Friday, March 20, 2009

David "KP" Kirkpatrick, a pillar of faith, family and friends, remembered

David “KP” Bryce Kirkpatrick was a pillar.
He was a pillar of his faith, a pillar of his family and a pillar in his education career.

On Monday, March 16, David died after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

This week his former students and colleagues remember his deep and abiding influence on their work and lives.

A common theme among all his friends and colleagues were the “KP hug,” his always- positive attitude and his ever-present warm smile.

Lapeer East teacher and girls’ soccer coach Bill Kinzer knew “KP” as a student and later as a colleague.

“I was lucky enough to have him as my counselor while I was a student at East,” Kinzer said. “I then coached with him for 15 years at both East and West high schools.”

“KP was a tremendous advocate for kids, he was a genius at relating to people, and I remember being amazed at the line up outside his office at White Junior High before school each day,” Kinzer said. “It seemed like every kid in the building wanted to stop in and say ‘hi’ every morning. Personally, I just feel a deep sorrow that he’s gone. He was a one in a million person.”

West teacher Andy Roberts also remembered KP’s connection with the students, including those that might have had discipline issues or outside school problems.

“It didn’t matter what type of kid, he would stand outside the counseling office each morning and high-five every kid going by,” Roberts said. “He did it because he genuinely cared about them and his goal was to make a connection with every kid.”

When his mother died, Roberts’ younger sister was a senior, and a former player of Kirkpatrick’s. Although she was worried about her grades, she was not ready to go back to school and it was Kirkpatrick who told her to deal with her grief and that he would take care of getting her caught back up in school.

“He took care of it, he made sure it happened and he had it handled,” Roberts said. “He was the ultimate role model.”

Even with his great affection for his students, his life’s priorities were firm, said West counselor Brad Walker.

“In KP’s life, God was first, his family was second and the students third,” Walker said. “He put everything he had into what he did and was the kind of person people went to if they needed a hug, because you were going to get one like it or not.”

At work he was diligent and focused on making a positive change for students.

“I’ll always remember sitting in the back room discussing how to better serve the students of Lapeer Schools, especially the ones who seemed to have no desire to be reached,” Walker said.

“He was always positive, even in the face of all of the issues he was dealing with when Katie took ill,” Walker said. “He lived his life never giving up because of his circumstances and he expected to find a way to get others to do the same.”

Everyone remembered KP’s devotion to his career.

“He had the knowledge, and he had the desire to pass on this knowledge to others who were sometimes willing and sometimes not willing to absorb his wisdom,” said West assistant principal Tim Zeeman. “He had a passion for loving people and educating people. I firmly believe that everyday KP lived he educated someone. I also believe that even in his death, the memories of KP, living on as they will, will allow people to continue to learn from him and educate for him.”

East teacher and soccer coach Chad Kenny remembered KP as a person who just made everyone around them better.

“I learned so much from KP, mainly on how to discipline players with dignity,” Kenny said. “Now, as I run my own program, I refer to KP’s ways frequently. When I have to deal with a difficult situation, I ask myself, ‘how would KP handle this?’

“He would often say to me, ‘I don’t know much about soccer, but I understand kids,’” Kenny said. “And, he certainly did know how to handle kids. He was amazing to watch in action.”

West counselor Karol Settergren remembered KP as her mentor and friend during her 11-year counseling career in the District.

“He walked me through the process of becoming a school counselor, teaching me skills, giving me feedback, advising and supervising,” Settergren said. “Most of all, he gave me a tremendous amount of support and encouragement. He shared generously of his time and knowledge and for that I am truly appreciative. He expected the best of others and inspired students to reach beyond their expectations.”

Lapeer Superintendent Debbie Thompson’s memories of David were in his capacity as counselor at a time when she was in charge of curriculum and instruction.

“David always had a smile on his face and was the most positive person I ever met,” Mrs. Thompson said. “On a bad day, he was the person to see.”

A 1970 graduate of Southfield High School, Kirkpatrick attended Rochester College where he played basketball. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and began his teaching career at Lapeer Community Schools.

In addition to his teaching and counseling career, he was a track, soccer, basketball and Quiz Bowl coach.

He earned a master’s degree in administration at Central Michigan University and was a licensed, professional counselor. He spent the last portion of his nearly 32-year career as a guidance counselor at E.T. White Junior High School and Lapeer West High School.

