Mary Beth Armstrong will soon begin her new position as the Lead Teacher (facilitating director) for the 2008 Lime Springs Wisdom & Wellness Program. 
    Armstrong, from the Harmony, Minn. area, is also a new preschool teacher for Lime Springs/Chester Elementary and Ridgeway Elementary. She previously taught in the Elma Wisdom & Wellness Summer Program.
    “Mary Beth will be a nice addition to the Howard-Winneshiek Community School staff,” said Rob Hughes, principal at Elma Elementary Charter School and Lime Springs Elementary School. “Her enthusiasm and care for preschool education is outstanding. We are very pleased to have her join our school community.”
    Armstrong will serve as the facilitating director for the first two weeks of the Wisdom & Wellness Program. She will assist in helping the students through the free USDA food service, free breakfast and lunch for any child, 2-19 years old, and will help walk children to the ecumenical vacation bible school. 
    Armstrong will also assist teachers as needed throughout the Wisdom & Wellness Program.
    Armstrong will also teach and facilitate the Party in the Park offering. This program promotes health, wellness and the celebration of city parks in Lime Springs. The Party in the Park is offered in the last session from July 21 - Aug. 1. Students will develop life skills as they visit and play in the parks. 
    “I am so thrilled to be a part of such a fantastic enrichment program. The collaboration among communities and schools is outstanding,” Armstrong said.
    “Being able to offer free classes from 9 to 11 a.m., plus free breakfast and lunch is amazing. Not many school districts get the chance to offer such a program for their students. Thanks largely in part to the USDA grant, we are able to add a service that not only is convenient, but reinforces the good health that we strive to instill in our students,” she said.
    Another addition to the 2008 Wisdom & Wellness Program is Angel Dietz.  Dietz will teach a course entitled “ABC and 123....preschool is the place for me!” The class is open to kids ages 3 through 5. This course replaces last year’s 3 to Get Ready, 4 to Go course.
    The 3 through 5-year-old classes have been very popular, Hughes said. Many families appreciate the opportunity to have an introduction to the educational setting.
    Dietz is preparing to move to the Lime Springs / Chester Elementary School for preschool services this fall. Armstrong and Dietz will offer preschool services at the elementary school.
    “The summer sessions and participation of both preschool teachers will be a great opportunity for the incoming preschool students to get to know Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Dietz prior to the 2008 - 2009 school year,” Hughes said.
    Dietz said that she thought this “would be a great opportunity for both Spring Ahead Preschool and Howard-Winneshiek CSD in terms of getting kids in for the summer [and ready for] the fall.”
    Registration forms for the 2008 Wisdom and Wellness Summer Enrichment Program are at the Lime Springs Library and Grain and Feed. Students may also register by calling Armstrong at 507-259-5042.
    The program, which runs from July 7 to Aug. 1, is free for all children. The third and fourth sessions still have openings offered at Lime Springs / Chester Elementary School. School officials would like all registrations in by July 2 to ensure that they can adequately accommodate children with the supplies needed for the class. Registration will continue up to the first day of classes. 
    The Wisdom and Wellness Program is a collaboration between the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District, ISU Extension - 4H, and the local communities.    
    “This is an amazing program. It is tremendous that the H-W communities are so supportive in seeing the program through. The children greatly benefit from these services,” Hughes said. 
    “Hopefully we can have as many children and families take advantage of the free fun and educational activities, along with the free breakfasts and lunches. The grants from our local foundations (Elma Community Foundation, Grace Hughes Foundation, and the Howard County Foundation), CPPC (Community Partnerships for Protecting Children), business partners, and fiscal donors are greatly appreciated,” he said.
    “I, along with the schools, communities and ISU, am pleased to be able to offer these magnificent classes to the students in our district. This is a wonderful and free opportunity that I hope no one passes up,” Armstrong said.