Lapeer West has strong showing in 12-team Linden volleyball tournament

Lapeer West had some great team and individual success in the Linden Invitational Volleyball Tournament this weekend.

Complete results of the tournament as well as individual statistics are here.

Friday's victory over Carman-Ainsworth is at this link.

Lapeer West defeats Kearsley, Lapeer East falls to Linden

Lapeer West defeated Kearsley 24-21. Update: Here is the game story and some nice photos of the West game.

Lapeer East lost to Linden 39-21. Game story on the East game is here.

Rolland-Warner Middle School officially opened in ribbon-cutting, open house

The realization of the first half of the ‘dream’ of two new middle schools at the Lapeer Community Schools was celebrated by about 700 people at the ribbon-cutting and official opening of the new Rolland-Warner Middle School Thursday, August 27th.

(Photo: Mrs. Abi Warner and Mrs. Doris Rolland cut the ribbon officially opening the school) More photos available online at the photo gallery.

Rolland-Warner Middle School is the first of two remodeled and expanded buildings in the District financed through a May 2007 bond issue passed by the voters. The new middle school is the first large building project in the District since the completion of Lapeer East High School in 1976.

“Today we are celebrating part one of the middle school dream, the completion of the first middle school. The name chosen for this building is especially fitting as it recognizes the work of two long time Lapeer educators who set the path for us as we embark on this new era of education in Lapeer,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “It is our responsibility to carry forth, not only with beautiful school buildings, but with a quality educational program that serves as a spring board for future academic success.”

“Today is not only a special day for Lapeer Community Schools, but more importantly, it symbolizes what an entire community can accomplish when it works together for the common good of its people,” said Board of Education President William Laidlaw. “Strong communities revolve around its public school system and investments in their future. We should feel privileged to reside in a community that values education and invests in tomorrow’s leaders.”

Rolland-Warner was completely wired for 21st Century technology and includes state-of-the-art science and computer laboratories, as well as a new media center.

For the 2009-2010 school year, Rolland-Warner will be home to Zemmer Junior High School’s seventh grade students, as well as fifth and sixth graders from Murphy Elementary School.
With the completion next summer of the new Zemmer Middle School at the former junior high school site, the District will officially open two middle schools serving sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from the District.

WNEM - TV 5 had this short announcement.

Board of Education President William Laidlaw at Rolland-Warner Middle School

The speech given by Lapeer Board of Education President William Laidlaw at the Rolland-Warner Middle School ribbon-cutting and open house on Thursday, August 27, 2009.

Good evening and welcome to Rolland-Warner Middle School. On behalf of the Board of Education, I’d like to extend a warm welcome and special thank you for your attendance.

Today is not only a special day for Lapeer Community Schools, but more importantly, it symbolizes what an entire community can accomplish when it works together for the common good of its people. Strong communities revolve around its public school system and investments in their future. We should feel privileged to reside in a community that values education and invests in tomorrow’s leaders.

To the taxpayers of this community, we extend our sincere thanks for your investment in our schools. Your trust and support in this Board of Education is deeply appreciated. I can assure each of you that your investment will impact every student in this district, providing the necessary technology and learning environments that assist our valued staff in providing excellent educational opportunities for those that pass through our doors.

Because of your support and generosity, we are building two new middle schools, making significant improvements in all buildings, providing much needed technology and media centers, replacing outdated furniture, and constructing new science labs in both of our high schools. We are stretching your hard-earned dollars as far as possible to ensure we provide the highest quality education for every student we have the privilege of serving.

To the members of Barton Mallow and French and Associates, we extend our thanks for your hard work and creativity in bringing our older buildings back to life, providing state of the art educational facilities at an affordable level to our taxpayers. Your efforts will be proudly displayed to the community in the tour that follows this ceremony.

To my fellow board members and our administration, I want to commend you for your perseverance in making today possible. After two devastating bond defeats in 2005 and 2006, we continued to seek a solution to our facility problems when most would have given up.

By creating a viable process that included staff, students, parents and community members, we were able to garner the support needed to pass the first bond issue in more than thirty years. Through that process, setting personal preferences aside, we listened to our community and proposed an affordable solution that was overwhelmingly supported.

Because of your dedicated efforts to our students, it is a privilege to serve as your board president, and I am excited to work along side of each you to realize the vision we have for our district and community.

Six months ago, our board had the privilege of honoring Doris Rolland and Abi Warner, wife of the late Ron Warner, after whom this facility is named. Both women spoke passionately about education and the vision they had for our new middle school program.

Their words left a lasting impression on all of us. Mrs. Rolland went so far as to challenge our board and superintendent to create a middle school program that will someday be nationally recognized. As we celebrate new facilities, technology, and educational resources furnished through the passage of this bond, we must never lose focus on curriculum and instruction within the classroom that drives student achievement levels to new heights.

Our board’s focus will always be on supporting our outstanding staff in developing a quality K through 12 program that will allow every student the opportunity to be the best they can be. We have the staff, the facilities, and the resources to make that dream a reality, and I am confident that we will succeed.

As we tour the new Rolland-Warner facility this evening, I encourage each of you to realize what can be done with older facilities to create learning environments that are conducive to student success. As an advocate of public education, I would be remiss in not reminding each of us that this bond realizes only the first half of the long range facility master plan our Board of Education adopted in 2004.

When the economy improves and our student population increases, I am hopeful that in the near future we can once again begin a collaborative process that places an affordable bond issue before us, providing an equitable learning environment for every student in our district. With creative thinking, good process, and community input, I believe this goal will someday be a reality.

Thank you for your support of Lapeer Community Schools and enjoy the tour of your community’s new school.

