With more fans allowed in the stands thanks to last week’s MHSAA decision on easing capacity limits at football games, East Kentwood High School will host Jenison this week in an important OK Conference Red contest.
WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be at the 7 p.m. game and will broadcast the game live on our cable television channels as well as live-steam it at WKTV.org.
The Falcons enter the contest with a 1-2 record in the shortened 6-game regular season, while the Jenison Wildcats are 2-1. While both teams will make the expanded playoff field this season under a yet-to-be fully defined Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) format, East Kentwood head coach Tony Kimbrough wants his team to get on a roll — both offensively and defensively.
WKTV caught up with Coach Kimbrough, and senior Chris Brown, to talk about the expanded playoffs and what’s happening on both sides of the ball for the Falcons.
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, and we will livestream games where allowed on WKTV.org (click on Live).
WKTV will also rebroadcast the games on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
Godwin Heights goes for a two-point extra point conversion after junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake (1) punched in an early Wolverine touchdown in their Oct. 2 home game against Belding. (WKTV)
While Grand Rapids South Christian High School ran their record to 3-0, with a win over Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-3), 41-24, both East Kentwood and Wyoming high’s offense kicked into high gear with the playoffs looming and three games remaining on the shortened 2020 regular-season schedule.
East Kentwood (1-2) rolled up 42 points in an easy road win at Grand Haven (0-3) as the Falcons defense held the Buccaneers to just 12 first-half points and running back Jeffery Perry rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.
Also standing out on offense for East Kentwood was senior quarterback Brandon Miller, who passed for 146 yards on a 13-of-24 night, with one touchdown, while also adding 55 yards on the ground. Senior running back Drapher Cribb scored a rushing touchdown and senior Evan Milliken caught Miller’s touchdown pass. Senior Jaylen Smith added a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery.
“We overcame some early mistakes on both sides of the ball,” East Kentwood head football coach Tony Kimbrough said to WKTV. “We played well in all phases of the game, especially in the second half. Jeffrey Perry was a big part of our success.”
East Kentwood’s next game is Oct. 9 at home against Jenison (2-1). And in a change to the WKTV Featured Game schedule, we will be covering the Falcons game live on cable television and live-streamed at WKTV.org (click on the Live button).
Wyoming Wolves score 57 points in heartbreaking loss
Wyoming high’s offensive was in high gear for the second straight week with a dominating ground game totaling more than 500 yards and six touchdowns. But the Wolves (0-3) fell just short in a shoot-out on the road at Grand Rapids Union (1-2), 59-57.
Wyoming high coaches talk to their Wolves team from an early season game. (WKTV)
Wyoming had two players go over 200 yards rushing, with senior Cameron Simon totaling 264 yards on 18 carries, and senior Jeremy Barber totaling 209 on 27 carries with four touchdowns. Junior Mateo Ledesma added 42 yards and two touchdowns. But Wyoming head coach Irvin Sigler said the key to his explosive offense is his senior laden offensive line.
“We had two backs over 200 yards rushing, and that is an amazing feat,” Sigler said to WKTV. “Our offensive line had a tremendous game … lineman Anthony Alvarado, Seth DeYoung, Sam DeYoung, Ronald Divers, Sawyer VanDyke, as well as fullbacks Guizzippi Jobse and Collin St. John, were stellar.”
Senior quarterback Matthew Berg was 11-of-19 passing with one touchdown, and senior Mahki Matthews led the receivers with three catches.
The Wolves will be at home, this week, Oct. 9, against defending state Class A champions Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0). And Sigler said his defense will need to be better this week and continue to get better as the playoffs approach.
“Defensively we struggled all night and did not tackle well,” Sigler said. “Our kids will work to improve and get better at all types of tackling this week.”
The rest of the local action
Grand Rapids South Christian (3-0) at home (playing at East Kentwood) defeated Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-3), 41-24. The Sailors’ next game is Oct. 9 at Cedar Springs (2-1).
At Godwin Heights, after an early touchdown by junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake and two-point extra point conversion, the Wolverines (1-2) lost at home to Belding (3-0), 26-8, in what was the Oct. 2 WKTV Featured Game. The game was broadcast on cable live and live-streamed, and will be available on-demand at WKTVlive.org later this week. The Wolverines next scheduled game, at Grandville Calvin Christian on Oct. 9, has been cancelled, so its next game is Oct. 16 at Hopkins (currently 3-0).
Kelloggsville (0-3) lost at home to Comstock Park (10-2), 56-14. The Rockets next game is Oct. 9 at Sparta (1-2).
Lee (1-2 with forfeit win) lost at home to Comstock (2-1), 58-8. In that game, Legends quarterback Imiliano Valdez connected with Takayon Smith for a 68-yard touchdown strike, as well as a 2-point conversion. The Legends next game, scheduled for Oct. 9 against Muskegon Orchard View (0-3), has been cancelled by Lee.
After Week 2 of the adjusted high school football season, South Christian High School remained undefeated, Godwin Heights gained its first win in a big way over Kelloggsville, while East Kentwood’s offense came alive but could not overcome a scoring onslaught by Grandville in WKTV’s Featured Game of the Week.
The biggest news may have come not on the field, however, but from the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the state’s governing body of high school sports, which made a little clearer what the expanded football playoffs will look like.
Playoff field expands; some details set
In an expected announcement on the expansion of the Michigan high school football playoff format, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) last week approved plan in which all teams would be eligible regardless of regular season records. There are currently 507 teams playing 11-player football, but some are already forfeiting games and/or are canceling games.
According to the MHSAA statement, teams have been placed in pre-arranged divisions based on enrollment, and into districts mostly reflecting current conferences. Teams will be seeded 1-8 based on playoff-point average, with the teams with highest averages hosting at the District and Regional levels.
The current, tentative playoff format includes, for each division, first three district round games, then the regional finals, and finally state semifinals and finals. The host sites for the semifinals and finals will be pre-arranged and announced at a later date. Finals will be played the weekend of Dec. 4-6.
Further details are expected to be “provided soon” on the Football page of the MHSAA website at mhsaa.com/sports/football.
Back on the field locally last week
On the road Friday, Sept. 25, the South Christian Sailors jumped out to a 21-0 first half lead and ran their record to 2-0 with a win at Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 35-12.
In the win, quarterback Ty Rynbrandt as 14-of-21 for 111 yards, including touchdown strikes to Sam Meengs and Elliot Grashuis. Eli Smith led the receivers with 33 yards on sic receptions. Daniel Possett led the Sailors rushing attack with 49 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Jeff Herrema was 5-for-5 in extra point kicks.
Conner Dykema led the defense with two solo tackles and five assists. And the defense scored one touchdown.
“Another good defensive performance,” South Christian head coach Danny Brown said to WKTV. “Both touchdowns given up were played well by our defensive backs but the receiver just made a better play. … We didn’t light up the stat book but we made the most of our opportunities. Great team win. Everyone was able to get some playing time which is always a bonus.”
Next up, the Sailors will be at home Friday, Oct. 2, as they host Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-2).
At East Kentwood, senior quarterback Braden Miller continued his hot start to the season going 18-of-30 passing for 359 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons fell just short to Grandville, 54-42.
East Kentwood scores against Grandville on Sept. 25. (WKTV)
Miller also gained 60 yards on the ground as Kylon Hunnicut added 53 yards on just three carries. Hunnicut did most of his damage receiving, however, with 112 yards on three receptions. Pacino Horne added 102 yards on 12 receptions. On defense, Darian Quinn had seven tackles, and Carson Dunn, Caius Austin, Razah Townsend, Jocari Barnes and Jodon Gray-Tolb all had five tackles.
The East Kentwood game was WKTV Featured game and was broadcast on cable live and live-streamed. It is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org, along with all featured games from this season.
This week’s WKTV featured game will be Belding at Godwin Heights, and will also be broadcast live on cable and live-streamed available at WKTV.org by hitting the “Live” button.
Last week, Godwin (1-1) won at Wyoming Kelloggsville (0-2), 32-8. (Scheduling notes: Kelloggsville will be at home against Comstock Park (0-2) this week. Godwin’s scheduled Oct. 9 game at Grandville Calvin Christian has been cancelled.)
In the Godwin game, Kelloggsville sophomore quarterback Zack Zerfys was 10-of-17 for 86 yards including a touchdown strike to junior Jabari Campbell and a 2-point conversion to Cory Patton Ivy.
In other local games, Wyoming high (0-2) lost at home to Zeeland East, 49-14, while Wyoming Lee (1-1) gained a 1-0 forfeit over Three Oaks River Valley and will be at home this week against Comstock (1-1).
In the Wyoming high game, the Wolves senior quarterback Matthew Berg was 10-of-22 passing for 205 yards and a touchdown to fellow senior Mahki Matthews, who led the team with 151 yards receiving. Jeremy Barber scored the Wolves other touchdown as he rushed for 36 yards on 11 carries. Senior Cam Simon led Wyoming’s rushing attack with 57 yards on 15 carries.
“We played as hard as we’ve played since I’ve been here,” Wolves head coach Irv Sigler said to WKTV. “I am really proud of the fight in our kids. We had a lot to prove after a poor performance against Zeeland West. We played another outstanding football team this week and our kids gave everything they have. We will continue to get better and work to maximize our potential.”
Next up for the Wyoming Wolves is a rod game at Grand Rapids Union (0-2).
With just a week of full, in-pads practice under their belts, most local Wyoming and Kentwood football teams struggled in various degrees in the season’s delayed Week 1 contests (Week 4 on the original schedules).
The only win was Grand Rapids South Christian gaining a home-field win over Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 25-15.
In the Sailors win, quarterback Ty Rynbrandt (20-of-27 for 213 yards) had two short touchdown passes to Elliott Grashuis, the second with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to put away the game. The pair also connected on a 2-point conversion after a 9-yard TD run in the third quarter by Daniel Possett. Eli Smith was Rynbrandt’s favorite target, however, as he had 10 receptions for 138 yards. Jeff Herrema added a field goal and two extra points.
“We played tough on defense once we settled in,” South Christian head coach Danny Brown said two WKTV. “Very happy with our tenacity and pursuit to the football. Lots of positives on offense but had a few penalties and untimely missed assignments that ruined drives.”
Outside of that, the best games of the night for local teams were Godwin Height’s outstanding defensive effort at home against Sparta in a 6-0 loss, and East Kentwood’s 21-13 loss at home to Hudsonville, 21-13.
In other games, Wyoming high lost at home to Zeeland West, 60-20, in a WKTV Featured game which was broadcast on cable live and live-streamed. and which will be available on-demand at WKTVlive.org later this week. In that game, the Wolves gained touchdowns from seniors Mekhi Bobo and Cameron Simon, as well as on a pass from senior quarterback Matthew Berg to senior Mahki Matthews.
Also, Kelloggsville lost at GR Northpointe Christian, 37-14, and Wyoming Lee lost at home to Niles Brandywine, 61-7.
Godwin Heights defense strong in tight loss
Despite the loss, Godwin Heights head coach Brandon Kimble said he expects a good year out of his Wolverines, “an experienced team” with double digit starters returning on both offense and defense.
“The offense will be led by (junior) Jeremiah Drake at quarterback and an important piece offensively will be (senior) Jamontae Burrell, both players were all conference last year.” Kimble said in an email to WKTV about his team’s outlook. “On the O line and D line, Godwin has a highly recruited offensive tackle and defensive end in (senior) Ru’Quan Buckley. Players to watch defensively will be (senior) Craig Hughes and (junior) Jabari Crump(-Moore). Craig is a returning all conference honorable mention player at safety and Crump is returning from injury after starting at linebacker the previous year.”
