Weekly Good News

Five members of our Wayland Bee Club attended the Kalamazoo Bee School Conference on February 15th, learning advanced material in the world of beekeeping. Students were able to attend sessions on infusing honey, making balms and salves, what plants are best for our pollinators, checking the hive, mite management, and much more. These amazing keepers are getting excited to see if their hives made it through the winter, and start working toward a greater understanding of what beekeeping means to the world around them. If you are interested in our honey crop this year, we will be selling honey at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year!

Pictured left to right: Eli Fifelski, Nikol Yanakieva, Peyton Mathis, Isabella Luke, and John Miller

This past Thursday through Sunday, 9 students from Wayland High School attend the Michigan Youth in Government Conference in Lansing. Students spent four days participating in a mock state government. This year we had students take on the roles of legislators and lobbyists, and had two students participate in the National Issues Forum. In preparation for the conference, students each write a bill or policy, and work to get it passed at the conference. Congratulations to Piper Huston, Teagan Robinson and Callie Conley for having their bills passed and signed by the student governor. Great job to all our participants! Alicia (Wren) Schumaker-Alanzo, Bella Bogema, Hannah Bogema, Callie Conley, Adaline Huston, Piper Huston, Ethyn Riley, Teagan Robinson, Jacob VanDuine, and Payton Wallace.

Pine Street’s students in the Level 2 program and peer connectors from the 4th and 5th grades are practicing their bowling skills for a Unified Champions bowling trip they will be participating in at the end of March. There are 12 peer connectors between Mrs. Santana’s 4th grade room and Ms. Draxler’s 5th grade room that have been helping build positive, social connections with the students in Mrs. Boutni's class.

Dorr has a group of Bus and Hall Ambassadors that assist with dismissal every day. In rain, cold temps, or missing buses, our younger students rely on them to help out while boarding the bus.

These are our two outstanding Bus Ambassador Captains Phoebe Steffler and Lincoln Bredeweg.

We are excited to spotlight one of our AMAZING Steeby Volunteers, Karie Kennedy! Karie dedicates her time to building strong, meaningful relationships with our students across every corner of our school—from the classroom and during lunch, to the playground. Her warm spirit and genuine care create an environment where our students feel supported and valued.

Our students and staff are incredibly thankful for Karie’s commitment and the positive impact she makes every day. Thank you, Karie, for all that you do!

8th grade students have entered the weather unit in their science classrooms. On Wednesday, February 26th, students created models for two different air pressure systems, showing both the top and side view. Students were asked to consider air pressure and the direction while creating their models. Afterwards, students utilized the models to answer their homework question, "Which pressure system makes clouds stay in the air?"

Congratulations to our Wayland Middle School and Pine Street students that participated in the Allegan County Spelling Bee on Tuesday! Logan Bush, Amara Shaffer, Mackenzie Schwartz, Lorelei Miller, AJ Winters and Emmett Katje all did an amazing job representing Wayland!

A big congratulations to 5th grader, Emmett Katje who came in first place, competing against 4th-8th graders from across the county. He will now move on to compete at the regional bee held in Grand Rapids in March. Way to go Emmett! We are so proud of you!

Ms. Iehl's class had a bowling & pizza party with their LINKS. This is a part of our Unified Champs grant. They practiced bowling and had the chance to play some other games. They had lots of fun and are so grateful to have the opportunity to hang out together.

Steeby Elementary partnered with The Big Dipper in Wayland by doing a "Sprinkles of Kindness" project to make coffee sleeves with kindness messages for our community. February's character trait focus is kindness, so this was a great way to sprinkle kindness! For the next month or two, these uplifting reminders will be on hot beverages at The Big Dipper!

• Friday, February 28th, Boys Varsity Wrestling, TBA
• Friday, February 28th, Varsity Bowling, TBA
• Friday, February 28th, Boys Varsity Swim, 12:30pm, Away at Ottawa Hills
• Friday, February 28th, Boys Varsity Basketball, 7pm, TBA
• Saturday, March 1st, Boys Varsity Wrestling, TBA
• Saturday, March 1st, Boys Varsity Swim, 4pm, Away at Ottawa Hills
• Monday, March 3rd, Start of Third Trimester
• Monday, March 3rd, MS Wrestling, 4pm, Away at TK
• Monday, March 3rd, WEPA Meeting, 6:30pm, Steeby Library
• Tuesday, March 4th, Boys Varsity Swim, TBA, Away at Holland
• Tuesday, March 4th, Girls 8th Basketball, 4pm, Home
• Tuesday, March 4th, Girls 7th Basketball, 4pm, Away at Byron Center
• Tuesday, March 4th, 5th Grade Music Concert, 6pm & 7:30pm, FAC
• Tuesday, March 4th, Dorr PTO Meeting, 6:30pm, Dorr Elementary
• Wednesday, March 5th, Girls 7th Basketball, 4pm, Home
• Wednesday, March 5th, Girls 8th Basketball, 4pm, Away at Caledonia
• Wednesday, March 5th, Girls Varsity Basketball, 7pm, Away at Holland Christian
• Thursday, March 6th, Girls 8th Basketball, 4pm, Home
• Thursday, March 6th, Girls 7th Basketball, 4pm, Away at Caledonia
• Thursday, March 6th, Family Reading Night, 6pm, Dorr Elementary