Mattawan Consolidated School

02/05/2026

National School Counselors Week 2026: February 2-6
Guidance That Goes the Distance

It’s National School Counselors Week! Huge thanks to our counselors for being the listeners, the problem-solvers, and the ultimate advocates for our students. You make our school a brighter, more supportive place to learn. We appreciate all you do. Our school counselors are - Early Elementary: Rick Jeffers, Social Worker and Emily Miller-Madaj, Social Worker; Later Elementary: Lisa Wolf, Social Worker and Amy Smith-Owens, Social Worker; Middle School: Nikki Douglass, Counselor, and Christine Walmsley, Counselor; High School: Alaina Scott, Counselor, Lisa Campbell, Counselor, and Tiffany Stommen, Counselor. Celebrate these caring professionals with us!

02/05/2026

Such a wonderful performance tonight by our sixth grade band! Thank you for all the hard work and a special congratulations to our two amazing band directors!👏👏🔥💙💛—RJF

02/04/2026

Starting with "Good Things"
A District View of Capturing Kids Heart Initiative

The Capturing Kids' Hearts initiative isn't just a program on paper; it is the very heartbeat of our district vibe, creating bridges of belonging. CKH turns an everyday learning environment into a community where students, and staff alike, feel energized and celebrated. Starting the day with "Good Things," Mrs. Largen and Mrs. Salvatore invite middle school students to share positive personal news before a single lesson begins in science class. This simple ritual lowers anxiety, boosts student engagement, and builds belonging. A little but powerful experience proves that when we prioritize empathy, heart, and respect, the mind naturally follows. For students arriving with outside stress, focusing on a positive moment helps regulate the nervous system, making the brain more receptive to learning. We are grateful to Mrs. Largen, Mrs. Salvatore, and all of our caring educators for intentionally strengthening our school community. Way to transform the classroom into a space that celebrates one another’s wins!

02/04/2026

Snow Day or Show Day
See Why This Student is Trending in Mrs. Eaton's Class

When the forecast called for flurries, one student decided to up the ante with a high-stakes "weather wager" against fifth grade teacher Mrs. Eaton. The terms were clear: Mrs. Eaton agreed that a snow day would earn the class an extra recess, but if school was open, he’d be hitting the high notes of Justin Timberlake’s "Can't Stop the Feeling" for both Mrs. Eaton’s and Mrs. Becraft’s classes. As you can see, the clouds delivered, and so did his performance. Mrs. Eaton takes the win this time. Moments like these remind us that shared laughter and a good-natured challenge are ingredients to a classroom culture where the strongest bonds between teachers and students are built. While the forecast failed him, his performance proved he and his back-up singers are total rockstars.

02/03/2026

Caught Being Great at Later Elementary
Ms. Wolff’s Compliment Crew is on the Case

Throughout the school day, Ms. Wolff’s students can write compliments for their classmates whenever they notice someone doing something positive. Each compliment must be descriptive and use a word from their Social Contract—it can’t just say something like “JJ is cool,” because we are all cool! Mrs. Wolff’s students also serve in an official capacity on the Compliment Crew. At the end of each day, the crew selects five meaningful compliments and read them aloud to the class. When a student comes up to receive their compliment, the crew also gives them a ticket. A social contract in the classroom provides the foundation for respect, but peer compliments are the glue that turns a group of students into a true, supportive community. When kids feel supported, they think deeper, work harder, and learn better. Major props to Ms. Wolff for launching the Compliment Crew and for proving that kindness the coolest subject on the curriculum.

02/03/2026

Spotlight on Science
Mastering Molecular Fundamentals

Our high school biology students are navigating the complex world of molecular interactions, demonstrating incredible academic rigor. Mr. Birnbaum mapped out the focus, the properties of water, how oxygen and hydrogen share electrons, and the magnetism of polarity. Through diagrams, discussion, and video, he deconstructed how molecular polarity drives the forces of cohesion and adhesion. “How do some insects stick to the surface of water?” From analyzing how electrons dictate the formation of covalent bonds to exploring the charges that define polarity, our students are tackling high-level concepts with impressive focus. When a teacher breaks down concepts like polarity and hydrogen bonding, they are helping students visualize the invisible forces that govern biology. Under Mr. Birnbaum’s masterful instruction, our students are connecting the dots and understanding complex molecular interactions. We are so proud of our students for staying "on point" with rigorous learning. GO WILDCATS!

02/03/2026

Leading with Heart
Mattawan MI HEARTSafe School Award

February is American Heart Month and we’re proud to share that our school buildings have earned the MI HEARTSafe School Award, recognizing our district’s commitment to cardiac emergency preparedness and rapid response. This recognition reflects the dedication of our Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT), who train, plan, and are ready to act when it matters most. From AED accessibility to ongoing staff training, this award highlights the people behind the preparedness. Your readiness to act in a crisis is an invaluable asset to our school community—thank you to our MERT members for your diligence, commitment and readiness.

02/03/2026

Check it out!

Do you wanna be shakin’ at the high school hop?? Elijah, Finn, and Emma want to see you dancing in your seats at GREASE AT MHS! Mattawan’s bringing Grease in February 20-March 1 with tickets on sale NOW at the link in comments!

02/03/2026

Let’s go!

02/02/2026

Team Music vs. Team Poetry
8th Grade ELA Students: An Exercise of Meaningful Writing

Ms. Krempa, Mrs. Heinicke, and Ms. DeKoff's 8th grade ELA students are finding their voices by declaring themselves "Team Music" or "Team Poetry," a choice that transforms a standard writing assignment into a deeply personal exploration of the human experience. One of the students chose Emily Dickinson's poem, "Hope is the Thing with Feathers," and another chose Megan Meroney's song, Beautiful Things. One student chose Pink Skies by Zack Bryan and shared that the lyrics provided peace after her grandfather's passing...she isn't just practicing literacy—she's practicing healing. This incredibly cool experience teaches students that writing is not just about mechanics, they are discovering that writing is a powerful tool for self-reflection that helps them articulate complex feelings and claim ownership over their unique perspectives. We are thankful that Ms. Krempa, Mrs. Heinicke, and Ms. DeKoff are helping students feel the value of meaningful writing and finding language that mirrors their own lives. With every word they craft, they are right there cheering them on making each step of their writing journey a shared celebration. This caliber of instruction unlocks creativity, personal expression, and teaches students how to articulate their own stories. GO WILDCATS!

01/31/2026

Double overtime with Battle Creek Central!

01/30/2026

Global Citizens in Training
Mr. Lentz’s 6th Graders Master the Language of Modern Economy

We stepped into 6th-grade Western Hemisphere class to find students working with a world vocabulary list that bridges the gap between geography and real-world finance. Mr. Lentz is teaching the concepts of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Human Development Index, and Entrepreneurship. It’s not just memorizing definitions; they are learning to build global literacy. By exploring entrepreneurship, they are discovering the innovation required to turn an idea into a reality within the marketplace. Why this matters for “adulting?” The real-world skills of financial literacy, self-reliance, understanding economic engines, and critical thinking will be key to these kids being informed citizens who understand how the world operates. Mr. Lentz is helping our students to see themselves as creators, and problem-solvers rather than just consumers. No question that his Western Hemisphere 6th graders are developing the perspectives they need to enter the workforce, not just as participants in the economy, but savvy Wildcat innovators.