At East Kentwood, senior Branden Miller scored a touchdown for the Falcons’ only offensive score. Miller also led the team in rushing with 29 yards and passing with 62 yards. (Programming note: WKTV’s Feature Game live game coverage crew is tentatively scheduled to be at East Kentwood on Sept. 25 for the team’s game against Grandville.)
In Kelloggsville’s opening night game, sophomore quarterback Zack Zerfas was 11-of-20 passing for 205 yards and touchdowns to junior Damario Montgomery and junior Jabari Campbell, who led the team in receiving with six receptions for 116 yards. Sophomore Camron Townsend led the team in rushing with 41 yards and added 59 yards receiving.
On Sept. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a lessening of Covid-19 restrictions on sporting activities, including high school football and other fall contact sports. The MHSAA, the sports governing body for Michigan high school sports, followed quickly with the much hoped for announcement that football would be played this fall.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection — WKTV Sports’ new sports show focused on local high school sports — we talk with the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s John Johnson, MHSAA director of broadcast properties.
We talk about what prep football, and other MHSAA sanctioned sports, might look like this fall — for players, coaches and fans. And we get a hint of what the expanded 2020 football playoff format might be.
WKTV Journal Sports Connection brings its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, both on cable television and on our YouTube channel. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting WKTV journal.com/sports.
WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTV.viebit.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also usually available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
WKTV Community Media each year broadcasts fall football games as part of its extensive coverage of Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic teams. But with in-stadium crowds limited in this shortened prep football season due to COVID-19 restrictions, WKTV’s sports coverage will expand to provide fans with live coverage of games.
Starting with the Week 4 contest featuring Zeeland West at Wyoming High on Friday, Sept. 18, WKTV will livestream our Featured Game broadcast on WKTV.org (click on Watch Live), as well as on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel.
WKTV’s Feature Game coverage crew is ready for a little football. (WKTV)
“WKTV prides itself on being the community connection for the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, so we wanted to step up and be the weekly football source for fans with live coverage of games,” Tom Norton, general manager for WKTV Community Media, said. “We thank the MHSAA for allowing us to bring these games live to our community.”
At this time, our schedule will include the Week 5 Sept. 25 game of Grandville at East Kentwood, and the Week 6 Oct. 2 game of Belding at Godwin Heights. (East Kentwood’s home game will be live-streamed on a different platform, and WKTV will provide that information.) WKTV also plans to cover local games in Week 8 and 9, and possibly into opening round of the now-expanded playoffs.
“We’re relaxing our live video rules during the pandemic to allow games to get out to fans who can’t get to the events,” John Johnson, director of broadcast properties for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), said.
For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
Friday night lights could be returning to local fields. (Shown is Lee High School’s football team celebrating a win over Galesburg-Augusta in 2019.) (Supplied)
In 2020, this year of pandemic, Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic teams — especially football teams — have, in the opinion of Wyoming high head football coach Irv Sigler, “learned to adjust and adapt to whatever happens.”
So on Thursday, Sept. 2, when Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced competitive sports would be allowed and the Michigan High School Athletic Association give its approval, with restrictions and with pages of state health department and MHSAA guidance, local teams hit the ground running.
The result of state and MHSAA action is some fall sports that had been in limbo, including boys soccer and volleyball, can begin competitive action against other schools as early as the week of Sept. 7. And high school football can begin be under the Friday-night lights beginning Sept. 18.
The final approval for beginning of competitive action will be left to the discretion of individual school districts and athletic departments, according to a MHSAA statement.
But with the news, local football teams are chomping at the bit and ready to get into pads for the first time next week, and will be ready to begin action in two weeks.
East Kentwood football coach Anthony Kimbrough working with a previous year team at practice. (WKTV)
“Our players, especially our seniors, are extremely excited about playing on Friday nights thIs fall,” East Kentwood head football coach Tony Kimbrough said to WKTV. “Most teams have never stopped practicing, therefore adding pads and actually hitting one another won’t be an issue. We will hit the ground running on Tuesday, and we cannot wait.”
Coach Sigler echoed his fellow coach when it comes to his Wolves team being ready to play in two weeks.
“Our kids have worked hard and are ready for the opportunity,” Sigler said to WKTV. “All high school football players deserve to have their season — and everyone is very excited. As for the time it takes to prepare — we are all essentially in the same boat, so there’s a sense of equal footing there.”
And there is a sense that school communities and football fans alike need the opportunity to have a degree of normality with a however-shortened football season.
“I truly believe that the return of high school football is what our state needs,” Kimbrough said. “COVID-19 has had a traumatic impact on many lives. I believe football will give everyone a much needed dose of hope and joy, and assurance that normal times are soon to return. This will certainly have a positive effect on the mental health of our student athletes. … (And) hopefully this will generate a lot excitement for our student body and the community.”
And while all high school athletic teams are expected to resume their approved fall 2020 schedules once competition starts, with football beginning with Week 4 games, there will be changes to the regular schedule of the football playoff system, the MHSAA also said.
“All football teams in 11 and 8-player football will qualify for the playoffs during this fall’s shortened season, and then advance through their usual postseason progression with 8-Player Finals the weekend of Nov. 27-28 and 11-Player Finals the weekend of Dec. 4-5,” according to the MHSAA statement.
All other fall 2020 tournaments will be conducted as previously scheduled.
Approvals, restrictions and health warnings
The fall 2020 football season was reinstated by the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association after Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order 176 this week lifted restrictions that previously did not allow football — as well as soccer, volleyball and competitive swimming — to be played.
But according to the MHSAA, “schools are not required to play any of those sports this fall, and may postpone until the spring. However, the MHSAA will conduct its postseason events in those four sports only for the Fall 2020 season.”
But the current order also sets spectator limits for outdoor and indoor events in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, which Wyoming and Kentwood schools fall under. The details of this implementation of those limits are to be finalized by the individual school districts and high schools.
But general state restrictions on spectators of high school events were detailed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS).
“Spectators for indoor organized sports are limited to the guests of the athletes with each athlete designating up to two guests. For outdoor sports competitions, the organizer of the competitions must either limit the audience to the guests of the participants with each athlete designating up to two guests, or limit total attendance to 100 people or fewer, including all participants like athletes, coaches, and staff.”
The MHSAA, too, has health guidance for the on-field athletes and teams.
“We share the Governor’s priorities of putting health and safety first, and the COVID-19 guidance and protocols designed by the MHSAA at her request have led to the safe starts in all sports across the state,” MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl said in the MHSAA statement. “Thirty three other states are currently participating in all fall sports, and the MHSAA and its member schools are committed to doing this as safely as possible.”
While the Governor’s new order allowed the MHSAA to go ahead with fall competitive sports, the state health department at the same time issued a warning to schools which decide to participate.
“Individuals can now choose whether or not to play organized sports, and if they do choose to play, this order requires strict safety measures to reduce risk,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHSS chief medical executive, said in the Governor’s statement. “However, we know of 30 reported outbreaks involving athletic teams and facilities in August. Based on current data, contact sports create a high risk of COVID-19 transmission and MDHHS strongly recommends against participating in them at this time. We are not out of the woods yet. COVID-19 is still a very real threat to our families.”
With the high school football season now planned to begin Friday, Sept. 18, WKTV expects to resume its coverage of high school football action on that day.
Kent County’s COVID Relief Subcommittee, drawing on a nearly $115 million federal CARES Act grant sent to the county earlier this year, approved a $2 million allocation to be used by county schools to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) “to assist schools in dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”
According to a July 30 county statement, the next step will be consideration and expected approval by the Kent County Commission’s Finance Committee, and then the full Board of Commissioners at its next meeting on Aug. 27. Most Kent County school districts are expected to be open by that date.
The funds would be allocated to public, private and charter schools, Board of Commissioners chair Mandy Bolter said to WKTV, and while allotment “details are still being finalized but in our initial discussions we would most likely use the last student count submitted by the schools to the state.”
The county COVID Relief Subcommittee members include commissioners Bolter, Stan Stek, Diane Jones, Emily Brieve, Roger Morgan, Jim Talen, Phil Skaggs, and Robert Womack.
“As schools consider how to reopen this fall, the safety and mental health of our children are the primary concerns of every parent I know,” Commissioner Bolter said in supplied material. “By allocating this funding, we can be part of the solution to keep our kids and teachers as safe as possible and help to bring back some normalcy in this crazy time.”
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has previously allocated CARES funding for other programs to assist specific segments of the county during the coronavirus pandemic, including funds being allocated to assist in small businesses recovery, for use by non-profit organizations services and shelter assistance groups, and a business PPE program.
For more information about the CARES Act and related Kent County efforts, visit accesskent.com.
Kentwood Public Schools latest back-to-school plans, announced in a district-wide letter July 27, includes a two-week remote/virtual education period for all students as the district prepares for a possible return to in-school learning and parents can have more information before making their decision on having their students attend school at home or in classrooms.
Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public schools. (Supplied/KPS)
“Kentwood Public Schools is bound by the directives from the Governor’s Office, the Michigan Department of Education and the various Health Departments,” Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said in the letter from his office. “Since the guidelines from the Governor’s Office are yet to be finalized, KPS planning has to remain highly flexible.”
The district conducted several parent surveys over the past several months, according to the letter, and the “results identified a split perspective. Many families want school to start with ‘in person’ learning; while others want to start with remote/virtual learning.”
As of July 27, Kent County is labeled to be in “Phase 4” of the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reopening plan, which means schools may open for in-person learning. with restrictions. But if the Governor moves to the county to “Phase 3” then schools must stop all in-person learning and go completely to remote learning.
According to the district letter, the current plan begins school on Monday, Aug. 24, with all students involved in remote/virtual learning for the first two weeks. On Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day, parents can choose to shift their student to the option of in-person learning.
The stated reasons for the two-week remote/virtual beginning of school include:
In addition to being introduced to the academic content that will be studied for the term, the first two weeks will be focused on training students and staff on the safety protocols and cleaning procedures for a safe in-person return.
Students and staff will learn “positive habits and behaviors” for successful remote learning should in-person learning be shut down and virtual learning become the only option.
Those households intending to use the remote/virtual learning option will be able to have computers delivered to students needing a device, and families will have an opportunity to evaluate our new remote learning platforms and compare them, to “make an informed choice when in person learning becomes an option on September 8.”
“Kentwood Public Schools will also have time to observe and learn from those area districts that engage in person student learning immediately,” according the letter. “We can benefit from seeing what others do or fail to do.”
Mask and busing policy detailed
If in-school education is available and chosen, the Governor’s current Return To School requirements are that students and staff in grades 6-12 must wear a face mask if they are attending in-person learning, and students in grades K-5 will be “strongly encouraged” to wear a face mask.
Kentwood Public Schools “has worked with our business partners and Spectrum Health to purchase many approved face masks for those who do not have one, forget to bring it to school or lose their mask,” according to the district.
And while busing will be provided for students who attend in-class school, “we will follow the requirements in the Governor’s Return To School regarding social distancing and face mask covernings. This will require us all to be flexible as there will be a limited number of students allowed on each bus run. Those bus runs will be published and communicated once we know how many families need transportation.”
While the exact mode of education for Kentwood Public Schools students is in flux, Superintendent Zoerhoff, in the letter, made clear the district’s ultimate goal.
“Kentwood Public Schools, together with parents and the community, will educate all students in a safe, secure environment,” he said. “We are committed to excellence, equity and diversity in education. Our goal is for each student to master and apply the essential skills to be a successful, productive citizen.
“These challenging times will pass, but the quality education that your children receive at KPS will serve them for a lifetime.”
