Starting next fall, our kindergartners will attend class in our six elementary schools. That means the end of an era for the Early Childhood Center, which served as our kindergarten school since 1988. If you're an ECC "grad," parent, grandparent or community member, come to our ice cream social May 17, 5 to 7 p.m. Walk the halls of the ECC one last time. If you are planning to attend May 17, please RSVP. This summer, the building will be transformed into a preschool center.
In an effort to reduce summer learning loss, a group of Zeeland elementary teachers have been working on a program called the “Summer Stretch” for children in kindergarten through fifth grades. Research shows that on average, students lose 2.6 months of academic achievement during the summer months. As little as 20 minutes of reading or math each day can drastically improve this statistic. Elementary students are bringing home a brochure that describes four choices for summer review and includes the form you need to complete in order to participate. We are committed to full participation from ALL Zeeland elementary students, but aim to be accommodating to busy summer schedules.
“Learning without limits” is the mission statement driving Zeeland Quest when it opens for the first day of class August 6. The program, organized and operated solely by Zeeland Public Schools, will replace Innocademy, the alternative learning program that will find a new home in June. Innocademy will no longer be a part of ZPS.
Effective this week, our new online newsletter, the ZPS Monday Minute, is replacing the E-Team as a communication tool for informing our parents, staff, and community. SUBSCRIBE USING THE SIMPLE FORM ON OUR HOME PAGE.
"The ZPS Monday Minute is an easy-to-read newsletter you'll find within the body of your e-mail, complete with graphics and photos, features that were not available through our previous e-mail system," Superintendent Dave Barry. "The best part is that parents, staff and community members can directly subscribe, unsubscribe, or change their e-mail preferences, a service that was not available through the E-Team system. You can also choose to receive a mobile version or text-only version of the Monday Minute."
Barry said the newsletter will be e-mailed to subscribers each Monday, providing news and important dates from Zeeland Public Schools as well as articles about education on the state and national scene.
"Using the same newsletter format, we will provide up-to-the-minute ZPS Weather Alerts on bad weather days," Barry continued. "Our goal is to e-mail those alerts no later than 6 a.m. on a school day. The ZPS Weather Alert will also include an explanation of our weather policy and helpful weather links."
Zeeland Public Schools' renewal of the non-homestead tax was approved by more than a 2 to 1 margin in the Presidential Primary election February 28. The tax provides more than $5 million for the daily operation of our schools.
"We are grateful for the community's support of this vital portion of our funding," Superintendent Dave Barry said. "Thank you."
With all 21 precincts reporting, the final vote was 4,362 yes and 2,046 no. Graphic below is courtesy of the Ottawa County Clerk's office.
Zeeland Public Schools will ask voters to renew the 18-mill nonhomestead property tax for one year on Tuesday, February 28, which is the Presidential Primary election day. The tax is levied on industrial, commercial, and some agricultural property. It does not affect the taxes of a primary homeowner.
“This is a renewal only, but it is crucial to the daily operation of our schools,” Superintendent Dave Barry said. The levy provides approximately $5.1 million for Zeeland Public Schools.”
An election reform law signed November 29 by Governor Snyder requires schools to conduct votes during general elections in even numbered years. The measure is designed to save school districts thousands of dollars and bring more voters to the polls.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the nonhomestead renewal February 28:
Q. Why is this referred to as a “non-homestead” ballot issue? A. Because it is not levied on a resident’s primary home, but on industrial, commercial, some agricultural property, and second homes.
A resolution adopted by the Zeeland Board of Education December 19 has reaffirmed the district's commitment to the future of Innocademy as an innovative, year-round program.
"We are planning a seamless, stable transition that will carry on the strong values and traditions that were established during the high successful pilot phase of the program," Superintendent Dave Barry explained. Innocademy instructs 150 youngsters in kindergarten through eighth grade and is located at the east end of Roosevelt Elementary. The pilot phase of the successful programs ends in June, 2012.
For the second time in five years, the Zeeland West Dux are state champions in football. Coach John Shillito's team rolled over Marine City 45-7 in the Division 4 final game played at Ford Field November 25. The champs will be honored at a special rally happening at 2:15 this afternoon (11/28) in the Zeeland West gymnasium. The public is invited! Tonight, the victorious Dux team will march in the Zeeland Christmas parade which starts at 6:30 p.m. Great job team, coaches, and community! Read more . . .
Beginning next fall, a majority of kindergartners at Zeeland Public Schools will attend class all day, every day at the district’s six elementary schools. The district’s decision was announced at the Zeeland Board of Education meeting November 14 and marks a significant change in kindergarten programming. Since 1988, Zeeland has provided an all-day, alternate-day schedule for a majority of its kindergartners.
“Today’s high standards for academic excellence and our testing accountability system demand that we provide children with the best start possible, and that is an all-day, every-day schedule,” Superintendent Dave Barry said. “Investing in those early years is proving to pay off through improved academic achievement and high school graduation rates, lower crime rates and lower special education costs.”
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