Sparta TODAY Newspaper Feb 2022 : simplebooklet.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAIDGRAND RAPIDS, MI Permit #214Page 3 Sparta EventsPage 5 West MI Arts Council Seeking New Board MembersPage 6-7 Spartan Student ArticlesPage 8 Sparta Sports ParkPage 14 Archery Interest Grows in CommunityPage 21 Bell RingerECRWSS Postal CustomerSparta Town Square is an award-win-ning, proven approach to enabling new businesses to develop their ideas in a low-risk environment. The purpose of the program is to provide affordable, turnkey locations for entrepreneurs to launch retail businesses and to bridge the gap between capital-strapped start-ups and empty store-fronts. It’s an opportunity to market those ideas in downtown Sparta, where success-ful tenants have the opportunity to grow capital or into a brick-and-mortar location.The Sparta Town Square Retail Incuba-tor project was awarded the Best Economic Development Project in the State of Mich-igan under $1 Million Dollars by the Mich-igan Downtown Association in 2021! The project is headed by the Sparta Downtown Development Authority in partnership with Baker Investments LLC.A new tenant is making plans to open the 4th retail space during spring 2022, and we will welcome back Ronnie Mack’s Hot Box Hash House during spring-time, too. Until then, Dottie’s Dog Bowl featuring gourmet and specialty pet food products and Sweets 4 Days with decadent cookies, candies, cupcakes and more are open for business now! Do you have a small business idea that you’re ready to test out in a retail space? The Shipping Containers at Sparta Town Square are retail incubators, allowing small business entrepreneurs an opportunity to test the market! Contact chambersparta@gmail.com for more info!Sparta Town Square AwardSparta Town & Country Days, Live Music Events, Spring Carnival & Sidewalk Sales, Concerts in Rogers Park, Michigan Apple Fest, Thursdays on the Square, *New! Beer & Brat Street Fest, Christmas Lights, and Shop Sparta are some of the events put on by Sparta TODAY. In order to keep these events going for our vibrant town, we need your support!Your support helps bring the smiles. Create the memories. Provide the opportunity to bring community and visitors together. Host unique experiences that help make our community so special. Thank you for making Sparta such a wonderful place to call home. -The Sparta Events CommitteeCommunity Call for Support of all Events & Activities

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 February 2022 32The Sparta Community Foundation reported that they were able to provide $38,500 in grants in 2021 to local organizations and programs.Feeding America West Michigan was awarded $3,100 to support their Mobile Food Pantry program, which will continue to provide food assistance to the Sparta community.Hand to Hand Weekend Food for Sparta Students was awarded $2,500. This organization provides breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner kits to 174 Sparta students, ages 3 - 18 in four of our schools.Junior Achievement of the Great Lakes was awarded $2,400 to deliver their organization’s K - 12 ﬁnancial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programming to students in Sparta Area Schools over the 2021-2022 school year.Sparta DDA (Village of Sparta) was awarded a total of $22,000 to make Sparta an even better place to live! The Sparta Sports Park will use $5,000 to install more seating/benches for the public, and more trash receptacles and picnic tables. The “I Love Summer in Sparta” campaign received $4,000 to continue their marketing of events being held in Sparta, and for the beautiﬁcation of our village, which will bring in more visitors and potential residents. A new project this year will honor Soldiers Killed in Action, and will receive $5,000 to install patriotic banners on light poles downtown to memorialize local service men and women killed in action, dating back to the Civil War. Another new project receiving partial funding of $8,000 from the Sparta Community Foundation will partner with several agencies and private donors to recreate the WWI monument (Shorty’s Monument) that was previously constructed in downtown Sparta in honor of seven soldiers from our area that died in WWI. This new monument will be located in Lamoreaux Brothers Veteran’s Memorial Park and will become the second war memorial in the park.The Sparta Township Historical Commission received $6,000 to upgrade their website and to continue the newspaper digitization project.The Sparta Township Library will use $1,500 to update their genealogy section in the library by purchasing books and materials that will enhance the Sparta Historical Commission’s goals.The West Michigan Symphony received $1,000 to provide beginner music curriculum and visits from professional musicians to Sparta Appleview 5th grade students. The Sparta Community Foundation accepts grant applications for community based programs that will beneﬁt art and culture, community development, education, health, or social needs in the greater Sparta area.Sparta Community Foundation Awards 2021 GrantsGrab your girlfriends and stop in for a fun night out in Sparta town square. Pink drinks, wine tasting, in store specials and giveaways.Galantine's DayThe Music Man Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com Masks and Social Distancing Recommended Book, Music and Lyrics by MEREDITH WILLSON Story by MEREDITH WILLSON and FRANKLIN LACEY Sparta High School Auditorium February 16, 17, 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm February 19 & 20 at 2:00 pm Tickets—General Admission Seating All Tickets are $10 & will be available at the door Cash, Check or Credit SPARTA COMMUNITY THEATRE presents

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 February 2022 5The West Michigan Arts Council is seeking in-dividuals to serve on our Board of Directors. These volunteer positions are open to all adults with an interest in the arts. WMAC is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprot originally formed in 1994 which has grown over the years until today we have partici-pants and audience members reaching into all eight counties surrounding the city of Grand Rapids.The arts council supports fteen local arts groups in western Michigan including six music groups; Embellish Handbells, the Rockford Civic Symphony, Rockford Community Band, Rockford Community Choir, Rogue Brass and Uniquely Rogue. We support four theater groups; Cedar Springs Community Players, Flat River Community Players, Hit ’N’ Run Players and Prides Young Art-ists. We also support two visual arts groups; Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association and the North Kent Camera Club based in Sparta. We also support the School of the Rockford Ballet, the Grand Rapids Region Writers Group and Rockford Writers. Pri-marily we provide marketing assistance to all mem-ber groups as well as providing legal assistance with organizational issues and helping with fundraising efforts and grant applications.We’re working with member groups at this time to establish the 2022 performance schedule which includes all member group productions. It also includes several productions hosted as fundraisers by the arts council; a live performance in Rogers Park, an annual Dinner Theater event in the Sparta Civic Center and a Holiday Warm Up event also in the Civic Center. We also host art classes and children’s events.With planning in process for 2022, this is a great time to join the organization. Monthly board meetings are conducted online via Zoom. Our of-ce is in the Sparta Chamber of Commerce Building on Division Street, however this ofce currently is staffed only by appointment. That should change as time goes on, but the safety of our board, our members and the public is our top priority.Potential board members need just one thing—an interest in the arts. Visit our website: www.wmartsc.org for more information on the West Michigan Arts Council . You can also nd more information on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/westmichiganarts/ Email us to request a simple form to apply for a board position: wmartscoun-cil@gmail.com Experience is not necessary, enthu-siasm is! Arts Rockford dba West Michigan Arts Council is funded in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts and regional re-granting agency Lowell Arts!West Michigan Arts Council is Seeking New Board Members

