Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology not only had a great boys basketball season, finishing with a 12-6 record and making it to the Class D District 111 finals, but they also had students at the school produce a video record of the season.
WKTV will air the Ellington Academy Saints Basketball Special on Monday, April 17, at 4 p.m.; and Friday, April 21 at 5 p.m., on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology has been in existence for only seven years and their boys varsity basketball team has been playing for even less. But for the last two years they’ve made it to the District 111 finals for Class D.
They have yet to win a district final but Coach Ardrace Morris will tell you that’s fine — for now.
The real goal of the mens basketball team is to prepare young men to compete in the real world. Lessons learned on the court and in practice are lessons that stay with you for life. This year, the team learned to face adversity. Watch and see what they’ve learned from dealing with resistance. With only two seniors graduating this year, the team looks poised to finally win a district final for the 2017-18 season.
Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma, Grand Rapids Central Dispatch Communications Manager Karen Chadwick, Kent County Dispatch Authority Chair and Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt, Kent County Sheriff Department Emergency Communications Center Manager Matt Groesser, and RAVE Customer Success Manager Kevin Hatline.
“Where is the emergency?” has become the first question area 911 operators ask as more and more emergency calls come from cellphone users.
This is because within a minute the call is answered the cellphone will relay a location back which can be anywhere from where you are actually standing to a mile or more away, said Kent County Sheriff Department Emergency Communications Center Manager Matt Groesser.
“Often the case is the person calling is in a very intense, stressful, panicky situation and being able to relay details such as location can be difficult,” said Karen Chadwick, communications manager for Grand Rapids Central Dispatch.
Various local law enforcement at today’s press conference for Smart911.
Today, at the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, the Kent County Dispatch Authority — chaired by Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt — announced that it would be adapting the Smart911 program where individuals can create an online safety profile for their household. When a citizen makes a call that profile will automatically display the citizen’s Safety Profile to the 911 call taker.
“This profile provides key details about you and your family to those taking our 911 calls during an emergency,” said Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma during the press conference that representatives from various law enforcement agencies throughout Kent County including the Kentwood Police Department and the Wyoming Department of Public Safety attended. “These things might include physical descriptions of your house, your family members. It might include the type of vehicles you drive. It also might include special medical conditions that you or your family might have.”
Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen (far left) at the Smart911 press conference.
Other details residents may provide are the pets in the home, the layout of the home and shut off for gas and electricity. It is the type of information that various emergency responders might need, Stelma said.
Area residents should go to Smart911.com, click the “Sign Up Today” button and proceed to fill out the information. Sign up is free, private and secure with 911 call takers and responders only able to see the information when a call is made. Once the call is complete, the information disappears from the call taker’s and/or responder’s screen.
Powered by RAVE Mobile Safety, Smart911 is currently available in 40 states and more than 1,500 municipalities. Last November, Lt. Governor Brian Calley and other Michigan government officials announced a statewide initiative to make Smart911 available to all residents. While free to residents to sign up, the cost to Kent County for the service is around $40,000 which is being paid for by a grant for the first year.
Holt said he sees the City of Wyoming doing similar promotions as the state on its Facebook page, website and through other media. Officers throughout the county will have materials available to distribute with the goal of encouraging residents to sign up. Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said he already is planning to include Smart911 information that he provides to residents, especially older citizens.
“It’s a good idea,” said Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen. “Having that type of information such as a pinpoint of location is quite a big help in responding to an emergency.”
“The additional information provided in a Smart911 safety profile can save critical minutes in an emergency and help responders offer better services,” Holt said. “All information is optional and each citizen has the ability to choose what they would like to include.”
Multiple phones can be connected to one address as well as a single phone line can have both home and work addresses assigned to it. Also, the program works with all types of phones from traditional land lines, VOIP, cable and mobile.
For more information about the program or to enroll, visit Smart911.com.
High school baseball and softball seasons are in full swing. Check out a ball game. (WKTV)
By Mike Moll
sports@wktv.org
Spring weather, and spring high school, sports are now in full swing — “Play Ball! So, if you are looking for a Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports event to get out to, here is your weekly list.
Monday, April 10
Boys baseball
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Girls softball
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – DH
Tuesday, April 11
Girls Tennis
Cookie Invite @ South Christian
Jenison @ Wyoming
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH
Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House – DH
West Michigan Aviation @ Bloomingdale – DH
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian
Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH
Girls Softball
South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH
Coopersville @ Godwin Heights
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Kelloggsville @ Tri-Unity Christian
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Hope Academy @ West Michigan Aviation
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Boys Golf
Kelloggsville @ Hastings – Scrimmage
Boys/Girls Track
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Water Polo
Portage Central @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, April 12
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Calvin Christian
East Kentwood @ Grandville – OK Red Jamboree
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Union @ Kelloggsville
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Boys/Girls Track
South Christian @ Christian
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Zeeland
Boys Baseball
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ Belding
FH Central @ Wyoming
Girls Softball
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ Belding
FH Central @ Wyoming – DH
Girls Soccer
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Water Polo
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Thursday, April 13
Boys Golf
South Christian – Kent County Classic @ Thornapple Pointe
East Kentwood – Kent County Classic @ Thornapple Pointe
Boys Baseball
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Zion Christian
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Holland Calvary @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Girls Softball
Caledonia @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming @ Grandville
Unity Christian @ East Kentwood
Boys Lacrosse
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer @ South Christian
Girls Soccer
Wyoming @ South Christian
Kelloggsville @ Union
Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian
Boys/Girls Track
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
@ East Kentwood – EK Quad
Friday, April 14
Boys Golf
Wyoming @ Kelloggsville
Girls Softball
Western Michigan Christian @ Kelloggsville
Girls Soccer
West Ottawa @ Wyoming
West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee
Northview @ East Kentwood
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Saturday, April 15
Boys/Girls Track
South Christian @ Unity Christian
Kelloggsville @ Coopersville – Bronco Classic
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
West Michigan Aviation @ Lakewood – Lakewood Invitational
East Kentwood @ Mansfield/Mehock Relays
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Wyoming Tournament
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming – Wyoming Tournament-
Wyoming Lee @ Union – DH
Girls Softball
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Wyoming Invitational
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Sunday, April 16
EASTER SUNDAY
Monday, April 17
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Forest Hills Invite – Egypt Valley
East Kentwood @ Forest Hills Invite – Egypt Valley
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety and the Metro Fraud and Identity Theft Team (MFITT) are warning the public of a recent telephone scam targeting the elderly. There have been two reports of a subject identifying himself as “Steven” and targeting elderly victims by advising them that their grandchild is incarcerated in a local jail, or a jail facility in Florida. The suspect is requesting that the victim purchase gift cards from national retailers where then instructions are given to have the victim provide the suspect the security codes from the cards. The suspect states that these purchases will fund attorney services so that the incarcerated family member can be bonded out of jail.
In both cases, the suspect requested multiple card purchases in increments of $2,000. So far, this scam has a resulting loss of more than $20,000.
Again the Wyoming Department of Public Safety wishes to advise the public that these telephone calls are a scam to fraudulently obtain money and if they receive calls such as these, to hang up on the caller.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, or MFITT at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Congressman Bill Huizenga announced that the next stop on his listening tour will take place on Tuesday, April 11th in Wyoming. The town hall-style listening session will be held in the auditorium of Godwin Heights High School and begin at 7 p.m. This event is open to all residents of Michigan’s Second Congressional District.
Who: Congressman Bill Huizenga
What: A Town Hall Listening Session
Where: Godwin Heights High School Auditorium located at 50 35th St. SW in Wyoming
When: Tuesday, April 11th. Doors opening at 6:15 p.m., Town Hall from 7-9 p.m.
Signs will not be permitted in the auditorium. Those who would like to display signs are welcome to do so outside the high school prior to the event.
Congressman Huizenga’s first listening tour stop took place in Baldwin on February 25th and was attended by over 300 people. Congressman Huizenga’s second listening tour stop took place on March 6th in Grand Haven with over 1,000 people in attendance.
