Spring 2020

Rapidly changing information, disbelief, fear, and confusion hit EMS in early March as much of the rest of the country began its own journey with COVID-19. Our last “normal’’ day of school was Thursday, March 12, when students departed for what they thought would be a long weekend, wrapping up third quarter. From March 18…

Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends shared 98 gifts totaling $26,920 for the April 22 #FlamesStrong Giving Day for our COVID-19 Aid Fund. Additional gifts brought the fund to $31,448 as of May 11. EMS committed to supporting families experiencing coronavirus related hardships. Gifts are still welcome! easternmennonite.org/support The engraved brick pavers celebrating students, alumni,…

Principal Justin King delivered yard signs, caps, and gowns to each senior’s home in late May. Senior presentations, an important milestone and culmination of Kingdom Living class, took place this year on Google Meet with invited guests. Teachers and administrators cheered the seniors on Friday, June 5, as they drove through the auditorium lot to…

Creative Classrooms Teachers navigated PowerSchool Learning Management System, various video-making tools, Google Meet, Zoom, and other technologies to deliver creative content and engage with students 1:1 and in groups. See videos from many of these activities on the EMS YouTube channel. CLASS WORK INCLUDED: A smoothie making lab in each person’s kitchen with Ms. Haarer…

Nothing I have done in my 30+ years as an educator and school administrator compares to the challenges brought by COVID-19. As a small private school, EMS was uniquely positioned to nimbly respond to our students’ social and emotional well being, as well as educational needs. Thanks to the diligent work and commitment of our…