Michigan families are coming together to show lawmakers who Head Start truly serves 💛
Today we’re celebrating This is Head Start — a statewide movement sharing the faces,
stories, and superpowers of our children, families, and educators.
Head Start is more than a classroom. It’s a community, a source of support, and an opportunity
for families across Michigan. Today, we’re proud to show what Head Start looks like in action.
#ThisIsHeadStartMI26 #MIParentsUnite26 #HeadStartWorks
Today we’re celebrating This is Head Start — a statewide movement sharing the faces,
stories, and superpowers of our children, families, and educators.
Head Start is more than a classroom. It’s a community, a source of support, and an opportunity
for families across Michigan. Today, we’re proud to show what Head Start looks like in action.
#ThisIsHeadStartMI26 #MIParentsUnite26 #HeadStartWorks
Mogul Palooza is almost here! Come out and support our student-run businesses, shop unique products and services, and see all the hard work come to life. Every purchase supports an entrepreneur.
South Michigan Food Bank is doing mobile market events in Coldwater at Ponderosa 12:30-2:30 pm and in Union City at Emmanuel Global Methodist Church 9am-11am. Both events reoccur on the 4th Monday of every month from April through October. For questions please call 269-964-3663 or click the QR code on the fliers below.
We are thrilled to share the 2025-2026 Making a Difference Award nominees and winners! Today, the BISD Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) traveled across our county to surprise this year's incredible winners. These awards recognize individuals in Branch County Schools who have made a significant and positive impact on the educational experience of a student with special needs.
The PAC committee is also proud to recognize students who have demonstrated significant growth academically, socially, in their independence, and in their communication skills. Additionally, the committee recognizes students who have been great peer-mentors, demonstrating care and inclusion for students with different learning needs. All of the students recognized have made a positive and meaningful impact on our educational community through their efforts, contributions, and achievements. We celebrate their dedication, progress, and the unique strengths they bring to our school.
We invite everyone to join the PAC to recognize all of the amazing nominees and winners at the Making a Difference Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 30th, starting at 5:30 PM at the Branch Area Career Center. Refreshments and dessert will be served at 5:30 PM, followed by the ceremony at 6:00 PM.
Our Remarkable Nominees and Winners
The dedication and hard work of these individuals are truly inspiring. Their commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment changes lives every day.
Administrator of the Year
Winner: Brandon Suever (Quincy Middle School)
Nominees: Brad Prater (BISD Special Education) and Hilary Curtis (BISD Special Education).
General Education Teacher of the Year
Winners: Karen Kiss (Secondary - Coldwater High School) and Becky Taylor (Elementary - Jennings Elementary)
Nominees: Katie Jewell, Leslie Welker, Sarah Medema, Shannon Bir, Alison Bassage, Ashley Macklin, Beth McDonald, Hannah Reynolds, and Tiffanie Watts.
Special Education Teacher of the Year
Winners: Nathan Davenport (Secondary - Pansophia Academy) and Stacey Kies (Elementary - Jennings Elementary)
Nominees: Juli Westgate, Katie Tackett, Krista Marshall, Lisa Kontowsky, Madison Rutz, Kelsey Closson, Sharon DeMeester, Abbie Jent, Alexis Czajkowski, Charlie George, Bri Porter, Hillary Raymond, Joe Closson, and Amber Qualls.
Support Staff Person of the Year
Winners: Johnnie Dowell (Waldron Learning Center) and Kaylee Richar (Jefferson Elementary)
Nominees: Gloria Anderson, Jessica Gruner, Jessica Kelley, Judy Wendorf, Kelsey Perkins, Rachele Barker, Tanyell Uren, Samantha Penza, Amy Linscott, Becca Quimby, Beth Schippers, Carly Boals, Deborah Fisher, Elizabeth Hall, Cheryl Hawver, Emma Pfost, Tami VanAuker, Lauren Talbot, Alexis McKean, and Rhonda Machan.
Itinerant Staff Person of the Year
Winner: Annie McGuire (School Social Worker, BISD)
Nominees: Allie Davis, Anna Feller, Annie Wulliman, Erin Salinaz, Jana Alexander, and Kristi Bronstetter.
Student Awards
Peer Support Student of the Year: Harrison P.
