The Highlighter - May 2025

As the school year begins to wind down, May offers us a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication of all our SJPS staff. Your hard work and commitment make a lasting impact on our students and community every day—thank you!

This month, we also pause to honor Memorial Day, remembering the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our country. We are grateful for their sacrifice and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their courage.

Wishing everyone a strong finish to the school year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony Berthiaume
Superintendent
St. Johns Public Schools

Dawn Flynn and DJ Logan - Gateway North Elementary Teachers

Dawn Flynn and DJ Logan have been essential to the students of Gateway North Elementary, both will be retiring at the end of the school year.

Dawn has been teaching for 34 years, 21 years with St. Johns Public Schools. She started teaching in upstate New York before moving to St. Johns where she has taught at Riley, East Olive and Gateway Elementaries along with five years with the MSRP program in St. Johns. She has taught every grade except third with the majority of her career spent in 2nd grade, which she is currently teaching. She has been at Gateway since the rearrangement of Gateway and Oakview schools.

DJ has been teaching for 46 years, all in St. Johns. She started teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grade at Eureka and has been at every building in the district, except for Swegles and Oakview. She has been at Gateway since it opened in 1998 and is currently teaching kindergarten.

What would you most like to share about teaching?

Dawn - “For me teaching is a calling. It's not something that you can teach someone. There is a part of it, part of teaching that is just something that you are born with and you are led to do this and serve. I think the most important part of teaching for me has been the impact, I know, and hope that I’ve had on the children that have passed through my doors.”

DJ - “I also agree with Dawn. Teaching is a calling and I’ve been led by God to be a teacher, since I was in Kindergarten. I wanted to be like my Kindergarten teacher. Along the way, I tried other possible career paths, but those did not pan out and finally I said to my parents “I will pay for my college education myself, If I have to, to be a teacher.” The most important thing I’ve learned in my teaching career is flexibility. There is no year that is like another year, there is no day that is like another day. Everything is different all the time. You have to be flexible, you have to think on your feet and you have to let things go if you make a mistake. Because, we're not perfect, we’re held to a really high standard, but we're not perfect.

What are your future plans?

DJ - "I have a two week old granddaughter, spending time with her and her almost 5 year old sister. I also plan on spending a lot of time at my cabin and just relaxing and chilling, but also there is no way I could survive without doing volunteer work."

Dawn - "We camp a lot, we’ll camp most of the summer. I’m the costume director at the HS and MS and I’ll keep doing that for a while. I just would like to stop and take a breath, and enjoy some time with my family."

Would you like to share a memorable moment?

DJ - “My memorable moment came this year when one of my kids said ‘I didn’t know old people could be good teachers, but you’re killing it.’ It was not from a child I would have ever expected a compliment from."

Dawn - “Our kids are little and short, when you meet them as adults and they remember you. You have to look them in the eye to make that connection. When you meet them as adults, I think that's pretty cool and to get to have a conversation. I had a little one say to me today ‘When you retire, can I call you sometime?’ I thought that was sweet."

Students from the Metals/Welding, CAD Engineering/Architecture, and Wood Technology classes at St. Johns High School recently participated in the MITES (Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society) Competition. In the video above, several students discuss their projects and the awards they received.

We would like to congratulate the inaugural cohort of selected SJPS staff to participate and complete CCRESA's Aspiring Leaders program: Jessica Gleeson (HS Student Success Coach, pictured), Jeremy Colton (MS Science Teacher, pictured), Ellen Marr (Eureka Special Education Teacher), Mackenzie Motz (Gateway Second Grade Teacher, pictured), Cary Whitford (Gateway First Grade Teacher, pictured), Alicia Thelen (Gateway Kindergarten Teacher, pictured)! Six of our SJPS teachers were selected by our administrative team to engage in professional development series designed for educators stepping into new administrative roles or aspiring to become administrators. The county group of educators participated in interactive workshops, gained valuable insights and expertise from a variety of educators, and became part of a collaborative community committed to empowering leaders to reach their full potential to better serve our districts and communities.

During spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, St. Johns High School Senior Josh Fromson utilized his lifeguard training to rescue a drowning individual.

The waves were rough, and a high school-aged boy, accompanied by friends, was being encouraged to venture further into the water. Although he was calling for help, when Josh asked if he needed assistance, the boy replied that he was just joking around.

A few moments later, after noticing that the boy had not returned and had gone completely silent, Josh realized something was wrong. With the large waves making it difficult to determine the boy’s condition, he ventured out to find him. Upon reaching the boy, he discovered he was unresponsive, not speaking and flailing his arms. That’s when Josh pulled him to shore by hand.

Josh, who is lifeguard certified, credits lifeguard instructor Becky Kay for the training that enabled him to recognize the situation and respond swiftly. He learned that when someone goes quiet, it is often the first sign of drowning. He also attributes his ability to help to his years of swimming, particularly as a member of the Redwing varsity swim team, which provided him with the strength and confidence needed in this critical situation.

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to this year's retirees. Your commitment and dedication to the district are truly appreciated. (Click photos for larger images)

Congratulations to the top ten graduates of SJHS. Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and this achievement reflects your commitment to excellence. We are proud of you and look forward to your future successes.

Julia Andretz, Mackenzie Eaton, Dru Feldpausch, Reagan Karasek, Deric Lonsberry, Annaliza McCann, Brenda McCann, Echo Parker, Caroline Parsons, Josephy Sklapsky

Emma Arts, Ramiah Caroland, Paityn Chant, Taylor Cook, Jocelyn Kotowicz, Annaliza McCann, Brenda McCann, Alyssa O’Connor, Tyler Riedel, Ty Wardin.

2025 Senior Scholar Athletes

The CAAC annual Senior Scholar Athlete Awards night was held Wednesday, April 30 at Haslett HS Performing Arts Center. The prestigious award program is sponsored by University of Michigan Health-Sparrow.

Each member school honors the top ten academic achievers from among senior student athletes who received letters in two or more sports during their senior year. Ian Kress of WLNS TV was the event MC with MSU graduate assistant basketball coach and Haslett alum Blake Lampman the keynote speaker. Listed below are the Senior Scholar Athlete recipients for 2025.

https://caacsports.org/senior-scholar-athletes-honored/