Category Archives: Education

Looking to the future, Michigan Sen. Peters leads effort to protect NASA’s Apollo landing sites

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Edgar Mitchell sets up an Apollo lunar surface experiments package made up of a set of scientific instruments placed at the landing site. (NASA/Alan Shepard)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

With all the overpowering noise of the recent presidential election cycle, the good and bad news of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mixed-reaction to Wonder Woman 1984, it was easy to miss the news that our children’s children may well be visiting a “Moon park”, of sorts, in the future.
   

In a late December, the office of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan), announced that The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill introduced by Sen. Peters and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to permanently protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon.

The One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act would enact first-of-its-kind legal protections for the Apollo sites by making NASA’s preservation recommendations a requirement for future activities on the Moon. After passing both the house and senate, it was signed by outgoing President Donald Trump on Dec. 31 and is now law.

Apollo 17 mission commander Eugene A. Cernan makes a short checkout of the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the early part of the first Apollo 17 extravehicular activity at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. This view of the lunar rover prior to loadup was taken by Harrison H. Schmitt, Lunar Module pilot. The mountain in the right background is the east end of South Massif. (NASA/

The legislation directs NASA to require future moon activities to follow its preservation recommendations, and honors the over 400,000 scientists, designers, and researchers who contributed to the Apollo programs, including NASA’s “Hidden Figures” like Katherine Johnson — an African American mathematician who worked at NASA for 35 years and calculated the trajectory of the Apollo 11 flight to the moon as well the trajectories for the spaceflights of astronauts John Glenn and Alan Shepard.

“As a former astronaut in the Apollo program, it is fitting that one of humanities’ greatest collective achievements should be preserved for future generations to learn about and be inspired by,” A.W. “Tony” England, an astronaut during the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs and now a professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, said in supplied material. The act “will honor Apollo’s invaluable legacy of innovation, collaboration, and determination and preserve it for future generations.”

Congressional support for protections

Sen. Peters has long been an advocate for NASA and America’s space technology programs.

“As a child, I watched the achievements of the Apollo missions with excitement about what is possible when we come together with a common goal,” Sen. Peters said in supplied material. “I was proud to author this bipartisan legislation to preserve for all of humanity the incredible achievements of the Apollo astronauts on the Moon.”

Sen. Peters has also led other efforts in Congress to support American space exploration. In September 2020, Peters’ bipartisan bill to strengthen the nation’s ability to predict and mitigate severe space weather events and mitigate their harmful impacts on Earth wa signed by President Trump. In addition, Peters’ bipartisan bill to help authorize and set priorities for NASA and the nation’s space exploration mission was signed into law in 2017.

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act also had bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The Apollo landing sites mark one of humanity’s greatest achievements: the first time we were able to do more than look up at the sky, but actually leave our planet and visit another world,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Oklahoma), of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. “The One Small Step Act maintains these historic sites while encouraging the spirit of exploration that got us to the Moon. I’m proud to sponsor this bill to honor our historical achievements, and I look forward to the time when we can return humans to the Moon and continue the mission of discovery and learning that the Apollo astronauts began.”

International support for protections

Sen. Peters and the other bill authors worked closely with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who negotiated similar provision in the Artemis Accords and expressed his support for protecting the historic lunar sites in a 2019 Senate hearing, just before the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.

Lunar module pilot James Irwin works at the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the first Apollo 15 lunar surface extravehicular activity at the Hadley-Apennine landing site. The shadow of the Lunar Module “Falcon” is in the foreground. This view is looking northeast, with Mount Hadley in the background. This photograph was taken by mission commander David Scott. (NASA)

According to the NASA website, NASA’s Artemis program has a goal to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024, “heralding in a new era for space exploration and utilization.” While NASA is leading the Artemis program, international partnerships formalized with the Artemis Accords “will play a key role in achieving a sustainable and robust presence on the Moon while preparing to conduct a historic human mission to Mars.

“With numerous countries and private sector players conducting missions and operations in cislunar space, it’s critical to establish a common set of principles to govern the civil exploration and use of outer space,” NASA states.

The Artemis Accords will “describe a shared vision for principles,” grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to create a safe and transparent environment which facilitates exploration, science, and commercial activities for all of humanity to enjoy.

“As we go forward to the Moon with the Artemis Program, NASA has been clear that we must do so sustainably,” said Bridenstine in supplied material. “As part of the Artemis Accords agreements signed with partner nations, NASA has emphasized that protecting historically significant sites is critical, and I applaud the leaders of this legislation for their commitment to ensuring that future lunar science and exploration is done in a safe and transparent manner.”

The nations that have signed the Artemis Accords include, in alphabetical order, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Noticeably absent in the initial list of signatories are Israel, Russia, China and India — all with working space programs.
 

Among the principles of the Artemis Accords are focusing on peaceful exploration, conducting activities in a transparent fashion to avoid confusion and conflicts, rendering assistance to personnel in distress, public release of scientific information, extracting and utilizing space resources in safe and sustainable exploration, planning for the safe disposal of debris.

“Fundamentally, the Artemis Accords will help to avoid conflict in space and on Earth by strengthening mutual understanding and reducing misperceptions,” Mike Gold, NASA acting associate administrator for international and interagency relations, said in supplied material. “Transparency, public registration, deconflicting operations – these are the principles that will preserve peace … The Artemis journey is to the Moon, but the destination of the Accords is a peaceful and prosperous future.”

Award-winning journalist gives virtual keynote address for King commemoration event

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Yamiche Alcindor, award-winning journalist and White House correspondent for PBS Newshour, will give the keynote address during West Michigan’s commemoration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Yamiche Alcindor (GVSU)

The virtual program on Monday, Jan. 18, will run from 6:30-8 p.m. It is free and open to the public; register online to receive a link to the Zoom webinar. More information about Alcindor is below. The event will also introduce area high school scholarship recipients and include short welcomes from college presidents and community leaders.

Alcindor’s address, “The Legacy of MLK: Purpose, Truth and Justice,” is sponsored by Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University, with key support from Spectrum Health, Consumers Energy, and Warner Norcross and Judd LLP.

On the 35th anniversary of this community event, GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella said she is pleased the higher education partners teamed to bring Alcindor to the community.

“Dr. King’s legacy invites all of us to commit ourselves to fighting systemic racism by supporting the Black community and elevating their voices and experiences of yesterday, today and tomorrow,” Mantella said. “Together, we as a nation have work to do.”

Bill Pink, president of GRCC, said: “Each year we come together as a community to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. We recognize his achievements, his life and his message. But it is also a time for us to take a hard look at ourselves and our community. We can appreciate how far we have come while still focusing on the long road ahead. The events of 2020 show we have much to do. Our annual celebration can inspire us to do that work together.”

 

Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University, said he is grateful the campus partners honor the legacy of King and are “renewed in our commitment to provide equitable and inclusive experiences across our campuses.”

 

“Together, we are teaching and shaping tomorrow’s leaders to build each other up, show others compassion, speak out against racism and violence and rally together for what is right,” Pappas said.

Alcindor joined PBS NewsHour in 2018. She began her journalism career at Newsday in New York and several years later was named a political correspondent for NBC and MSNBC. During the 2020 presidential election, Alcindor became a go-to voice in analyzing the nation’s most critical issues.

Alcindor has received the White House Correspondents’ Association Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage and the 2020 National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year Award.

More information about Alcindor, the Jan. 18 event and other GVSU events to commemorate King’s life are online at gvsu.edu/mlk.

Kentwood commissioner Bridson talks with ‘Wounds’ author Razel Jones in WKTV studios

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Razel Jones, co-author of “Wounds”, in a Facebook Live Zoom discussion recorded in WKTV studios. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

City of Kentwood City Commisioner Emily Bridson recently visited the WKTV studios for a Facebook Live Zoom discussion with Razel Jones, co-author of “Wounds”. And that discussion is now available on-demand via WKTVlive.org.

The discussion focused on how communities faced with racial and social disparities can rise above their differences, their difficulties, and find a “Common Unity” — the title of the discussion.

Emily Bridson, during a Zoom interview in WKTV’s studios. (WKTV)

“Kentwood’s diversity is one of our many strengths and opportunities as a changing city in the heart of West Michigan,” Bridson said prior to WKTV about the event. “Razel and I will discuss the humanistic-side of our actions and the sometimes unintended impact that results. Listen along as we continue on our anti-racist journey.”

“Community Unity” will air on WKTV Community Media’s cable channels, on WKTV Government Channel 26 on, Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8:10 p.m., and on Saturday, Jan. 9, at noon. It will also air on WKTV Community Channel 25 on Jan. 13 at noon. Other days and times are also planned.

WKTV programs air on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). Short form WKTV video programs are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos, with long-form videos on-demand at WKTVLive.org under categories such as Government Meetings, Special Events and Sports.

South Christian football returns to practice with extensive testing protocol requirements

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The South Christian High School football team returns to practice Wednesday, Dec. 30, after mandated COVOD-19 testing was completed. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When Grand Rapids South Christian High School’s football team returned to the practice field Wednesday, in preparation for its hoped-for return to the Sailors’ Division 4 playoffs with a regional final game Jan. 9, 2021, coaches and players actually had two playbooks to follow.

One is the on-field playbook put together by head coach Danny Brown and his staff as they prepare the team for a road game against the Edwardsburg Eddies. The second is an even more extensive COVID-19 testing playbook which the team will have to follow to the letter to practice, let alone get back to competition.

Following extensive COVID-19 rapid testing instructions laid out by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) — including an 14-page “how to” of use for the BinaxNOW antigen tests by kit maker Abbott — the Sailors’ athletic department and school staff begin their first round of testing this week.

As with all fall sports teams preparing to return to action, if all players, coaches and personnel test negative through the first round of testing, they may proceed with full-contact practices as early as Dec. 31.

“Our players and coaches are looking forward to getting back on the field with another opportunity to finish our season,” South Christian athletic director David Kool said to WKTV. “We realize the only way we can accomplish this is by participating in the pilot testing program. The MHSAA and the MDHHS have clearly outlined their expectations and have given very sound guidance on the process so we are ready to begin the testing on Wednesday.”

