Coloma Schools providing a wide range of experiences; Chuck Luchies receives the “Starfish Award”

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Coloma School Board was held on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Board Vice President Doug Kraemer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

The school year is off to a great start this fall. Craig Fisher, High School principal, reported that the “Starfish Award” which recognizes a staff member that has gone above and beyond the expected in helping students has been awarded to Chuck Luchies this month. Luchies is the instructor for Machine Tool and Welding.

Homecoming week of Sept. 25-29 was successful. Special thanks to Wendy Goodline and Jennifer Ickes for their work in planning homecoming activities this year.

NEA testing of high school students has been completed. Parents will be given their child’s results during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 24 and 26 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

High school students will be participating in many activities this month to celebrate Michigan College/ Career Month. On Oct. 6, instructor Luchies and CTE Director, Mike Churchill took the welding and machine tool students to visit Maximum Mold. Automotive Technology Instructor, Ryan Ransom took some auto students for a tour at Southwestern Michigan College’s auto schooling department. On Oct. 20 the freshmen will be going to Lake Michigan College for the CTE fair.

The Choir Fall Showcase will be on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Junior High report

Wendy Tremblay, Junior High School principal, reported that students in grades 6-8 have completed NWEA testing and Delta Math screening, participated in Homecoming activities, and are involved in a new WIN rotation (What I Need). Students will spend two days focused on ELA, two days focused on Math, and the fifth day focused on the Second Step Curriculum.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) has hosted two Go Green Reward parties this fall to reward and encourage students who do not have any missing assignments.

Intermediate School activities

Winnie Staffen, Intermediate School principal, shared that all students participated in a PBIS reward party with some “boot scootin’ dancing” and popsicles to celebrate a great start to the new year. Students who do not exceed one referral during the four week span will be able to join the next party tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24.

The PTO Walk-A-Thon on Friday, Oct. 6 was a great success. Special thanks to the Coloma PTO for organizing this event.

Thirty–nine students have signed up for 5th grade band this fall. Fourth and fifth grade students have the opportunity to be a part of the Comet Choir which meets after school and will be involved in several evening performances during the school year.

Elementary School principal’s report

Superintendent Dave Ehlers provided a report for the elementary school in John Klein’s absence.

The elementary school students had a productive time at the Walk-A-Thon on Oct. 6. They raised over $8,000 from their efforts! The elementary PBIS students participated in a pumpkin decorating activity.

Conferences

The first marking period ends on Oct. 20, 2023 for all students. The schedule for Parent/ Teacher conferences is as follows.

Coloma Elementary: Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m.; Oct. 26 from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Coloma Intermediate: Oct. 24 from 5-8 p.m.; Oct. 26 from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Coloma Junior High: Oct. 25 and 26 from 4-7 p.m.

Coloma High School: Oct. 24 and Oct. 26 from 4-7 p.m.

Board updates and communications

Board President Heidi Ishmael shared that October is Principals’ Month and expressed the board’s thanks to all the building principals for their hard work at school and their participation in extra activities throughout the school year.

Dave Mares, Instructional Technology Specialist, reported that Delta Math developed by the Ottawa Intermediate School District will be used to screen Coloma students in math and provide lessons to help them perform at the appropriate level. This invention should greatly improve M-Step and NWEA scores in the future.

Superintendent Ehlers reported that air purifiers for the classrooms will be installed soon, salt for icy surfaces is on hand, the boilers have been tested for heating the buildings, and the track will be open to the public for pedestrian traffic from 5-9 p.m.

Board action

Superintendent Ehlers recommended that the board approve using the Comet academic and athletic logos in the future as presented in last month’s meeting and reviewed at this meeting.

The Board of Education approved the recommendation as stated above.

There were no public comments submitted for the meeting.

President Ishmael adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.