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6 February 2022 By: Senior Abigail Monarrez For three weeks prior to Christmas break, the Sparta Student Council organized a WZZM Toys for Tots chal-lenge. This challenge was for all schools and communities who were willing to partic-ipate. The student council took decorated boxes to area businesses and to all of Sparta district schools. 1,067 toys were collected around the Sparta community, and were picked up on December 10th. The Sparta administration was pleased with the efforts of our community: “This was a community-wide effort. Thank you to everyone who participated in making the holidays brighter for our area students,” Principal Stacey Rumsey said. The Toys for Tots organization collects the donated toys, then takes them to one of the warehouses and organizes them by age. Parents can then proof the toys and shop for their own children. Dylan TuroskiBy: Jacob SerbaSenior Spartan football running back Dylan Turoski nished the 2021 season as one of Mich-igan's top athletes, with the stats to prove it. He set a Sparta record for the most points in a game with 36, scoring six touchdowns. The versatile back racked up the most rushing yards in a season as well, at 1,568 yards, and the most all-purpose yards in a season at 2,231 yards. The records did not stop there, however, for the senior leader: second all-time all-purpose yards in a career at 3,908 yards, second all-time touchdowns scored and points in a career with 23 touchdowns and 144 points. As a returner, he set the all-time return yards in a career record at 864 yards. The Spartans made it to the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season, in large part due to Turoski and his iconic contributions. "The dude was money. Seventy some inches of steel that we used as a weapon against our opponents. He was one of a kind," venerable football coach Steve Zurek said.By: Sophomore Ella EmmonsThe Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christ-mas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the coun-try each year. This winter, Sparta High School took on the role of spreading joy at Christmas, and many students contributed to the magic. Students helped sponsors Paul Groh, Kate Mader, and Chris McKinley shop and wrap Christmas presents for families in need of support this holiday season. Overall, students and staff bought for almost 200 local children. Sponsor Groh was thankful for the contributions: “It's fantastic! It helps kids have a better Christmas than maybe they would have,” he said. The students and sponsors worked with Meijer stores to focus on meaningful and age-appropriate gifts. A big thanks to Rockford Meijer for their leadership. Angel Tree Program in SpartaHigh School Journalism ClassSparta Toys for Tots

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 February 2022 7Sparta Hockey FeatureBy: Sophomore Jacob SerbaThe 2021-22 high school hockey season is here and Sparta has some outstanding athletes participating. Sparta, Northview, Northpointe Christian and Comstock Park athletes combine to create the Northview Wildcats. This year, the “Wildcats” have a total of 19 players: 17 skaters, and 2 goalies. From overseas, came Arttu Virtanen (from Finland) and Felix Widenhofer (from Ger-many). The previous season's captain Sparta’s Cam Bormes kept his former position, while Tomas Postal from Sparta and Kyle Pitchure from Northview earned alternate captain status. Try-outs were held on November 13th, 2021. Their home ice is Griff's Ice House in Belknap. New jerseys and equipment were made possible by a successful golf outing fundraiser this past summer. Students and staff have been excited to support this team. “I love hockey. It really is my rst love. Skating and hockey: Those are religious experiences for people in Canada and Michigan,” teacher and hockey enthusiast Doug Kleyn said.By: Senior Hannah Garcia and Sophomores Josselyn Barton and Olivia Alt This year, Sparta High School students and staff cel-ebrated the Winter holidays through 13 Days of Christmas. Staff members were tickled with the joy and Christmas spirit: “My favorite memory from these days would be when Mr. Morse, Mr. Ar-ends, and Mr. Vandenburg all dressed up as Santa and his two elves. These celebra-tory days really have let our staff and students be able to express ourselves and our individuality,” Guidance Counselor Teresa Converse said. Special days included candy canes, fuzzy socks, pa-per snowakes and snow men, cards, cookies, hot chocolate, Santa hats, ugly sweaters, and Christmas characters. Student Council worked to make the holidays a special time for all. “Everyone who helped out in the classrooms, and those who participated in the Angel Tree Shopping as well as donat-ing toys to various drop-off locations, really helped make everyone’s holiday experience special,” Student Council Sponsor Kate Mader said. “My favorite day was when everyone wore ugly sweaters. I liked how creative everyone got and how people expressed themselves,” Spanish Teacher Bridgette Veenaman added.By: Sophomores Ella Em-mons and Peyton Popma Sparta alum Jen Fodor (2000) is a producer, lm-maker, and songwriter who has recently earned special recognition in Los Angeles for her short lm, The Dancing Man of L.A. She has a director credit on the lm and also co-wrote an original song for the project, which earned a grammy nomination. She re-cently sat down with Spartan News personality Kelsey Brott and had great advice for up and coming content creators. “I loved Spartan News (Sparta High School's Broadcast News Class), denitely where the spark for being a director came from,” Fodor said. After Fodor graduated from Sparta High School, she continued her education at Grand Valley State University for lm production. Eventually, with hard work, determination, and fearlessness, she went off to live in Los Angeles. “I had a few friends in L.A that showed me the ropes, and I started to put myself out there more with lming. I also had a exible job, so if a lming opportunity came up I could take it,” she said. She's even had the opportunity to work red carpets before premieres and major events in Los Ange-les! High school teachers were excited to recognize awesome work: "I'm glad we are starting a tradition of recognizing ex-cellence in the community and beyond from our alums. Jen is an all-star and there are many more shiny lights out there for Sparta," English Teacher Jane Wyckoff-Kingshott said. Find Fodor's podcast at ilovemu-sicpodcast.Sparta Alum Jen Fodor: Hollywood Creative ForceSparta High School’s 13 Days of Christmas