The testing went well on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and the team began practice later in the day.

A graphic for Abbott BinaxNOW test. (Abbott)

Testing kits came this week

The MDHHS Testing Pilot Program for Organized Sports, which the Sailors are part of, involves the MDHHS, the MHSAA, all of the schools choosing to restart fall sports, and local health departments. It is available to student athletes in girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and football “who have already qualified or begun competing in MHSAA postseason championship games and meets within the regular Fall 2020 season,” the MHSAA states.

Also according to the MHSAA, the testing pilot program is “an opportunity for student athletes to finish out their seasons through rigorous COVID-19 antigen (rapid) testing. By agreeing to frequent rapid testing and other COVID-19 safety precautions, student athletes, coaches, and staff who are symptom-free and continue to test negative for COVID-19 can participate.”

In addition to providing a way for student athletes to complete their competitions, according to the MHSAA, if successful “this pilot provides an opportunity for public health and schools to assess an antigen testing strategy for students and staff, paving the way for a broader school testing protocol and the safe reopening of K-12 schools.”

“We’re excited about this opportunity for our remaining football playoff teams to return to play and thankful to the MDHHS for the opportunity to take part in this pilot program,” MHSAA’s Geoff Kimmerly said to WKTV. “Boxes of tests departed from our building Monday to give teams the opportunity to begin testing and full practice again Wednesday, and we are working with MDHHS to answer questions and provide training in administering these tests.

“This is the avenue forward for our teams wishing to complete the football season, and we’re confident the testing process will go smoothly and allow them to do so,” Kimmerly said.

And that “avenue forward,” just getting a chance to finish their season, is all that South Christian wants.

“January 9 (game day) is going to be a fun day for all involved,” Kool said. The hoped-for return to the field “has been a much anticipated day, and our athletes and coaches are going to be ready to go.”

American art in new, ‘Native’ context on display at Muskegon Museum of Art

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Jonathan Thunder, “Quarantine at Gramma’s House”. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Just as it is nearly impossible to categorize “contemporary art” in the new millennium, it is also of little value to label contemporary Native American art as realistic or abstract, as idealistic or fatalistic.

As evidenced by three exhibitions of contemporary works by Native American artists currently on view at the Muskegon Museum of Art this winter, Native American art and artists defy labels and categories.

Jason Quigno (Supplied)

The MMA’s major show, opened earlier this month, is “The Art of the People: Contemporary Anishinaabe Artists”, is organized by the MMA in partnership with the Grand Valley State University Art Department. But just as intriguing is the MMA’s exhibits “Jim Denomie: Challenging the Narrative” and “Levi Rickert: Standing Rock — Photographs of an Indigenous Movement”.

The three exhibits will be up though February, 2021.

The Art of the People

“The Art of the People: Contemporary Anishinaabe Artists”, according to an announcement from the Muskegon Museum of Art, features artwork by both nationally recognized and “early career” contemporary Native American artists “in a wide array of media that combines cultural traditions, imagery, and themes.”

The invitational show will appear concurrently at the MMA and Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, and incorporates sculpture, painting, ceramics, beadwork, mixed media, and photography.

“The exhibition explores the ways in which these artists express their experiences in both traditional and non-traditional media, techniques, and subject matter,” according to the announcement. “Through representational and abstract imagery and design, the artists address issues of craft, history, identity, social and political justice, and popular culture.”

Jason Quigno is the guest curator, and is a sculptor and member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. According to supplied information, he works in a variety of stone —granite, basalt, marble, limestone, and alabaster — “transforming raw blocks into flowing forms.” His work has garnered significant recognition and awards and he has completed numerous public commissions for communities and institutions around Michigan.

Exhibiting artists in the show also include Le’Ana Asher, Adam Avery, Shirley Brauker, Kelly Church, Wally Dion, Dino Downwind, Cherish Parrish, Jonathan Thunder, Robin Waynee, and Jason Wesaw.

The exhibition runs through Feb. 28, at the Muskegon Museum of Art and opens in January 2021 at the GVSU Art Gallery.

Challenging the Narrative

“Jim Denomie: Challenging the Narrative”, organized by the MMA, features new and favorite paintings by Denomie, a nationally known and award winning Anishinaabe artist, which reveal “the continuity and ongoing explorations” within his work.

Jim Denomie, “Four Days and Four Nites Two Moons”. (Supplied)

“His colorful, humorous paintings directly address historical, political, and cultural issues facing Native Americans in the U.S.,” according to the announcement. “Using traditional imagery, stereotypes, comic symbols, and pop culture imagery, Denomie presents playful, alluring narratives that, on closer inspection, reveal biting and thought-provoking challenges to historic and contemporary misperceptions, prejudices, and injustices.”

The exhibition runs through March 10, 2021. For more information, visit his website here.

Standing Rock photographs

“Levi Rickert: Standing Rock, Photographs of an Indigenous Movement”, is a collection of photographs which document Rickert’s journey to Standing Rock in 2016 as part of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

Photograph at Standing Rock by Levi Rickert (Supplied)

“These images capture not just the news-making conflicts and clashes between protestors and private security firms at the site, but also the day-to-day experiences of the men and women joined in their shared call for action,” according to the announcement.

Levi Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online.

This exhibition runs through February 28, 2021.

The Muskegon Museum of Art

The Muskegon Museum of Art galleries and store are open 11 a.m. to  4 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, and closed Mondays. Safety protocols include limited occupancy in galleries and other public spaces, social distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and requiring visitors and staff to wear masks.

For more information visit muskegonartmuseum.org.

WKTV Sports Connection checks in with East Kentwood wrestling, hockey teams waiting for action

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East Kentwood High School wresting co-head coach Eric Foster visits the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (Falcons’ hockey head coach Phil Sweeney’s interview is later in this story.)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, as part of our continuing series of shows focused on different local high schools’ sports departments, we check in with the East Kentwood wrestling and hockey teams — both of which are dealing with pandemic-related restrictions and continued uncertainty.

Visiting the WKTV studios earlier this month were Falcon’s wresting co-head coach Eric Foster, and then hockey head coach Phil Sweeney. We talk with coach Foster and coach Sweeney about how their Falcon coaching staffs and teams are coping with the current pause in high school athletics, and about coaching in these unprecedented times.

But we also look ahead with hope, for lower COVID-19 numbers and the continuation of the current resumption of high school athletics — see a story on fall sports returning here — and we also get a peek from the coaches at their teams’ outlook for the 2020-21 season.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection, with this latest episode hosted by WKTV volunteer Cory Dalton, brings its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, both on cable television and on our on-demand and YouTube channels. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting wktvjournal.com/sports.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTVlive.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

After COVID-19 pause, South Christian football back on practice field prepping for Regional final

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South Christian High School had their football team’s playoff drive halted in mid-November, after this game with Hamilton. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After a state-mandated five-week “pause” in the state high school football playoffs, the South Christian High School Sailors are back on the practice field today and preparing for a regional final game at Edwardsburg on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021.

With action by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Dec. 18, announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and resulting action by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) on that same day, football and two other high school fall sports are allowed to resume practice in preparation of finishing their seasons.

David Kool, South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

“I have had a virtual meeting with the team since the news was announced and they are very excited,” Danny Brown, South Christian head football coach, said to WKTV. “I think excitement might be an understatement. We are also thankful for the opportunity to get closure on our season. These kids have sacrificed a lot to get us to this point and it is awesome they will have the chance to see their season all the way to the end.”

The Sailors (8-1, and 3-0 in the playoffs), have not played since Nov. 13, when they defeated Hamilton in a regional semifinal, and are scheduled to travel to Edwardsburg (8-0) for the regional final.

The MDHSS and Gov. Whitmer in mid-November, responding to COVID-19 pandemic statistical surges, banned in-school education for high schools and, as a result, put football, volleyball and girls swimming and diving teams into hiatus as their fall tournaments were in process.

The November order also put a pause on winter sports practices and competitions, including girls and boys basketball. Last week’s changes of state health department and MHSAA directions does not allow for resumption of basketball and other winter sports at this time.

A key element in resuming winter sports will likely be how the fall sports competitions operate with new pandemic related “rapid testing” protocols.

According to a MHSAA statement on Dec. 18. “teams and individuals still participating in tournament play will be allowed to do so as part of an MDHHS pilot rapid testing program designed to gain insight and collect data on the spread of COVID-19 as the MDHHS plans to provide expanded rapid testing availability to schools in January.”

At this point, the details of that rapid testing protocol are yet to come from the MDHSS and the MHSAA.

David Kool, South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

“We don’t know the specifics yet of the pilot testing program that is going to be mandatory for our athletes but we look forward to complying with the MHSAA and MDHHS on this,” David Kool, South Christian athletic director said to WKTV. “We realize this is the only thing that gives the kids a chance to finish their season and we are really happy about that.”

The uncertainty is not diminishing the anticipation for the resumption of the Sailor’s state title drive, however.

“We are thrilled that the MHSAA announced the restart of the football playoffs,” Kool said. “Coach Brown, along with the rest of the staff and players, cannot wait to take the field on January 2nd at Edwardsburg. Amidst all of this chaos, this is a special opportunity that these kids will never forget and we are blessed to have another chance at finishing this season.”

And, after waiting more than a month not knowing if they would even get a change to get back on the field, coach Brown says his staff and team are ready for whatever comes.

“The testing part adds a whole new element to the situation but we are willing to do whatever it takes to get to the finish line,” Brown said.

Details of initial MHSAA restart plans

According both MHSAA Dec. 18 statement, football playoffs will begin Saturday, Jan. 2, with regional finals for 11-player teams and semifinals for 8-player teams. The 8-player championship games in both divisions and all 11-player semifinals will be played Saturday, Jan. 9. The football season will conclude with the 11-player finals in all divisions the weekend of Jan. 15-16. All semifinals in both 11 and 8-player will be played at home sites. Sites for championship games will be finalized and announced later.

