Coloma Newsletter

Dear families,

As we embark on a new semester and a fresh calendar year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. January is a time for setting goals, embracing new challenges and building upon the momentum we’ve created together.

At Coloma Community Schools, we’re committed to ensuring that every student thrives academically, socially and emotionally. With the second semester underway, this is a perfect time to refocus on growth—whether through new learning experiences, strengthening school connections or fostering personal and academic achievements.

To our families, your ongoing support is invaluable. Whether it’s helping with homework, attending events or encouraging your child to do their best each day, your involvement makes a meaningful difference. Together, we create an environment where every student feels supported and inspired to succeed.

Let’s work together to make this semester a time of progress and accomplishment. Thank you for your partnership in making Coloma Community Schools a place where students can dream big and achieve even more.

Here’s to a wonderful start to 2025!

Sincerely,

Dave Ehlers

December's poll winner was The Grinch Who Stole Christmas with 26%.

This month’s athlete spotlight is on Bryce Cartwright, an outstanding 8th-grade student at Coloma Junior High! Bryce is a true all-star, participating in football, basketball, wrestling and baseball. His leadership, dedication and sportsmanship make him a standout teammate, and he excels both on the field and in the classroom, maintaining straight A's. Bryce embodies the spirit of Coloma, and we are proud to have him representing our school. Keep up the amazing work, Bryce—congratulations!

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,

Coloma High School's Elective Presentation Highlights Opportunities for 2025-2026

On Friday, January 10th, Coloma High School hosted an engaging elective presentation in the auditorium for students in grades 8 through 11. The assembly introduced students to the wide range of class options available for the 2025-2026 school year, highlighting both graduation requirements and elective opportunities.

Teachers from various departments shared information about their courses, offering insight into what students can expect in classes like Ceramics, Choir, Spanish, Physical Education and more. Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings were also featured, including Digital Multimedia Design, Accounting, Welding and Auto Shop, showcasing how students can explore pathways that align with their interests and career goals.

This presentation marks a return to an important tradition, which had been paused in previous years. By bringing together students and staff for a comprehensive overview of elective choices, the assembly aimed to empower students to make informed decisions about their schedules for the upcoming academic year.

Scheduling for the 2025-2026 school year will continue throughout January and February. Students are encouraged to discuss their options with parents or guardians to ensure their course selections reflect their goals and interests.

At the conclusion of each marking period, we take the opportunity to recognize students who have excelled in Citizenship. Citizenship is evaluated separately in each class and is aligned with our Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS). Our PBIS framework clearly defines our behavioral expectations throughout the building, encapsulated by the acronym CARE:

C - Come Prepared
A - Always Responsible
R - Respectful
E - Exceptionally Safe

Students who consistently exemplify these behaviors in the classroom and across the school are rewarded with a special, engaging activity designed exclusively for those with high Citizenship marks.

During the most recent marking period, our students participated in "Reindeer Games," a lively assembly that offered qualifying students the chance to engage in various fun games, including Elf Express, Elf Curling (a particular favorite), "Do You Want to Build a Snow Castle," Coal/Present Tic Tac Toe and the Battle of Whoville. Both students and staff enjoyed a delightful time during the games.

Coloma Intermediate January Rewards Party Success

We were thrilled to host our latest Reward Party on Friday, January 17! Students who had at least one party point left were able to use it as their ticket to attend. The activities were a surprise, and students had a blast with all the fun we had planned!

This month, students enjoyed a variety of games, including chess, Legos and Hedbanz, sparking creativity and friendly competition. Laughter and excitement filled the room as they challenged each other, built impressive Lego creations and put their quick thinking to the test.

Our new approach to reward parties gives each student 10 opportunities to attend. The parties are scheduled every four to six weeks, and at the start of each new cycle, students receive their 10 party points back. This system gives students a fresh start, allowing them to earn their way into the next party.

In addition, students who still have points left after using one for admission are able to spend them on fun items like popcorn or pencils during the reward party. We encourage students to make great choices so they can keep their points.

Thank you to everyone for making our Reward Party a success! We look forward to the next one!

Coloma Elementary Wraps Up 11th Annual Kindness and Compassion Drive

We are thrilled to announce the amazing results of Coloma Elementary’s 11th annual Kindness and Compassion Drive! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our families, community members and staff, we were able to make a meaningful impact this holiday season. Here's what we accomplished together:

• 95 new toys, over 50 stocking stuffers and $180 in donations for the Wonderland Toy Store, giving parents in financial crisis the opportunity to shop for their children this Christmas.
• 310 lbs of non-perishable food items for Hope Resources, our local food pantry serving Coloma, Watervliet, Riverside and Hagar #6 school districts.
• 31 winter coats, 7 pairs of snow pants, 4 pairs of snow boots and 3 pairs of shoes for students in need of weather-appropriate gear.

We want to give special thanks to our amazing partners—the Knights of Columbus, North Berrien Fire & Rescue Department, North Berrien Firefighters Association, Big C Lumber of Coloma and Menasha Packaging—for their generous contributions to this year’s drive.

Thank you for helping us teach and model empathy by showing our students the power of kindness and compassion through giving. Together, we’re making a difference in our community!

Hello Two-Legged Friends,

Brrr! Is it just me, or is it freezing out here? It’s only a few weeks into the new year and, let me tell you, this fur coat only does so much. But I guess that’s what happens when you live in Michigan, right?

Anyway, I wanted to pop in and say Happy New Year! I hope 2025 is off to an amazing start for all of you. It’s been so fun seeing everyone back at school after the break. I’ve been hard at work keeping spirits high, wagging my tail and maybe catching a snowflake or two.

Remember, if you’re feeling chilly or need a little pick-me-up, you can always stop by to say hi. I’m here to help you feel calm, happy and ready to crush this semester. Paw-sitive vibes are my specialty!

Roof,

Mavis

It’s time to shine the spotlight on Lyla Smallwood, a first-grader at Coloma Elementary who embodies what it means to be a Comet!

Though she may seem quiet at first, Lyla’s big heart and ability to brighten anyone’s day quickly shine through. She leads by example with kindness, positivity, and a smile that’s truly contagious.

Thank you, Lyla, for being a role model and making our Comet family stronger and brighter every day!

We’re thrilled to spotlight Mr. Shaffer, our dedicated school counselor at Coloma High School, for his outstanding commitment to our students and school community.

Mr. Shaffer is known for his approachable nature and for going above and beyond to assist students, providing them with the guidance and resources they need to succeed. His tireless efforts and genuine care for our students' well-being have made a lasting impact on our school community.

Please join me in expressing our gratitude to Mr. Shaffer for his exemplary service. If you see him in the halls, take a moment to thank him for his dedication to our students and school.

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