August Sept October 2020 : simplebooklet.com

SpartaTODAY September 2020 1• IN THIS ISSUE •PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAIDGRAND RAPIDS, MI Permit #214Page 3 XxxPage 4 XxxPage 5 XxxPage 6 XxxPage 10 XxxPage 17 XxxECRWSS Postal CustomerSp arta Bell Ringer Inside!September 2020Join us! During our 2020 year of ups and downs, we want to celebrate our small businesses and celebrate YOU:•Ifyousupportedanylocallyownedbusinessthisyear!•TookpartinourTakeOutBlitztosupportlocaleateries•BoughtorspentSpartaBucksorboughtgiftcerticatesfrombusinessestokeepthemaoat•CheeredonthesidewalksofSpar-tatowatchthetractorbrigadegobyinJuly•SawMactheMichiganAppleMascotroamingyourneighbor-hoodshandingoutgifts•IfyouwentontheDoggieWalksthroughSparta•Ifyouover-tippedrestaurantservers•Ifyoupainted,hid,orfoundrocksinSparta•Ifyouhelpedanyoneinourcom-munitystay#SpartaTogether•Checkedinonaneighbor,friend,orrelativetomakesuretheyhadeverythingtheyneeded•IfyouarewillingtosupportyourcommunitystaystrongthroughtherestofthisyearTHIS day is for you to cele-brate with us. Celebrate with us at our WE ARE SPARTA Ribbon Cutting that will encompass the entire downtown blocks – That’s right—line up with all of your commu-nity neighbors, business owners, employees, visitors, friends, and help us cut the ribbon as we cele-brate all things #SpartaTogether. We are celebrating our businesses who made it through 2020, entre-preneurs who are opening up new businesses, and our much-loved businesses who have held an important place in our hearts. Sparta! Shop. Eat. Enjoy!Thursday, September 17 at 6 pm in the center of Down-town Sparta Market at 201 E. Division will be open with tented vendors!Sparta Sidewalk sales will be going on throughout downtown!**What do you do? Pick up a pair of safety scissors at the Spar-ta Chamber ofce on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 4:00 pm -5:55 pm and nd a spot at the ribbon along mainstreet and wait for the count down to begin from the Sparta Fire Department Ladder Truck. Cut the ribbon with us after the count down and yell with your community, “We Are Sparta!!!”**Please follow social dis-tancing guidelines and wear a mask for the safety of our small businesses ***Inclement weather rain date will be held on Thursday, September 24, check the Sparta TODAY Facebook for immediate weather changes.WE ARESPARTA#SPARTATOGETHER

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2 September 2020 SpartaTODAYAugust Month LongRED HOTBUYSPLANNING ON CANNING? WE CAN HELP SALE BUY TwO G E T one2 FORSALE2 FORSALE2 FORSALESALESALE$700$800Ball® Regular Mouth Pt. Jars, Bx/12$79962295Regular Mouth Qt. Jars, Bx/12, 62296...$9.99Regular Mouth Jar Lids with Bands, Bx/12, 62301...$3.99Regular Mouth Jar Lids, Bx/12, 62303...$2.49Ball® wide Mouth Pt. Jars, Bx/12$99962298Wide Mouth Qt. Jars, Bx/12, 62299...$10.99Wide Mouth 1/2 Gal. Jars, Bx/6, 62300...$10.99Wide Mouth Jar Lids with Bands, Bx/12, 62302...$4.99Wide Mouth Jar Lids, Bx/12, 62304...$3.49Ace Insect Killers7415110, 7415136, 7415128, 7415144 $399each MIX & MATCH!MIX & MATCH!AP1 2200801ML, 001, Versions: CA,DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TR BUY ONE G E T oneRust‑Oleum® Painter’s Touch® 2x Ultra Cover® Spray Paint + Primer, 12 Oz.Assorted colors and nishes.1395540 $3.50 eachRust‑Oleum® Protective Spray Enamel, 12 Oz.Assorted colors and nishes.1093574 $4.00 eachAce 1" Basic Pleated Air FilterAssorted sizes available.4044566 Free lter must be of equal or lesser value.àBonus Coupon will be available the day after an Ace Rewards member downloads the mobile app. Exclusions apply. Visit the mobile app for details.$5DOwNLOAD BONUSàin ouR new appGet your rewards faster, earn points in more ways and access your offers in one place right on your smartphone.VALID AUGUST 1–31Super Values6315238, 6114797, 6115075, 6114763, 9312653, 6220966, 6115471, 9239047, 6220537, 6220750, 9286170, 9236902 $1.50 each $300August Month LongDeWalt® Saw Blades & Bit Sets2001739, 2106821, 2294932, 2364891, 2396869 Limit 4 at this price.Craftsman® 16 Gal. Wet/Dry Vac2560308Limit 4 at this price. Craftsman® 3-Ton Floor Jack, or V20 Lithium-Ion Oscillating Tool, Impact Driver or Compact Drill/Driver2000064, 2834448, 2838068, 8292625 No limit.Stanley® and Craftsman® Tools & Accessories2116564, 2170918, 2295830, 23629, 2401123, 25426 Limit 2 at this price.Fruit Fly Trap 2/Pk.7507205Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate Plus, Pt. or Ready-to-Use, Gal.73637, 75305 Limit 2 at this price.Diamond Crystal® or Morton® Water Softener Salt Pellets, Crystals or Pool Salt, 40 Lb.7222144, 7222243, 7222375, 7222383, 7036692, 7036726, 7225246, 7036718 No limit.Pennzoil® Motor OilSAE 30, 5W‑20, 5W‑30, 10W‑30 or 10W‑40. 84382, 84383, 8120453, 84381, 89703 Platinum® Synthetic Motor Oil, Qt.,8413908, 8063885, 8498834, 8106411...$4.99 each2200801ML, 002, Versions: CA,DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TRAP1MIX & MATCHWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*$12.99 -$3$999each SALE$499 BUY TWO GET$1OfFSALEWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*$6999$89.99 -$20SALEWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*$5.99 -$2$399each SALE$349quart SALEWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*$109.99 -$20$8999each WITH ACE REWARDS CARD*$9.99 -$3$699each See our full line of power tools at acehardware.comYour place forStop by your local Ace store, or visit us hereVisit acehardware.com to find your local participating Ace.* Ace Rewards card Instant Savings (“Instant Savings”) amount is available only to Ace Rewards members (see store for details). Where applicable by law, tax is charged on the sale price before application of Instant Savings. You must present Ace Rewards card to receive Instant Savings. Instant Savings listed in this advertisement are valid through 8/31/20, at participating stores. Ace stores are independently owned and operated. The prices in this advertisement are suggested by Ace Hardware Corporation, Oak Brook, IL. Individual retailer regular and sale prices may vary by store, which may impact actual savings amounts in either direction. Except for Red Hot Buys, which extend through the end of the month, and except as otherwise stated, prices advertised in this circular are valid at participating stores through August 31, 2020, while supplies last. Sale and Instant Savings dates set forth herein are national dates suggested by Ace Hardware Corporation and may vary by local retailer. See local retailer in-store signage for details. Offers, Ace Rewards® beneƒts, product selection/color, sale items, clearance and closeout items, Ace everyday low prices, return and rain-check policies, and quantities may all vary by store, as well as from acehardware.com. Some items may require assembly. Ace is not responsible for printing or typographical errors.Stop by your local Ace store, or visit us hereParticipation and delivery area vary by store. shop acehardware.comWeDeliverGet what you need, when you need it.SALESALEFEIT Electric 4' F32 T-8 Fluorescent Bulb 2/Pk.32 watts. Cool White, Warm White or Daylight.3856879, 3925740, 3925849 $499each YOUR CHOICEAce 50' x 5/8" Flexogen® Garden Hose71928Limit 2 at this price.100' x 5/8", 72054...SALE $39.99 ‑$10 With Ace Rewards Card,* You Pay $29.99. Limit 2 at this price.Igloo® MaxCold® 70 Qt. Cooler or 54 Qt. Roller Cooler8029342, 87887 YOUR CHOICESuper 3" Chlorinating Tablets, 8 Lb.8032213Ace Bird Suet, 11 Oz.8039377, 8039379, 8039378, 8039376 YOUR CHOICEAugust Month LongSALE2 FORSALE$999Ace Wild Bird Food, 20 Lb.8199569¢each SALEWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*SALESALE$23.99 -$4$1999$3999$4999each A. 10' 5‑Socket String Light Strand, 3000160...SALE $14.99B. LED Original Clear Vintage Style Bulb, 3929668...SALE $19.99C. Cube Lamp Base, 3000127...SALE $19.99D. Amber LED Original Vintage Syle Bulb, 3925120...SALE $14.99E. Adjustable Light Pendant, 3000161...SALE $14.99gallon Liquid Chlorinator8006454$299ADCEB 2200801ML, 004, Versions: DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TR bP1Ace LED BulbsAssorted wattages. Daylight or Soft White. Last 10+ years.3565926, 3565835, 3565876, 3565884, 3565892, 3565868, 3565843, 3565918 YOUR CHOICESALE$499each August Month LongDuracell is proud to partner with Ace Hardware to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®. The 2020 Ace Cares for Kids program is powered by Duracell, providing donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. Product purchase will not affect donation amount.YOUR CHOICE$2S AV EINSTANTLYWITH ACEREWARDS CARD*$1S AV EINSTANTLYWITH ACEREWARDS CARD*NOW AT ACE Save$5on a gallon of paintWHEN YOU BUY A COLOR SAMPLE† †Offer only available in store via coupon on color sample pint lid. Valid on gallons of Benjamin Moore Regal® Select and ben®, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines, Clark+Kensington® and Royal® paint. Limit one $5 coupon per one gallon purchased at participating Ace Hardware stores. Valid on in-stock inventory only. Not valid on acehardware.com. Not valid on Benjamin Moore Aura® paint. No cash value. Additional exclusions may apply. See store for additional details.SALEon Kilz2® Latex Multi-Purpose Stainblocker, Gal.17937Limit 2.select 3M Command® Adhesive Hooks & Picture Hanging StripsStore stock only. Sorry, no rain checks.7-1/2 Qt. Latching Storage Tote616584915-1/2 Qt., 6165195...