Making the Grade - November 6, 2014

The topic of this week’s Making the Grade Discusses the District Safety. Big Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Tim Haist is joined by guests William Fogel, Deb Tyson, and Renee Kent as they discuss safety and security of our facilities, and the importance of the safety enhancements that have been completed through the sinking fund with the support by our community.

Tim Haist and the guests talk about how positive comments from our parents and community. Changes in the entry process of each building. They discuss why safety matters, and when it is so critical. Discussion continues with the changes introduced by the state regarding School safety drills.

The guests also cover other various ways the district promotes school safety.

Making the Grade - October 6, 2014

The topic of this week’s Making the Grade is The Importance of Parental Involvement. Big Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Tim Haist is joined by guests Katie Thomas, Howard Strom, and Marty Aldrich as they discuss how critical the parental involvement is for student success.

Tim Haist and the guests talk about how parental involvement is crucially important for student success and what parental involvement really means. They discuss why it matters, when it is most critical in a student’s life, and what the community around Big Rapids has been doing to help support students in the Big Rapids Public School system.

The guests also cover ways that parents can get involved. The Parent-Teacher Organization of Big Rapids is having a walk-a-thon this month, and Katie Thomas highlights the event for viewers.

Making the Grade - April 7, 2014

On this episode of Making the Grade, host and Big Rapids Public School Superintendent Tim Haist takes a detailed look at the newly introduced Peer-to-Peer program at Big Rapids Public Schools. Superintendent Haist talks with Principal Lenore Weaver (Big Rapids Middle School), Mrs. Christine Reges (7th grade teacher, Big Rapids Middle School), and student mentor Kaitlyn Ray about the initiative.

Peer-to-Peer is a statewide program that originated at Grand Valley State University under the “START” program, which was originally meant to address educational services, programs, and resources for people with autism. From START, Peer to Peer began and has evolved in to an entire curriculum that focuses on enabling those with special needs to get help from their peers. This is especially important, as individuals with special needs tend to respond better when engaging with their peers.

Making the Grade - February 20, 2014

On this episode of Making the Grade, Big Rapids Public School Superintendent Tim Haist discusses the main idea of “March is Reading Month” with various faculty of local schools: Brookside Elementary and Riverview Elementary.

Kara Schafer, Principal of Brookside Elementary School, first discusses the importance of starting children to read at younger ages to become proficient early to be successful in life.

Next, Traci Fox, a teacher at Riverview Elementary, explains the learning and reading tiers that students must progress through in order to proceed further in his or her studies.

The guests review the idea of “March is Reading Month,” touching on the specific events and themes that each school implements during the month of March; the group also discusses different learning and reading programs that are executed at both schools and have proven to be successful.
Stay tuned for more “March is Reading Month” on this first episode of Making The Grade!

Making the Grade - November 14, 2013

Host Superintendent Tim Haist introduces to the show Drama Director Lori Hathaway, Band Director Brian Balch, and AJ Stephans.

Lori Hathaway talks about the upcoming student musical Little Women and the decision process behind what goes into the production process. AJ Stephans also talks about the musical, her role in the show and how she came to decide to take part in the show.

Finally, Host Tim Haist turns the direction towards Brain Balch and his views on the importance of the Arts to the Education process. Lori Hathaway also adds her views about the social and emotional growth that the Arts.

Making the Grade - October 3, 2013

Josh is coordinator at Big Rapids Virtual High School. He is speaking about the alternative high school and how it can be helpful to the students who need it the most.

Tim is an onsite mentor at the virtual high school. He tells about the center and how it works for the students.

Jeremiah is an outstanding student at the virtual high school.

Making the Grade - March 7, 2013

This week on Making the Grade host Tim Haist talks with guest Nick Scheible, Big Rapids Public Schools Finance Director, on what exactly the operating millage is and what it allows the city to do. John Thomas,

Big Rapids Public Schools Board Member, touches more on what the operating millage does as far as the city's transportation. Big Rapids Public Schools Facilities Services & Maintenance Supervisor

William Fogel talks about what he calls “The Living Document”, Big Rapids list of needed maintenance.

Making the Grade - February 7, 2013

Big Rapids School Superintendent, Tim Haist speaks about school safety.

Discussions include the tragedies that happened in Connecticut, everyone from local businesses to Ferris police to State police have pulled together to create a committee to prevent anything happening to the Big Rapids Schools.

Big Rapids Supervisor of Facilities, William Fogel says that the district has a philosophy that they want to create…being layers of an onion. Watch and find out what he means by that!