We would like you to know more about your KARSP Executive Board. In the Spotlight, is:

                                 NAN PALM – KARSP, Nominations

I came to Kalamazoo in 1969,  and was assigned to Northglade Elementary School where I taught first grade for over three decades.  Northglade was a K-6 neighborhood school at that time.  The year before bussing was mandated, Northglade,  and West Main Elementary participated in a Model School program where students from each school had an opportunity to volunteer to integrate.

 I along with other staff members had to go to homes, and ask parents if they were interested in participating in this new program.  It was a successful endeavor.  At one home that I visited the family had quite a few kittens, and it did not take much persuasion for me to take a kitten home with me, and they consented to let their child participate in the Model School Program. 

When bussing was mandated, Northglade became a K-3 school, because it was located on the northside, many westside parents assumed it was an older building similar to Lincoln, and Woodward, but when they visited the school they were pleasantly surprised. 

Some of my favorite things to do with children was to have them learn, and recite poetry from such notables as Gwendlyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, and others. The children learned words and phrases in other languages, and first graders absolutely loved learning the names of the fifty states in alphabetical order, and reciting them.   We would then singing the Fifty-Nifty United States song at an assembly. 

Special occasions such as multicultural day were recognized, and parents were invited in to share their culture. In April, on Earth Day flower seeds were planted so that on Mother’s Day the children would proudly take their seedlings home. 

When I retired in 2010, I joined KARSP and found it to be a great way to stay involved.  The KARSP programs were inspiring and informative. Mary Ann Fleming was the Nominating Chair, and I served on her committee for two years.  On her way out she said “I told the executive board that you are the Nominating chair.”   It would be helpful to have at least two committee members to help

find members to take on leadership roles so that KARSP continues 

to be the strong organization it is now. Come join us!