Board of Education awards $1.6 million in East, West science lab improvements

Bids for the construction and improvements of science laboratories at Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools totaling $1,652,604 were approved by the Board of Education at its meeting, Thursday, April 2nd.

All the work was awarded to qualified low bidders and all winning bidders were Michigan contractors.

The work is expected to begin as soon as school is out in June and be completed in time for students to use the labs when they return to classes in September.

“This is a giant investment in the future of our high school science programs,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “Combined with the universal installation of new computers and technology last summer, we are presenting a 21st Century science and technology program to 21st Century high school students.”

Winning bidders were: Demolition, Great Lakes Construction, of Beverly Hills, $38,600; masonry, HMC Mason Contractors, of Shelby Township, $51,800; general trades, Elkhorn Construction, of Smiths Creek, $743,000; aluminum work and windows, Architectural Glazing Systems, of Mt. Morris, $6,087; flooring, Ropposch Brothers, of Port Huron, $61,095; painting, L.E. Brockman, of Warren, $12,152; mechanical, Ecker Mechanical, of Burton, $611,000; and electrical, Sky Electric, of Lapeer, $128,870.

'Little Red Hen' teaches a lesson of hard work in Mayfield Elementary School play

A hard working "Little Red Hen" taught her lesson of hard work and reward in a play by the second graders in Mrs. Nancy Lamphere's class at Mayfield Elementary School.

Students in the class played a variety of farm animals and sang and danced their way to the idea that hard work has its own rewards. Also that working together is the best way to get along.

The play was performed for lower elementary students on Wednesday, April 1st, and twice on April 2nd, once in the afternoon for the upper elementary students and again that night for parents, family and friends.

Lots of singing, dancing and fun.

Chrome Panthers meet Gov. Granholm and Dean Kamen at Lansing FIRST event

The Chrome Panthers, the Lapeer West Robotics Team, had some high powered visitors to their pit during a recent FIRST competition in Lansing.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Dean Kamen, a well-known inventor and the founder of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), the international student robotics organization.

The governor and Mr. Kamen gladly posed with Mr. Cory Gutenschwager and members of the West team.

Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools each have a fully sponsored robotics team.

School employees volunteer to serve the troops at sendoff at Lapeer East

As part of a community send off for the Michigan National Guard Unit in Lapeer, four Lapeer Community Schools’ bus drivers have volunteered their time to transport the soldiers from the armory to the ceremony at Lapeer East High School on Monday, April 6th.

Four drivers, Cindy Mullin, Fred Anstette, Basil King and Donnal Teasley, one more than needed to drive the soldiers over to the school and back volunteered their time to be part of the event.

Gayle Early, a food service employee, also donated her time to help serve a private dinner at the school.

Lapeer East dean of students John Gonzales, a Vietnam veteran, is donating his time to oversee the event.

“The three buses we are planning on using will be cleaned up and decorated with the flags we have been using on our parade buses,” said Jerry Podzikowski, director of transportation. “ The drivers who will be driving the troops on Monday, April 6, between the Armory and East have volunteered their time for this event. They are happy to do their part.”

There will be a private dinner for the soldiers and their families at Lapeer East from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the public is invited for the 7 p.m. public ceremony.

No student drop-off, pick-up in north Lapeer West parking lot starting April 14

Construction on the new auxiliary gym at Lapeer West High School has been moved up a week requiring the closing of half the existing north parking lot to begin a week earlier on April 14th.

Starting on April 14, student pick-up and drop-off by parents will be in the south lot only, or in front of the high school before school and after the buses depart at 2:15 p.m.

All students who drive to school must park in the south lot.

Some teachers may also have to park in the south lot due to the reduction in spaces in the north lot after it is sectioned in half.

The change is necessary to create a contractor-only entrance from the north lot to the new construction site. A temporary road will be built behind the West portables to allow for contractor traffic to the work site.

Thanks to everyone for their cooperation in this matter.

Lawyers hold court at Lapeer West

A special program sponsored by the Lapeer County Bar Association that brings lawyers into the classroom arrived at Lapeer West High School on Wednesday, April 1.

Four local attorneys, David Churchill, Nicole Quandt, Christine Strasser and Kennenth Cassell held court in Mrs. Carol Noble's criminology class.

Students prepared questions for the attorneys about the law and about the law profession

Attorney Nicole Quandt told the students that she graduated from Lapeer West in 1993 and had practiced law elsewhere before returning to Lapeer.

More photos are here.

