Coloma Newsletter

Dear families,

February is a month filled with celebrations that embody Coloma's core values of growth, opportunity and inclusivity. In February, we celebrated both Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Black History —two meaningful topics that emphasize the power of education, perseverance and diverse experiences in shaping a brighter future.

CTE Month is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the vital skills and knowledge our students are gaining through hands-on, real-world learning experiences. Our CTE programs offer invaluable opportunities to explore careers in fields such as health sciences, technology, engineering and trades, preparing our students for success beyond high school. We are proud of the work being done in these programs and look forward to supporting our students as they pursue their passions and career paths.

In tandem, Black History Month serves as a time to reflect on the rich history and contributions of Black Americans. We recognize the importance of celebrating inclusivity in all its forms and encourage our students to engage with the stories, achievements and legacies that have shaped our country. Programs run throughout Black History Month serve as a reminder that history is ongoing, and every voice adds to the story of progress and unity.

As always, your support is essential to our success. Thank you for partnering with us to foster a positive and enriching environment for all of our students. Together, we continue to create a place where dreams are nurtured, and futures are built. Go Comets!

Sincerely,

Dave Ehlers

January's poll winner was English with 33%.

This month’s athlete spotlight is on James Anthony, an impressive junior at Coloma High School! James is a key member of the Boys Varsity Bowling Team, where he has made a name for himself by carrying the highest average in the conference this season with a 191.5. His hard work and skill earned him a spot on the First Team All-Division and played a significant role in helping his team secure the Lakeshore Divisional Championship. Beyond his athletic achievements, James is also an academic standout, maintaining a 3.8 GPA and ranking in the top 10 of his class. James exemplifies the dedication, talent and drive that we are proud to see in our student-athletes. Keep up the excellent work, James—congratulations!

It’s time for Preschool (Little Learners), Young 5’s and Kindergarten Round-Up events at Coloma Community Schools!

Join us at Coloma Elementary School for building and school bus tours, meet our staff and receive a special welcome bag while registering your child. Save the following dates and we’ll see you there.

March 12 | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

March 15 | 10:00 a.m. - Noon

We can’t wait to welcome your little one to the Coloma family!

Coloma Community Schools is pleased to extend its commitment to providing tutoring services to students across all grade levels. This program, generously funded by a grant from the state of Michigan, enables certified educators to work with students to address any knowledge gaps.

All families are eligible and are kindly requested to complete the provided form to register for this complimentary program, which is now available. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the program coordinator, Daniel Mares, at dmares@ccs.coloma.org,

CTE Month at Coloma High School

Coloma High School celebrated Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month by showcasing the hands-on learning opportunities available through its CTE programs. These programs offer students practical skills and industry experience that are key to pursuing their passions and excelling in future careers.

Our CTE programs are thriving, and this was evident during the recent CTE Showcase Assembly, where students learned about the wide range of opportunities that can shape their futures. From advanced technology in our Automotive Mechanic Training and Welding programs to life-saving skills in Nursing, our students are gaining the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in a variety of high-demand industries.

A key highlight this month is the success of our Automotive Mechanic Training Program. Students are currently restoring a 1974 Stingray Corvette, gaining hands-on experience in engine rebuilding, diagnostics and mechanical precision. Through this project, students apply math, science and engineering principles, which deepens their understanding and fuels their excitement for the field.

Whereas in our Welding program, students are building a kayak rack in partnership with the Coloma Lions Club following the exciting news that part of the Paw Paw River will soon be open to the public.

Coloma High School is also proud to celebrate the internship opportunities available to students in our CTE programs. For example, Aaron Case, a student in Automotive Technology, landed an internship at PDS in Benton Harbor, where he is working on prototype military parts. This is just one example of how our CTE programs provide career-driven experiences that prepare students for success after graduation.

Our partnerships with local businesses, including ABC Truck and Auto Repair, Auto Value and Ring Automotive, offer students valuable internships and scholarships. These collaborations are essential in giving students real-world experience and creating connections that will help them succeed.

In honor of CTE Month, Coloma High School wants to recognize the dedication of both our students and educators. Whether students are preparing for a career, trade school or higher education, the foundation laid in our CTE programs equips them for a successful future.

Junior High Students Celebrate Success in NWEA Testing

Coloma Junior High School recently celebrated the impressive academic growth of their students following the latest round of NWEA testing. NWEA assessments are administered three times a year to track student progress in key areas like Reading and Math. The results provide valuable insights that help our educators better tailor instruction to meet the individual needs of our students. This data also plays a key role in our efforts to form groups for our WIN (What I Need) time, ensuring that each student receives the specific support they need to continue improving.