Nominees: Hadlie F., Kollion P., Ada H., and Landon M.
Student of the Year: Kden H.
Nominees: McKinlee K. and Perla M.
What a wonderful group of people dedicated to serving our students!. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with you!
It is National Home Visiting Week, a observance to celebrate and recognize home visitors and the positive impact they make on the maternal and child outcomes.
We love our home visiting staff and appreciate all the hard work they due supporting our families.
We love our home visiting staff and appreciate all the hard work they due supporting our families.
Our winter Conscious Discipline® parenting class just ended. Check out the testimonial from one of our parents using the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19m4fKG1cHuq9NH0HQxVKnyQ3xN8TXvkc/view?usp=sharing
Keep an eye out as information on our Spring session will be coming soon.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19m4fKG1cHuq9NH0HQxVKnyQ3xN8TXvkc/view?usp=sharing
Keep an eye out as information on our Spring session will be coming soon.
The Education Professions program at the Branch Area Career Center had a great time participating in Career Day at Ryan Elementary in Bronson! Students interested in teaching joined a special session where our student externs read Because I Had a Teacher by Kobe Yamada, illustrated by Natalie Russell, and led an activity where students shared what they can now do because of a teacher. Their responses were turned into a meaningful bulletin board celebrating and appreciating all teachers.
We are so grateful for the incredible impact teachers have every day. It was inspiring to see how many students shared stories of teachers who made a difference in their lives, and who are now considering a future in education because of that influence.
Thank you, Bronson, for hosting such a fun and engaging Career Day and for allowing us to be part of it!
We are so grateful for the incredible impact teachers have every day. It was inspiring to see how many students shared stories of teachers who made a difference in their lives, and who are now considering a future in education because of that influence.
Thank you, Bronson, for hosting such a fun and engaging Career Day and for allowing us to be part of it!
Students from the Branch Area Careers Center were able to show and explain what they do in their BACC programs to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Ryan Elementary School on April 15. All students enjoyed hands-on activities that BACC students brought with them to showcase careers in their various fields.
Early Education staff are wearing BLUE for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month. To learn more visit Prevent Child Abuse America
Branch County 8th Graders enjoyed visiting the Branch Area Careers Center. on Tuesday March 31st. Students were able to choose two classes to explore and participate in hands-on activities. This visit helps students identify various career paths they are interested in, and experience being a BACC student.
Congratulations to the March Inclusion and Belonging Recognition recipients!
Lucy Roberts
Landon McDaniel
Conrad Robbins
Val Torrey
Aishah Abdulla
Amanda Morick
The Parent Advisory Committee and Branch ISD appreciate your commitment to promoting and fostering inclusive environments where all students feel welcomed.
Lucy Roberts
Landon McDaniel
Conrad Robbins
Val Torrey
Aishah Abdulla
Amanda Morick
The Parent Advisory Committee and Branch ISD appreciate your commitment to promoting and fostering inclusive environments where all students feel welcomed.
The Branch ISD Parent Advisory Committee has released their April newsletter!
Stay informed with upcoming events, helpful parent tips, and links to ongoing PAC initiatives. Be sure to check it out and stay connected with all the great work happening in our community.
Stay informed with upcoming events, helpful parent tips, and links to ongoing PAC initiatives. Be sure to check it out and stay connected with all the great work happening in our community.
April is OT Month!
Thank you to our Occupational Therapy team for helping students develop independence and confidence.
Our recent talent show, Superstars & Spotlights, was an incredible celebration of creativity, confidence, and FUN! Our students truly shined as they took the stage and shared their unique talents.
From comedy acts to beautiful singing performances, engaging voice-overs, and a stunning display of student artwork, every moment was filled with joy and inspiration. We laughed and we cried as each act showed not only talent, but courage, individuality, and hard work.
We are so proud of our amazing students at Waldron Learning Center for stepping into the spotlight and sharing their gifts with us. Thank you to everyone who supported and made this event so special!
From comedy acts to beautiful singing performances, engaging voice-overs, and a stunning display of student artwork, every moment was filled with joy and inspiration. We laughed and we cried as each act showed not only talent, but courage, individuality, and hard work.
