The Highlighter - September 2026

Our students, staff, and families are truly amazing! From staff professional development and open houses to the opening of the Little Wings Early Learning Center, the first day of school, the St. Johns High School Hall of Fame inductions, and next week's Homecoming celebrations, we are fully immersed in the 2026-2027 school year.

The theme of our school year is, "Together, we engage, Together, we learn, Together, we succeed". As a parent, I know how important it is for students to understand what they are learning, I challenge each of you to ask your child when they get home, "what did you learn today?". Shrugging of shoulders or I don't know doesn't work either, the more they retell the more students retain.

Another important aspect of our school year is the upcoming bond proposal. Please visit our website for information regarding the proposed projects, estimated costs, reasoning for the projects, FAQ's, financial impact and upcoming informational session dates and times. Community members have inquired about what this bond means for our district, and my response has been that the funds will be used to maintain our facilities, allowing us to use our general fund dollars to support students directly in the classroom. The proposal will be on the November 3rd ballot.

We look forward to hosting upcoming building events district wide, providing opportunities for parents, grandparents and community members to visit our schools and see the positive learning that is happening both inside and outside the classrooms.

Sincerely,

Anthony Berthiaume, Ph.D.

Superintendent

St. Johns Public Schools

State Required K-5 Literacy Curriculum Notice: SJPS K–5 Literacy Curriculum

On August 27, 2026, members of the SJPS Board of Education and Administration, Little Wings staff, and more than 300 community members celebrated the grand opening of Little Wings Early Learning Center! We are deeply proud and grateful for the hard work, determination, and effort everyone contributed to making this achievement possible. Our district is fortunate to have some of the brightest educators, whose expertise and dedication will help shape the future success of our young learners in this new era of education. Together, their efforts brought this dream facility to life.

Key Points from Program Director, Heather Reed:

• The Little Wings Early Learning Center will be able to provide care for up to 144 students ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.
• Having all of our early education staff in one building will help our staff collaborate together and learn from each other.
• Our students will gain confidence in themselves by having a space built just for them and their peers.
• Families and teachers will build trust and understanding working together as all teachers use the same curriculum, assessment and communication tools from infancy through preschool.
  
  

"The environments we create for our youngest Red Wings matter greatly: Purposeful, engaging spaces can support how children learn, interact, build confidence, and develop skills that carry them throughout their education.

Investing in early childhood is an investment in the future of the entire community: High-quality early childhood education leads to stronger educational and economic outcomes later in life. This new center represents an investment whose impact can extend well beyond these walls and for generations to come." Anthony Berthiaume, Ph.D. Superintendent, St. Johns Public Schools

The new school year at SJPS began smoothly with some welcoming events that set a positive tone for the months ahead. The open houses across all schools offered students and staff the chance to meet each other, familiarize themselves with classrooms and lockers, and build excitement for the learning adventures ahead. There was a strong sense of community and anticipation for the year. Additionally, the staff at SJPS gathered for a "Welcome Back to School" event before starting their professional development schedules. This gathering was a joyful reunion and a moment to honor our dedicated milestone staff members, celebrating those who have reached 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service. These moments have laid the groundwork for a vibrant school year. Go Redwings!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our athletes on Redwing Community Night! With so many home sporting events taking place on the same evening, September 17th was a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together. The night offered plenty of fun and gave community members a chance to experience all of our sports. Redwing JV and Freshman Football, JV and Varsity soccer, Freshman, JV and Varsity Volleyball, and the Girls Swim/Dive teams each had the opportunity to showcase their skills. Vendors, competitions, a mini tractor pull, free hot dogs, and free admission for St. Johns Residents were highlights of the evening. Go Redwings!

St. Johns High School Marching Band member, Quentin Lonsberry recently submitted a piece and was selected to perform at the MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) competition. The performance will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, 3pm at the Flint School of performing arts. The composition requirement consisted of composing a piece in the "Pierrot Style. He is the first student from SJHS to enter this competition and maybe most impressive is the fact that he succeeded in being selected in his first attempt! Quentin says he wrote the piece, entitled “A Face Only an Audience Could Love,” for seven instruments: saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, cello, violin, and marimba. The sixteen-year-old junior at St. Johns is working hard to practice his piece and prepare it for the November performance. Your Redwing fans are cheering you on, Quentin, and wishing you the very best at the competition!

SJPS was awarded a $5,000 grant from the R.E. Olds Foundation for the St. Johns Early Learning Center! The grant was used to help fund the pour-in-place rubber surfacing for the Early Learning Center playground. Our early learners had a chance to be the first to enjoy the playground at the Little Wings Early Learning Center during the Grand Opening Celebration on Thursday, August 27th. Again, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the R.E. Olds Foundation for their generous donation!

The Hall of Fame Game was a night filled with excitement and school spirit as students engaged in lively paint wars, coloring the atmosphere in vibrant hues of camaraderie. The Varsity football team delivered a commanding performance, defeating Ionia with an impressive score of 35-6. Adding to the evening's festivities, the St. Johns Marching Band graced the field with their first halftime show of the season, captivating the audience with their musical prowess. It truly was a great night to be a Redwing, as the community came together to celebrate not only the victory but also the induction of the 2015-2016 Boys Golf Team, the 2016-2017 Boys Golf Team, Travis Dickenson '09, Eric Nunn '17, and Zach Rosendale '17 into the Hall of Fame, marking their lasting legacy in St. Johns.