In addition, the girls volleyball tournament will begin again with quarterfinals on Jan. 5, with semifinals and finals to be played Jan. 7-9 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Also, the girls swimming and diving finals with return with its three Lower Peninsula finals competed during the weekend of Jan. 15-16, with one division at each of three locations.

“All previous safety protocols remain in place, and no spectators will be allowed at the fall tournament events,” according to the MHSAA statement. And “all indoor Winter sports — which are not part of the pilot rapid testing program — remain on pause from the MDHHS until Jan. 16, although girls and boys alpine skiing season — competed outdoors and following safety protocols including all activity must be outdoors — will be allowed to begin practice Monday, Dec. 21.”

The MHSAA Representative Council is expected to meet Tuesday, Dec. 22, to discuss details for the rest of winter sports. And all Spring 2021 sports are expected to begin on time and play complete seasons concluding with their traditional MHSAA tournament dates in May and June.

Bethany Christian, part of Community Violence Prevention team, on new episode of WKTV Journal In Focus

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

During a recent visit to the studio of WKTV Journal In Focus, we talked with Antonio (Tony) Evans, a vocational trainer for Bethany Christian Services of Michigan, about the history of Bethany and some of its West Michigan services — especially its upcoming work funded by a Kent County Community Violence Prevention Grant.

But for Evans, it is clear that his work for Bethany Christian Services is more than simply providing any one service or fulfilling one grant action requirement.

“In order to work for Bethany Christian, in order to work for Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, it’s not a job, it’s a way of life,” Evans said to WKTV. “You have to be entrenched in it. … Our center is one of those spots where, whatever you need, we are going to help you.”

Bethany Christian Services of Michigan, part of a national group with several West Michigan locations including in Wyoming and Kentwood, has been approved for a Community Violence Prevention grant of nearly $150,000 to, quoting from the group’s application, “take a multi-acton approach at crime prevention by increasing opportunities, information, and activities to those within the south Grand Rapids’ 49507 zip code” — an area that borders both Wyoming and Kentwood.

For more information about Bethany Christian Services, visit bethany.org.

Antonio (Tony) Evans, left, a vocational trainer for Bethany Christian Services of Michigan, recently visited the set of WKTV Journal In Focus and talked with host Ken Norris. (WKTV)

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

County, aiding parents as well as children, allocates latest round of Ready by Five early childhood millage grants

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Ready by Five early childhood support programs are funded by a countywide milage passed in 2018 and provides programs that improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age five. (First Steps Kent)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The goal of the ongoing Ready by Five early childhood support programs, funded by a countywide milage passed in 2018, is to provide “dedicated and sustainable funding for programs that improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age five.”

And a key element of achieving that goal — to “increase their likelihood of success in school and beyond” — is to get parental involvement for the various Ready by Five programs, especially within at-risk families.

So, acting last week on the recommendation of First Steps Kent, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved allocation of nearly $6 million in Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage funds with the largest among them going to a group working to gain engagement of the parents involved with the Child Welfare System.
 

The West Michigan Partnership for Children’s Parent Engagement Program — which includes efforts at “engaging, involving and equipping parents involved with the Child Welfare System” — was awarded just over $600,000 for a two-year funding cycle.

In all, $5,775,015 in Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage funds were allocated for 2021. The millage is funded by a .25 mil property tax increase passed in 2018 that was expected to generate about $5.7 million a year from 2019 to 2024.

A Ready by Five kid, preparing for the future. (First Steps Kent)

“Our Board is committed to assuring these funds are distributed equitably throughout the county,” Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt said to WKTV. “The Ready by Five millage was voted on by Kent County residents who confirmed that it is imperative we embrace the diverse needs of our community.”

The review process included action by the Ready by Five Resident Proposal Review Board, which included members of the Board of Commissioners, Phil Skaggs and Monica Sparks, as well as Dr. Juan Olivarez, of First Steps Kent Commission; Sandra Ghoston-Jones, of the Kent County Administrator’s Office; and early childhood expert  Joanne Kelty.

Another example of seeking to gain parental involvement in all levels of the Ready by Five effort is that the proposal review board includes four diverse “Parent Representatives” from different parts of Kent County.

“I am honored to serve on the Ready by Five Review Board,” Kent County Commissioner Sparks said to WKTV. “This is a very serious commitment as it will have a measurable and lasting impact on our children and families. We are working very hard to provide equitable resources to ensure the future success of our entire community.”

In total, the Ready by Five Resident Proposal Review Committee reviewed 18 proposals submitted to First Steps Kent for this funding cycle, and recommended funding 12. The latest recommended amounts are in addition to the 27 contracts currently in place with service providers.

In addition to the West Michigan Partnership for Children’s funding of $600,900 ($294,924 in fiscal year 2021 and $305,976 in 2022), another notable allocation was a Fetal Infant Mortality Review project by the Kent County Health Department ($264,005 over two years), and interpretation and translation services contracts with Bethany Christian Services, Hispanic Center of West Michigan and Liaison Linguistics ($210,000, with $70,000 each over two years).

First Steps Kent will receive $396,399.95 for administration of Ready by Five programs in 2021. First Steps Kent is, according to its website, “an independent nonprofit organization that works with parents, service providers, funders, advocates, and other stakeholders to build a comprehensive early childhood system in Kent County.”

For more information on First Steps Kent and Ready by Five, visit firststepskent.org.

When it comes to high school sports, state’s decision to allow resumption ‘guided by the data’

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South Christian High School had their football team’s playoff drive halted in mid-November, after this game with Hamilton. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When it comes to COVID-19 related restrictions, or allowances, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer often says her and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ decisions are “guided by the data.”

So as high school athletic departments across the state, including those in the Kentwood and Wyoming area, await an expected modification by Gov. Whitmer and the MDHHS of the current “pause” in competition and most practices, WKTV asked about the data — the numbers.

The MDHHS and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) both responded, with numbers which might be viewed as telling a somewhat different story.

“There have been 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September,” according to a MDHHS statement prior to the Nov. 15 pause in athletics, along with indoor restaurant service and other COVID-19 related restrictions.

And “we do continuously track data on outbreaks, including outbreaks associated with high school sports, and we know that there continued to be high school sports associated outbreaks in (October and November),” Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the MDHHS, said to WKTV this week.

But those “outbreaks” did not prevent high school sports teams across the state from safely completing the vast majority of scheduled contests, according to MHSAA numbers given to WKTV. Even in a sport considered by the state to be “high risk” — football — with nearly 600 teams playing on any given week the percentage of games not played due to COVID-19 outbreaks was never more than 4.1 percent and was under  3 percent five out of nine weeks of competition.

“Our schools, with athletic directors monitoring activities and trained coaches teaching their athletes best practices and holding them to high standards, have for the large part been able to keep their teams competing and free of infection this fall,”  MHSAA spokesperson Geoff Kimmerly said to WKTV this week. “We have maintained from the start of fall that schools are best equipped to provide athletics in the safest-possible environment, and we’re eager to restart our fall and winter seasons following the precautions that have been successful so far.”

(The complete data chart supplied my the MHSAA is at the end of this story.)

The MHSAA’s opinion on the effectiveness of high school sports programs’ COVID-19 safety efforts was echoed by David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, which had their football team’s so-far successful playoff drive halted in mid-November.

“Our staff and players have done a tremendous job navigating through this pandemic,” Kool said this week to WKTV. “The support and leadership from our coaches has been and will continue to be phenomenal. … We have followed the protocols and guidelines put on us to the best of our ability throughout the fall and now into the winter. We all realize that gives us the best chance for the student athletes to do what they love to do, which is to compete.”

MDHHS and athletics numbers

The MDHHS, in response to a questions about how much of a COVID-19 spreader problem high school sports has been this fall and early winter, referenced its late October update of its Interim Guidance for Contact Sports, which noted:

“There have been 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September of 2020. Outbreaks of this magnitude have the potential to affect more than just a sports team, but the community in which the players and coaches reside as well.”

The document also noted that contact sports are particularly concern, saying, “Given the available epidemiological data with concerning rising cases of COVID-19, contact sports such as football and wrestling pose a high risk of transmitting COVID-19 to athletes, coaches, and the general community, and should be avoided at this time.”

But under the mid-November order, while high school sports competitions and team practices were restricted, the MDHHS stated: “Gyms will remain open for individual exercise with strict safety measures in place. … (and) Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators, however all other organized sports must stop.”

And what’s next for high school athletics?

And what will drive Gov. Whitmer and the MDHHS’s decision to continue restrictions on, or allow resumption of, high school sports?

“As MDHHS’s order pausing gatherings for 3 weeks expires Dec. 8, we are reviewing the COVID-19 data and will make decisions on high school sports and other gatherings based on what that data shows us,” the MDHHS spokesperson said.

“We understand why the state health department paused activities for three weeks — we all have the same hopes for reducing COVID-19,” MHSAA’s Kimmerly said. “But we believe we have a good story to tell, and that we can continue to play a major role in keeping high school athletes safe while providing them a meaningful experience during this difficult time.”

And so local  high school athletic departments, coaches and athletes await the decision and guidance from the Governor, MDHHS and the MHSAA.

“Each and every day we are trying to do everything we can to give our student athletes as many opportunities as we can,” South Christian’s Kool said. “We are hopeful that we will be given the green light to continue with athletics on Wednesday, December 9 and look forward to being back in action.”

WKTV’s 20th Annual Turkey Bowl cable channel fest returns Thanksgiving Day

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The Wyoming high Wolves lineup in the Red Zone in a game against Zeeland West Sept. 18. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Despite COVID-19 restrictions on fans in the stands, WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew was all over Wyoming and Kentwood to cover local football teams.

And as every year, high school sports fans can get their Turkey Day high school football fix this year as we broadcast 15 hours of games on our cable Channel 25.