We are so proud of our amazing students at Waldron Learning Center for stepping into the spotlight and sharing their gifts with us. Thank you to everyone who supported and made this event so special!
Our amazing staff showed their stuff when they jumped right into the fun during our talent show with a hilarious synchronized swimmers act...no pool required! From perfectly “choreographed” moves to laugh-out-loud moments, they brought so much joy and energy to everyone watching.
It’s moments like these that remind us how special our team is. Not just for all they do every day, but for the fun, laughter, and heart they bring to our school.
We couldn’t have asked for a better performance. Thank you for all your hard work and for making it UNFORGETABLE!
Is you kiddo going into Kindergarten or Young 5s this fall? Be ready in one stop. Appointments are required so call 517-933-3035 to secure your spot.
We’ve had some very special visitors at Waldron Learning Center this March for Reading Month!
Our students have been enjoying stories read by wonderful members of our community, including guests from the Coldwater Police Department. Their time, kindness, and enthusiasm have made reading even more exciting and meaningful for our students.
Thank you to everyone who has come in to share a love of reading with us! We truly appreciate your support and connection with our school. Moments like these make a lasting impact!
#MarchReadingMonth #CommunityConnections #WaldronLearningCenter #BRANCHISD
Congratulations to Our 2025 Teacher of the Year – Cheryl Covell! 🎉
The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce had the privilege of honoring an educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
For more than 16 years at the Branch Area Careers Center, and over 16 years in Career and Technical Education overall, Cheryl Covell has dedicated her career to preparing students for meaningful and successful careers in healthcare. To Cheryl, teaching isn’t just a job, it’s truly a calling.
Under her leadership, the Health Professions program has grown from just two staff members to five instructors, now serving nearly 100 students each year. She also played a key role in launching new programs, including Medical Assisting and Health Professions Hybrid, helping build them from the ground up.
Cheryl has built strong partnerships with healthcare providers throughout the region, ensuring students receive real-world, hands-on clinical experiences. Even during the challenges of COVID-19, she stepped up becoming a CNA trainer and working with community partners to ensure every student had the opportunity to succeed.
Her students graduate not only with knowledge, but with confidence, professionalism, and the experience needed to thrive in healthcare careers. Many have gone on to become doctors, nurses, EMTs, radiology technicians, and other healthcare professionals.
Beyond the classroom, Cheryl also owns and operates CPR Michigan, providing CPR and First Aid training to businesses, schools, churches, and nonprofits across lower Michigan — strengthening safety and preparedness throughout our communities.
Through her leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment, Cheryl Covell continues to make a lasting impact on students, healthcare, and the entire Branch County community.
👏 Please join us in congratulating and thanking Cheryl Covell, our 2025 Teacher of the Year!
Cheryl Coville of Coldwater and owner of CPR Michigan was introduced to Altrusans last month at their monthly program meeting at the ELkS Temple.
Cheryl proved to be very informative, taking the time to update the members on the latest Hands-On Only CPR techniques as well as demonstrating some of the innovative training devices that have been developed over the past few years.
She demonstrated Hands-Only CPR techniques using a more modern manikin designed to assure trainees fully understood the techniques. The utilization of lights now immediately tell you if your hands are correctly placed and your compressions are strong enough to be effective. The utilization of light and sound are welcome upgrades for trainees who are often unsure that they are doing things correctly.
Cheryl also directed us to a short Utube video that she highly recommended. It’s 3 minutes that could save your life.
Please watch……Elizabeth Banks in “Just A Little Heart Attack”
Cheryl proved to be very informative, taking the time to update the members on the latest Hands-On Only CPR techniques as well as demonstrating some of the innovative training devices that have been developed over the past few years.
She demonstrated Hands-Only CPR techniques using a more modern manikin designed to assure trainees fully understood the techniques. The utilization of lights now immediately tell you if your hands are correctly placed and your compressions are strong enough to be effective. The utilization of light and sound are welcome upgrades for trainees who are often unsure that they are doing things correctly.
Cheryl also directed us to a short Utube video that she highly recommended. It’s 3 minutes that could save your life.
Please watch……Elizabeth Banks in “Just A Little Heart Attack”
Happy St. Patrick's Day from Early Ed Leadership and the Bishop office!! 🍀
