{"id":22,"date":"2019-07-23T14:05:25","date_gmt":"2019-07-23T14:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.clayshowalter.com\/?page_id=22"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:25:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T14:25:58","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<p>OUR CURRENT ISSUE:<\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"issuem_title\">Summer 2026<\/div>\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"issuem_articles_shortcode\"><div class=\"issuem_article article-1137\">\n<div class=\"issuem_img\"><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/better-teaching-begins-with-caring\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-1024x522.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-768x391.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-1536x783.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__003_IMGL1113-2048x1044.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"issuem_text\">\r\n<h3><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/better-teaching-begins-with-caring\/\">Better Teaching Begins With Caring<\/a><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"issuem_article_content\">At EMS, genuine care for students\u2019 well-being and growth is the bedrock for education. This philosophy is embodied by Jodi Nisly '91 Hertzler, English teacher, senior class sponsor, and college counselor since 2014. Hertzler\u2019s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her own experiences as an EMS student, where the connections she made with her&hellip;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"issuem_article article-1140\">\n<div class=\"issuem_img\"><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/transition-with-confidence-5th-grade\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5th-Grade-graduation-2026-100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5th-Grade-graduation-2026-100.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5th-Grade-graduation-2026-100-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5th-Grade-graduation-2026-100-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5th-Grade-graduation-2026-100-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5th-Grade-graduation-2026-100-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"issuem_text\">\r\n<h3><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/transition-with-confidence-5th-grade\/\">Transition With Confidence &#8211; 5th Grade<\/a><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"issuem_article_content\">Our 5th grade celebration provides an opportunity for students to deliver speeches in front of their peers, younger students, families, and teachers. As they transition from elementary school to the next middle school stage in their educational journey, they know that their voices will be heard. They do not need to do anything extraordinary to&hellip;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"issuem_article article-1142\">\n<div class=\"issuem_img\"><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/ready-for-whats-next-12th-grade\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-1024x541.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-768x406.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-1536x811.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMSGradSocial__008_IMGL1764-2048x1082.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"issuem_text\">\r\n<h3><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/ready-for-whats-next-12th-grade\/\">Ready for What&#8217;s Next &#8211; 12th Grade<\/a><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"issuem_article_content\">A hands-on high school internship provides challenging and enriching opportunities that complement other EMHS distinctives like the capstone Senior Presentation project and E-Term (Experiential Learning Week). The blend of academic rigor and practical experiences, guided by dedicated mentors, helps students identify interests and make informed future choices. This liberal arts high school experience allows exploration&hellip;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"issuem_article article-1144\">\n<div class=\"issuem_img\"><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/bringing-new-ideas-8th-grade\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8th-Grade-graduation-2026-201.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8th-Grade-graduation-2026-201.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8th-Grade-graduation-2026-201-300x155.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8th-Grade-graduation-2026-201-1024x528.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8th-Grade-graduation-2026-201-768x396.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"issuem_text\">\r\n<h3><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/bringing-new-ideas-8th-grade\/\">Bringing New Ideas &#8211; 8th Grade<\/a><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"issuem_article_content\">The 8th grade celebration marks a significant transition for students as they prepare to enter high school. It\u2019s not just about completing this phase of education; it\u2019s about recognizing the unique qualities and experiences that each student brings to their future endeavors. Teachers give specific reflections for every student sharing a personal insight for them&hellip;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"issuem_article article-1146\">\n<div class=\"issuem_img\"><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/supporting-the-ems-experience\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1632\" height=\"995\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Christmas-Fund-Drive-For-Web-1015.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Christmas-Fund-Drive-For-Web-1015.jpg 1632w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Christmas-Fund-Drive-For-Web-1015-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Christmas-Fund-Drive-For-Web-1015-1024x624.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Christmas-Fund-Drive-For-Web-1015-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Christmas-Fund-Drive-For-Web-1015-1536x936.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1632px) 100vw, 1632px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"issuem_text\">\r\n<h3><a class=\"issuem_article_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/article\/supporting-the-ems-experience\/\">Supporting the EMS Experience<\/a><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"issuem_article_content\">Advancement The stories of student growth and alumni success in these pages are a direct result of your generosity and partnership. We are deeply grateful for your continued support. This year, Christmas Fund Drive and Great Community Give highlighted the generosity of our alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends who make EMS strong. Your generous spirit&hellip;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t<p>TODAY is published and mailed three times a year. The online version includes feature articles from each issue. To receive a full print copy by mail, email <a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/ailto:today@easternmennonite.org\">today@easternmennonite.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>TODAY creative team: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/facultystaff\/abigail-cook\/\">Abigail Cook<\/a>, writer and editor;<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/facultystaff\/trisha-blosser\/\">Trisha Maust &#8217;95 Blosser<\/a>, editorial support;<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/facultystaff\/paul-leaman\/\">Paul Leaman<\/a>, head of school.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Send feedback to <a href=\"mailto:today@easternmennonite.org\">today@easternmennonite.org<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tPast issues\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"issuem_archives_shortcode\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div id=\"issue-44\" class=\"issuem_archive issuem-archives-issue \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-issue-cover\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"featured_archives_cover\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 268px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/issue\/summer-2026\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/today_cover_2026_summer_43.3-200x268.jpg\" class=\"attachment-issuem-cover-image size-issuem-cover-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-issue-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/issue\/summer-2026\/\">Summer 2026<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-pdf-link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issue-download-pdf-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EMS_Today-Summer-2026-digital-sm.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download PDF<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div id=\"issue-43\" class=\"issuem_archive issuem-archives-issue \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-issue-cover\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"featured_archives_cover\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 268px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/issue\/winter-2026\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/today_cover_2026_winter_43.2-200x268.jpg\" class=\"attachment-issuem-cover-image size-issuem-cover-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-issue-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/issue\/winter-2026\/\">Winter 2026<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-pdf-link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issue-download-pdf-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/EMS_Today-Winter_2026_digital-sm.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download PDF<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div id=\"issue-42\" class=\"issuem_archive issuem-archives-issue \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-issue-cover\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"featured_archives_cover\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 268px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/issue\/fall-2025\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/today_cover_2025_fall_43.1-200x268.jpg\" class=\"attachment-issuem-cover-image size-issuem-cover-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-issue-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/issue\/fall-2025\/\">Fall 2025<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issuem-archives-pdf-link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"issue-download-pdf-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EMS_TODAY-fall-2025-web-sm.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download PDF<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"next_previous_archive_pagination\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22?paged=2\"> Next Archives<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OUR CURRENT ISSUE: TODAY is published and mailed three times a year. The online version includes feature articles from each issue. To receive a full print copy by mail, email today@easternmennonite.org &nbsp; TODAY creative team: Abigail Cook, writer and editor; Trisha Maust &#8217;95 Blosser, editorial support; Paul Leaman, head of school. Send feedback to today@easternmennonite.org&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-22","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1156,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22\/revisions\/1156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}