Since January, Congressman Huizenga has held telephone town halls, Facebook town halls, and in-person town halls.
High School girls water polo is on the schedule for WKTV coverage this spring.
By Mike Moll
WKTV Sports
The winter schedules wrapped up in March with a couple of our local teams showing very well in the state tournament. In the boys Class D tournament, Tri-Unity Christian made it to the state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state runner-up Buckley by 11 points. The girls side had the East Kentwood Lady Falcons getting into the championship game in Class A before losing for just the second time all season, to Flushing, also by 11.
The WKTV truck and the crews will continue to bring various events to the airwaves this spring and including, for the first time, in addition to baseball and softball, we will be covering girls water polo.
The tentative April schedule for WKTV coverage is:
Tuesday, April 11: Baseball, Grandville @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, April 12: Water polo, Grandville @ East Kentwood
Tuesday, April 18: Baseball, Wyoming @ South Christian
Thursday, April 20: Softball Union @ Godwin Heights
Tuesday, April 25: Water polo, Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Thursday, April 27: Water Polo West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Each game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on later in the week — the Tuesday games will be rebroadcast Wednesdays at 5 p.m., and the Wednesday and Thursday games will be rebroadcast Saturdays at 11 a.m. — on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
Local high school sports events are limited this week due to spring break. They are as follows:
Saturday, April 8
Girls softball
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park
Monday, April 10
Boys baseball
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Girls softball
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – DH
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week in April, and any changes to the WKTV feature game schedule, see now.wktv.org/sports/
In an effort to provide efficiencies and better serve residents, the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to move forward with a plan to merge two programs with similar goals. The Area Community Services and Employment Training Council’s (ACSET) Community Action Agency Division (CAA) will merge with the Kent County Community Development/Housing Commission Department to better serve the community.
ACSET’s CAA provides weatherization services, utility shut-off protections, food distribution, senior services and more to low-income clients in Kent County. The Kent County Community Development staff have been working on similar projects with agencies such as Home Repair Services, Dwelling Place and others. “The County staff did its due diligence in looking at how a proposed alignment of CAA and Community Development/Housing Commission could improve the delivery of services to low-income clients,” said Matthew VanZetten, Interim Director of Kent County Community Development/Housing Commission. “As Kent County continues to grow and change, government needs to be responsive. The merger allows us to streamline services and reduce silos so we can better serve our residents.”
Over the past year, County staff researched and evaluated the potential of combining and aligning resources of CAA and Kent County’s Community Development/Housing Commission. Once the merger is complete, employees will be housed in the Human Services Complex at Franklin and Sheldon in southeast Grand Rapids. “This alignment of resources provides the best possible environment for CAA and the County to continue to deliver essential services,” said Jacob Maas, Chief Executive Officer for ACSET. “It’s an exciting opportunity to better serve low-income individuals and families in Kent County.”
The CAA Advisory Committee and Kent County Housing Commission provided input during the process, and a community forum was held last month to receive comments or concerns. To date, all feedback has been positive. The State of Michigan has provided a letter indicating its support for Kent County to assume the Community Action Agency designation from ACSET. “Our County staff has once again demonstrated that collaborating with an external agency can provide needed services in a cost-effective manner,” said Chair Jim Saalfeld. “I applaud and thank the County staff for seeking creative and innovative ways to help our low- income residents.”
In 2016, the August 20 tornado outbreak across West Michigan caused more than five million dollars in damage. The National Weather Service determined that six tornadoes touched down in a matter of hours, including two EF0 tornadoes in Grandville, Wyoming and Grand Rapids. The State of Michigan was hit by 16 tornadoes last year, just slightly higher than the average 15 per year. Kent County has a system of sirens to alert residents of high winds or tornadoes. Starting Friday, April 7, and continuing on the first Friday of every month at noon through October, tornado alarm testing will be heard in Kent County homes and businesses.
Ideal Park was loved for its dense tree canopy now lost from the 2014 tornado.
It is important to plan in advance for disasters to know how you and your family will get to a safe place, how to contact each other and what to do in different situations. “Traffic was a dilemma in the initial hours after the tornadoes hit Kent County last August,” said Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Stewart. “Trees and debris in roadways made getting around difficult. Determine a location where you will meet your family during an emergency, both near your house and further away, in case your neighborhood streets are closed.”
If a disaster occurs, it may be easier to make a phone call to a designated out-of-town contact, as phone lines may be overwhelmed. Make sure that person is aware that he or she is the designated contact. Pet owners should have a disaster plan for pets as well. This is a great time to review severe weather plans, refresh supplies and make sure preparations are complete. Check flashlights and stock up on fresh batteries. Homes should have enough fresh drinking water and canned food items for three days, a can opener, an all-weather radio, and a first aid kit.
If you don’t hear the sirens April 7 at noon, please contact your local township or city office. Be vigilant whenever severe weather is in the forecast. While no location is completely safe from a tornado or severe thunderstorm, it is important to seek all possible protection. For more about severe weather, go to http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/SWApacket_554981_7.pdf.
Smartphone apps are available that will provide notification of weather watches and warnings. Severe weather watch means the potential exists for the development of storms/tornadoes, so be mindful of changing conditions. Severe weather warning mean that storms are imminent or occurring. Move indoors to a place of safety. If it is a Tornado Warning, take shelter in a location on the lowest level of the building, such as the basement, or in a small, windowless room at the innermost part of the building.
Every morning after the bell rings, Godfrey Early Childhood Center students start daydreaming. They close their eyes, sit quietly and think of whatever they want.
In kindergarten teacher Eryn Watson’s room, the calming, reflective activity flows into the start of learning. After opening their eyes, students talk about goals for the day: listening, helping a friend, earning reward points. “Why do we do this?” Watson asked on a recent Monday morning.
“So we can calm down,” students answered. “So we can rest.”
“It’s good for our brains,” added kindergartner Axcel Deleon-Magana.
Amber Kilpatrick creator of The Mindful Classrooms project teaches mindfulness techniques to students
Watson agreed. “We do it so we are all happy,” she told them. “I want you to have a wonderful, wonderful day.”
Moments spent lost in thought are part of the ECC staff’s effort to create mindful classrooms. Principal Peter Geerling started daydreaming time this school year to help students develop an awareness of their thoughts and emotions. Research shows that mindfulness interventions improve attention, self-control, emotional resilience, memory and immune response.
“It’s just giving quiet self-reflection time in this noisy, noisy world,” Geerling said.
The meditative sessions are just one component of how Godfrey-Lee staff members are helping students relax, feel more present and safe and, as a result, be more successful. Students also spend 30 minutes a week learning techniques to help navigate and self-regulate emotional stress with Amber Kilpatrick, creator of The Mindful Classrooms Project, and other instructors. Congress Elementary School, in Grand Rapids Public Schools, also uses Kilpatrick’s program.
Gabriel Thompson-Brooks has learned how to be mindful
A More Mindful, Sensitive Place
At Godfrey Lee Public Schools, a largely Hispanic district where more than 80 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and many live below the poverty line, educators see mindfulness as an important part of another focus: creating a trauma-sensitive environment.
Social worker Lisa VandeWaa and Geerling have attended training on Trauma Sensitive Schools and staff is also being trained. They are learning best approaches to teach students who have faced trauma. Along with poverty, many students deal with hunger and stressful family situations. “Everybody comes to school with baggage you can’t see, even adults,” Geerling said.
Responding to students who have faced trauma requires sensitivity. VandeWaa said traditional disciplinary practices aren’t effective and can even be counterproductive. Instead of “time out,” for example, ECC students are often given time to used their mindfulness techniques in the office until they are calm enough to talk. They aren’t isolated, because that can exacerbate the problem.
Jair Cabanas-Landa closes his eyes to daydream
“Trauma sensitivity isn’t a curriculum; it’s just a shift in your mindset and how you approach things,” VandeWaa said. Instead of ‘What’s wrong with this kid?’ you might instead say, ‘What happened to this little peanut?’ which really changes how you would approach what’s going on.”
