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Kelloggsville schools outline STEM, AI and family‑engagement plans and unveil 'This Is KV' branding
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Summary
District administrators updated the board on K–5 STEM expansion, a district AI task force and curriculum work supported by a '61v' grant application through MEERA and the ISD; family‑engagement efforts and a new 'This Is KV' initiative were introduced, and student representative Cameron Clark voiced support for added middle‑school STEM courses.
At the Feb. 9 meeting of the Kelloggsville Board of Education, district administrators briefed the board on curriculum initiatives, artificial intelligence planning and new family‑engagement and marketing efforts.
CFO Chad Morrow reviewed progress on Board Goal C (Curriculum Innovation & Pathways). He said K–5 STEM expansion is underway, a computer science course is being offered at Central, and the district is pursuing middle‑school STEM curriculum support through a "61v" grant application in partnership with MEERA and the intermediate school district (ISD). Ms. Sherman observed an Allendale program as part of this work, and Mr. Linker and Ms. Sherman are continuing curriculum implementation efforts.
Morrow also reported the district has formed an AI task force, joined a cohort that provides consultation support, and is preparing curriculum resources and policy language; administrators reviewed AI policies developed by Kentwood and Grandville as reference material for Kelloggsville's policy development.
On assessment and operations, staff recounted original‑assessment training for grades 3–12 and noted a plan to expand elementary training via selected staff; Mr. Sellers will provide added support at staff meeting days after a snow day delayed group training. Operations updates included broader rollout of the learning management system (LMS) and replacement of bubble‑sheet workflows with Synergy functions, which staff have reported is working well.
Under Board Goal D (Family & Community Engagement), Ms. Groters said multiple advisory groups have been created and that informational pamphlets with QR codes are available in building offices for parent sign‑ups. The district will staff a communications table during conferences, and SMORE newsletters plus Synergy/ParentVUE translation tools will be used to reach non‑English‑speaking families. Social posts and building signage will be translated when possible.
Ms. Groters introduced "This Is KV," a multi‑year initiative to market district strengths and help welcome new families through a "Start Your Roots" concept; staff have received Canva training to support the effort. The board noted upcoming events including Curriculum Night on March 12 and Kindergarten Round‑Up.
Student Board Representative Cameron Clark said regionals for bowling are next week and voiced support for adding middle‑school STEM courses, saying, "I like the idea of implementing additional STEM courses at the middle school level; early exposure would better prepare students for high school and encourage continued interest throughout their education." Board members expressed support for the initiatives; Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Reidzans also noted the district's attention to safe‑storage concerns and to communicating in families' preferred languages.
The board took no formal action on these informational items at the meeting.