Outside, it was gloomy and grim; but inside were bright lights, bright faces, and girls and boys focused on performance - as 18 dance students at the West Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics practiced for their Thursday night benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore.

The Grand Haven school board will discuss the district's proposed realignment during its meeting Tuesday night.

Olivia Bates didn't know what The Salvation Army was, but she planned to ask her teacher once she got back to the classroom on Monday afternoon. Olivia, 7, was one of 16 students in Marlene Guzek's class that sang Christmas songs by The Salvation Army's red kettles at three stops on Monday.

A former student is returning to take the helm at Jeffers Elementary School. Shelley Peets, 40, will replace Tom Koops, who is retiring after 18 years as the school's principal.