Cape St. Claire Kindergarten Teacher Retiring

A retirement party for Cynthia Koontz, a kindergarten teacher at , will be held Wednesday.

Parents whose lives were touched by Koontz' career as a teacher are organizing a celebration for her on Wednesday in Cape St. Claire. Raquel Shutt, a parent, is asking other parents to submit photos and letters from their children as a going-away present.

"Our dear Mrs. Koontz is taking flight into retirement," Shutt wrote in an email to area parents. "She turned many caterpillars into butterflies during her years at the Cape. Please help us celebrate her contribution to our community and our children…the most precious piece of our lives."

The celebration is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Cape Clubhouse, 1223 River Bay Rd., Cape St. Claire.

"We are trying to create a memory book for her, like she did for so many of us," Shutt wrote. "The price of admission is a drawing, note or letter from your child and/or yourself. These will be placed in a notebook with each item in a separate plastic cover."

Appetizers and baked goods are being sought for the celebration. Those interested in contributing may email Kristin Hartman.

Karen Collins, a parent, will be putting a slide show together for the celebration, as well. Anyone with pictures of Koontz and her time as teacher is urged to email Collins.

For additional information, contact Raquel Shutt via email.