Our annual College Signing Night went next level with a big event in the Kamstra Gym last night! Seniors spanned the length of the gym floor, wearing gear of the school they are attending next fall. Congratulations seniors and good luck next year in college sports! #ReadyToCompete
Tonight, the Board of Education recognized Jennifer Postema for her many dedicated years of service to the JPS Board of Education. Thank you, Jen, for the heart, leadership, and commitment you have given to our students, district, and community. Your service and dedication have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for all you have done.
Tonight, the Board of Education recognized the dedicated volunteers behind our robotics program including Robotics President Tim Hoyt. Thank you for investing your time, talents, and energy into creating innovative opportunities for our students.
Tonight, the Board of Education recognized the incredible Fine Arts Booster Clubs and volunteers who support our band, orchestra, and choir programs. Thank you for the countless hours, dedication, and encouragement you pour into our students and fine arts programs. Your support helps create meaningful opportunities, unforgettable experiences, and a strong sense of community through the arts.
Tonight, the Board of Education recognized the many volunteers who help make our district such a special place, including our elementary parent clubs. Thank you for everything you do for our buildings, our students, our staff, and our families. Your time, dedication, and heart make a lasting difference throughout our district.
Last week all our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders visited the Jenison Center for the Arts for the Instrument Demo Concerts! The Jenison Junior High 8th grade band and orchestra kids showcased the musical instrument opportunities by playing many popular movie soundtracks. Everything sounded GREAT. The orchestra and band directors highlighted each instrument involved so students had awareness and could make an informed decision about their future. Great work orchestra and band students!
Congratulations to Emerson Winterburn and Emmalise Bylsma for achieving a finalist medal for their role play in sports and entertainment marketing at DECA Internationals in Atlanta! The entire Jenison DECA group has had a great experience at the conference over the weekend into this week. Go DECA!
Excited to share our favorite moments from Prom 2026! Big thanks to New Vintage Place for hosting a first-class event over the weekend and for all the staff and students who made it possible!
Last Friday morning our Bursley Elementary first graders had an amazing trip to the John Ball Zoo! It was a perfect spring day and the students explored the zoo in small groups with staff and parent chaperones. They asked plenty of questions and learned so much from the interactive exhibits. Check out the top moments from the special morning!
Last week we dropped by the Jenison softball game at home against Hudsonville! The weather was perfect, the stands were packed, and the atmosphere was great. Check out our favorite photos from the afternoon and go softball!
Last Friday the high school’s APES class and Bauerwood 2nd graders continued their wonderful tradition of releasing salmon into the Grand River! They have been growing and developing in Mrs. White’s room since October. The high school students led groups of 2nd graders to the boat launch area and, using red Solo cups, released salmon into the wild. Strong connections were formed as interactive learning took place. Way to collaborate high school students and second graders!
Last Thursday Jenison Choirs performed its first ever A cappella show at the Jenison Center for the Arts! The lively crowd loved every minute of it cheering along to popular songs like “Turn the Beat Around” without any instrument backup. Huge shoutout to the students for an incredible performance!
The second annual Victory Day Football Game at Grand Valley State University was a HUGE success once again! Our Unified Sports students traveled to Lubbers Stadium yesterday and got to hang out with the GVSU Football team, the GVSU Soccer team, and students from the GVSU Sports Management program. They went through drills, had a lot of dance parties, and finished the day with the chance to score a touchdown. Big thanks to everyone at GVSU who made our students feel incredibly special!
Recognizing excellence across our district! Our High School Math Department is helping students achieve incredible academic growth, Zach Mendoza continues to invest in people through our strength and performance program, and Amy Schrock is being celebrated for organizing a meaningful Senior Citizen Preview Night at the high school musical. Well done, Wildcats!
Congratulations to Jenison High School Orchestra Director Dan Scott for being named the WZZM 13 Teacher of the Week! With the help of Scott’s wife and his students, Principal Michael Leiter surprised him with the news during a recent class period. Check out these photos from the special morning!
After a schoolwide, student council organized fundraiser raised more than $1,000 for Paws with a Cause, a group of younger Bauerwood Elementary students enjoyed a special reward yesterday for their efforts…an Easter Egg hunt! With help from older students, on a perfect spring day, the students went wild along the back woods trails, finding every colorful egg in sight. The eggs contained change and slips of paper that granted other special rewards. Huge shoutout to Bauerwood Elementary Student Council for such a successful campaign!
Mrs. Wise’s Challenge LA class at the Junior High has been working on “Teach the Teacher” presentations this week and so far they are pretty amazing! Students each picked something they are passionate about to teach her in a 3-minute presentation. One student taught Mrs. Wise about her dad’s service dog, another brought in her Corgi to share the history of the breed, one girl skateboarded, and so much more. Students were supportive of their classmates and cheered them on every step of the way. Cool idea Junior High!
Talk about the perfect TRIFECTA! Huge shoutout to the three Jenison Winter Color Guard teams that won state championships at the Breslin Center over the weekend. Jenison Varsity, Jenison JV, and Jenison Jr Wildcats were each undefeated this season as well! The Jenison Junior Wildcats are now three-peat state champions and the varsity team is back-to-back state champions. Congratulations on incredible seasons, Jenison Color Guard!
Congratulations to Jenison’s Unified Green and White Teams for taking home gold medals at the Special Olympics Basketball State Finals this past weekend! Big thanks to Parent Stacy Clack for the amazing photo. Go Unified!
Special shoutout to Jenison High School’s Winning Wildcats for the month of March… Rob Zeitman and Jordan Whittecar!
Zeitman, the Wildcat Prep Program Coordinator, “continuously thinks outside the box to design solutions that meet diverse needs and ensure every student has a clear path to graduation. Because of his dedication, flexibility and creative approach, many students who once felt stuck are now confidently moving toward graduation,” according to Dr. Leiter, the staff member who nominated him.
Whittecar, a business teacher and DECA advisor, helps students “develop the confidence and soft skills necessary to succeed in the business industry. She also does an exceptional job representing Jenison at DECA events and within the field of Business Education,” according Mrs. Kirkland, the staff member who nominated her.
Way to go, Rob and Jordan!