In 1995, he was awarded a “Distinguished Service Award” by the Great Teachers Foundation. In 2005, he received the Outstanding Alumnus in Education Award from Rochester College.

He served as an elder at the Lake Orion Church of Christ and was most recently a member of the Lapeer Church of Christ. He also served on the Michigan Christian Youth Camp Board of Directors and was chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus.

KP is survived by his wife of 36 years, Niki; his daughter, Sara (Kevin) Nelms, of Metamora; son-in-law, Nick Godwin, of Port Huron; grandchildren, Jake David and Hayley-Kate Elizabeth Nelms, of Metamora; parents, James and Hazel Kirkpatrick, of Southfield; a brother, Thomas Kirkpatrick, of Lake Orion; parents-in-law, Nick and Geneva Schafsnitz, of Arizona; sister-in-law, Dawn (Jack) Neveau, of Arizona; nephew, Jonathan Neveau, of Arizona; niece, April (Tom) Martini, of Arizona; great nieces, Kaitlyn, Jacklyn and Madilyn Martini, of Arizona; and countless other family, friends and colleagues.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Nathan Kirkpatrick, in 1982, and daughter, Katie Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Godwin, who died in January 2005 after her courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial contributions are requested to Katie’s Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, Michigan, 48455. Katie’s Wings is a non-profit organization founded by the Kirpatrick family in memory of their daughter, Katie. It provides assistance to local people dealing with cancer by offering products and services through Katie’s Spa in Lapeer.

Visitation is tonight (Friday), March 20 from 2-8 p.m. at the Lapeer Church of Christ, 1680 N. Lapeer Road. Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Bristol Road Church of Christ, 1315 W. Bristol Road in Flint.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Lapeer West peer tutoring program to be showcased at Michigan Capitol

An innovative program at Lapeer West High School that partners proficient math students with students struggling with the subject has caught the attention of a Statewide organization that wants to showcase the program for State legislators on Thursday, March 26.

The Guided Academics Peer Tutoring program was spearheaded and implemented by Lapeer West Math Department Chairperson Kristen Wilcox.

West Principal Kevin Walters, Mrs. Wilcox and three students, two tutors and one guided academics student, were selected by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals to come to the Capitol and share the program with Legislators.

Jeremiah Welch, Stephanie Osip and Angie Marku are the three students accompanying Mrs. Wilcox to the Capitol.

“The program has produced outstanding results and fits perfectly within the vision of innovation in delivery of rigorous curriculum,” said West Principal Kevin Walters.

At the end of the first trimester, the math department identified 24 students, nearly all freshmen, who were struggling with Algebra 1, the first in a series of new graduation math requirements under the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

Instructors then identified 20 high achieving Calculus and Pre-Calculus students, some with an interest in an education career, and paired them with the struggling Algebra 1 students each day during the same hour.

“The algebra students gained tremendous self-confidence, and the upper class students learned how to explain math, step-by-step as a classroom teacher would,” Mrs. Wilcox said.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Scholarships worth about $2 million available to LCS students

A new scholarship for 2009, the Ronald C. Warner Scholarship Fund, is just one of many scholarships available to students and former graduates of Lapeer Community Schools.

The season of college and trade school applications is here. A great deal of information on available scholarships can be found at the counseling offices of the District’s three high schools. Detailed scholarship information can be found on the District’s website at the counseling sites for Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools.

Additional information on a variety of scholarships can be found at the Lapeer County Community Foundation.

About $2 million each in college-funded, Michigan Promise and local scholarships are awarded to Lapeer students each year.

The new Ronald C. Warner Scholarship is for students in their third or later year in a college or university studying in the field of education and/or agriculture. Ronald Warner was a long-time teacher and administrator in the District and one of the two people that were honored in the naming of Rolland-Warner Middle School. The application deadline is April 15, 2009.



Other scholarships available to Lapeer Community Schools’ students are the Irma Gelhausen Scholarship, Hazel Simms Nursing Scholarship, the Wayne Hildebrant Police Scholarship, among several others.



Many of the applications are due in April.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Lunch time is learning time too!

Lunch time is still learning time at Lapeer Community Schools.

During March, which is National Nutrition Month, students are being treated to “Eat. Learn. Live Mediterranean,” with a series of nutritious and tasty Mediterranean snack samples at the District’s elementary schools. Photos are here.

A Greek spread and a roasted pepper hummus spread were served with Pita slices. Students also tasted a special Mediterranean Chex mix.

