Lakewood Public Schools District

06/04/2026

Honoring 103 Years of Memories
Lakewood Says a Heartfelt Goodbye to Woodland School

The Lakewood community turned out in full force to celebrate the rich history of the Woodland School building, now known as the Lakewood Early Childhood Center, which has served area students since 1923. From nostalgic tours through the hallways to stories shared by alumni spanning decades, the sunny afternoon was a beautiful tribute to Woodland School’s lasting legacy. "I spent 8 years of my life here, K-8" said Ruth Ann Stuart (Johnson), 1970 alumnus. "Ron Martin was my 8th grade teacher and taught me tennis, said Stuart.” Former student Scott, a first grader in 2006, said he took the day off from work to attend. He came hoping to see his teacher Mrs. Smith, "She was such a good person, and she put up with me," he said. A major highlight of the event occurred when former teacher and local historian Mr. Ron Martin played the school's original 1923 fight song, followed by the highly anticipated opening of the cornerstone time capsule, handled by Maintenance Director Nick Chase. Nick carefully opened the time capsule and removed its contents placed inside when the school was built which included newspapers from 1922 and 1923, Notice of Electors Documents and more. These items will be on display at the Woodland Historical Museum, friends are welcome to stop in and enjoy these and other artifacts. Thank you to everyone who came out to honor our history and share in this unforgettable celebration! Check out the time capsule opening here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1259618206005304

06/04/2026

Time capsule opened as Barry County school closes. What was inside?

Newspapers and documents from the early 20th century were found inside the corner of the school.

06/01/2026

THE FINAL BELL - JUNE 3, 2026
Honoring the Building That Started It All

We invite the entire Lakewood community to join us on June 3 for the Final Bell and a heartfelt farewell celebration as we honor the storied history and lasting legacy of Woodland School/Lakewood Early Childhood Center. This gathering will provide us an opportunity to walk the halls one final time, reminisce with old friends, and celebrate the impact that the original Woodland School had on generations of students. Let’s be together to uncover the mystery and see exactly what’s inside the time capsule that Mr. Martin will help us unveil!

06/01/2026

STUDENT COUNCIL'S VIKINGS ON THE RUN
Register Today!

Vikings on the Run 5K is a fundraising event hosted by the Lakewood High School Student Council. Our goal is to host a fun event for families and community members to help support the student council and the numerous activities and projects they put on each school year. The money raised from the 5K will be used to fund pep assemblies, homecoming events, host blood drives, teacher appreciation week, student recognition, and so much more to grow school pride! This run/walk is an event for all ages and not officially timed. T-shirts are included in the registration fee, but make sure you register by July 25th to guarantee your shirt on race day. Sign ups are still possible after this date, but a shirt isn't guaranteed on race day and will be available for pickup on a later date. Small strollers are allowed on the course. Key Info: Any age walkers or runners- make it a family event and come out to support LHS! Saturday August 22, 2026. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., Run begins at 9:30, and all runners must be done by 11:30. Check-in, Start/Finish is @ Lakewood High School Unity Football Field and Track
Register Here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/LakeOdessa/Vikingsontherun5k

05/20/2026

HONORING KELLY MEINTS
Viking MVP Recipient

We’re pleased to announce that we’re honoring Kelly Meints as our Viking MVP. Kelly is a tremendous asset to Lakewood Middle School. She is focused on building strong rapport with students while maintaining high academic expectations and holding them accountable for their learning. Throughout this semester, Kelly has willingly stepped in when need to provide coverage and support building administration. She approaches this responsibility seamlessly and consistently, demonstrating strong leadership qualities. Kelly is an incredible asset to the Lakewood Middle School team, to our students, and to our entire school family. Please join us in celebrating Kelly Meints, MVP recipient!

05/18/2026

BE THE DIFFERENCE
Apply Today to Build Your Career with Our School Family

Are you ready to become a part of the Lakewood Public Schools family? We are looking for leaders who want to help our students become exactly who they were designed to be! Whether you’re a teacher, bus driver, or administrative leader, there’s a place for you to make a difference in our district—check out our available positions and apply today: https://www.applitrack.com/ioniacountyisd/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=2288

05/15/2026

Announcing May, 2026 Circle of Excellence Inductees
Bravo Vikings!!

It was a proud night for our district as several outstanding students were formally inducted into the School Circle of Excellence by the Board of Education. Representing the very best of our schools, these Vikings were recognized for their profound dedication to service and their relentless pursuit of excellence in all their endeavors. We extend our deepest gratitude to the families and educators whose guidance and encouragement made this recognition possible. Please join us in honoring Austin Moltmaker, Hollis Poll, Eva Stowell, Justin Mutch, Lillianna Brodbeck, Madison Miller, Garrett Wortley, Levi Frizzell, Gretchen Dahms, Uriel Kuras, Austin Shellenbarger, Gracie McDiarmid, Elisa Forlanelli, Aubrey Zinn, Emma Phillips, and Kendra Fruchey. GO VIKINGS!

05/14/2026

Exploring Excellence
Middle School Students Showcase Future-Ready Skills at Elective Expo

When a middle school offers a diverse selection of elective opportunities, it truly allows students' talents to grow and their world to open up. Last evening showcased exactly that at Lakewood Middle School’s first Elective Expo. The wings of the school were packed with impressive displays from a vibrant gallery of mixed media art to insightful environmental education projects to video broadcasting. The breadth of musical talent was remarkable with mini-performances by choir and band students. We’re confident our supportive parents and community who turned out in force left thoroughly impressed by the incredible stories told through the displays of students’ work. Middle school elective courses are crucial because they offer an opportunity for students to explore interests and discover hidden talents beyond the core curriculum. At middle school age, electives provide a safe space for experimentation, allowing students to develop new skills, build confidence, and uncover potential career paths that might otherwise remain unexplored. By empowering students with choice, we see greater engagement, creativity, and our students developing a sense of their unique capabilities and exciting possibilities. Our Spanish and Art students also curated and set-up the installations for the evening, an experience that demanded creative collaboration, leadership, and a healthy dose of elbow grease. We extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible teachers who consistently think outside the box to provide such enriching elective experiences for Lakewood students. A special thank you also goes to those dedicated elective teachers, our school principal Mrs. Aldrich, and our invaluable maintenance staff, whose extra time and effort made our first Elective Expo a resounding success. Lakewood Middle School elective course offerings include: Intro to Band; Cadet & Concert Band; Art, Sculpture, & Ceramics; Coding I; Video Journalism; Creative Writing; Concert Choir & Lakewood Youth Chorus; Green School; Spanish; 20th Century Wars & World Cultures, and Physical Education.

05/11/2026

Big News: We’re Leveling Up with PowerSchool!

We are thrilled to announce that for the 2026-2027 school year, we will be officially transitioning from Skyward to PowerSchool as our new student information system!

📅 What’s Next?

Don’t worry about the details just yet! This is just a "heads up" as we begin the behind-the-scenes work.

• End of the 2025-2026 School Year: We’ll share more specific details on what this means for your family.
• Summer 2026: Look out for "How-To" guides and login instructions to get you ready for Day One.

We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our students, parents, and staff. Stay tuned for more updates coming later this year!