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http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Wednesday, June 6, 2024 3

The program offers dual enrollment options, enabling students to earn college credits while still in high school.

GVSU advisors and mentors will also provide guidance to these eighth graders, helping them navigate the

complexities of college preparation. This collaboration aims to break down barriers to higher education,

particularly among underrepresented communities, by addressing financial constraints and unfamiliarity with

college processes.

By instilling a college-bound mindset at an early age, the program empowers BCPS eighth graders to envision

and pursue their academic and career aspirations. This expansion underscores GVSU's dedication to equity and

inclusivity in education, extending resources to underserved communities and fostering a pathway to success for

these young learners.

LaMora Park Class Cuts Ribbon on New Little Free Library

As part of the BCPS learning experience, all third

graders (like the Valley View students pictured above)

have the opportunity to visit and spend a day with

Harlow and Ada Merrill each year, learning about early

19th-century pioneer life through a hands-on experience

that takes them back in time! Students learn to make

candles, chop wood, prepare food, and more. Learn

more about Clear Lake Camp at clearlakecamp.org.

We are pleased to report that our summer reading

event was a big success! 534 students took home

2,667 books to read over the summer. That works

out to almost five books per student, and many

were hard-pressed to choose only five! Barnes and

Noble book logs were also given to students as they

checked out so we can continue to track the

program’s success throughout the summer.

GVSU Announces New Pathway Opportunity for BC STEM Eighth Graders

FOLLOW US ON

FACEBOOK:

facebook.com/bcpsbearcats

9 AM & 5 PM on the third Thursday of each month

at the Miller Stone building at 77 Capital Ave. NE.

Learn more:

battlecreekpublicschools.org/adulted

BCPS ADULT EDUCATION

SUMMER ORIENTATIONS:

24-25 BCPS School Calendar

Battle Creek Public Schools News | June, 2024

A Message from

Superintendent Carter

Christman Co. Inspires Young

Engineers at NWMS

BCCHS Book Fair a Huge Success

BCC Students Participate in Mock Trial

at Calhoun County Justice Center

LEARN MORE ON

OUR WEBSITE:

battlecreekpublicschools.org

ENROLL TODAY:

battlecreekpublicschools.org/

enroll

269-965-

UP TO

100% OF COLLEGE

TUITION COVERED

FOR ELIGIBLE BCPS GRADS

Learn more at

battlecreekpublicschools.org/

BearcatAdvantage

A Trip Into the Past at Clear Lake Camp

Greetings, Battle Creek Community,

With the school year winding down, I want

to send another huge thank you to all of the

teachers, support staff, families, community

supporters, and others for helping us

prepare every Bearcat for career, college,

and community success this year. It’s been

said many times that “it takes a village,”

and we are fortunate to have an incredible

village here in Battle Creek supporting our

students to success both inside and outside

of the classroom.

As I stated at Battle Creek Central's

graduation ceremony recently, every one of

our graduates has the potential to end up

on the BCCHS Hall of Fame wall as they

exit our hallways and begin to effect

positive change in ours and other

communities around the world. And behind

every Hall of Fame success story, there is a

team of proud educators who played an

important role in providing the inspiration

and encouragement to make it happen.

With gratitude,

Dr. Kimberly Carter, BCPS Superintendent

Northwestern Middle School students recently had

the opportunity to work with two project engineers

from The Christman Company, learning how to read

blueprints, design and create a blueprint of their

dream house, and tour the completed areas of the

NWMS site as it transitions to a K-8 visual and

performing arts school

Students in the Public Safety Pathway, part of the

Battle Creek Central High School Career

Academies, recently had the opportunity to travel to

the Calhoun County court to participate in a

realistic mock trial as one of the project-based

learning experiences.

Over the last few weeks, students in Ms. Redmond’s class

at LaMora Park Elementary have been participating in a

service learning project and today the entire school came

out to celebrate the fruits of their labor. After learning

about the importance of reading and having books

available to all, writing letters to the principal, and

eventually helping to paint the final product, the class cut

the ribbon for an all new Little Free Library!

First-grader David F. shared, “I learned that working

hard is important to be successful, like getting our little

library.” He added that his favorite book is “Green Eggs

and Ham” and that he hopes other children in the

neighborhood will be able to enjoy the books currently

filling the Little Library, like “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Each year, Battle Creek Central High School's senior class participates in a "Senior Stroll," parading through the hallways of their former elementary

schools and middle schools. View more photos at battlecreekpublicschools.org/news.

During Battle Creek STEM Innovation

Center’s recent eighth-grade promotion

ceremony, Grand Valley State University

surprised the students , staff, and families in

attendance by announcing that BC STEM will

be the first public school to join the Eighth

Grade Pathways to GVSU Program, which

provides students opportunities for early

admission to Grand Valley upon graduation.

Through this program, open to all of this

year’s BC STEM eighth-graders, young

learners gain access to college-level

coursework and support services, paving the

way for their transition into higher education.

AUGUST, 2024

August 19 & 20: Meet the Teacher Nights (Days and Times Vary

by School)

August 21: First Day of School (Half Day)

August 22: First Day for BC Area Math & Science Center

August 28: First Day for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

August 30: No School

SEPTEMBER, 2024

September 2: No School

September 3: First Day for Pre-K (GSRP)

September 27: No School

OCTOBER, 2024

October 14: No School

NOVEMBER, 2024

November 1: No School

November 27 - 29: No School

DECEMBER, 2024

December 19: Half Day *BCCHS ONLY*

December 20: Half Day (End of 1st Semester)

December 23 - January 3: No School (Winter Break)

JANUARY, 2025

January 6: Return to School (Return from Winter Break, Beginning

of 2nd Semester)

January 17: Half Day

January 20: No School

FEBRUARY, 2025

February 5: Half Day *BC STEM ONLY*

February 7: No School

February 28: No School

MARCH, 2025

March 14: Half Day

March 28: Half Day

March 31 - April 4: No School (Spring Break)

APRIL, 2025

April 7: Return from Spring Break

April 18: No School

MAY, 2025

May 26: No School

May 29: Last Day for Pre-K (GSRP)

JUNE, 2025

June 5: Half Day *BCCHS ONLY*

June 6: Last Day of School (Half Day)

June 6: Last Day for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

(Half Day)

Dr. Kim Carter, BCPS Superintendent

BATTLE CREEK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL &

WK KELLOGG PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2024!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERIES FROM EACH CEREMONY AT

BATTLECREEKPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG/NEWS

Image credit: Photo by Michael Lanka for Grand Valley State

University.