Our Engadine community supported the Dig Pink fundraiser last week, raising close to $2,400 for breast cancer research. Engadine, as a community, has always supported our school's fundraisers.

The senior band recently participated in the Northern Michigan University Band Day Festival and had a chance to show the whole U.P. how good they have become. Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association will sponsor a number of performance competitions this school year and Engadine will be there. At last year's competitions, both our junior and senior high school bands performed well and we look for a repeat this year.

Engadine's last football game had our Eagles battling the Brimley Bays. We dominated the game, both offensively and defensively, winning 48-0. Although our stats were not exceptional this year, the team and new coaching staff are both on a learning curve. Next year will be better. The girls volleyball team is on its way to the district competitions after beating Pickford. Congratulations to the team.

First quarter has come to an end and secondary teachers administered their first quarterly exams. The high school has decided to go with quarterly assessments to better meet state expectations. It is easier and more effective to remediate by the quarter than the semester. All secondary students must learn more skills/content than in previous school years, owing to the demands of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

Elementary parent-teacher conferences went off without a hitch last week, with a sizable turnout. Parent involvement in a student's education helps them to be successful learners.

By next month, students in kindergarten through sixth grade will have elected representatives for an Elementary Student Council. Students will play an active role in student government for the first time in many years.

After-school tutoring has begun, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. All students in grades seven through 12 are encouraged to use this resource.