The Highlighter - December 2024

Amidst the day-to-day of the school year, I want to take a few moments over the coming weeks and months to celebrate the great successes happening within our district. Our #TogetherWeSoar initiative will shine a spotlight on some of the individuals who make this district exceptional.

Where better to start than with our exceptional teachers and staff? Here are a few standout moments from this year that highlight soaring achievements:

Elementary Excellence

Our Elementary teachers and staff have demonstrated unwavering perseverance this semester when significant behavior challenges arose. Their relentless support of students in the classroom exemplifies what it means to be a Redwing. Thank you for your incredibly hard work and dedication. Your commitment to our students and your resilience are appreciated.

Middle School Success Stories

At SJMS, our Success Center is in its first year. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Student Success Coach Colleen Sykes, we have watched as students have found a place to thrive when they are feeling overwhelmed with academics or emotions and are in need of a break or even access to materials that they need for success. This dedicated space and focused attention have led to improved grades and better behaviors. Thank you, Colleen, for your outstanding commitment to our students.

Hands-on High School

At SJHS, the Nest has taken on new life while continuing to serve as a retail space for the Athletic Boosters. Starting in the second trimester, students began taking our "Foundations for Employment" course, where they gain hands-on experience by operating a small retail business within The Nest. This shared space represents an evolving partnership with the Athletic Boosters.

Currently, the Nest offers branded apparel on behalf of the boosters, along with light refreshments, beverages, spirit day accessories, and student essentials. Through this course, students are gaining valuable skills in retail operations, point of sale systems, inventory management, as well as customer and food service basics. This course is overseen by Missy Keller. Thank you for your outstanding commitment and support, Missy. Your dedication is making a difference.

Do you see a Redwing or a group that should be celebrated? Please let us know!

Keeping informed about the latest developments and announcements from your school district is crucial for students, parents, and staff alike. The Superintendent's update is a valuable resource that provides recent news, important announcements, and access to past newsletters. Scan the QR code or click the link to visit the Superintent's Update section of our website: https://www.sjredwings.org/our-district/superintendentsupdate/

Michael Maloney is essential to the success of our middle and high school students, serving as a physical education teacher at the middle school and coaching four sports: middle school wrestling, eighth grade boys basketball, eighth grade football, and girls varsity track and field.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

My favorite part of the school day is the daily interaction with each student. I enjoy

getting to know each student’s unique personality and really want to help them become

outstanding young adults. Through teaching and coaching, I hope to help them grow

mentally, physically and emotionally.

What difference(s) do you find between teaching and coaching?

Athletics are an extension of the classroom. Supporting and pushing our students to

develop as athletes and individuals is always the goal. I try to help each student be a

better person and believe in themselves, and hopefully the rest will fall into place.

How long have you been teaching/coaching at SJ. Did you do either at another school

district prior to this?

I have been blessed to teach and coach in St. Johns for over 30 years. Prior to St. Johns I

have taught and coached in Jonesville, Lawton, and my home town of Hillsdale Michigan.

What is your favorite part of coaching?

My favorite part of coaching is seeing the improvement of each athlete in their sport and

as an athlete. I also enjoy the development of positive relationships that I hope will last a

lifetime. My goal is to help students to be the best version of themselves. If I can help

develop those skills, I know that I have been successful.

Coaching four sports must make for some really long days, what makes it all worth it?

The student athletes make each day worth it. The relationships built at practice and in the

classroom make it enjoyable everyday. Watching the student athletes try new athletic

activities and challenge themselves will make them better prepared for their future

endeavors.

"I would like to thank my family for understanding and supporting me all these years for

doing something I love.

Secondly this past football season I had the unique opportunity to coach with four of my

former players. It proved to be one of my most enjoyable years of coaching. Watching

these four amazing individuals work and give back to our community is proving to be

one of my fondest memories thus far as a coach. I hope to have made a difference that

will carry on long after I leave coaching!"

St. John's BPA competed at the regional competition at Central Michigan University, MI on December 17, 2024. Sixteen schools were in attendance. All SJHS participants will be able to attend the state leadership conference in March, some competing in more than one event. The students placed in the following competitions: Small Business Management Team, Database, HTML, Python, Entrepreneurship, Presentation Individual, Server Administration Using Microsoft, Accounting and Advanced Accounting, Advanced Spreadsheet Applications, Device Configuration & Troubleshooting, Extemporaneous Speech, Integrated Office Applications and numerous open events that each student that attends can take.

Tammy Wilson and Kari Harrant, educators at Oakview South, have been conducting an after-school program called Reading Rhythms with two different groups of fifth graders. Last week, families were invited to a celebratory event where students highlighted their experiences.

6th Grade Band Winter Concert

7th Grade Band Winter Concert

6th Grade Orchestra Winter Concert
Bands of the High School 2024 Christmas Concert

Eureka Elementary Holiday Concert
Riley Elementary Holiday Concert Dec 10
Riley Elementary Holiday Concert Dec 11
HS Orchestra Winter Concert
8th Grade Band Winter Concert

MS Choir Winter Concert

HS Choir Winter Concert

Click photos to follow links

On December 14, 2024, the St. Johns Police Department, in coordination with the St. Johns Middle School, partnered with the Santa's First Responders organization to provide SJMS students the opportunity to attend a holiday party in Meridian Township. The party included lunch, gifts, and the ever-so-important visit with Santa.

Santa’s First Responders is a holiday party event that was started by (Ret.) Meridian Township Police Officer Gaylord Mankowski nearly 30yrs ago. It has grown and been supported by additional Meridian Township Police and Fire personnel. It has further expanded to include first responders from the tri-county area to provide a holiday party for numerous kids in the region.

The Santa’s First Responders holiday party this year allowed for nearly 200 kids and, due to the partnership with St. Johns Police Department, St. Johns Middle School, and St. Johns Transportation Services, 4 kids from the St. Johns Middle School were able to attend. Lunch from Olive Garden and Cottage Inn Pizza and amazing gifts were provided. Additionally, kids in attendance were provided with ground venison with other meal ingredients provided by Specialized Deer Processing in St. Johns at the end of the event.

This opportunity was made possible by St. Johns Middle School Principal Andrea Hallead, Director of Operations Rob Gleeson, Bus Driver Chuck Desander, and St. Johns Police Department Deputy Chief Andy Tobias.

First year Wrestling Head Coach Kevin Pettigrew had this to say about the season so far: "This is a young squad with lots of [Youth/Middle School] experience," Pettigrew said. "We are growing as individuals and as a team. The development of our new wrestlers has been phenomenal. Watching all these kids wrestle on the mat and learn how to listen and apply what they are taught is one of the greatest things so far. This group of wrestlers have a great work ethic and are coachable. I'm excited to see how far we can progress throughout the year."

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