For more information on Kentwood Public School’s back-to-school plans and other COIVID-19 related district communications visit kentwoodps.org/covid-info.
At this point, the MHSAA has not ruled out a high school football season, so practice for Wyoming High School’s football team, shown her in action from 2019, is still scheduled to start in August. (Curtis Holt)
Late last week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association advised member schools of its decision that the state will begin the 2020-21 school year playing ‘fall sports as traditionally scheduled, but with contingency concepts for potential interruptions due to the spread of COVID-19.”
Bottomline for high school football fans: football teams can begin on-field practice in early August, as usual, and games will be played starting the week of Aug. 24. But …
“However, if the situation deems it necessary, the start of some or all fall sports practices or competitions could be delayed,” according to the MHSAA July 17 statement.
What does that mean for Wyoming and Kentwood athletic teams? At this point, when school districts are still working on re-opening plans, Wyoming high athletic director Ted Hollern says his teams are preparing for a normal fall but be ready for changes.
“We are moving forward, so far as everything is going to take place, with normal planning,” Hollern said to WKTV.
According to the MHSAA statement, the MHSAA Representative Council, the Association’s 19-member legislative body, met virtually with MHSAA staff July 15 to discuss a series of ideas for playing sports beginning in August. The Council will meet again July 29 for further discussion.
Currently, high school football practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 10, with all other fall sports to start practice Aug. 12.
The council considered a concept that would swap traditional fall and spring sports, but determined that was “not a feasible plan.”
The MHSAA is moving forward with a plan that first calls for all fall sports to be started and played as scheduled.The next step in the plan’s progression calls for lower-risk fall sports that can be played to be completed, with higher-risk fall sports postponed until later in the school year.
“If all fall sports must be suspended, they will be rescheduled during a reconfigured calendar that would see winter sports begin in November followed by the conclusion of fall and spring seasons potentially extending into July 2021,” according to the statement.
Football, girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and boys soccer during the fall are considered moderate or high-risk sports because they “include athletes in close contact or are played indoors.” Several traditional spring sports — girls soccer ,and girls and boys lacrosse — carry a similar high-risk sport designation.
Plans remain reliant on progression by schools and regions across the state according to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan. To start this week, two regions are in Phase 5, which allow for limited indoor activity, while the rest are in Phase 4 and unable to host indoor training, practice or competition.
“Our student-athletes just want to play, and we’ve gone far too long without them playing. But doing so safely, of course, remains the priority,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “Our plan moving forward is fall in the fall, starting on time. We’re excited to continue moving forward to bring back sports safely. It’s important for keeping students in our schools and keeping students in our sports programs.
“We remain grateful to the Governor for the opportunity to build the schedule and policies for returning sports to schools. We will continue to support her directives and those of the state and local health departments as we work to create the safest environment for all involved in our activities.”
Some people may have been waiting, if not eagerly anticipating, the June 30 release of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap”, which outlined a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan.
While local school district leaders undoubtedly will scour the governor’s roadmap for pertinent details and direction, they and their district staff were not idly awaiting the release — after all, Gov. Whitmer admits that different school districts will have different “return to school” situations depending on location within the state, physical building situation and their community make up.
“In Kentwood Public Schools we put together a Back To School Task Force consisting of administrators, teachers and parents that have been working on multiple plans for the reopening of our district,” Michael Zoerhoff, superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools, said to WKTV. “We also have been working closely with the Kent ISD reopening committees. Our plan is to adjust accordingly to ensure the safety of our students and staff per the Governor’s recommendations.”
Wyoming Public Schools superintendent, Craig Hoekstra, echoed his regional educational counterpart.
“The WPS team has been hard at work developing plans that will provide safe and accessible learning options for the fall,” Hoekstra said to WKTV. “As we prepare for re-entry, our district continues to plan forward with a focus on developing a robust online learning option as well as preparing for instructional re-entry for in-person learning. In doing so, it takes into consideration the unfinished learning from the spring. As soon as the Governor’s plan is released, we will review our plans and make the needed adjustments as we work towards finalization.”
The governor’s roadmap outlines a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan — including guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene and cleaning protocols, spacing in classrooms, athletics, and much more.
As far as fall high school sports is concerned, at a press conference announcing the governor’s back-to-school guidance, Gov. Whitmer said she is in discussion with the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) to possibly move some fall 2020 sports to spring 2021.
Detailed guidance on fall athletics — including any possible shift of sports season — is expected to be announced in mid- to late-July by the MHSAA, which has been working with the governor’s office to guide summer and possible fall in-school athletic activities.
Also on June 30, the governor signed Executive Order 2020-142, which “provides a structure to support all schools in Michigan as they plan for a return of PreK-12 education in the fall,” according to a statement from the Governor’s office Tuesday.
(Links to the governor’s MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap and Executive Order 2020-142 are at the end of this story.)
“Our students, parents, and educators have made incredible sacrifices during our battle with COVID-19,” Gov. Whitmer said in the statement. “Thanks to our aggressive action against this virus, the teachers who have found creative ways to reach their students, and the heroes on the front lines, I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall.
“The MI SafeSchools Return to School Roadmap will help provide schools with the guidance they need as they enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families.”
In her statement, the governor also acknowledged the financial impact on schools not only to enact “safe return to school” in the fall, but the looming financial shortfalls in state school funding due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
“I will continue working closely with the Return to Learn Advisory Council and experts in epidemiology and public health to ensure we get this right, but we also need more flexibility and financial support from the federal government,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “This crisis has had serious implications on our budget, and we need federal support if we’re going to get this right for our kids.”
(To learn more about the possible financial impact on school funding of the COVID-19 economic downturn, see a WKTV story and Kent ISD videos here.)
Two local education leaders are part of the Return to Learn Advisory Council, including Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and Nicholas J. Paradiso, vice president of government relations for National Heritage Academies.
“All of us on the Return to Learn Advisory Council share a commitment to marrying science and evidence, and practicality and local needs to ensure the health and safety of our students and educators,” Tonya Allen, President and CEO of The Skillman Foundation and Chair of the Return to Learn Advisory Council, said in supplied material.
The governor’s Executive Order 2020-142 requires school districts to adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan “laying out how they will protect students and educators across the various phases of the Michigan Safe Start Plan.”
The MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap offers guidelines as to the types of safety protocols that will be required or recommended at each phase, according to the statement.
“In recognition that these protocols will cost money, the Governor also announced that she was allocating $256 million to support the districts in implementing their local plans as part of the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the governor announced” June 29.
The story of a 2019 cooperative project between the City of Kentwood police department and the Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics team, a robot that reached full operation in 2020, was a good news story early this year.
And despite Kentwood schools, and WKTV Journal, seeing big changes in how they did business starting in March due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is still a good news story — a tool for Kentwood police to help them make better decisions in the field and an example of the high level of interaction between the city’s schools and city staff that Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley relentlessly advocates for.
“What I love about this is always investing in the next generation,” Mayor Kepley said in March when WKTV was producing a video project on the Red Storm Robotics project with the police department. “And this is just another opportunity, and really a great opportunity, to invest in the next generation. … The city working with the school, working with professionals, using technology, and more importantly investing in the very individuals who will be leading this community in the future.”
The police robot project is a prime example of not only engagement with the students but of also giving advanced students a lesson in real-world, on-the-job, design of robotic technology.
Of course, Red Storm was up to the challenge presented by the police department.
WKTV talked with Mayor Kepley, Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts and Sgt. Jeff Leonard, and instructors/parents of the Red Storm Robotics project, including Adam Veenendaal, Mark VanderVoord and Wendy Ljungern.
But most importantly, we talked with students of the program past and present, including Jason Gray-Moore, Kerim Puczek, Jacobi Thompson and Annalise Welch.
For more information on Kentwood Pubic Schools’ Red Storm Robotics program visit their website at redstormrobotics.com.
The Kent Intermediate Superintendents’ Association, during a Tuesday, June 23, teleconference, released the results of a survey of more than 30,000 Kent ISD area parents asking questions related to the school reopening issues.
The bottom line of the extensive survey (link at end of story), according to a summary shared with media during the teleconference, is that while some parents seek continued distance learning for various reasons including their child’s safety, the majority desired “safe, in-school” education for their children.
“Most parents would like to see a return to school as normal in late August,” Ron Caniff, superintendent of Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “Our superintendents are working to ensure a safe opening, researching all information regarding the steps necessary to protect students and staff, and will remain connected with the health department and parents throughout the summer to ensure they are well informed about school re-opening plans.”
Kent ISD website photo. (Supplied)
The survey results come in preparation for the planned release June 30 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap”, which is expected to set state directives for the reopening of schools in August.
The survey, commissioned by the Kent ISD on behalf of the superintendents’ association and administered by Gartner Marketing, was conducted from May 29 through June 10. The 30,000 responses represent parents from the 20 public school districts across Kent ISD but did not include any private or charter school parents, according to the Kent ISD.
The Kent Intermediate Superintendents’ Association (KISA) Future Learning Committee hosted the meeting. The speakers included Superintendent Caniff; Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, KISA Future Committee Chair and member of the Governor’s Return to Learn Advisory Council; Sunil Joy, Data Scientist at Kent ISD; and Ron Koehler, Education Consultant and former Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent.
The Kent Intermediate Superintendents’ Association represents the superintendents Kent ISD and each of the 20 school districts it serves.
Survey summary results highlights
Among the key findings of the survey, according to the KISA summary (link at end of story), is that parents want to see school open in the fall, in a traditional face- to-face setting; continued parental concerns about safety will likely necessitate an online option; and a hybrid option has many of the same challenges as an online learning option and “It is also not highly preferred by parents.”
Part of the reason for a hybrid option — where students would spend part of their time in school and part of their time at learning remotely — is that there would be little cost savings on the part of the districts currently facing possible loss of state funding due to COVID-19’s economic impact. (See a WKTV story on the possible funding losses here.) And there would be little difference between the costs of an in-person or hybrid option.
Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, KISA Future Committee Chair and member of the Governor’s Return to Learn Advisory Council. (Supplied)
“We know that hybrid and in-person costs are going to be very similar,” Superintendent Polston said during the teleconference, “because even though you may have fewer students back each day you still have your full compliment of staff the needs to be back each day.
“And, in addition, for a district like Godfrey-Lee, … we served more meals closed than we did open. That means for the students that aren’t at school each day are still going to need the nutritional services that schools provide. So we are going to need to allocate additional resources.”
The survey summary presented at the teleconference (link at bottom of the story) was, as explained by the Kent ISD’s Sunil Joy, a “stratified random sample of 800 respondents … (that was) … representative of the demographic makeup of our region.”
Sunil Joy, Data Scientist at Kent ISD. (Supplied)
“A random stratified sample just is a statistical method to ensure the respondents to the survey actually look like the county’s demographics,” Joy said to WKTV. “For example, if East Grand Rapids parents made up a significant percentage of all respondents — that wouldn’t be very representative of our county as only a small percentage of our county is from East Grand Rapids. So that’s why it’s a stratified sample — so it’s more representative of our districts as whole.”
The survey data was also “disaggregated by respondent groups (e.g. race/ethnicity, special education, income, etc.)”
“This simply means that I reported data not just ‘overall’ but also for different respondent groups,” Joy said to WKTV. “For example, in the question of whether childcare is an issue if school did not open 100 percent this fall, I included both what parents said overall, but also by different grade-levels. As no surprise, parents of younger kids had greater concerns with childcare if school didn’t open normally in the fall.”
In addition to the overall, county wide survey results released at the teleconference, each district has access to their own district-specific reports.
“Each district will share the results in the way they see fit with their constituents,” Joy said to WKTV. “The best way to get them is to contact the district directly, if it is not already available on their website or social media.”
