The Superintendent's View
David Eichberg Superintendent Berrien Springs Public Schools
For the Week Ending October 14, 2016
Superintendent's Thoughts
Welcome Parents, Staff and Community Members! I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful things that are happening in our school district. This week I spent several days looking at learning in classrooms. Some of what I observed were the following: students highly engaged in learning, teachers using a variety of instructional strategies that addressed different student learning styles, the use of learning goals and frequent reference to learning goals, the use of technology effectively integrated into instruction, and passionate teachers delivering effective lessons. I continue to marvel at the talent and caring demonstrated by our entire staff at BSPS!
Berrien Springs Shamrocks in the News!
Students Making News
- Equestrian Team qualifies for state championship for the first time in 23 years.
- Boys Tennis team wins Regional Championship and qualifies for state tournament.
- High School Marching Band earned 1st place at the Vicksburg Invitational on Oct. 8.
- High School Marching Band received a "superior" rating (the highest) at the MSBOA Marching Band Festival on Oct. 12th.
- The High School Academic Challenge team will be competing in a newly formed BCS conference.
- Middle School Athletes of the month for September: Erin Moore and Ashton Sheline.
- Middle School Students of the month for September: Faith Layton and Tyler Ewalt.
HS Marching Band
Members of the 2016 High School Marching Band.
Berrien Springs Equestrian Team
Members of the 2016 Equestrian Team.
Berrien Springs Boys Tennis Team
Members of the Boys Regional Champion Tennis Team.
Staff Making News
- Boys Tennis Coach Rick Fedoruk selected Regional Tennis Coach of the Year.
- Academic Challenge Coach Virginia Schumm was instrumental in the start up of the newly formed BCS Academic Challenge league.
- Middle School English Teacher Mrs. Angie Geis was recently selected as a Literacy Facilitator for the 2017 MiELA Nework Summer Institute.
- Welcome to Ms. Kat Spindler, newly hired part-time Speech and Language Therapist for Mars Elementary and the High School.
- Mars Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher Mrs. Renee Peddie recently became a certified trainer of teachers for Project Lead The Way (PLTW).
- Middle School 6th Grade Science Teacher, Mrs. Amanda Barrett is a nominee for state Science Teacher of the Year.
- I am a guest presenter in October for a national educational leadership webinar.
High School PLTW
Mr. Brian Terry, Engineering Teacher.
Launch PLTW
Elementary students learning to program.
Dig Pink
Volleyball team members raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Community Connection
In my ongoing effort to reach out to our community and make meaningful connections the following initiatives have been undertaken:
- New radio advertisements will be airing soon.
- A first quarter newsletter will be distributed in early November.
- My participation in community service as a member of the Berrien Springs/Eau Claire Rotary Club.
- Development of a master campus plan with community member input.
- The Village of Berrien Springs partnering with the school district to display Shamrock banners on village light poles and new street signs with the Berrien Springs Public Schools logo.
Facility Improvements
Our school district continues to invest in improvement of facilities that will enhance learning while providing a safe and secure environment for students and adults. Some of the recently completed capital projects include the following:
- Roof replacements at Mars Elementary, Middle School and High School buildings.
- New playground surface at Mars & Sylvester Elementary Schools.
- Replacement of concrete and blacktop surfaces at Mars Elementary and the High School.
Capital improvement projects currently in the planning and design phase include the following:
- Replacement of select windows in all buildings.
- Installation of air conditioning for Sylvester Elementary and the High School.
- Improved parking lot and sidewalk lighting campus wide.
- Construction of a new tennis complex in partnership with the Village of Berrien Springs and the Village Adventist School System.
About Us
Berrien Springs Public Schools
"Together, inspiring students to think, learn, achieve and care in a global community."
"Together, inspiring students to think, learn, achieve and care in a global community."
Email: contactus@homeoftheshamrocks.org
Website: www.homeoftheshamrocks.org
Location: PO Box 130, Sylvester Avenue, Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Phone: (269) 471-2891
Facebook: facebook.com/BerrienSpringsPublicSchools
Twitter: @BSPSSchools