DKHS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

This week, I sent a letter regarding the senior assassin game some of our students are currently playing. That is included in today’s bulletin. If you have a senior, please be aware. We want our kids to be safe, and this game has had some tragic incidents connected to it from across the country.

We had planned to honor our Top 10 from the Class of 2026 at this week’s board meeting, but the downed power line cancelled that meeting. We will look for another opportunity soon to publicly recognize these elite kids. Congratulations to Violet Kokx, Nicholas Muday,

Emileigh Chandler, Eli Timmerman, Jalin Lyons, Kelyn Bedford, Jayla Standlick, Jordyn Jones, Sara Reynolds, and Nicolas Dykstra. We are proud of you and your efforts over the years.

This week, we finished up our state testing. Aside from some makeups for kids who missed one of the days, we are done with these critical state tests for 2026.

Our FFA officer team spent 2 days in Cassopolis at leadership training and returned with great ideas and a better understanding of their roles. There is so much good stuff coming from our FFA Team under Ms. Hebenstreit’s leadership. They are learning about leadership and growing in character in impressive ways. Keep up the good work, FFA and Ms. H.

Bond construction work is in full swing, with the utilities that will feed much of the project being installed and upgraded as needed. Our new Ag Barn and Team Building will be taking shape in the coming months.

Prom 2026 is Saturday night in Otsego at Riverbend Estate from 7-10 PM. We are hoping for good weather and lots of great pictures. I’m told it is a beautiful setting.

This week’s Hogie’s Heroes are the kids who work with Mrs. Knobloch in our Certificate program. These kids are always willing to jump in and help with any needed tasks around campus. Clean up, set up, or tear down, garden work, and other general chores and event support we may need. Thank you to a top-notch crew that is always looking to DO A JOB!!!

Congratulations to Senior, Elli Timmerman, as she continues her academic and athletic careers at Kellogg Community College! Elli will be apart of the Cross Country program for the Bruins.

It has been a busy and impactful month for our Allied Health students! From diving into community health data to getting their hands dirty in the school garden, our students are leading the way toward a healthier Delton.

Vaping Education & Prevention

Recently, our students welcomed the Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force and a tobacco cessation specialist for an in-depth presentation on the risks of nicotine and vaping.

As future healthcare professionals, it is vital for Allied Health students to understand how these substances affect both physical anatomy and mental well-being. They were able to see an example of a healthy pig lung vs. one with a tumor. Students also learned about local resources available for those ready to quit.

• Free Support: Corewell Health offers a free cessation program. For more information, please contact Stacey Youngs at stacey.youngs@corewellhealth.org.

The Community School Garden Project

Our students recently completed a project evaluating the Social Determinants of Health within our local area. They identified how "food deserts" and long travel times to grocery stores and healthcare facilities can impact our community’s wellness.

To help bridge these gaps, students are championing the School Garden as a hub for fresh produce, community connection, and nutrition education.

• Earth Day in Action: Allied Health students paired up with our preschool class to plant strawberries (generously donated by B.Healthy Barry County) and enjoyed a session of "Garden Yoga."

• Community Presentation: Senior Allison Wooden represented the program at the Revitalize Delton meeting, sharing a powerful call to action: "The garden is one way we can put our health into our own hands."

Save the Date: Garden Clean-Up Day

We need your help to keep this momentum going! We are hosting a clean-up event to prepare the beds for our elementary students, who will soon be planting seeds under the guidance of our high schoolers.

• When: May 16th | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Where: The School Garden between the Elementary and MEI building.

Reach out to Rhonda Lundquist at rhonda.lundquist2@dkschools.org for more information. No gardening skills are needed!