$5.9931 Qt., 6162309...$7.9964 Qt., 6161087...$8.99112 Qt., 6164123...$15.99Schlage® Electronic Keypad Deadbolt5427117, 5427125, 5427133 Limit 2 at this price.Ace 16.9 Oz. Bottled Water, 24/Pk.9602780Plus deposit where required.$29920%offWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*SALEAP1 2200801ML, 003, Versions: CA,DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TR$9499each $109.99 -$15$299on select Duracell® BatteriesAA or AAA 16/pk., C or D 8/pk., 9 volt 4/pk. or Optimum AA or AAA 12/pk.3166659, 3166675, 3102605, 3100856, 3100476, 3000277, 3000281 Limit 4. $2S AV EINSTANTLYWITH ACEREWARDS CARD*on select Gorilla® Glue & Tape4595567, 1590470, 1590587, 1590611, 1590769, 4595534, 4651519 no limit. 2 FORSALEGreat Stuff™ Gaps & Cracks or Big Gap Filler Foam Sealant, 12 Oz.13322, 19077$3.50 each $700Flex Seal®, Flex Shot®, Flex Tape®, Flex Glue® or Flex Paste™ Rubber Sealants6215107, 6238554, 6266985, 6266993, 6295950, 6406383, 6406391, 6665004, 6715163, 6715171, 6004382, 6015026, 6015027 $1299each August Month LongRED HOTBUYSPLANNING ON CANNING? WE CAN HELP SALE BUY TwO G E T one2 FORSALE2 FORSALE2 FORSALESALESALE$700$800Ball® Regular Mouth Pt. Jars, Bx/12$79962295Regular Mouth Qt. Jars, Bx/12, 62296...$9.99Regular Mouth Jar Lids with Bands, Bx/12, 62301...$3.99Regular Mouth Jar Lids, Bx/12, 62303...$2.49Ball® wide Mouth Pt. Jars, Bx/12$99962298Wide Mouth Qt. Jars, Bx/12, 62299...$10.99Wide Mouth 1/2 Gal. Jars, Bx/6, 62300...$10.99Wide Mouth Jar Lids with Bands, Bx/12, 62302...$4.99Wide Mouth Jar Lids, Bx/12, 62304...$3.49Ace Insect Killers7415110, 7415136, 7415128, 7415144 $399each MIX & MATCH!MIX & MATCH!AP1 2200801ML, 001, Versions: CA,DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TR BUY ONE G E T oneRust‑Oleum® Painter’s Touch® 2x Ultra Cover® Spray Paint + Primer, 12 Oz.Assorted colors and nishes.1395540 $3.50 eachRust‑Oleum® Protective Spray Enamel, 12 Oz.Assorted colors and nishes.1093574 $4.00 eachAce 1" Basic Pleated Air FilterAssorted sizes available.4044566 Free lter must be of equal or lesser value.àBonus Coupon will be available the day after an Ace Rewards member downloads the mobile app. Exclusions apply. Visit the mobile app for details.$5DOwNLOAD BONUSàin ouR new appGet your rewards faster, earn points in more ways and access your offers in one place right on your smartphone.VALID AUGUST 1–31Super Values6315238, 6114797, 6115075, 6114763, 9312653, 6220966, 6115471, 9239047, 6220537, 6220750, 9286170, 9236902 $1.50 each $300August Month LongDuracell is proud to partner with Ace Hardware to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®. The 2020 Ace Cares for Kids program is powered by Duracell, providing donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. Product purchase will not affect donation amount.YOUR CHOICE$2S AV EINSTANTLYWITH ACEREWARDS CARD*$1S AV EINSTANTLYWITH ACEREWARDS CARD*NOW AT ACE Save$5on a gallon of paintWHEN YOU BUY A COLOR SAMPLE† †Offer only available in store via coupon on color sample pint lid. Valid on gallons of Benjamin Moore Regal® Select and ben®, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines, Clark+Kensington® and Royal® paint. Limit one $5 coupon per one gallon purchased at participating Ace Hardware stores. Valid on in-stock inventory only. Not valid on acehardware.com. Not valid on Benjamin Moore Aura® paint. No cash value. Additional exclusions may apply. See store for additional details.SALEon Kilz2® Latex Multi-Purpose Stainblocker, Gal.17937Limit 2.select 3M Command® Adhesive Hooks & Picture Hanging StripsStore stock only. Sorry, no rain checks.7-1/2 Qt. Latching Storage Tote616584915-1/2 Qt., 6165195...$5.9931 Qt., 6162309...$7.9964 Qt., 6161087...$8.99112 Qt., 6164123...$15.99Schlage® Electronic Keypad Deadbolt5427117, 5427125, 5427133 Limit 2 at this price.Ace 16.9 Oz. Bottled Water, 24/Pk.9602780Plus deposit where required.$29920%offWITH ACE REWARDS CARD*SALEAP1 2200801ML, 003, Versions: CA,DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TR$9499each $109.99 -$15$299on select Duracell® BatteriesAA or AAA 16/pk., C or D 8/pk., 9 volt 4/pk. or Optimum AA or AAA 12/pk.3166659, 3166675, 3102605, 3100856, 3100476, 3000277, 3000281 Limit 4. $2S AV EINSTANTLYWITH ACEREWARDS CARD*on select Gorilla® Glue & Tape4595567, 1590470, 1590587, 1590611, 1590769, 4595534, 4651519 no limit. 2 FORSALEGreat Stuff™ Gaps & Cracks or Big Gap Filler Foam Sealant, 12 Oz.13322, 19077$3.50 each $700Flex Seal®, Flex Shot®, Flex Tape®, Flex Glue® or Flex Paste™ Rubber Sealants6215107, 6238554, 6266985, 6266993, 6295950, 6406383, 6406391, 6665004, 6715163, 6715171, 6004382, 6015026, 6015027 $1299each 155 E Division St • Sparta, MI616.887.7381Buy online & same day pick up!Open: M-F 8am-7pm, and Saturday 8am-5pm, closed SundaySpartaSale Prices Good ThroughAugust 31st, 2020*Sale applies to all In-Stock Paint only*

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 3Home sweet homeProtect all that you’ve built with a company you can trust.®Shelly Crissey Kim ReimerJe Bradford Joel GreeneKarla Kurnat Shelli Hall616.887.8881 • ottawakent.comHome sweet homeProtect all that you’ve built with a company you can trust.®Shelly Crissey Kim ReimerJe Bradford Joel GreeneKarla Kurnat Shelli Hall616.887.8881 • ottawakent.comHome sweet homeProtect all that you’ve built with a company you can trust.®Shelly Crissey Kim ReimerJe Bradford Joel GreeneKarla Kurnat Shelli Hall616.887.8881 • ottawakent.comIt’s been a rocky road for downtown events in Sparta. From cancelling, to reschedul-ing, and back to cancelling. The only constant has been the un-certainty of whether an event will happen or not! The Town & Country Days Parade was no exception. First, the parade was cancelled, then it was back on with limitations to account for social distancing, then it was cancelled again because of the construction detours. Finally, a plan was created to allow for a tractor brigade through Sparta.The Tractor Brigade was an idea born out of pure stub-bornness and refusal to let go of everything during the traditional Town & Country Days week. And of course, like all things in 2020, there were many concerns. First, it seemed as though there would only be four tractors. Not much of a Brigade. Then, right before the buzzer, 15 more tractors decided to join! Then it was a question of whether or not people would step outside to watch it. There wasn’t much traction on Facebook, what if only twenty people showed up to watch the tractors? But, to our pleasant surprise, families lined the sidewalk, respecting each other’s distance, eagerly waiting to see the tractors roll through Town.While it wasn’t the big parade we all look forward to during Town & Country Days, in a time as difcult as this, we were happy to see those trac-tors bring some of that same energy to Sparta. The Tractors made their way down State St, then to Union, and even made a special trip up to Meadowlark Retirement Village to give a surprise visit to the residents there. Thank you to all the drivers who participated in the Tractor Brigade. You made this event possible and brought joy to the people of Sparta!Tractor BrigadeRemembering Phil PotterCelebrating the Life and Remembering Phil Potter, long time business owner of Sparta Variety in Sparta, MichiganSaturday, August 226 pm at Rogers Park

