Kent Barnes accepts a check on...

HOLLY, Michigan – National Junior Honor Society students of Holly Middle School presented Superintendent Kent Barnes with a check for $1,258.25 on Friday after sponsoring a “penny war” between the seventh and eighth grade students.

“I’m so proud of our school district’s staff members and students for their efforts on so many other community endeavors,” Barnes said.

In addition to the fundraising efforts at Holly Middle School, Barnes thanked Patterson Elementary School students for participating in “Food for Families,” a canned food drive that collected 2, 525 units of food for the Holly Kiwanis Christmas basket distribution project.

“Thanks to Mrs. Dierdre Dannecker and her class for organizing this wonderful community event,” he said.

SMS gym teacher, Ken Opoka ins...

HOLLY, Michigan – After first learning about the National Archery in the Schools Program a few years ago, Sherman Middle School gym teacher and self-professed outdoorsman Ken Opoka saw an opportunity.

“It took a little convincing – especially from a safety standpoint,” Opoka said of his discussions with school officials to bring the program to SMS. “And then there was the whole issue with funding, but I didn’t give up.”

Designed to teach International-style target archery in physical education classes, grades 4-12, core content of the NASP covers history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, core strengthening, physical fitness, and self-improvement.

Linda Skrzynski talks to the i...

HOLLY, Michigan – Members of Holly High School’s class of 2017 are breathing a collective sigh of relief after taking part in “Fun Fest,” an activity-filled morning at Sherman Middle School designed specifically  to assist incoming sixth graders in adjusting to a new school environment.

Up until this year, Holly Area School sixth graders were housed at the Karl Richter Campus, giving students from the four area elementary schools a year to mix as classmates, and learn the ropes as a middle school student.

Linda Skrzynski

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly Area School students who will be going into the sixth grade this year are invited to attend a Fun Fest from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday, Aug. 20 at Sherman Middle School, 14470 N. Holly Road, Holly.

Sherman Middle School staff members along with members of the Holly Area Youth Coalition have planned a morning of fun activities that will help students new to Sherman Middle School feel comfortable with the upcoming school year.

Principal Linda Skrzynski said incoming students from Davisburg, Holly, Patterson and Rose Pioneer elementary schools can meet and mingle with their new sixth grade friends, while enjoying games, crafts, activities and snacks.

Additionally, students can explore Sherman Middle School for the first time, practice locker opening skills, check out books from the IMC, and meet a few of their new teachers, Skrzynski said.