Friday, June 4, 2010
Top 10 Graduates from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School announced
Following the links to photos and biographies of the Top 10 from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School. We're still waiting on photos from Lapeer Community High Schools Top 3. They will be posted next week.
Summer building hours, closings set
The Administration & Services Center will begin summer office hours on Monday, June 14. The building will be open from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
Regular business hours of 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM will resume on Monday, August 23.
All District school buildings, with the exception of the Administration & Services Center and the bus garage, will close to the public on June 21. Bus garage hours will be 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning June 14.
Regular business hours of 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM will resume on Monday, August 23.
All District school buildings, with the exception of the Administration & Services Center and the bus garage, will close to the public on June 21. Bus garage hours will be 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning June 14.
District administration proposes $3 million in budget cuts to Board of Education
A budget recommendation to cut $3 million from the 2010-2011 District budget, which includes large cost items like contracted food service, a reduction in bus driver hours due to a change in middle school and elementary school schedules and many smaller cuts, will be discussed further at the June 17 Board of Education meeting.
In addition to retirements, the District also proposes saving $500,000 by not replacing five teachers and another $210,000 by reducing the number of new buses purchased.
Other recommended cuts include, reducing and restructuring administrative staff at central office, eliminating auxiliary secretaries at the elementary schools and reducing custodial costs through contracting services as current employees retire.
Smaller cuts are also proposed like allowing parents to choose paper or electronic copies of school mailings, an expected savings of $11,300. That leaves the District spending about $1.5 million from the District’s fund equity.
Board members requested additional budget information and further discussion before making a final decision.
A special Board of Education meeting will be set to adopt the budget following the June 17 discussion. By State law a budget must be in place by June 30.
In addition to retirements, the District also proposes saving $500,000 by not replacing five teachers and another $210,000 by reducing the number of new buses purchased.
Other recommended cuts include, reducing and restructuring administrative staff at central office, eliminating auxiliary secretaries at the elementary schools and reducing custodial costs through contracting services as current employees retire.
Smaller cuts are also proposed like allowing parents to choose paper or electronic copies of school mailings, an expected savings of $11,300. That leaves the District spending about $1.5 million from the District’s fund equity.
Board members requested additional budget information and further discussion before making a final decision.
A special Board of Education meeting will be set to adopt the budget following the June 17 discussion. By State law a budget must be in place by June 30.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Youth basketball camp scheduled at Lapeer West High School gym on June 14-17
Improved ball handling, shooting and strong defensive fundamentals will be the focus of a Lapeer West Boys’ Basketball Camp in the Lapeer West High School gym from 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. on June 14-17.
Head West varsity basketball coach Andy Roberts, his coaching staff and varsity West players will also help develop teamwork skills and help students learn to play at a higher level.
The camp is aimed at students who will be in grades 6-9 next year, but fifth graders are also welcome.
Cost for the camp is $25 and registration will be at the door.
Head West varsity basketball coach Andy Roberts, his coaching staff and varsity West players will also help develop teamwork skills and help students learn to play at a higher level.
The camp is aimed at students who will be in grades 6-9 next year, but fifth graders are also welcome.
Cost for the camp is $25 and registration will be at the door.
Superintendent Debbie Thompson announces plans to retire at end of 2010-2011
Superintendent Debbie Thompson’s 40-year education career that began as a second-grade teacher at a private school in Oxford will end June 30, 2011 in retirement.
Last week, Mrs. Thompson informed the Board of Education that she will retire next year allowing the District plenty of time to find a new superintendent and create a seamless transition.
In her tenure as Superintendent she and the Board of Education navigated the District through difficult budgets brought on by Michigan’s financial woes, but also oversaw a successful bond campaign that brought two long sought after new middle schools to the District. Both schools open in the fall.
In 1974, Mrs. Thompson started her career with Lapeer Community Schools as a third and fourth grade Chapter I Reading teacher at Hadley Elementary School. Previously she had been a second-grade teacher at Kingsbury School in Oxford starting in 1971.