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 5Sundaes at the Park wants to thank the Sparta community for supporting us for 10 years! We are extremely blessed to have such tremendous commu-nity support.In honor of our 10 year anniversary, we have had sev-eral promotions going on. We wanted to get the community involved to help us celebrate. First was our 10 days of trivia all about our business. We were blown away by how many people participated in guess-ing the answers. Secondly, to help rock in our 10 year we hid painted rocks around town for the kids to nd. Once a rock was found the kids could bring them in to spin the wheel and earn a prize. Finally, we have a ceiling tile painting contest! Stop into Sundaes to get a ceil-ing tile to paint. We will have a panel of judge’s vote on them at the end of season. We will also do community favorite. Every painted tile will be dis-played on Sundaes ceiling after voting takes place. We would appreciate it if you would please keep these community friendly and nonpolitical! The winners will receive a gift card to a craft store or a visa gift card. We are very excited about this contest and look forward to seeing some amazing en-tries! Thank you again for the support throughout the years. We couldn’t have done it with-out the awesome community we are in. We love it here and can’t wait for 10 more years!! Thank You from Sundaes at the ParkReese Evelyn Morris, age 3Earlier this summer, the Chamber of Commerce in-troduced the Positivity Wall Project to downtown Sparta. In an effort to lift everyone’s spirits, the wall provided a space for any passer-by to leave words of encourage-ment for the next person. The project has seen success in town with the wall slowly lling with tags. The positivi-ty has also managed to reach far outside of Sparta! Camp Faire Sandusky County, a youth outreach program in Ohio has created their own positivity inspired by ours in town. Like they say, imita-tion is the sincerest form of attery! We are so happy to see people lifting each other up during these difcult times!Positivity Reaching WideGreat news for a beloved favorite! Papa Picciones is opening a new location in Sparta! Papa P’s has been “number one” in Kent City for a long time and saw great success with their second location opening in Ravenna. It was only natural then that Papa P’s come to Sparta. They took over the B.C. Pizza location on E. Division and retained those who have al-ready been employed by B.C. Pizza. This new location will be open for Dine-In, Delivery, and Pick Up. Not only will this be a third location for Papa P’s, but an expansion of their recent sauce bottling endeavor. Why would Papa Picciones come to Sparta? Community is the key. Jeff Sa-bin, owner of Papa Picciones, said that he loves community. “Community is really important to me, and Sparta is huge on community. I love the growth that Sparta has seen in the last few years, but it still has that small-town feel. I love the ener-gy of the growth, but the connectivity of a small community.” Jeff has been in the pizza business for 13 years. He started in Kent City as a dishwasher and now has a happy family and a successful, ev-er-growing, business. Jeff is looking for-ward to being involved in the community and upcoming fall season activities in Sparta. The rst taste of what will come is the Papa P’s Haybale Competition! Papa Picciones is Getting Closer to You!Are you and your friends immensely creative and fiercelycompetitive? Sign up for our first Hay Bale Decorating Contest withyour friends/ co-workers/family/ acquaintances/ associates/ businesspartner/ team mate, etc and win Sparta Bucks and bragging rights forfall! Hay Bales will be placed around Sparta for community wideenjoyment. Please email SPARTATOWNANDCOUNTRYEVENTS@GMAIL.COM for sign upinformation. Follow Sparta Today on Facebook for more information and updates. PRESENTED BY PAPA PICCIONE'S PIZZA & SPARTA TODAY$15.00 RESERVES YOUR BALEChloe Witte, age 5Camp Faire in Sandusky County Youth Youth Outreach inspired by Sparta's wall.

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6 September 2020 SpartaTODAYSome new businesses are moving into Sparta and we are very happy to celebrate their grand openings with them! Check out how Sparta is growing!Goldie Lou’sGoldie Lou's is an eclectic mix of custom gifts, unique art, nostalgia and wonders for every occasion. We will have gifts and everyday items ready for purchase on our shelves as well as endless items that can be customized for any occasion. We plan to carry games, toys, gift items, unique foods and spices, nostalgic candy, clothing, home decor, fun art pieces, baby items, drinkware and so much more. The majority of which will be made right here in Sparta!We will also be having art classes and interactive events for people of all ages.In addition, we are able to help local businesses with our in-house embroidery, screen printing, glass etching and customization services. We specialize in having low minimums and high quality. We have been in the business for 7 years and love helping small business.Blondie Blossom Boutique Blondie Blossom Boutique is an affordable clothing boutique with fashion pieces that meet style and budget for every season and occasion! Owner Kendra Afton is fullling a dream by opening a second location in Sparta at the 201 Marketplace building. “I am just a small-town girl who grew up on an apple farm. In 2019 I had a BIG dream of offering local unique fashions. The Store front became a reality in March 2020 with a secondary location opening in Sparta in August 2020. I love helping women nd the best fashions to complement their style and personality.Thank you to all my customers, family, and friends for all the love and support. -KendraPapa Piccione’sPapa Piccione’s opened its doors in the old BC Pizza location, with as little down time for the transition as possible, with lots of hard work for a fast and smooth change over in the beginning of August. With two locations in Kent City and Ravenna already, Jeff and Angela Sabin are pretty much experts at making the pizza pie – and all the other delicious things on their menu! “ We are super excited to announce that we will be opening our 3rd location in Sparta!” said Sabin. “We are happy to nally be able to call this great community home! Thank you so much to all our current employees for the way you have all helped us with the process. We could not do any of this without you all!”Submitted By Larry Carter50th anniversaries are signicant. Birthdays, marriages, class reunions…all milestones marked by half a century of living, then looking back. The 1970 U.S. population was 62% of what it is today. It was the year the Beatles broke up. Apollo 13 astronauts had to tell Houston that they had a problem that year. And Richard Nixon was the President. I’ve been looking forward to 2020 for some time now, anticipating the anniversary of a memorable Sparta High School foot-ball season in 1970. September 18 of that year was the rst of 9 games-no playoffs back then-against archrival Rockford. A 20-0 victory got us all thinking… hmmm, maybe we’ve got something here. We had just come off a for-gettable 4-4-1 season and surely wanted to improve upon that, but never dreamed that we’d have the 8-0-1 season that we did. A number of seniors who had played together since grade school along with a strong junior class made for a great season that grew with possibilities after each victory. Coaches Tom Chris-topher, Ron Helmboldt, and Dave Stoy weekly gave us the sense that we were building something and we all bought in. Don Bradford, quarterback from the legendary (to us, at least) 1953 undefeated team, spoke to the student body at a pep assembly late in the season, urging us on to make this a special year. A 6-6 tie with Coopersville in game 8 was the only blemish on our record. I recall lying on my back, watching their extra point attempt sail wide left by only a few feet, preserving our zero in the loss column. It also slowed down our climb up in the state rankings, ending the year at 7th. The following year the team went 8-1, their only loss was to Rockford by two points.Our intent was to gather for a reunion this year, but Covid has prevented that. Perhaps next year we can celebrate both football seasons ’70 & ’71 to recall a stretch of 16 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie- and many, many, fond memories. We mourn the loss of 3 players from that 1970 team-Roger Andrus, Mike Ritz, Kenny Whitaker. They will be missed. Our coaching staff is intact and their presence will be a wonderful treat. I do remember the team’s success that fall happily infecting the entire Sparta community, similar to the 2019 team’s great season. As of the writing of this article, who knows if we will even have high school football this year? All the more reason to recall the enjoyment of seasons’ past. Go Sparta football! Go wonderful memories! Go small towns!50 Years AgoNew businesses in Sparta!Heather Kalafut, owner of Goldie Lou’s a new gift boutique in downtown Sparta at the 201 Marketplace building.Kendra Afton, opening Blondie Blossom Boutique in the 201 Marketplace building in downtown Sparta.

