Unity Elementary is offering a "Parent Academy" to offer advice on teaching lessons that parents and children can do together at home. Like using shaving cream to practice letters and writing, playdough to make shapes and practice counting, and magnetic letters on a cookie tray to learn to spell. The parent was given a stocking full of learning tools for each of their students to take home.

Winkler adds, “It’s about Unity staff getting together and trying something new. All of us are beginners so we’re all starting from ground one and it kinds of makes us feel like students. We’re trying a new task. We’re going step by step. We’re listening to directions, at least trying to. And then we’re going to come out of here with some great product that we can share or laugh about.”

It was an ice cream party for kids at Unity Elementary School Friday afternoon for students kindergarten through 4^th grade that have excelled with the “i-Ready” software programs. “i-Ready” assists the kids in math and reading on a level that suits them and then guides them into a higher learning level. The students and educators like the progress it gives them.

At Lima City Schools Unity Elementary, students made their way from room to room for a handful of fun projects. Cards being made for area nursing home residents, holiday jeopardy being played full of trivia knowledge, and even time spent with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each of the students got a Spartan Bag full of goodies to take home. The day is always a great experience for everyone in the building.