The special starts at 9 a.m., highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule of games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel, at WKTVLive.org ) is as follows:

9 a.m. — Zeeland West at Wyoming high.  On-Demand

11:05 a.m. — Grandville at East Kentwood. On-Demand

1:40 p.m. — Belding at Godwin. On-Demand

4:05 p.m. — Jenison at East Kentwood. On-Demand

6:30 p.m. — Catholic Central at South Christian. On-Demand

8:40 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff Hamilton at Godwin. On-Demand

10:35 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff Hamilton at South Christian. On-Demand

With our Thanksgiving Day football fest, WKTV’s fall sports season comes to an end, but we are already planning on winter coverage of basketball and more.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

WKTV Sports Connection checks in with Wyoming high basketball teams waiting for action

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Wyoming high boys basketball coach Tom Vander Klay visits the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (Wolves girls coach Troy Mast’s interview is later in this story.)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, as part of our continuing series of shows focused on different local high school and their sports departments, we check in with the Wyoming High School Wolves basketball teams — both of which were already dealing with pandemic-related restrictions even before the latest state and MHSAA orders.

Visiting the WKTV studios last week (and before this week’s Michigan High School Athletic Association additional temporary restrictions on practices and competitions) are two coaches who have long histories of coaching and coaching success in Wyoming Public Schools, head boys basketball coach Thom Vander Klay and head girls basketball coach Troy Mast.

Both Vander Klay — who had his outstanding 2019-20 team’s season cut short by COVID-19 early this year — and Mast talk with WKTV volunteers Mike Moll and Paul Kabelman about how their teams are handling COVID-19 restrictions, their opinions of the Wolves’ shift of conferences from the OK Gold to OK Green, and a preseason outlook for their 2020-21 teams.

But we also reached out to the coaches this week, on Nov. 17, to see what the latest round of restrictions mean to their programs.

“Currently, we are completely paused for 3 weeks with no team practices or in-person meetings allowed,” Mast said to WKTV. “This is putting our team further behind where we are normally at this time of year.

“However, our job is to be ready when we are allowed to get back to work. Our kids will be excited to get back into the gym ASAP and looking forward to competing against each other in practice in preparation for whatever schedule is put in front of us.”

The Wolves girls were scheduled to start competition Dec. 1 at home against Comstock Park, but that game has even cancelled, along with a home game Dec. 4 against Forest Hills Central and a road game Dec. 8 at South Christian. Dec. 8 also would have been the night of the Wolves boys team’s first game, which would have had the Sailors visiting Wyoming.

“At this point the boys will be able to start tryouts Dec. 8 unless the state tells us differently and/or extends its order. That would have been the date of our season opener against SC (South Christian),” Vander Klay said to WKTV. “So we will have tryouts, get our rosters set on each level and then prepare as quickly as possible for competition.

“Of course, we cannot scrimmage other teams before we play so that will be interesting as those preseason scrimmages reveal so much about the players and the team — and what the coach needs to work on. … My guess is that early game results will be much different than games at the end of the year.”


WKTV Journal Sports Connection, with this latest episode hosted by WKTV volunteer Cory Dalton, brings its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, both on cable television and on our on-demand and YouTube channels. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting wktvjournal.com/sports.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTVlive.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Local high school teams see title aspirations put on hold by MHSAA after new state pandemic order

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) made clear this week that this week’s action to suspend the three remaining fall sports championship competitions was just that: a “suspension” and not a “cancellation.”

But by any definition, local high school athletic teams readying this week to continue their drives for state titles are at least on indefinite hold and at worst cancelled.

At East Kentwood High School, the girls swim team’s trip to the state swim finals this weekend is not going to happen. (See a WKTV video and story on the Falcons’s swim team here.)

And at South Christian, Coach Danny Brown’s football team will likely be idle for three weeks instead of playing a playoff game this week and getting shot at the 2020 Division 4 title.

“I feel terrible for the kids. They put so much into having a successful season and they keep getting knocked down,” Brown said to WKTV. “They are resilient and will get through this. My hope and prayer is we get to finish the season so these boys can get some closure on their season.”

Originally, the Sailors (8-1, including 3-0 in expanded playoff format games) were scheduled to play this Friday against Edwardsburg (8-0) in the regional finals, with the semifinals on Nov. 27 and the state finals scheduled for Dec. 4. (On Nov. 13, South Christian defeated Hamilton, 56-14, in the regional semifinals. WKTV was there with our featured game crew and the game is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.)

Now South Christian will have to wait until later this week to find out plans from the MHSAA on the possible restart of the fall season championships after the current 3-week suspension of activities to comply with a new state orders.

On Nov. 15, the MHSAA announced it was suspending fall tournaments for girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and football, and all winter practices and competitions scheduled to begin over the next three weeks “per the emergency order to pause activity announced Sunday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

“Our plan for all our fall tournaments is that they are suspended, they are not cancelled,” Mark Uyl, executive director of the MHSAA, said Monday, Nov. 16, in a Zoom press conference. “Our goal as we started off this new athletic year was that we were going to find a way to have three (high school sports) seasons in 2020 and 21. … Our goals and plans have not changed.”

A more extensive excerpt from a Monday press conference with Uyl is at the top of this story.
 

The MHSAA action not only suspends local teams’ title hopes, it is another delay in winter sports practices and competition — including boys and girls basketball. Full practices for basketball was scheduled to begin this week, with some girls teams taking to the court for games the first week of December.

COVID-19 drives Lee middle and high schools to go virtual until late January

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Lee Middle and High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools announced today that due to confirmed COVID-19 cases among the Lee middle and high schools populations, and in consultation with the Kent County Health Department and the district nurse from Spectrum Health, the two schools would move to virtual learning and continue that way until at least Jan. 22, 2021.

In a Nov. 13 letter to middle and high school families signed by superintendent Kevin Polston and posted on the district website, it was stated that “today, we learned of additional students with confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 at Lee Middle and High School. This past week, we have had 4 staff/students with confirmed cases, 125 students in quarantine, 7 staff in quarantine.

“In addition, the rise in cases and positivity rate, as well as decreasing hospital capacity are causes for concern for the safety of all community members.”

In response to the situation, the letter continues, the district will shift to virtual learning at Lee Middle and High School (both schools share a building) starting Monday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.

At this time, the district will keep Godfrey-Lee ECC and Godfrey Elementary School open for in-person instruction. In addition, student meals will be available for curbside pick-up at Lee Middle and High School on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the building’s gym entrance off of Havana Avenue.

Also, according to the letter, “any student that has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, or fatigue, or has been identified as a close contact should quarantine and is eligible for a COVID-19 test kit at school. There is no cost to the family and results have been returned in 24 hours or less.”
 

Students that need a test can schedule an appointment by calling the district at 616-452-3296.

As far as athletics are concerned, high school athletics will continue practices as scheduled. But middle school Winter I athletic competitions are paused, while practices will continue.

“Please do not hesitate to contact Lee Middle and High School with any questions or concerns at 616-452-3296,” the letter concludes.

For more information visit Godfrey-Lee.org. To read a Spanish language version of the letter, fro the website click on Lee Update 11/13/20.



Kentwood Public Schools superintendent Zoerhoff to retire at end of school year

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Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff has announced that at the end of this school year he will retire after 33 years as a teacher, coach, principal and district administrator — working with students all along. (Supplied/Kentwood Pubic Schools)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kentwood Public Schools announced this week that after 33 years of service in the district Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff plans to retire on June 30, 2021, at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year.

In the Nov. 12 announcement, Zoerhoff offered appreciation to the KPS Board of Education, the Kentwood community, district staff, and, of course, all the students he has worked with and for over the years.

Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public schools. (Supplied/KPS)

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve this community over the past thirty three years,” Superintendent Zoerhoff said in supplied material. “It is with a sense of sadness but also deep gratitude that I retire from this wonderful profession.”

In an industry where leaders frequently change school districts, Zoerhoff spent his entire 33-year career in Kentwood Public Schools, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and finally as superintendent, according to the announcement.

“When I began my career in 1988, I was proud to be a Kentwood Public Schools teacher,” he said. “Even at the end of my career, that pride of teaching still remains. I am proud to be a Kentwood educator and I am proud to work with such a talented and dedicated staff.”

Board, community support has been consistent 

“In an uncertain time, Mr. Zoerhoff has brought stable leadership to our community and our school system,” Mimi Madden, president of the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education, said in supplied material. “His consistent drive over the years to help all students receive an education of excellence has been a guiding light for students, parents, teachers and staff members.”

Zoerhoff, however, credited district success to students, staff and parents “working together for excellence,”  especially in community support to pass bonds and millages, which improved the facilities and increased safety.
 

“Our community understands the link between quality schools and safe and stable neighborhoods,” Zoerhoff said. “This community values both quality facilities and the hard work of our teachers and staff members.”

In addition to accepting Zoerhoff’s retirement announcement, the Board of Education will establish a superintendent search process.
 

“Listening and being responsive to our Kentwood community, both internal and external, has always been important,” Madden said. “This will continue during the Superintendent search process. In the coming month, we will establish a direction that maintains this tradition and identifies our next steps.”

Although Zoerhoff will be retiring as superintendent, his two children will continue to attend Kentwood Public Schools and his family plans to remain within the Kentwood community.

“I am confident that Kentwood Public Schools will continue to excel,” he said. “We are a thriving global community, a vibrant example of different perspectives and traditions growing and excelling together. Kentwood Public Schools has a very bright future.”

Responding to COVID-19 numbers, Wyoming Public Schools move to remote learning through end of month

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Wyoming Public Schools’ Gladiola Elementary School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra announced today, Nov. 12, that due to COVID-19 impacts all district in-person students will shift to remote learning immediately and the district will continue in that educational mode through the end of the month.

According to the district announcement, all Wyoming Public School buildings will close for in-person instruction at the end of the day on Thursday, Nov. 12, and plan to reopen on Monday, Nov. 30. All students attending school in-person will move to remote instruction with their teachers.

“Over the past week, we have been notified of over 20 new COVID-19 cases, and significantly increasing large numbers of individuals who are in self-quarantine across our school district,” the announcement states. “While many factors are considered when making this decision, the KCHD (Kent County Health Department) has recommended the District move to a remote learning environment … In addition to our concern for the health and safety of our students and staff, the high numbers of individuals affected has also impacted the availability of teaching staff, bus drivers, food service workers, and students coming to school.”

