Sandy was recognized at last night’s Board of Education meeting, where a huge crowd gathered to show their appreciation for the years of care, dedication, and support she has given to countless students, families, and staff.
Thank you, Sandy, for the time, compassion, and heart you have invested in the band program for nearly four decades. Your impact will be felt for generations to come!
Congratulations to our Week #3 winners of the Move More (at Work) Challenge:
• Casey King (LMS)
• Sarah Blazic (LHS)
• Kim Wojahn (LHS)
• Samantha Clark (Stewart)
• Melissa Lapekas (Stewart)
Great job to everyone who participated and kept moving throughout the challenge!
Curtis Partee – Behavior Support Specialist
Renee White – LPS Transportation Dispatcher
Angie Anderson – Roosevelt Paraprofessional
Andrea Gibson – Bus Driver
Your commitment, care, and impact do not go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do to support our students and community
Date: May 1
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: LHS Auditorium
Come enjoy a variety of performances showcasing the amazing skills of our students. From music to drama and everything in between, it’s a night you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are just $5.00 and will be available at the door.
Bring your friends and family and support our talented performers—we hope to see you there!
After celebrating our amazing Food Service team during National Nutrition Month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Pam Greiffendorf, our Food Service Director at Lakeshore Public Schools!
For over 30 years, Pam has helped lead one of the busiest “restaurants” in town—serving around 2,500 meals every day to our students.
Her favorite part of the job is simple but powerful: knowing every child has had the chance to eat.
We are so grateful for Pam’s dedication, leadership, and the care she brings to our students and community each day.
Be sure to check out photos of Pam and some of her incredible Food Service teammates throughout the past 30 years—you won’t want to miss the memories!
Thank you, Pam, for being a true School Lunch Hero!
Who would have guessed?
In honor of School Principal Day on May 1, we’re taking a walk down memory lane… back to when our incredible Lakeshore Public Schools principals were just youngsters themselves!
From playground dreamers to school leaders, these five familiar faces have grown into the inspiring principals who guide our students, support our staff, and lead our buildings with heart every single day.
• Ben McIntyre – Hollywood Elementary School
• Rachel Kyncl – Roosevelt Elementary
• Jerry Holtgren – LHS
• Carole Fetke – Stewart Elementary
• Allison Arend – LMS
Did they imagine they’d one day be shaping the future of LPS? Maybe… maybe not. But we sure are glad they did!
Join us in celebrating these amazing leaders!
Our staff kept the momentum going by focusing on strength and stability exercises—great work!
Congratulations to our Week #2 winners:
• Cheryl Tomaszewski (Roosevelt)
• Chris Cochran (LHS)
• Jillian Crocket-Hussey (Stewart)
• Jo Schau (LMS)
• Heather Boyle (Roosevelt)
Shoutout to:
Bill Howell (LMS)
Meadow Carr (Stewart)
Juanita Lopez (District)
Christy Erickson (Roosevelt)
Lisa Callahan (Hollywood)
This awesome challenge is sponsored by the RAV Program and LEF—thank you for supporting staff wellness and keeping us moving!
Today we celebrate the incredible people who keep Lakeshore Public Schools running smoothly every single day. From organizing, problem-solving, supporting staff and students, and keeping everything on track—you are truly the heartbeat of our operations.
Meet (and celebrate) the amazing team behind the scenes who make a difference in countless ways. Your dedication, positivity, and hard work do not go unnoticed, and we are so grateful for everything you do!
Please join us in thanking our outstanding administrative professionals for all they contribute to our schools and community!
This episode features Athletic Director Greg Younger, who recaps the winter sports season and gives us a preview of what’s ahead this spring.
Listen now: https://webca.st/276858
Episode #29 is LIVE!
Join us as Stewart Elementary Principal Carole Fetke dives into Literacy Intervention Time (LIT) and PTO programs, plus shares all the details about the April 22nd Young 5’s & Kindergarten Event!
Don’t miss out – tune in here https://webca.st/276392
As part of the celebration, each shared a fun throwback photo of themselves from the grade levels they now supervise—reminding us they were once in their students’ shoes, too!
At the high school, Mike Vota is passionate about guiding students through every stage of their journey. He encourages them to “master the showing up rule,” embrace challenges, and find strength in teamwork and creativity. For Mike, the most rewarding part of his role is watching students grow from unsure freshmen into confident seniors—and seeing the lasting impact they carry beyond graduation.