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 7Dance with Me by Amber Marie has plans to open the week of August 31! We are very excited to see our studio family again – as well as to meet new family members! Our love of dancing is ALIVE AND STRONG! We have expanded our largest classroom and are VERY happy to announce the addition of an acro/tumble class that will be held on Fridays. We have taken into consid-eration the recommendations and guidelines from others to enable us to safely share our love in the context of our new “normal”. Our class sizes will be adjusted to comply with COVID-19 recommendations. We have four designated doorways to enter (to prevent congestion upon entering), are disinfecting our classrooms be-tween each class, and are limit-ing the number of people who can wait for their dancer. The wearing of masks is required to enter the building – however, the CDC has recommended that masks not be worn during physical activity (dancing). If you want your dancer to wear one, that is totally up to you! If you would like to join in this enjoyable endeavor, please contact us by calling Edna at (231) 638-7460, email at this address - Dancewith-mebyambermarie@gmail.com, or attend one of our Open Registration opportunities on Wednesday, July 29, from 6-8, Friday, August 7, from 6-8, or Friday, August 21, from 6-8.Dance with MeHOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!Rockford-based home builder ranked a Pro Builder Housing Giant for fth year in a row“West Michigan’s Sable Homes has been named a 2020 “housing giant” by Pro Builder, a national housing in-dustry publication that serves more than 120,000 home builders, design professionals, and other industry stakehold-ers.With 90 single-fami-ly home closings in 2019, Pro Builder ranked Rock-ford-based Sable Homes No. 244 in its annual Housing Giants list. The listing provides a glance of builders’ perceived opportunities and challenge nationwide. Sable Homes has been consistently ranked on the Pro Builder Housing Giants list since 2016.“It’s an honor to be recog-nized as a national housing giant by the industry’s leading publication for the fth year in a row,” said John Bitely, president of Sable Homes. “As we closed out 2019 and headed into 2020, we were in a strong position for new home sales. And we still are – even when COVID-19 hit West Michigan earlier this spring. Our staff and construction crews are working harder than ever to build quality and fair homes to clients in metro Grand Rapids.”In December 2019, nation-al annual housing starts soared to 1.626 million units (season-ally adjusted), the highest it’s been since 2006. That trend continued into early 2020 with an increase of 21.4 percent from the previous year, and a permit increase, single- and- multifamily, of 9.2 percent to 1.551 million — the highest since March 2007, according to data by Pro Builder. As COVID-19 swept through Michigan in Febru-ary and March 2020, many businesses temporarily closed their doors and home build-ers briey paused services. For Sable Homes, home sales progressed, despite their ofce being closed to the public. “We sold 24 homes while Michigan remained under the governor’s real estate and construction ban from March through early May,” said Sales Manager Karin Kay. “We were already in a strong housing market to begin with when COVID-19 hit Michigan. But with low interest rates and a low housing inventory, houses were getting snatched up quickly.“Home buyers who have been patiently waiting to purchase a home are now en-tertaining the idea of building a home because of the low inventory in West Michigan,” Kay added. “This is the perfect time to build a home in West Michigan.”Sable homes listed as national ‘housing giant’ by pro builder“We are pleased to welcome Ryan to Choice-One Bank as our Grand Rapids Market Executive,” said ChoiceOne Bank CEO Kelly Potes. “Ryan is an experienced leader with a successful career in com-mercial banking. His nan-cial expertise and leader-ship skills, along with his knowledge of the Grand Rapids market will prove valuable as we continue to grow our community bank franchise throughout Michigan.” Wolthuis has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Calvin College, Grand Rapids. Wolthuis also graduated from the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsyl-vania.“Ryan comes to us as an experienced banker with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong educa-tional background,” said Potes. “It’s an ideal formu-la to support our mission to provide superior service, high quality advice and show our utmost respect to everyone we meet.”Choice One Bank Welcomes Ryan Wolthuis as SVP Grand Rapids Market Executive

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8 September 2020 SpartaTODAYSubmitted By JoAnne VanderWer, Sparta Township Historical Com-missionIn 1950 the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association had the idea to hold an annual picnic for local fruit growers, their neighbors, family and friends. This became the Peach Ridge Apple Smorgasbord. Farm wives suggested a smorgasbord rather than the usual picnic basket lunch. Apples could be used in every dish throughout a meal! Many of the dishes originated from German and Swedish recipes, most likely passed on from the kitchens of some of the rst settlers on the ridge. There are articles and photos in old issues of the Sparta Sentinel Leader featuring recipes from the event.Local growers and their families looked forward to the annual event. Notable attendees would be Gover-nor G. Mennen Williams and later Governor George Romney, John Hannah, then president of Michigan State University. Congress-men and later President Jerry Ford and wife Betty, who would continue to visit with Sparta friends while in the White House. President Ford was a friend to many in Sparta and the agriculture com-munity. Attending were a local teacher carving meat and a famous celebrity ip-ping apple pancakes. King Apple reigned in 1955 and Sparta fruit farmer Willis Anderson arrived garbed as a toothbrush, drawing attention to the apple as “nature’s toothbrush”. That same year Orville Schwartz of Sparta won the apple peeling contest, a sun um-brella for his tractor.Newspaper photos of Apple Queens, some daughters of the Ridge and at least one resident of the Village. Mary Jean Parker was crowned Apple Queen in 1958. She lived on Harp-er Drive in town. I believe the rst Apple Queen was crowned in 1953. That was Carol Fhaling, SHS class of 1950. Sparta’s own Kay Kober Bradford was also crowned Apple Queen.Many of the families who hosted the event still live on those farms while still farming the Ridge. The Baehre family, the Kraft and Goodfellow families. The Klenks, Kobers and the Kleins to name just a few. Much work went into preparing what would be a beautiful setting in celebration of the year’s apple harvest. Every aspect of the smorgasbord would have a chairman and a co-chairman. Main dishes, vegetables, salads and desserts, all containing apples within the recipe. Table preparing, table arrangements, table clear-ing, dishwashing, games, publicity, all planned suc-cessfully by the committee of local farmers and wives. All before the days of event planners! There were years the smorgasbord included up to 600 guests attend-ing and over 200 apple recipes.These are only a few memories of those days long ago when commu-nity gathered for fun and fellowship to celebrate the harvest. I know some of you remember. Those were some of the best times. I’m thankful that the good times continue today. Some on the Ridge and some in our beautiful new Town Square. We’re mov-ing forward while remem-bering our past. That’s a good thing.*The above article is shared from the archives of the Sparta Township Historical Commission.Peach Ridge Apple Smorgasboard4th in the agriculture on the ridge series

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 17The Sparta Community Foundation makes grants to orga-nizations that benets residents in the Sparta area. The Sparta Fund is working to draw the community together and contrib-ute to the vitality of the downtown area. With this in mind, primary consideration will be given to projects that do one or more of the following: encourage and promote community involvement, serve a broad segment of the Sparta community, promote cooperation among agencies (without duplicating services), promote civic and community pride, and strengthen or improve agency self-sufciency or efciency. Priority will be afforded to grant applications that help to address the impact of COVID-19 in and around the Sparta community.Grant applications must be submitted electronically using the online portal by 5:00pm on the second Friday of Septem-ber each year. Applicants are notied of the Fund’s decision by October 31.Non-prot organizations (including churches, schools, government agencies, and community groups with a 501(c)(3) non-prot status) may apply for grants for programs that bene-t residents in the Sparta area. The Applications from religious organizations for a non-religious purpose will be considered. Grant proposals from religious organizations for a religious purpose and proposals to fund scholarships for individuals will not be considered.For technical assistance with the online grant applica-tion, contact GRCF staff at grantcentral@grfoundation.org or 616.454.1751. Sparta Community Foundation GrantsPlease be sure to maintain your property so that grass does not exceed 8” in height. This also includes the grass in the right-of-way adjacent to your property. In addition, please do not place grass clippings in the street when mowing. Grass clippings can cause serious damage to storm drains, ooding, and are very dangerous to those riding motorcycles. If grass clippings are placed in the street, please remove them after mowing. With it being an election year, please remember that signs cannot be placed in the right-of-way. Doing so can cause impaired visibility for pedestrians and oncoming trafc. If you place a sign in the right-of-way, you may be asked to move it. The Department of Public Works will continue to pick up brush the rst full week of each month through October. Please remember to place brush between the sidewalk and the curb, not in the street, with cut ends lying in the same direction. The Village does NOT pick up leaves, garden waste or grass clip-pings during brush pickup. If you place yard materials other than brush at the curb, you