It’s all about creating human connections in a society obsessed with numbers and data, where focusing on proficiency standards can’t be done without meeting basic needs, Geerling said. Part of that is making sure students feel safe.
But even getting students to feel comfortable daydreaming with their eyes closed is a process, Geerling said.
“For children in poverty, to try to close your eyes for a minute creates so much anxiety because it takes so much trust to have your eyes closed and know nothing is going to happen,” he said. “If we get everybody in the building to sit there with their eyes closed for three minutes, we have passed a huge, huge hurdle…They feel safe. That’s huge.”
Architectural drawings for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s new Covenant Learning Center, which will be topped by the new Padnos Families Rooftop Sculpture Garden.
The multi-phased building expansion plans of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced last week will include an expansion the institution’s learning center, already a favorite of several Wyoming and Kentwood community organizations including Kentwood Public Schools A.R.C.H. after school program.
The expansion plans include a new 60,000 square foot welcome center, a new transportation center, expansion and upgrades to the concert amphitheater, a new sculpture garden entry plaza and a “reimagined” scenic indoor corridor, and expanded parking and urban garden areas. Overall, project construction is scheduled to begin this fall and continue for approximately four years.
After the new welcome center, however, and most important expansion may be the 20,000 square foot Covenant Learning Center, which will be topped by the new Padnos Families Rooftop Sculpture Garden.
Architectural drawings for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s new Covenant Learning Center, which will be topped by the new Padnos Families Rooftop Sculpture Garden.
“Today we have two approximately 1,100 square foot classrooms devoted to education,” Meijer Gardens President and CEO David Hooker said when asked by WKTV about the Covenant Learning Center. “Since 1999, our educational programming has grown 305 percent. While our education programming has grown … our space dedicated to education has remained the same. The new Covenant Learning Center will have four approximately 1,200 square foot classrooms, two 1,600 square foot classrooms and one 2,200 square foot Interactive Education Area. The opportunity for additional educational programming is nearly unlimited.”
Wyoming and Kentwood programs at the gardens
Kentwood’s A.R.C.H. after school program is just one of the many programs currently using the Garden’s educational programing.
“The after-school programs from both Kentwood (A.R.C.H.) and Wyoming (T.E.A.M. 21), in particular, have made frequent visits to Meijer Gardens in the past,” said Jessica Hart, Meijer Gardens indoor education manager. “We’re delighted that these groups have been able to enjoy our seasonal exhibitions, Sculpture Park, and Children’s Garden. I expect that the new Covenant Learning Center will allow us additional opportunities to offer educational programs school groups and after-school groups alike in the future.”
A.R.C.H. is a collaboration between Kentwood Public Schools and the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department. Program activities focus on academics, health, wellness, and recreation/leisure education. These activities will be offered to children, family, and community members throughout the year.
But the Kentwood program is just one of many groups availing themselves of local cultural educational opportunities. And that is just the way Meijer Garden’s wants it.
Following recent educational additions to other Grand Rapids area institutions, including The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Meijer Garden’s Covenant Learning Center “will engage learners in new ways and reinforce our commitment as the go-to place for cultural education,” according to supplied information.
Part of Meijer Garden’s mission
“Since our beginning, education has been a hallmark of the Meijer Gardens mission — reaching more than 89,000 guests last year alone. In fact, the action word in our mission statement is ‘promote.’ Education is the primary method by which we put life into the word ‘promote.’ The dramatic growth of participation in our educational programming not only underscores the quality and diversity of our classes, camps and events, but also demonstrates a need for more classroom space.”
A key aspect of the new classrooms will be that they will provide outdoor learning areas, with five of the six having direct access from within the classroom. The outdoor learning area will be located east of the building and will include seating areas for students, teaching areas for instructors, and partial shade/cover from the elements.
The expansion plans are the result of a nearly complete $115 million capital campaign titled “Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love”. The campaign currently has raised about $102 million of its goal, according to supplied information.
“If we are successful in our ‘Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love’ fundraising efforts, we will begin construction in September of this year,” Hooker said. “We do not have a precise date at this time for the completion of the Covenant Learning Center or the Padnos Families Rooftop Sculpture Garden.”
The New York firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Partners has been chosen “to re-envision and expand” the Meijer Gardens facilities, according to supplied information. The firm is known for their design of the iconic Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia and, most recently, chosen to design the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
For more information about Meijer Gardens visit meijergardens.org. For more information about the “Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love” fundraising efforts visit meijergardens.org/legacyoflove .
Carlos Lopez has declined an offer from the Godfrey-Lee Board of Education for the job of superintendent.
Lopez is current director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, in Plymouth.
Board President Eric Mockerman said they hadn’t yet begun negotiating a contract with Lopez, who cited personal family health concerns as his reason for withdrawing.
After consulting with Tom White, a representative with the Michigan Association of School Boards who is guiding the superintendent search, Mockerman said the board plans to repost the position.
Lopez was offered the job after interviews with four candidates narrowed from a field of 30 applicants.
A new superintendent will replace nine-year Superintendent David Britten, who is stepping down June 30.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
The Godfrey-Lee Board of Education has offered the superintendent position to Carlos Lopez, current director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, in Plymouth.
Subject to the negotiation of a contract, Lopez will replace nine-year Superintendent David Britten, who is stepping down June 30.
Lopez, who has been in his current position for two years, was formerly the school leader at a Detroit charter school that has a predominantly Latino population. He has also served as superintendent of River Rouge Schools; deputy superintendent at Oak Park Schools; and held various positions in Detroit Public Schools. He has a doctorate in curriculum instruction and administration from Wayne State University.
Lopez, 55, who is bilingual in Spanish and English, said he was attracted to the position because of his background in working in majority Hispanic schools such as Godfrey-Lee, where 78 percent of students are Latino. He said he looks forward to continuing programs and innovations the district has implemented, including the human-centered design process and projects tied to it.
Godfrey-Lee is completing the human-centered design process, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation, in which staff, parents, students and community members are challenged to reimagine schools. It is an approach to problem-solving that incorporates the wants and needs of end users of a product or service at every stage of the design process.
An experienced grant writer, Lopez said he is also excited about funding he can secure for various opportunities in academics, arts and other areas.
Aiming for National Model
Once a refugee, Lopez immigrated to the United States in 1970 from Cuba with his his family.
“Many people reached out to us,” Lopez said. “I’m here because of the generosity of very dynamic humans who were there at the right time to helps us.”
Lopez said he looks forward to continuing Godfrey-Lee’s efforts to embrace parents and the community.
“I want the children to feel like they belong there, and the parents to know we’re giving their children the attention they need and deserve,” he said. “I would love to make Godfrey-Lee be a national model for a school that really demonstrates how we can educate (English-language learners) to achieve high levels of proficiency with dignity.”
Lopez was offered the job after interviews with four candidates narrowed from a field of 30 applicants.
Board President Eric Mockerman said the board appreciated Lopez’s varied experience, especially in working in populations similar to Godfrey-Lee’s.
“His experience was very impressive to us, and his passion for students and their learning was very impressive to us,” Mockerman said.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is preparing for its busiest time of year with helpful travel reminders, and a bit of fun mixed in.
Due to additional passenger volume beginning this month and continuing through April, parking lot demands will be greater, and airport facilities are expected to be busy. GFIA is also under construction for the Gateway Transformation Project, which affects areas of passenger screening and the terminal Grand Hall. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects longer security lines.
In order to expedite the security screening process, passengers should carefully consider the contents of their checked luggage and carry-on bags. The TSA recommends wearing shoes that are easy to remove, having identification and boarding passes ready to present at security checkpoints, removing all items from pockets, avoiding bedazzled and jeweled clothing, limiting heavy jewelry, and ending all cell phone conversations prior to screening. In addition, removing heavy food items such as cheese and fudge, along with granular and powdered items like sugar, from your carry-on bag, will also greatly speed up security screening.