At Lakeshore Middle School, Tim Keathley brings energy and heart to everything he does. He is dedicated to building meaningful connections and helping students feel supported as they navigate these important years. Tim encourages students to take risks, learn from mistakes, and stay true to themselves, all while fostering a safe and respectful environment.
Join us in thanking Mike and Tim for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to helping our students grow into confident, capable individuals!
Happy National Librarian Day! Today, Lakeshore Public Schools is proud to celebrate Alma Holtgren and the passion she brings to our LHS media center every single day!
What inspired her journey?
Alma’s love for reading and research led her to pursue Library Science, where she was inspired by passionate local educators who showed her the true impact of school librarianship.
What makes her role so rewarding?
From helping students discover their next favorite book to guiding research projects and collaborating with teachers, Alma thrives on supporting both students and staff—making every day unique and meaningful.
Her philosophy on reading?
There’s no one-size-fits-all book! Alma believes the most important book is the one a student is excited to read, and she’s dedicated to helping every student find it.
More than just books…
Our library is a hub for learning, creativity, and connection. Alma has created a welcoming space for collaboration, independent work, and discovery—a place where students truly want to be.
Fun Fact!
Our high school library was named the R. James Johnson Memorial Library in 1972, honoring a board member known for his thoughtful leadership and dedication.
A-Bot Results:
• Finished 3rd out of 36 teams after qualification rounds
• Record of 9-3-0
• Selected as the first pick on the first alliance
• Won the event as District Champions
Performance Highlights:
• Currently ranked among the top 10 teams in Michigan
• Earned 131 district points
• A-Bot is ranked 3rd in the state
• B-Bot is ranked 88th in the state
Team Highlights:
• B-Bot made the playoffs and was eliminated in the second round
• A-Bot faced challenges during competition, including a small fire, and showed great perseverance
• A-Bot received the Judges Award
• A-Bot set the event high score of 442
• A-Bot has now won the Berrien Springs District event three years in a row
A-Bot will compete this weekend at Battle Creek Central and has qualified for the State Championship in April. Good luck!
Picture Credit- E Dutton
Hailey Butler - Hollywood Teacher
Tonya Jahnke - LHS Teacher
Kristina Stolk - Roosevelt Paraprofessional
Maria Ingram - Stewart Speech/Language Pathologist
Lakeshore Public Schools Named a Top 5 United Way Campaign! Each year, United Way of Southwest Michigan and Honor Credit Union recognize the top five school campaigns supporting United Way—and we’re proud to share that Lakeshore Public Schools is among this year’s Top 5!
As part of the recognition, a random donor from each top campaign is selected to receive a $200 Honor Visa Gift Card.
Congratulations to LPS Social Worker Paula Hazzard-Reed, who was selected as the Lakeshore winner! Thank you to everyone at Lakeshore who supports United Way and helps strengthen our community!
Chris Grapis remembers the encouragement of mentor Cindy Huff, who helped him persevere and believe in his potential. Now he loves seeing students experience those same “lightbulb” moments when concepts finally click.
Christina Bauman treasures performing with students at concerts, watching their hard work come together on stage and seeing the pride on their faces after a successful performance.
Matt Pagel values long-term relationships with students, from fifth grade through high school, and one of his favorite memories was celebrating a strong performance with seniors after MCBA prelims—recognizing their dedication and impact on the program.
Band teaches discipline, collaboration, and lifelong appreciation for music. If you’re considering joining, give it a try—music is a journey worth taking.
Happy National Music in Our Schools Month to choir at Lakeshore Middle School and Lakeshore High School! LMS choir teacher Alyson Grumbine treasures final performances and the moments when students’ skills “click,” knowing each performance is unique. High school choir teacher David Gailey values the tradition of “Night of Silence,” where alumni return to sing with current students and reconnect across generations.
Our accompanists help bring music to life. Esther Kraus grew up surrounded by music and was inspired as a child watching a video of Joni Mitchell perform “Big Yellow Taxi,” realizing how music can express emotions words often cannot. Kellie Meyer discovered her love of piano at age eight and cherishes moments when students experience the “aha” feeling of mastering a new concept—memories shaped by her lifelong involvement with the Lakeshore music community.
Choir builds community, creativity, and lifelong memories. This month, we celebrate the teachers, accompanists, and students who make music possible!