Lapeer East girls' tennis team takes their first turn on the new tennis courts

A week after Lapeer West opened a new era in Lapeer high school tennis on the new 8-court Lapeer Optimist Community tennis courts, it was Lapeer East's turn.

On Wednesday, April 1, the Lapeer East High School girls' team met Goodrich for their first home tennis match in more than four years.

The Lapeer West and Lapeer East tennis programs had been nomads for several years after the previous courts deteriorated to the point they could no longer be used.

Everyone, home team and away, were excited to be on the new courts. For more pictures see tennis court photos.

Art show to showcase teacher, student art at UCEN Gallery at U-M Flint campus

Two Lapeer Community Schools’ elementary art teachers will be displaying art and the art of a student at the University Center (UCEN) Gallery on the campus of the University of Michigan in Flint during spring recess.

The show is centered on former art education students who are now art teachers. The gallery asked for a piece of art from the teacher and from one of their students.

Amy Linton, a Maple Grove art teacher, is bringing her work and the work of 6th-grade student, Drake Skipinski.

Joel Fidler, who teaches art at a number of LCS and area schools, will bring his art and that of Lauren Piontkowski, a student at Bishop Kelley School in Lapeer to the show.

The artwork will be on display from April 6th to April 10th with a closing reception from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10th.

A& SC spring recess hours posted

Office hours for the Administration & Services Center during the upcoming spring recess period will be 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The office will be open and closed as follows:

Monday, April 6: Open
Tuesday, April 7: Open
Wednesday, April 8: Open
Thursday, April 9: Open
Friday, April 10: Closed (Good Friday)
Monday, April 13: Closed (Easter Monday)

Regular office hours and work schedules will resume on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.

Three Lapeer East girls' soccer players sign to play collegiate soccer at ceremony

Three Lapeer East girls’ soccer players publicly affirmed their commitments to play collegiate soccer at a press conference at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 in the Lapeer East Media Center.

Seniors Kelsey Hizelberger, Kristen Tomczyk and Lauren Kobylik were joined by family and friends at the ceremony.

Kelsey, who has scored 39 goals, which puts her in seventh place on the school’s all-time scoring list, signed with Savannah college of Arts & Design in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to her goals, Kelsey has 23 career assists and plays club soccer for the Bloomfield Force, a Michigan Division 1 premier team.

“Kelsey is a very talented attacking player,” said Bill Kinzer, her coach. “She’s one of those rare difference makers who can affect the outcome of a game by herself.”

Kristen Tomczyk has played a variety of positions for the East Eagles and is a “natural defender.”

Her East career includes 20 goals and 8 assists. Kristen signed to play for Saginaw Valley State University. She plays club soccer for the Livonia United, a Michigan Division 1 premier team.

“Kristen is a skilled, athletic and versatile soccer player,” said Bill Kinzer, her coach. “One of the greatest things about her is her ability to make all of the players around her better.”

With 12 career goals and 22 assists, Lauren Kobylik accepted an offer to play her college soccer with Notre Dame College in Euclid, Ohio. She also played club soccer for the Livonia United team.

“Lauren will do really well at the collegiate level,” said Bill Kinzer, her coach. “Her first touch is super, and she’s a very strong tactical player.” More signing photos here.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West Athletes named to Winter sports All-League teams

A total of 48 Lapeer high school athletes were named to Flint Metro League 2009 All-League teams in winter sports.

Three Lapeer East High School wrestlers, Phillip Joseph, Matt DePuy and Travis Cushaway were named to the All-League First Team in wrestling. Lapeer West’s Dakota Carie was named to the All-League second team.

Lapeer West wrestler Nate Irelan and Lapeer East wrestler Ryan Springsteen were named to the All-League third team.

In boys’ basketball, Lapeer East’s Payton McCallum and Lapeer West’s Landon Warren were named to the All-League second team. East’s Sam Achtabowski and West’s Dan Cox were honorable mention All-League players. Dan Cox was named as a Flint Metro League Scholar-Athlete.

Lapeer West’s Dani Schoenherr was named to the girls’ basketball All-League first team and West’s Bridget Miller was named to the All-League second team.

West’s Emily Jones and Lindsay Thams were named as honorable mention All-League players. Jones and Thams were also Flint Metro League Scholar-Athletes.

Jeremy Podgorski, a Lapeer West hockey forward, was named to the All-League first team and Lapeer East’s Drew Steinhouse, forward, and defenseman Brent McClain were named to the All-League second team.

