Coloma Newsletter

Dear Coloma Families,

With holiday season upon us, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work happening across our district. November and December are months filled with gratitude, celebration and meaningful learning, and our schools have truly embodied that spirit.

As our holiday school break approaches, I encourage you to take time to rest, reconnect and enjoy the festive season together. These moments of pause are important for all of us, and they help our students return refreshed and ready to build on the momentum we've developed during the first semester.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in January for a strong start to 2026.

Sincerely,

Dave Ehlers

Superintendent

Here’s an overview of our district’s academic calendar for December, so you don’t miss a beat! You can access the full 2025-2026 academic year calendar here.

Here’s a reminder that some Coloma students will begin NWEA testing upon our return to school in January.

Created by the Northwest Evaluation Association, the NWEA MAP Growth benchmarks are used by teachers to better adjust instruction throughout the school year. This national test provides families and teachers an indicator of what students are ready to learn, and what they already have mastered.

Here are some tips to help prepare your child for testing:

1. Ensure a good night’s sleep: Make sure your child gets a good night of sleep before the test. This helps ensure they are alert and ready to focus.
2. Provide a healthy breakfast: A healthy, balanced breakfast can give your child the energy they need to concentrate during the test.
3. Positive reinforcement: Encourage your child to do their best but don’t put too much pressure on them. Let them know that this test is just one measure of their abilities and does not define them.
4. Regular study routine: Establish a regular study routine to ensure that your child is constantly learning and reviewing material.

To learn more grade-specific tips visit here. Good luck, everyone!

Don’t miss out on showing your Comet Pride at our upcoming winter sporting events. Visit the link below for a schedule of events and to purchase tickets!

https://gofan.co/app/school/MI4170

On November 11, our district celebrated the 50th annual Veterans Day Breakfast. The tradition allows students from various grades to connect with and serve our local heroes. National Honor Society and Student Council members from Coloma High School volunteered to greet, seat and serve a hot breakfast, which was closely followed by a performance by the Coloma High School choir and fifth grade vocal music students. This offered students an opportunity to learn valuable lessons about gratitude and sacrifice.

For the 12th consecutive year, our district hosted the Kindness and Compassion Drive to collect donations for vulnerable families in our community this holiday season. We collected canned food, winter gear for boys and girls, and toys and gift cards. For the first year, all grades, K-12, participated to generate more donations. Together, we collected 1,236 items! Thank you to Nicole DeMercado, Jazmyne Pedde and Kelsey Nimtz, our district social works, for leading this year’s initiative.

Coloma High School recently implemented its Student Dignity Program, an effort to equip all students with basic necessity personal-care items. Through this initiative, all students have access to essential toiletries, including deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more through discreetly placed bins in student restrooms. This allows students to take what they need, when they need it, confidentially and respectfully. Thank you to Greg Shaffer, CHS school counselor, for creating and executing this initiative. We’re grateful this program will assist our students. If you wish to help sustain and grow the program, you may donate items through the Amazon Wish List.

At the beginning of November, the Coloma High School Marching Band attended the State competition at Ford Field! They competed against nine other programs in the Flight 5 Championship. We’re so proud of our marching Comets. Congratulations on a great season!

Coloma Junior High hosted its annual Turkey Trot on November 19th. The entire 6th grade class, as well as students from seventh and eighth grade, participated in the race! The top male and female for each grade level won the following prizes: 1st place - turkey, 2nd place - chicken, 3rd place - cornish hen. See the winners below!

In November, the Coloma Intermediate Robotics Team attended the first Lego League Challenge, hosted at Lakeshore High School. This all-day competition brought together robotics teams from schools across Berrien County. We're proud of the Coloma team's dedication and success at this year's event. Go Comets!

The Coloma Intermediate media team is encouraging students to explore the world of journalism and reporting. Our fourth and fifth graders are busy giving daily weather reports over the PA system, researching news topics and learning all about the industry! We are proud of their progress and look forward to seeing what they do with their new skills.

To ring in the fall season, Coloma Elementary kindergarteners and young fives took a trip to Stovers Farm! Students got to pick pumpkins and apples, enjoy cider and donuts, take a hayride and participate in story time. Check out some photos from the fun-filled day!

Coloma High School hosts 50th annual Veterans Day breakfast

12th annual Comet's Holiday Bazaar at Coloma High School

Coloma High School program offers assistance with basic personal care items

Coloma schools program offers students free hygiene products