“We are looking forward to another Spring Break season, which is our busiest time of the year. Because of that, it is important for those traveling – especially if you haven’t flown recently – to review TSA’s website,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “Our TSA staff does a wonderful job, and the more prepared travelers are, the smoother the screening experience will be for everyone.”
Passengers traveling through GFIA on select Spring Break travel dates will be treated to the annual Passenger Appreciation Days, compliments of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board. This bon-voyage celebration will take place from Thursday, Macy 30 – April 1 from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Airport’s Grand Hall Meet & Greet area. Passenger Appreciation Days events include free refreshments, food, giveaways, prize drawings, contests, and more.
“Our Spring Break travelers who return year after year know how much fun you can have prior to your vacation with our Passenger Appreciation Days,” said Gill. “This is one of the ways we are thanking our community for supporting our airport, and our passengers will have some fun before heading out on their trips.”
For passengers wanting to partake in the Passenger Appreciation Days festivities, the Airport encourages them to allow even more travel time.
The TSA also encourages passengers to utilize the 3-1-1 rule with liquids, gels and aerosols. Put all liquids in 3.4 ounce containers and place them in a clear, plastic one-quart zip-top bag.
Suntan & Sun Block Lotion: Lotions fall under the 3-1-1 procedures mentioned above. As well as the aerosol spray lotions. Sunblock sticks do not fall under this rule.
Makeup: Any liquid makeup cosmetics such as eyeliner, nail polish, liquid foundation, etc. should be placed in the baggie. That goes for perfume as well. Powder makeup is fine.
Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your other favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 oz. or less bottles in your carry-on bags in the 3-1-1 baggie.
Sporting Goods: Golf clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats (including the mini slugger bats), cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, bows and arrows, hockey sticks, scuba knives, spear guns, etc. are all prohibited from being carried onto the plane. However, you can have them checked as luggage.
Questions about TSA procedures and upcoming travel can be addressed to the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673 or @AskTSA on Twitter.
On Monday, March 27, the co-authors of one of the nation’s most powerful novels on racial tensions for teens will be visiting the KDL Wyoming Branch wrapping up the Community Reads program.
“All American Boys,” written by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, is the selected man title for this year’s Community Reads program. The story centers around two teenagers – one black and one white – classmates, who are forced to grabble with the repercussions of a violent act that leaves their school and their community bitterly divided by racial tension. Unique to the book is that Reynolds writes from the perspective of that young black boy, while Kiely writes from the white boy who witnessed the assault.
The story line should sound familiar as Reynolds has stated the book is based off similar events that have taken place in such communities as Ferguson, Mo. The goal was to create discussion, especially among students, about those issues playing out in the headlines.
“I realize that these conversations were totally divorcing themselves from young people,” Reynolds has said in previous interviews. “We want to create a tool for young people to enter into that conversation in a healthy and safe way.”
The book was chosen by the staff of the KDL Wyoming and Grandville branches – the two libraries partnered together for this year’s Community Read – because of its accessibility to students and that it makes a great discussion book because of the timelessness of the themes and the way the story is told from two different viewpoints, according to KDL Wyoming Branch Manager Lori Holland.
“When selecting titles we have a planning committee made up of library staff who meet to review titles,” Holland said. “This year we had both Grandville and Wyoming staff looking at and discussing various titles and authors that we have read and loved in the past year or two. We are looking for titles that engage a variety of readers in order to promote literacy. The book must have compelling characters and themes and foster discussion around issues that are important in our communities.”
Another factor in the selection process is that the authors should be compelling speakers and able to engage their audience. ” One of our staff members had seen Jason Reynolds speak and had been blown away by his presentation,” Holland said. In fact, Reynolds’ “Ghost” was the middle school selection for the Community Reads program and the picture book “Friendshape” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld was selected as a companion title.
Because students in Wyoming, Grandville and Godwin high schools are participating in the program, the selected book is then presented to school staff for review and feedback. “They loved the title and were enthusiastic supporters,” she said.
“All American Boys” has earned numerous awards including the 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
Monday’s program is for adults and teens in grades 6 – 12. For more information, visit www.kdl.org.
Aa’Naja Miller knows what it’s like to be unable to get her words out right, but when she stood in front of her classmates to talk about stuttering her voice was strong and clear.
The North Godwin Elementary School fourth-grader recently delivered a presentation, “My Experience with Stuttering” to her class. She has struggled with a speech disorder her whole life, and said children often tease her because of it.
“I stutter,” she said. “I can’t help it.”
There was no teasing that day. Instead, students listened in awe. “She looked like a teacher up there,” said classmate Donnie VanHorn. “She was so brave.”
Aa’Naja and North Godwin speech pathologist Sarah Toering created the presentation to give students a better understanding of stuttering. Toering also wanted to challenge Aa’Naja to speak in front of her peers.
“The purpose for me doing this presentation is for kids to know that I stutter, and that you don’t have to rush me because I know I do have to take my time,” she said. “I’m trying, but it just doesn’t come out right.”
She explained what a speech pathologist is, and how Toering has helped her learn strategies to overcome stuttering. She told students that others who have overcome stuttering include Vice President Joe Biden, NFL player Darren Sproles, actress Emily Blunt and late actress Marilyn Monroe.
According to The Stuttering Foundation, roughly three million Americans stutter. Approximately five percent of all children go through a period of stuttering that lasts six months or more. Three-quarters of those will recover by late childhood, leaving about one percent with a long-term stutter. The best prevention tool is early intervention.
Aa’Naja Miller spoke of her experience with stuttering
Aa’Naja included an interactive activity in her presentation, inviting classmates to practice stuttering with partners. She informed them of different types of stutters:
repetitions, which means repeating a word like “Do, do do you like pizza?”
blocks, which means getting stuck on a letter, like “D-d-do you like pizza?”
prolongations, which means holding a sound, like “IIIII like pizza!”
interjections, which means adding words, like “Um, do you, um, like pizza?”
Aa’Naja also introduced strategies she uses to stop stuttering, which include talking slowly, stretching out her words, taking a deep breath before she speaks and moving her mouth and tongue lightly while talking. She often uses her strategies automatically now, without having to think about them.
Classmate Donnie said “I learned to stick up for people who have stuttering problems and don’t make fun of them.”
Teacher Lisa Koeman said she had tears in her eyes during Aa’Naja’s presentation. Hearing her speak to her classmates, confidently and knowledgeably was inspiring.
“Aa’Naja didn’t stutter once,” Koeman said. “It was amazing. It was perfect. She acted like she was up on stage and has done this 100 times before. It was just breathtaking.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Alma Arvizu sat down with interpreter and translator Leonicia Rubio at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center to talk about conferences and kindergarten next school year for her son, Eric, now a preschooler.
Arvizu, like many district parents, knows who to turn to for help: Rubio and the other bilingual interpreters.
“It helps me,” said Arvizu, an immigrant from Mexico, with Rubio translating. “I understand very little English. I can’t speak it. With Leonicia, I have very good communication with the teachers. I think a lot of parents that don’t speak English go to the interpreters.”
Needs for interpretation and translation are even greater than Rubio and the district’s other translators and interpreters can fill, so administrators are turning to a new volunteer site, ServeGR.com, for help.
The site was started by Grand Rapids-based Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Carol Lautenbach, assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and accountability, attends. It links potential volunteers with opportunities based on their strengths, passions and schedules to find the best fit both for volunteers and those who need them.
ServeGR site coordinator Heather Colletto said the goal is to fill long-term needs.
“What’s so great about the Godfrey-Lee opportunity is that for someone who has Spanish-speaking skills to put to use on behalf of the community, it’s a great lightbulb moment.”
For a school district, it’s a nice way to make outside connections, Lautenbach said. As of early March, five people had already expressed interest in serving as bilingual volunteers, which requires a background check. An orientation will be set in the near future.
Not only will it benefit the district to have more volunteers, Lautenbach said, but it will build awareness about Godfrey-Lee.