The students were also given a tasting survey to see which of the snacks they like and which ones they would like to have served again.

The program was offered by Chartwells, the food service company that supplies meal services to the District.

“We have had a number of students, who after tasting the snacks, came back asking for more,” said Scott Smith, the District’s food service director.

Students received a set of Mediterranean snack menus (links above) to take home.

Students were also offered a guide about “What makes the Mediterranean diet and so healthy?” The guide includes information on food staples like olive oil, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables and yogurt.

Kindergarten Round Up is Wednesday and Thursday at the American Legion Hall

The annual Lapeer Community Schools Kindergarten Round Up will include some exciting new offerings for parents and preschool and kindergarten age children.

Parents should bring their children who will be 5-years-old on or before December 1, 2009 to attend the Kindergarten Round-Up on Wednesday, March 18th and Thursday, March 19th from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 1701 West Genesee Street in Lapeer to register for classes.

In addition to the All Day, Alternate Day Early Five/Kindergarten program that started in the fall of 2008, Lapeer Community Schools will now offer a new Kinder KidsPlus Enrichment Program for Early Five and Kindergarten students on the days they are not in school.

Parents may also register students for preschool classes at Kids and Company for 3- and 4-year-old children.

Parents should plan to bring children with them to the Round-Up to register for fall classes. Parents need to bring an original birth certificate; certified immunization records, which can be obtained at the health department; proof of residency; work phone numbers and local phone numbers in the event of an emergency.

For more information, contact the Department of Instruction at (810) 538-1644.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Spring alumni luncheon set for April 14 at the Elks Lodge

The Lapeer High School Alumni Association is hosting its annual spring luncheon at noon on Tuesday, April 14, at the Lapeer Area Elks Lodge, 200 E. Nepessing Street.

There will be a guest speaker and the meal will be catered by Bryan’s in Deerfield Township.

Pre-registration is required by Thursday, April 9. Tickets are $7.50 per person. To make a reservation call Shirley Braxton at (810) 664-4598 or Phyllis Lange at (810) 664-9583.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West students headed to the United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth

A dozen students from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools were selected for an all-expense paid two-week trip to the United Nations this summer as part of the Odd Fellows & Rebekahs annual United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth.

Only 20 students from Michigan will be selected for the trip, including the 12 from Lapeer Community Schools. Students from around the country and world will participate in the trip to learn more about the United Nations.

Students receive a tour of the U.N. and listen to behind-the-scene briefings conducted by specialized United Nations agencies and departments including ambassadors, minister counselors and country representatives.

In addition during the five-day stay in New York, students on the tour attend a Broadway play, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and visit Toronto and Ottawa, Canada; Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls and Gettysburg.

Last year, seven students from Lapeer West and five students from Lapeer East made the trip.
Students chosen from Lapeer East for the 2009 trip were: Rebecca Wright, Kayla Ortega, Matthew Schneider, Vanessa Davis and Katy Peacock. Brandi Putnam and Tiffany Fisher were selected as alternates for the trip.

Students chosen from Lapeer West were: Wei Li Crawford, Zachary Fick, Alex Giddings, Emily Nugent, Caitlyn Schroeder, Anastasia Tkach and Brittney Walker. Two students, Barbara Jones and Christina Wills were selected as alternates for the trip.

Photo (click on photo for larger view) caption: Front row (l-r); Alex Giddings, Vanessa Davis, Anastasia Tkach; middle row (l-r); Matt Schneider, Zachary Fick, Caitlyn Schroeder, Brittney Walker; third row (l-r) unidentified, Katy Peacock, Emily Nugent, Kayla Ortega, Rebecca Wright, Brittney Walker.

Andy Serrels competes at State diving finals

Lapeer West High School senior Andy Serrels, a member of the combined East and West high school boys' swimming and diving team made history Friday by being the first Lapeer diver to make the State finals.

Serrels competed against the 36 best high school divers in Michigan. While he didn't place, he performed well and we are proud of Andy and his accomplishments.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

East's Phil Joseph wins State wrestling title


Lapeer East's Phil Joseph won the 171-pound State wrestling title Saturday at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Flint Journal story, including Joseph's title winning match can be found here.

Congratulations to Lapeer East's Travis Cushaway, 215 lbs, Matt DePuy, 189 lbs., Ryan Dixon, 140 lbs., and Jordan Morris, 112 lbs., and Lapeer West's Dakota Carie, 103 lbs., for making the State finals and representing both schools well.