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8 February 2022 Sparta Town & Country Days is looking for boys and girls who are currently in 5th grade to represent the pride of our community!Fifth grade students should complete the essay to enter the Miss Apple Blossom and Young Johnny Appleseed contest to take part in the Sparta Town & Country Days event on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Young Johnny Appleseed and Miss Apple Blossom finalists will be contacted by mail and invited to ride on a parade float in the Town & Country Days parade and attend the Coronation Ceremony on Saturday, July 23. At the ceremony, two winners will be drawn by random lottery as Sparta’s official representatives as Young Johnny Appleseed and Miss Apple Blossom and will receive prizes. Interested current 5th grade participants are required to write an essay to "Explain why you love to live in Sparta". Rules:1. Essays must be no more than one page (single sided) in length.2. Entries must have participants name, phone number, & teachers name on the back of the entry.3. Entries are due on May 1, 2022 and must be turned into their teachers or returned to the Sparta Chamber by mail: PO Box 142, Sparta, MI 49345, or placed into the mail slot of the front door of the Chamber Office 194 E. Division, Sparta.4. Finalists must be present on Saturday, July 23, 2022 for the parade and crowning ceremony. Finalists will be contacted in mid-June by mail.NAME _____________________________________________Boy ________ Girl _______ PHONE ______________________________________HOME ADDRESS_____________________________________________________(For participation certificate to be sent home)TEACHERS NAME ____________________________CURRENT GRADE ________Return to your teacher or to Sparta Chamber  PO Box 142  Sparta, MI 49345 Sparta Town & Country Days is looking for boys and girls who are currently in 5th grade to represent the pride of our community!Now that it is January 2022 and the temperature is in the single digits, I thought it would be nice to review activity at the Sparta Sports Park during this past inaugural 2021 season. Af-ter years of meetings, planning, fund raising, and construction, the rst opening day ceremony was on Saturday, 24 April. The park was packed; kids ready to play their rst games on the new elds, parents and rela-tives, donors and the local Boy Scout Troop. The Boy Scout Troop conducted the ag raising ceremony at the Memorial – the Memorial they had helped de-sign and construct, followed by speeches and a ribbon cutting ceremony in which everyone could participate. Following the ceremony, the rst games began!That rst day was packed with activity. There was base-ball, soccer, softball and t-ball. Not sure how many kids partic-ipated that day, but the parking lot has 300 spaces; all those spaces were lled, as were the approximately 100 spaces in the upper overow lot and the 50 spaces in the lower overow lot. And that was only for the early games! Those parents and their kids left, and the three lots were lled again for the later games! What a great turnout! This level of activity continued through mid-June, with practices and some games during the week, depending on the sport. Each Saturday, the park was packed with kids playing games ….and overow-ing parking lots. Not to bore you with numbers, but during one 17-day stretch, over 12,000 vehicles came into the park – just over 700 cars per day! Awesome!Also, during the spring season, Rotary organized a coed adult kickball league that “kicked off” in June - what a hoot!! Any lack of skill was more than compensated with enthu-siasm. Additionally, the Sparta Boy’s Rugby Team practiced on the multipurpose elds. They hosted a game here in the park and won. And nally, the local Young Life group organized a 5k trail run, a rst in the park. It may not have been the ofcial 5 kilometers, but it was close, and runners and volunteers appeared to enjoy the experi-ence. During this spring season, the concession opened with soft drinks, popcorn, ice cream and candy. The menu was upgraded during the fall season to include Slurpees and hot dogs.During the summer months of July and August, organized kid’s sports took a break. There was still, however, a lot of activity. Kickball nished a great season. Disc golf enthusiasts used the disc golf course from dawn to dusk, regardless of the day of the week. The disc golf course was used to host several tournaments over the summer, with as many as 150 contestants per tournament. In addition to the disc golf, every weekend an adult Latino Soccer League played several games, complete with lots of spectators, good eth-nic food and some great soccer! The league nished off their sea-son with a championship game in October.The Fall season began in earnest in late August. Kids practiced and played soccer and football on the multipurpose elds most weekdays and Satur-days. And on the days the little tykes played ag football games, all three parking lots were lled to the max! Boys and girls also participated in fall baseball, softball and t-ball. The games on the ball diamonds went well into late October. Additionally, in October, Sparta Middle School hosted a Cross Country meet in the park. The course started on the west multipurpose eld, did a loop around the baseball diamonds, an out and back in the disc golf course, and a nish back at the multipurpose eld. The park was full of activity, with multiple team tents, parents everywhere on the course cheering on their kids, and coaches all over yelling at the runners. What a great rst year! And we could not have been this successful without all the volunteers!!! We had locals showing to mow, and residents with no kids asking to help in the concession, and high school kids volunteering to work the concession just because “it is fun”! Thanks to all!!!This may have been the end of sports for the season, but activity continued. Construction started on three projects to be completed during the winter: a walking trail from State Street to the concession area, a play-ground/pavilion and picnic area adjacent to the concession, and a third multipurpose eld for rugby, soccer, and football on the east side of the park. What a great year! What a great community! Can’t wait for next year!Sparta Sports ParkA Year in Review

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 February 2022 9Complete Automotive Repair 440 S. State St., Sparta (616) 887-1748 spartatire.comTires & Wheels • Brakes • Alignments • Shocks & Struts Import Factory Maintenance • Tune-Ups & MoreSparta Tire & AutomotiveTIRES • SERVICE • & MORE275 S. State St., Sparta • 616-887-4002www.BriedenMillerOrtho.comor BracesVoted Top Docs in Orthodontics!- GR Magazinemy Smile...making it Friendlytesa is the ofcial Olympic sponsor for the US Skeleton and Bobsled Team for the 11th year in a row. tesa tape is crucial to the team to use on both their sleds and uniforms. While the athletes hurdle around the track at speeds topping 80 mph, they rely on the science of both aerodynamics and adhesion. tesa, a subsidiary of Biersdorf (maker of NIVEA, Eucerin, and Coppertone products) out of Germany, holds the original patent for tape. Adhesive tape is an essential part of a bobsled and skeleton athlete’s sled and gear. Because they train and compete in harsh winter environments, these elite athletes require an adhesive solution that performs at extreme temperatures. “tesatape is an integral part of our sleds,” says three-time Olympian John Daly. “It holds the sled padding in place and helps optimize aerodynamic ow. We also use it on our helmets – and any open areas – to cut down on aerodynamic drag, which can help us gain valuable hundredths of a second – and get onto the podium. The adhesive power is second to none.” A thin foam mat on the metal frame of the sled is the only thing that provides the athletes with a limited amount of com-fort while racing down the frozen track. “The foam mat has to be connected to the sled as tightly as possible,” USA Skeleton Head Coach Tuffy Latour says. “That’s where tesa tape comes into play. And, in addition to attaching the foam mat to their sleds, the tape provides the athletes with an added advantage: it protects them against sharp edges.” Each athlete is using up to six rolls of tesa tape per year on each of his or her sleds, and many of them have two or three sleds as part of their standard equipment. Latour also says that “tesa has been the only tape to really stand up to the abuse in all types of weather conditions. To say that tesa tape holds our team together would be an understate-ment. It’s the ultimate all-purpose adhesive tape in bobsled and skeleton toolboxes.”tesa celebrates 11th year Olympic SponsorhipBy: Michelle BaltruczakThe Sparta High School Indoor Track team may not be the largest sport team in the area, but they’re making waves nonetheless! Competing in various com-petitions, the boys have worked hard over the season. Recently, the team traveled to Saginaw and a relay team made up of Lance Riddle, Chris Landry, Greg Janesak, and Jackson Jones qualied for the state meet by over 15 seconds! “This team has a lot of potential and our goal is to go all state this season,” said Chris Landry. Their relay put some of the boys out of their comfort zone, Greg Janesak typically trains as a distance runner and was placed on the 200 meter portion of the relay, a leg of the race that is normally reserved for sprinters. “The kid ended up running an amazing split,” Landry said. Along with the relay, Lance Riddle qual-ied for the 400 and 60 meter hurdles. He said that the team “looks to have a promising state meet.” Over the next few weeks, the boys have a lot of work to do in order to pre-pare for the big meet. Along with training, there are a few more meets, which will be opportunities for more athletes to qualify for state. As the state meet gets closer and closer, the Sparta Community continues to cheer them on. Good luck runners! Indoor Track Team Sprinting Their Way to StatePictured Above: US Bobsled and Skeleton team

