SJPS names new Superintendent
The top administrator at New Lothrop Area Public Schools has a new job. Dr. Anthony Berthiaume is now Superintendent of the St. Johns School District.
Berthiaume emerged as the St. Johns Board of Education’s top choice to replace retiring Superintendent Mark Palmer after he and two other finalists were interviewed last Thursday.
Berthiaume has led the New Lothop district since 2014. He graduated from Howell High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. He also obtained a Masters of Arts Degree in Education Administration (Educational Leadership) from Central Michigan University. He earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University with an emphasis in K -12 Educational Administration in December of 2016. His prior education employment included Junior/Senior High School Principal for New Lothrop Area Public Schools from 2010-2014 and Principal of Lincoln Alternative High School for the Owosso Public Schools from 2005-2010.
Mark Palmer’s retirement is set to become official on July 1. He will be honored with a Retirement Celebration on Thursday, June 8 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria
SJPS Board plans Pre-Bond Community Forum
As St. Johns Public Schools continues to look to the future of educating our community’s children, it’s important to understand how the facilities will continue to provide for the future.
Please join The St. Johns Public Schools Board of Education for a Community Forum and Bond Planning Update on Monday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Information Center.
After building evaluations, stakeholder engagements, and a community survey, St. Johns has identified potential projects for further consideration. Join them to learn about the identified needs and opportunities and to have a chance to provide feedback. Your continued input is valued and an important part of the process.
Visit the flags at Mt. Rest Cemetery via drones
– video courtesy of Kevin Hafner
More drone photos courtesy of Darryl Schmitz
Pride Festival is Saturday, June 3
Please join the St. Johns Call-In Coalition in celebrating the freedom to be ourselves and honor those who made it possible with the 3rd Annual St. Johns Pride Festival on Saturday, June 3 from 12-4 p.m. in downtown St. Johns at Clinton Ave. and Higham St.
There will be food trucks, speakers, live performances, a family-friendly Drag Show, Rapper, Bands and much more.
Did someone say jazz? St. Johns Pride Fest will have that too. Introducing @blindvenetiansmusic, a group of jazz musicians from the Lansing area. They are known for their musical chemistry and want to share their love for music with us on June 3.
Library kicks off summer with fun
The Briggs District Library is kicking off the summer with an afternoon of fun events on Thursday, June 6
3:00 – Sing and smile with Mrs. Kate Carpenter, a concert featuring “catchy tunes, puppetry, unusual instruments, and riveting storytelling.”
4:00 – Inflatables and lawn games
From 4:00-8:00 there will be inflatables from Backyard Carnival, treats from Kona Ice available for purchase, lawn games–including giant Jenga, corn hole, ladder ball, and more–and snacks.
6:00-8:00 – Facepainting by Ms. Sharon
Mrs. Kate will perform at the library. At the conclusion of her show, the inflatables and games will be available across the street from the library at the Rotary Pavilion
St. Johns to host world premiere of anime film’s teaser trailer June 24
On June 24, in the Rotary Pavilion downtown, from 7:30pm to 9pm, Sam Coffman and his associates will host a media-filled presentation about their animated feature film A Million Horizons! A Q&A will follow, and there will be production media giveaways.
The presentation will include the world premiere of their animated teaser trailer that has never been shown publicly. Coffman says, “I’ve resisted revealing our teaser’s spoilers but have decided that my hometown can handle what we recently made in Tokyo with Toneplus Animation Studios.”
The project is now 27% funded on Kickstarter. You can see from their Kickstarter page that, as Coffman puts it, their “ducks are not only in a row – they’re now quacking in unison. When a community supports the arts, beautiful things happen!”
Talk it through at Parent Cafe
A Parent Cafe is a safe and judgment free space for parents and caregivers to share the joys and struggles of family life during theme-based conversations. Through self-reflection and peer-to-peer learning, participants explore their strengths and learn how to use the 5 Protective Factors to make their family stronger.
Register for each Cafe by using the link or calling (989) 224-1010. In person and virtual options are available each month. In person location: Clinton County RESA, 1013 South U.S. 27, St. Johns, MI 48879 (across from McDonald’s). You will be emailed a Zoom link for the virtual cafes.
Free childcare, snacks and drinks are provided for our in-person Cafes!
Participants will be entered into a Free Drawing for a $25 gift card at each Cafe. Bring a friend and both names will be entered into our $25 gift card drawing twice at the June Cafes. (Please note both people need to register and attend.)
Ice Cream Social – It’s Time to Chill
Conversations will be centered around the importance of social connections and concrete support.
In Person: June 6, 2023 | 9:00-11:00am | Register
Virtual: June 20, 2023 | 1:00-2:30pm |Register
Mark your calendar
Under Construction
Conversations will be centered around building structure and routines at home.
Virtual: July 18, 2023 | 1:00-2:30pm | https://forms.gle/uvgYEzHJzBNn4pyUA
In Person: July 26, 2023 | 9:00-11:00 | Register
Ringmaster of Your Life
Conversations will centered around relationships and being strong & flexible.
Virtual: August 14, 2023 | 1:00-2:30pm | Register
In Person: August 23, 2023 | 9:00-11:00am | Register