Sturgis Journal
Sarah Hoef, a school psychologist intern, was present Monday at the meeting of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District board. She was doing a site visit and is one of several new hires approved at the meeting.
The board also approved hiring school psychologist interns Janet Juriansz and Ye Kim. The interns will help take the place of Matt Bonynge, school psychologist, who will retire from the position in June.
There is a national shortage of school psychologists, said Teresa Belote, superintendent at ISD. The goal of bringing on interns is to grow our own.
Other newly hired ISD staff members include Emma Winter, an Early On speech and language pathologist; Lorraine Cousino, a health/disabilities specialist; Toni Suckey, an assistant teacher; and McKenzie Sheteron, a child-care provider assistant.
Sturgis Journal
A survey sent to stakeholders within St. Joseph County Intermediate School District in 2020 offered a cross-section of how ISD is supporting its staff, and where improvement could be made.
The survey, which allowed anonymity, was concluded in September and the results calculated. The ISD board meeting on Monday was the optimal opportunity for a presentation and for board members to assess those results.
Although the details from Humanex are deemed “intellectual property” and not available to those outside the board, the survey’s approach asked staff about climate and culture, how much they feel valued and supported, their relationship with their supervisor and if they feel a sense of pride in their work. Response options ranged from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.”
First anniversary of COVID-19 shutdown
Sturgis Journal
One year ago, life as we knew it changed for everyone, as the COVID-19 pandemic reached the area.
The first positive COVID-19 case in Michigan was announced March 10, 2020. On March 13, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced schools would be closed for three weeks along with “non-essential” businesses. Michigan residents were told to shelter in place.
Most local residents say they thought it would last a few weeks or a few months, but experts warned it continue for at least a year. Few could comprehend that length of time.
When the shutdown was announced, many headed to the store to buy milk, toilet paper, disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer, in case supplies dwindled or were depleted.
Sturgis Journal
The Sturgis Journal marks Women s History Month by recognizing the efforts of women in leadership and who have made an impact in the St. Joseph County area.
Today’s segment focuses on Teresa Belote, superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District.
Belote, who has served as superintendent at ISD for nearly four years, is grateful for the opportunity to lead and for the teachable moments by those she serves and oversees.
Belote rose to the role of ISD superintendent in April 2017, capping a career so far that included three years as superintendent of Bronson Community Schools, 10 years as a principal at Sturgis Public Schools and as a teacher at Colon Community Schools.
Sturgis Journal
Like the aftermath of a storm, the COVID-19 crisis seems headed in a more positive direction, but there are still many unknowns.
Schools were hit hard at all levels.
Three Sturgis High School freshmen, Brooke Troyer, Olivia Feyes and Averie Petravich, are able to meet at Five Lakes Coffee to do homework together, but that wasn’t the case for most of the past year.
First, most places were closed. Then, in fall 2020, schools opened, but they attended in-person every other day and had virtual learning when they weren t in class. Now, SHS students are back at school.