WINNING POSTERS… Watervliet Middle School Student Council red ribbon poster contest winners: (from the left) Back row – Alyssa Brown, Kisstenna Smith, Marissa Lowell, Morgan Lowell; Front row – Keziah White and Dimetric White.

Watervliet Public Schools Calendar of Events

Saturday, November 23 MS Basketball – All teams at Comstock Tournament, Comstock High School: 7th & 8th Grade Maroon, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 7th & 8th Grade White, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 25 MS Boys White Basketball at Coloma, 5:00 & 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26 Elementary School Picture Retakes; 7th Grade Boys White Basketball, Home vs. Lakeshore & 8th Grade Boys White Basketball at Lakeshore, 5:00 p.m.; 7th Grade Boys Maroon Basketball, Home vs. Lakeshore & 8th Grade Boys Maroon Basketball at Lakeshore, 6:00 p.m.; Fall Choir Concert, HS auditorium, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 27 1/2 day ALL BUILDINGS; Fellowship of Christian Athletes, HS, 7:00 a.m. Thursday, November 28 – Friday, November 29 NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

PANTHER OF THE MONTH… These Watervliet North School students have been awarded Panther of the Month for October 2019. They were nominated by various staff members for their hard work, positive attitude and more! Pictured are: (from the left) Back row – Annabelle Barnard, Caroline Weber, Bella Tomlinson and Isabella Clark; Front row – Trinity Reese, Brooklyn Smith and Hailey Adams. Congratulations to all Panthers of the Month – keep up the good work!

Lakeland hospitals achieve A’s in patient safety

Lakeland Medical Center and Lakeland Hospital Niles recently achieved an ‘A’ in the fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Spectrum Health Lakeland’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public. “Year after year we strive to create a culture of safety for our patients,” said Kendall Troyer, MBA, vice president organizational excellence and quality, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “Receiving an ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group is a testament to the important work our team members are doing to improve health care quality and safety every day.” “‘A’ hospitals show us their leadership is protecting patients from preventable medical harm and error,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes genuine commitment at every level – from clinicians to administrators to the board of directors – and we congratulate the teams who have worked so hard to earn this A.” To see Lakeland’s full grade, and how other health systems in the region are performing, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

PANTHER OF THE MONTH… Watervliet North School has awarded Kaylee Bartee (left) and Marihya Cox Panthers of the Month for October 2019.

Lakeland Ear, Nose and Throat welcomes new providers

Lakeland Ear, Nose and Throat is pleased to welcome physician assistant, Jasmine Gillett, PA, and audiologist, Heidi Schmeltzer, CCC-A, to the care team. Gillett and Schmeltzer will see patients alongside Paul Judge, MD, Aaron Lanning, NP, and Dennis Thompson, MD, with practice locations in Niles and St. Joseph. Gillett earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Duke University. Prior to coming to Lakeland, she served as a clinical assistant in Portland, Oregon. Gillett is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Schmeltzer earned a Doctorate of Audiology degree from Western Michigan University. She also holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Prior to her current role she worked as an audiologist at The South Bend Clinic performing and interpreting audiometric, vestibular, and electrophysiology testing for patients of all ages. Providers at Lakeland Ear, Nose, and Throat are trained in the medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 269-982-3368 in St. Joseph or 269-687-2910 in Niles or visit lakelandent.com.

HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL… “Students of the Week” for Nov. 11 – 15, 2019 are: (from the left) 9th Grade – Aurelio Delgado Jr., student of Aurelio & Antania Delgado; 10th Grade – Sarai Ugalde-Pacheco, student of Joel Ugalde; 11th Grade – Aaron Sinclair, student of Shannon & Laura Sinclair; 12th Grade – Evelin Mejia, student of Rebeca Jimenez. Congratulations to these “Students of the Week” and keep up the great work!

Coloma Community Schools Calendar of Events

Friday, November 22 Ninth grade vision screening Monday, November 25 Middle School Boys Basketball vs. Watervliet, 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26 Elementary School picture retakes; Middle School Boys Basketball at Schoolcraft, 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 27 Half day Thursday, November 28 NO SCHOOL

Community Calendar

Ending Friday, Nov. 22 “FOOD DRIVE” held by Watervliet High School Student Council and North & South schools. Items collected will be donated to a local food pantry to help families right here in our community. Anyone who would like to donate can drop off items in the high school guidance office. Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. “LINEN SALE” at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet sponsored by Hospital Auxiliary. Profits go to auxiliary projects at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet. Thursday, Nov. 21, noon “TREE OF LOVE LIGHTING CEREMONY” at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet Lobby. Entertainment & refreshments available; angels & ornaments are available for purchase at the hospital. Nov. 22, 23, 24 “FALL HOLIDAY BAKE SALE” at Annunciation and Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church Social Hall, 18000 Behner Rd, New Buffalo. Traditional Greek pastries plus fall holiday favorites. Friday & Saturday 12-5, Sunday 12-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. “PANCAKE BREAKFAST & BAKE SALE” at Twelve Corners Community Church, 3902 Hicks Ave., Benton Harbor. Cost by donation. Proceeds benefit church building fund. Saturday, Nov. 23, 3 p.m. “MISS TEEN COLOMA PAGEANT” at Coloma High School Auditorium, 300 W. St. Joseph St., Coloma Saturday, Nov. 23, 3 p.m. “ICELAND” presentation at Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor. Cost is $5/person. Kids ages 7-12 can be a part of the Junior Naturalist club, which is meeting on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Cost is $6. Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. “HOLIDAY BAZAAR” at Cortez Carpet building, Main Street, Watervliet in celebration of Shop Small Saturday. Crafters/ Vendors can call Amy at 269-876-1326 to reserve space. Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. “HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW” at Decatur Jr. Sr. High School, 110 Cedar St. sponsored by Decatur Athletic Boosters. Lunch will be available. Admission is non-perishable food items to benefit Decatur Human Services. Saturday, Nov. 30, 1-3 p.m. “AUTHOR VISIT & BOOK SIGNING” by Rosanne Bittner at Back on the Rack, 7746 Red Arrow Hwy., Watervliet Friday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “HOLIDAY BAZAAR” at Blossomland Learning Center, 711 St. Joseph Ave., Berrien Springs. Various items for sale, raffle items and light lunch options; proceeds benefit students. Sunday, Dec. 15 “MISS HARTFORD PAGEANT” at Hartford High School Auditorium Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. “INDOOR SHOP HOP” hosted by Sweet Charity Sewing Group at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St., Niles. Quilting related items for sale from Indiana, Illinois & Michigan vendors. Raffle tickets with paid $5 admission and food by Brew Ha Ha of Niles. Tuesdays 1-5 p.m. “SOCIAL WORK INTERN” at Watervliet District Library, 333 N. Main St. provides assistance with educational opportunities, employment assistance, emergency services, family matters and any other issues that people may need help with. The intern does not give legal advice nor do they counsel people, but they can refer them to agencies that provide these services.