March/April 2022 Parent Newsletter
Greetings and happy spring, MCS families!
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful spring break with your families. I’m in the school building frequently, either guest teaching or picking up my children, and it is joyful to see students in the classrooms and hallways. There is nothing quite like the beautiful energy of children!
For me, Spring always arrives with a feeling of hope and renewal. With Easter fast approaching, my prayer is that your hearts are filled with expectant hope and joy as well.
Magnuson Q & A
MCS Q & A: In this blog post, I’m sharing a Q & A session with Magnuson dad and MCS Board Chair, Nick Boehland.
Q. Tell us about yourself and your connection to Magnuson.
A. My name is Nicholas Boehland, and I am a parent volunteer serving on the MCS Board, currently as Chair. My wife’s name is Heather and we have two kids. Ava is our oldest child and she is in Mrs. Johnson’s 5th grade class. Our youngest, Carter, is in Ms. Coleman’s 2nd grade class. Both of our kids have been part of MCS since kindergarten.
Q. What led your family to MCS, and why is it a great fit for your family?
A. My wife and I are followers of Christ and wanted our kids to have biblical values woven into their formal educational experience. We believe that building a strong foundation on Christ is important and starting at the pre-school/elementary age is critical to long-term development. MCS provides this, and so much more! In addition to reinforcing biblical values, MCS has an outstanding curriculum taught by some of the finest teachers around; we are truly blessed!
Q. Last, why did you join the MCS Board and what exactly does a "Board Chair" do?
A. Great question! Our family joined MCS to be part of a thriving community and to serve with the team that helps make it all happen. Since joining MCS, we have had the opportunity to volunteer for a number of events and activities. Specifically related to the MCS Board – I joined in 2017 and have served as a member, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair, and now Board Chair. What does the Board Chair do? I have always viewed my position as a supporting role for the school. It’s my job to help provide the necessary resources to our Director, Heather Norman, and to help provide direction on a number of different topics. Additionally, I spend a lot of time leading our team in discussions about how MCS can explore new and exciting ways to bring affordable, Christ-centered, quality education to our families while providing a great work environment and career opportunities for our amazing staff. Currently, our MCS Board is working on a project to build out and expand our Middle School program and we hope to have exciting news to share with you in the months ahead! If you want to learn more about what we do or how to get involved, I’d be more than happy to connect with you; please let me know!
Nick can be reached at board@magnusonschool.org.
Club Volunteers needed!
Do you have a hobby you would enjoy sharing with Magnuson students? Do you enjoy running, acting, or drawing? We would love parents, grandparents, and guardians to lead after-school, extracurricular clubs this spring. If you are interested in committing to leading a club for our students once a week, please email the board or Mrs. Norman!
Inventors Fair
Each spring, fourth grade teacher, Ms. Ahrenholz, has her class host an Inventors Fair. The 4th graders recently wrapped up a unit on Simple Machines by creating a Rube Goldberg device. For those who don’t know, a Rube Goldberg device is a machine that completes a simple task using a complicated series of several simple machines. They are super cool!
Their unique devices were shared with the whole class as well as with judges and guests at this year’s Inventors Fair in March at MCS.
This year's winners are…drumroll please… 1st Place: Aria B; 2nd place: Abby K; 3rd Place Nathan H.
Congratulations and well done on your hard work and creative thinking, students!
Field Trip Fun
On March 15, the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes went on a special field trip to Concordia Academy to watch the high school students perform Annie. It was a wonderful opportunity for classes to see a fantastic live performance at a school where many of our middle school graduates attend.
Magnuson Dads Unite
Magnuson Dads Unite is a group of MCS dads who pitch in to help around the school, church, and local community. This spring, MDU is planning on hosting an end-of-year BBQ. Stay tuned for the date and get EXCITED—they will be grilling meat and making root beer floats for the kids and staff! They’ll also be helping out Mr. Severson with Field Day in late May.
If you are an MCS dad who would like to volunteer with the MDU group, please reach out to Nick Hudson at nickhudson6@hotmail.com.
Music, Choir, and Band Updates
Ms. Lee shares, “March has been a busy month in the Music room! In honor of St. Patrick's Day, students have spent time singing, dancing to, and listening to Irish music. Among their favorites are singing Rattlin' Bog (perhaps your student has sung it for you!); watching Riverdance, a group that does Irish step dancing; and listening to the bodhrán, an Irish drum. In addition to Irish music, the 4th Graders have just begun learning recorders. They have displayed great musicianship and have proved to be quick learners. Despite the stereotype of recorder being a pesky instrument at first, I've truly been enjoying hearing them play!
Our Spring Concert is coming up soon on Tuesday, May 24th, time TBD. Please mark your calendars to celebrate all your students have learned in Music, Choir, and Band this year!”
Art Updates
Ms. Mesenbourg shares, “The upper grades (4-6) are done with their Drawing from Graphic Materials pieces. 4th grade drew humpback whales…and 5th and 6th grade drew giraffes…The younger grades have completed a one point perspective farmland landscape in soft pastels and will be starting an architectural project done in watercolors this week, while the upper grades are still working on the soft pastels landscape.”
Check out some of the wonderful creativity below!
Mark your calendars. We have a lot of exciting events and activities coming up!
Upcoming Dates:
No school: Good Friday, April 15, and Easter Monday, April 17.
Saturday, April 23, Gifts for Growth Gala, the annual Magnuson fundraiser. Featuring student musical performances, dinner, and a live auction, this is sure to be a special evening for our community to come together to support Magnuson! Email our Gala director, Mrs. Lemke, if you would like to volunteer for any last-minute help she needs. Tickets are still available.
May 24, MCS Spring Concert, time TBD.
May 27, MCS Field Day: Mr. Severson says to get ready for outdoor fun and games, including potato sack races and a big game of tug-o-war!
Verse of the month:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Blessings to you and your families this spring!
~Julia Arnold
MCS Parent and Board Member