may be asked to remove them. Village residents can drop leaves, garden waste, grass clippings and brush not larger than 4” in diameter behind the Village of Spar-ta DPW Building at 276 W. Division Street during regular work hours. Please visit www.spartami.org to access the full brush pick-up schedule.Thank you for your con-tinued efforts to maintain the integrity and aesthetics of our community! If you have any questions, comments, or con-cerns, please contact Natalie Davenport, Code Enforcement Ofcer via telephone at (616) 887-8251 or via email at CodeEnforcement@spartami.org. Code Enforcement RemindersIn Other News While the network news would like us to think there are only a few things happening the truth is there is much more going on than just a pandemic and an election. Here are some headlines from around the world.POPULAR MECHANICS (July 26, 2020)Pentagon Has “Off-World Vehicles Not Made on This Earth’ Bombshell: The government’s once-clandestine UFO pro-gram will reveal ndings on unexplained materials and crashes.Hamilton Journal News (July 27, 2020)Australian Outback pub bans messy emus for 'bad behavior'An Australian Outback pub has banned two emus for “bad behavior” after they learned to climb the stairs and created havoc inside.METRO (July 26, 2020)Man eats 20 slices of toast and 2.5kg of beans in under sev-en minutes to win challengeCraig said: ‘It’s never been done in the UK, a beans on toast competition has never been done here.MOVIEWEB (July 27,2020)Baboons Seen Wielding Knives, Screwdrivers and Chain-saws in Safari ParkBaboons at Knowsley Safari Park in the U.K. have been found carrying weapons, which has caused some concern.LIVESCIENCE (July 10, 2020)Penguins shoot 'poop bombs' more than 4 feet, incredibly important study ndsAdorable penguins are champs at projectile pooping.Sparta Baptist Hygiene Pantry is open twice a month on the rst Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., and the third Tuesday from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. You can get a voucher by calling Sparta Baptist Church during business hours: 9:00 - 12:00 p.m, Mon-day through Friday. 616-887-8813. For more information, here is our website: http://www.spartabaptist.org/Sparta Baptist Hygiene PantryAs is done each year in mid-October, the Township cemeteries will soon be cleared of debris before the leaves pile up and snow falls. All individual gravesite decorations must be removed by October 1. Remaining items will be picked up, stored for a couple weeks, then disposed of. Please call the Township ofce if you have any questions.Cemetary debris removalSummer property tax payment is due September 14, for Township and Village. Late payments are still accepted at the Township ofce for Township taxes; Village taxes are turned over to Kent County for payment after September 14. Please remember that postmarks are not accepted and even local mail takes several days to be delivered. You may always pay in person in the ofce with cash or check, or use the payment drop box located next to the main entrance. If you would like a receipt, please include a stamped self-addressed envelope and both parts of your tax bill.Township Taxes InformationSAVE ASHELTERPETThere are many reasons why wonderful pets like Petey end up in shelters. Often their owners are unable to care for them due to housing restrictions or loss of a job. You can make a difference by opening up your home to a pet or by donating time, money or pet supplies to an animal rescue. Visit a shelter or rescue, meet your new best friend. Please do it for the animals. Give them a “furever” home. You won’t be sorry.

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 19Survey continued on Page 20The following survey is being conducted by Giffels Webster, a land planning consulting rm working with the Village of Sparta to better understand market conditions and foster a vibrant economy. Your input is extremely valuable to us. Sparta residents, neighboring residents who have an interest in the future of Sparta, those who are employed, shop, obtain services, or own businesses or property in Sparta are encouraged to complete the survey.The survey is strictly condential. You are not asked to provide nor do we have any way of identifying your name, address, or other specic information for the person or resident responding to the questionnaire. Please answer BASED ON YOUR TYPICAL EXPERIENCES PRIOR TO THE COVID-19 (coronavirus) EMERGENCY (unless otherwise noted in the question).Sparta, through Giffels Webster, has retained The Chesapeake Group to analyze the survey and provide an economic assessment.Please take a few minutes to ll out the questionnaire. If you are uncomfortable answering any question, feel free to leave it unanswered and move on to the next one.Thank you in advance for helping in this effort.SHOPPING & RELATED SPENDING1. What is the name of the store at which you most often shop for groceries? _____________________________________2. What is the location of the store at which you most often shop for groceries? (Community name, intersection, or shopping area name)__________________________________________________________________________3. Circle which of the following best describes changes in your grocery shopping pattern since COVID-19 , and whether you believe the change is permanent.No change from before.Now have most groceries delivered and will likely be permanent.Now have most groceries delivered but not likely to continue after the threat of the virus has diminished. Now use pick-up service versus shopping myself and will likely continue after virus threat has diminished. Now use pick-up service but will go back to shopping once the threat of the virus has diminished.Not certain or applicable. 4. Circle which of the following best describes the usual amount spent on groceries each week?Less than $35 $35 to $44.99$45 to $59.99 $60 to $74.99$75 to $99.99 $100 to $124.99$125 to $149.99$150 to $199.99$200 to $249.99$250 to $299.99$300 or more 5. What is the name of the store at which you purchase most of your clothes?__________________________________________________________________________6. Circle which of the following best describes how frequently you eat lunch outside the home or place of employment at any type of food establishment? (REMINDER PRE-COVID-19)A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year Once or twice/year Less often than once/year7. When eating lunch out, circle which of the following best describes the type of establishment most often frequented?A national or regional chain full-service restaurantA local non-chain independent full-service restaurantA local non-chain independent limited- service restaurantAll you can eat buffet Fast food operationSub shopOther (please specify)_____________________________________ 8. What is the name of the establishment most often frequented for lunch?__________________________________________________________________________9. Is the food establishment most frequented for lunch located in Sparta?Yes No Not Sure 10. Which of the following best describes how frequently you eat dinner outside the home at any type of food service establishment? (REMINDER: PRE-COVID-19)A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year A few times/year Less often than a few times/year11. When eating dinner out, which of the following best describes the type of establishment most often frequented?A national or regional chain full-service restaurantA local non-chain independent full-service restaurantA local non-chain independent limited- service restaurantFast food operationAll you can eat buffet Sub shopOther (please specify)12. What is the name of the establishment most often frequented for dinner?__________________________________________________________________________13. Is the food establishment most often frequented for dinner located in Sparta?Yes No Not Sure14. Which of the following best describes the time you typically drive from your home to the dinner establishment frequented?Less than 5 minutes 5 to 10 minutes11 to 15 minutes16 to 25 minutesMore than 25 minutes Not certain or applicable15. Which of the following best describes how frequently you make purchases online or through catalogs?A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year Once or twice/yearLess often than once/yearENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITY16. Which of the following best describes how frequently you go to see movies at a theater?A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year Once or twice/year Less often than once/year17. Which of the following best describes how frequently you attend professional sporting events?A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year Once or twice/year Less often than once/year18. Which of the following best describes how frequently you attend college sporting events?A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year Once or twice/year Less often than once/year19. Which of the following best describes how frequently you seek any form of entertainment, including shows, activities for youth, or others?A few times/week About once/week About twice/month Once/ month 4 to 9 times/year Once or twice/year Less often than once/year20. Circle such activities you and another member of your household seek for outdoor recreation and how often do you seek it?FishingBoatingKayakingHuntingBirding/Nature WalksHikingBicyclingWalkingRunning/Jogging--More than once/weekAbout once/weekA few times/monthAbout every month4 to 9 times/yearA few times/yearAbout once/yearLess often or never21. Where do you nd out about information and updates about the Village of Sparta businesses, activities, festivals, and other activities?Social media Sparta Today Newspaper Websites CallsOther (please specify) 22. In 2019, did you visit any Village of Sparta special event, activity, or festival?Yes No Not certainHOUSING23. Do you own or rent the residence in which you live in the Sparta area?Own Rent Uncertain24. Do you live in the Sparta area full-time or part-time?Full-time Part-time25. Which of the following best describes the general amount of time you spend at the residence in the Sparta area annually.11 to 12 months 10 to 7 months 6 months Less than 6 months Not certain26. How would you best describe your current residence? single-family home duplextownhouseSparta Resident SurveyReturn to Sparta Village Hall by August 30! Your voice is needed to shape the future!!

