Volume 1, Issue 39 FEBRUARY 23, 2024
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
Many firsts for new Shelby Elementary By Amanda Dodge The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
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Shelby Elementary School opened its doors to staff and students at the beginning of last month, as they returned from Christmas break and transitioned into their new scholastic home. While many were able to see the school at its official ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Saturday, Dec. 16, and students got a sneak peek at their new classrooms before break, classes were not officially held until Wednesday, Jan. 3, when students from Thomas Read Elementary (K-3) and New Era Elementary (4-5) were now officially housed in the same building. “The excitement that staff, parents, students, and overall community had at the open house carried over to the first day of school. The first day overall was a success,” Shelby Public Schools Superintendent Mark Olmstead said. “Building leaders had plans for activities that would help students become familiarized with the building and associated routines/expectations throughout the first week. The first day and overall first week were a success for students given the planning by elementary teachers, staff and administration.” That planning and hard work were realized over the break by many.
“The success of the two move-in days was a result of planning by our district program leaders, as well as teachers and other staff putting in hard work to prepare,” Olmstead explained. “Elementary staff began packing boxes this (past) fall and maintenance staff picked up and stored the boxes in advance of the move. Secondary staff were invited to make a connection with a given elementary colleague, reaching out to learn how they could be of service to aid them in preparing for or helping during the days moving into the building.” With the mild winter that Michigan has experienced on and off this season, weather conditions were uncertain for moving things to the new school. “Of course, the first day of moving was a blinding snowstorm,” Olmstead recalled. “Moving items was difficult in the snow and wind. The staff worked hard to make the move happen in these difficult conditions. “Members of the Shelby football team moved books from both former elementary libraries to the new building. The goal of having items moved (in) one day and elementary teachers being able to use the second day to begin settling into their classrooms was realized. “It is amazing how all of our staff came together as one to make this transition from the old buildings to the new building happen. It speaks volumes of the connection that exists among our staff and the continual growth of that connection in the interest of serving the students and families of our school community.” Before Christmas break, parents and guardians were notified of the school’s new drop-off and pick-up system. The driveway into the new school off of Oceana Drive and across from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church had been changed into a one way, and the speed limits on Oceana Drive were lowered leading up to the school. There were also new school zone signs and signage for the
elementary school installed. “Our local law enforcement partners from the Village of Shelby and the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in safely guiding and bringing the presence of the new traffic patterns to motorists’ attention while on campus,” Omstead said. “We continue to encourage lower speeds and care to be taken by motorists on campus as everyone gets used to the new traffic flow that exists.” Students riding the bus board behind the school, and there are crossing guards stationed near the high school to help elementary students who walk home cross to the new walkway that was put in there for them. “One of the main features of the new building is an expanded parent drop off and pick up area. Parents were exceptionally patient and understanding as the number of vehicles that drop off their students was combined from both former buildings into one spot,” Olmstead said. “Our elementary staff learned from each drop off and pick up time what adjustments (to make) to have safety and efficiency be present. “By the end of the (first) week, the initial length of time to pick up students had been reduced to less than half the time it took for pick up on the first day. I credit this to our parents working together with elementary staff, (and) adapting to adjustments made so a better experience could be realized by everyone.” Shelby Elementary is also utilizing the Pikmykid app to help organize
Scenes from Shelby Elementary include, at top left, many people enjoying the school carnival Jan. 26, such as School Resource Officer Tim Simon, top center, and School Board President Jason Fleming, top right. Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffaelli, above, spoke to third grade students about their economic and government studies. Kindergarten teacher Nikki Klotz and four of her students, at left, dressed up to celebrate the 100th day of school. • Amanda Dodge/Echo and Contributed Photos
students and help them into their family and caregiver’s vehicles in a timely and efficient manner. Staff are positioned along the driveway leading up to the school and students are identified via a preassigned number. Cars are to form two lines as they enter, but then merge into one before they reach the school building. There are five loading stops, and students wait in the gym to be told which numbered cone to go to be picked up at. Some staff can often be seen dancing to fun, upbeat music that is played during pickup. Shelby Elementary School Principal Kara Vanderweele said they are having a sound system installed that will allow for music to be played more easily outside, as they have been using a portable speaker. After the weeks following that first day, the students and staff have had many other firsts. These include playing on the new playground, learning in their new classrooms, a school carnival, celebrating 100 days of school, a guest speaker, Donuts with Dads and a Student of the Month Breakfast. “Our students love their new playground at Shelby Elementary! There’s new equipment to explore and new friends to meet,” Shelby Elementary
School Assistant Principal Abbie Gorton said. “Our new classrooms are beautiful! Students are all settled in and enjoying their grade level classrooms and specials rooms.” Specials at the school include music, art, physical education, STEM and library. There are also three colorful hallways in the new school, with students in kindergarten and first grade in one hall, second and third grade next, and fourth and fifth last. There are also words decorating the walls in both English and Spanish. “We had our first carnival at the new school on Friday, Jan. 26,” Gorton said. “The PTO did an awesome job getting volunteers to run numerous games and activities. Some of the favorites were face painting, the inflatable obstacle course, and the duck pond.” The students then celebrated 100s Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. “Our kindergarten teachers and students had a blast dressing up like 100-year-olds,” Gorton exclaimed. She added that Shelby Township Supervisor and Peterson Farms Chief Operating Officer Richard Raffaelli “visited our third graders to help bring their economic and government studies to life! He
brought engaging activities to enrich their curriculum, and the students loved it!” One of the many hallmarks of the new school is the expansive cafeteria, where two more firsts took place. The central kitchen for Shelby Public Schools has been moved there as well. “We had over 100 people for our third Donuts with Dads event. This event is sponsored by All Pro Dads,” Gorton said. “We (also) had our very first Student of the Month Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 9. Every Student of the Month was allowed to bring in two guests for breakfast. Mary Rose and her kitchen staff provided an amazing meal to over 220 people!” Olmstead expressed his thanks to so many regarding this historic event in the Shelby community. “I credit our staff and parents for the success that has been realized in the opening of Shelby Elementary. Elementary staff have been diligent, community partners have stepped in to help where identified needs exist. Overall, the experience of opening Shelby Elementary has been a true reflection of the great community we are all fortunate to be a part of.”