Coloma Junior High is thrilled to recognize the hard work and determination that led to significant progress this semester. Students who demonstrated growth and met their goals were celebrated in grade-level assemblies, with special awards for those who excelled in specific areas. Whether it was sixth grade students who made great strides in Math or eighth grade students who showed outstanding achievement in Reading, this year’s NWEA results were a clear reflection of our students’ impressive dedication and effort.

Critical to student academic success is completing assignments. In a similar spirit of celebration, Coloma Junior High also hosted a fun surprise for students who had zero missing assignments. This Valentine's Day, students who stayed on top of their work were treated to a special Valentine's-themed Ice Cream Sundae Bar! This Go Green surprise was a fun and delicious way to reinforce the importance of staying on top of assignments throughout the marking period.

We look forward to seeing even more success this semester as our students continue to grow academically. Congratulations to all of our students for their hard work and achievements.

Coloma Intermediate Spreads the Love on Valentine’s Day
Coloma Intermediate was filled with kindness, creativity and plenty of Valentine’s Day cheer as students celebrated the holiday with special activities. Classrooms were buzzing with excitement as students exchanged handmade Valentine’s cards, crafted heartwarming messages and worked on themed projects that highlighted their artistic talents. Some classes even incorporated Valentine’s-themed games, adding a fun and interactive twist to the day’s festivities.

The highlight of the celebration? A special heart-shaped pizza lunch from the Intermediate Café! Students couldn’t contain their excitement as they enjoyed this festive and flavorful meal, making the day even more memorable. The joy on their faces was a true testament to how small moments can create lasting memories.

Beyond the fun, Valentine’s Day was also a chance to reinforce the importance of kindness and connection within the school community. Teachers and staff encouraged students to express gratitude and appreciation for their classmates, fostering an environment where everyone felt included and valued.

A huge thank you to our incredible staff and cafeteria team for making this day extra special. These celebrations bring joy and reinforce the positive, welcoming atmosphere that makes Coloma Intermediate a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Coloma Elementary Students Celebrate Successful STEM Project

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of Coloma Elementary's latest STEM project, where students transformed pizza boxes into interactive Operation-style game boards! This hands-on project combined creativity and engineering, giving students the opportunity to design and build their own games while exploring key STEM concepts.

Throughout the project, students created circuits using aluminum foil conductors and plastic cup insulators, applied basic electrical engineering principles and utilized block coding to program custom sound effects. The collaborative testing phase was particularly exciting, with students playing each other’s games, demonstrating both the fun and educational value of the project.

Local libraries, including Coloma Public Library and Benton Harbor Public Library, also joined the initiative by purchasing Makey Makey kits for check-out, ensuring that students can continue exploring these projects at home without the need to purchase expensive kits. We encourage families to borrow a Makey Makey kit to keep nurturing your child’s passion for hands-on experimentation at home. Let’s keep making learning exciting and enjoyable.

A special shoutout to Mrs. Wilson, Coloma’s STEM Instructor, for leading this innovative, fun and creative project. Her dedication to hands-on learning has sparked curiosity and excitement among students, making this a truly memorable experience!

Hello Humans,

Love was in the air in February, and I just wanted to take a moment to say how much I love all of you! I’m so lucky to spend my days at school, greeting my favorite students and making sure everyone feels loved and supported. Whether it’s giving out extra tail wags or offering a little snuggle, I’m here to make sure everyone knows they’re appreciated.

You all work so hard, and I’m here to keep spirits high and pawsitive energy flowing. I hope your day is filled with joy, kindness and a little treat (Paw-lease share with me too).

Remember, if you need a quick pick-me-up, I’m just a tail wag away!

Roof,
Mavis

We are excited to shine the spotlight on Hayden Kiser, an outstanding eighth grader at Coloma Junior High! Hayden is known for his kindness, curiosity and great sense of humor, making him a wonderful presence in the classroom and beyond.

His favorite subject is math, and he has aspirations of becoming a welder in the future. At school, Hayden stays active through sports and the Peer Mentoring Program, where he enjoys helping others. Outside of school, he loves fishing and staying involved in athletics.

Hayden’s favorite part of being at Coloma Junior High is spending time with friends, and we couldn’t be prouder to have him represent our school. Keep up the great work, Hayden!

We are excited to shine the spotlight on the wonderful Mrs. Tucker, our District Special Education Secretary at Coloma! Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail ensure that everything runs smoothly. Her willingness to help with scheduling, paperwork and supporting both staff and students is truly remarkable.

Mrs. Tucker consistently goes above and beyond, all while maintaining a warm, approachable demeanor that makes her a valued resource for everyone. Her ability to bring clarity and communication to all areas of her role, combined with her genuine care for others, is a huge asset to our team.

Thank you, Mrs. Tucker, for your tireless dedication and the positive impact you make every day.