“We want to remove as many barriers as we can for people to come in and be involved in our schools. We are also hoping to show them what great schools we are. It’s good for us to showcase the good things we are doing and show that we are welcoming to everyone.”
Join an Awesome Team
Carol Lautenbach
Many ECC parents need help with communication on busy mornings and at dismissal time, Rubio said. There are often parents waiting for assistance. “It would be really nice to have someone else there to help them.”
Interpreters and translators Rubio; Susana Chapa, who works at Godfrey Elementary School; and community liaison Jaime Ramirez, who works at the Administration Building, serve as connection points for parents about their children’s education. They rely a lot on one another to fill the communication needs in the Spanish-speaking community.
“We have an awesome team right here,” said Ramirez.
In the district, 75 percent of families are Hispanic, and 40 percent of students are English-language learners. Rubio, Chapa and Rodriguez write notes and newsletters, make phone calls, and translate at conferences and other parent meetings. They help make sure parents understand complicated terminology on forms, and plan and promote events like Las Posadas, held in December.
Parents have varying levels of English, and basic skills aren’t always enough for parents to receive the information they need, Lautenbach said, especially when it is critical. It’s important they can communicate comfortably.
“If it’s an emotional issue, a child who’s not going to graduate on time, a medical issue, a fight that’s happened, we all want to default to what’s most comfortable for us,” she said, “even if we are fairly fluent in another language.”
She wants parents to receive the right information and provide as much input as possible. “We want to make sure we are providing opportunities for parents to have a full voice.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Following first-round interviews, the Godfrey-Lee Board of Education has narrowed its finalists for superintendent from four candidates to two:
Carlos Lopez, director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Tamika Henry, principal at New Options High School, Allendale Public Schools.
Second-round interviews will take place during a special board meeting open to the public beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, in the multi-purpose room at the Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW.
The new superintendent will replace David Britten, who will retire July 1.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
From left, Wyoming Public Safety Department Lt. Jim Maguffee, Sgt. Brian Look and Wyoming Public Schools Resource Officer Rory Allen talk to Wyoming High School students.
It was a question teenage girls of color don’t often get to ask white police officers. “What do you think of the Black Lives Matter movement?” asked Wyoming High School junior Tracy Nunez-Telemin.
As part of a panel of police officers visiting high school students, City of Wyoming Lt. Jim Maguffee shared his thoughts.
Junior Tracy Nunez-Telemin asks officers for thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement.
“First of all I want to say that black lives matter,” Maguffee said. “That’s an important tenet to get across.” He said he doesn’t agree with everything the movement stands for because he thinks it draws incorrect conclusions about policing. Still, he sees its positives.
“I vehemently feel that public discourse is part of what makes America great,” he stressed. “The fact that people can come together and form a movement and call it Black Lives Matter and march in the streets and demand to be heard, man, that’s what makes us so strong. That’s not common around the world. That’s a great thing.”
No Subject Off Limits
In a country where hot-button issues have become increasingly divisive, Wyoming High School students and police officers sat down in the media center to talk about a variety of issues. Police brutality, illegal immigration and diversity on the police force were all addressed by officers queried by students. They said they have sworn to protect everyone in the community, regardless of immigration status. “We are everybody’s police,” Maguffee said.
Junior Tony Joliffi asks officers about experiences making quick judgment calls
The purpose of the panel was for students and officers to learn from each other, teachers said. Discussion spanned a whole school day with several groups attending hour-long sessions. Panelists included Maguffee, Sgt. Brian Look, Wyoming Public Schools Resource Officer Rory Allen and Officer Pam Keen.
It was part of the junior class’ annual book study, in partnership with the Kent District Library’s KDL Reads program. Students read “All American Boys,” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, a novel about a fictional African-American teenager who is assaulted by a white police officer. The event is witnessed by a white classmate. The repercussions that follow divide a school, community and nation.
For the past three years, juniors have participated in KDL Reads, and compiled essays to create their own book based on themes from the book study. This year, juniors are writing about social justice. “All American Boys” authors are scheduled to visit March 27.
Creating Community Dialogue
Including a visit from police officers in the book study was a way to offer different perspectives in a humanizing way, said English teacher Joslyn O’Dell, adding students often have negative perceptions of police.
“Having actual police officers come in here to create a positive interaction with them will help them move forward,” O’Dell said. “It’s so important we have open dialogue.”
“We wanted to open up the communication between our students and our local police so they can start to see those perspectives,” added media specialist Melissa Schneider, who helps coordinate the annual book project. “It was a hard (topic) because it’s controversial.”
Raul Valdez inquires about diversity on the police force
Wyoming High School has a very diverse student body and addressing racially charged issues can be difficult, she said. “That’s what we wanted to teach them, (that) there are ways to have those difficult conversations that can be meaningful versus just attacking and assuming.”
About Black Lives Matter, Maguffee said he hopes a result of the movement is progress in working together. “I think it’s great that they exist to the point that we can have a good conversation about how to make things better,” he said.
Junior Raul Valdez asked about diversity represented on the City of Wyoming Police Department. The police force is made up of a majority of white males, though there are black, Latino, female and officers of other ethnicities, officers said.
It’s always a drive to match the diversity of the department with the community, Allen told students. “In reality, you guys are the community and when we talk about diversity, ideally you want the police department to look like the high school here, and you’ve got a pretty diverse school.”
‘You Guys are Doing it Right’
As school liaison officer, Allen said he has to respond to very few problems at the high school where 25 countries are represented in the student body. “You guys are doing it right… For the vast majority, everybody plays nice together… It speaks a lot to you guys. Old people like us could probably take a lesson from you guys.”
Junior Tony Joliffi said he appreciated the officers’ visit. “It was a good experience for not only me but everyone in here to hear from police officers,” he said, noting that it reaffirmed his view of police as community protectors. “It was relieving to know that the view I wanted to have of police officers was actually true.”
Maguffee said he it was important for him to attend. “I have an opportunity to come in and talk to these teenagers face to face, learn each other’s names and talk about this problem. Any chance we can do that, we’ve got to seize it, because that’s what’s going to fix things eventually,”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Leaders from Grand Valley State University will join hundreds of college and K-12 students, community leaders and advocates at the 17th Annual César E. Chávez Social Justice March on Thursday, March 16.
• Details: The march will begin at 11 a.m. at the Cook Center Library, 1100 Grandville Ave. SW.
The march will cover the length of César E. Chávez Boulevard, celebrating the work and legacy of Chávez, and end with a community gathering at 11:30 a.m. at Potter’s House Church, 811 Chicago Dr., SW.
Grand marshals are President Juan R. Olivarez, Aquinas College, and President Steven C. Ender, Grand Rapids Community College.
Lupe Ramos-Montigny, committee chair, said the program is dedicated to “A Day Without Immigrants.”
Proceeds from a luncheon later in the afternoon will benefit a scholarship at Grand Valley that honors Ramos-Montigny.
You don’t have to head to LaughFest this weekend to get a few good laughs. The Wyoming Theater Company presents “Still No Need for Improv-ment?” Thursday – Saturday, March 16 – 18, a Dan Heintzleman Auditorium, located in the Wyoming Junior High School, 2125 Wrenwood Blvd.
The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Wyoming Theater Company, which for more than 20 years has provided students in seventh through 12th grade an opportunity to participate in theater productions. The program is one of the largest extracurricular student group in Wyoming High School and has involved more than a 100 students every year in all areas of the arts including acting, dance, voice, graphic design, costume, makeup, lighting design and more.
Ansleigh Hamilton, who portrayed Morticia in the company’s fall production of “The Addams Family,” said she has been performing with the company since seventh grade and has loved every moment. Matt Bulthuis, a senior this year and who played Lucas in “The Addams Family,” said being a part of Wyoming Theater Company has been an important aspect to his high school career.
“The Wyoming Theater Company is very excited to bring you four awesome and unique IMPROV events this March,” according to director Jeremy Schnotala. The troupe of improv actors (7th-12th grade) have been working since December to prepare for these outlandish, fun evenings of original IMPROV comedy, he said.
