Last night the Middle School and High School bands performed flawlessly to a packed house in the Spring band concert.  The progress that both bands have made since the winter band festival is impressive.  Mrs. Hendry has raised her expectations for her student's performance level, and both the MS and HS band students have responded by meeting her challenge.  Parents and community members were entertained from start to finish with a wide selection of numbers that appealed to the young and old alike.  Congratulations MS and HS bands on a beautiful concert.  You sounded amazing!  Playing in their last concert, the Senior band students got Mrs. Hendry a nice card, framed photo, and a bouquet of flowers, and today the Seniors surprised Mrs. Hendry with a baby shower!

Today at Central Lake Public Schools, staff, students, parent volunteers, and NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) members are assembling a large Hoop House to help extend the growing season for our vegetables, herbs, and spices that the CLPS Garden Club grows on campus.  The hoop house was acquired at no-cost to the school district through a grant funded program that assists schools. The Hoop House will allow us to extend our growing season and increase our growing capabilities, and will also allow us to expand our opportunity to partner with our Farms to Schools initiative.  Central Lake Schools Food Service Director, Deb Wolgamott is excited at the prospect of being able to incorporate squash, asparagus, lettuce, and other vegetables grown in the garden into her food service menus.  Also, this initiative works in conjunction with the active Farms to Schools movement that encourages the incorporation of fresh, locally sourced protein, fruits, and vegetables into the school's lunch program.

Research shows that students who eat more fresh, well-balanced nutrient-rich meals and reduce their intake of processed foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients are better prepared to learn, perform better on assessments, and are less likely to be off-task at school.  As Superintendent, I am excited to see the positive impact that the Hoop House will have on our school district.  Students will learn about plant botany in their science classes, get hands on experience with working in a garden, and will be able to eat more locally grown vegetables and herbs while at school.

On behalf of the students of Central Lake Schools, thank you to all our volunteers who generously donated their time and energy today.  Volunteers include: Mrs. Hoogerhyde's science classes, Mr. Johnson's building trades students, NRCS members Dave Komorowski, Sharcy Ray, Maureen Templeton, and Pepper Bromilmeier, as well as Island Co-director Brad Kik, Doug BeDell (Island volunteer), Sarah Thayer (CLPS Board member and Garden Club director), and Phillip Lavanway (Lavanway farms).