Kindergarten Round Up serves up info, fun

Kindergarten Round Up is always a special time at Lapeer Community Schools. It's the first day of a great educational adventure for Lapeer children. The Round Up started Wednesday, March 24 and concluded on Thursday, March 25.

In addition to registering for school next fall, the youngsters were treated to information on lunches, services from area child advocacy agencies, such as the Family Literacy Center, and each child went home with a new balloon.

And anyone who wanted to got their first ride on a real school bus.

See you in the fall!

To see more photos go to the District photo gallery.

'Mary Todd Lincoln' visits West students

Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln, came to life for Lapeer West students in the person of Mrs. Marie Papciak, a former elementary school library-media specialist, brought her "Women Who Changed America" portrayal to Lapeer West High School on Wednesday, May 24.

She also portrayed Susan B. Anthony, an early advocate for voting rights for women.

Students from Mrs. Amy Ostrander's Women's Studies class and Mr. Bill Anderson's Advanced Placement English 11 class were in the West Library and Media Center for the presentation.

More photos of the event are available at the District's photo gallery.

Lapeer West to host "Kids Against Hunger" food community service program on April 27

The Flint Metro League Student Council’s will host “Kids Against Hunger” at Lapeer West High School on Tuesday, April 27.

Students from all ten Flint Metro League schools, including Lapeer East High School, will be on hand to help package highly nutritious meals for area food banks.

It is anticipated that the students will pack 10,000 meals from 9-10 a.m. in the West gym that day.

“This is a worthwhile event that involves our students in a positive community service project,” said Hollie Marcola, counseling secretary and advisor to the Lapeer West Student Council.

Lynch, Seaton Elementary Problem Solving competitors head for MSU event April 17

Two teams of students from Lynch Elementary and four teams from Seaton Elementary School and several alternates have been invited to participate in the annual Michigan Future Problem Solving Program State Bowl at Michigan State University in East Lansing on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18.

The Lapeer elementary school team will compete with members of 92 of the top teams Michigan.

Lynch team members, Alicia Birkenhauer, Alexis Mosher, Trey Lubonski, Jacob Schlaud, Allison Johnson, Anastasia Mausolf, Rachel Compton Megan Bopra, with alternates, Abby Horning, Steven Romolino, Paul Ankley, and Shelby Metzger, and Seaton team members, Sam Boddy, James Felton, Sierra Wineman, Brittney Potter, Nicole Tomczyk, Carley Heathcock, Sarah Ridenour, Kara Daniels, Hannah Somerville, Jocelyn Jones, Matthew Brey, Zachary Fritz, Brooklyn Withey, Olivia Card, Greg Schabel, and Katie Sinka, with alternate, Lauren Barber, and their coach, Stephen Larzelere-Kellermann travel to MSU.

The State Bowl is the culmination of a yearlong program where students are taught to creatively seek, attack, and solve problems related to projections into the future. An estimated 1,000 Michigan students worked on three problems during the 2009-2010 school year – Invasive Species, Sensory Overload, and Orphaned Children, which were scored and critiqued by trained evaluators.

Based on the third problem, 92 of Michigan FPSP’s teams across three grade divisions (4-6, 7-9, and 10-12) have been invited to participate in the State Bowl. While teams know the general topic of this year’s Bowl – Food Distribution – they will not know the specific nature of the problem they will attempt to solve until the Bowl begins.

Solutions will be evaluated on clearly established criteria, and the top five teams from each division will receive trophies. State Champions will also be invited to represent Michigan at the 2010 International FPS Conference at the University of Wisconsin in LaCross in May. In the past years, Michigan participants have won 25 championships at the International Conference.

Spring recess office hours announced

Office hours for Administration and Service Center employees working during Spring Recess will by 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The office will be closed on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.

Regular office hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will resume on Monday, April 12 with the resumption of classes.

Lapeer West High School teachers honored at MEA state art show in East Lansing recently

Current Lapeer West art and industrial arts teachers and a retired West art teacher were honored by having art work selected for the Michigan Education Association Art Show.

Selected for the show was a photograph (left) taken by Mrs. Julie Fernandez; a wood sculpture and papier mache sculpture created by Mr. Jeff Bolzman (right, below); a wooden sculpted plate by Mr. Steve Hilgendorf and a sculptural piece of glass, metal and wood titled “Balance” by retired art teacher Jeanine Smith.

Only 79 art pieces from around Michigan were selected for the show.

Mrs. Fernandez was further honored by having her photograph selected as a “Purchase Award,” putting it in the top tier of the awards at the show.

To see more teacher art go to the photo gallery.

“Having a piece selected for the show is a nice honor, having one selected for purchased by the MEA is an even higher honor,” said Mr. Bolzman. “We all congratulate Julie on her work.”

Lapeer West High School 8th graders finish high in 2010 Delta College Math Competition

Two Lapeer West 8th graders competed in the 2010 Delta College Math Competition held Saturday, March 20 and both finished among the top contestants. A total of 126 8th graders from around the State competed in the event.

Travis Lusigna finished tied for 23rd in the competition which earned him a medal. Cole Heathcock finished tied for 24th, just out of the medals.

Lapeer West students score well at District 5 Regional Science Olympiad held at Mott

Lapeer West High School’s Science Olympiad team finished 5th overall in the District 5 Regional competition held at Mott Community College on Saturday, March 20. There are 26 teams in Region 5.