“We will have you laughing all night as our troupe of twelve make up scenes on the spot from audience suggestions,” Schnotala said. “Each evening is made up of over a dozen different improv activities or games– ALL completely unique, fresh, and improvised right before your eyes!”
The first three events are special engagements–food, beverages, and entertainment included. The final evening show on Saturday, March 18, is general admission. Tickets to the three special engagements are $15 each (staff event passes not accepted for these events) and have limited seating as there is a “behind the scenes” cafe-style performance space, replete with mood lighting, comfortable lounge seating, cafe tables and more. Each event will also have three special drawings for prize packages worth anywhere from $75 to $200. See information below for details:
Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m.: COFFEE HOUSE IMPROV–tickets are $15 to this special engagement. It will be two hours of entertainment, specialty coffees, various desserts, and salty snacks.
FRIDAY, March 17 at 7 p.m.: DINNER THEATER IMPROV–tickets are $15 to this special engagement. It will be two hours of entertainment, dinner, beverages, snacks, and dessert.
SATURDAY morning, March 18 at 11 a.m.: PAJAMA PERFORMANCE–tiickets are $15 to this special engagement. It will include two hours of entertainment, breakfast and beverages. Coming in your pajamas is optional.
SATURDAY evening, March 18 at 7 p.m.: GENERAL ADMISSION IMPROV SHOW–tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, 18 and under. Seating will be general admission. The show will last approximately two hours.
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 616-530-7590, ext. 2367 or at the door of the Dan Heintzlman Auditorium. For more information about the show or the Wyoming Theater Company, visit www.wyomingtheatercompany.com.
Mental health issues are perhaps one of the largest contributing factors to recidivism. Providing much-needed treatment to those suffering from mental health issues could help offenders recover and stay out of the justice system, while alleviating the strain on the courts and jails. The Board of Commissioners recently voted to accept a $33,000 Mental Health Court Planning Grant from the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) be appropriated to the 2017 Special Projects Fund budget.
The State Legislature created the mental health court statute in 2013, enabling trial courts in Michigan to develop and operate mental health courts. A mental health court is a specialized court docket for certain defendants with mental illness that substitutes a problem-solving model for traditional criminal court processing. The SCAO makes funds available annually for planning and implementation of mental health courts.
The 17th Circuit Court, in collaboration with Network180, received the funding to evaluate the need for a mental health court within Kent County and how these services would best be delivered. As required by the grant, staff representing the 17th Circuit Court, local district court, Network180, County Prosecutor, Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, mental health services providers and County Administration will participate in the project planning committee.
“We simply cannot operate in silos when it comes to the mental health system and the justice system,” said Judge Donald A. Johnston, 17th Circuit Court Chief Judge. “By working together, we hope to enhance public safety and make a difference in the lives of individuals who are trapped in an endless cycle of illness and jail.”
Grant funds will be primarily used to contract with a consultant to serve as the Mental Health Court Planning Coordinator. The coordinator will work with the project planning committee to determine whether implementation of a mental health court in Kent County would reduce recidivism, enhance public safety, and improve outcomes for mentally ill citizens.
“When we treat mental health issues successfully, we will save money that would be spent on court costs and incarceration,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “Our Board is hopeful that this study will result in development of a program into the future.”
James Hughes, former Regional Administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court, will coordinate the effort on a contractual basis under the direction of the 17th Circuit Court Administrator Andrew Thalhammer. “Kent County has a great opportunity to improve outcomes for persons with serious mental illness who become involved in its criminal justice system. I plan to identify the best practices from other Mental Health Courts in Michigan that could be started here in Grand Rapids,” Hughes said.
The study is expected to be completed by September 30, 2017 to allow development of a proposal for an implementation grant during FY 2018 if recommended by the planning committee and accepted by the court and appropriate funding unit.
“Treatment is a much more cost-effective way to deal with mental health issues, but it is also a more holistic course of action,” said Scott Gilman, Executive Director of Network180. “I look forward to the work we can do and the lives we can positively impact through this planning period.”
Charles Ross in Edinburgh (Supplied by Charles Ross)
By Kathy Richards
Van Singel Fine Arts Center
Like many, many others, Charles Ross spent much of his childhood watching and re-watching (and re-watching again) the Star Wars Trilogy. The result of his deep love and appreciation for the film series is his hilarious show One Man Star Wars, presented by the 2016-2017 Chemical Bank Series on Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
In the show, Ross single-handedly plays all the characters, sings the music, flies the ships fights the battles and condenses the plots into one fun show for all ages. He does so with no props, sets or light-sabers. It’s evokes the films famous scenes, dialogue and musical themes but also allows the audience to use its imagination.
Officially endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd, and produced by the same company as Evil Dead! The Musical and Potted Potter, Ross’ energetic performance has toured to London’s West End, Off Broadway, Dubai and the Sydney Opera House.
SPIN magazine called the show “funnier than you can possibly imagine.” Conan O’Brien praised its accessibility and the Chicago Sun Times saluted Ross on his “impressive Star Wars run in less than 12 parsecs!”
Reserved seats are $24.50 for adults and $16.50 for students (high school and younger). Reserve tickets in person at the Van Singel box office or by calling 626-878-6800, Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available online at www.vsfac.com.
The Van Singel Fine Arts Center sits at the east end of the Byron Center High School complex, located at 8500 Burlingame SW (84th Street and Burlingame SW) in Byron Center, just 1.5 miles west of US-131. The Van Singel features free, easy parking and curbside handicap parking is available.
The City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety honored its police and firefighter personnel, as well as civilians, at an award ceremony late last month. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Wyoming Department of Public Safety Director James Carmody, addressing a standing-room-only crowd at the department’s annual award ceremony late last month, made clear his feelings on the role his police and fire personnel have in the Wyoming community.
“Tonight you will hear stories of unselfish acts of bravery, generosity, compassion and guy-wrenching determination,” Carmody said at the Feb. 23 event at the Wyoming Senior Center. “The events we speak of tonight are just a few of the many thousands of times that our men and women step into the breach of danger and work to keep our city a safe and comfortable place to live, work and play.”
While the evening honored all of the long list of winners of Certificates of Merit, Certificates of Achievement, Life Saving Awards and individual and unit commendations, the highlights of the evening were the five personnel who gained special honors. (See complete list here.)
Ofc. Carmen Morales was honored as Officer of the Year, Firefighter Lance Bowman was recognized as Firefighter of the Year, Milt Zaagman was honored as Civilian of the Year, and Det. D.J. VerHage and Firefighter Brad Dornbos each received the Chiefs Award of Professional Excellence.
Each of the five had their stories told and, afterword talking with WKTV, reacted to their awards.
Officer of the Year
Ofc. Morales has been with the department for more than 20 years, serving as a patrol officer, a detective and now in the warrant unit. She has been a long-serving member of the peer support group and awards boards. Carmody, in supplied material, described her as “passionate about bringing justice to the victims of crime and believes in the dignity of all. Her unwavering commitment to professional policing, her fellow officers and the community makes her someone we can all be proud to represent us as our Officer of the Year.”
Ofc. Carmen Morales (WKTV)
The award “means a lot to me,” Ofc. Morales said. “Number One: I was chosen from my peers. … I have been with the city of Wyoming for 25 years, so I have dedicated myself to this department for 25 years, even though I consider them my family. It means a job well done, for me. I have been in so many units in this department, that I have to say I am glad I was chosen for this award and not for one specific thing I have done for the city of Wyoming but for a collaboration of things.”
“Tonight’s special honorees have been recognized by their peers, this is a peer-driven process,” Carmody said of the award process. “The awards you see tonight are recommended and voted on by their peers.”
Firefighter of the Year
Firefighter Lance Bowman (WKTV)
Firefighter Bowman has served as the director of the Wyoming Public Safety Fire Divisions Quarter Master Program since its creation in 2014. He is responsible for providing clothing and equipment for full-time, part-time, dual trained and on call firefighters. Of Bowman, Carmody said, in supplied material: “We commend him for his bravery and thank him for his service. His commitment to the department and his continued display of courage in emergencies serves as an exemplary role model for his peers.”
