12-13-2018 Local libraries expand borrowing privileges; Good things happening in Coloma Schools

PEOPLE’S CHOICE… winning the People’s Choice Christmas tree decorating contest competition at the North Berrien Historical Museum Open House was the HOPE Resources entry. Visitors viewed the 32 trees and voted on their favorites. Here are the results from the weekend – 1st Place: HOPE Resources with 49 votes; 2nd Place: Cutting Corners with 38 votes; 3rd Place: Coloma Lioness with 36 votes; 4th Place/Honorable Mention: Honor Credit Union with 35 votes. For more on the Museum Open House celebration see the thank you letter on Page 5.

Local libraries expand borrowing privileges

Van Buren District Library and Watervliet District Library are expanding borrowing privileges for their members through a recently signed reciprocal agreement. The agreement gives residents in each district’s legal service area greater access to a variety of services, including books, DVDs, and ebooks for all ages. “A reciprocal borrowing agreement with Watervliet makes good sense,” Library Director Dan Hutchins says. “It’s just a few minutes’ drive from our branches in Covert and Lawrence. We’re pleased to extend borrowing privileges to communities with whom we share a border.” Sharon Crotser-Toy, Watervliet District Library Director agrees. “We are excited to offer the community this connection to our neighboring library system. Sharing services goes to the heart of what libraries are about. Everyone benefits.”

MARRIED 250 YEARS… These five couples joined each other at the Waterfront-Club Rocadero on December 2, 2018 to celebrate the fact each of them have been married for fifty years. Couples pictured (from the left): Jerri (Hurt) and Bill Williams, married September 14, 1968; Sharon (Warsko) and Ed Koshar, married September 28, 1968; Margie (Claus) and Steve Chappel, married May 25, 1968; Diane (Smith) and Terry Tibbs, married December 14, 1968; Vicki (Smith) and Dave Brinker, married November 9, 1968. Terry Tibbs and the Williams are graduates from Hartford. Diane Tibbs, the Koshars, Chappels and Brinkers are all classmates together, and graduated from Watervliet High School in 1966.

Good things happening in Coloma Schools

By Annette Christie Plenty of good things are happening at Coloma Public Schools and their School Board meeting on December 10 overflowed with it. Most of the administrators recapped that holiday band and choir concerts either had or were going to occur in the coming week. The High School After Prom Committee is looking at possibly adding an elephant ear food truck to their event. The Mr. and Miss Coloma Pageant is being held January 5 in the auditorium and CHS Senior Savannah Perez approached the board about a fun event for the seniors to attend. Senior trip Perez told the board that she has attended Coloma Public Schools all of her school life and that she was proud to be a Comet. She noted that the time with other classmates has been a long journey as they have grown and learned together. With their senior year coming to a close most of the kids talk about different ideas for how they could celebrate the end of their school years in a memorable way. With the permission of Principal Mike Churchill, Perez began working with nearby amusement parks and came across a program that is done at Six Flags Great America in northern Illinois. Six Flags is hosting Grad Night, on May 11 and May 18. Grad Night is an overnight lock in 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. The cost is $63 and would allow early entry, all night rides, a free meal, and free bus parking. In addition the bus driver would receive a free ticket. Also, for every 20 tickets purchased, they would get one free ticket which Perez suggested could be used for the chaperone. Through her efforts, Perez has already secured the transportation through the school (at cost) and has raised $450 in donations toward the transportation or for students who may want to go but can’t afford it. She said she has already had 70 names sign up from the senior class. The School Board thanked Perez for her efforts, congratulated her on putting together a great program for her fellow students, and authorized the overnight trip for May 11-12, 2019. The overall cost for the ticket and the transportation should cost about $100 and the school will assist with the organization of payment plans as needed.

Junior High activities The Junior High Honor Club participated in crafting ornaments for Camp Kidwell’s as a tree decorating fund-raiser. A celebration was held for students doing well in the first marking period which included a movie and a backstage tour of the theater operation. In December, they are planning a trip to Michigan State University. The School Board authorized the Junior High overnight field trip to Mackinac Island, planned for June 3-5, 2019. Next week, as they prepare for the Christmas break, they will have holiday theme dress up days and cookies with Santa.

Intermediate School In the Intermediate School, the Robotics team has proposed to Principal Karra Hafer a fund-raising idea for the hopeful expansion into two teams and an additional robot. They will be selling fund-raiser buttons before school and at lunch. In addition, a couple of kids have proposed the establishment of a school newspaper. Those students have a teacher who would work with them. They already have some ideas for what they want to write. The Intermediate students in the Comet Choir will be singing at Woodland Terrace during the holiday season. Elementary School news Elementary Principal John Klein said that they ended up with 96% attendance of teachers for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Their Kindness in Compassion drive is wrapping up and was very successful as they collected food, toys, and winter gear for those in need. Students will have a holiday event with Santa coming in to read with students. They will also use this opportunity to educate parents on the new 3rd Grade Reading Law and how they can help to support readers at home. They will also be holding a Spirit Week beginning Dec. 17. Superintendent report Superintendent David Ehlers reviewed some legislation that schools should be keeping an eye on. With those that he feels would be detrimental to the district, he has shared his comments with our legislators. He announced several grants that the district has received including a $15,600 Early Literacy Grant, which will provide more support for the reading programs. With the grant the school hopes to recruit parents or retired teachers for a few hours a day giving extra reading support to the elementary students. As previously discussed, administrators have been looking at increasing the pay of substitute teachers to $95 which would put the district in line with most other districts in the county. The change goes into effect on Tuesday, December 11.

Book Box at Elementary School During public comments, Pre-school teacher Jennifer Smusz announced that she and Literacy Coach Sherry Wheeler are moving forward with a plan to bring a “book box” or “little library” to the elementary school grounds. The concept is not new, but will be new to the Community of Coloma. Smusz said that Wheeler’s father has volunteered to create the first one which will be located right outside the entrance to the Elementary School. The concept is to provide books, “give one, take one” for any who need or want to read. The books in this particular box will be directed at the elementary age reading level. Smusz said that she and Wheeler will most likely be able to fill the box with their own inventory. The wish is that they can ultimately end up with several of these in the community, maybe even in community parks and downtown.