ZPS: Learning For Life

08/21/2026

It’s been a crazy busy few weeks, so let’s get to some sneak peeks! First up, the facility dogs (aka the Dux Dogs) from Zeeland Public Schools and their Back to School photo shoot! Wait till you see the rest!

08/20/2026

🚌 The wheels on the bus are getting ready to go ’round and ’round... because the first day of school is less than two weeks away!

And there’s a familiar face taking the wheel of our Transportation Department. Please join us in congratulating Joe Michmerhuizen, our new Director of Transportation!

A 1996 ZPS graduate, Joe returned to the district in 2024 as Assistant Director of Transportation following a 25-year career in local law enforcement. Now he’s leading the team that helps get thousands of ZPS students safely to and from school each day. Welcome, Mr. Michmerhuizen!

08/19/2026

Help us welcome two new assistant principals to our middle school teams!

This year, Krista Brower joins Middle School as Assistant Principal, while Jaymes Gontjes steps into the Assistant Principal role at Middle School.

🐤Mrs. Brower comes to ZPS after 15 years with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, where she supported schools in MTSS, behavior, PBIS, mental health, and school improvement. She has worked alongside ZPS throughout the years and is excited to officially become part of the district she already knows so well. Outside of school, Krista and her husband stay busy cheering on their eight kids and enjoying plenty of time outdoors!

🦆Mr. Gontjes is already a familiar face around ZPS after eight years teaching sixth-grade social studies and exploratory at Cityside, four years as Cityside Athletic Director, and years of coaching Zeeland East football and Zeeland middle school track and field. Now he’s heading across town to Creekside, where he’s excited to build relationships and help students make the most of those important middle school years.

We’re excited to have both Krista and Jaymes stepping into these new roles.

Drop a 👋 and congratulations in the comments to welcome them!

08/18/2026

🚌💛 THE TEAM THAT KEEPS ZPS MOVING! 💛🚌

Our Transportation Team officially kicked off the new school year today, and this crew is ready to roll!

These incredible people know our roads, our neighborhoods, our families, and most importantly, our kids. From the first pickup of the morning to the last drop-off of the afternoon, they are a familiar face and a steady presence for thousands of ZPS students.

Behind every route is a whole team working together to keep our students safe, cared for and moving in the right direction.

So here’s to our drivers, aides, mechanics, dispatchers and everyone who makes ZPS Transportation happen. We appreciate you, we’re cheering you on, and we’re SO glad you’re part of Team ZPS. 🚌

Show our Transportation Team some love as they get ready for another great year! 💛💚🤎

08/14/2026

08/11/2026

Our secretary/admin asst. staff is BACK, and we couldn’t be happier. 💛

These folks are the heartbeat of our buildings and departments. They're kind, patient, funny, competent, and they do SO much for our families and schools.

We are SO glad you’re back.

Let's show them some love!

08/10/2026

Dance Camp is putting in the WORK!!! 💪🏽

Over nine days of pre-camp and camp, our ZPS Dance Ensemble students spend hours training, learning choreography and preparing for the season!

By the end, each dancer will have learned 5–6 dances, with 14 pieces completed across the ensemble. Dance IV joins for the final three days, adding even more choreography before the school year begins. These students are impressive!

All told, Dance Camp packs roughly 12 weeks of rehearsal and contact time into one incredible stretch of learning, with students working alongside professional educators and performers from across the region and beyond.

And now we get to see what they’ve been working on. 👏

✨ End-of-Camp Showcase
📅 THIS Wednesday (August 12)
⏰ 6 p.m. at DeWitt Auditorium

Families, alumni and community members are invited to come cheer them on and get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the 2026–27 Dance season!