🎉 Congratulations to Josie Smith for 15 years of service as a counselor at the BACC! Thank you for your dedication to the students you have served so well over the last 15 years. Your guidance and encouragement are greatly appreciated.💙
How does Branch ISD prepare for the new school year? We began with an opening day luncheon where staff are able to learn about department updates completed over the summer, network with all ISD staff, and celebrate the dedicated staff members who have contributed 10 or more years of service to our mission. Our featured presenter Gerry Brooks did not disappoint. He was inspiring, uplifting, and provided comic relief to get staff through the school year.
Community Baby Shower If you are a new or expecting parent come join us to connect with resources, agency connections and a chance to win FREE prizes. Saturday, September 12th 10a - noon at the Grahl Center 125 Seeley St in Coldwater. Please register by calling or scanning the QR code in the flier above.
🌳 Park Playgroup Update 🌳
Due to the high temperatures expected Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Park Playgroup will be held indoors to help keep everyone safe and comfortable.
📍 Location:
70 Tibbits St.
Coldwater, MI 49036
We look forward to seeing you there! Please help us spread the word.
Join us for fun park playgroup designed for children ages 0-5 and their families. Great opportunity for little ones to explore, play, and connect while caregivers build community. We will be at Township Park (319 Sprague St Coldwater) every Wednesday through Aug 5th from 2:00 - 3:00pm. Hope to see you there!
The best way to spend Father’s Day is cuddling with your baby, but if you are sleepy be sure to put your baby in a safe sleep environment. Learn why at: HERE
June is National Safety Month, and Safe Sleep Awareness is a primary focus dedicated to preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-related infant deaths.
Make sure babies have a safe sleep space when traveling. Babies should sleep alone in a crib, bassinet or pack and play. Learn more by Clicking here
We closed out an incredible year with our end of year Waldron picnic, and it was so fun to see the staff and students enjoying this special time together!
Thank you to our amazing students and dedicated staff for making this day a beautiful celebration of growth and friendship . Seeing everyone connect, laugh, and celebrate their hard-earned milestones was the perfect way to wrap up the year. And the food was yummy too!
We are so proud of all our students' achievements this year. Have a safe, happy, and restful summer break.. We can't wait to see you all again soon!
Thank you to our amazing students and dedicated staff for making this day a beautiful celebration of growth and friendship . Seeing everyone connect, laugh, and celebrate their hard-earned milestones was the perfect way to wrap up the year. And the food was yummy too!
We are so proud of all our students' achievements this year. Have a safe, happy, and restful summer break.. We can't wait to see you all again soon!
Waldron Learning Center wrapped up our 4th year participating in Special Olympics through Area 18 in partnership with St. Joe County, and we could not be more proud of our students! ❤️
Our athletes work incredibly hard all season in track, and this year we were especially excited to have TWO 400m relay teams competing! Watching our students grow in confidence, teamwork, and determination year after year has been amazing.
We also want to recognize our Pathways students who participate in Special Olympics bowling vs. St. Joe County. Every athlete puts in the work, shows up ready to compete, and represents our school so well. Most importantly, our families show up BIG for these kids. Seeing parents, siblings, grandparents, and supporters cheering from the stands means everything to our athletes and staff.
We are proud of every student who steps onto the track, into the bowling alley, or simply has the courage to compete. ❤️🤍 WAY TO GO!!!
Our athletes work incredibly hard all season in track, and this year we were especially excited to have TWO 400m relay teams competing! Watching our students grow in confidence, teamwork, and determination year after year has been amazing.
We also want to recognize our Pathways students who participate in Special Olympics bowling vs. St. Joe County. Every athlete puts in the work, shows up ready to compete, and represents our school so well. Most importantly, our families show up BIG for these kids. Seeing parents, siblings, grandparents, and supporters cheering from the stands means everything to our athletes and staff.
We are proud of every student who steps onto the track, into the bowling alley, or simply has the courage to compete. ❤️🤍 WAY TO GO!!!
Check out the next Kinship Care meeting on Tuesday, June 2nd. They have space for more families this summer! Please RSVP the number of adults and children in your party to 517-279-6565.
🎂 Happy 61st Birthday, Head Start!