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12 February 2022 United Methodist Retire-ment Communities (UMRC) & Porter Hills is proud to announce that three of its leadership team members were honored at a recent LeadingAge Michigan con-ference. Courtnee Knepley, Lisa Lea, and Lori Potter were each recognized for excellence in their roles. These awards were presented at the Member Awards Gala, held on Tues-day, September 28, at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Courtnee Knepley, Assist-ed Living Administrator at Chelsea Retirement Commu-nity, received the Emerging Leader Award. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated aptitude for and commitment to profes-sional growth as a leader and has successfully assumed expanded leadership respon-sibilities within a LeadingAge Michigan member organiza-tion in the past three years. “Courtnee has served in increasingly more responsible roles at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) in her 12 years here, including Din-ing Services, Environmental Services, Independent Living, and Assisted Living,” said CRC Executive Director, Kathy Russell. “Courtnee is a dy-namic, driven, and thoughtful emerging leader who exem-plies the future qualities the aging service industry needs.”Lisa Lea was honored as a Hometown Hero for her work as Community Manager at UMRC & Porter Hills’ Mead-owlark Retirement Village in Sparta, Michigan. Bruce Lyons, Executive Di-rector of Cook Valley Estates and Meadowlark Retirement Village, said, “This award recognizes Lisa’s demonstrat-ed dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm in making a signicant impact in the lives of older adults. Lisa is a true Hometown Hero in the small-town setting of Sparta where she serves as a resource, problem solver, caretaker, and mentor for families, residents, team members, and the great-er community. Her leadership and attitude embody the true spirit of both communities and those they serve.”Lori Potter, Chief Operat-ing Ofcer for UMRC & Porter Hills, was also honored as a Life Member of LeadingAge Michigan. Lori, who has announced her retirement in December 2021, has three decades of experience in senior living, the last thirteen years at UMRC & Porter Hills. Along with her strong back-ground as a Licensed Practical Nurse and licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Lori also has degrees in man-agement and organizational development and public ad-ministration with a healthcare emphasis, which have com-bined to make her a success-ful Chief Operating Ofcer, according to Nicole Maag, Vice President of Operations for UMRC & Porter Hills. “During her tenure, the organization has experienced incredible growth while main-taining a rm commitment to quality in all it does,” said Maag. “Lori has played a key role in launching three PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) programs across the state, facilitating the addition of The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood in Detroit which provides affordable assisted living for older adults of limited means, and extending Home Health services from the west side of the state to the east. Lori has left an indelible and positive impact on UMRC & Porter Hills.”Three UMRC & Porter Hills Team Members Receive Awards in Aging ServicesLeadingAge Michigan Honors Excellence at Awards GalaWith 2022 Event Dates nalized, we are thrilled to provide opportunity for our local bricks & mortar restaurants to provide food booths on site and to invite in food trucks for our events! And we need YOUR help, to invite your favorite trucks TO Sparta! Any licensed food truck or bricks and mortar restaurant is welcome to join in on the fun, they simply ll out the form and we will schedule them!Questions, email us at chamber@spartami.org!FoodiesSparta Sports Complex:Buy a BrickIf you'd like to have a brick engraved with support for the Sports Park, please ll out the EN-GRAVING details and payment information below! All dollars raised go toward the construction and operation of the Sports Park. Go Sparta!All purchases are made online at:spartachamber.com/sparta-sports-park-buy-a-brick-fund Sports Complex 4x8" Engraved Brick $150.00 eachSports Complex 8x8" Engraved Brick $250.00 eachThank you for your interest in support of the Sparta Sports Complex!

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 February 2022 131550 10 MILE ROAD, SPARTA, MI 49345616-675-5368Fax: 616-675-7105www.kentequipment.comHOURS: M-F 7:30 – 5:00 Sat 8:00 12:00KubotaUSA.com*According to 2019 data from Off-Highway Research including all Kubota Group brand sales. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2021. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer. For the complete disclaimer, go to KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers and see the posted disclaimer.KX057-5 & SVL75-2 Durable Kubota engines Comfortable cabsThe Kubota Orange Rental Program makes it easy to rent the right equipment for your next job. Stop in to find hardworking equipment like the KX057-5 compact excavator and the SVL75-2 compact track loader.• The world’s #1-selling compact excavator lineup for over 15 years.*• Available to rent on site for greater convenience and productivity.• A wide network of support from dealers and construction experts.• Powered by durable, reliable Kubota engines.Rent the right tool for the job. KubotaUSA.com*According to 2019 data from Off-Highway Research including all Kubota Group brand sales. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2021. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer. For the complete disclaimer, go to KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers and see the posted disclaimer.KX057-5 & SVL75-2 Durable Kubota engines Comfortable cabsThe Kubota Orange Rental Program makes it easy to rent the right equipment for your next job. Stop in to find hardworking equipment like the KX057-5 compact excavator and the SVL75-2 compact track loader.• The world’s #1-selling compact excavator lineup for over 15 years.*• Available to rent on site for greater convenience and productivity.• A wide network of support from dealers and construction experts.• Powered by durable, reliable Kubota engines.Rent the right tool for the job. KubotaUSA.com*According to 2019 data from Off-Highway Research including all Kubota Group brand sales. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2021. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer. For the complete disclaimer, go to KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers and see the posted disclaimer.KX057-5 & SVL75-2 Durable Kubota engines Comfortable cabsThe Kubota Orange Rental Program makes it easy to rent the right equipment for your next job. Stop in to find hardworking equipment like the KX057-5 compact excavator and the SVL75-2 compact track loader.• The world’s #1-selling compact excavator lineup for over 15 years.*• Available to rent on site for greater convenience and productivity.• A wide network of support from dealers and construction experts.• Powered by durable, reliable Kubota engines.Rent the right tool for the job.