“I am very pleased to accept this award from my peers that I work with everyday,” Bowman said.
Civilian of the Year
Milt Zaagman is congratulated by Wyoming Department of Public Safety Director James Carmody (WKTV)
Zaagman, a building maintenance worker for the City of Wyoming, has served the community for over 40 years and remains an integral part of keeping the department operating successfully. “Milt defines responsibility,” a release by the Pubic Safety Department stated. “He is often seen before the sunrises and on days off shoveling the sidewalks or sweeping leaves from garages, according to a peer panel evaluation. He is highly respected among his peers. His name is synonymous with kindness, respect, service and selflessness throughout the department.”
“I have 41 years with the City of Wyoming, with the police department,” Zaagman said. “Back in the ’60s, when I was in the military, I understood exactly what a brotherhood and sisterhood was, and I have felt accepted and felt that same thing with all these years with the Wyoming police department.”
Chiefs Awards of Professional Excellence
Firefighter Brad Dornbos (WKTV)
Dornbos, the fire divisions emergency medical technician coordinator, established a mutually supportive relationship with Metro Health. This partnership led to a $10,000 grant, which allowed the department to purchase advanced medical equipment and fund the training of their full-time firefighters as EMTs. “Brads dedication to improved service has been instrumental in enabling our department to save more lives,” Carmody said in supplied material. “The ability to provide improved services to our residents and our community is because of his hard work.”
“It is an honor to receive the award,” Dornbos said. “It’s definitely a team effort amongst my lieutenant, chief, and our crew that we all work together… it’s a reaffirmation that we’re doing the right thing and moving forward to help the citizens of Wyoming and hopefully save more lives with the upgraded licensure and with the future accreditation coming forward.”
Det. D.J. VerHage (WKTV)
VerHage has served on the department for 24 years and has been forefront on many of its most important criminal cases. “Detective VerHage has been a top candidate of this award many times, but this year was his year,” Carmody said in supplied material. “Each day he embodies our values of honor, courage, duty and trust through his determination and dedication.”
“It is very humbling. The chief was very gracious, by what he said,” VerHage said. “I am very thankful and grateful for my coworkers, everybody I get to work with. This is a team effort and anything that I did is only possible because of my coworkers and everybody that helps out with every case. Every complaint, everything that comes into the police department from our civilians, to all of our police officers, detectives, and the admin as well. It’s very nice what he said and very gracious and there’s many many more deserving of this award, so, thank you.”
For more information on the City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety, visit the city’s new website at wyomingmi.gov .
WKTV’s high school sports coverage crew was at Monday night’s tipoff of the opening round of the MHSAA district tournament at Godwin Heights. We will be there for the finals Friday. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
This week WKTV’s featured Friday night high school sports event will be the finals of the boys MHSAA Basketball Basketball District 50 tournament at Wyoming Godwin Heights.
In Monday opening-round games, tournament host Godwin Heights had an easy time in a 80-32 win over West Michigan Aviation Academy, and (in WKTV’s covered feature game) Wyoming Kellogsville scored a 87-49 win over Kentwood’s Grand River Prep.
Tonight (Thursday, March 9) games will find Kellogsville (now 18-3) trying to avoid the upset by Wyoming-Lee (10-10) in the 6 p.m. game. Then Godwin Heights (20-1) will face off with Grand Rapids South Christian (10-10) at 8 p.m.
The winners of those games will play Friday, with WKTV cameras on hand, for the District title and a berth in the Region 11 Regional Tournament next week.
Th game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/
DVDs and Blue-Rays of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org
The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is taking registrations for its spring softball leagues. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
The deadline is looming for signing up for the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department’s spring-season adult soft-pitch softball leagues, which includes both coed and men’s leagues.
Registration deadline for adult softball leagues is Thursday, March 16.
The coed league will play Mondays and Fridays while the men’s league will play Mondays and Thursdays. These are both 10-game leagues with a $475 cost per team. An additional men’s league, running Mondays and Tuesdays, will be a 12-game league and with a $525 cost per team. They will all include a single-elimination tournament at the end of regular season.
For more information, or to register your team, please contact recreation programmer Kenny Westrate at 616.530.3164 or westratek@wyomingmi.gov.
For more information about other Parks and Recreation special events or programs, please visit www.wyomingmi.gov.
United Church Outreach Ministry, or UCOM, is the secret that is not a secret, according to its Executive Director Dr. Bruce Roller.
For more than 30 years, the organization has provided resources to those in the community who are low income, “trying to give them the hand that they need, whatever that hand is, to help them move to a better quality of life,” Roller said.
For the clientele, what UCOM provides is no secret. This has included providing food and clothing for immediate needs along with programs such as financial, health, and workforce development. One of those programs has been “tutoring and mentoring in public schools so that the children get the eduction they deserve and are able to move on in that next generation,” Roller said, adding that could include perhaps going to college, which for some may have not been an option.
However, for those not in need or having never needed services like what UCOM offers, the organization may seem like the “best kept secret in town.”
“I don’t really like to say that,” Roller said with laugh, “as it is my job that it isn’t.”
Julianne Howe-Bouwens, seen here rehearsing for a Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production, will perform at this year’s 14h Annual Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert. (Photo by now.wktv.org)
One of the best ways UCOM representatives have found to share with its community about its mission and work is through the 14th Annual Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert which is Sunday, March 12, at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4010 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. Tickets are $25 with the event starting with a silent auction at 5 p.m. and a concert following at 6 p.m.
“This is a good place for people to jump in and begin to see what we do, Roller said. “They may begin to want to get involved in the work that is going on here.”
“This fundraiser, this effort, these people are so amazing,” said Julianne Howe-Bouwens, a local actress and singer who will be performing at Sunday’s Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert. “They help the community in so many ways by providing for people who are in need and it is such an honor for me to be a little part of that effort.”
Howe-Bouwens, who starred in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Sister Act” last year, will be joined by the area’s longest continuing choir, The Schubert Male Chorus. The entire program is coordinated by Phil Pletcher, who has lended his expertise to all of the benefit concerts these past 14 years, according to Roller.
The Schubert Male Chorus
UCOM was started in 1969 by the women of Smith Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ. The group began with a food collection and hot lunch program for students at neighboring Hall Elementary School, now Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School. As the group learned about its community needs, the program expanded and changed to fit them, with UCOM becoming what it is today. UCOM is now located 1311 Chicago Dr. SW, Wyoming and is part of the All County Churches Emergency Services System (ACCESS), serving those in southwest Grand Rapids, Grandville, and Wyoming.
Roller said he hopes through programs like the benefit concert that UCOM will continue to expand its efforts to meet the needs of those it serves.
For more about the 14th Annual Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert or UCOM, visit www.ucomgr.org.
The WKTV Mobile Unit will be out covering local high school basketball playoffs this week. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
This week in WKTV’s featured high school sport games will be determined by which local teams are advancing in the basketball tournaments, but the coverage crew will be at Godwin Heights Monday, March 6, for the boys basketball game between Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights. The late week game will be determined later this week, tentatively on Friday, and will be announced.
WKTV videos and broadcasts several games each week during high school sports season.
The early week game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood. The late week game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/
DVDs and Blue-Rays of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org
The Board of Education has scheduled special meetings in March to interview superintendent candidates to replace superintendent David Britten, who will retire July 1.
Candidates were narrowed from a field of 30 applicants. The following candidates will be interviewed in scheduled open public sessions:
Tamika Henry, principal at New Options High School in Allendale Public Schools;
Carol Lautenbach, assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and accountability for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools;
Carlos Lopez, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools;
Margaret Malone, director of fine arts for Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Lopez and Lautenbach will be interviewed starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 6; and Henry and Malone starting at 6:30 p.m on Wednesday, March 8, during special board meetings. Both meetings are open to the public.