School Re-entry Plan
At the teleconference, and using the results of the survey as part of their guidance, the superintendents’ association also released a School Re-entry Plan, in both English and Spanish. (See links to both at bottom of the story.)
Among the highlights of the plan are: a “desire” to return to full-time, face-to-face instruction, per state health requirements; the intent to provide a high-quality online learning option for students and families; districts will share best practices in virtual instruction to maximize efficiency and quality; families who choose an online option will have continued access to local district extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
The plan also makes clear that a a hybrid option — a mix of face-to-face and online learning — is “not preferred and will be implemented if it is the only way to have in-person instruction as mandated by state executive order.”
Superintendent Polston, in summing up the position school districts could be put in come June 30 and the result of the Governor’s “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” plan, said the best interest of the students must and will come first.
“Regardless of the model for teaching and learning, together we must be ready to meet the challenge that awaits,” Polston said. “And we will.”
A term all-too familiar to educators is “Summer Brain Drain” — that students tend to regress in their educational skills over the summer school break. It is expected to be even more of problem with the final months of the 2019-20 school year moving to online learning instead of in-class learning, the so-called “COVID Slide”.
According to a 2019 article by GreatSchools.org, teachers spend an average of 4-to-8 weeks every fall reviewing materials students have studied but lost mastery of over the summer, and most fall behind particularly in math and spelling.
But again this summer, educators across Kent ISD are collaborating with partner organizations — including the Kent District Library — to turn a brain drain into a brain gain, and to keep learning going all summer for all students through the ISD’s free Summer Brain Gain program.
The program provides online learning, resources students can engage with on their own and printable packets available to students in grades K-12 in Kent County and beyond.
Registration for instructor-led courses is available by grade level for all public, private and homeschooled students began June 15. These courses and other learning opportunities continue to begin June and July and conclude Aug. 7.
“We have brought together experts in curriculum and instructions from all around Kent ISD to create courses, gather learning opportunities and connect families with resources appropriate for their students at every grade level,” Kelli Brockway, Director of Teaching and Learning at Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “The idea is to bridge the learning gap between June and the start of the new school year.”
Preliminary estimates suggest additional learning losses due to the pandemic, or “COVID slide” as it’s been called.
A report by Dr. Megan Kufeld and Dr. Beth Tarasawa for the Collaborative for Student Growth at NWEA suggests learning loss may range from 30 percent in reading, to more than 50 percent in math and in some grades, according to supplied material. It also suggests when students return in the fall, learning may be nearly a full year behind what likely would be observed in normal conditions.
Summer Brain Gain programs offered include GRASP, the Grand Rapids Public Schools Program for math and reading that is free for Kent ISD students this summer.
Connections to vetted online apps, resources and links to learning that children and teens can engage in on their own are also part of the program, according to Kent ISD. Summer Brain Gain also links students and families to educational offerings by area cultural and community organizations who are School News Network Education Everywhere partners such as John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Van Andel Institute, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and more. All resources are located at kentisd.org/SummerBrainGain.
Printable packets and links to Kent ISD’s Summer Brain Gain program are available through partnerships with Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public Library and Literacy Center of West Michigan. Packets can be ordered for printing and pick up at library locations throughout Grand Rapids and Kent County.
Through the Kent District Library partnership, students can order printed packets from their local KDL branch and KDL will print it and have it available for them to pick up. For more information visit here.
Registration is now open but the deadline to register for GRASP is June 30. Summer Brain Gain materials and connections will be available through Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public Library and Literacy Center for West Michigan starting this week, on June 22.
Kent ISD is a regional educational service agency that provides instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts, and many public school academies and non-public schools within the ISD’s boundaries.
For more informant about the Kent ISD, visit their website kentisd.org.
Continuing to provide some clarity to what K-12 public school education might look like in the fall — including a possible return to in-person learning — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced June 17 that she plans to announce on June 30 a “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will provide details on “what will be required and what will be recommended” for schools to reopen.
“Our students and educators have made incredible sacrifices these past few months to protect themselves and their families from the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall … (but) schools must make sure to enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families.
Gov. Whitmer also said her office is working with the Return to Learn Advisory Council and leaders in health care “to ensure we get this right,” but that the state also needs more flexibility and support from the federal government.
“This crisis has had serious implications on our budget, and we need federal support if we’re going to get this right for our kids,” Gov. Whitmer said.
On May 15, Gov. Whitmer, buy executive order, created the COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council. On June 3, the governor announced a group of 25 leaders in health care and education to serve on the advisory council. Local persons on the council include Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and Nicholas J. Paradiso, vice president of government relations for National Heritage Academies.
The advisory council was created to “identify the critical issues that must be addressed, provide valuable input to inform the process of returning to school, and to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to school,” according to the governor’s statement.
“The most important thing we can do when developing a return to school plan is closely examine the data and remain vigilant in our steps to fight this virus,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “I will continue to work closely with Governor Whitmer and the Return to Learn Advisory Council to ensure we continue to put the health and safety of our students and educators first.”
Education leaders local and statewide are warning of what Superintendent Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Kevin Polston calls “unprecedented budget deficits” at Michigan public schools resulting from decreased tax revenues due to the COVID-19 economic crisis.
While the looming school funding concerns are just beginning to hit the news, the community may have some questions, need a little background and history.
Why will lower tax revenue impact public school funding? How does the state fund public schools? What is the recent history of changes in tax-payer funding of schools? How do public schools spend their state funding?
The Kent ISD recently produced informational videos that tries to explain the state’s taxpayer funded public school finances — including one specific to current school funding concerns. (See additional information videos descriptions and links below.)
Superintendent Polston, in a recent Godfrey-Lee schools community-wide email, makes clear the current — and urgent need — for community understanding and action on the current threat to public school funding. He also urges increased state and federal support for public schools.
“Without federal intervention, the budget shortfall for the remainder of 2019-2020 through 2021 school year would total $6.2 billion for all Michigan public schools. Godfrey-Lee alone could see a deficit of over $1.2 million ($700 per student) for just the 19-20 school year that is about to end,” Polston said. “Further cuts are projected for the 2020-21 school year that begins on July 1, 2020.
“Put in context, this is roughly twice as large a deficit as Michigan public schools faced in the Great Recession, yet federal aid to date has been less than 20 percent than was given at that time. In fact, of the $2 trillion of aid granted by the (federal COVID-19 recovery) CARES Act, less than 1 percent went to fund public education.”
Polston points out that school districts are required by state law to present a balanced budget by June 30, 2020 for the upcoming school year, even though the state has not provided an answer about the shortfall for 2019-20 or given a projected budget for 2020-21.
“This is unacceptable,” he said. “To meet our legal requirement, we have to use the budget forecasts that have been provided (to Godfrey-Lee schools). These forecasts call for $2,750,000 in cuts for our upcoming school year. Cuts of this magnitude would devastate GLPS and would challenge the district’s future solvency.”
To aid Kent County schools districts explain the current funding system, and the need for community support and action, the Kent ISD produced a series of short videos.
An ISD is a regional education service agency. The job of Kent County’s ISD, one of the state’s 57 agencies, is to “help local school districts with programs and services that are best done on a regional basis — things that are highly specialized or that would be far too expensive on an individual basis,” according to the Kent ISD.
The videos:
History of Michigan Public School Finances, which details how school financing in Michigan is guided by Proposal A which was approved by Michigan voters in 1994 which shifted ‘day to day’ school finance to a state-based model.
What Public School Finances Fund, which details how public schools in Michigan spend a majority of their resources on personnel and describes how dollars are divided up to fund education in this state.
Taxes and Public School Education, which explains how everyone who works or lives in Michigan helps to support public schools by paying taxes, and where tax dollars for public education come from and how they are spent.
COVID-19’s Impact on Michigan School Funding, which details how school finance will be greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the economic impact will negatively affect Michigan’s public schools.
Local high schools cannot yet open their weight rooms for summer student-athlete programs, but they now have guidance as to how the state’s sports governing body recommends such activities take place. (2019 photo from Lee High School by WKTV)
As a clear example of what Lee High School athletic director Jason Faasse described as an “ever-changing time” in Michigan high school athletics, there was exactly three days separating the May 29 release of the MHSAA’s “Guidance for Opening School Sports” and its June 2 reopening update.
Last week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), the public school athletics governing body, issued its eagerly anticipated guidance on how summer preparations and possibly fall sports can take place in a time of COVID-19 related restrictions.
This week, the MHSAA updated its guidelines for reopening of school sports based on the lifting of stay-at-home order and further recommendations from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, announced Monday, June 1. All Michigan schools halted winter and spring sports when schools were ordered shut April 3 to help decrease the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Wyoming High School AD Ted Hollern. (WKTV)
Even with a constantly changing environment, two local athletic directors were happy to at least have a starting point on the road to resuming athletics.
“Wyoming (Public Schools) is encouraged that the MHSAA has a universal plan in place for all school districts to follow,” Wyoming High School athletic director Ted Hollern said this week to WKTV. “It is a great blend of making sure we keep the kids safe while at the same time providing opportunities for our students to begin preparing for the upcoming athletic seasons.”
Stepped process and risk by sport
In the Guidance for Opening School Sports issued last week, the MHSAA “recommends a three-step process to returning to full athletic participation, and for each step outlines actions to be taken in five major areas: pre-workout/contest screening of athletes and coaches for sickness, limitations of the number of participants who may be involved in a gathering, proper cleaning for facilities, the use of equipment during activity and best practices for keeping participants safely hydrated.”
The plan also places sports into categories based on risk for transmitting the virus (low/moderate/high), with adjusted return-to-activity steps based on that level of risk. The MHSAA’s “Potential Infection Risk by Sport” is “modified from United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Sports Medicine recommendations, which was examined through the probability of respiratory droplet transmission/exposure.”
For example, in football, actual Friday night football games are currently considered high risk while common 7-on-7 summer practiced are considered moderate. Wrestling and competitive cheer are also high risk. Low risk includes cross country and most track and field events, swimming and golf.
While the risk assessment included in the MHSAA document may give hints as to what sports might be on — or off — this fall, both ADs Hollern and Faasse said the more important aspect was giving school athletics summer activities a path forward.
“I think the MHSAA is giving us best practices (for us to follow),” Faasse said this week to WKTV. “This is an uncertain time, ever changing time, and we have to be careful with the kids. … (But) our coaches and kids are eager get back to work … When the school is open, and that is a district decision, we can start some things.”
The June 2 MHSAA update reiterates Faasse’s point of sports being ready when school administrations approve openings of schools and school facilities.
Member schools may begin summer activities at school facilities as long as school administration has announced schools facilities are open to students and staff, and the academic school year (last day of online instruction/exams) has ended, the MHSAA update states.
In addition, indoor facilities, including gymnasiums and weight rooms, remain closed. This includes swimming pools, although outdoor pools may be used for athletic activities. Competition is not yet allowed because participants must continue to follow social distancing.
“We were excited and encouraged by Governor Whitmer’s announcements Monday,” Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director said in supplied material. “The opportunity for outside gatherings of up to 100 allowed us to rework a number of guidelines that we had published Friday as part of the MHSAA/NFHS reopening document.
“Our schools have been cautiously eager to take this long-awaited first step. We will continue to provide updates in accordance with the Governor’s directives for reopening the state, always prioritizing safety for all involved in school sports programs.”
The Guidance for Opening School Sports, according to the MHSAA, is based primarily on direction provided by the MHSAA and National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) Sports Medicine Advisory Committees, in addition to reopening plans provided by the Michigan and federal governments and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Concepts from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee also were consulted.