“Grab & Go” meals to be provided; safety urged

The school district’s food service program will provide “Grab & Go” meals for all students, on Tuesdays at two locations, Wyoming Junior High (2125 Wrenwood SW) and West Elementary (1840 38th Street SW). The Wyoming Junior High distribution will take place from 10:00 a.m until 12:00 p.m., and the West Elementary food distribution will run from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Seven days of student meals (breakfast and lunch) will be provided at that time.

“The decision to move to remote teaching and learning is not an easy one to make,” Hoekstra said in supplied material. “Our goal as a district, and community, is to have students remain engaged in in-person learning. While this temporary shift to remote learning may present challenges to students, staff, and families, my hope is that we are able to return to safe, in-person learning as soon as possible. It is important for us to work together, whether in school or in the community, to protect ourselves and others from becoming ill.”

WPS families are reminded to check their email and ParentVue accounts for additional updates.

Working with Kent County Health Department

The District announcement also urged all district families, students, and staff who experience symptoms, or who may have been exposed to COVID-19, to get tested and self-quarantine. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children for the onset of any symptoms related to COVID-19. If there is any change in your child’s health, please contact your medical provider.

The Kent County Health Department offers free COVID-19 screenings at multiple sites via appointment or walk-in. For more information visit KCHD’s website here.

The KCHD will continue its process for contact tracing and may contact at-risk individuals for further follow-up if it is determined that you are a “close contact”.

“The welfare of our staff, students and community is at the center of every decision we make,” the district announcement states. “Thank you for your continued understanding, support, and trust in Wyoming Public Schools to keep our students, staff and community as safe as possible.”
 

For more information on Wyoming Public Schools, visit wyomingps.org.

Goalkeeper Schepers’ clutch stops key South Christian semi-final shoot-out victory over Elk Rapids

Education, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,
South Christian High School boys soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Elk Rapids Nov. 4, in a MHSAA Division 3 state semifinal match. (WKTV/Luke Schrock)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

South Christian High School boys soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Elk Rapids Tuesday, Nov. 4, in a hard-fought MHSAA Division 3 state semifinal match at Cedar Springs high that was decided by a shootout.

The victory over the Elks (19-3-4) sends the Sailors (18-0-1) back to the state championship game for a rematch with Grosse Ile (19-1-1), the reigning state champions, set for noon Saturday at Novi. Last season, South Christian fell to the Red Devils in the finals, 2-1, in shootout.

In the game against Elk Rapids, both sides had chances early with two missed crosses for South Christian and a near headed goal by the Elks eventually leading to a foul in the box. Sailors senior Thom DeVries finally got his team on the board with a goal on a penalty kick in the 11th minute to put give the Sailors the early lead.

The South Christian fans also roared in the 14th minute as the injured senior Jeff Herrema entered the match with his first action since the district tournament final, where he created two penalty kicks but was eventually diagnosed with a separated shoulder.

The Elks had no answer in a back-and-forth affair until Elks senior Preston Ball found a pass wide open over the middle to tie the match in the 58th minute.

The first overtime almost gave Elk Rapids the lead when the stadium went quiet after a foul was called on South Christian in the box, giving Elk Rapid’s Mason Travis a penalty kick. The kick, however, was saved by South Christian keeper Nik Schepers.

Both sides worked, but at the end of overtime the score was tied at 1-1 and the shootout was set.

The shootout was back and forth in goals with the first pairing, Herrema and Elk Rapids Kadin Patterson, but the Elks couldn’t answer Thom DeVries’ make as Schepers saved his first ball and then shutdown Elk Rapids to secure the game. The Sailors won the shootout 3-1, to make the final score 2-1.
 

Head coach Jason Boersma loved the performance from his keeper, but poked him none-the-less after the game for giving up the regulation-time goal.

“Our keeper, I think he made up for it,” Boersma said WKTV. “He made three PK saves, which is just outlandish, and it’s what Nik does. He did it last year in this semi-final game against Ludington.”

And how did Scheper “do it”?

“I don’t even know how to describe how I guess penalties,” Schepers said, “I knew he was a right footer and he was shooting a lot from his right.”

Going back to the state championship also brings many emotions to Schepers — “I knew we were going to be back, it’s surreal,” he said.

Election 2020: Godfrey-Lee school district’s bond request approved; local school board results in

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Lee Middle and High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On the back side of a very crowded ballot, one local school bonding issue and several school board races were up for vote Nov. 3, with Godfrey-Lee Public Schools’ $17.8 million bonding proposal gaining approval and the only local contested school board race decided.

By a margin of 1,505 to 730, in unofficial (uncertified) results, voters in the Godfrey-Lee school district gave the district a 1.67 mill increase in local property tax rate which will allow it to borrow as much as $17.8 million over 30 years to modernize portions of its middle and high school that are nearly 100 years old, make repairs and improvements to a portion of the building which collapsed last year, and fund other district infrastructure work.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, staff, and students, I express sincere appreciation to our community for supporting the bond proposal to renovate and restore Lee Middle and High School,” district superintendent Kevin Polston said in a statement. “Quality schools are vital for quality communities. The investment and trust our community provided to Godfrey-Lee Public Schools will create a better learning environment for our students.”

The district statement detailed that a “major transformation” of Lee middle and high schools that will include air conditioning, accessibility for disabled, safety and security upgrades, new classrooms, a community wellness and resource center, and a new band room. (More information can be found at glpsbond2020.com/.)

“Godfrey-Lee takes the responsibility of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars seriously, and look forward to making good on the promise of enhanced school facilities for students,”  Polston said. “Our students deserve the very best learning environment to allow each and every student to live out their hopes and dreams through the education they receive at Godfrey-Lee. The improvements at Lee Middle and High School will transform our classrooms, provide flexible learning space, make the school more accessible, and enhance our performing arts program.”

Also in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district, the Board of Education had three candidates, two already serving the board, running for three full 6-year term positions. Reelected were David Blok, current board vice president, and Tammy Schafer, current board secretary. Cheryl L. Slaughter will be new to the board.

Other school board voting results

While nearly all the local public school districts had Board of Education candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot, only the Kentwood Public Schools board had contested seats to be voted on.

The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education had five candidates, four of them incumbents, running for four positions, all with 4-year terms. And all the incumbents won re-election. Mary (Mimi) Madden, current board president and the longest serving member of the board at 17 years, gained the most votes at 13,799. Angela Hovermale, current board trustee, gained 12,797 votes. Allen Young, current board vice president, gained 12,599 votes. Angie Forton, current board secretary, gained 12,703 votes. Leonica Riley Erwin, who was running to unseat one of four incumbents running for re-election, gained 11,366 votes.

The Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education had four candidates — two of which would be new to the board — running for four positions, three 6-year terms and one partial term. The two new-to-the-board candidates elected to full terms are Shannon Frick and Jessica A. Hanselman. Craig P. Popma, current board treasurer, was elected to a full term while Jeff Norton, current trustee, was elected to a partial term ending in December 2022.

The Kelloggsville Public Schools Board of Education had five candidates, all current board members, running for five positions, three 6-year terms and two partial terms. Marie Groters, current board vice president, and Tim Pomorski and Laura L. Tanis, both current trustees, were elected to full, 6-year terms. Debra Sellers, current trustee, was elected to a partial term ending December 2024, and Crystal Reidzans current board treasurer, was elected to a partial term ending December 2022.

The Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education had two candidates, both currently on the board, running for two full 6-year term positions. Re-elected were Ken Hornecker, current board treasurer, and Allen E. Johnston, current board president.

MHSAA confirms on-time start of prep basketball practice and season, but with restrictions on scrimmages

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from 2019-20 season. (Curtis Holt)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) recently confirmed that 2020-21 winter sports will begin on time, including boys and girls basketball being able to start conditioning sessions the first week of November, practices shortly thereafter, and games as early as late in the month.

But they also set out a series of “guidelines” for winter sports that schools must follow, including possibly preventing any basketball scrimmages prior to full-game action.

“A number of precautions have been put in place addressing competition limits, numbers of spectators allowed and wearing of face coverings, among a variety of topics,” according to an Oct. 23 statement from the MHSAA. “As with fall sports, scrimmages will not be allowed for winter sports.”

While there may be something gained by not allowing scrimmages, Wyoming High School boys basketball coach Thom Vander Klay said there is something lost.

Wyoming High School basketball coach Thom Vander Klay, coaching during the 2016-17 season. (WKTV)

“We are disappointed in the no scrimmage rule particularly with the fact that we are inexperienced and didn’t get our summer schedule in,” Vander Klay said about the impact on his Wolves program. “We have a lot to figure out regarding cuts and then roles on the team. … A lot of question marks that we can often have answered after scrimmages, and summer and fall games.”

For the Wolves, after-school conditioning will begin Nov. 2, with full practices starting Nov. 16, and its game schedule currently set to start Dec. 8 with a home game against Grand Rapids South Christian.

MHSAA guidelines for all sports, and a cautionary tale

The Representative Council of the MHSAA, during an Oct. 22 meeting, voted to have 2020-21 winter sports begin on time but stressed as series of guidelines “that schools must follow as they continue to work toward limiting the spread of COVID-19 while still providing opportunities for athletes to compete.”

There are sport-specific guidelines (posted on the MHSAA Website at mhsaa.com/sports), and a number of precautions put in place “addressing competition limits, numbers of spectators allowed and wearing of face coverings, among a variety of topics. The guidance also specifically addresses equipment and facilities” for each sport.

In general, according the MHSAA statement, scrimmages will not be allowed for winter sports to “limit mixing of communities outside of official competitions.” And the number of teams at regular-season competitions also will be limited, with a maximum of four schools/teams allowed in competitive cheer, gymnastics, swimming & diving and wrestling. Bowling and skiing competitions will be restricted to a maximum of 72 competitors at one event.