Sixty-one years ago, a bold idea took root: every child — no matter their zip code or family income — deserves a strong start in life. What began as an 8-week summer program in 1965 has since served more than 38 million children and counting.
Today, Head Start programs across all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories continue that promise every single day — offering early education, health screenings, nutritious meals, and deep family support.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and learn how Head Start continues to change lives: https://go.nhsa.org/61
#HeadStart61 #HappyBirthdayHeadStart
Sixty-one years ago, a bold idea took root: every child — no matter their zip code or family income — deserves a strong start in life. What began as an 8-week summer program in 1965 has since served more than 38 million children and counting.
Today, Head Start programs across all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories continue that promise every single day — offering early education, health screenings, nutritious meals, and deep family support.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and learn how Head Start continues to change lives: https://go.nhsa.org/61
#HeadStart61 #HappyBirthdayHeadStart
Yesterday evening, we celebrated our graduates at Waldron Learning Center! This year, we proudly recognized seven amazing students for their hard work, growth, and accomplishments. Each one has inspired us with their determination and heart.
We also took a special moment to honor in memoriam a beloved student who would have graduated with this class. Their memory continues to be a part of our school family and will always hold a place in our hearts.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!! We are SO proud of you!
We also took a special moment to honor in memoriam a beloved student who would have graduated with this class. Their memory continues to be a part of our school family and will always hold a place in our hearts.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!! We are SO proud of you!
Coldwater Housing Commission breaks ground on outdoor family engagement space at Family Promise of Branch County Shelter. The project builds on a 2024 statewide pilot supported by the Michigan Department of Education in partnership with Branch Intermediate School District, with Coldwater selected as one of only four sites in Michigan. For the full story from WTVB click here
📣 Stay connected with the Branch ISD Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)! The latest newsletter includes important updates, family resources, upcoming events, and ways to get involved in supporting students and families across Branch County. We value your voice and partnership as we work together to help every student succeed
Thank you to our speech-language professionals who support the growth and development of our students every day!
On April 30, 2026, the BISD Parent Advisory Committee proudly celebrated the incredible educators, staff, and students who go above and beyond each day to make a lasting impact in the lives of others at the Making a Difference Awards Ceremony held at the BACC. It was a wonderful evening filled with celebration, appreciation, and inspiration as community members, family, friends, and educators from across Branch County came together to honor these outstanding individuals.
Please join us in congratulating this year’s outstanding award recipients:
Administrator of the Year
• Brandon Suever – Quincy Middle School
General Education Teachers of the Year
• Elementary: Becky Taylor – Jennings Elementary, Quincy
• Secondary: Karen Kiss – Coldwater High School
Special Education Teachers of the Year
• Elementary: Stacey Kies – Jennings Elementary, Quincy
• Secondary: Nathan Davenport – Pansophia Academy
💙 Support Staff Persons of the Year
• Johnnie Dowell – Waldron Learning Center
• Kaylee Richar – Jefferson Elementary
🌟 Itinerant Staff Person of the Year
• Annie McGuire – School Social Worker, BISD
Student of the Year
• Kden Hiestand
Peer Support Student of the Year
• Harrison Pritchard – Jefferson Elementary
Thank you to all of our nominees and winners for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to making a difference every day. Your impact is truly inspiring! 💛🖤
Waldron Learning Center held our prom on May 1st and it was MAGICAL!
We want to give a huge thank you to the students in the BACC Education Professionals program for helping make this year’s Prom such an unforgettable experience!
This year’s “Under the Sea” theme completely transformed the space into something magical. What made the day truly special was the incredible connection and engagement shown to our students. The kindness, inclusion, and enthusiasm displayed throughout the event helped ensure every student felt celebrated, valued, and part of an amazing prom experience!
A special thank you also goes out to the staff who decorated and drove the prom bus and to our DJ for creating such a fun and exciting atmosphere for everyone.
We are so grateful for everyone who helped make this event such a memorable day for our students. Thank you for the time, effort, and heart you put into making prom so special. This is a memory that our students will cherish for a lifetime!!
Thank you to our food service team for their continued dedication to providing nutritious meals and a welcoming environment for students every day!
Waldron student Emma using her adapted stylus made by Waldron paraprofessional Nick Porter with his 3D printer.