The MHSAA serves more than 1,500 public and private schools, including 750 high schools.
For the complete original MHSAA Guidance for Opening School Sports, see the document here. For updates on the MHSAA and school athletics, visit mhsaa.com.
To say that the students in East Kentwood High School’s Red Storm Robotics program are ‘industrious’ would be a high-tech understatement. But the lessons they learn about robotics design and manufacture are only part of the curriculum.
Faced with a hiatus of the program in the light of COVID-19 school and social restrictions, one parent volunteer and Red Storm student looked around, saw a specific need for front-line medial workers, and realized they and the Red Storm community could be part of the solution.
A great first day. (Supplied)
The result, as of late last week, was the production and delivery of more than 1,200 protective face masks and ear guards (a comfort device for face masks) — at not cost to the users. The results are also another lesson for the Red Storm students about real-world applications for high-tech imaginations.
“It became clear early on that there was a shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment) in Michigan,” Trista Vandervoord, a mentor for the middle school program and parent to Red Storm student Ethan, said to WKTV. “We knew people were 3D printing PPE, and as a robotics team we have multiple 3D printers. It was an easy way to do our part. We borrowed five 3D printers from our robotics space, set up a print farm in the basement, and got to work. Once we identified the need, we felt we had to help if we could.”
The persons being helped include health care workers and other essential “front line” staff, almost all of them local in West Michigan but a few sent as far away as Tennessee.
A team effort to ‘do something good’
Trista and Ethan Vandervoord, getting a milestone delivery ready.(Supplied)
Trista and Ethan, an East Kentwood sophomore, started the project in early April by 3D printing themselves but also setting a community project with a dedicated website, a user request and distribution system, donation requests, and getting our drop site at the Kentwood Public Schools Administration Building.
Then the “Red Storm Cares: Operation Face Shield” 3D print army came charging in.
“More than a dozen Red Storm Robotics students are involved in a safe way, by punching holes in the transparencies, delivering face shields, writing emails to request support, writing thank you notes to our generous donors, and spreading the word,” Trista said. “It is a true team effort.”
The scope of production; shown are the ear guards (a comfort device for face masks). (Supplied)
The team effort is a coordination of volunteers, headed by team members of Red Storm Robotics, who are coordinating the effort independent of one another physically, “but united in spirit and drive to do something good,” according to supplied material.
“We are primarily providing face shields, which are composed of a 3D printed headband and a transparency sheet,” Trista said. “We have a 3D print army of individuals and robotics teams all over West Michigan who are printing in their own homes or businesses.
“To date, we have provided 1,200 face shields and 1,200 ear guards … and receive more requests each day. We have provided to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, group homes, court bailiffs, pharmacists, community food distributors, COVID-19 test sites, and more.”
Some of the Red Storm Cares face shields were delivered to Rite Aid Pharmacy for use of the frontline workers. (Supplied)
The list of local places where the face shields have been put to good use include Cherry Health, Rite Aid Pharmacy, CareLinc Medical Equipment and Supply, and Pilgrim Manor Senior Living.
While their focus is in West Michigan, they also sent five to doctors at University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, “due to special request from a friend,” Tristia said.
The production lines; the supply chain
As with any Red Storm Robotics project, there were so initial design and production work to be done.
Ethan Vandervoord. (Supplied)
“We are using five 3D printers … and they are in production around the clock (literally),” Ethan, who is in his fifth year with Red Storm Robotics, said to WKTV. “We are using a tested shield design from Operation Face Shield Ann Arbor, who got us started in this effort. My dad is our technician, and he has learned a lot about 3D printing through this project.”
The project’s “top need now” is for additional members to join our 3D print army, Trista said. “We have filament, we just need people to turn it into useful items using their 3D printers. Beyond that, we have an Amazon Wish list at redstormcares.com for the community to purchase filament and transparencies for this project.”
The Wish List items are mailed directly to the home shop, and they also have a material donations drop site at KPS Administration Building, 5280 Eastern Ave. But, Trista stressed, no cash donations can be accepted.
For more information about Red Storm Cares: Operation Face Shield, visit their website or their Facebook page.
Local public school’s plans for remote learning differ, but all meet state guidelines and goal that “teaching and learning must continue.” (Public Domain)
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, early this month, ordered all K-12 public school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year but urged the continuation of education through remote learning — in fact part of her order included funding the use of public school facilities by public school employees and contractors for the “purposes of facilitating learning at a distance.”
Many Wyoming and Kentwood school districts, along with the Kent ISD, anticipating the governor’s order, had already been working on remote learning plans. But the governor’s order set a deadline of this week for remote learning plans to be submitted and approved by the Kent ISD, and required “all schools to begin providing learning opportunities for all students no later than April 28, 2020. Districts who are able to begin their plans earlier are encouraged to do so.”
Most local schools districts are already “doing so.”
There was no easy answer, no cookie-cutter answers given individual district goals, needs and even the logistics of working to verify students’ ability to access the internet and to distribute the technology necessary to reach as many students as possible.
So every district’s plan is unique but, in the words of the Kent ISD Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plan Application instructions, “although schools are closed and not providing in-person instruction, teaching and learning must continue.”
To look at just one plan, after getting approval of the district’s plan from the ISD, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools this week shared their plans with their community, and WKTV.
“Today marked a new beginning for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools as the district responded to the suspension of in-person learning and shifted to distance learning for the entire district,” Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, said to WKTV early this week. “District staff have prepared for this reality over the past few weeks to provide students and families necessary supports to continue meaningful learning for the remainder of the school year. New student learning begins today and will continue through the remainder of the school year ending on May 29.”
Some of the highlights of the Godfrey-Lee remote learning plan include providing almost 1,500 computer/tablet devices and contacting families individually to check on internet access — the district reports 93 percent have such access. For more detailed information on the Godfrey-Lee plan, visit here.
“While the means of delivering learning has changed, the district’s vision, mission, and values remain constant,” Godfrey-Lee’s Polston said. “I am confident that our students will have an excellent experience during our Continuity of Learning Plan, and our staff stands ready to support any student or family member in need.”
Also like other school districts in the Wyoming-Kentwood area, remote learning is only one part of Godfrey-Lee schools’ efforts during a spring of closed schools.
“The district has also continued to support the basic needs of families, social-emotional wellbeing of students, and health and wellness of families through Kent School Services Network (KSSN) support,” Polston’s stated. “It is the expectation that each student will have contact with a district staff member every week. … (And) the district implemented a structure to target students that aren’t in contact to offer assistance and support.”
Godfrey-Lee, also undoubtedly like other local school districts, has also gained support in their remote learning activities.
“The district is thankful for the generous support of individuals, community partners, and philanthropy during this crisis,” Polston said.
In addition to it tutoring program, Streams of Hope offers a variety of programs to their community including a food pantry, after-school activities for middle and high school students, a community garden, and health & wellness programs. (Supplied)
The Streams of Hope community center in Kentwood has received a $25,000 grant from HarperCollins Christian Publishing to support the center’s elementary student tutoring program.
Since the tutoring program begin in 2010, it has steadily grown to provide more than 100 hours of free tutoring each week by 10 certified teachers to 80 students, according to the center.
Kurtis Kaechele (Supplied)
“It’s a joy and a privilege to have HarperCollins Christian Publishing come alongside this tutoring initiative once again,” Kurtis Kaechele, Streams of Hope executive director, said in supplied material. “They have been a wonderful partner over the past six years, and their support empowers the students in this neighborhood to overcome barriers and succeed in school.”
During the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions, Streams of Hope has sent virtual tutoring resources to their students and provided printed versions to families that utilize the center’s food center drive-thru supplemental grocery system.
The combined population of three public elementary schools, each less than half a mile from the center, located at 280 60th St, SE, is over 90-percent eligible for federal assistance, according to Streams of Hope.
“Educational success is a significant factor for reducing poverty, and our prayer is that by impacting students we would see our neighborhood transformed for the better,” Kaechele said. “In 2018, 91 percent of students being tutored in reading achieved one grade level or more of growth. During the same period, 84 percent of math students raised their assessment scores.”
Kentwood’s Streams of Hope ministry serves children and families in several ways. (Supplied)
In addition to tutoring, Streams of Hope offers a variety of programs to their community including a food pantry, after-school activities for middle and high school students, a community garden, and health & wellness programs. It also serves as a campus for SpringGR entrepreneurial training.
The HarperCollins grant will also support the center’s summer soccer and reading camp in addition to their Nutrition, Education & Wellness program for diabetic clients.
“Year after year, HarperCollins Christian Publishing continues to be in awe of what Streams of Hope can accomplish for the Kentwood community, and greater Grand Rapids,” Casey Harrell, senior director of corporate communications at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, said in supplied material. “Not only have we built a relationship through monetary investment, but with their leadership, staff, and the children involved in their tutoring program.”
Streams of Hope is a community-based ministry in the Townline neighborhood of Kentwood that “exists to demonstrate God’s love and foster sustainable change through services that build relationships, meet family needs, and promote a healthier community,” according to the group. Its programs focus on creating healthier schools, neighborhoods, and families by utilizing local resources.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year but urges the continuation of education through remote learning.
Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-35, issued Thursday, April 2, also guarantees school staff and teachers will be paid for the remainder of the school year, allows the sue of public school facilities to be used by public school employees and contractors for the “purposes of facilitating learning at a distance”, and assures that 2020 seniors will graduate this year.
As far as school-based standardized tests, the governor’s statement said that those previously scheduled for the remainder of the school year, including the M-STEP and the SAT, will be canceled. There will be a date in October for rising high school seniors to take the SAT and for other high school students to take the PSAT.
It also states that guidelines for “remote learning” for the remainder of the 2019020 school year will be issued, Friday, April 3.
While Wyoming and Kentwood school districts are looking to what those guidelines may be and how they may handle remote learning, the Kent ISD issued a statement detailing their actions.
“The Governor asked each school district and its staff provide instructional materials and opportunities for students to continue their education during this crisis,” Ron Caniff, superintendent of Kent ISD, said in a supplied statement following the governor’s order. “We are working with our schools, their superintendents and staff to respond to the governor’s request as quickly as possible.
“Our team is reviewing instructional plans from states across the country to create the best possible experience for students and their families, who will be essential in helping their children learn during this difficult time. Local districts are doing the same and have been actively designing plans since the school closure went into effect.”
Kent ISD school districts are working together to develop distance learning programming for all students, according to the Kent ISD statement. Some will be served online, while others will receive packets of educational materials delivered much as food is being provided for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals while schools are closed.
“While all of the details have yet to be worked out, parents should check their district websites and wait for communication from their individual school district to learn the details for their students,” according to the statement.
Districts have also een working to verify students’ ability to access the internet and to marshal the technology necessary to reach as many students as possible, Caniff said.
During this crisis, many of the necessary elements – internet hotspots and inexpensive laptop computers – are in short supply as employees in all fields work from home. To help member districts, Caniff said the Kent ISD this week purchased 1,000 Chromebooks “and will continue to monitor district needs and resources available to ensure schools can reach all students to the extent possible.”
Governor continues action to blunt virus spread
Gov. Whitmer said the decision was forced by the current need to extend COVIF-19 restrictions into June, which she has called for legislative leaders to approve quickly.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a 2019 event. (Air National Guard).
“For the sake of our students, their families, and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” Gov. Whitmer said in a statement accompanying her executive order. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes.”
The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers will develop “a Continuity of Learning Plan template application for schools to utilize in order to create their localized plan,” according to the announcement of the governor’s action.