Hockey honorable mention players were: Lapeer East, Brad Lile and Steve Tadazak and Lapeer West’s Jeremy Cugliari, Josh Milosek and Jacob Podgorski.

Four Lapeer West competitive cheerleaders, Laura Ayan, Erin Delisle, Leah Seaman, and Crissy Wills; and two East competitive cheerleaders, Heather Champion and Taylor McGuffie were named to the All-League First Competitive Cheer team.

Second team members on the competitive cheer team were: East’s Dillynn Bryant and West’s Ashleigh Hutton, Ashley Kennard and Caitlin O’Brien. Honorable mention cheer team members were: East’s Maurisa Lopez and West’s Paige Smith.

Garrett Gauthier, of Lapeer West, was named to the 2009 boys’ All-League first team. Second team All-League members were Christian Graham, of Lapeer East, and Jeff Acton, of Lapeer West. Honorable mention All-League bowlers were: East’s Zach Lyerla, and Bradley Whittaker and West’s Tyler Shamaly.

The 2009 girls’ bowling All-League team included second team selections Crystal Eckel, of Lapeer West and Dawn Wesley, of Lapeer East. Two West girls, Hannah Gauthier and Kaitlyn Dowdall, were named to the All-League second team.

Three Lapeer East girls, Jessica Lansing, Crystal Belland and Justice Schihl, were named as honorable mention selections.

Photos of the First Team athletes can be viewed at the District's photo gallery.

Lapeer West students win "Young Artists" awards at Delphi Glass Show in Lansing

Five Lapeer West High School art students won awards at the Delphi Glass Show in Lansing in the Young Artists’ Category.

Emily Korleski took first place and won a kiln valued at $450 and glass. Drew Dabrowski won third place and won a fusing glass pack valued at about $300.

Kris Zalewski, Lindsy Barrow and Samantha Dahnke received glass packs and books for their participation.

“Each year, the staff at Delphi is amazed at the work of the glass students from Lapeer West,” said teacher Ms. Jeanine Smith. “I think this speaks for the incredible K-12 art program K-12 that Lapeer Schools are so fortunate to have”

The students received their awards at the show opening reception on Sunday, March 29th. The show continues through April at Delphi Glass, 3380 E. Jolly Road in Lansing.

Hadley-Murphy scores from lunch, dinner and snack sales at Buffalo Wild Wings

A special Hadley-Murphy Elementary School fund raiser is planned Thursday, April 2, at Buffalo Wild Wings, 770 N. Lapeer Road in Lake Orion.

The popular restaurant is donating back to the school 20 percent from its all day sales when customers mention the school when ordering or present a coupon available through the school.

The coupon is good at lunch, dinner, snack or take out orders, but only on Thursday, April 2nd and only at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Lake Orion.

Free Buffalo Wild Wings kids meals have been given out as awards during "March is Reading Month" activities at the school and can be used during the fund raising event.

A number of families are planning to head to the restaurant at the close of the school day Thursday. If you need a coupon contact Jim Smith at jimsmith@lapeerschools.org or Alysia Easton at alphe_99@msn.com

Hadley-Murphy Family Literacy Night draws 250 students and parents on March 24th

A “Reading is Out of This World” event at the Murphy Elementary School campus drew about 250 Hadley-Murphy Elementary students and family on Tuesday, March 24th.

The event, which included "fireside" classroom reading, was part of the "March is Reading Month" events throughout the District.

Students and parents also participated in book making events at the school. In addition the Family Literacy Center of Lapeer was on hand with some of its great programs.

Students and parents read by flashlight around campfires while other students chose to read by flashlight inside tents set up in classrooms.

A few more photos are online at the District photo gallery.

Region 10 school bus drivers to test their skills at Lapeer West parking lot in May

For the second consecutive year, the Lapeer Community Schools will host the MAPT Region 10, School Bus Driving Championship on Saturday, May 16th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lapeer West High School.

School bus drivers from Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Huron and Sanilac counties are being invited to the event.

The event involves tight maneuvering and difficult backing on an obstacle course, safety checks and a written test.

It's exciting and interesting to watch the professional drivers weave their way through tight circumstances. Bring a lawn chair and watch.

Kids and Co. preschool open house set for Tuesday, March 31st at Cramton School

A preschool open house to be held on Tuesday, March 31st from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Cramton School, 1220 Lake Nepessing Road will offer families an opportunity to meet the teachers, see the classrooms and gather specific information about each of the programs being offered.

Please come and join us, we look forward to meeting you.