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14 February 2022 Sparta Middle School Theatre is back. Come join us for an adventure right from an episode of Scooby Doo as Ms. Flagg and her group of science students visit the now run-down Lake Shimmer Resort to do some research. Instead, they come face to face with the mysterious swamp monster. When a newspaper reporter arrives to take pictures, she decides to read the "Legend of Sammy's Swamp" and the students are treated with a tale of mystery, greed, betrayal and even murder. Can the students unravel this mystery? Who or what is the Swamp Ghost? And what is hiding behind the door of room 1-A? Come see for yourself as Sparta Middle School Theatre presents The Legend of Sammy's Swamp.Sparta Middle School eatre presents:e Legend of Sammy's Swamp“Michigan S3DA is an afterschool program aimed at educating and guiding youth in the areas of 3-D, indoor, and outdoor target archery, conservation, and safe, ethical bow hunting practices. Stu-dents may compete in archery tournaments in Michigan as well as across the country with opportunities to earn col-lege scholarships,” said Care Waite, Michigan S3DA Coor-dinator. Shoreline S3DA is the youth archery team in area. Shoreline has grown from just a few members to the current active 11 in less than a year, with 6 of these members being Sparta Students. The team is currently shooting Indoor Target. 3D and Outdoor Tar-get will begin in March/April. The kids will be competing Regionally this month, which will qualify them to compete for States. State participation will then qualify shooters for Nationals. This year Nationals are being held in Kentucky, and there is already one conrmed Spartan going. “Imagine the largest smile of a new archer when everything comes together and they hit the x for the rst time. Or watching a student that has been struggling nally beats their personal best score. That is my motivation to coaching the Shoreline S3DA Archers. We’re not all serious either, there is lots of fun and laughter. They truly are a great group,” added Shoreline Coach, Andrea Koopman. Good luck to all of the Shore-line Archers as they head to their competitions!S3DA Archery is Growing in the CommunityJanuary 14, 2022 – ChoiceOne Bank is pleased announce the Annual ChoiceOne Scholarship Program de-signed to provide needs-based schol-arships for graduating seniors in the local communities the Bank serves. As the local community bank, ChoiceOne wants to encourage and re-ward graduating seniors who are mo-tivated to obtain a degree. ChoiceOne will award 12 one-time scholarships of $1,000 to each recipient for their rst year of college. Six winners will be selected from both the west and east Michigan markets the Bank serves.“We are committed to the families and youth in our communities across Michigan,” said ChoiceOne Bank Pres-ident Michael J. Burke, Jr. “Our high school seniors are the next generation of leaders, and we believe it’s import-ant for them to realize the benets of being raised and educated in a caring and supportive local community.” Scholarship Essay Contest The ChoiceOne Bank Scholarship Program will be accepting applica-tions starting January 14, and will remain open until Friday, March 18. To apply, students are asked to write a 500 word or less essay about one of their community-service experiences – describing why they got involved, who beneted from the service and what personal accomplishments they gained from helping their community. Students must submit their applica-tion and supporting documents such as their completed online application, their high school/home school tran-scripts, or GED documentation, by the deadline date. See choiceone.com/scholarship to complete the Scholar-ship Application. Previous winners who received a renewable scholarship from Lakestone Bank & Trust in 2019, can complete the scholarship extension application at choiceone.com/extension. This scholarship will be paid directly to the college by ChoiceOne Bank.Who Is Eligible:Eligible candidates include high school seniors, GED recipients in the current calendar year who have not started college classes, home school students with documentation of high school equivalency and college eligibility in the communities Choice-One Bank serves, and are planning to attend an accredited two-year or four-year college in Michigan in the fall of 2022. ChoiceOne Bank serves communities in Kent, Ottawa, Mus-kegon, Newaygo, Lapeer, St. Clair and Macomb counties. “We nd helping the children in our communities, highly import-ant,” said Burke. “It is our hope that students return to their roots to raise their families and grow their business-es and our communities thrive with their excelled education. Writing this essay for a potential scholarship helps our youth understand the importance of community service.” About ChoiceOne ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a nancial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan and the parent corporation of Choice-One Bank. Member FDIC. ChoiceOne Bank, named twice, one of America's Best Banks by Newsweek, operates 35 ofces in parts of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Lapeer, St. Clair and Macomb counties. ChoiceOne Bank offers insurance and invest-ment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. common stock is quoted on the Nas-daq Capital Market under the symbol “COFS.” For more information, please visit Investor Relations at ChoiceOne’s website choiceone.com.CONTACTMichael J. Burke, Jr.ChoiceOne Bank President810.664.2977michael.burke@choiceone.comChoiceOne Bank Kicks O Annual Scholarship Program March 10, 11, 12th at 7:30 pm March 12th at 2:00 pmSparta High School AuditoriumTickets can be purchased at the door

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16 February 2022 Compass Credit Union’s Corporate Office in Sparta will be receiving a mod-ernized look and enhanced features in the near future. The branch’s lobby, offices, and member spaces will receive a face lift and new, state-of-the-art equipment. CCU’s State Street, Sparta office has been in opera-tion since 2008. In addi-tion, the corporate office will undergo renovations to make way for the credit union’s current and future growth. To better align with CCU’s branding and design, the Sparta office will be remodeled began in January 2022 through the spring. This newly remod-eled branch and corporate office will feature many new enhancements that members will enjoy as they visit for their banking needs.“At Compass Cred-it Union, our goal is to provide the most conve-nient and current financial services possible to our members,” said Erika Bau-er, Compass Credit Union’s President & CEO. “This ap-proach is not only applied to our financial products and services but extends to the environments from which we operate within as well. With this in mind, we are pleased to be present-ing an updated look for our Sparta retail branch and corporate office that reflects our commitment to reinvesting in our mem-bership and the Sparta community.”In addition to an updated look that will reflect the credit union’s branding, our new Sparta retail branch and corporate office will offer:• 3 new lobby ofces where members can meet with Personal Bankers and Manag-ers in a more com-fortable space with walk-in convenience for our members.• New ofce furniture in the retail space.• New computer equip-ment.• Partially rebrand-ed to our CCU red, white, and blue col-ors.• New carpet, & wall coverings.• Interior artwork.Compass was founded in 1956. Since then, the credit union has welcomed in a diverse membership base and offers financial services to 13 counties in West Michigan. At Com-pass, we are community servants working for the betterment of everyone, and we are committed to navigating our mutual financial journey together.Compass Credit Union Announces Extensive Remodel for Sparta Branch & Corporate OcesMr. Thomas Cheslek happily “passed the baton” to the new owners this past July, ofcially selling in late October. After 30 years of self-lessly serving the community, Tom chose to sell to partners Timothy Plaisier, Brandon Poortenga, and Timothy Valk. With Toms’ extremely generous heart and deep-root-ed sense of community, selling the business was secondary to nding the “right t” for Sparta.“We are excited to be a part of the Sparta Commu-nity” and “We love it here!” were some of the rst words out of the new owners’ mouths when we had the chance to meet. They joked it is taking two to three people to replace Tom. “We often say a few times a day, “How did Tom do this alone?” The new owners have big plans and genuinely look forward to serving the Sparta and area communities for years to come. A big welcome to Timothy Plaisier, Brandon Poorten-ga, and Timothy Valk! And congratulations to Tom; Enjoy your retirement!Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home becomes North Ridge Funeral HomeLeft to right: Tom Cheslek, Brandon Poorteng, Timothy Valk, Timothy Plaisier

