Community Buzz September 2019
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BRIDGMAN COMMUNITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2019 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN COMMUNICATION In a joint effort with the City of Bridgman, Lake Township, Bridgman Public Library, the Greater Bridgman Area Chamber & Growth Alliance, and Bridgman Public Schools, we present this community newsletter. FARMER’S MARKET COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN COMMUNICATION SCHOOL NEWS TOWNSHIP NEWS LIBRARY NEWS CITY NEWS FROM THE FROM THE FROM THE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT SUPERVISOR DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER On behalf Residents September When this of the will see 20 through edition of Board of the water October 5 the Buzz is Education, department the library distribut- faculty, marking will be ed, we will and staff, out infra- closed be in the welcome structure for reno- final throes to the locations vations. of summer. 2019-2020 Supervisor such as curb During Follow- Superintendent school stops to res- Director that time, City Manager ing what Shane M. Peters John Gast Gretchen Evans Juan Ganum year! idents, etc. the library seemed The Township is preparing to will be getting new carpet, a monsoon-like spring, the Hard to believe that another replace some major valves in paint, lights, and furniture. weather cooperated with Southwest Michigan summer the system. There may be a In preparation, we will have plenty of warmth and sun- has ended and a new and ex- slight disruption of service, to move everything in the shine. Bridgman and the sur- citing school year is upon us. which will be planned, and library, which will make it rounding area bustled with This summer, we hired six (6) residents will be made aware necessary for us to suspend activity as a result, welcoming quality people to join our BPS ahead of time. some services. Interlibrary visitors and residents alike. READ MORE PG 2 READ MORE PG 11 READ MORE PG 17 READ MORE PG 14 BRIDGMANSCHOOLS.COM | LAKE-TOWNSHIP.ORG | BRIDGMANLIBRARY.COM | BRIDGMAN.ORG BRIDGMAN LIKE Bridgman Public COMMUNITY BUZZ Schools on FACEBOOK. BRIDGMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE - Continued from COVER ... family. The one common thing that we Summer Feeding program – has professionally and thoroughly continue to learn through the hiring This summer our food service depart- cleaned the gymnasium, weight room process is that Bridgman Public Schools ment served 1,357 breakfasts and 4,761 and Aquatic Center and everything has continues to be a destination district for lunches to students as part of the Meet returned to normal. A special thank you employees. Up and Eat Up program for students 3 to the City of Bridgman and Lake Town- -18 years old. Summer feeding locations ship fire departments for their quick Here are our new employees and their were Immanuel Lutheran and Bridgman response and professionalism. assignments: Elementary. Bridgman Public Schools continues to Mrs. Dawn Amsler New K-12 Science Curriculum – have an excellent reputation throughout – BHS and RMS Special Education Teacher We are implementing a new science the state of Michigan for having high Mrs. Rebecca Marfia curriculum in all of our buildings and academic standards, fantastic extracur- – BHS Art Teacher grade levels. Our staff has worked hard ricular activities and numerous opportu- Mrs. Kryselle Craig over the summer preparing for the new nities in a small school district for ALL – BES School Counselor curriculum. students. Mrs. Jessica Parmerlee – BES Second Grade Teacher The Bridgman Public School District is We truly live in a community that Mr. Josh Paveza working with the Michigan Association of believes in education and supports its – Technology Assistant School Boards (MASB) to review and up- children. I thank the entire community Mr. Joe Ponegalek date its mission and vision statements, for their continued support of Bridgman – District Maintenance along with establishing a new district Public Schools. strategic plan. In late September or early Also this summer we have been busy October there will be a couple of face- As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if with projects, planning, and preparation to-face input sessions and an electronic you have a concern or would like addi- for the upcoming school year. survey to obtain input into the strategic tional information about what is hap- plan from various community stakehold- pening in the Bridgman Public Schools. Summer Recreation programs – ers. We were able to offer 14 extra-curric- The strength of our community is our ular camps serving over 239 students. As you may be aware, we had a small schools and the strength of our schools is Camps included, for example; “Let’s trash can fire in the high school gym- our community. GO BEES! Explore, Farm Chores, College Applica- nasium this past July that sustained tions” and several sport specific camps. approximately $300,000 worth of smoke Shane M. Peters, Superintendent Look for 