Three Lakes Academy

06/15/2026

Check out the super sale at Curtis Self Storage Building this Thursday, June 18th starting at 8:30am! It's located at W17140 US2, right next to Bob's on the corner of US-2 and H-33 in Gould City.

Lots of antiques, furniture, dressers, vintage mason jars, lamps, jackets, fishing items, coolers, sewing tables, glassware, bed frames, and so much more. Everything you can think of including the kitchen sink (there are at least 3!).

A big thanks to Joe Blanchard Sr. for putting this on. All the proceeds from the sale will be donated to TLA!

He adds to his inventory on a weekly basis and there's always something new, unique, and interesting to see for the person just looking to peruse or for those looking to add to their vintage collection.

06/11/2026

Please contact Rachel Bommarito at 906-586-6631 or [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about joining our team!

06/09/2026

Our school year has come to an end, but our growing season is just getting started! Students have been working EXTRA hard with Mrs. Pelletier the last few weeks to beautify the front of school & get the gardens back in shape. Students started seeds indoors in late winter; and last week, planted all of the baby plants in the garden beds.

-262 hardworking hands (mostly small), -countless weeds pulled,

-so many bucket loads of mulch

-LOTS of hours later

She’s ready to grow produce for the cafeteria next school year and beautiful flowers all season long!

Sincerest gratitude to:

-Clayton Haskin / Haskin Tree Service for a generous donation of fresh mulch and some extra help with finishing landscaping and mini-tutorials showing students how to use garden tools to help maneuver mulch.

- Walther Farms Newberry seed division for their donation of a new garden cart for hauling around our tools & supplies.

-Mrs. Laura Brady/ Curtis TruValue hardware for donating sunflower seeds & seed starting mix ingredients.

-Mr. Joe Miller for donating our new arch trellis to support our vining plants.

-Mrs. Deb Zellar for her generous donation to our STREAM program.

-Mrs. Sue Pann & Ms. Tammy Trupp for giving of their time & talents in getting our greenhouse closer to functional and customized for student use.

We are SO grateful for the love and support of our local community! ❤️

You help to make all this possible!

Happy growing! 🌱

06/05/2026

Staff Spotlight: Missy Mills

Administrative Assistant | 4 Years at TLA

If you had met Missy as a child, you might have found her swimming with dolphins as a marine biologist, caring for patients as a nurse, or running a classroom as a teacher. Somehow, life took a different turn and landed her at TLA—where she has managed to be all three at various times: scientist, caregiver, and educator.

But those job titles only tell part of the story.

By day, Missy serves as TLA’s Administrative Assistant. By night (and occasionally during slow moments), she transforms into a world-class detective. Missing jacket? Mysterious hallway incident? Unexplained disappearance of a lunchbox? Missy can often be found reviewing camera footage with the intensity of a crime show investigator, determined to crack the case. Some say she knows more about what happens in the building than the building itself.

When she’s not solving mysteries, Missy enjoys singing and has performed in numerous plays and productions. If TLA ever decides to become a musical, she’s already audition-ready.

Missy also has an unexpected side hustle: holistic health coaching. Before joining TLA, she managed nutrition services for a neurology clinic in Wyoming, proving that she can discuss healthy eating just as confidently as she can discuss playground investigations.

As for her spirit animal? The lion. Fierce, loyal, protective, and confident—qualities that anyone who knows Missy would quickly recognize. Though some might argue her spirit animal is actually a detective lion with access to security cameras.

When asked what she loves most about TLA, her answer is simple: everything. The students keep her laughing, her coworkers make every day easier, and the school feels like home. In fact, she admits that leaving this year is bittersweet. The children have brought her endless smiles, and the relationships she has built here have left a lasting mark on her heart.

While we may lose our resident detective, singer, health coach, and unofficial custodial-job applicant, Missy’s impact on TLA will not be forgotten. And if anything mysterious happens after she leaves, we’ll know exactly who to call.

Thank you, Missy, for four wonderful years of laughter, care, dedication, and expert-level investigative work. 🦁🎤🔍❤️

06/05/2026

Earlier this week, 2nd grade students enjoyed the Pendills Creek Fish Hatchery and a sunny day at the beach ☀️.

06/05/2026

TOMORROW! Happy last day of school, Bobcats!
-Stations start at 9:15 for anyone interested in joining.
-Lunch will be provided to all
-If kids plan to get wet they should bring a towel.
-School will be dismissed at 12:30.

Please see the flyer below for details on our TLA Fun Day on the last day of school!

These flyers will come home with kids next week.

06/04/2026

Newberry Youth Volleyball Camp is open to TLA students, too! Registration closes Sunday.

06/04/2026

Staff Spotlight: Rachel Bommarito

Name: Rachel Bommarito
Position: Administrator
Years with TLA: 16 years of keeping things running smoothly (and probably finding things everyone else loses).

Once Upon a Time...

Like many future educators, young Rachel dreamed of becoming a teacher. Little did she know that one day she'd be helping lead a school community while also mastering skills usually reserved for grandmas with decades of experience.

When Rachel isn't busy at TLA, she can often be found perfecting her collection of "grandma crafts." Knitting? Check. Crocheting? Check. Making earrings? Absolutely. If there's a craft involving yarn, beads, or patience, chances are Rachel has already mastered it.

But perhaps her most unusual talent is one that doesn't usually make it onto a résumé: professional night crawler picker. If there were an Olympic event for finding worms, Rachel might just bring home the gold medal.

Spirit Animal: Gorilla 🦍

Rachel's spirit animal isn't a graceful gazelle or a majestic eagle—it's a gorilla. Why? According to her husband, she's "burly." And the evidence doesn't stop there. When her son was a baby, he'd point at pictures of gorillas in books and proudly announce, "Mama!" Most people would be offended. Rachel embraced it. After all, gorillas are strong, intelligent, protective, and family-oriented—so we'll call that a compliment.

Ask Rachel what she loves about TLA, and be prepared for a long answer. At the top of the list are the people: the students, the staff, and the families who make TLA feel like home.

After 16 years, countless crafts, thousands of night crawlers, and a lifetime honorary membership in the Gorilla Club, Rachel continues to be an important part of the TLA family. We're lucky to have her! 💙🦍🧶

Should Rachel make it to 20 years we should strongly consider changing our school mascot from Bobcats to Silverbacks.

06/03/2026

Our Tattoo Fundraiser was a huge success! At the meeting this morning, staff put on over 180 tattoos! Thank you so much to all the students and parents for participating and growing the staff fund.

06/03/2026

Last night our Kindergarten and Sixth Grade classes had their graduation ceremony. We are so proud of you Kindergarten and can't wait to see you next year. Congratulations to Sixth Grade, we wish you all the best!