A number of West team members had outstanding results, including an overall first place finish by Patrick Martindale and Scott Essenmacher with their mousetrap car. Josh Francis and Rebecca Francis had a first place finish in the Technical Problem Solving event.

At least one medal was earned by each of the team’s members, Ana Tkach, Carson Phillips, Pat Chouinard, Gina Cavanaugh, Thomas Goslin, Brandon Jakeway, David Pless and Kevin Roach in the competition.

Lapeer West High School creative writing class produces book of student work

Students in Lapeer West teacher Dawn Summerlee’s Creative Writing Class receive more than just a grade at the end of each trimester, they end up with a book with the best of the class’s collective works.

The current volume, “Writing from Inside,” includes art work and each student’s favorite poem and short story from the winter trimester.

The books have proven popular with students and a little extra incentive to put in a little extra effort.

“This class challenged me to write in a different way, it challenged me to think in a different way,” said Micah Corlew, a West student who recently took the class. “I developed a few writing skills in that period, but more importantly, I developed character. The best part is the end-of-the-trimester anthology. I hope to see this class offered again and again for years to come. It was one of my best high school experiences.”

Three students, Gabby Koerner, Grace Koerner and Jade Cremer produced a short, emotional video on Haiti for their final exam.

Previous volumes include, “Write from the heart,’” and “All Writes Reserved.”

Murphy Elementary set to "Tee Off for Technology" at annual golf scramble in May

Spring and warmer temperatures signal that it’s time for the 2010 Murphy Elementary School’s 9th Annual Tee-Off For Technology Golf Scramble.

Teams and sponsors are being sought to compete in the event on Saturday, May 8 at the Lapeer Country Club. Early registration is suggested as the event usually ends up with a waiting list. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Last year’s outing enabled the school to purchase online programs for students, helped fund the summer school program, updated Murphy’s studio equipment and allowed the school to continue to purchase age appropriate software to complement curriculum.

Funds from this year’s event will be used to support technology and literacy programs.
There will be plenty of prizes, both on and off the course. Cost of golfing is $75 per person or $300 a team. The price includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, coffee and donuts, a steak dinner and a t-shirt.

Prizes include first and second place money, a Vegas hole, a hole-in-one prize, Skins game, longest drives, closest to the pins, 50/50 raffle and raffles for several great golf courses and other door prizes.

Non-golfers are invited for lunch for $15, or buy a t-shirt for $10. A wide variety of sponsorships are available.

For more information or to receive a registration or sponsor form, call Debbie Bridges at (810) 441-3023, the school at (810) 678-2201 or go to the school’s website for more information, www.lapeerschools.org/murphy.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West choirs 'excellent' at District 3 Choral Festival at FIM, head to State Choral Festival

Two choirs at Lapeer West High School and the Lapeer East Concert Choir received “excellent” ratings at the District 3 Choral Festival at the Flint Institute of Music on Wednesday, March 3 and qualified to sing at the State Choral Festival.

A Lapeer West student, David Smith (photo), who sings with the Lapeer East choir, has advanced from his performance at the State Honors Choir in January to the All-State Choir and a performance at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May conducted by the nationally-known conductor, Craig Jessop.

“This is the second time David has been chosen for this honor,” said teacher Mrs. Cheryl Burnside, who conducts the East choirs. “Our students, both East and West, wonderfully represent Lapeer. They are not only ‘excellent’ choirs, but are also very courteous and well-mannered when they visit other schools.”

The State Choir Festival will be Tuesday, April 27, at Rochester High School.

The Lapeer West Mixed Choir and the Lapeer West Concert Choir both received the “excellent” ratings. The Lapeer West Treble Choir also performed and received a “good” rating.

“I’m proud of the students and all the work they put into the choirs,” said Lapeer West teacher Mr. Thomas Kaiser, who conducts the West choirs.

Coach Mandy hopes to expand after school running program to all elementary schools

Successful after school Running Clubs at Murphy and Mayfield Elementary Schools may be expanded to all District elementary schools in 2010-2011.

Currently at Murphy, 61 students participate in the program, which started in October and meets after school each Thursday. The Mayfield program meets on Wednesday and currently has 52 students signed up for its program.

On nice days at both schools, the running is done on a track behind the school and on more inclement days, students run in the front parking lot under adult supervision.

The running program is coordinated by Ms. Mandy Jo Rindhage, who has children at Murphy and Lapeer West.

“I would like to expand the running clubs to all of the Lapeer elementary and middle schools for the 2010-2011 school year,” said Coach Mandy. “With only five days a week and nine buildings, I’m going to need some help.”

Volunteers are being sought to help start programs at all the buildings. To receive more information or to help start a running club at a school, contact Coach Mandy at (810) 449-8340 or at mandyjo@fitnessbymandyjo.com. There will be a small charge for these programs.

A free summer running program will start on June 16. An exact time has not yet been determined but options are for a 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5, 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. start time.

The summer running club is open to all students entering kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2010-2011 school year. All District students are invited to this free program.

For information on the summer running club contact Coach Mandy.

Statement on a December incident at Lapeer East High School

Lapeer Community Schools was notified on March 19 that a court prohibition preventing four students involved in a December after-school incident at Lapeer East High School from attending classes at the school was lifted.

While the District cannot, and will not, discuss specific student discipline due to Federal law, the District has been notified that no felony charges, no assault charges and no charges related to sexual misconduct have been issued in relation to these students.

Because of the federal law, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the District will not release any additional information.