“It’s nice to see everyone back and some new faces joining us,” said Superintendent
Craig McCarthy as he welcomed staff gathered in the high school auditorium. He encouraged everyone to work together to make it the best year ever.
Board of Education Vice President Krissy Hooson also welcomed everyone to the new year and offered words of encouragement. She admitted she is a “huge football fan,” and drew inspiration from two legendary coaches - Vince Lombardi and Lou Holtz.
“As we embark on this new academic year, I can't help but draw a parallel between your roles and those of two legendary football coaches - Vince Lombardi and Lou Holtz. Lombardi was a master of discipline, focus and unwavering commitment to excellence. His famous quote, ‘Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is,’ encapsulates the spirit of dedication we strive for in this district. Like Lombardi we are in the business of building character, fostering discipline and instilling a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
“Lou Holtz, on the other hand, was a champion of motivation, enthusiasm and creating a positive culture. His belief in the power of attitude and teamwork is something that we all embrace. Just as Holtz rallied his players around a shared vision, let's create this culture where everyone feels value supported and inspired.
“You are not simply educators. You are coaches, mentors and cheerleaders. Your students are your players. Your classrooms are your fields. Your goal is not just to teach, but to empower, to ignite a passion for learning, and to equip your students with the tools they need to succeed. Like any great coach, you must be prepared. You must know your players - your students - understand their strengths, weaknesses and aspirations. You must develop a game plan - a curriculum that is engaging, challenging and relevant. Most importantly, you must be relentless in your pursuit of victory - student success.
“So, as we kick off this new season, let's channel the spirit of Lombardi and Holtz. Be disciplined, focused and committed to excellence, be enthusiastic, supportive and create a positive learning environment. Together we can build a championship team - a district where every student is a winner. As Lou Holtz once said, ‘Remember every day some ordinary person does something extraordinary. Today is your turn.’ Rise up, be extraordinary and let's make this year our greatest season yet. Go Trojans!”
McCarthy also encouraged the staff to embrace this year and the changes that will come with it.
The district is winding up construction projects from the 2019 bond and seeing many physical changes within the district. McCarthy reviewed all that has been done to the facilities with the 2019 bond. “We've held groundbreaking ceremonies, built a new building and built new classrooms. We added eight classrooms at McFall - six kindergarten classrooms and art and music rooms. We added four classrooms at Lee and four classrooms at Page.”
“We have remodeled kitchens and cafeterias. Page has a brand-new kitchen, all new equipment, and we expanded that cafeteria to seat more students, more comfortably. We nearly doubled the High School cafeteria in size, so nearly 600 students can fit in that cafeteria. We've also built some state-of-the-art tennis courts. We can now hold invitationals and we've remodeled our pool. It looks like a pool. It looks fantastic ”
Maybe one of the biggest additions that affects everyone is the addition of air conditioning throughout all learning spaces within every building. There is also new paving done on nearly all parking lots in the district and some still to be completed.
“We have been milling and repaving parking lots throughout the district all summer and they were just lining McFall’s parking lots as I left last night,” said McCarthy.
And just as the physical projects are winding down, McCarthy said there is much more to talk about. “Now, it’s time for some intellectual construction. It’s time for PLC’s (Professional Learning Communities) and just like our physical construction, this is going to take time. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
PLC refers to a group of educators and professionals who meet, share expertise and work collaboratively to improve teaching skills and academic performances of students throughout the district.
He said building principals and district curriculum directors are poised to begin PLC training with staff. “They’re going to help you answer these questions. What do we want our students to know and how will we know that they know it? How will we respond if they don’t know it? And how do we extend learning for students who’ve demonstrated this? It’s a continuous improvement project that I hope the district keeps for years to come.”
He said the PLC will help focus on all student needs - those who struggle to learn materials, those who get it and those who are always waiting for more. “PLC is a process and a structure we’re putting together so that we have consistency throughout the district.”
“Why are we heading down the PLC pathway? Is it because we want to double our efforts to improve academic performance? Is it because it’s a best practice? Or is it because we have a new strategic plan? The answer to all these questions is ‘yes,’ but we really need to know our why and our ‘why’s’ are walking up right now,” said McCarthy as a group of students joined him on stage. “Our why is our students. Just like our physical construction, this is going to take time and our journey begins now. Let’s do it for our students.”
As McCarthy and Hooson reminded staff of their important roles in the schools, the Thornapple Kellogg Education Association also applauded efforts of two teachers who earned this year’s Above and Beyond Awards. The award is named after retired first-grade teacher Shelley Erb and is awarded each year to a teacher or teachers who have demonstrated going above and beyond what is expected for students.
Before announcing this year’s honorees, Middle School band teacher Mark Hagemann reflected on how things have changed so much since he started teaching 33 years ago, but also how some things don’t change. “One thing that hasn't changed in all these years is that we still have teachers that go above and beyond Call of Duty, in service to our students and our community. The TKEA would like to honor two outstanding, hard-working teachers - Jen Filipiak and Tim Penfield.”
Filipiak was nominated by elementary teacher Courtney VanVliet, and Penfield was nominated by high school assistant principal Jeff Dock. Both said the honorees are people who make TK a better place by providing students with opportunities and encouraging other staff members.
Filipiak is an elementary music teacher at Lee and Page and Penfield is a high school science teacher. (See related article for more information.)
McCarthy also reminded staff about the ability for staff to help others through the Barry County United Way. An easy payroll deduction can be made with all funds staying in Barry County to help those in need.
He also thanked the Barry Community Foundation and Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation for continued support of TK Schools. Last year, TAEF supported TK Schools with $14,000 in classroom grants and $65,000 in scholarships. “It’s fantastic to have that kind of partnership,” said McCarthy.
The opening day ceremony also included the introduction of 31 new staff members all starting their TK careers in the 2024-25 school year.
Staff reaching milestone service years were also recognized.
10 Years
Jennifer Bailey
Michelle Cazier
Mary Chapman
Jordin Dahlberg
Holli Dickman
Jillian Foster
Theresa Jacobson
Jeff Lloyd
Deb McKinstry
Cary Saxton
Deb Snyder
20 Years
Shari Dalton
Laura Oprea
Liz Ritsema
Dawn Smith
30 Years
Ann Cross
Angie Ruger
Chad Ruger
Julie Toole