Community Buzz August 2018
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BRIDGMAN COMMUNITY BUZZ AUGUST 2018 COMMUNICATION IS KEY ... In a joint effort with the City of Bridgman, Lake Township, Bridg- man Public Library, the Greater Bridgman Area Chamber & Growth Alliance, and Bridg- man Public Schools, we present this community newsletter. The Miss Bridgman Scholarship Organization thanks the residents of Bridgman and Lake Township. READ MORE PG 11. COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN COMMUNICATION As residents of the Greater Bridgman area, we should be proud of the example set forth by all the community partners involved who are working together for this one common cause -- better communication with our constituents. We hope you are pleased with the results. SCHOOL NEWS TOWNSHIP NEWS LIBRARY NEWS CITY NEWS FROM THE FROM THE FROM THE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT SUPERVISOR DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER It is Last fall As sum- Welcome already during our mer winds to the August strategic down and 2018- and we are planning gives way 2019 heading retreat, to fall, lawn school into fall. community mowers and year! members rakes will We have suggested soon trade Hard to had many that the places with Supervisor Superintendent believe that projects Director library help City Manager shovels and John Gast Shane M. Peters another that have Gretchen Evans get the Juan Ganum snowblowers summer is quickly coming to been word out about community in Bridgman garages. Before an end and a new and exciting completed and ones that are events. The idea made a lot we say goodbye to our yard school year is upon us. winding down. Shawnee of sense to us. We are in the work I would like to turn your Road from Jericho to Holden information business, after attention to the City’s new Tall READ MORE PG 2 is complete. all. So we decided to start Grass and Weed Ordinance, READ MORE PG 7 a community calendar and which is scheduled for adop- open it up to all organizations tion at the end of August. READ MORE PG 14 READ MORE PG 10 COMMUNITY BUZZ BRIDGMAN LIKE Bridgman Public COMMUNITY BUZZ Schools on FACEBOOK. BRIDGMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE - Continued from COVER ... This summer, we have hired numerous quality Also this summer we have been busy with projects, planning, and prepara- people to join our BPS family. The one common tion for the upcoming school year. thing that we continue to hear through the • STEM Lab HVAC project – The HVAC infrastructure in the RMS hiring process is that Bridgman Public Schools is STEM Lab was updated over the summer. a destination district for employees. • Summer Recreation programs – Again this summer, we were able to offer over 20 extra-curricular camps serving over 300 students. Look for 2019 camp information and registration next spring. New employees and their assignments: • Summer Feeding program – This summer our food service de- Mr. Sam Stine – partment served over 6,500 meals to students as part of the Meet Up District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and and Eat Up program for students 3 -18 years old. Summer feeding Special Education locations were Immanuel Lutheran, Bridgman Public Library, Warren Mr. Gerald Heath - Dunes Estates, and Bridgman Elementary. Bridgman High School Principal STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. Aaron Koleda – The District is beginning its final year of the five-year Strategic Plan. The District Technology Coordinator four strategic goals were established by the Board of Education, along with Mr. Dave McIntyre - District Mechanic District administration, with input from various community stakeholders. Mrs. Joanna Davis - Payroll Mr. Sam Waalkes – RMS/BHS Spanish Teacher • Goal 1 – Create and Preserve Financial Resources to Support Long- Mrs. Michelle Foxworthy – RMS Teacher Term District Financial Stability Ms. Emma Cramer – RMS Teacher • Goal 2 – Provide Diverse Learning Opportunities through Curriculum, Ms. Kara West – RMS Teacher Programs, and Schedules Mr. Robert Bruce – RMS Paraprofessional • Goal 3 – Expand Student Knowledge and Accessibility of Technology Mrs. Tabitha Caid – BES Paraprofessional • Goal 4 – Cultivate Strong District/Community Roles, Relations, and Mrs. Stacy Litteral – Transportation Partnerships Ms. Wendee Hahn – Transportation Each goal has several strategies that staff has been working to complete Mrs. Mary Kennedy – Food Service over the past four years. These goals and strategies will enhance our Ms. Caroyln DeFrance – Custodian district and continue to produce high quality students. Additional infor- mation regarding the Strategic Plan can be found on our website (www. bridgmanschools.com). Job Opportunities We truly live in a community that believes in education and supports its THERE ARE SEVERAL JOB children. I thank the entire community for their continued support of OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT Bridgman Public Schools. