Frankenmuth

List Celebrates Kindness During the month of February, List Elementary students and staff emphasized Frankenmuth School District's "Choose Kind" theme. Many activities supported their efforts. First, students and staff took part in the "Great Kindness Challenge" by completing as many random acts of kindness as possible throughout the month. All participants added their hand prints to a canvas to visually illustrate the beauty of being nice. Taking time to say "thank you" was another activity for students. Classrooms wrote "thank you" cards, messages, and pictures to various individuals or community groups as a way to express appreciation for their support. It was not uncommon to see post-it notes or letters hanging around the building expressing gratitude for all people that contribute to our school community. While snow days may delay the celebration, the 100th day of school is pretty special in an elementary building. This year staff members made 100 positive phone calls home to mark the occasion. It was a fun way to remind our parents that their kids positively contribute to the culture of List Elementary. No theme is complete without a "dress up" week. Kindness Spirit Week consisted of "Crazy for Kindness, Kindness Rocks, Powered by Kindness, and Dream of Kindness." Students enjoyed joining in the Comehoming spirit week fun by dressing up like rock stars and superheroes, in their crazy socks and pajamas. To wrap up the month, List families enjoyed watching the movie Wonder in the Bronner Performing Arts Center. This film offered the inspiration for the Frankenmuth School District's theme "Choose Kind." Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant Doris Koopman moved to Frankenmuth in 1989 to live closer to her sons. Prior to that time, she attended business school and became the executive secretary to the president of the DeSoto Motor Corporation. After marrying and staying home to raise their two sons, she went to work for 23 years as a church secretary of her family's parish. Her move to Frankenmuth found her volunteering with the READ program at Wickson Library and that, in turn, led her to join HUGS (Helping Us Grow with Seniors) at List Elementary School. By 1992, she was showing up every day at List School, first as an assistant to classroom teachers and eventually as the Queen of the Copy Room. That room and all of its happenings was her domain for the next 25 years, and she ran it with precision and expertise. It seems noteworthy to mention that Doris was 70 years 'young' when she began her service at List… that's the age when most people are retiring and saying good-bye to the work force! She was always happiest when she could be the one helping others. Students throughout the years became very special to her and she to them. She may not have had any biological grandchildren, but she added another 300+ to her 'family' whenever a new school year began. After celebrating her 95th birthday AND 25 years of service with our school community, Doris decided to turn in her 'resignation' and take some time for herself. Always our Valentine, she passed away on February 14, 2018. She was a remarkable lady who touched all of our hearts, and will forever grace our memories. 16

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