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Matt Steiner

HOLLY, Michigan – By day, he’s a journalist for the Colorado Springs Gazette, but on the side, he’s proud to say he’s a children’s fiction author.

Michigan native Matt Steiner, 39 paid a visit Holly Elementary School on Monday, sharing his new book, “Mission Possible,” with third, fourth and fifth grade students, and answering a barrage of questions about the book and his experiences as a journalist.

Published by iUniverse this year, “Mission Possible” tells the story of Tommy Ketchum and his brother, Travis as they – along with their neighborhood gang of pals – try to reclaim “’Ol Blue,” a favorite baseball bat snatched by bully Bart Woods, “The Menace of Mt. Vernon.”

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Nearly 100 percent of all Holl...

HOLLY, Michigan – It was a true celebration of science at Holly Elementary School on Thursday as all students took part in a science hat parade before adjourning to the upper elementary grade level science fair.

As part of the hat parade, each student was assigned a science word from his or her grade level’s core science curriculum and asked to design a hat to reflect the word.  

Pride-filled students donned their creations and participated in a parade of hats for their classmates, teachers and parents to see.

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Holly Elementary School studen...

HOLLY, Michigan – For the seventh consecutive year, second and third graders at Holly Elementary School had some heart pumpin’ fun, participating in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program.

HAS gym teacher Jason McLaughlin not only uses the program to teach students about the importance of cardiovascular health and exercise, but also about giving back and raising money for an important cause.

Using sponsor forms, students asked friends and relatives to make a donation to the American Heart Association. Additionally, gym teacher Jason McLaughlin said students were able to designate a person for whom they were jumping, such as a grandparent or other relative who has suffered a stroke or heart attack.

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HAS gym teacher Jason McLaughl...

HOLLY, Michigan – It’s an annual event at Holly Elementary School, and come Monday, students at Rose Pioneer Elementary School will be experiencing the same thing.

Holly Area Schools gym teacher Jason McLaughlin is splitting his time between the two schools this year, and on Friday, the students of Holly Elementary took part in the Fall Fun Run – four laps through the woods and around the field adjacent to the school, all adding up to a mile.

Doubling as the Presidential Fitness Challenge, the students have just 15 minutes to finish the run.

Before starting a group of fourth graders on their way, McLaughlin reminded them of the strategies. “Pick a good pace – stay with it,” he said. “If you’re running with a buddy, encourage each other.”

With that, the students bolted off the starting line, never once looking back.

After the Fun Run, it was time for the students to recharge with some apples and Gatorade, provided by the school.

“I’m really pleased with how the kids have been doing today,” McLaughlin said. “The times have been better than any other year, and the kids seem to be taking the run very seriously.”

On Monday, the kids of Rose Pioneer face the same challenge. “It’s going to be fun for the kids at Rose Pioneer – they’ve never done a Fall Fun Run before,” McLaughlin said. “I know they’re looking forward to it.”