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20 September 2020 SpartaTODAY20 bellringer20Other (please specifyloft roomcondominiumfarm27. Circle how many bedrooms does your current residence have?1 2 3 4 or more28. Circle how many people live in the same home as you?1 2 3 4 or more29. Which of the following describes the size of your current residence?Under 750 square feet 750 to 999 square feet1,000 to 1,499 square feet1,500 to 1,999 square feet2,000 to 2,499 square feet2,500 to 2,999 square feet3,000 to 3,499 square feet 3,500 square feet or morenot sure/don't know30. Which of the following best describes the amount of time you have lived at your current address?2 years or less3 to 4 years5 to 9 years10 to 19 years20 or more years31. Which of the following best describes the amount of your TOTAL monthly rent or mortgage payment?NoneLess than $750/month $750 to $999/month $1,000 to $1,249/month $1,250 to $1,499/month $1,500 to $1,749/month $1,750 to $1,999/month $2,000 to $2,249/month $2,250 to $2,499/mon$2,500 to $2,999/month$3,000 or more/month32. For whatever reason or reasons, do you see yourself potentially moving from your current home in the next 5 years?YesNoMaybe33. Hypothetically, which of the following best describes the primary reason of a move in the future?life-style changes increase in the number of people living in the residencedecrease in the number of people living in the residencehousing market conditions rental conditionschanges in a household member's physical conditions/medical changechanges in scal conditionsOther (please specify) 34. If such a move occurred, is there a reason to believe that the move would be outside of Michigan?Yes No Uncertain Not applicable35. If you were to move in the next 5 years, would you be likely to move to a home that is larger, smaller, or about the same size as your current home?Larger Smaller Same Uncertain Not applicable36. In the future, how important is it to you that the place in which you live is near work?Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not so important Not at all important37. In the future, how important is it to you that the place in which you live is near recreation and areas to walk?Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not so important Not at all important 38. In the future, how important is it to you that the place in which you live is near places you can purchase goods and services?Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not so important Not at all important39. Is there anyone in your household that is likely to move in the next three years to their own home or apartment?Yes, one person Yes, more than one person No Not sure or maybeDEMOGRAPHICS & LIFESTYLES40. Circle how many people in your household are YOUNGER than six years of age?0 1 2 3 4 or more41. Circle how many people in your household are employed full-time?0 1 2 3 4 or more42. In which of the following age categories does your household's primary income earner fall?Under 25 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 to 7475 or over43. Is there anyone in your household that is now unemployed or unemployed that can and would like to work full-time?Yes No Not certain Someone would like to work part-time44. Has the employment of anyone in the household BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID-19?Yes No Not Applicable Not Certain45. If there is anyone unemployed, working part-time that wants to work full-time, or is under-employed, being paid less than that which they had been paid before, please provide the highest education level obtained by the person or people._________________________________46. Please describe the industry in which they were previously employed._________________________________ 47. Circle how many personal vehicles does your household own or lease?0 1 2 3 4 or more48. Circle how many personal vehicles that your household owns or leases are more than 5 years old?0 1 2 3 4 or more49. Which of the following best describes how frequently you or another household member rides a bicycle or walks for tness, commuting or recreation purposes?Once per week or more oftenA few times per month Once per monthA few times per year Rarely or never50. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor, please rank each of the following in the Village of Sparta.Housing options Poor 1 2 3 4 5 ExcellentAvailability of professional and personal servicesPoor 1 2 3 4 5 ExcellentShopping options to which I can walk:Poor 1 2 3 4 5 ExcellentSparta's shopping experience:Poor 1 2 3 4 5 ExcellentSparta's restaurant options:Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent Walking experiences that are safe, comfortable, and interestingPoor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent The availability of places that I can live. recreate, walk, and work at or near one locationPoor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent 51. Please provide your zip code.__________________52. In which of the following categories does YOUR TOTAL annual household income fall? (Include pension or Social Security if applicable) Less than $5,000$5,000 to $7,499$7,500 to $9,999$10,000 to $14,999$15,000 to $19,999$20,000 to $29,999$30,000 to $49,999$50,000 to $74,999$75,000 to $99,999$100,000 to $149,999$150,000 to $199,999$200,000 to $249,999$250,000 or moreI am a full-time student and am supported by grants, loans, my family or othersTHANK YOU!Please submit the completed survey to the Village Ofce 156 E. Division, Sparta, MI 49345 via the mail slot in the front door, by mailing it in by August 30, or by going to the online survey to ll it out https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Sparta2020.THANK YOU SPARTA!

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 2120 bellringerPlanning for the Unprecedented and UnpredictableWelcome to August!! 2020 has certainly provided a Spring and Summer unlike any other we have ever experienced. As I begin my 30th year as an educator in Michigan, this summer has certainly proved to be the most challenging. With multiple building projects and continued work on our strategic plan, we already had a busy summer in front of us prior to COVID greeting us in March. With the added unpredictability of this pandemic, both academically and scally, we will enter the 2020-21 school year with more uncertainty than ever before.To start, I must thank our staff for all of their efforts this summer!! As I write this article, we still plan to open our “new” middle school on time for the rst day of school, and are on schedule with our renovations of our now “old” middle school as we transform that space to our new early childhood center in the fall of 2021. In addition, we had nearly 40 staff members that spent parts of their summer serving on multiple back-to-school committees to help assist in our planning. While we were unable to meet face-to-face, we spent lots of time connected via Google Meet and our principals found time to meet virtually with their committee members and school improvement teams. It was, at times, an overwhelming task, but in true Spartan fashion our staff rose to the challenge and developed a Return to School plan that we feel will help to keep our staff and students safe while still providing a high-quality educational experience. Now we have to implement our plan, and it will continue to take a herculean effort from our staff to do it well. I do not expect anything about the 2020-21 school year to feel “normal,” but we will do our best to make it a positive experience for our students.As for our plans, we are currently in Phase 4 of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan, which means we are able to offer a return to face-to-face learning this fall. Alongside this article you will see an overview of the options we are providing for our students and families. Providing parents a choice between face-to-face and virtual learning was an important element of our plan. Parents will be asked to inform us of their choice so we can nalize our schedules and stafng needs by August 14. A copy of our full plan can be found on our website at www.spartaschools.org .In addition to the challenge of developing both face-to-face and virtual options for our families, the requirement to add health and safety protocols to our face-to-face option is also daunting. Our staff and students are required to wear facial coverings (masks), although we will be allowed to offer mask breaks for our elementary students when they are in their cohorted classrooms and socially distanced from other students. We also will have to disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the day, and clean student desks each time our students change classes at the secondary level. We will also teach and regularly enforce hygiene practices for our students, including washing their hands and using sanitizer. While we will be able to allow our elementary students to eat lunch in the cafeteria with their class, our secondary students will have to eat lunch in their classrooms. Students will also be required to wear masks at all times while riding a school bus, and we will have to implement seating charts on the bus for our students.We also will have to implement screening and testing protocols to ensure that students are not coming to school if they do not feel well, and our process for responding to any sickness or positive cases of COVID-19. We will be asking our parents to take their child’s temperature each morning before sending them to school, and answer a few questions to verify that their child is not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. We will be following all Kent County Health Department guidelines for restricting attendance to any student with a positive COVID-19 test in their household, as well as any contact tracing that may be necessary for anyone that has had a close contact with someone that has tested positive. While we expect this work to be a challenge, we are committed to keeping our staff and students as safe as possible while they are in our care.If our region moves back to Phase 3 of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan at any time, we will have to move to a fully remote learning option. While this is not our preferred option for our students that prefer learning face-to-face, our staff will be able to quickly adjust instruction with our learning management system, utilizing our 1-to-1 chromebook technology that our community blessed us with in our 2016 bond issue, and deliver instruction remotely. We will also work with any family that may not have reliable internet access to provide either a hotspot or instructional packets.As you can see, a lot of effort has gone into developing our plans, and it will take a similar effort to implement and carry them out throughout the school year. Thankfully, we are a strong community, and together I am condent that we can do this. I thank you in advance for continuing to support our staff and students, and encourage anyone with questions or concerns to contact me at pete.bush@spartaschools.org . Stay well, and stay safe!!With Spartan Pride,Pete Bush, SuperintendentSparta Area SchoolsBELL RINGERHome of the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School www.spartaschools.orgSeptember 202020 21 bellringerSparta Area Schools 2020-2021 Student/Parent CalendarNew Sparta Middle School Progress Update:The new middle school is coming together! Above, you can see the main entrance, the extended learning areas in the academic wing, the cafeteria, the community staircase, the learning commons and the gymnasium.Sparta Middle School is excited to welcome 3 new teachers to our staff!Mr. Francisco is a recent graduate of Calvin University where he majored in Mathematics and minored in Engi-neering. Mr. Francisco completed his student teaching at Byron Center High School and East Grand Rapids Middle School. He also was a 3-time captain of the varsity baseball team.Mr. Karsies comes to Sparta after working at Byron Center Public Schools and Epic Homeschool Academy for the past four years. Mr. Karsies also has experience teaching in Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor. He is passionate about STEM (Science, Tech-nology, Engineering and Math) and PBL (Project Based Learning) and eager to provide students at SMS with an exceptional Science experience.Ms. Zeichman has spent the last nine years in Kentwood Public Schools where she taught a variety of ELA and technology courses. Ms. Zeichman has also been involved in the SMS band program for several years as an instructor in the percussion section.Ms. Laura Zeichman: English/Language ArtsMr. Clay Francisco: MathMr. Brad Karsies: Science