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 February 2022 17Effective January 1, 2022 the Village of Sparta will be making changes to its utility rates. The rate increase will be reected in your February bill (which bills for January usage). What is happening? Utility bills for residents connected to the Village water and sanitary sewer systems have three different charges on them: ready to serve fees, commodity charges, and a debt charge. Both the water and sanitary sewer systems charge a ready to serve fee. The ready to serve (RTS) fee pay for capital upgrades to the respective systems – water and sanitary sewer. Capital upgrades are the big-ticket items like new water or sani-tary sewer mains, water towers or machines to treat waste at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Ready to Serve fees are like the utility systems saving account. The Village Council has worked very hard at paying for capital upgrades out of pocket, rather than incurring debt. Commodity fees for water and sanitary sewer are fees charged for the amount of wa-ter used and this is measured in cubic feet. This revenue generated from commodity sales, for both water and sani-tary sewer, are used for regular operations of the Water Treat-ment Facility, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the cost to staff both plants. Commod-ity fees are like the Village’s checking account – used for regular reoccurring bills. The debt charge on utility bills generates revenues to pay for existing debt related to upgrades done to the Waste-water Treatment Plant in the 2000s. Once the debt has been paid off, the debt charge will be removed from utility bills. Fees and charges for the utility systems are completely separate from all other reve-nues generated by the Village. Monies collected from utility bills are kept, and accounted for, separately from other Village monies. Utility revenues are not, in anyway, associated with property taxes. Property taxes fund items like the Sparta Police Department, leaf and brush collection, Village Hall administration and other non-utility related expenses. Property taxes, per the State of Michigan, can not be used for costs associated with utility systems. Why are rates increasing? Similar to many consumer goods and services, the cost to maintain and deliver utility services has increased for the Village of Sparta. The cost of materials and labor have all increased for the Village over the past two years. Rates for scal years 2020 and 2021 re-mained at, with no increases. The Village recently completed the SAW Program with funding from the State of Michigan. The SAW – Storm-water, Asset Management, and Wastewater Program – was an in-depth review of the Village utility systems.As part of the SAW Pro-gram, the Village was able to create a long-term planning document called the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This plan outlined all the utility system needs over the next 10-20 years. Replacement of water and sewer mains, pump upgrades, and other upgrades/replacement of treatment equipment. From the CIP the Village was able to complete, with the help of a consultant, a Utility System Rate Study. The rate study reviewed all of the revenues and expenditures related to the water and waste-water systems, it also reviewed all of the capital needs, big ticket items, over the next 10 years. From this, our updated rates were generated. The additional revenue generated from the 2022 utility rate increases will help to fund operations and capital investment into the water and wastewater systems. This is necessary to ensure the two utility systems continue to operate in peak-condition and provide a valuable service to the residents of Sparta. The CIP can be viewed, along the 2022 annual budget, and the Village’s website at Spartami.org.2022 UtilityIncrease Information ("Cold Weather tips" shared by dotties dog boWl in sparta toWn square)

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 February 2022 19The next in our series is the first and only wom-an coach, Bonnie Wilkin-son-the reason she is the only woman because, until 1972, there was only one sport for girls (basketball) and from the early 1960’s to early 1970’s it was discon-tinued for a reason I’ve nev-er been able to find. Also, most of the first coaches on girl’s teams were men and the articles are on individu-als that were teachers until 1990’s. If we do a series on later teacher/coaches, there will be more women.Bonnie went to Grand Valley when it was in its infancy and women’s pro-grams were just starting. While there, she participat-ed in three intercollegiate athletic sports; volleyball, basketball, and softball, and her basketball team in 1971 was undefeated. She was first introduced to Sparta while at Grand Valley as a student teacher which even-tually led to her employ-ment here lasting 35 years. She retired in 2006. Bon-nie taught in three different areas while at Sparta-Social Studies, general educa-tion in 4th and 5th grades and P.E. Twenty-three of those years she also spent in coaching in many differ-ent areas; middle school cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, and track. She really was best known for coaching varsity volleyball and coached the Varsity and JV teams alone at the same time to keep them going.Bonnie still lives in the Sparta area, taking in vol-leyball games, is single and active in the Sparta United Methodist church and, to her great credit, lists Mich-igan State as her favorite team.The second individual is Mr. (Hess) Wever, the hold-er of the most basketball victories in school history. He grew up in Fremont which twice was in our con-ference. While at Fremont High, the varsity basketball teams he was on reached the state finals. His junior year the team lost to Alma in the finals and senior year they lost in the semis. He also played QB on the foot-ball team and ran track in the high hurdles, pole vault, and high jump. As a senior, he made the all-state third team which was composed of players from all classes. Surprisingly, Fremont did not have a baseball team. After high school gradu-ation in 1948, he attended Alma College, where he continued to play football (QB) and was on the bas-ketball team. Interestingly, it seemed he was better in basketball in high school, but football in college. After graduating from Alma, he did not go directly to Sparta, but he was one year at Holton and seven at White Cloud before coming to Sparta. He was original-ly hired to be the football head coach, but the current coach went one more year and he instead became head basketball coach. The next football year Mr. Dickey became the head football coach. For many years, Hess coached JV and was an assistant varsity football coach. When he retired from coaching basketball, he had acquired 125 victo-ries-the school record. He was a long-time biology teacher and also driver’s training instructor (whom I had). I never had him as a teacher, but taught with him and also had him as a football coach for four years and basketball for two. One of Mr. Wever’s favorite hobbies was flying a plane out of the Sparta Airport where he helped start its flying club. Hess Wever passed away on November 15, 2020, at the age of 90. He married his high school sweetheart, Lora Ann, who passed away in 2004 after 52 years of marriage. Together they had four children: Steve in Japan, Nancy, Jennifer, and Lori Ann Jantz, who passed away in 2017.Mr. Hess Wever & Miss Bonnie Wilkinson

