09-19-2019 Welcome to the Jungle;

Panther Homecoming Game Friday Night – team photo and merchant salutes on Page 12

WHS HOMECOMING HALLWAY… “Welcome to the Jungle” is WHS Sophomore class hallway interpretation of “The Jungle Book.” Homecoming festivities are underway including, float building, window painting, hall decorating, dress-up days, pep rally and ending with the ever popular Homecoming Dance following Homecoming Parade at 5:30 beginning at Arclight Brewery, and the Watervliet Panther vs Fennville football game. Pulled Pork Dinner will also happen in the high school parking lot from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday with proceeds benefitting the Class of 2022. Pictured is Sophomore class and class advisors, Avery Openneer, Ethan Fish, Jodi Prillwitz, Taylor Harris, Emmaley Thornburg, Jacob Heater, Parker Lanning, Andrew Chisek, Raine Scott, Connor Underwood, Jennell Mason, Madison Harvell, Jake Kroepel, Drew VanLente, David Koshar, Andrew Fish, Alyssa Melcher, Sydney Bartee. Class Advisors, Michelle Cole, Deah Muth, Deanna Heater and Jenny Arend.

Happy 90th Birthday! Lois Latus Open House Sunday The family of Lois Latus would like to invite you to an Open House in honor of her 90th birthday. The celebration will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, at 63791 Fairhope Drive in Hartford.The Open House is hosted by her children. No gifts please, your presence only. Lois was born on September 22, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to Hartford during her junior high years. Lois married Leo (Bud) Latus in 1949. Together they have 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Lois was a dental assistant for Dr. John Laman and Drs. Ed & Sue Liebenthal until her retirement. Please join us as we celebrate this milestone.

THIS KUTE KID IS… sweet little Elaina Lou Kline, a real life Kewpie doll. Elaina’s adoring fans are her mother and father, Brandy Capovilla and Brady Kline. Also in love with her are Aunt Jayme Diehl and Aunt Ashley Kline with Papa Joe Diehl and Grandma Jerri Burke.

Coloma Schools using sinking fund for repairs

By Annette Christie The Coloma School Board of Education is using its sinking fund to keep up on projects needed in their district. At their Monday, Sept. 9 meeting they approved $87,010.64 in overall improvements. In May of 2018, voters in the district approved a sinking fund millage at 1.25 mils for up to 10 years to assist the district in funding much-needed repairs and maintenance to their facilities. The fund allows administrators to adequately plan for the long-term given steady funding that the millage will provide. Approved at the meeting were repairs and improvements to the gym hallway floor, high school locker maintenance,, paint project for the lockers, geotechnical services, and the addition of materials and cameras for an upgraded security project district wide.

Start of school year reviewed School administrators provided overviews for how the beginning of the school year went. Most of them were able to say that attendance exceeded their expectations and adjustments were being made to class schedules, staffing, etc., to accommodate. Elementary Principal John Klein noted that they will be adding an additional Kindergarten classroom. Intermediate Principal Karra Hafer was pleased to announce that their school had 80% attendance to the ice cream social which they were very pleased with. They are looking forward to the Back-to-School night which will be held on September 17, 6-7 p.m. This event will be for parents only. Junior High Principal Wendy Tremblay was also pleased with the percentage of participants at their open house. They are continuing to work on some schedule changes, but otherwise the start of the year went well. As with the high school staff, Tremblay said, they are working on enforcing restrictions to cell phone use during the school day. Student cell phones are to be locked in their school lockers for the school day with the exception of the lunch time. High School Principal Mike Churchill commended the high school teachers during his update and discussed the class rotation that takes place at the high school. “Teachers have been so flexible, I am very proud of them,” Churchill said. Students at the high school have rotating class time that allows them to focus on specific class areas that they may need additional time in. “Peer tutoring, reading, and small teaching groups take place during this time,” Churchill said. He noted that Homecoming will be September 27. The Student Council takes the lead on what is known as Spirit Week, which is celebrated district wide. On Friday, all students recognize Spirit Day and there is a district wide pep assembly that promotes a “united as one” attitude.

Student Washington D.C. trip High school student Bernabe Guzman-Hidalgo approached the board about a high school trip that high school students had an opportunity to go on last year. The trip was spearheaded by History teacher Mrs. Hodges. In all, 12 students visited Washington D.C. and the surrounding area. Guzman-Hidalgo thanked the board for the opportunity to go on the life-changing trip. He said that the trip allowed him to see beyond Coloma, to achieve higher, and obtain greatness larger than he ever imagined. The students experienced airport security, protestors, a Supreme Court hearing, changing of the guard, the National Cathedral, the Holocaust Museum and so much more. Principal Churchill said that he would like to see this become a bi-annual trip that is open to more students. Last year’s trip was a first of that kind.

PTO reports on ice cream social a success The PTO thanked the board for participating in the ice cream social which allowed parents to actually attend the event with their children as they met their teachers. It was very well attended and the PTO spokesperson said that they were able to obtain names and contact information for many more volunteers. Noting that the volunteers are always wanting to help, she told the board that the call came out needing parents to help with kindergarten lunch, and as they reached out the response was amazing. “They are just little people who need some help getting used to things and once they get the routine, they will be fine,” the spokesperson said.