Schools

Jacobs to be speaker

A person well familiar with Three Rivers High School has been tapped to speak at next week’s senior honors night at the school. Father William Jacobs, known as Father J, spent 27 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Three Rivers High School. He will be the keynote speaker at the 54th annual event at 7 p.m. Wednesday. …

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Motorcycle safety training offered

The first of nine weekends for motorcycle-safety training takes place Friday at Sturgis High School. Offered through Glen Oaks Community College and overseen by state-certified trainer Robin Bordner, the program is partially funded by the Michigan Department of State. Cost per participant is $25 and classes are limited to 12 students per session. Though the program is offered nine different …

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Olsen named to Hall of Fame

Rob Olsen, who retired last year as superintendent of Sturgis Public Schools, has been named to the Michigan Association of School Administrators Hall of Fame. The award recognizes a career of outstanding leadership and dedication. The 63-year-old Olsen, who currently works part time as an administrator for Portage Public Schools, was a unanimous selection by his peers from the region …

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Glen Oaks teacher honored

An art professor at Glen Oaks Community College has been selected as the recipient of the annual E.J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence Award. Michael Northrop, who joined the Centreville-area college in 2000 and became a full-time faculty member in 2005, was announced the 28th winner of the award. Northrop teaches art history, object drawing, two-dimensional design and several other …

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Three Rivers schools improvements

Infrastructure improvements undertaken last year by Three Rivers Community Schools have netted the district an award. During this week’s board of education meeting, district officials were presented an Energy Efficiency Leader award from indoor comfort-systems provider Trane. John Atsma, area manager for Trane, presented the award, noting the $1.6 million in energy-efficiency improvements will eventually pay for itself. The company …

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Mandatory orientation

Glen Oaks Community College officials have made attendance at orientation for new students a requirement. Mandatory at any one of the six sessions begins with students new to the school effective with the start of the fall 2012 semester. Sessions last four hours and are offered on various days of the week and at various times of day starting with …

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Sturgis schools upgrade stadium

Members of the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education have given the green light to a $345,000 upgrade at Sturgis High School’s football stadium. Board members on Monday approved Paw Paw-based Hall Builders to oversee the installation of new, metal bleachers. District officials debated between two grades of aluminum and opted for a higher-quality metal, which costs more but will …

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Tuition increase for GOCC

Tuition for St. Joseph County students attending Glen Oaks Community College will increase $5 per credit hour starting in the fall. Approved by the school’s board of trustees, the rate hike will bump the college’s tuition rate to $89 per credit hour. Meanwhile, students in the college’s service area will pay $136 a credit hour, with an additional $6 per …

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Absentee ballots available

Voters in White Pigeon Community Schools may now obtain an absentee ballot for the May 8 millage renewal sought by White Pigeon Community Schools. The 780-student district is seeking renewal of a 3-mill sinking fund for five years. If approved, the $5 million generated as a result will allow the district to continue building, infrastructure and technology upgrades. The original …

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Contract extension for Kuhlman

A two-year contract extension is expected to be offered to Rob Kuhlman, superintendent of Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools. Dave Peterson, president of the Centreville Board of Education, said a six-person joint committee last week gave Kuhlman a glowing annual evaluation. As a result, the committee agreed to offer Kuhlman a contract extension that would keep him in …

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