Northwestern brings families, community together to help students thrive

By Nick J. Buckley for Battle Creek Public Schools 

Dr. Ezekiel Ohan paced the stage at Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts during meet-the-teacher night, introducing himself and his philosophy to about a dozen parents seated in the auditorium. 

“What I want is your presence, your proximity,” Ohan said. “I want children to know that the community really values education.” 

Ohan was assembling the core of what will become the school’s Monday Mothers and Friday Fathers groups, part of a broader effort at Northwestern to bring families, educators and community members closer together in support of students. 

Northwestern is entering its second year as BCPS’s visual and performing arts academy, serving students in kindergarten through third grade and grades 6-8 as it continues adding elementary grades toward a full K-8 model. The school reopened last year following a major community investment to renovate and reimagine the former Northwestern Middle School. 

James “Quice” Williams, a Northwestern and Battle Creek Public Schools alumnus, is among those helping strengthen those connections. He joined the school this year as its Home & School Support Specialist/Coordinator. 

“We come from these neighborhoods. We know these families, and just the interaction and the rapport that we have with them means a lot more than anybody knows,” Williams said.

Assistant Principal Aldo Holmes returns to Northwestern this year with established relationships with many of its students and families. Holmes said his role often puts him at the center of student discipline, but he does not want behavior to define how he sees students — or how they see him.

“I want those students to really gravitate towards me, and I want to be… the person that helps them with their school experience,” Holmes said. “I really want to focus on achievement and really highlighting the positive things that students have done this year within the school and within the community.”

Elementary teacher Ashley Gilland sees that same shared responsibility extending beyond administrators and teachers.

“I am a firm believer that it takes a village,” Gilland said. “I think the staff is really coming together to kind of show our community what Northwestern can be for them.”