Schools

Relay for Life a success

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 10:44am

Rockford Relay For Life raised $318,000 for the American Cancer Society, making it one of the most successful fundraisers in the state.

Other West Michigan communities are doing their part. During the Wyoming-Grandville Relay For Life on May 10, participants raised at least $54,857. That same day, participants in the Grand Haven-Spring Lake Relay For Life collected at least $45,984 for the American Cancer Society. Runners and walkers in East Grand Rapids raised at least $56,531 during their Relay For Life May 17. On May 18, the Relay For Life of White Lake generated at least $43,211 for the American Cancer Society, while Relay For Life of Comstock Park raised at least $42,815.

And don’t count local colleges out. In April, Grand Valley State University raised at least $85,263 during its Relay For Life, Western Michigan University collected at least $32,083 and Aquinas College raised $5,670.

Plenty more communities are planning Rel

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Win a makeover for your school from the Detroit Pistons

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Sunday, April 21st, 2013, 9:00am

Win a makeover for your school from the Detroit Pistons

(Detroit Pistons) – Does your library or gym need a new look?

Here’s your chance to win a makeover in the School Makeover contest from the Detroit Pistons and NBA Live, Learn or Play, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance.

The School Makeover, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance and the Detroit Pistons, is accepting submissions from elementary and middle schools in the state of Michigan, through June 1. Submissions at www.nba.com/pistons/farm-bureau-school-makeover should include at least four images of the school’s library or gymnasium to be considered in the selection process.

“Farm Bureau Insurance agents are involved in their local communities all across the state. Michigan isn’t just a market for us, it is our home,” said Vic Verchereau, Farm Bureau Insurance vice president of Marketing. “We firmly believe in supporting safe and clean learning environments for our youth.

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Inaugural junior class surpasses national average ACT scores

Submitted by mkennedy on Thursday, April 11th, 4:00 pm

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Wellspring Preparatory High School’s junior class averaged a 23.4 score on the ACT, a curriculum and standards-based tool that assesses readiness for college.

The 2012 ACT report indicated the national average at 21.1 and state average at 20.1 out of a possible 36.

“This average truly reflects the hard work and dedication of our students and faculty,” said Wellspring Preparatory High School Principal Koree Woodward. “We are dedicated to guiding our students down a path that will lead to life-long success and they are committed to putting in the effort that will help to position them for college.”

Wellspring Preparatory High School promotes academic excellence that directly leads to college readiness and success.

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Parents Love New Space

Submitted by NHAPR on Tuesday, April 9th, 1:40 pm

BELMONT, Mich. April 9, 2013—The ribbon has been cut and the doors opened to the newly remodeled Chandler Woods Charter Academy Parent Room. Chandler Woods was the recipient of the Parent Room makeover after winning the National Heritage Academies “Love Us, Like Us” Facebook campaign.

“The new room is so welcoming and inviting,” said Barbara Lindquist, principal. “This is a great place for our parents to be involved and present in the school.”

For three weeks parents competed tirelessly to make sure Chandler Woods received the most new “likes” to their school’s page. The parents’ efforts paid off, the school received 1,258 new Facebook “likes” over the three-week period.

The Parent Room now has new carpet, paint, cabinets, bookshelves, a computer station, a flat screen TV, coffee maker, and supplies for parents to use.

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Odyssey of the Mind Sending 17 Teams to State Finals

Submitted by Candice Fleszar... on Wednesday, March 13th, 11:00 am

A Wonderful Day of Creativity!

Odyssey of the Mind regional competition at Greenville hosted over 85 teams from schools in and around west Michigan this past Saturday.

Teams were asked to build vehicles that ran parts to create a “pet” that could perform a trick when completed, or create a device that delivers mail, diverts mail and sorts mail – ALL without physically touching it!! OR build a structure of balsa wood and glue that would endure a drop of 4 feet, and hold weight OR build a replica of an ancient team selected building, create works of art to “add” to the replica and tie it all together with song, music and dance OR create a uniquely changing backdrop that helps tell a story of odd and “normal” characters!

Can you imagine the creativity?? Odyssey of the Mind will blow your mind- as you try to imagine a solution to any of the problems! And solving problems is only ½ of what Odyssey tackles!

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Chandler Woods Wins Parent Room Makeover

Submitted by Candice Fleszar... on Thursday, March 7th, 12:00 pm

Families Love Chandler Woods!
Chandler Woods Wins Facebook Contest and Room Makeover

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Chandler Woods competed in a social media contest and won a $1,500 makeover for the school's parent room. National Heritage Academies (NHA), a tuition-free public charter school management company, challenged all 74 of its schools to see how many new "likes" they could earn during the "Love Us? Like Us" Facebook campaign.

During a three week period in February, Chandler Woods reached out to parents informing them of the contest and asking them to take part through social media and word of mouth. The school posted daily Facebook updates and kept track of where they ranked in the contest.

"The social media campaign made it easy for our parents to share their 'love' for Chandler Woods." said Principal Barbra Lindquist.

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Rockford Woman Featured in New Book

Submitted by Candice Fleszar... on Tuesday, March 5th, 1:29 pm

"I Can and I Did" The Kelly Finger McNeela Story
author: Doreen Rickert Rademacher

Kelly Finger McNeela received a MS diagnosis at age 15. She needed a wheelchair by the time she attended college, but was determined to live a normal life. She built a career, a marriage and became a mother despite what she describes as "unique obstacles." None of which proved as formidable as being placed in a nursing home and facing a divorice, yet Kelly managed to find the silver lining in even those dark clouds.

Kelly hopes to inspire others by sharing her story. She attended Belmont Elementary School in Rockford prior to her MS diagnosis.