The Schoolcraft Board of Education unanimously approved an agenda item that officially names the elementary school library in memory of Nancy Rafferty.
Rafferty had a 40-year career as a teacher and librarian, most of it within Schoolcraft. She further served the schools as a volunteer for 20 years following her retirement. While the elementary school library will officially be named for her, the district won’t be putting Rafferty’s name on it.
Instead, the district will be installing new glass panels inspired by Rafferty in the top part of the library windows. The panels will be made by the Kalamazoo Glass Art Company. They will feature Rafferty’s signature canvas tote bag that she carried to her many volunteer events in the school. The bag usually held books that she read to the students. Assistant Superintendent Matt Webster said there will be 65 individual infused glass tiles “spilling” out of the bag in the display that will be decorated by students and worked into the installation. The decorations will be inspired by the student’s favorite memories of Rafferty’s visits to the school.
“I don’t know that she would have ever approved of us putting a sign on the wall that said, ‘The Nancy Rafferty Memorial Library,’” Webster said. “She absolutely would have approved of seeing the kids’ artwork up there. So, we’re very excited to get that project and just think it’s a beautiful way to remember and honor her.”
Webster also noted that the central location of the library within the new elementary building was partially inspired by Rafferty. Members of Rafferty’s family were on hand as several members of the staff and students read statements about their memories of her during the meeting.
“When she was here, you knew it,” Elementary Principal Sara Howard said. “Whether she was scheduled to be in your classroom reading to students or not, you felt her presence. And every time you walked away from Nancy, you felt important and a better person because of sharing a space with her.”
In other news at the meeting, the board approved three new elective courses for the high school next year in marketing, percussion jazz and forensic science. This gives the high school eight new electives in total. High School Principal Matt Dailey said the new courses give the school extra opportunities to keep high school students on campus while teaching real world practical skills before graduation.
The board approved an update to the district’s anti-bullying policy as required by the state. They also approved milk bids with Cedar Crest on recommendation from their food service director.