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 February 2022 21Communicate, Innovate, & CareSince March of 2020, and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our schools have been anything but normal for our staff, students, and families. First, we had a 10-week closure at the end of the 2019-20 school year, then a combination of in-person, virtual, and remote learning during the 2020-21 school year, and now the 2021-22 school year continues to provide many challenges with the latest surge in cases. If there is any “good” that has come from the pandemic, it might be the recognition that schools are going to need additional support and resources to meet the needs of students moving forward. Over these last couple of years there have been three rounds of funding through federal, state, and local sources, which is often referred to as ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. I think it is important to let our community know how our school district plans to use these funds over the next couple of years.The rst round of funding (ESSER I) was used primarily to provide protective equipment and cleaning resources during the 2020-21 school year to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in our schools, as well as improve our ventilation systems. The increase in our cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been an important part of our Covid prevention strategies, many of which we continue to utilize during this current school year.The remaining two rounds of funding (ESSER II and III) will provide nearly $5 million over the next couple of years for our district to continue to address the impact of Covid-19 on our students. We surveyed our staff and parents this fall to gather feedback on the potential areas in which we could utilize this funding, and have begun to use this information to build our budgets for these funds. The top two areas in which our staff and parents felt the funds should be utilized were for additional stafng to keep our class sizes low, and additional social-emotional support for our students. So far this school year we have added four additional teaching positions at our elementary schools to keep our class sizes low, hired extra teacher assistants to assist in the classroom, added an additional school nurse, and recently hired new school counselors at both Ridgeview and Appleview elementary schools. We also have hired two additional school social workers so that we now have a full-time social worker in each of our buildings, and have added both a KSSN counselor and Spectrum Health teletherapy opportunities at our high school. It is our hope that these additional supports will help to meet both the academic and social-emotional needs of our students, and we will continue to look at additional stafng opportunities as we begin to plan for the 2022-23 school year.Other priorities, as communicated to us in our surveys, were to continue to make additional investments in educational technology, and to provide updated curriculum/resources for our staff to continue doing their jobs at a high level. For this school year we purchased 800 additional chromebooks for our students, to maintain and continue our 1-to-1 technology initiative, while also securing hotspots to provide connectivity for any families that might not have internet available in their homes. We will be purchasing about 1000 additional chromebooks this spring to replace devices that are nearing end of life and make sure our students have a device that is in great condition. We will also be refreshing technology for many of our staff members as we work to keep them in updated devices.We have also begun to implement a district-level team, that includes teachers from all of our buildings, called our Guiding Coalition. This team will be tasked with identifying district goals and initiatives that will help to update our curriculum and resources and ensure that our staff and students have the proper resources and support to be successful. We truly believe that a collaborative environment, that involves our teachers at every level of the planning process, will lead to the best student outcomes. These last few years have been tough!! Utilizing the resources we have been provided, due to the pandemic, will prove critical to our success in the years ahead. We appreciate the feedback from our staff and parents that responded to our surveys to help us develop the best plan possible. Hang in there Spartans!! There is light at the end of this tunnel.With Spartan Pride,Pete Bush, SuperintendentFebruary 2022Third graders in Mrs. Hurley’s class showed just how big their hearts are when they participated in a service project called Blessing Bags. Students and their families collected an incredible amount of donations including socks, gloves, snacks, hygiene items, and even cash to create each Blessing Bag. With the holidays, Mrs. Hurley wanted to make sure students felt the joy of giving and compassion for those less fortunate in the community and the greater Grand Rapids area. After the students assembled each bag, they personally delivered them to Mel Trotter here in Sparta! From there, they were distributed to the homeless and needy in the area. Some students even took a Blessing Bag to keep in the car to share with someone in need that they encountered during the holiday season. This important project not only warmed the hands of those in need, but the hearts of each and every third grader!Big Hearts Fill Blessing Bags

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22 February 2022 BELL RINGERLet’s Get Ready to Bumble!Appleview Elementary held their annual spelling bee on Friday, January 7th. Each classroom sent representatives to the school wide bee based on the results of their classroom bees that took place in December.Classroom Winners 20223rd GradeCLASS WINNER RUNNER-UPBEUSCHEL Yanelsy Macias Beechum SwigerBUFTON Addie Vess Lainie SpaldingGLYNN Gavin Long Madison MurrayHALL Isaak Genther Ava WilsonHURLEY Jase Noto Maci McLemoreLEHNER Bentley McCullough Micah HankinsonSINGLETON Betsy Elliott Denise CalvaBARR Claire MacDonald Mason MayDAVIS Sophie Searcy Hunter WiedmayerKILPATRICK Benjamin DeWys Autry BockheimSHELNER Haedyn Burns Grayson WilliamsTAYLOR Alessandra Guerra Cecilia LundbergVANVLIET Troy Johnston Avery HunterZDANCIEWICZ Caroline Wolford Arianna Armstrong4th GradeCLASS WINNER RUNNER-UPDEGRAFF Claire MacDonald Mason MayLEY Sophie Searcy Hunter WiedmayerRIDDLE Benjamin DeWys Autry BockheimSWANSON Haedyn Burns Grayson WilliamsSWIHART Alessandra Guerra Cecilia LundbergUTTER Troy Johnston Avery Hunter5th GradeCLASS WINNER RUNNER-UPThis year marks Sparta Education Foundation’s 31st year of providing grant monies to Sparta staff to fund creative, innovative additions for all students. Prompted by so many changes in life in general, we determined this to be a great time to evaluate and update our strategic plan. When this process is completed, we will be ready to share how we have changed and grown and what we envision for SEF’s future.Our highest priority at this moment is to commend Spar-ta’s entire staff for their unending dedication to our students and their families to meeting every new, unforeseen, demand the last two years have created. They continue to put students rst, to work to make sure all social and emotional needs are being met along with their focus on the goal of great academic progress for every student.We encourage you to reach out to every staff member who touches your child’s life daily, in any capacity, and let them know how much they are appreciated and valued. The rewards of these combined efforts will be far-reaching and ultimately benet all of Sparta’s students as well as bring smiles to staff members who continue to give above and beyond.Sincerely, Julie AndersonSEF Board PresidentIf you'd like to support our cause, "Providing the Extras for Education!", please visit our website at www.spartaschools.org/sef.Mark your calendar for our next fundraiser, RetroBowl 2022, coming up on Saturday, March 12, at Sparta Lanes with two bowling times 9:30 a.m. and noon. Your student's school will provide more details in the coming weeks as well as our Facebook page: Sparta Education Foundation MI. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we're making Sparta a great place to learn.SMS Student Government is Sponsoring a Talent Show!In late February, SMS will be hosting a student talent show consisting of 3 grade level assemblies! We will be letting par-ents know if they are able to attend. Each act will be 5 minutes or less. We look forward to sharing pictures and videos with the community on our SMS Facebook page of Sparta middle schoolers showcasing their talents!Attention 8th Grade Students & Families...8th Grade Recognition Ceremony Information is Coming Soon!As we move through the 2nd semester, please stay tuned for information and details regarding our annual 8th grade Recognition Ceremony! This is a time honored tradition here at SMS. We plan on getting information out as far in advance as possible. With ever-changing circumstances, we will do our very best to keep students and families updated about the details of the this year’s Recognition ceremony.Testing Season is Approaching!Following our return to school in early April after Spring Break, all students at SMS will participate in M-Step testing. Information will be communicated via School Messenger and on our Facebook page so parents and students can plan and prepare accordingly.

