Coloma School District stays School of Choice

By Annette Christie

The Coloma School Board concurred to continue as School of Choice District.  Superintendent Pete Bush told the board at their April 17 meeting that they could potentially take up to 145 additional students.

The number of openings include 20 in kindergarten, 10 in first grade, 20 in second grade, five each in third through fifth grades, 15 in sixth, 20 in seventh, 10 in eighth, 15 in ninth, 10 in tenth, and five each in grades 11 and 12.  Students admitted as “Schools of Choice” do not have to seek permission from their resident district and may reside in Berrien, Van Buren, or the Lewis Cass Intermediate School districts.  Once accepted, they will have to apply every year to remain but will be given preference.

The district received confirmation that they have been selected for a state grant that will allow for additional counseling for its older students.  The College Advisor will focus on juniors and seniors and their post high school career centered plans, not just for those students going on to college.  The grant application was a joint application with the Watervliet School District meaning they will each fund $15,000 of the expense of the position for the three-year grant cycle.  This will be a full-time position shared by the two districts.

The district will have representation at an upcoming job fair being held at Grand Valley State University.  The district will be filling six teaching positions (as of now) for the upcoming school year.

The board also approved a junior high level credit proposal as recommended by Junior High Principal Peter Olsen and Bush.  The concept is to attach required credits for the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to better prepare them for their high school years.  Olsen said that the concept will offer more flexibility for its students, help them to stay on track academically, and help combat the skill deficit vs. will deficit common amongst that age group.

Students at these grade levels will be required to pass two-thirds of their classes to move on to another grade and must pass the grade level classes that progress with each year such as math.  Olsen said that there will be plenty of ways for a student to make up for a class that he or she has failed such as through summer school or a test out option.  The concept will be adequately communicated to the parents and students alike prior to the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.  Board member Robert Hirsch commended Olsen and Bush for seeing this through, “This concept came up 30-40 years ago but it never went anywhere due to various people, I’m glad you are going to make this happen,” Hirsch said.

EGGS FOR ALL… Freshwater Church in Coloma held their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter morning. There were eggs and prizes for all 216 kids that came.

Senior Services

Hartford United Methodist Church

425 E. Main St., Hartford

 Monday, April 24 – Coffee & conversation, 10:00 a.m.; LUNCH, 12:30 p.m.; Cards, 1:00 p.m.; Bingo, 1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25 – Coffee & conversation, 10:00 a.m.; LUNCH, 12:30 p.m.; Cards & Computer help, 1:00 p.m.; Knitting & crocheting, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, April 28 – Coffee & conversation, 10:00 a.m.; LUNCH, 12:30 p.m.; Cards, 1:00 p.m.; Knitting, crocheting & needlework, 1:30 p.m.

All seniors, age 60 and older, residing in Van Buren County are eligible to participate in these programs and activities.

Any questions or comments, please contact Senior Services Paw Paw office at 269-655-8000. Rides are available through Van Buren Public Transit with no less than 24-hour advance notice at (269) 427-7921.

Evening of Elegance!

Senior Services is hosting a dinner dance at the Lawton Lions Heritage Community Center, 646 N. Nursery Street, Lawton, on Sunday, April 30. The “Evening of Elegance” will begin at 5 p.m. with tasty appetizers. Dinner, provided in part by La Cantina Restorante, Paw Paw, will be served at 6 p.m., followed by entertainment and dancing at 7 p.m. Formal attire is encouraged but not required. A Live Auction will take place with proceeds benefiting Senior Services. Admission for this event is $25/ticket or $45 for two. Tickets are available for purchase at the Paw Paw Center, La Cantina or by calling Noreen at 269-271-0596.

TEAM CAJIR CROSSFIT… took on the grueling 2017 Kal-Haven Trail Ultra Marathon Run Saturday, April 8. The 33.5 mile event takes runners from Kalamazoo’s 10th Street Trail-head west to South Haven along the decommissioned railroad trail. Pictured (from the left): Chad Chrzanowski, Kari Selleck and Vannessa Wilmoth made the trek with Wilmoth leading the trio at 6:15:05.1 fi-nishing 62nd, Chrzanowski 67th with a time of 6:26:31.6 and Selleck at 7:02:48.9 in the 103rd slot. All three runners credit their time spent in Hartford’s CAJIR CrossFit Gym building the strength and endurance to cover a cross-country course 7.5 miles longer than the world-renowned Boston Marathon. The event supports Kalamazoo Area Girls on the Run.

WHS hosting MITES Student Project Regional Competition, May 5 & 6

 Watervliet High School Industrial Arts is proudly hosting MITES (Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society) Student Project Regional Competition on Friday, May 5, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 6, 8 a.m. – 12 noon.

The public is invited to see the amazing student made projects that have been entered into the MITES competition from many schools. There will be hundreds of unique projects on display in the high school gymnasium for your viewing pleasure! Cameras are welcome.

For more information, contact instructor Karl Shafer at (517)812-2874 or by email to kshafer@watervlietps.org. Like the Facebook page “Watervliet High School Industrial Technology” or follow on Twitter @Watervlietwood.

Annual rummage sale at Living Word Church of God

 The Living Word Church of God will have its annual rummage sale on Friday, April 21, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Proceeds from this event go to the church youth camp.

Items in the sale include furniture, kids’ clothes, household items and tons of miscellaneous.

Any questions, please contact Denice Davis at 269-468-3881.

The church is located at 6993 Red Arrow Hwy in Coloma.

Books are Fun sale returning to Lakeland Hospital Watervliet

 On Thursday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, April 28 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Books are Fun sale is sponsored by Lakeland Hospital Watervliet Auxiliary.

This is a perfect opportunity to get some spring and Mother’s Day shopping done right in the hospital interim room. They will accept checks, credit cards and Lakeland employees can use the convenient payroll deduction.

Michael Van Horn publishes book on Christianity

 Michael Van Horn (Ph.D.) from Coloma, recently had a book published entitled “Within My Heart.” The book illustrates how modern Christianity has been shaped into what it is today. He shows how many modern Christians have come to love the religion of the heart.

Van Horn graduated from Coloma High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids. After that he studied for his master’s degrees at Calvin College and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. His Doctor of Philosophy is from the University of Wales, Lampeter.

Dr. Van Horn has pastured several churches in Michigan and served as Professor of Theology at North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.