Schools

At least half of Michigan’s public K-12 students must wear a mask in school, a figure that has grown as local health or education officials order requirements that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer supports but is hesitant to reinstitute statewide. Several counties, including six of the 10 most populated ones, now mandate face coverings for students, teachers and staff indoors regardless of …

A pair of St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education members were sworn into office and board officers appointed last month. Elizabeth O’Dell will remain as board president for 2021-22. She also was sworn in to a six-year term ending in June 2027. Meanwhile, Trustee Patricia Keller was sworn in to a four-year term ending in June 2025. …

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University will require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall semester. Both university presidents said Friday that action is being taken due to the spread of the more infectious delta variant. Michigan State is taking things a step further and requiring masks to be …

Geri’s Resource Center and The Huss School Project have joined to present “Math Camp on the Farm.” The free, hands-on, outdoor learning experience is for students entering sixth and seventh grades. The first session starts Monday and concludes Friday. The second session runs Aug. 9 through Aug. 13. Both sessions are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Take-home lunch is available …

Sturgis Area Community Foundation has announced its 2021 scholarship award recipients. The foundation is scheduled to award $161,500 in educational scholarships this fall to 77 students representing high schools in St. Joseph and Branch counties. This year’s class of scholarship recipients represents a mix of aspiring two-year, four-year and trade school students with a diverse set of goals and aspirations …

Here’s a reminder that all eight K-12 public school districts in St. Joseph County are participating in the “Meet Up and Eat Up” program to students 18 years of age and younger this summer. Burr Oak offers a meal to children 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. The lunch includes next day’s breakfast. Centreville, Colon and Constantine offer a …

A group of anonymous alumni has gifted $550 million to Western Michigan University. The school in Kalamazoo will receive the funding over 10 years. It will be divided among scholarships, investing in quality educators, advancing medical research and education, and bolstering Western Michigan athletics. “Thanks to the incredible generosity and foresight of these donors who’ve chosen to bestow this generous …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Ron Moag recently discussed progress of work related to renovations at some of the district’s schools. In the wake of a voter-approved bond request in November 2019, work has started at Hoppin Elementary School and Three Rivers High School, and will eventually include Park, Andrews and Norton elementary schools. The request will generate $61.2 million …

Glen Oaks Community College received word this week that Bruce R. Swinburne, the founding dean of the college, passed away in late May. Being from out of state, I first heard the name Bruce Swinburne associated with Glen Oaks in 2015 when we were putting together a 50th anniversary video of the historical beginnings of the college. A small number …

Bruce Ryan Swinburne passed away peacefully on May 22, 2021. He was born at home in Delhi, Iowa, on Children’s Day, June 12, 1932 while his two older brothers sat on the porch steps waiting to go to Sunday School! He graduated from Delhi High School and Northern Iowa University, formerly Iowa State Teachers College. He attended Marine Corps Advanced …