Schools

White Pigeon Community Schools Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said the district is asking its residents to participate in a 15-minute, online survey. He said the district has partnered with the Michigan Association of School Boards to gain perceptions, input and feedback to foster the district’s strategic-planning and goal-setting process. Drzewicki said responses will remain anonymous and confidential. The survey will be …

Constantine Middle School was the recipient of a $4,500 grant from the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. During a presentation Saturday, Josh Onken, site operations manager for the Constantine plant, made the donation. District officials said the grant will be used to purchase new library books and create a program to encourage reading. Onken said the …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education recently settled contracts with three work groups. Superintendent Tom Langdon said unions representing food-service workers, teachers, and employees in the custodian, maintenance and transportation field all agreed to a contract through the 2012-13 school year. Teachers will not be awarded a pay increase, though salary-step increases will remain in place. Employees in the …

Over 60 people came out July 21 to the second annual Stroller Roll to support the local early childhood fund. Many adults brought their children in strollers while others came out to run competitively. The funds raised will support the Early Childhood Implementation Fund held at the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. These dollars support preschool scholarships for at risk three …

St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender is advising the public that petitions for candidates to area school boards of education, Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees and village councils are due by 4 p.m. Aug. 14. All positions will be elected in the Nov. 6 general election. Bender said candidates wishing to run for school board in Burr Oak, …

Organizers of the 29th White Pigeon Days community festival called the weekend’s three-day event a popular and well-attended celebration. North Kalamazoo and East Chicago streets were lined with more than 1,000 people during Friday night’s parade, while a crowd estimated at 2,000-plus viewed Saturday evening’s fireworks program. The pyrotechnics took place shortly after the second annual White Pigeon-Centreville alumni football …

Members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education have expressed an interest in looking at consolidating business-office duties with other districts in the county. The concept is not unprecedented, as Mendon and Centreville school districts currently operate under a joint business office. Three Rivers Superintendent Roger Rathburn said potential retirements within the district in the next few years …

A number of seasonal positions were filled Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The St. Joseph County Sheriff Department’s marine patrol unit will have a roster of seven part-time employees, headed by Sgt. Jeff Terpenning. A Centreville High School teacher, Terpenning will be paid $17 an hour. Joining him as marine patrol officers will be Jaymes MacDonald, …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is teaming up with MSU Extension this summer to offer special classes that will help participants learn how to buy, clean, store and cook with fresh produce. Project FRESH is a program that makes fresh produce available to low income, nutritionally-at-risk women and children who participate in the Women, Infants and Children program. WIC …

The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation is accepting applications for mini-matching grants, supporting schools, government entities and other 501(c)3 organizations. Final grant awards will be based on community support and local dollars raised to match the amount offered to prospective recipients. Selected grant recipients will be notified by mid-August the award amount the foundation will match and details regarding their …