OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Jenison Public Schools students head back to class Wednesday morning.
Brandon Graham, the district’s superintendent, says there’s a lot to look forward this year, from the marching band that performed at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last year to the upcoming Wildcat Fest.
It’s going to be another fun but educational school year here in Jenison.
While the campus was quiet early Wednesday morning, the chatter of friends reuniting, first day lectures from teachers and new music from the high school marching band will soon dominate the atmosphere.
“We're always thrilled to start a new school year, just the excitement of the buildings coming alive, having the students back,” Graham said.
The band has already been back together for a few weeks. The students are already practicing music for their fall program inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
It won’t be all work and no play for students. They have the upcoming Wildcat Fest to look forward to.
“It's a marathon that we're going to run together over the course of nine months and so having those relationships, and building those relationships with families, with students, with teachers, is really important for our success,” Graham said.
Thousands of current and former students return to celebrate the start of another school year. It’s a day of fun activities like the critter barn, blow up toys, food trucks and more.
“This is just a celebration of Jenison and what happens, and that will happen on Friday, Sept. 6,” Graham said.
At Wildcat Fest the district is honoring the class of 2037 who might be asleep because kindergarteners still enjoy naptime.
Or maybe they’ll be learning the “Wildcat Way.”
“Trust, honesty, empathy, integrity, integrity, respect and responsibility,” Graham said.
The core values that all students and staff aspire to at Jenison Public Schools.
The future is bright for Jenison Public Schools.
In May, voters passed a $117 million bond. This will allow the school district to build a new upper elementary school and do some significant upgrades to other buildings across the district.