2020 camp information and damage. ServPro of Berrien County registration next spring. Bridgman Public Schools Daily Schedule BES RMS BHS Full Day Schedule 7:45 am - 2:50 pm 8:00 am - 3:05 pm 7:55 am - 3:00 pm Half Day Schedule 7:45 am - 11:10 am 8:00 am - 11:25 am 7:55 am - 11:20 am 2hr Delay Schedule 9:45 am - 2:50 pm 10:00 am - 3:05 pm 9:55 am - 3:00 pm The strength of our community is our schools and the strength of our schools is our community. { } COMMUNITY BUZZ 2 LIKE Bridgman Elementary BRIDGMAN School on FACEBOOK. COMMUNITY BUZZ BRIDGMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Kindness Rocks at Bridgman Elementary By: Lori Graves, BES Principal Kindness is Krys Craig has been added to our team literally defined as the our school counselor. Krys Craig as the quality of comes to us from the Washington, DC being friendly, area with a background in counseling generous and children and adolescents inside and considerate. Not outside of the classroom setting. She is Bridgman Board all acts of kindness dedicated to making sure all children are require planning able to achieve academically by remov- of Education Lori Graves, BES Principal and advanced no- ing barriers and constructing ladders of tice. In fact, people support. Krys loves all things red, great President Eric Ramso all over the world are spreading kindness jokes and timeless music. She looks for- right now, instinctively. Our goal as ward to creating a continual buzz with Vice-President educators is to foster a kindness habit the students and staff as we all fly back Lisa Kiewel in your children with these simple and to the classroom. spontaneous acts of compassion. These Secretary can include respect, caring inclusiveness, In an effort to meet all the needs of JoAnn DeMeulenaere integrity, courage and responsibility. our students, Bridgman Elementa- ry School is proud to partner with Treasurer Bridgman Elementary School the Blessings in a Backpack program Brad Reitz embraces kindness. In fact, our for the third year in a row. Trustee theme for 2019-20 is “Kindness Pamela Oselka Rocks at BES!” Throughout the Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes com- year, lessons, assemblies and munities, individuals and resources to Trustee events will focus on and celebrate provide food on the weekends for school Brad Owen acts of kindness. children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Currently, over Trustee Bridgman Elementary School is pleased 40 students are provided with food to Tishia Roberts to welcome two new staff members to take home each weekend. If you are our team. Jessica Parmerlee will be interested in assisting with this cause, a second grade teacher. She graduated please contact Lori Graves at lgraves@ from Oakland University with her degree bridgmanschools.com. in Elementary Education and moved to Southwest Michigan where she began Please look for events, celebrations her teaching career. Jessica comes to and announcements on our Bridgman with 11 years of experience Facebook page: Bridgman working with lower elementary students Elementary School primarily in kindergarten and first grade. Jessica lives in Saint Joseph with her husband and three children. COMMUNITY BUZZ 3 BRIDGMAN LIKE Bridgman Public COMMUNITY BUZZ Schools on FACEBOOK. F.C. REED MIDDLE SCHOOL From the Principal ... Greetings, Please scan the QR barcode below to feel safe and focused while they attend It’s time to go watch a video recap of the transformation. F.C. Reed Middle School, facilitating back to school! key ingredients that are necessary for I hope everyone student achievement. had a safe sum- mer full of memo- RMS is also excited to welcome a new rable experiences staff member to our team. Over the and plenty of summer, Dawn Amsler was hired as time with family the new RMS/BHS Special Education and friends. In Teacher. Mrs. Amsler will take over the John Truesdell preparation for former duties and responsibilities of Mr. Middle School Principal the 2019 - 2020 Carr, who is now teaching and coaching school year, F.C. Reed Middle School at Bridgman High School full-time. Mrs. has made some exciting changes to its The middle school’s climate and culture Amsler has a Bachelor of Science degree in facilities, policies/procedures, and staff. will also experience a dramatic overhaul Special Education from Central Michigan We are ready for another inspiring year this fall. To best support the social, University, a Master of Arts degree from of learning and look forward to con- emotional, and academic development Saginaw Valley University, and is a certi- tinuing to work with the community to of our student population, F.C. Reed fied English Language Instructor through challenge all students to succeed. Middle School will implement a new, TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers uniform cell phone policy for all grade of Other Languages). She brings over 20 One of the most significantfacility up- levels (grades 5 - 8) during the 2019 - years of teaching experience in the state grades visitors may notice is the demo- 2020 school year.