During her career she held a variety of posts including Title I teacher, Administrative Assistant for Staff Development, Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Interim Superintendent of Schools and finally in 2005, Superintendent.
From 1988 to 1992 she was an elementary school principal in Linden, the only time she was absent from the Lapeer District during her long career.
“I am excited to continue working next school year as we open and operate our two new middle schools,” said Mrs. Thompson. “It is a dream a long time in the making! In addition, I am energized by the enthusiasm of our current staff and the potential of the new staff we are in the process of hiring. I look forward to leading the District as we work to make LCS the best possible learning environment for all of our students.”
Mrs. Thompson received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and did advanced course work in educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University. She is listed in the 1988 Who’s Who in American Education and was named the 1984 Distinguished Educator for Lapeer Community Schools.
“At a time when the District needed strong leadership and vision, Mrs. Thompson admirably exemplified those assets during her time as Superintendent with Lapeer Community Schools,” said Board of Education President Bill Laidlaw. “She has been a pleasure to work with and a team player with the Board of Education in moving the District forward. She will be deeply missed when she retires.”
Last week, Mrs. Thompson informed the Board of Education that she will retire next year allowing the District plenty of time to find a new superintendent and create a seamless transition.
In her tenure as Superintendent she and the Board of Education navigated the District through difficult budgets brought on by Michigan’s financial woes, but also oversaw a successful bond campaign that brought two long sought after new middle schools to the District. Both schools open in the fall.
In 1974, Mrs. Thompson started her career with Lapeer Community Schools as a third and fourth grade Chapter I Reading teacher at Hadley Elementary School. Previously she had been a second-grade teacher at Kingsbury School in Oxford starting in 1971.
During her career she held a variety of posts including Title I teacher, Administrative Assistant for Staff Development, Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Interim Superintendent of Schools and finally in 2005, Superintendent.
From 1988 to 1992 she was an elementary school principal in Linden, the only time she was absent from the Lapeer District during her long career.
“I am excited to continue working next school year as we open and operate our two new middle schools,” said Mrs. Thompson. “It is a dream a long time in the making! In addition, I am energized by the enthusiasm of our current staff and the potential of the new staff we are in the process of hiring. I look forward to leading the District as we work to make LCS the best possible learning environment for all of our students.”
Mrs. Thompson received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and did advanced course work in educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University. She is listed in the 1988 Who’s Who in American Education and was named the 1984 Distinguished Educator for Lapeer Community Schools.
“At a time when the District needed strong leadership and vision, Mrs. Thompson admirably exemplified those assets during her time as Superintendent with Lapeer Community Schools,” said Board of Education President Bill Laidlaw. “She has been a pleasure to work with and a team player with the Board of Education in moving the District forward. She will be deeply missed when she retires.”
Swing Out 2010 - Photos
Photos of Swing Out 2010 are now posted on the District's photo gallery. This nearly 80-year tradition continued with graduates from Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community High School marching through town and being greeted by friends and family.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Lapeer West High School art students learn life lessons while creating artworks
When students in Jeff Bolzman’s fourth hour art class at Lapeer West High School worked on their final exam projects, they were creating more than intriguing pieces of art.
Mr. Bolzman also taught them that the principles of constructing art can be applied to life. For example, he said sculptures need a solid, strong base to support the weight of the piece. Mobiles need balance to hang and function properly. Mr. Bolzman told his students that they can apply those same ideas to life — establish a strong foundation for whatever they want to do, but don’t forget to add balance for a well-rounded life.
The students’ art pieces ranged from clay and papier-mache sculptures of animals to mobiles modeled after the works of Alexander Calder, who developed a new method of sculpting by bending and twisting wire to create three-dimensional shapes.
Some of the creations made by students in Mr. Bolzman’s classes are on display in the West media center and in display cases in the school’s hallway. View some of the pieces students were making for their final exams in the photo gallery.
“Everyone talks about hands-on education, and this is as hands-on as it gets,” Mr. Bolzman said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)