DKHS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

This didn’t feel like a light week, but this post might seem like I have less to share this week. We completed our first round of state testing with ACT WorkKeys for our juniors. I know that much of the standardized testing we are required to do can seem like such a chore. In spite of that, we really encourage all of our student to give their absolute best effort. I have many examples from my time in the counseling office where kids didn’t give their best effort and, a year or two later, lost out on some opportunities due to lower scores that they are capable of earning. Things like dual enrollment, scholarship offers, and even employment training and job opportunities can be impacted by these scores. Our next big testing day will be PSAT 9/10 and SAT for our juniors on April 17th. Big Shout Out to our district testing coordinator, Mrs. Boorsma, who works tirelessly to make these days run as smoothly as they do.

This week, we hosted a Title I information night for our DK Academy students and parents. Our DKAC students are working very hard to complete their credits, and it looks like we may have as many as 20 students in the program graduate this year. Speaking of graduation, we will shortly be celebrating our Class of 2025 and remind you to save the date of May 22 for our graduation ceremonies for both of our DKAC and DKHS seniors.

This week we finally were able to get enough of a break in the weather to host a soccer game. No doubt, things are going to pick up around here shortly, and we invite you out to cheer on and support our spring teams. Also getting started here in the spring is our scheduling process. Mr. Vanhoose has plans to host a parent night after spring break to share details of the process, some new programs and classes we will be offering, and answer any questions you may have about scheduling. We will share those details in the near future.

Our shop kids have been busy working with Mr. & Mrs. Knobloch, along with some community helpers who have been busy preparing the metal shop for our new IGNITE manufacturing training stations and modules. That room is getting a new paint job and some new floor surface upgrades to prepare the space for that new program. This is being brought to DK through a grant we received. Again, DKHS is one of only 2 schools in the entire state to get that grant this year. We are so excited about the opportunities that will grow from this for our students.

This week’s DO A JOB Hogie’s Heroes is our guidance counselor Mr. Chris Vanhoose, who has done a great job in his first year managing all that happens in guidance and counseling. It can get a bit overwhelming in that office at times and he has navigated his first year with excellence.

Absentee ballots will be available starting today.

No StuCo meeting this week. Be sure to check Google Classroom to sign up on the Fun Run Task sheet.

Head to studentscholarships.org to check out all the scholarships. You can also click the button below to sign up for a weekly list of scholarships.

Forage 2 Farm

This four-day immersive STEM camp will provide students with hands-on experiences in foraging and sustainable agriculture. Through hands on activities in foraging, farming, and ecology students will learn where our food comes from and how it impacts the environment around us. Analyze issues that face farmers today and see Science in nature right in their own backyard. Visit GVSUs farm, walk the ravines on our Allendale campus with a forager, and meet industry professionals in this fun outdoor camp.

Dates: July 14-17, 2025
Forage 2 Farm Registration Deadline: April 21, 2025
REGISTER TODAY!

STEPS Camp

STEPS Camp is an action-packed, one-week day camp in June at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Pew Campus!

The day camp runs Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and on Thursday, the fun goes late for "Fly Night" (end time may vary). This will be a special evening where loved ones may join the campers for dinner, a graduation ceremony, and to watch them fly their very own planes they built!

Throughout the camp, kids will dive into hands-on learning activities and exciting challenges! From building and flying an airplane, exploring CAD programming and 3D printing, go on off-site field trips, and take part in friendly competitions. Plus, all materials, snacks, lunch, and cool suprises are included!

Don't miss out!
Dates: Week 1: June 9-12, 2025 & Week 2: June 16-19, 2025
STEPS Lottery Registration Deadline: March 31, 2025
Register for the lottery now!

Advanced Manufacturing Camp

Join us as we explore this exciting summer camp for middle school students in Advanced Manufacturing! This summer camp is a four-day hands-on immersive STEM experience for students entering 6th and 7th (this fall) in advanced manufacturing and careers. Students will participate in a large group introduction followed by breakout sessions facilitated by GVSU staff, students, and industry professionals from around West Michigan. Sessions will include hands-on activities in CAD, 3-D Printing, Design Thinking, and Automation that will provide a glimpse into the future of the largest industry sector in Michigan. An introduction to careers in advanced manufacturing will engage students in learning about career pathways from industry professionals from West Michigan. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in off-site industry tours.

Dates: June 23-26, 2025
AMC Registration Deadline: May 16, 2025
REGISTER TODAY!

Young PI's Camp

The Young Pis Summer Scholar program's goal is to introduce high school students to lab techniques and research methods. Over the course of a week-long summer camp, students will complete labs based on biomedical sciences, biology, physics, and chemistry. High school students will be paired with an undergraduate mentor and be able to discuss research, college life, and how they can best prepare to excel when they reach the university level. The camp will also include a community tour of Grand Rapids based research institutes, exploring careers based on the exploration of STEM.

Dates: July 7-11, 2025
Young PI's Camp Registration Deadline: July 6, 2025
REGISTER TODAY!

High School Economics Students Participate in Junior Achievement's JA Finance Park®

We are excited to share that our high school economics classes have been actively working on their Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park® lessons throughout this semester! JA Finance Park is a capstone curriculum focused on personal financial planning and career exploration. This program helps students develop essential financial literacy skills and culminates in an immersive budgeting simulation where they apply what they’ve learned to real-world financial decisions.

Through this program, students have been:
✔ Learning about financial responsibility, career choices, and budgeting.
✔ Selecting a career and defining their future lifestyle and financial goals.
✔ Exploring how education, savings, and credit decisions impact long-term financial success.

Upcoming Field Trip: JA Finance Park Capstone Project

On April 22, 2025, our high school economics students will travel to Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes in Grand Rapids to participate in the JA Finance Park Capstone Project.

During their visit, students will work alongside volunteers and financial professionals as they put their learning into action by developing a personal budget and making financial decisions that reflect real-life scenarios.

Permission slips were sent home with students on Thursday and must be signed and returned by Wednesday, April 2nd.

We are proud of the hard work our students have put into this program throughout the semester and look forward to seeing them apply their knowledge in this valuable hands-on experience. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. McFanin at mary.mcfanin@dkschools.org or the office at (269)623-1521.

Thank you for supporting our students as they prepare for a successful financial future!

Follow this link to learn more. https://michiganlegion.org/trooper/