Fourth grade teacher Jim Ackles talked to parents and students Thursday night during the Brandywine Elementary Open House.

“This is much deeper than teaching — this is touching their souls,” he said of his job. Ackles will have 29 students in his class this year.

Principal Tim Bagby also spoke to families in the gym prior to their classroom tours. “These are historic times in education,” he said. “It is more important than ever before that as parents you partner with us to make it happen.”

The school has received an “A” three consecutive years on its report card from the State of Michigan.