Superintendent Debbie Thompson at the Rolland-Warner Middle School ribbon-cutting

(The complete text of the remarks of Superintendent Debbie Thompson at the Rolland-Warner Middle School ribbon-cutting and open house, Thursday, August 27, 2009.)

"May 8, 2007 was an important day for the Lapeer community and Lapeer Community Schools in particular. On that day the community passed a bond supporting renovations to our schools, the infusion of much needed technology into our classrooms, the replacement of some of our most outdated furniture, and most importantly, the creation of two middle schools by renovating two of our existing buildings.

It was a long time coming but the passage of the bond spoke of the community’s recognition that education is essential for our future, and providing quality learning environments for our students helps our students become independent and confident learners for the future.

Today we are celebrating part one of the middle school dream, the completion of the first middle school. The name chosen for this building is especially fitting as it recognizes the work of two long time Lapeer educators who set the path for us as we embark on this new era of education in Lapeer.

Doris Rolland was a teacher and principal at the Woodside School at Oakdale, the original school on this site. She also was director of special education for the Oakdale facility. At the time our last new building opened she was serving on the Board of Education.

Ron Warner retired from Lapeer Community Schools as the assistant superintendent. He began his long career with the district as a teacher and then served in numerous administrative positions. Ron was instrumental in the annexation and consolidation of the former one-room school houses into the district that we know today.

Both of these individuals devoted their lives to the children of Lapeer. They were committed to providing excellent educational opportunities to all students because they believed that all students could learn.

It is our responsibility to carry forth, not only with beautiful school buildings, but with a quality educational program that serves as a spring board for future academic success. Our commitment to the community is that we will challenge ourselves and our students to reach for the top, to excel in the classroom, and go forth prepared for the challenges of a future that may not be imagined this afternoon.

To start our program I would like to ask Christopher Keller to come forward and lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Chris is an incoming 7th grader. After the pledge members of the East and West bands will play the Star Spangled Banner.

Before I begin recognizing the various dignitaries who are here today I would like to recognize the custodial staff of Lapeer Community Schools. They have worked tirelessly to get this building ready for this evening. They always want our buildings to look spectacular and tonight is no exception."

Lapeer East boys' soccer team ties Waterford Kettering in Wednesday contest

Lapeer East's soccer team battles to a 2-2 tie with Waterford Kettering on Wednesday.

Lapeer West player makes Flint Journal's Top 10 player list, teams previewed

Preston Haggadone makes Flint Journal's Top 10 football preview at No. 7.

The Flint Journal looks at Lapeer East's football squad and at Lapeer West's team.

In addition to a list of returning and new players the preview includes each team's schedule.

Lapeer East Marching Band alumni invited to march, play in Homecoming halftime show

Want a chance to dust off that old trumpet or other band instrument, get out on the field and feel the excitement of the crowd one more time?

Lapeer East High School Band invites alumni to come home and play with the marching band at the school’s Homecoming Game against Kearsley High School on Friday, September 18th.

Alumni will report to the Lapeer East Band Room at 2:30 p.m. to check in and get music and instruments, if needed.

There will be a full band rehearsal at 3 p.m. on the marching field. Alumni will need to return to the band room at 6:15 p.m. and be ready to march to the game with the 2009-10 members of the Lapeer East Marching Band. They will sit behind the band in the stands and play during half-time.

Bring your old Lapeer East marching band T-shirt or wear something green and gold and a pair of jeans.

Please contact Lyniece Fenner if you are interested in participating in this first annual event at
lfenner@lapeerschools.org or (810) 625-7422.

2009 Distinguished Hall of Honor selected

A high school teacher, a college professor and author, a U.S. Army marksman and a newspaper man and author are the selections to the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor.

The late Mr. John M. Carlisle, Class of 1922, a Detroit News reporter; Dr. Frank J. Irgang, Class of 1939, a decorated World War II veteran and professor and later chairman of the Industrial Arts Department of San Diego State University; the late Ms. Barbara J. Hile, Class of 1952, a distinguished Army sharpshooter and the first, and only, woman member of the United States Army Rifle Team; and Mr. Michael A. White, a retired Lapeer East High School teacher, member of the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division and Emergency Medical Specialist with the Lapeer Area Ambulance Company, were selected this summer for the honor.

The four will be inducted into the Hall of Honor during a ceremony at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 8th in the Lapeer East High School auditorium.

Additional information and photos of the inductees are available at the District’s photo gallery.

Photos (top to bottom): Dr. Frank Irgang, Mr. John M. Carlisle, Ms. Barbara J. Hile, and Mr. Michael White.

Turrill summer camp students visit Seven Ponds

Students attending summer camp at Turrill Elementary School got an up close look at nature with a visit to Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden on August 20, 2009. To see more photos go to the District photo gallery.

Lapeer West junior, Victoria Peet, named to area's Top 10 cross country list

Lapeer West junior, Victoria Peet, makes Girls' Top 10 for are Cross Country stars.

Former Lapeer West football player to start for Colorado State University - Pueblo

Sutton "Brad" Richmond a 2006 Lapeer West graduate and varsity football player during his career there, will start at defensive back at Colorado State University-Pueblo in 2009.

The County Press published a nice story about Brad here.

The County Press: Lapeer Community Schools to show off 'new' school

The County Press of Lapeer did a nice front page story on the ribbon-cutting and open house at Rolland-Warner Middle School on Thursday, August 27th at 6 p.m.

Change of location for West's JV and Freshman volleyball matches

The Lapeer West High School junior varsity and freshman valleyball matches scheduled or Thursday, August 27th, have been moved to Carman-Ainsworth High School. Start time remains the same at 5 p.m.