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 February 2022 23BELL RINGERWe are excited to use our Pop Up Discovery Kitchen. Our unique pop up offers a fun location for students and administration to learn about our newest theme, taste samples, or interact with a nutrition education demonstration. Look for us in your school cafes soon.January’s theme is The Great American Road Trip. The Great American Road Trip allows students to experience this great country through the power of food! We will have new recipes and meals available in the café, along with samples for students to try. There will be activities, fun facts, and recipe cards for students to share with their families. This theme is designed to spark curiosity about agriculture and cuisines around the country. Melissa AlleyDIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES616-887-1744melissa.alley@spartaschools.orgWhat’s Happening in Your Schools?Upcoming Events:-Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday-Jan. 19 National Popcorn Day-Jan. 20 National Cheese Lover’s Day-Feb. 1 Chinese New Year-Feb. 2 National Tater Tot DayFeb. 2 Groundhog Day-Feb. 4 National Wear Red DaySparta Area Schools Food Service UpdatesNational School Lunch Week-October 11-15thDid you know that The National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million children every school day? We are excited to celebrate this annual event to recognize the importance of healthy school meals. School lunches offer students fruits and vegetables, whole grains and milk, and meet federal nutrition standards limiting fat, calories and sodium. The fun and creative campaign theme, “WILD About School Lunch” highlights the importance of a healthy school lunch to student’s success both in and out of the classroom. Are you ready to walk on the wild side? In honor of National School Lunch Week, Comstock Park’s Food Service Team planned special events for students to enjoy. These events included; Coloring Pages, Tropical Smoothie Taste Testing, Lucky Tray, and Wild & Crazy Dress Up Day. Recent research shows children are getting their healthiest meals at school. National School Lunch Week highlights the nutritious foods available daily and allows students to try items they might not have tried before. Michigan Apple Crunch-Thursday October 14, 2021Since 2014 we have highlighted National Farm to School Month with MILLIONS of Crunches across Michigan. The Michigan Apple Crunch is our opportunity to celebrate local food and farms!Sparta Early Childhood Center2022-2023 Enrollment and Open House● Tuition 3’s Preschool● Childcare● Great Start Readiness Program-4’s Preschool● Headstart-3’s onlyBuilding a foundation and a lovefor learning along with kindergartenreadiness are the primary focus ofthe preschool years. The foundationis built on play as the primary modeof learning as well as a consistentdaily routine, meals, group times,outdoor time and peer interactions.Throughout the year the children will be building their skills in the areas of math, literacy,social emotional, gross and fine motor, writing, and the sciences. The home-schoolconnection is a critical piece of preschool ensuring that families feel accepted,comfortable, and part of their child’s education at the early childhood center.For questions or information: Call 887-0068 or email heather.lashuay@spartaschools.org.Educationally,Heaer LashuayDirector of Sparta Early Childhood CenterAs we start a New Year, a new semester, and juggle the cold winter months your student(s) may face some Seasonal Blues! It is a common reaction to the cold, short, and dark days of winter. Here are some signs and ways to help ght against it while we wait for the warmer days of Spring!Happy New Year!What to look for in your student: • Changes in Mood- such as being sad, feeling down, or increased irritability• Negative Thinking- being more critical of yourself. • Low energy or enjoyment in activities- you may feel tired, low on energy, or not motivated to do things. • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns/habits- such as sleeping longer than usual or struggling to get up or get ready for school in the morning• Trouble concentratingWhat you can do to support your student:• Be intentional about encouraging your student to get outside or engage in physical activities 2-3 times a week. • Take a walk, use the gym, etc…• Try to increase quality time together with:• Family dinners, movies, or winter activities. • Encourage your student to stay on top of their homework and sleep. • By sticking to a regular bedtime routine you can maximize your exposure to daylight. • Talk about it! • It is normal this time of year. • It can feel scary or be difcult for teens to explain what they are feeling.

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24 February 2022 24 bellringerBELL RINGERStudents at Appleview Elementary are expe-riencing for the rst time a class called STEM. A new class that is part of the Art, Music and Phys-ical Education “Specials’” rotation, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and is taught by Mr. Oudbier. This class uses hands on projects/experiments that students com-plete either individually, with partners or in small groups to incorporate the 4 main components of STEM. According the article The Importance of STEM in the Elementary Classroom “STEM encourages kids to experiment, make mistakes and learn from their own experiences to reach correct outcomes, rather than relying on what the textbook says. Critical thinking, logical analysis, inquiry and proj-ect-based learning are the keystones in STEM ed-ucation. It boosts the curiosity in the kids, making the learning process fun, relevant and everlasting.”Some of the activities students have navigated through include, testing why chewing gum loses weight the longer its chewed, deciding if Oobleck is a solid or liquid, building the lightest package to prevent candy canes from breaking, making their own version of the game “Operation” to test circuits, learning how static electricity causes our hair to stand on end, and understanding how polar bears stay warm in the arctic by wearing a Blubber Glove. One of the highlights of the year so far was “Glow Week” leading up to Halloween. The STEM Lab was transformed into a classroom illuminated with Black Lights and Glow in the Dark tape. Stu-dents learned about how things glow in the dark and then made Glow in the Dark Slime. It was a truly awesome experience.It’s Not Chaos…. It’s STEM Lab“Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy”~ Ms. Frizzle