Johnston Elementary

This week we are recognizing our school counselor, Mrs. Lor!

Mrs. Heu says, "I am excited to spotlight Yer Lor, our incredible school counselor at Johnston/HAIS!

Yer consistently supports the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students. Through her compassion, calm presence, and dedication, she builds strong relationships with students, families, and staff alike. Whether she is helping students navigate challenges, leading meaningful conversations, supporting attendance and behavior interventions, or simply being a trusted adult, Yer makes a lasting impact every single day.

Her commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment helps our students feel seen, heard, and valued. We are grateful for the care, positivity, and leadership she brings to our school community."

This week we are recognizing one of our Recess/Instructional Paras, Mr. Schneider! 🎉

Mrs. Heu says, "Bryce Schneider does a solid job supporting students and staff at Johnston/HAIS as our Recess/Instructional Paraprofessional. He consistently builds positive relationships with students while helping create a safe, structured, and welcoming environment throughout the school day. Bryce’s calm presence, teamwork, and dedication to students make a meaningful difference each day, and we are grateful to have him as part of the Johnston/HAIS team."

This week we are recognizing Mrs. Cole, one of our Speech & Language Pathologists! 🎉

Mrs. Heu says, "We want to take a moment to recognize Izzy Cole, one of our incredible Speech-Language Pathologists, for the outstanding work she does every day!

Beyond providing high-quality direct services to students, Izzy has also played an integral role in supporting schoolwide systems and creating inclusive opportunities for all learners. She has been a key contributor to the Johnston/HAIS Snack Stand initiative, helping promote authentic student leadership and meaningful inclusion for students with and without disabilities.

Thank you, Izzy, for your dedication, teamwork, and commitment to building an inclusive school community where every student belongs!"

This past Thursday, Johnston and HAIS proudly celebrated Hmong American Day! ❤️💚💙

Our students enjoyed a day full of hands-on learning and fun as they rotated through workshops focused on Hmong history, culture, language, and dance. We honored veterans with ties to our school community and were inspired by amazing performances from the HAIS Hmong Dancers, Blossom Dance Institute, and New Crew Breakdancers.

We wrapped up the celebration with a joyful school-wide Hmong dance led by our very own school counselor, Mrs. Lor!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful day such a special experience for our students and staff, including New HMong Professionals (Pa Der Lee & Long Vue), Fox Valley Literacy (Crystal Thao), Johnston/HAIS School Counselor (Mrs. Lor), HAIS Hmong Heritage Teacher (Mrs. Vang), District Success Coordinators (Meng Kha, Ms. K**e, Keila Cutie), Johnston/HAIS PTO, HAIS Curriculum & Assessment Director (Dr. Thai Xiong), HAIS Board Member (Treasure-Los Chong Vang), Blossom Dance Institute (Angelettes), New Crew Breakdancers, HAIS Hmong Dancers (Lillie Lee), and Qeej Performers (Los Chong Vang and Nue Soua Thao).

This week we are recognizing one of our Recess/Instructional Paras, Ms. Gustin! 🎉

Mrs. Heu says, "Chee Thor-Gustin has been a wonderful asset to Johnston/HAIS through her dedication and leadership. As our recess and instructional paraprofessional, she consistently supports students throughout the day and helps with our 4K before-school program each morning. Chee also led and organized our Talent Show this year, creating a fun event that brought our school community together. In addition, she has shown a strong commitment to family engagement by attending and supporting many of our family events. Thank you, Chee, for being a part of our team!"