After the initial round of interviews, the board is expected to narrow the field to two for a final round and selection scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, March 20. All interviews will be at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
With a job fair Tuesday, March 7, Kent ISD and EDUStaff seek to increase the substitute teachers and support staff local districts badly need. The job fair takes place from 10am-2pm at Kent ISD’s administration building, 2930 Knapp Street NE, Grand Rapids, 49525.
EDUStaff is a Grand Rapids area company formed in 2010 to provide substitute staff for schools and works with many districts across the state. (EDUStaff is also a sponsor of School News Network.)
Finding substitute staff is increasingly difficult for schools, according to Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Caniff. “As Michigan’s job market has improved, our districts are having a tough time finding good staff, including subs. And these subs are a critical resource and an important part of the school family. They help students keep learning when staff are out ill, tending to the needs of their own families, or participating in the professional development that improves achievement.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Hoop Heaven Basketball Academy will be holding introductory events this month and in April. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
Wyoming’s Hoop Heaven Basketball Academy recently announced several youth basketball programs, including a March 11 trial event of its Travel Ball League Play and the Saturday afternoon Biddy Ball program starting in April.
Hoop Heaven events are held at the Elevation Church, 2141B Porter St. SW. The program’s mission, according to supplied material, is “Pursuing gospel transformation and leadership development in Wyoming area youth through the game of basketball.”
The Travel Ball League Play event on March 11 will start at 1 p.m. and is for both boys and girls grades 3-12. The cost of tryout is $5 per players and you must pre-register. For registration and more information on this event contact Phyllis Harder at 616-498-1128, email her at phyllis@elevationhoopheaven.org or visit their website at elevationhoopheaven.org or visit them on Facebook at /hoopheavenbasketballacademy
The Biddy Ball program will run April 15 through May 13 and is open to both boys and girls K-2nd grade. Both friend (of teams) and entire team requests will be considered. The cost if $55 per child, with partial scholarships available, which includes a t-shirt. For more information contact Eric Vandyke at 616-272-6244, email him at ericvandyke15@gmail.com or visit elevationhoopheaven.com .
The weather was unseasonably warm for Wyoming’s first WinterFest, making organizers a little nervous as to whether residents would visit the seven sites hosting activities.
Those worries were put to rest as by 9:30 a.m. the Wyoming Junior High School already was hopping with students and adults getting in some hoops in the gym, visiting booths in the halls, and snagging some breakfast and partaking in the cake walk game in the cafeteria. By 10:30 a.m., greeters estimated that they had gone through about half of its 300 bracelets that each of the seven locations received to help count participants.
Students participate at one of the WinterFest booths. (WKTV)
“We are celebrating the success of the first One Wyoming WinterFest,” said Rachel Verwys, one of the event organizers. “Through the seven locations, we believe we connected with about 1,400 people through Wyoming for a fun-filled event that connected residents to one another and to community resources.”
Put together by the One Wyoming Community Collaborative, which is made up of a collaboration of school, businesses, government, churches, nonprofits and residents to improve the quality of life in the community, the Wyoming WinterFest was considered the next step in working to bring residents, community leaders and business owners together to start the dialog of what they can do to improve their neighborhood, according to Jon Shaker, the marketing director for the salvation army Kroc center, one of the sponsors for the event.
“This is really nice for the community,” said Marilee Taken, from Beverly Reformed Church, located just down the street from Wyoming Junior High School. The church was handing out mugs, shirts, and popcorn. “It is such a wonderful idea to bring the community together for something fun and a great opportunity to meet your neighbors.”
Having grown up in the area of the Wyoming Junior High School, Elevation Church Pastor Chris Hall said he was thrilled at the opportunity to bring community members together to enjoy some fun activities – Hall’s church was providing the basketball games – and fellowship.
The vendor hall at the Wyoming Junior High School. (WKTV)
Even before the actual event, the planning process brought together more than 40 partners, businesses, nonprofits, churches, the city residents and schools, Verwys said. The idea was to have various locations opened within the city to bring the residents and organizations from that neighborhood together to start their own dialog on what they could improve their neighborhood, Shaner said. Along with the Wyoming Junior High School, The DOCK/The PIER, Vanguard Charter Academy, Calvary Church, Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, Community Church (Godwin Heights), and Grace Bible College all participated in the Wyoming Winterfest, which was Feb. 18. Locations were open at various times with each location offering food and an arrange of activities.
Many had planned winter activities. Hall said at the Wyoming Junior High School, there had been plans to have snow sculpting, but it was changed to fun with bubbles. “We just go with the flow,” Hall said.
As to whether the warmer weather helped the event, Verwys said she was not certain, but it certainly did not impede residents from attending.
“Another goal we accomplished was the connectivity to local community resources like health care organizations such as Metro Health Hospital, the library, KSSN, and the Girl Scouts,” she said. “The service volunteers provided at each location was amazing, WinterFest provided an avenue for about 350 people to serve generating well over 1,000 hours of service.”
With the Wyoming WinterFest deemed a success, One Wyoming is back at work planning future community-wide collaborations. Verwys said up next is a community-wide Earth Day event set for April 22.
The boys and girls basketball state playoffs kick off this week. And WKTV will be following local teams. (WKTV)
By Mike Moll
sportswktv@gmail.com
The remaining winter high school seasons conclude in March and the spring seasons get started the last ten days of the month. But starting this week and weekend, the sports schedule is busy with state championships all over the state.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association version of March Madness will continue the first week with girl’s districts wrapping up and eventually making their way to The Breslin Center on the MSU campus for state finals on the March 18, whereas the boys will begin district play the first full week of the month which will also lead to MSU to crown four state champions on March 25.
The wrestling state finals are March 2-4 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. That same weekend, on Friday and Saturday, will be the boys and girls bowling championships at various locations based on division. The busy championship weekend will also include the girls cheer on March 3-4 at The Delta Plex in Grand Rapids. Boys hockey drops the puck on pre-regionals this weekend of the month and will conclude their season the next weekend at Plymouth with semi-finals on Friday and finals on Saturday. Girls gymnastics and boys swimming will close out seasons with state championships the second weekend as well.
WKTV’s schedule will be determined by which teams remain in the tournaments between girls and boys basketball. The tentative early games currently are:
Friday, March 3
District Girls Basketball @ Grand Rapids Christian
or District Girls Basketball @ South Christian
Monday, March 6
District Boys Basketball Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville and District Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation vs Godwin Heights (both games being played at Godwin Heights)
Friday, March 10
District Boys Basketball @ Godwin Heights
The complete list of local high school athletic events this week include:
Wednesday, March 1
Girls Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – TBD vs Grand River Prep
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – West Michigan Aviation @vs South Christian
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – West Michigan Lutheran vs TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – Potter’s House vs Holland Calvary
MHSAA State Districts @ Christian – East Kentwood @ Christian
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet
Boys Hockey
MHSAA State Pre-Regionals @ Wing Stadium – East Kentwood vs TBD
Thursday, March 2
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Boys Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Hamilton
Wyoming @ Benton Harbor
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary
South Christian @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Friday, March 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ Sterling Heights
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2 @ Canton
MHSAA State Finals – Division 3 @ Battle Creek
MHSAA State Finals – Division 4 @ Lansing
Girls Cheer
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ The Delta Plex – Grand Rapids
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Girls Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Christian – TBD
Saturday, March 4
Girls Cheer
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2, 3, 4 @ The Delta Plex @ Grand Rapids
Girls Gymnastics
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Kenowa Hills
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Grand Ledge
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Plymouth-Canton
MHSAA State Regional – @ Walled Lake Central
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Boys/Girls Bowling
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ Sterling Heights
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2 @ Canton
MHSAA State Finals – Division 3 @ Battle Creek
MHSAA State Finals – Division 4 @ Lansing
Boys Hockey
MHSAA State Regionals @ East Kentwood – TBD
Monday, March 6
Boys Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ Godwin Heights – Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville
MHSAA State Districts @ Godwin Heights – Godwin Heights vs South Christian
MHSAA State Districts @ Zeeland East – Wyoming @ Zeeland East