There are no school/team limits for basketball and ice hockey, according to the statement, “as only two teams are able to play each other at one time and those sports may play only one game per day — with fans leaving after their game is complete.”

Host sites must enforce spectator capacity limits on a game-by-game basis, and currently MHSAA guidelines allow two spectators per participant at all contests to begin the regular season. The guideline “could be reconsidered by the Council later in the winter season,” with a possibility of allowing more spectators later while still staying within possible Emergency Orders from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

As per MDHHS requirements, face coverings must be worn by athletes practicing and competing in basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling. But masks are not required for athletes practicing and competing in bowling, gymnastics, skiing and swimming & diving, which all allow for appropriate social distancing, but face coverings are required for those athletes when not involved in active participation.

“The Council believes it is safer to begin Winter practices on time, and keep athletes in school programs where safety precautions are always in effect,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “With the vastly different circumstances faced by schools in different regions all over the state, an on-time start still allows schools to decide when they feel most comfortable beginning activity — and allows all of them to slowly ramp up their frequency of activity and numbers of spectators attending competitions.

“But let’s be clear,” Uyl said. “Our statewide COVID-19 numbers have to get better. In order for our schools to continue playing sports this winter, and in order for fans to be there to cheer them on, we must continue working to slow down this virus.”

WKTV preview: Godwin Heights to host Hamilton in Wolverines first ever home playoff game

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There are a lot of unusual aspects to Godwin Heights High School’s MHSAA football playoff opening game against Hamilton on Friday, not the least of which is that thanks to the luck of the draw the Wolverines will be hosting their first ever home playoff game.

But one thing which is no different from previous years is that Godwin and Hamilton will renew what Wolverine head coach Brandon Kimble says is not a “rivalry” game but certainly a tough game against a familiar foe.

“We are pretty familiar with Hamilton. We’ve been playing them the first game of the year for the last three years, this is our first year not playing them Week 1,” Kimble said to WKTV. “Very well coached program. Very tough. Kids come to play. We are excited. They are familiar with us, we are familiar with them. It is not a rivalry but it will be a good game.”

WKTV caught up with Coach Kimble, and senior defensive/offensive lineman Ru’Quan Buckley to talk about why the game is special to them and to their fans.

WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be at the 7 p.m. game and will rebroadcast the game later that night, and at other times, as well as making it available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

Last week, Godwin Heights (2-4) at home defeated Comstock Park (1-5), 19-13, in 2 OT, on Oct. 23. Hamilton (also 2-4) lost Oct. 23 at home to Grand Rapids West Catholic, 35-7.

The Godwin vs. Hamilton game is a MHSAA Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup. According to the MHSAA, Godwin Heights won a host-field tie-breaker with Hamilton based on opponents’ winning percentage.

WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

WKTV intern Rachel Weber contributed to this story and video.

With local high school football MHSAA playoff match-ups set, WKTV crew will head to Godwin Heights

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,
Godwin Heights goes for a two-point extra point conversion after junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake (1) punched in an early Wolverine touchdown in their Oct. 2 home game against Belding. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After a weekend announcement by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), local Wyoming and Kentwood area teams know where they will be playing in this week’s opening round of an expanded and altered football playoff tournament.

East Kentwood, Wyoming high and Kelloggsville high schools will each be on the road late this week. But South Christian will host the Rockets at East Kentwood High School’s field and Godwin Heights will has also drawn a home game — which will be the WKTV Featured Game of the Week, with delayed broadcast of the game on our cable channels as well as later on-demand availability on WKTVlive.org.
 

Last week, Godwin Heights (2-4) at home defeated Comstock Park (1-5), 19-13, in 2 OT, on Oct. 23.  The Wolverines will host Hamilton (2-4) Friday, Oct. 30, with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Hamilton (also 2-4) lost Oct. 23 at home to Grand Rapids West Catholic, 35-7.

The Godwin vs. Hamilton game was announced Oct. 24 as a MHSAA Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup. According to the MHSAA, Godwin Heights won a host-field tie-breaker with Hamilton based on opponents’ winning percentage.

Also in Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup, Wyoming Kelloggsville (1-5) will play at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-1). Kelloggsville was idle last week but gained a forfeit win against Hopkins. The Sailors lost their first game of the shortened season, a 28-27 overtime thriller Oct. 23 to visiting Grand Rapids Catholic Central. (The game was last week’s WKTV Featured Game of the Week and is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.)

All MHSAA playoff tickets will be sold online only via GoFan at https://gofan.co/ to “provide for a cashless and contactless purchasing process that also allows for contact tracing,” according to the MHSAA. Tickets for single-session Pre-District, District and Regional games are $6. Single-session Semifinal tickets are $8. A per-ticket convenience fee will be applied.

Other local teams’ playoff matchups

In MHSAA 11-player pairings also announced this weekend, in a Division 1, Region 1, District 1 matchup, East Kentwood (2-3) will be close to home at Hudsonville (4-2) on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The Falcons finished their 5-game regular season Oct. 16 with a 24-7 home-field win over Muskegon Reeths-Puiffer (2-3). East Kentwood was originally scheduled to play at Caledonia (1-4) on Oct. 23. Hudsonville was actually 4-1 in games played, but had to forfeit their Oct. 23 home game against Jenison.

In a Division 2, Region 5, District 9 matchup, Wyoming high (1-3) will travel to Muskegon Mona Shores (6-0) on Friday, Oct. 30. Wyoming, after two weeks off due to COVID-19 safety protocols, returned to the field Oct. 23 with a 34-26 win at Holland (0-6). The Wolves match-up with Mona Shores is actually a game against a newly aligned OK Conference Green opponent which was not played this year due to the late start of the season.
 

In Division 8, Wyoming Lee opted out of the tournament. Wyoming Lee (1-5, including a forfeit win and a forfeit loss) lost 22-12 at Potterville (3-3) on Oct. 23 to end the Legends’ season.

In 8-player football pairings, in a Division 2, Region 4 game, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (2-4) will be at Burr Oak (5-1) on Oct. 31. The Defenders finished their regular season with a 54-53 overtime loss at Bridgman (5-1).

Details of MHSAA playoff format

The MHSAA announced Oct. 24 that the 2020 MHSAA Football Playoffs would begin Oct. 29-31 with District First Round games in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional First Round Games in the 8-Player Playoffs.

According to the MHSAA statement, all 11-player teams were divided into eight divisions before play began. Because of the shortened 2020 regular season due to COVID-19, all 11-player teams were then divided into Districts of up to eight teams each, then paired into four regions.

Pairings for the first four weeks of the tournament are based on regular-season playoff point averages, with the highest-ranked team hosting, regardless of the distance between the two schools. For District First Round and Regional First Round play, the top-seeded team in each bracket will host the eighth-seeded team, the second-seeded team will host the seventh-seeded team, and so on.

District Semifinals for 11-player teams will occur on the weekend of Nov. 6-7, with District Finals the weekend of Nov. 13-14. Both rounds will be played at the site of the highest-ranked team remaining.

Regional Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 20-21, at the site of the highest-ranked team. Semifinal games in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 27-28, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4. Highest-ranked teams will host unless participating teams are 200 or more miles apart; in those cases the MHSAA will assign the game to a prearranged site “if one can be secured in a reasonable location.”
 

The 11-Player Finals will be played Dec. 4-5 at sites to be determined, and additional spectator information will be determined later as well.

Kentwood Public Schools’ East Kentwood 9th grade, high school students to go virtual for a week due to COVID-19 outbreak

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East Kentwood High School. (Supplied/KPS)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kentwood Public Schools has joined several local public schools districts by closing school buildings and beginning temporary virtual education for all students after a series of positive COVID-19 test results.

In an Oct. 24 letter from district Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff to parent and students, and posted on the district website, the district explained its decision to cease in-person education at its East Kentwood Freshman Campus and the East Kentwood High School buildings from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 30.

“On Friday, October 23, 2020, we learned of another COVID-19 positive case at East Kentwood High School and/or the East Kentwood Freshman Campus,” the district letter stated. “In the past week on the East Kentwood Campuses, we have now had seven positive cases and currently have 123 individuals who are in quarantine. We worked late into the night Friday with the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) and they have made the recommendation that we close both the East Kentwood Freshman Campus and the East Kentwood 10-12 Building next week to allow for contact tracing and deep cleaning.”

Students will receive further detailed information from their teachers and principals regarding next week’s class schedule and how learning will continue, according to the letter.

“This decision is very difficult and not made without a great deal of discussion and advice from the Kent County Health Department,” according to the letter. “We apologize for the hardship this puts on our students, staff and families. The recommendation from the KCHD is intended to break and eliminate cycles of transmission and keep our EK Community safe. It is important that we all take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so we can stay safe and continue to offer in person school for our students, staff and families.”

The Kent County Health Department will conduct contact tracing and may contact members of the East Kentwood schools community for further follow up if it is determined that they were in “close contact” with an person who has tested positive.

“We are moving forward under the guidance of the Kent County Health Department and all measures have been taken to protect the wellbeing of our staff and students,” the letter states. And both buildings will be “thoroughly” cleaned and disinfected following district protocols.

If persons in the district community have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, the district recommends contacting the Executive Director of Human Resources, Jamie Gordon, in the KPS Administration Offices at 616-455-4400.

South Christian boys win soccer district championship in overtime thriller

Area Education, Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
South Christian High School’s boys soccer team captured a district title at home on Oct. 22. (WKTV/Zach Cantalice)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

A foggy night housed a nail-biting district final between the South Christian Sailors and the Hudsonville Unity Christian Crusaders that ended in overtime, 3-2, on Oct. 22. Starting with the opening kickoff, both sides would go back and forth, with each recording the first goal about 10 minutes into the match.

South Christian head coach Jason Boersma praised senior Jeff Herrema for both goals in regulation, in the 10th and 73rd minutes, by causing fouls in the box leading to successful penalty kicks shot by fellow senior Thom DeVries.

“At the end of the day Jeff Herrema created both of those penalty kicks,” Boersma said to WKTV. “He was the one that got into the box and was making the moves to get into the goal. … Jeff is usually our penalty kicker.”
 