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22 September 2020 SpartaTODAYBELL RINGER22 bellringer 4/20 Sharing Information with Other Programs Dear Parent/Guardian: Based on the information you gave on your Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, your child may qualify for other programs. For the following programs, we must have your permission to share your information. Sending in this form will not change whether your children get free or reduced-price meals. Yes! I DO want school officials to share information from my Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals with:  Pay to Participate (Athletics and Clubs).  Programs that provide food support (weekend backpacks, holiday meals, etc.).  Programs that provide field trip support (reduced rates or scholarships for field trips).  Programs that provide school supplies or assist with school fees (filled backpacks and supplies from the requested supply list, testing fees).  Programs that provide holiday support (meals, holiday gifts, opportunity for children to shop for gifts at no cost). If you check “Yes” to any or all of the boxes above, please fill out form below. Your information will be shared only with the programs you checked. Child’s Name: _____________________________________ School: _______________________________________ Child’s Name: _____________________________________ School: _______________________________________ Child’s Name: _____________________________________ School: _______________________________________ Child’s Name: _____________________________________ School: _______________________________________ Printed Name: ____________________________________ Address:_______________________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian: ________________________________________________Date: _______________ For more information, you may call Melissa Alley at 616-887-1744 or email melissa.alley@spartaschools.org Return this form to: Melissa Alley, 475 W. Spartan Dr. Sparta MI 49345 USDA Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 2020-2021 Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Apply online: www.lunchapp.com One application per household. Please use a pen (not a pencil) STEP 1: List ALL Household Members who are infants, children, and students up to and including 12 (if more spaces are required for additional names, attach another sheet of paper). . Definition of Household Member. “Anyone who is living with you and shares income and expenses, even if not related”. Children in Foster care and children who meet definition of Homeless, Migrant or Runaway are eligible for free meals. Read How to Apply for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals for more information. PLEASE PRINT Child’s First Name MI Child’s Last Name Student? School Grade Foster Homeless Yes No Child Migrant, Runaway 1) __________________________ _____ __________________________ __________________________ ______ 2) __________________________ _____ __________________________ __________________________ ______ 3) __________________________ _____ __________________________ __________________________ ______ 4) __________________________ _____ __________________________ __________________________ ______ 5) __________________________ _____ __________________________ __________________________ ______ STEP 2: Do any Household Members (including you) currently participate in one or more of the following assistance programs: SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR . If NO > Go to STEP 3. If YES > Write a case number here, then go to STEP 4 (Do not complete STEP 3). Case Number: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (Write only one case number in this space) STEP 3: Report income for ALL Household Members (Skip this step if you answered “YES” to STEP 2) . Unsure what income to include here? Flip the page and review the charts titled, “Sources of Income”, for more information. The “Sources of Income for Children” chart will help you with the Child Income section. The “Sources of Income for Adults” chart will help you with the All Adult Household Members Section. A. Child Income Child Income How Often? Please put an X Sometimes children in the household earn or receive income. Please include the TOTAL income received by Weekly Bi-Weekly 2x Month Monthly Annually All Household Members listed in STEP 1 here. $ _____________ B. All Adult Household Members (including yourself) List all Household Members not listed in STEP 1 (including yourself) even if they do not receive income. For each Household Member listed, if they do receive income, report total gross income (before taxes) for each source in whole dollars (no cents) only. If they do not receive income from any source, write “0”. If you enter “0” or leave any fields blank, you are certifying (promising) that there is no income to report. PLEASE PRINT Name of Adult Household Members (First and Last) Earnings from Work How Often? Public Assistance/ How Often? Pensions/Retirement/ How Often? Weekly Bi-Weekly 2x Month Monthly Annually Alimony/Child Support Weekly Bi-Weekly 2x Month Monthly Annually All Other Income Weekly Bi-Weekly 2x Month Monthly Annually 1) _____________________________ $ ___________ $ ___________ $ ___________ 2) _____________________________ $ ___________ $ ___________ $ ___________ 3) _____________________________ $ ___________ $ ___________ $ ___________ 4) _____________________________ $ ___________ $ ___________ $ ___________ 5) _____________________________ $ ___________ $ ___________ $ ___________ Total Household Members Last Four Digits of Social Security Number (SSN) of (Children and Adults) ________ Primary Wage Earner or Other Adult Household Member ____ ____ ____ ____ Check if no SSN STEP 4: Contact information and adult signature. Mail Completed Form to: Sparta Food Service 475 W. Spartan Dr. Sparta MI, 49345__ __ “I certify (promise) that all information on this application is true and that all income is reported. I understand that this information is given in connection with the receipt of Federal Funds, and that school officials may verify (check) the information. I am aware that if I purposely give false information, my children may lose meal benefits, and I may be prosecuted under applicable State and Federal laws”. __________________________________________________ ________________________ _________ ____________________ ___________________________________ Street Address (if available) Apt# City State Zip Daytime Phone and Email (Optional) _____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _________________________ Printed Name of Adult Signing Form Signature of Adult Today’s Date 2020-21 Calendar School and Summer Sparta Area Schools (SAS) First Day (Grades K-12) ………………………………………………. August 25 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Labor Day …………………………………………………… September 7 Open House (meet your teacher)…………………………………………………………………………… September 10 First Day of 4’s Preschool (Tuition and GSRP) ……………………………………………………….. September 14 First Day of 3’s Preschool …………………………………………………………………………………….. September 15 Picture Day ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... September 30 Picture Retakes …………………………………………………………………………………………………… November 10 No School (Childcare Open) - Teacher in-service …………………………………………………... November 16 Parent Teacher Conferences ………………………………………………………………………………… November 17 & 18 No School (Childcare Open) - Thanksgiving Break ..………………………………………………. November 25 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Thanksgiving Break …….……………………………… November 26 & 27 No School (Childcare Open) - Christmas Break ..………………………………………………….... December 21 - 23 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Christmas Break …….…………………………………... December 24 & 25 No School (Childcare Open) - Christmas Break ..……………………………………………………. December 28 - 30 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Christmas Break .…………………………….… December 31 & January 1 *No School (Childcare Open) - Teacher In-service ……………………………………………….... January 18 No School (Childcare Open) - Mid-Winter Break ……….....……………………………………… February 15 & 16 Parent Teacher Conferences ………………………………………………………………………………… March 9 & 10 Open House ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… March 25 Half Day School - AM ONLY (Childcare Open) - Teacher In-service...………………………. March 31 No School (Childcare Open) - Spring Break ……….....…………………………………….………… April 1 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Good Friday …….…….…………………………………... April 2 No School (Childcare Open) - Spring Break ……….....…………………………………….………… April 5 - 9 Tuition Preschool Graduation …………………………………………………….….……………………. May 25 **Last Day of Preschool …………………………………………………………………………………….... May 26 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Memorial Day …….…….………………………………... May 31 Sparta Area Schools (SAS) Last Day (Grades K-12) ……………………………………………...…. June 4 CENTER CLOSED (NO Childcare) - Independence Day Observed .…………………...….. July 5 *Different than Sparta Area Schools Grades K-12 **If we have more than the allotted cancelled school days (due to snow, etc.) we may alter the last day of school. ***Calendar subject to change***

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SpartaTODAY September 2020 23BELL RINGER22 bellringer 23 bellringerFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS Dear Parent/Guardian: Children need healthy meals to learn. Sparta Area Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.55 at the elementary and $1.65 at the secondary buildings; lunch costs $2.75 at the elementary and $2.90-$3.30 at the secondary buildings. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. Reduced-price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch. This packet includes an application for free or reduced-price meal benefits, and a set of detailed instructions. Below are some common questions and answers to help you with the application process. 1. WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS?  All children in households receiving benefits from the Food Assistance Program (FAP), Family Independence Program (FIP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible for free meals.  Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.  Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.  Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.  Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart. FEDERAL INCOME ELIGIBILITY CHART for School Year 2020-2021 Household Size Annually Monthly Weekly 1 23,606 1,968 454 2 31,894 2,658 614 3 40,182 3,349 773 4 48,470 4,040 933 5 56,758 4,730 1,092 6 65,046 5,421 1,251 7 73,334 6,112 1,411 8 81,622 6,802 1,570 Each additional person: 8,288 691 160 2. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS HOMELESS, MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY? Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail Sparta Area Schools, Joel Stoner at joel.stoner@spartaschools.org. 3. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD? No. Use one Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Melissa Alley, Food Service Director, 475 W. Spartan Dr. Sparta MI 49345. 4. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS? No, but please read the letter you received carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Melissa Alley, Food Service Director, at melissa.alley@spartaschools.org or 616-887-1744 immediately. 5. CAN I APPLY ONLINE? Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper application if you are able. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Visit www.lunchapp.com to begin or to learn more about the online application process. Contact Melissa Alley, melissa.alley@spartaschools.org or 616-887-1744 if you have any questions about the online application. HOW TO APPLY FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS Please use these instructions to help you fill out the application for free or reduced-price school meals. You only need to submit one application per household, even if your children attend more than one school in Sparta Area Schools. The application must be filled out completely to certify your children for free or reduced price school meals. Please follow these instructions in order! Each step of the instructions is the same as the steps on your application. If at any time you are not sure what to do next, please contact Melissa Alley, Food Service Director at melissa.alley@spartaschools.org or 616-887-1744. PLEASE USE A PEN (NOT A PENCIL) WHEN FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION AND DO YOUR BEST TO PRINT CLEARLY. STEP 2: DO ANY HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS CURRENTLY PARTICIPATE IN SNAP, TANF, OR FDPIR? If anyone in your household (including you) currently participates in one or more of the assistance programs listed below, your children are eligible for free school meals:  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).  The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). A) If no one in your household participates in any of the above listed programs:  Leave STEP 2 blank and go to STEP 3. B) If anyone in your household participates in any of the above listed programs:  Write a case number for SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR. You only need to provide one case number. If you participate in one of these programs and do not know your case number, contact State of Michigan Department of Human Services 616-248-1000. Go to STEP 4. STEP 3: REPORT INCOME FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS How do I report my income?  Use the charts titled “Sources of Income for Adults” and “Sources of Income for Children,” printed on the back side of the application form to determine if your household has income to report.  Report all amounts in GROSS INCOME ONLY. Report all income in whole dollars. Do not include cents. o Gross income is the total income received before taxes. o Many people think of income as the amount they “take home” and not the total, “gross” amount. Make sure that the income you report on this application has NOT been reduced to pay for taxes, insurance premiums, or any other amounts taken from your pay. STEP 1: LIST ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS WHO ARE INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND STUDENTS UP TO AND INCLUDING GRADE 12 Tell us how many infants, children, and school students live in your household. They do NOT have to be related to you to be a part of your household. Who should I list here? When filling out this section, please include ALL members in your household who are:  Children age 18 or under AND are supported with the household’s income;  In your care under a foster arrangement, or qualify as homeless, migrant, or runaway youth;  Students attending Sparta Area Schools, regardless of age. A) List each child’s name. Print each child’s name. Use one line of the application for each child. When printing names, write one letter in each box. Stop if you run out of space. If there are more children present than lines on the application, attach a second piece of paper with all required information for the additional children. B) Is the child a student at Sparta Area Schools? Mark ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ under the column titled “Student” to tell us which children attend Sparta Area Schools. If you marked ‘Yes,’ write the grade level of the student in the ‘Grade’ column to the right. C) Do you have any foster children? If any children listed are foster children, mark the “Foster Child” box next to the child’s name. If you are ONLY applying for foster children, after finishing STEP 1, go to STEP 4. Foster children who live with you may count as members of your household and should be listed on your application. If you are applying for both foster and non-foster children, go to step 3. D) Are any children homeless, migrant, or runaway? If you believe any child listed in this section meets this description, mark the “Homeless, Migrant, Runaway” box next to the child’s name and complete all steps of the application.

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24 September 2020 SpartaTODAYBELL RINGER24 bellringerPreschool & Childcare Sparta Area Schools Sparta Area School’s White Early Childhood Center offers full day child care or partial day preschool for children potty trained and ages 2 years 6 months through Kindergarten. Children may attend preschool only or attend all day with childcare and experience the same preschool curriculum. Building great minds for the future! Open Year Round Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 6:00 pm $10 off Registration Fee with Ad! (*new registrations only) •3 year old Tuition Preschool ONLY •4 year old Tuition Preschool ONLY •Full Day Preschool Programing –including childcare •Great Start Readiness Program-Free 4 year old preschool for those who qualify! •Kindergarten Before and After Care •Summer Programming too! Register at www.spartaschools.org today! White Early Childhood Center Re-Enrollment for ALL Students Returning to SpartaIn preparation for the 2020-2021 school year we are using a new re-enrollment process for ALL re-turning students. Part of this process is asking parents to update demographic and emergency information for their child or children. Parents will also be signing permissions for things like eld trips, computer use and media releases. This is also where parents and students will sign for chromebook use, and are able to make insurance payments for the chromebooks. Parents should have received emails or texts during the summer from SchoolMint asking them to set a password and then complete the information. If you cannot nd the email please be sure to check your spam folder. If you would like another email sent or need to update your email address please contact your child’s building secretary. Please complete this information as soon as possible to avoid missing out on schedule pick up, chromebook assignment, or other important back to school information. Please take a few minutes to login and update your child’s information as soon as possible.Please join the staff of Sparta High School in con-gratulating Matt Spencer on his position as Superintendent of Coopersville Area Public Schools. Matt dedicated more than 20 years to Sparta Area Schools serving as building principal for the last twelve years. During his years at Sparta Matt was instrumental in building school spirit and driving curriculum changes that will continue to serve Sparta High School for many years to come. We wish Matt great success as he takes on the lead role with our neigh-bors to the west.Stacey Rumsey will be leading the high school as the new building principal. Stacey has been with Sparta Schools for twenty six years and has served the community as a teacher, School Improvement Chair, Dean of Students, Stu-dent Advisor, and more. Stac-ey earned her teaching degree from Saginaw Valley State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. Stacey, along with her hus-band Todd have lived in the Sparta community for more than twenty ve years raising two daughters, Hannah (19) and Maddie (18) both gradu-ates of Sparta High School. Joining Stacey in the main ofce as Assistant Principal is Aaron Romoslawski. Aaron is joining the Sparta High School community with 13 years of educational experi-ence. He has spent the last 5 years working at Grand River Preparatory High School as an Assistant Principal. Prior to that, Aaron was a teacher on the east side of the state for 8 years. Aaron earned his teaching degree from Central Michigan University and a Masters in Public Adminis-tration from the University of Michigan-Flint. Aaron has a wonderful and amazing wife, Jamie, who is instrumental with the raising of their two daughters, Isa (9) and Harper (7). The Romoslawski family recently added some new ex-citement with the addition of a boxer named Beabop.New Leadership at Sparta High SchoolOur school district has conducted an extensive asbestos survey of all of our buildings. Based on the ndings of this in-spection, a comprehensive management plan was drafted. This plan details the response actions that the District will be taking regarding asbestos containing material found in our buildings. Even though the High School, Ridgeview, Administration and Transportation buildings do not contain asbestos materials, in compliance with the US Environmental Protection Agency Asbes-tos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHRTA) of 1990, we have an Asbestos Management Plan on le at the transportation ofce at 429 S. Union Street, Sparta. The management Plan is available for inspection at our ofces without cost or restriction during nor-mal business hours. Our goal is to make our schools a safe place in which students can learn. Our procedures for dealing with this problem reect that concern. Please let us know if we can answer any questions.Terry Johnson, Sparta Area Schools, 475 W Spartan Dr, Spar-ta, MI 49345.2020 PUBLIC NOTICE-ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PLANThe Sparta Area Schools District hereby provides notice to parents, guardians and the general public of the 2002 Asbestos Management Plan for the District. In accordance with EPA40 CFR Part 763 – Asbestos containing materials in buildings, please note: Inspections, periodic re-inspections and surveillance and related activities are ongoing within the school district buildings according to EPA 40 CFR Part 763, 1, 2, 3, and OSHA 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926. Building management plans are available for review.Questions may be directed to the Operations Supervisor, Sparta Area Schools, 475 W Spartan Dr, Sparta, MI 49345. You may also contact Terry Johnson by calling 616-887-8213 during normal business hours.2020 PEST MANAGEMENT PLANSparta Area Schools has adopted an Integrated Pest Man-agement program. Inherent with this are the District’s efforts to reduce pesticide use as much as possible. While it may occa-sionally be necessary to apply a pesticide, these will only be used as a last resort. This program does not rely on routine pesticide applications to resolve problems. We use various techniques such as habitat alteration, sanitation, mechanical means, exclusion, etc. to prevent pests from becoming a problem.You will receive advanced notice of the application of a pes-ticide, other than bait or gel formulations at your child’s school. This advance notice of the application will be given 48 hours before the application.The law requires us to do this notication by using two methods. The rst method required by the law is the posting at the primary entrances to your child’s school. The entrances that will be posted are those entrances that have a sidewalk that leads directly to a parking lot. The second method we are going to use is the posting in a common area located by the main ofce of the school. Parents are also entitled to receive this notice by rst-class United States mail postmarked at least 3 days before the appli-cation. If you would like to be notied by mail please contact the Operations Supervisor at 616-887-8213. Please give the secretary your name, mailing address and what school your child attends.In an emergency (for example, bees nest), pesticides may be applied without prior notice, but you will be provided notice following any such application.You may review our IPM program or pesticide application re-cords for your child’s school contacting the District’s Operations Supervisor at 616-887-8213.2020 Annual Notication Of e Asbestos SurveyWhite Early Childhood Center Summer Enrichment/Childcare Program is having fun explor-ing the world around them. We have great activities at the Center! Check out some of their Sum-mertime adventures from bike week to being mad scientists to water days fun to ooey gooey days! Summer Time Adventures!