Harper Creek Community Schools is proud to announce the first recipients of the Merry Ellen Eason Educators Fund grant, awarded through the Harper Creek Educational Foundation, an affiliate of the Battle Creek Community Foundation. This fund was established in honor of Merry Ellen Eason, a dedicated teacher and the first Technology Director for Harper Creek Community Schools, who was named Michigan's Outstanding Technology Director in 2007.
This year’s grant recipients are Jody Ledbetter, Multi-Tiered Support Systems specialist at Beadle Lake Elementary, and Jennifer Borders, Special Education teacher at Harper Creek Middle School. Mrs. Ledbetter will be attending the Innovative School Summit, while Mrs. Borders will attend the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children conference.
Harper Creek Community Schools is deeply grateful to the loved ones of Merry Ellen Eason, particularly her partner Jim Keeler, for their generous contributions that make this grant possible. These funds not only honor Merry Ellen’s legacy but also allow our staff to bring new and innovative ideas to the classroom, enriching the educational experience for both students and colleagues.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Matt Bilger December 3, 2025
Matt grew up in the Bilger family, the second of four children. He was different than his siblings, the first in his family to participate in athletics. Through these differences, Matt has been able to find his own niche as a teacher and a coach. He has developed a passion for his career, making an impact on current and former Harper Creek students.
Harper Creek Students to Experience Hispanic Flamenco Ballet Thanks to Local Grant Support December 1, 2025
Harper Creek Students to Experience Live Hispanic Flamenco Ballet This Spring
More than 700 Harper Creek students will immerse themselves in the vibrant sights and sounds of Hispanic culture during the 3rd Annual Spanish Cultural Awareness Project on March 19, 2026. Held at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium, the event features a live performance by the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet and offers tailored experiences for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Made possible through generous grants from the Binda Foundation and the Miller Foundation, the program blends music, dance, and cultural traditions with classroom learning to deepen language skills and global awareness.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Karen Westlake October 30, 2025
Karen spent her career seeing the world working in the airline industry. The experiences as an airline attendant provided a lifetime of memories. Looking for an opportunity to get out of the house each day, a few decades after retiring, Karen joined the Harper Creek family a year ago as a lunch and recess aide.
