South Haven News

By Claire Minor

On Sep. 8, 2025, South Haven Schools had their first “Rise and Shine” of the year! For those of you who don’t know what Rise and Shine is, it is a program that takes place in the first hour of school that allows the students to wake up and start the day off right. But the goal of Rise and Shine is to bring everyone together, celebrate each other, learn new things, utilize resources to make the best experience for the student body and staff, and of course to have fun!

Rise and Shine will be once a month and will recognize birthdays and character traits. This month’s character trait was “Leadership”. This reward was given to students who were seen being leaders around and out of school. The students who receive the reward will be able to get something at Muffin Top, our local bakery. The staff voted on who should get it and those students were: Tennyson Dark, Arallia Wartick, Chandler Fitch, Holden Fitch, Micah Aguilar, Alexa Betzen, Audrina Kimzey, Natalie Betzen, and Lila Kupka.

Even though there was Rise and Shine last year, it is a tad bit different this year. Last year they focused on elementary students and this year they decided to incorporate high school and junior high students as well. This makes it different because they are involving the entire district with students of all ages and staff along with now meeting in the gym for activities and challenges. It was said that it was nice that the whole school is one building so that it is easier to get everyone together.

The principal at South Haven Schools, Zane Aguilar, said that Rise and Shine is a great opportunity to introduce younger students to older students and become more united in the school despite their age. Aguilar and Title I educator, Kalli Nicholson, said that they assumed that they will continue to do Rise and Shine after this year and for as long as possible. They said he can’t see a reason for it being discontinued. 

Rise and Shine is an amazing opportunity for South Haven Schools to come together and make some memories. Let’s hope that this program can continue for as long as possible for the benefit of the students!

With all of that being said, here is the aftermath of the first Rise and Shine of the year!

Next month’s character trait is “Kindness and Compassion.”

REMINDER: If you would like to stay up-to-date with the events that South Haven Schools are involved with, check out Usd509 South Haven on Facebook/Instagram or https://www.usd509.org/!