East China School District News

Empowering every student. Every voice. Every Future. Building our Future.

🗓 District Events 🗓

November 6 - End of 1st Marking Period

November 16 - Regular Board of Education Meeting

November 18 - PLC Early Release

November 25 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break

Message from Superintendent Cybulla

East China Educational Foundation Awards Fall Classroom Grants

The East China Educational Foundation (ECEF) awarded its fall grants at the October 26, 2026, Board of Education meeting. A total of 19 grants totaling $18,411.35 were awarded to support innovative programs, classroom projects, and improvements to school facilities throughout the East China School District. A highlight of this grant cycle was a special $5,000 grant awarded to Marine City High School, providing support that will enhance the educational experience for students.

These grants are made possible through the generosity of our community and the fundraising efforts of the East China Educational Foundation. Each year, two signature events help fund these classroom opportunities: the ECEF Chili Heart Run, coming up in February, and the ECEF Golf Outing, held annually in August. Along with these events, generous donations from individuals and businesses help make it possible for the Foundation to provide grants that support our teachers and students.

We sincerely appreciate the East China Educational Foundation, its dedicated volunteers, event participants, sponsors, donors, and community supporters for their continued commitment to our schools. I am honored to serve on the Foundation Board and be part of an organization that makes such a meaningful difference for our students and teachers. The generosity and support of our community allow our teachers to bring new ideas to life and create unique learning opportunities.

Congratulations to Megan Hargrave, Lori Hannon, Chris Blackstock, Kathy Gorski, Tiffany Bean, Patti Shaw, Stefanie Minano, Robert York, Kristy Nickles, Jennifer, Fregetto, Amy Lawson, Melissa Erdman, Scott Fryer, Kelsey Hollenbeck, Katie Van Hamme, Rachel Radigan, Chris Rinehart, and Tonya Huston!

Sincerely,

Suzanne Cybulla

Superintendent East China School District

What's Happening in our Schools...

St. Clair River Elementary

Dragon Dash Fundraiser

The annual Dragon Dash was a roaring success this year, bringing our elementary community together to raise an incredible $24,890! Designed to be fully inclusive for students of all abilities, the event showcased school spirit, teamwork, and active fun. Throughout the day, students rotated through a variety of engaging stations—pushing their limits at the "My K" on the track, tackling active field games on the blacktop, and burning off extra energy on the playground.

When it was time to catch a breath, students refreshed at the Smoothie and Snack Station before heading to the bleachers to enthusiastically cheer on their classmates. The high-energy environment truly highlighted the heart of our school, where every child was celebrated for their effort. Thank you to our dedicated students, staff, families, and volunteers who cheered, ran, and donated to make this year’s Dragon Dash our most impactful yet!

Thank you to the PTO, our event volunteers, family supporters, and local law enforcement for attending our Dragon Dash.

Math Enrichment

Our after-school Math Enrichment program gives 4th and 5th graders a space to stretch their mathematical thinking beyond the standard curriculum. Through interactive logic puzzles, collaborative problem-solving challenges, and hands-on math games, students explore concepts in geometry, pattern recognition, and pre-algebra in a low-pressure, high-engagement environment. Rather than focusing solely on speed or memorization, the program emphasizes critical thinking, creative strategies, and learning how to approach complex problems with confidence. Due to the rigor of the program, the school looks at M-STEP and NWEA data, along with teacher recommendations, to see which students will be invited to participate in the after-school program.

By working through real-world applications and open-ended challenges alongside their peers, students build strong mathematical reasoning while discovering just how fun math can be. Whether they are already avid math enthusiasts or looking to build greater confidence in their skills, participants emerge with sharp problem-solving habits that benefit them across all subjects.

Thank you to Mrs. Patti Shaw, our STEAM teacher, for taking the time after school to run such a wonderful program. We would also like to thank the PTO for financially supporting such a program.

Wagons of Love

Third grade students at St. Clair River Elementary sponsored a school-wide food drive called Wagons of Love in October. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and to further develop a sense of civic responsibility for others in need, third-grade students collected and counted all the food that our Dragons filled in grade-level wagons in the lobby. This Wagons of Love Food Drive has been a tradition for 18 years. While at Gearing Elementary, students pulled these wagons to the food pantry. Now at SCRE, our wonderful PTO sponsors a bus for delivery due to the distance. At the St. Clair Food Pantry, third graders weigh, sort, and stock all the items on the shelves. Each year we deliver well over 1,200 items of food. All donated non-perishable food items are shared with families right here in the St. Clair community.

Other Happenings in our District

Art Wall at CO

Art Work at CO Returns with Student Creativity from Marine City Middle School

Art Work at CO is back, and we are excited to welcome Marine City Middle School as our first featured school of the year!

The display showcases the creativity and artistic talent of our middle school students, featuring a variety of mediums, including watercolor paintings, pencil drawings, and colorful leaf artwork created using pastels. Each piece offers a glimpse into the students’ imagination, creativity, and unique ways of seeing the world.

We are proud to provide a space where student artwork can be shared and appreciated by our school community. Opportunities like this allow students to see their hard work celebrated beyond the classroom and remind us of the many ways creativity is part of learning.

A special thank you to Marney Williams, Marine City Middle School art teacher, for coordinating the artwork and giving our students the opportunity to share their talents with the community.

We look forward to featuring more student artwork from across the district throughout the year. It's always exciting to see the creativity happening in our classrooms!

People's Choice Award Winner - MCMS

Congratulations to Avery Fraley, our People's Choice Award winner for the Art Wall at CO! Thank you to all the amazing artists and everyone who voted and helped celebrate the amazing creativity of our student artists!