“District plans will need to detail how districts will provide opportunities for students to learn remotely and how schools will manage and monitor their progress,” the statement continues. “It will also provide information on how parents and guardians can learn more about the local plan. Each district must have its plan approved by their regional Intermediate school district (ISD) before being implemented. Public school academies must have their plans approved by their authorizer.”
Districts can also partner with one another to create joint plans.
“There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom,” Gov. Whitmer said. “But we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.”
If the plan relies on some online instruction, the district should ensure every student who needs it has access to an appropriate device with an ability to connect to the internet. “Students and families will not be penalized if they are unable to participate in their alternate learning plan,” the announcement states.
Governor’s action also allows other public school action
Gov. Whitmer also announced that schools should continue to provide mental health care services for students “to the extent possible,” and should be ready and willing to help efforts to establish disaster relief childcare centers. School districts will also continue to provide meals for families who need them during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools systems, and other local school districts, have already been providing meals to students during the school closures.
Also, if any schools have unused personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies or other materials, they are allowed and encouraged to donate them to organizations that could put them to use.
Additionally, school districts will have the flexibility to adopt a balanced calendar for the 2019-2020 school year and/or to begin the 2020-2021 school year before Labor Day without having to seek additional approval. Student teachers will still be able to get a temporary certification and current teachers will still be able to get their certifications renewed, even if they can’t meet all the requirements due to COVID-19.
The 2019-20 East Kentwood High School boys basketball team. (Supplied/East Kentwood)
By Mike Moll, WKTV Sports Director sports@wktv.org
The boys basketball District opener for Division 1 played at Caledonia High School showcased the true meaning of March Madness. OK Red foes East Kentwood and Caledonia split their regular season meetings with a win apiece and Monday was just as even. So much so that it not only went into overtime, but double overtime before the Falcons would advance to Wednesday with a 68-67 victory.
Caledonia finishes the season at 9-12 while East Kentwood, now 12-9, will face one of the area’s top teams, the 19-2 Wyoming Wolves at Middleville T-K, after Wyoming defeated the host Trojans Monday, 93-49.
EK would score the first basket of the game, but the Scots then went on a 9-0 run, and finish with a 14-9 lead after the first quarter buzzer. The Falcons leading scorer on the season, Ja’moni Jones would lead all scorers with 5, followed by Caledonia’s Luke Thelen with 4, along with Koby VanderWoude and Carter Thomas with 3.
While the Fighting Scots would hit an early 3-pointer by Thelen to take a 17-11 lead, the Falcons would quickly come back with the next six, led by the combination of Jones and Jordan Jackson to tie the game at 17, which was the second of twelve ties on the night. Caledonia would outscore East Kentwood 8-6 the remainder of the quarter to hold a slim 25-23 lead. Jones would lead the way with 11 and Jackson had 8, six of which were in the second quarter, while Caledonia was being paced by Thelen with 9.
The intensity would continue after halftime, as East Kentwood would take their second lead of the night 32-30 following back to back offensive rebounds by Urim Sahitolli and his made basket at the 3:35 mark. However, the Scots would score the final five points of the stanza, with the last being another triple by Thomas to head into the fourth with a 35-32 lead. Jones was still the leading scorer with 13 and Caledonia’s Thomas had 10 followed by Thelen with 9.
Caledonia would open the fourth with a basket by VanderWoude, who would have twelve in the quarter by himself, but the parade to the charity stripe would begin for East Kentwood as they would hit four in a row to cut the deficit to just one, until Jackson would connect at the 6:10 mark to mark the fourth of six total lead changes on the night, 38-37 East Kentwood. That was the start of the Falcons trying to take control of the game as they would increase their lead to 47-40, but simply couldn’t shake Caledonia, who would keep fighting being led by VanderWoude and Andrew Larson. After a foul by Caledonia with just 10.7 seconds remaining, Jones went to the line for two shots that could have given EK a three-point lead, but he went 1-for-2 to make it 53-51. Caledonia had a shot blocked but was able to get the offensive rebound by Thelen who scored with 1.7 seconds remaining. On the ensuing in-bounds pass, Jones tossed a shot from half court that was no good to send the game into the first overtime.
The OT was controlled by EK early as Ja Shon Large, who had 5 points in regulation, scored the first four, but that lead was cut to one after a 3-pointer by Larson. After another Large score, the next three were scored by Caledonia’s Aaron Henry and VanderWoude, but he too missed one of two free throws. EK’s Kalil Strange would make it 61-59, but with 41.1 seconds left, Caledonia’s Thelen would knot it again at 61 where it would stay, and a second overtime was needed.
As so often is the case, free throw shooting is the difference in back and forth games and this was no exception in the second OT as EK would make 3-of-4, all by Strange, whereas the Scots would be 2-of-4 on their last two trips down the floor, but that was good enough to take a 67-66 lead with 21.5 seconds left. After a series of timeouts, EK’s Large would make a driving basket with just .9 seconds remaining, after which Caledonia could only get a shot off as the buzzer sounded trying to force a foul but to no avail.
Caledonia was led by VanderWoude with 21, Thelen 13, and both Thomas and Larson with 11, but the Scots were 7-of-15 from the charity stripe. The Falcons were led by Jones with 23, Large and Jackson 13 each, and Strange 9, but the victory went to them by hitting 15-of-21 from the strip on the night as a team.
The 2019-20 East Kentwood High School girls basketball team. (East Kentwood Falcons)
By Mike Moll, WKTV Sport Director sports@wktv.org
The East Grand Rapids Pioneers were crowned Division 1 District 10 champions Friday, March 6, after defeating the East Kentwood Falcons for a second time this season, 56-53, at Caledonia High School.
It was a game where the Falcons had visions of bringing the championship trophy back to East Kentwood until they committed three consecutive turnovers inside the last two minutes of the game and East Grand Rapids displayed amazing free throw shooting throughout the game.
East Kentwood finishes the year at 19-4 while East Grand Rapids moves to 21-1 and advances to the Division 1 Regionals at West Ottawa to meet 21-2 Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Tuesday, March 10.
The game started off basket-for-basket until the Pioneers ran off 12 of the final 14 points in the first quarter to take a 16-6 lead. East Grand Rapids was led by Jillian Brown with 5 points in the quarter, while East Kentwood had three scorers with two each, Raven Jemison, Kaybriana Hallman, and Madisyn Tillman.
The theme of the night was turnovers right from the first quarter as the Falcons committed seven compared to just two by the Pioneers.
The second quarter had the Falcons getting their offense rolling as they scored 15 points in the quarter, led by Alexis McCully with four including a triple and a free throw along with a three by Deyonce Thompson. Even with that production, the closest they could cut the deficit to was eight as EGR countered with 13 of their own, led again by Brown with six to maintain the lead at the break, 29-21. Just as in the first quarter, the difference was East Grand Rapids capitalizing on four turnovers compared to just another two of their own.
The Falcons were much more aggressive on both ends of the floor after the break and were able to take advantage as the Pioneers more than doubled their turnover total of the first half in just the third quarter with 5. McCully was the main force as she totaled seven points in the stanza but had support as Hallman and Tillman each had four, cutting the lead to just a pair entering the final quarter 40-38. EGR’s sophomore Alli Carlson was responsible for the difference as she had five points.
The final quarter had two ties and two lead changes, as the Falcons were able to go on a 10-1 run to go from down three to what seemed like a huge lead inside the 2-minute mark, 50-44, as they held the Pioneers to no field goals over a 4-minute window. East Kentwood was led by junior McCully with nine points in the final quarter, but after back to back turnovers by EK, and Jillian Brown converting two free throws and a three by her freshman sister Macy Brown, the lead was cut to just one with 1:27 left.
The turnover issues continued for East Kentwood on a third consecutive trip on offense and after a foul on the defensive end, Jillian Brown made two more free throws to give the lead back to EGR with under a minute to play. That was a lead they would not relinquish as the Falcons could only counter with three free throws over the last minute to fall short in the end compared to near perfect free throw shooting for EGR.
The turnover war was the final enemy in that quarter as EK committed seven compared to just two for EGR.
On the night, the Falcons were led by McCully with 20 points, Jemison with nine, Hallman and Tillman with eight each. EGR only had five field goals in the entire second half but countered that low number by making 14-of-17 free throws in the half, including 10-of-12 for Jillian Brown alone, and Carlson was 3-of-4 in the fourth quarter. As a team, East Grand Rapids was 16-of-19 for the game. They were led by Jillian Brown with 21 points, Carlson 16, and Macy Brown with 10.
East Kentwood High School girls basketball in January 2020 District action. (WKTV)
By WKTV Sports Staff ken@wktv.org
With the local high school girls basketball regular season completed, WKTV has jumped into our prep March Madness featured game coverage this week as the state playoffs begin with girls District tournaments across the state.
WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be following the Division 2 District tournament at South Christian High School starting Wednesday, March 4, and continuing with that districts final on Friday, March 6. To read about the Monday game at South Christian featuring the Sailors, see Mike Moll’s story here.
But the best Monday, March 2, opening-round game involving area teams was the Division 1 clash with Byron Center at East Kentwood, so WKTV was there.
Byron Center entered the game at 19-1 overall and 12-0 in OK-conference Green with a title in hand. East Kentwood was 17-3, 11-1 in OK Red with a shared title with Hudsonville, and on a 10-game winning streak. The two teams met to open the season; EK won on the road 48-43.
In the Monday game between the two, the Falcons (now 18-3) won by almost the same score — this time winning 50-43 — as three East Kentwood players scored in double figures: sophomore Deyonce Thompson led with 15 points including three 3-pointers, while juniors Alexis McCully and Kabriana Hallman each added 12.
“That was one of the better high school basketball games we’ve seen in a long time,” WKTV Featured Game announcers Ron Schultz said after the game. “These teams … match up really well and the played really well. … Kentwood dropped some threes when they had to have them.”
The East Kentwood game will be available on WKTV Community Television Channel 26 (for complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule) and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
WKTV also has a special video discussion on local teams playing in District tournaments with WKTV Sports Director Mike Moll and WKTV sports announcer Cory Dalton on the inaugural WKTVJournal Sports Connection program. See the YouTube video here.
As East Kentwood game will now travel to Caledonia for the District semifinals, starting March 4, the WKTV Featured Game crew will move to cover a doubleheader at South Christian.
In one game at South Christian, Wayland (13-8, 5-7 OK Gold and the winner of Monday’s game Hopkins) will play Kelloggsville (16-4, 10-2 and a shared title in OK Silver).
In the other game at South Christian, the Sailors (11-10, 7-5 OK Gold and the winner of a Monday game against Kentwood Grand River will play West Michigan Aviation (7-13, 1-6 Alliance).
Other local teams playing in District tournaments
In Division 1, Wyoming (7-14, 3-9 OK Gold) won a Monday opening round game against tournament host Caledonia and now will challenge the tournament top seed, East Grand Rapids (19-1, 12-0 and a title in OK Gold), on Wednesday.
In another Division 2 tournament involving local teams, Godwin Heights (10-11, 4-8 in OK Silver) played Monday at the Forest Hills Eastern District tournament but lost to Grand Rapids Christian (18-3, 9-3 in OK Gold) to end the Wolverines season. On the other side of the same tournament bracket, Wyoming Lee (0-19, 0-12 OK Silver) will open play on Wednesday against Catholic Central (7-14, 4-8 in OK Blue) and the winner of a Monday game with Wellsprings Prep.
In a Division 4 tournament hosted by Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, Wednesday games will have Tri-unity (6-14, 2-5 in Alliance) playing Martin (19-1, 9-1 and a title in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore), and Wyoming Potter’s House Christian (8-12, 5-2 Alliance) against Byron Center Zion Christian (9-11, 3-4 Alliance). The winners will play for the district title Friday at Tri-unity.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of February includes Tuesday, Feb. 25, with girls and boys basketball featuring Tri-unity Christian High School at Grand River Prep; and Friday, Feb. 28, with girls/boys basketball with Tri-unity Christian again on the road at Wyoming Potter’s House.