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if you WITHIN OUR DISTRICT. have a concern or would like additional information about what is happen- ing in the Bridgman Public Schools. If you would like to be part of our organiza- tion, please visit our website at www.bridg- The strength of our community is our schools and the strength of our schools is manschools.com and click on “Department” our community. then “Human Resources” to apply. GO BEES! Shane M. Peters, Superintendent The strength of our community is our schools { and the strength of our schools is our community. COMMUNITY BUZZ 2 } BRIDGMAN LIKE Bridgman Public Schools on FACEBOOK. COMMUNITY BUZZ BRIDGMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BRIDGMAN ELEMENTARY Athletic Information: Knowledge is our Super Power FINALFORMS We are very excited to announce that the Bridgman WHAT DO WONDER WOMAN, BATMAN, SPIDERMAN, AND Athletic Department has partnered with FinalForms, THE BRIDGMAN ELEMENTARY STAFF HAVE IN COMMON? an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows you to complete and sign athletic They are all Superheroes! According to the Webster dictionary, participation forms for your students. The most a superhero is any person regarded as having extraordinary ability exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from in some field. The teachers and staff at Bridgman Elementary have season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you the extraordinary ability to build relationships, deliver challenging will never need to enter the same information twice! curriculum, and invest in the success of every child. FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time. In order to celebrate our student Superheroes, the theme for Bridg- You may review your data at any time to verify it is man Elementary for the 2018-19 school year is: Knowledge is our current. You will be required to sign your forms once Super Power. Throughout the year, lessons, activities, celebrations per year and after any update. and classroom incentives will revolve around the Superhero theme. We are asking that ALL parents of athletes use Our first Superhero event will be our all school Fun Run on October FinalForms. Please register at: https://bridgman-mi. 5, 2018. This event is sponsored by our Parent Teacher Organiza- finalforms.com and follow the prompts to create tion and is their annual fundraiser to promote healthy lifestyles. All your account, create your students and sign your pledge money earned supports the students and staff at Bridgman forms. Thank you for your assistance in streamlining Elementary School. our athletic paperwork processes at Bridgman High School and Reed Middle School. Bridgman Elementary School is pleased to welcome Lacy Payne to our building as a Literacy Specialist. Lacy has been a teacher at BRIDGMANATHELTICS.COM F.C. Reed Middle School for the past twelve years. Lacy brings vast Be in the know with the most up-to-date schedules, knowledge of language arts, literacy coaching, technology and read- transportation times, directions to opposing schools/ ing supports to BES. Lacy earned her bachelor and master’s degrees facilities, updates & changes at our athletic website. from Western Michigan University and is earning her leadership Create an account and sign up to follow as few or as certification from the Michigan Association of Secondary School many teams as you like to receive immediate text and Principals. email alerts as well. BCS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE In an effort to meet all the needs of our students, Bridgman Ele- Bridgman High School is entering its fifth year as mentary School is proud to partner with the Blessings in a Backpack a charter member of the BCS Athletic Conference. program. Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, indi- Divisions in our league can vary sport to sport. Below viduals and resources to provide food on the weekends for school is your “cheat sheet” for what divisions our Bees com- children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Currently, pete in per sport for 2018-19: over 40 students are provided with food to take home each week- SPORT DIVISION/LEAGUE end. Cross Country BCS Conference (all schools) Boys Tennis If you are interested in assisting with this cause, please Competitive Cheer contact Lori Graves at [email protected]. Girls Soccer Girls Tennis CONTINUED PG 6. The strength of our community is our schools and the strength of our schools is our community. COMMUNITY BUZZ { }3 BRIDGMAN LIKE Bridgman Public COMMUNITY BUZZ Schools on FACEBOOK. F.C. REED MIDDLE SCHOOL Greetings, to contact me at jtruesdell@bridg- She has taught students for Berrien manschools.com if you would like to Springs Public Schools at Sylvester Ele- I hope everyone schedule a tour of the RMS facilities. mentary from 2013 – 2018. has had a terrific summer and spent The middle school’s staff has also Emma Cramer will teach 7th and 8th plenty of time out- undergone a metamorphosis over the grade Math. Miss Cramer received her side taking advan- summer and we are excited to intro- Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Educa- tage of our local duce five new additions to our faculty. tion from Grand Valley State University natural resources in 2017.