Schools

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 …

Members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education have announced two new administrators joining the district. Sheryl Thorbjornsen  will replace the retiring Fred Matusik at Park Elementary. Meanwhile, Norton Elementary finally has its full-time principal, as Jennifer Graber will step in to relieve Cindy Evans, who has been serving since January as interim principal. The position came open …

The Abiel Fellows Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Three Rivers has announced recipients for the DAR Good Citizens for 2012. Honored for their dependability, service, leadership and patriotism, each senior is recognized on the basis of merit. This year’s Good Citizens are: Lauren Kirby, Centreville High School; Adam West, Constantine High School; Leslie Bennett, Factoryville Christian School; Lindsey …

The first St. Joseph County school district to begin its summer break is in Colon, where its students have a noon dismissal today, wrapping up their 2011-12 academic year. Other last days of school in St. Joseph County are June 1 for Constantine; June 6 for Burr Oak; June 7 for Three Rivers and White Pigeon; June 8 for Centreville …

Members of White Pigeon Community Schools’ Board of Education recently recognized key representatives from the Chief Pride campaign. Jody Davidson, Melanie Atherton, Joy Weber and Melissa Grant were instrumental in organizing a “vote yes” campaign that resulted in the May 8 passage of the sinking-fund renewal. Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said the district is grateful for the residents who helped with …

Members of the Three Rivers Education Association and the district’s Board of Education have reached an agreement on a two-year contract. Approved by the board Monday, the contract results in no raises but factors in step increases for teachers who reach certain levels of seniority, according to Superintendent Roger Rathburn. Another item of note is the adjustment of extra-duty pay …