Herrema, however, suffered a shoulder injury after the second foul which lead to DeVries’ penalty kick.
 

Unity Christian didn’t go down quietly, however, first tying the score in the first half, 1-1, with a goal from junior Jaxson Krygsheld. Next, the Crusaders would strike again with a long shot by freshman Gavin Sage in the 74th minute to re-tie the match going into the final minutes — where a near miss would have given Unity Christian the district title.

In overtime, though, it was the sophomore Sam Medendorp who was the hero for the Sailors, as his goal was enough to the district title and send South Christian into a regional match-up with Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

“Winning is an expectation,” says Boersma on his South Christian team earning their seventh district championship.

But the Sailors coach had nothing but praise for Wyoming Lee and Unity Christian, two teams South Christian had to beat to move on to regionals.

“When you got a loaded district like we got this year, we got Wyoming Lee on one side who’s one of the top teams in the state, my heart hurts for them,” Boersma said. “They lost a game that I would call a district final.”

South Christian will take on Catholic Central on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at South Christian High School, with kick off at 7 p.m.

Wyoming junior high to reopen Oct. 26 after short closure due to COVID-19 positive test

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Wyoming Junior High will reopen for in-person education on Oct. 26 after a short closure this week as part of a positive COVID-19 test protocol. (Wyoming Public Schools)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra announced Oct. 22 that, after students and staff at Wyoming Junior High moved to remote learning early this week due to a positive COVID-19 test result, the school would return to in-person education on Monday, Oct. 26.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the district was notified by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) that an individual at the junior high had received a positive COVID-19 test result.

The move to remote learning began immediately, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and ran through today, Friday, Oct. 23.

According to the Oct. 22 district statement: “Out of an abundance of caution and in collaboration with the Kent County Health Department, it was determined that closing the building would give the KCHD the necessary time to complete contract tracing and contact any staff and/or student(s) that may have come in contact with those who have tested positive. This also allowed us to slow any potential community spread as well as thoroughly clean and disinfect the building while staff and students were not present.”

Other WPS school buildings except Gladiola elementary — which is currently also in a remote-learning status due to positive COVID-19 testing — remain open for in-person learning.

The district statement also “urges all WPS staff and students who experience symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested and self-quarantine. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children for the onset of any symptoms related to COVID-19. If there is any change in your child’s health, please contact your medical provider.”

The KCHD offers free COVID-19 screenings at multiple sites via appointment or walk-in. More information on sites and appointments is available online here or by calling 616-632-7200.

More information on Wyoming Public Schools is available at wyominggps.org.

WKTV featured game: South Christian undefeated heading into ‘home away from home’ clash with Catholic Central

Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In WKTV’s final high school football regular season Featured Game of the Week, the South Christian Sailors will bring a perfect record into a battle with also undefeated Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The game will be a “home away from hone” game at played East Kentwood High School.

South Christian (5-0) defeated Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg (2-3), 28-7, on the road on Oct. 16. Central Catholic is also 5-0, and tied with South Christian for the OK Gold Conference lead.

The game is important in several ways: an outright OK Gold title during this pandemic shortened season, seeding for the upcoming and expanded state playoffs, and, of course, that rivalry thing.

But for Sailors head coach Danny Brown the game is all about his senior leaders, and his team continuing to improve each week. And one of those senior leaders is quarterback Ty Rynbrandt. WKTV caught up with both before at a Wednesday practice.

WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be at the 7 p.m. game, and the game will be broadcast on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. WKTV also livestream games where allowed on WKTV.org (click on Live).

WKTV also rebroadcasts games on the night of the game, and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

Defense shines in South Christian’s 1-0 victory over Wyoming-Lee in district soccer action

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
The South Christian High School boys soccer team huddles with their coach prior to a game Oct. 20. (WKTV/Luke Schrock)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

The back line for South Christian High School Sailors didn’t allow the Wyoming-Lee Legends a single shot-on-goal the entire match during a 1-0 win in a boys soccer District 34 semifinal, Thursday, Oct. 20, at South Christian.

“My favorite part about them (his defense) is that they gave up zero shots,” South Christian head coach Jason Boersma said to WKTV. “I think they (Lee) got a corner kick, maybe two and no shots came out of those.”

Defense was the strength of both teams, in fact, as the only goal scored was by Sailors senior Jeff Herrema, who had an unassisted goal in the 23rd minute after a goal kick by the Legends and a Saliors header back to Herrema.

“My favorite part of Jeff Herrema is his grit. He is a workhorse,” Boersma said. “When you look at the goal he scored, it was pure effort to get through two defenders.”

The Legends best scoring opportunity was a block in front of the box where senior Nik Schepers would meet the Lee striker with a sliding collision. Outside of that play, Lee set up a couple of opportunities for sophomore Ismael Galvin.

Lee finishes their season at 10-3-1, including a 7-0 win over Hopkins in the Legends’ district tournament opener last week.

South Christian (14-0-1) looks to keep a zero in the loss column as they meet Unity Christian in the District final at South Christian Thursday, Oct. 22, with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

For more Wyoming and Kentwood area high school sports news, visit wktvjournal.org/sports.

Wyoming junior high moves to remote learning for rest of week due to COVID-19 positive

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Wyoming Junior High will be closed to students for the remainder of the week due to a COVID-19 positive test result. (Wyoming Public Schools)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra announced today, Oct. 20, that students and staff at Wyoming Junior High will move to remote learning for contract tracing after receiving notification from the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) of a positive COVID-19 test result.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the district was notified by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) that an individual at the junior high had received a positive COVID-19 test result.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in collaboration with the Kent County Health Department, it has been determined that closing the building will give the KCHD the necessary time to complete contract tracing and contact any staff and/or student(s) that may have come in contact with those who have tested positive,” according to the statement. “This will also allow us to slow any potential community spread.”

The move to remote learning will begin immediately, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and run through at least Friday, Oct. 23.

“The District will work alongside the KCHD to assess the reopening of Wyoming Junior High the following week,” according to the statement. “An update will be provided to all Wyoming Junior High families on Friday, October 23rd. During the closure, the District will thoroughly clean and disinfect the school building while staff and students are not present.”

Other WPS school buildings except Gladiola elementary — which is currently also in a remote-learning status due to positive COVID-19 testing — will remain open for in-person learning.

The district statement also “urges all WPS staff and students who experience symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested and self-quarantine. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children for the onset of any symptoms related to COVID-19. If there is any change in your child’s health, please contact your medical provider.”

The KCHD offers free COVID-19 screenings at multiple sites via appointment or walk-in. More information on sites and appointments is available online here or by calling 616-632-7200.

The district also “urges all of our students, staff and families to comply with the CDC guidelines to avoid further spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Wyoming Junior High families were reminded to check their email and ParentVue accounts for additional updates.

More information on Wyoming Public Schools is available at wyominggps.org.

WKTV featured game: Wyoming soccer drops tough state tournament opener at East Grand Rapids

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys soccer team on the attack in the first half of the team’s game at East Grand Rapids Nov. 15. (WKTV)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

The state tournament has started for boys soccer and the first district matchup for the Wyoming High School Wolves was on the road Thursday, Oct. 15, at East Grand Rapids against the Pioneers, after a season when both teams posted highly improved records from last year.

The Wolves stayed close for most of the game, and had their chances to equal a 1-0 early lead for the Pioneers. But East Grand Rapids put the game out of reach with three late goals in a 4-0 win.

The game was covered by WKTV’s featured game team and is available on-demand at wktvlive.org.

The last time East Grand Rapids and Wyoming faced each other in the state tournament was in 2015, when East Grand Rapids defeated Wyoming 2-1 in Wyoming.

Wyoming, coached by Romer Carrasco, posted an 8-2 record in the COVID-19 shortened regular season but fell short of the OK Green finals with a loss to Muskegon Mona Shores, 4-3.
 

First-year head coach Mike Vollmer lead East Grand Rapids to an OK White conference championship by beating Grand Rapids Christian, 2-1, and finished their regular season campaign with a 10-3 record.

Wyoming, Kentwood school board candidates on Nov. 3 general election ballot

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, We The People

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

While all the local public school districts have Board of Education candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot, only the Kentwood Public Schools board has contested seats to be voted on.

Kentwood Public Schools

The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education has five candidates, four of them incumbents, running for four positions, all with 4-year terms.

Leonica Riley Erwin is running to unseat one of four incumbents running for re-election. Angie Forton is the current board secretary and has been a board member for nine years. Angela Hovermale is a current board trustee and has been a board member for four years. Mary (Mimi) Madden is the current board president and has been on the board for 17 years. And Allen Young is the current board vice president and has been on the board for eight years.

Wyoming Public Schools

The Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education has four candidates — two of which would be new to the board — running for four positions, three 6-year terms and one partial term.

The two new-to-the-board candidates are Shannon Frick and Jessica A. Hanselman.

Craig P. Popma is currently the board treasurer, and Jeff Norton is a current trustee running for a partial term ending in December 2022.

Kelloggsville Public Schools

The Kelloggsville Public Schools Board of Education has five candidates, all current board members, running for five positions, three 6-year terms and two partial terms.

Marie Groters is the current board vice president, and Tim Pomorski and Laura L. Tanis are both current trustees running for full, 6-year terms. Debra Sellers is a current trustee  running for partial term ending December 2024, and Crystal Reidzans is the current board treasurer and is running for a partial term ending December 2022.

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools

The Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Board of Education has three candidates, two already serving the board, running for three full 6-year term positions.

David Blok is the current board vice president, and Tammy Schafer is the current board secretary. Cheryl L. Slaughter would be new to the board.

Godwin Heights Public Schools

The Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education has two candidates, both currently on the board, running for two full 6-year term positions.

Ken Hornecker is the current board treasurer and  Allen E. Johnston is the current board president.

Wyoming schools’ Gladiola elementary moves to remote learning after COVID-19 positive test

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Wyoming Public Schools’ Gladiola Elementary School was quiet Monday morning, Oct. 19. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra announced over the weekend that students and staff at Gladiola Elementary School will move to remote learning after receiving notification from the Kent County Health Department of a positive COVID-19 test result.

