The Wayland Union School District’s Curriculum and Technology Committee reported Monday to the school board that they are near deciding between semesters or trimesters.
The district now divides up the school year in trimesters, but the committee has been examining for some time a proposal to go to a semester type of school year.
Committee members plan to bring a proposal to the board soon. If there is a change, it would not take effect until the next school year. Once a decision is made, committee members say they do not want to revisit the topic for another 10 years.
The school board also heard from Athletic Director Adam Valk, who recognized Cheri Ritz’s induction into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame. As Town Broadcast reported last month, Ritz became only the second WHS graduate to receive this honor. The first was her niece, Jessie Merchant, who played softball for Ritz. When asked about her winning record, including more than 1,000 softball victories, Ritz responded, “I’ve had really good students, and really good parents.”
In other news from the board meeting:
- The Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from Dorr Elementary. The students returned to assist Principal Andrew Augustin in a presentation to the board about what was happening at Dorr Elementary. Students told the board about the Bookworm program, which encourages the students to read. The kindergartners also presented the “Superkids” characters, which help them learn the alphabet. Board member Jeff Koon expressed his appreciation for the students, and how impressed he was with their presentation.
- The board also received a request for an out of state field trip for the high school baseball team. They would like to go to Myrtle Beach, S.C, during spring break to attend the Ripken Experience. The team is currently trying to raise the $15,000 needed for the trip. Coaches and some parents would go along and chaperone the trip.
- An open house for the new administrative building was held before the board meeting took place. Superintendent Tim Reeves reported that some 50 to 60 members of the community came out for the open house.