WKTV’s girls and boys basketball District Tournament coverage to be begin March is still being determined, but should be announced by the end of this week.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Feb. 24 Girls Basketball Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Basketball Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House
Tuesday, Feb. 25 Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep — WKTV Featured Event Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian South Christian @ FH Eastern Middleville T-K @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Holland East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep — WKTV Featured Event Zion Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights South Christian @ FH Eastern Middleville T-K @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Holland Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, Feb. 26 — no events
Thursday, Feb. 27 Girls Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ Holland Black River Zion Christian @ West Michigan Aviation Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep Boys Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ Holland Black River Grand Rapids Adventist @ Grand River Prep Boys Diving East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Conference Prelims Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ West Ottawa – MHSAA Regionals
Friday, Feb. 28 Boys/Girls Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ TBA – MHSAA State Team Regionals – Boys Wyoming Lee – MHSAA State Team Regionals @ Park Center Lanes Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Team Regionals South Christian – MHSAA State Team Regionals @ M-66 Bowl Wyoming- MHSAA State Team Regionals East Kentwood – MHSAA State Team Regionals Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event Kalamazoo Phoenix @ West Michigan Lutheran Covenant Christian @ West Michigan Aviation Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Christian @ South Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern East Kentwood @ Caledonia Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event West Michigan Aviation @ West Michigan Lutheran Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Christian @ South Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern East Kentwood @ Caledonia Boys Swimming South Christian @ Hastings East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Conference Prelims Boys Wrestling MHSAA Team State Finals
Saturday, Feb. 29 Boys/Girls Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ TBA – MHSAA State Individual Regionals – Boys Wyoming Lee – MHSAA State Individual Regionals- @ Park Center Lanes Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Individual Regionals South Christian – MHSAA State Individual Regionals @ M-66 Bowl East Kentwood – MHSAA Individual Regionals Boys Swimming South Christian @ Hastings East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Conference Finals Girls Cheer Wyoming – State Regionals
Kentwood’s Sylvia James, right, is sworn in to serve on the the Kent ISD School Board. James is also serving as Trustee on the Board of Education for Kentwood Public Schools. (Supplied/Kent ISD)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Kent ISD School Board recently announced the appointment of Sylvia James to fill the opening on the board created when Bill Joseph retired. James is also serving as Trustee on the Board of Education for Kentwood Public Schools.
According to the ISD statement, in addition to her service in Kentwood’s public school system, she has extensive professional experience in operational and strategic human resources practices and management at Pridgeon & Clay, Inc., and previously with Steelcase, Spectrum Health and Robert Bosch, LLC.
“We are pleased to welcome Sylvia to the Kent ISD School Board and look forward to enlisting her experience, passion and dedication to serve all students in the Kent County area,” Ron Caniff, Superintendent, Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “The board is grateful to Bill Joseph for his 18 years of service, countless insights and many contributions throughout the years. We look forward to continuing this important work with Sylvia’s leadership and commitment to public education.”
James has lived in the Kentwood area for more than 25 years and is interested in expanding her reach to help meet the needs of students throughout the region, according to the ISD.
“I love how Kent ISD works collaboratively with all of the districts to provide programs and services to the residents of 23 public and non-public school districts.” James said in supplied material. “I am committed to ensuring that our students are well educated, as we provide for their safety and welfare.”
James was sworn in at the February Kent ISD School Board meeting. She will serve until the June 2021 election, at which time she can run to serve the remainder of Joseph’s term, through 2025.
Kent ISD is a regional educational service agency “devoted to achievement for all students,” and provides instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts, and many public school academies and non-public schools.
For more information on the Kent ISD, see kentisd.org.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week.
The Featured Game coverage schedule for the remainder of February includes the following:
Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Boys Basketball Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Friday, Feb. 21 — Girls/Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House
Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep
Friday, Feb. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Potter’s House
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Feb. 17 Boys/Girls Bowling South Christian @ FH Eastern Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep Girls Cheer Wyoming @ Comstock Park Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park
Tuesday, Feb. 18 Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian Muskegon Catholic Central @ Potter’s House Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee — WKTV Featured Event Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian South Christian @ Middleville T-K Wyoming @ Hudsonville Kelloggsville @ Belding Rockford @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian Potter’s House @ Muskegon Catholic Central Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Middleville T-K @ South Christian Hudsonville @ Wyoming Belding @ Kelloggsville Rockford @ East Kentwood Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ Comstock Park
Wednesday, Feb. 19 Boys/Girls Bowling Wayland @ South Christian Byron Center @ Wyoming East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Boys Wrestling East Kentwood – MHSAA Team Regionals
Thursday, Feb. 20 Boys/Girls Bowling Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian East Kentwood @ Caledonia Boys Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ Kalamazoo Phoenix West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian Girls Basketball Barry County Christian @ Grand River Prep Boys Swimming South Christian @ Ottawa Hills
Friday, Feb. 21 Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian Wyoming Lee @ Belding South Christian @ Wayland Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Grandville @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian Wyoming Lee @ Belding South Christian @ Wayland Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Grandville @ East Kentwood Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ TBA — O-K Silver Post Season Tourney Boys Hockey South Christian @ Christian Girls Cheer Wyoming – TBA – MHSAA State Districts
Saturday, Feb. 22 Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian South Christian – OK Green-Gold Tournament @ Park Center Lanes Wyoming @ Christian East Kentwood – Post Season Conference Tournament Girls Cheer Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – Districts @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts Boys Hockey Catholic Central @ South Christian Boys Wrestling East Kentwood – MHSAA Individual Regionals
Monday, Feb. 24 Girls Basketball Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Basketball Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week.
The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of February includes the following:
Tuesday, Feb. 11 — Girls Basketball East Grand Rapids at South Christian
Friday, Feb. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Christian @ Wyoming
Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Boys Basketball Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Friday, Feb. 21 — Girls/Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House
Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep
Friday, Feb. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Potter’s House
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Feb. 10 Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Belding Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Zeeland East/Zeeland West @ South Christian Wyoming @ Unity Christian Rockford @ East Kentwood
Tuesday, Feb. 11 Boys Basketball Morley Stanwood @ Tri-Unity Christian Calhoun Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Grand River Prep @ Wellsprings Prep Ravenna @ Potter’s House Zion Christian @ Martin Wyoming Lee @ White Cloud Belding @ Godwin Heights South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Wyoming @ Wayland NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball Battle Creek Calhoun Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Grand River Prep @ Wellsprings Prep Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee Martin @ Zion Christian Godwin Heights @ Belding East Grand Rapids at South Christian — WKTV Featured Event Wyoming @ Wayland Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Boys Swimming South Christian @ Wayland Boys/Girls Bowling Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ FH Northern Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Unity Christian @ South Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K – Girls Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Boys Wrestling Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Team Districts Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – MHSAA State Team Districts East Kentwood @ Grandville – MHSAA State Team Districts Girls Cheer Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Thursday, Feb. 13 Boys/Girls Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House Girls Basketball Hudsonville Home School @ West Michigan Lutheran Boys Swimming East Kentwood @ Rockford
Friday, Feb. 14 Boys Basketball Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep Potter’s House @ Cedar Springs Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Covenant Christian @ South Christian GR Christian @ Wyoming — WKTV Featured Event Kelloggsville @ Hopkins East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Girls Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep Holland Black River @ Potter’s House Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Covenant Christian @ South Christian Christian @ Wyoming — WKTV Featured Event Kelloggsville @ Hopkins East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ East Grand Rapids Muskegon Reeths-Puffer @ South Christian Boys Swimming South Christian – MISCA Diving Meet @ EMU East Kentwood – MISCA Diving Meet
Saturday, Feb. 15 Boys Hockey East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation Lake Orion @ South Christian Boys Wrestling Wyoming Lee @ Fremont – MHSAA State Individual Districts Godwin Heights @ Fremont – MHSAA State Individual Districts Wyoming @ Lowell – MHSAA State Individual Districts Kelloggsville @ Lowell – MHSAA State Individual Districts East Kentwood – MHSAA State Individual Districts Girls Basketball Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park Boys Basketball Comstock Park @ Godwin Heights Boys Swimming South Christian – MISCA Swim Meet @ EMU East Kentwood – MISCA Swim Meet Boys/Girls Dance Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills Girls Cheer East Kentwood – Delta Plex Invite Girls Dance East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills
Monday, Feb. 17 Boys/Girls Bowling South Christian @ FH Eastern Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep Girls Cheer Wyoming @ Comstock Park Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
February already brings the final full month of the high school winter sports schedules to the area. The opening rounds of MHSAA State tournaments are near the end of the month in several sports and others, such as girls’ basketball, close out the regular season to begin their state tournament to open up March.
With the change in basketball districts this year having the teams be seeded and matchups announced fifteen days before the opening games, updated schedules will be posted here as they are announced.
Once again, WKTV and its crews will be at two events each week throughout the month but show your support in person to your local schools whenever you can and then join the rebroadcast or watch on-line within a few days of the event.
