Elijah Powell Sophomores-Alex Peterson/Maddie Trahan Freshmen-Leah Wernet/Colten Goff

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce Krista VanKuiken. Krista will be working in the Food Service Department. Krista has 4 kids in the district and enjoys spending time with her family.

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce Mary Hall. Mary will be working in our transportation and custodial department. Welcome to the Saranac Community Schools family Mary.

Please join Saranac Community Schools in welcoming Colin Pett to our staff. Colin is a 2021 Saranac grad and will be working in the tech department. Welcome Colin.

It is our pleasure to welcome Nancy Feuerstein to the Saranac Community Schools family. Nancy, a Saranac graduate, will be working in our Food Service Department. Welcome Nancy!!

It is our pleasure to introduce Annmarie Yerke. Annmarie will be working in the high school as a para-pro. Annmarie enjoys working with kids and spending time with her son. Welcome to the Saranac Community Schools family.

It is our pleasure to introduce Rhonda Lasby. Rhonda will be working in our transportation department. Rhonda, a Saranac graduate, has students in the district and enjoys spending time with her family. Welcome Rhonda to the Saranac Schools family.

It is our pleasure to introduce Miriah Studer, Hello Saranac Community Members! My name is Mariah Studer and I am thrilled to introduce myself to you as the new high school English and theatre teacher. I graduated from Northern Michigan University with my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and was selected as NMU’s English Student Teacher of the Year during the Winter 2020 semester. I recently moved to Grand Rapids from Oakfield, Wisconsin. During my year at Oakfield Middle/High School, I taught a variety of both standard and advanced high school English classes and electives. I love getting students excited and involved in the education process by providing them with choices in reading materials, assessments, and activities. Outside of the classroom, I am an avid outdoorswoman and enjoy hiking and backpacking with my dog, Charlie. I also enjoy farmer’s markets, coffee shops, baking, and hosting board game nights with friends. Words can not express my excitement at joining the Saranac community or the gratitude I feel for the warm welcome I have already received from so many of the faculty/ community members and students. I look forward to learning and growing alongside the students and staff within Saranac Community Schools throughout this upcoming academic year. Warmly, Mariah Studer

Saranac Community Schools would like to welcome Andrew Clementz as our athletic director. Andrew is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in sports management with a minor in business and a coaching certificate. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing and watching sports, hunting, and spending time with family.

Please join us in welcoming Mike Serne to Saranac Community Schools. Mike will be working in custodial, maintenance, and transportation. Mike enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors. Welcome Mike!

Thank you to the high school students who who joined us yesterday for the first meeting of the Spirit Club for the 21-22 school year. This is a student-led group that promotes school spirit by planning events, themes and activities throughout the year. The group meets periodically and all 9-12th grade students are welcome to participate. Students with questions should contact seniors Megan Chipman or Paigelyn Guernsey.

Saranac Community Schools is pleased to introduce our new football coaching staff. Head Coach Kirk Jackson, along with coaches Jason Kushmaul, Rob Bush, and Dan Nordhof. Best of luck to all!

Please welcome Kristen Priest! After nearly 11 years working in the Entertainment Industry on films, television shows and live theatrical events, I am finally back in Saranac and ready to begin my teaching career. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre and Entertainment Arts from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Television, Film and Theatre Production from California State University, Los Angeles. Due to the pandemic, I thought it was a perfect time to earn my teaching certificate through Michigan's Alternate Route Program with Teachers of Tomorrow. My focus is Elementary Education, Language Arts and Special Education. After having the opportunity to substitute teach last year at Saranac, I am humbled to be invited to join the teaching staff. I am looking forward to this new adventure at Saranac Elementary.

Please welcome Mr. Winsor Mr. Jeremy Winsor comes to Saranac Schools with a variety of experiences. Mr. Winsor has been teaching most recently at Fulton Schools. While at Fulton Schools he developed a cross-curricular program building learning opportunities for students and educators alike with the Michigan DNR's Salmon in the Classroom Program." He raised support and constructed the schools greenhouse where he built learning opportunities for students using aquaponics to teach the interrelatedness of the sciences. He has been a teacher-coach at Central Michigan Universities Biological Station on Beaver Island where he co-facilitates a week long professional development for educators. He was a co-author of the "Learning at a Distance Guidelines" released by the Michigan Department of Education at the onset of the pandemic. Jeremy uses a model building, inquiry-based approach to teaching. He has helped start the Saranac Youth Wrestling program and looks forward to coaching the youth wrestlers this school year. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors with his family.

Saranac Community Schools will be introducing some of our new staff members over the next week. First we would like to introduce Taylor Johnston, she will be teaching kindergarten this fall. Taylor is a first-year teacher from Grand Rapids. She recently graduated from Grand Valley State University. She loves traveling, Disney, and her dogs!