All other WPS school buildings will remain open for in-person learning.
 

The day of the announcement, Saturday, Oct. 17, the district was notified by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) that an individual at Gladiola elementary had received a positive COVID-19 test result. Due to the extent of possible students and staff who made contact with this individual, the KCHD has recommended that the district close Gladiola elementary for in-person instruction.
 

The closure period will run from today, Monday, Oct. 19, through Wednesday, Oct. 28, and all “learning during this timeframe will be conducted online,” according to the statement.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in collaboration with the Kent County Health Department, it has been determined that closing the building will give the KCHD the necessary time to complete contract tracing and contact any staff and/or student(s) that may have come in contact with those who have tested positive,” according to the statement. “This will also allow us to slow any potential community spread. During the closure, the District will thoroughly clean and disinfect the school building while staff and students are not present.”

The district statement also “urges all WPS staff and students who experience symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested and self-quarantine. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children for the onset of any symptoms related to COVID-19. If there is any change in your child’s health, please contact your medical provider.”

The KCHD offers free COVID-19 screenings at multiple sites via appointment or walk-in. More information on sites and appointments is available online here or by calling 616-632-7200.

The district also “urges all of our students, staff and families to comply with the CDC guidelines to avoid further spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Gladiola families were reminded to check their email and ParentVue accounts for additional updates.

More information on Wyoming Public Schools is available at wyominggps.org.

Taking a deeper look at South Christian’s cross country team

Area Education, Education, Sports,
The 2020 South Christian cross country team is currently ranked third in Region 13. (Supplied)

By Anna Johns
WKTV Intern


It has been a challenging season for both the South Christian boys and girls cross country teams, however; the teams are thriving and both are currently ranked third in Region 13.

“All of our seniors have done a phenomenal job of leading our team and have run faster this year than ever,” said head cross country coach Kori VanderKooi.

The varsity boys cross country team is currently led by seniors Sam Westra, Hendrik Nykamp and Ethan Luurtsema. This is only Luurtsema’s second year and he has a personal record of 17:14.8 in the varsity 5,000 meter run.

This year the boys have been running consistently at times close to 17 minutes and VanderKooi said she would love to see them lower their times. 

The seniors on the South Christian Varsity Boys Cross Country Team have done a phenomenal job this season according to Coach Kori VanderKooi. (Supplied)

“Our girls varsity team has shifted throughout the season, as we have a lot of depth, and a lot of solid, young runners,” VanderKooi said, adding that all of the girls are strong runners, especially sophomore Emily Langerak.

Langerak is the most consistent runner on the team and currently has a time of 20:50.2 in the varsity 5,000 meter run. 

Also on the varsity girls cross country team are senior Moriah Lanning and junior Abby Winkle. Winkle currently has a time of 20:26.8 in the 5,000 meters, making her fastest on the South Christian girls team. 

VanderKooi began coaching in 2011 for the South Christian Middle School Cross Country team and last year she moved up to coaching the varsity team. She had many of the runners on her team at the middle school.

“It’s a unique opportunity to see their development as runners over the span of so many years,” she said.

Recently, the team competed in the Bengal Invitational at Riverside Park on Oct. 9. The boys varsity team competed against nine other area schools and placed 7th. The girls competed against six other teams and scored 140 points. 

Next week, they will be determining the final roster to decide which runners will be heading to districts and regionals. Their next race will be the OK Gold Championships on Oct. 20 at Thornapple Kellogg High School.

On Tap: AlePrize on the walls of local pubs, beer and anti-racism, and Belgian Tripel

3-bottom, Beer, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, , , ,
AlePrize artwork on the wall at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Beer City Brewers Guild’s AlePrize, a celebration of art and beer at Grand Rapids area breweries, is exhibiting local art in two local craft brew pubs in the Kentwood/Wyoming area. The month-long, city-wide event pairs local artists with local breweries.

Broad Leaf Local Beer is showing the work of Ty Davis and David Ruggeri, and Ryan Crowley. Railtown Brewing Company is showing the work of Dave Battjes.

“It’s no secret that the pandemic has impacted the brewing industry in a major way,” according to a statement from AlePrize organizers. “From taproom closures to reduced capacities to the general anxieties of keeping staff and guests safe, these have been challenging times for our region’s breweries. Fall is typically a season where taprooms can expect an uptick in business from ArtPrize visitors, but this year looks different.”

Following the regional art festival’s cancellation, the Beer City Brewers Guild come up with the idea of AlePrize, an event “that celebrates local art and beer during the age of COVID-19,” according to the statement.

AlePrize artwork on the wall at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“All of us brewers in the guild are gonna miss ArtPrize in a big way,” Chad Atherton, guild board member and Director of Market Development at Founders Brewing Company “AlePrize isn’t a 100 percent supplement for what ArtPrize brings to the community, but we thought it would be a cool opportunity to connect with local artists and utilize our spaces to promote local artists.”

A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the artist who gains the most public votes and another $1,000 prize will be awarded to the top rated artist judged by a panel of local artists and culture community figures.

Of the more than 40 breweries in the guild, nearly half will be participating in some capacity. And beer/art fans should also be on the lookout for beers brewed specifically for AlePrize.

For more information on this event, visit AlePrize

Shorts Brewing part of anti-racism, anti-oppression project

Short’s Brewing Co. and non-profit Title Track have joined forces to create a call-to-action for the entire Michigan craft brewing community — step up and better our businesses and our communities for all people through support of anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts.

“As a Title Track board member, it’s been important for me to find opportunities that could support the work Title Track is doing,” Joe Short, founder of Short’s Brewing Co and Title Track board member, said in supplied material. “The craft beverage and hospitality industry made perfect sense as a platform to scale community conversations about anti-oppression programming to help us build strong and resilient communities.”

The goal is to raise $25,000 to develop anti-racism and anti-oppression programming. Short’s has made that goal even more attainable with an initial pledge of $5,000, according to supplied material.

Once the goal is met, Title Track will host five events across the state that are open to the brewing community. These events are designed to provide “a better understanding of racial justice and the steps needed to create meaningful, lasting change on the path to equity and inclusion for all — which is especially relevant in an industry made up of mostly white males.”

Title Track, a non-profit dedicated to clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment, was launched in 2019 by Seth Bernard in the hopes of making his Michigan home a better place to live. Craft Libations for Collective Liberation is just one of many programs for the non-profit.

To donate, or learn more about Title Track’s Racial Equity Team, visit here. For more information about Short’s Brewing Company visit shortsbrewing.com.

Take a road trip to Stormcloud

If you’re taking a road trip up north, through Frankfort, before the snow flies, you might want to stop at Stormcloud Brewing Company and try their seasonal release of the brewery’s Harvest Tripel.

According to supplied material, “the innovative and unique beer blends the traditional Belgian Tripel beer style with freshly harvested hops grown in northern Michigan.”

Released annually using a different hop variety every year, the 2020 Harvest Tripel is brewed exclusively with Michigan Saaz hops grown by Michigan Hop Alliance in Omena.

They had me at “Belgian Tripel.”

For more information about Stormcloud visit Stormcloudbrewing.com.

Wyoming’s Godfrey-Lee school district’s bond request on WKTV Journal In Focus

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, on Nov. 3., on the back side of their very crowded ballot, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district voters will be asked to support a bonding proposal which would allow the district to put out bonds for about $18 million for a wide range of building and facility projects.

The district not only faces the task of modernizing portions of its middle and high school that are nearly 100 years old, it must make repairs to a portion of the building which collapsed last year. But modernization and repairs are only the most obvious part of the long-range plans the district has for its buildings.
 

With us to talk about the bond proposal, what it would fund and why this choice of timing to take it to voters, is district superintendent Kevin Polston.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

East Kentwood, with offense revved up, looks for defensive improvement against Jenison

Area Education, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

With more fans allowed in the stands thanks to last week’s MHSAA decision on easing capacity limits at football games, East Kentwood High School will host Jenison this week in an important OK Conference Red contest.

WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be at the 7 p.m. game and will broadcast the game live on our cable television channels as well as live-steam it at WKTV.org.

The Falcons enter the contest with a 1-2 record in the shortened 6-game regular season, while the Jenison Wildcats are 2-1. While both teams will make the expanded playoff field this season under a yet-to-be fully defined Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) format, East Kentwood head coach Tony Kimbrough wants his team to get on a roll — both offensively and defensively.

WKTV caught up with Coach Kimbrough, and senior Chris Brown, to talk about the expanded playoffs and what’s happening on both sides of the ball for the Falcons.

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, and we will livestream games where allowed on WKTV.org (click on Live).

WKTV will also rebroadcast the games on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

Local reaction to MHSAA’s new fan capacity at indoor, outdoor athletic events

Community Health, Education, Recreation, Sports
There has not been many fans in the stands local high school football games this season. But more will be allowed starting this week. (WKTV)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV intern

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association last week updated its guidelines for athletic event attendance and gatherings sizes, approving an increase to 30 percent capacity for outdoor events and 20 percent capacity for indoor events, for football games it will be in effect for Friday, Oct. 9, games.

South Christian High School Athletic Director David Kool told WKTV this week that he is in support of the gradual increase in spectators at events.

“We are very excited that the MHSAA has outlined new spectator capacities for both indoor and outdoor sporting events starting on October 9,” Kool said. “Our community continues to follow all the guidelines in place as best as we can, and we look forward to having more spectators in attendance supporting our student athletes.

“We appreciate all of the work the MHSAA continues to put in to ensure the safety of all involved in athletic contests and this is a big step forward for all of us,” he said.

For outdoor events with no fixed seating, such as cross country or golf, the guideline is to have no more than 30 spectators per 1,000 square feet.
 

Despite the recent Michigan Supreme Court decision, guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing remains unchanged and is still highly encouraged at indoor and outdoor events.

For more information on other Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic events, contact specific high school athletic departments.