The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of February includes the following:
Tuesday, Feb. 4 — Boys Basketball Comstock Park at Kelloggsville
Saturday, Feb. 8 — Boys Hockey Lowell/Caledonia at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation
Tuesday, Feb. 11 — Girls Basketball East Grand Rapids at South Christian
Friday, Feb. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Christian @ Wyoming
Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Boys Basketball Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Friday, Feb. 21 — Girls/Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House
Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep
Friday, Feb. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Potter’s House
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Feb. 3 Boys/Girls Bowling Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Byron Center @ South Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Kelloggsville @ Hilcrest Lanes Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Feb. 4 Girls Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Libertas Christian Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House Muskegon Catholic Central @ Zion Christian Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights Hudsonville @ South Christian Boys Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Libertas Christian Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House Potter’s House @ Tri-County South Christian @ Calvin Christian FH Central @ Wyoming Comstock Park @ Kelloggsville — WKTV Featured Event Northview @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, Feb. 5 Boys/Girls Bowling Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Belding @ Godwin Heights South Christian @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Hopkins East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Girls Cheer Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Wyoming @ Wayland Boys Wrestling Muskegon Catholic Central @ Godwin Heights
Thursday, Feb. 6 Boys/Girls Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ West Catholic – Boys Boys Swimming Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 7 Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran Kalamazoo Heritage Christian @ Grand River Prep Creative Tech @ Zion Christian Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ South Christian Girls Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran Creative Tech @ Zion Christian Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ South Christian Boys Hockey South Christian vs Plymouth Boys Swimming South Christian @ Hudsonville Boys Wrestling Wyoming @ FH Eastern East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Saturday, Feb. 8 Boys Hockey Lowell/Caledonia @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation — WKTV Featured Event South Christian vs Powers Catholic Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Hudsonville Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Boys Wrestling Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Godwin Heights @ Belding Kelloggsville @ Belding Girls Cheer Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern Wyoming @ FH Northern Boys Swimming South Christian @ Hudsonville
Monday, Feb. 10 Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Belding Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Zeeland East/Zeeland West @ South Christian Wyoming @ Unity Christian Rockford @ East Kentwood
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of January includes the following:
Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan. 27 Boys/Girls Bowling @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian FH Eastern@ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Christian @ South Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 28 Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Kelloggsville @ Tri-County South Christian @ FH Eastern Galesburg-Augusta @ Potter’s House Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary Christian Boys Basketball Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville FH Eastern @ South Christian Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event Lansing Martin Luther @ West Michigan Lutheran West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary Christian Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Boys Wrestling Kelloggsville @ Kent City Girls Cheer Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Wednesday, Jan. 29 Boys/Girls Bowling Caledonia @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ Christian East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ Caledonia Godwin Heights @ Shelby Wyoming @ Hamilton Wyoming Lee @ Lakeview Girls Cheer Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Girls Basketball Grand River Prep @ Holland Black River
Thursday, Jan. 30 Boys Swimming/Diving @ East Kentwood South Christian @ Middleville T-K Boys Bowling Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian Girls Basketball Potter’s House @ Zion Christian Boys Basketball Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ Chelsea Girls Basketball Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights FH Eastern @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian South Christian @ Christian Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran Boys Basketball Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights FH Eastern @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian South Christian @ Christian Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Potter’s House Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
Saturday, Feb. 1 Boys Hockey Anchor Bay vs East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Chelsea South Christian vs Northville Girls Cheer Wyoming @ Kalamazoo Central Kelloggsville @ Northview East Kentwood @ Northview Boys Wrestling @ Kelloggsville – Rocket Individual Tourney East Kentwood @ Lakewood Boys/Girls Bowling Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Girls Dance East Kentwood @ Jenison Boys Swimming East Kentwood @ Grandville Boys Basketball TBA @ East Kentwood
Monday, Feb. 3 Boys/Girls Bowling Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Byron Center @ South Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Kelloggsville @ Hilcrest Lanes Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:
Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, January 20 Boys/Girls Bowling Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Orchard View Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Wayland
Tuesday, Jan. 21 Girls Basketball Rockford @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Belding South Christian @ Middleville T-K Zion Christian @ Holland Black River Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ Rockford NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Tri-Unity Christian @ Martin Belding @ Kelloggsville Middleville T-K @ South Christian Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian Zion Christian @ Holland Black River Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming @ Byron Center Boys Swimming South Christian @ Christian
Wednesday, Jan. 22 Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Rockford Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Wyoming @ Wayland NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville Middleville T-K @ South Christian Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ Grandville Wyoming @ Hamilton Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian Boys Wrestling West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Orchard View Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Orchard View Wyoming @ Christian Belding @ Wyoming Lee Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Lowell/Caledonia
Thursday, Jan. 23 Boys Swimming/Diving East Kentwood @ Hudsonville South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores Boys Bowling Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian Boys Basketball Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Friday, Jan. 24 Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation – OK Red Tourney @ Georgetown Pauda @ South Christian Girls Basketball East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Belding @ Wyoming Lee Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville Wayland @ South Christian Potter’s House @ Holland Black River WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran West Michigan Aviation @ Algoma Christian Boys Basketball East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Belding @ Wyoming Lee Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville Wayland @ South Christian Potter’s House @ Holland Black River WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
Saturday, Jan. 25 Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation – OK Red Tourney @ Georgetown Walsh Jesuit @ South Christian Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ Rockford Wyoming @ Hamilton Kelloggsville @ Hamilton Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Rockford Wyoming @ Rockford South Christian @ Rockford Boys Wrestling Godwin Heights @ Northview Kelloggsville @ Northview Wyoming @ Montague Wyoming Lee @ Reed City
Monday, Jan. 27 Boys/Girls Bowling @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian FH Eastern@ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Christian @ South Christian
The 2019-20 East Kentwood High School boys basketball team. (Supplied/East Kentwood)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
So far this season, after five non-conference games and their OK-Conference Red opener earlier this week, the East Kentwood boys basketball team has had some success and some struggles executing coach Jeff Anama plan to have a team featuring fast-paced offense and defense.
The Falcons have two players scoring in double figures, several seniors playing key rolls, but have a modest early-season 2-4 record (0-1 in conference) as the team hosts Hudsonville (7-0, 2-0) Friday, Jan. 17, as part of a doubleheader of WKTV Sports Featured Games which will be available on cable television and, later, on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
“The kind of offense and defense we run, I think, is … transition, trying to push the ball quickly, look for opportunities to get easy baskets,” Anama said to WKTV in December as the team prepared for its first game. The team wants “to try to create pressure and turnovers an easier baskets with our defensive transition and defensive pressure.”
We need to “be able to push the ball from one end to the other and create opportunities for the depth that I think we have on this year’s team,” he said. “And with the defensive pressure to make the tempo uncomfortable for the team we are playing.”
Anama’s fast-paced philosophy has shown it sometimes takes a few games to click. Last season, the Falcons started 3-3, but ended up 16-10 overall and won five playoff games before falling to Okemos in the state Division 1 Quarterfinals.
This season’s Falcons, through six games, are led in scoring by seniors Ja’moni Jones (14 points per game) and Jordan Jackson (11.2 PPG), with three players averaging about six points per game: senior JaShon Large, junior Tyane Barnes and super freshman Jy’Air Harris. Jackson and Harris also lead the team in rebounds per game with just over four, while Jones is averaging just under four rebounds and leading the team in assists with about 3 per game.
The usual (and tentative Friday) starters are Jones, Jackson, Large, Harris and senior Urim Sahitolli.
Other players on the team (according to the team’s school webpage) include seniors Sean-Anthony Diggs, Deivi Martinez Abreu, Frey Nickson and Adonis Vashon; juniors Christopher Brown, Eric Cohill, Joshua Mayhue, Kellen Roelofs and Kalil Stimage.
“I would say our team is a team that loves to play basketball and they love to be together,” Anama said.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from an early season game, will be a WKTV Featured Game this week. (Curtis Holt)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:
Tuesday, Jan. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Wayland at Wyoming
Friday, Jan. 17 — Girls/Boys Basketball Hudsonville at East Kentwood
Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan. 13 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Belding Wyoming @ Zeeland East Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Sparta – Boys Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 14 Girls Cheer @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Belding @ Godwin Heights Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event Muskegon Orchard View @ Tri-Unity Christian NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Potter’s House @ Martin Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ GR Homeschoolers Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Godwin Heights @ Belding Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Martin @ Potter’s House
Wednesday, Jan. 15 Boys Wrestling Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Montague @ Godwin Heights Middleville T-K @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Catholic Central Boys/Girls Bowling NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Belding @ Wyoming Lee FH Eastern @ South Christian Girls Cheer Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Lansing Christian Girls Basketball WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation
Thursday, Jan. 16 Boys Swimming/Diving West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Boys Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Friday, Jan. 17 Girls Basketball Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic Boys Basketball Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic Boys Hockey South Christian @ West Ottawa
Saturday, Jan. 18 Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ Holt Godwin Heights @ FH Central Wyoming @ Jenison Kelloggsville @ Christian Boys Swimming/Diving East Kentwood@ Kalamazoo Loy Norrix Boys Hockey Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation South Christian @ Rockford
Monday, January 20 Boys/Girls Bowling Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Orchard View Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Wayland
Tri-unity boys basketball is one of the many local sports teams WKTV’s Featured Game coverage team will be covering this season. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By Mike Moll sports@wktv.org
The holidays are in the rear-view mirror as the calendar has turned over to 2020, and January is jam-packed with high school sports most every night of the month as the winter season goes into full force.
Be sure to get out and show your support for your local school and its student-athletes in person, but then watch the replay on WKTV or watch on-line at any time within a few days of the event.
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:
Friday, Jan. 3 — Boys Hockey Portage Northern at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation
Tuesday, Jan. 7 — Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 10 — Girls/Boys Basketball Kelloggsville at Wyoming Lee
Tuesday, Jan. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Wayland at Wyoming
Friday, Jan. 17 — Girls/Boys Basketball Hudsonville at East Kentwood
Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan 6 Boys/Girls Bowling Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ South Christian Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
Tuesday, Jan. 7 Girls Basketball Northview @ East Kentwood Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming @ Rockford Wyoming Lee @ Holton Kelloggsville @ Wayland Potter’s House @ Ravenna Kent City @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Home Schoolers Holland Black River @ Zion Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Martin Boys Basketball Wyoming @ Rockford Holton @ Wyoming Lee South Christian @ Byron Center Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills Kent City @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Lansing Martin Luther Holland Black River @ Zion Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Martin
Wednesday, Jan. 8 Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Wyoming @ Zeeland West Wyoming Lee @ Belding Kelloggsville @ Belding Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Unity Christian @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Calvin Christian South Christian @ Zeeland East Boys Wrestling Belding @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Hamilton Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Ravenna Boys Hockey Rockford @ South Christian Girls Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep
Thursday, Jan. 9 Boys Swimming South Christian @ Union Boys/Girls Bowling Potter’s House @ Muskegon Orchard View Girls Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES Boys Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Friday, Jan. 10 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights Ottawa Hills Girls Basketball Godwin Heights @ Hopkins South Christian @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Fruitport Calvary @ Zion Christian Boys Basketball Godwin Heights @ Hopkins South Christian @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Bridgman @ Tri-Unity Christian Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Fruitport Calvary @ Zion Christian
Saturday January 11, 2020 Girls Dance East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ West Catholic – Dunneback Invite Kelloggsville @ Fruitport Wyoming @ West Catholic Boys Swimming/Diving East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ FH Central Rochester @ South Christian Girls Cheer FH Eastern @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Allendale Kelloggsville @ Allendale
Monday, Jan. 13 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Belding Wyoming @ Zeeland East Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Sparta – Boys Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley is congratulted after the signing of a Kentwood City Commission resolution on Tuesday, Dec. 17, which stated support of the continued resettlement of refugees within city limits. (City of Kentwood)
By City of Kentwood
In response to an executive order on Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement, the Kentwood City Commission adopted a resolution in support of the continued resettlement of refugees within City limits.
City Commission unanimously approved the resolution, which affirms resources and capacities are available within the City of Kentwood to devote to sustainable resettlement, which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance. Kentwood is one of the first communities in West Michigan to publicly affirm its support of Executive Order 13888.
“Kentwood has long been able to welcome refugees facing persecution thanks to numerous corporations, faith-based organizations, schools and families with the resources available to support the arrival and integration of refugee families,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “As the current home of resettled refugees from more than 90 countries, Kentwood City Commission is committed to ensuring refugees not only feel welcome to come to our City, but to truly feel a sense of belonging within our community.
“Kentwood’s quality of life has been enriched by the friendships and contributions of our neighbors from all over the world. We look forward to embracing those who seek to find refuge in our City for many years to come.”
In a heartfelt commission meeting, numerous community members, many refugees themselves, shared comments in support of the resolution. These included representatives from Kent County Board of Commissioners, At-Tawheed Islamic Center, the Vietnamese-American Community of Grand Rapids, Bethany Christian Services, Samaritas and Gateways for Growth.
“The approval of this resolution demonstrates the city’s character and commitment to all New Americans and says loud and clear what type of community Kentwood leaders want to create for all people who want to call this place home,” said Joel Lautenbach, executive director of Development at Samaritas and leadership team member of Greater Grand Rapids/Kent County Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan. “We want new residents from all over the world, including refugees, to be able to find a place to live here — to raise their families, to contribute economically and be successful, contributing members of our community.”
Project Coordinator Elvira Kovachevich of the Greater Grand Rapids/Kent County Gateways for Growth, whose objective is to develop and implement a welcome plan to address different sectors of obstacles for immigrants and refugees in Kent County, also spoke to the importance of the resolution.
“Seeing the City of Kentwood unanimously approve a resolution to welcome refugees to our community is more than a statement; it is a commitment to welcome everyone with open arms and promote belonging, no matter where you come from,” Kovachevich said. “As a child of refugees who works to welcome other New Americans to our community, the City of Kentwood’s affirmation of the value of refugees is inspiring; the City is truly serving as an example to others.”
Issued on Sept. 26, Executive Order 13888 requires official consent from state and local governments within 90 days in order for the federal government to resettle refugees in a given area, impacting all refugees coming through the U.S. Department of State.
