Friday, December 3, 2010

Ticket discounts with Punch Cards

With the start of the winter sports season, we would like to remind everyone to get your athletic punch cards to help reduce the cost of attending Lapeer Community Schools’ sporting events.

A punch card costs $25 and is good for $50 worth of entry fees for all LCS home events (including Hockey) except MHSAA sponsored tournament events.

For even more savings, if you purchase five (5) at one time in the Operations Department at the Administration and Services Center, you’ll get an additional punch card free.

In addition to the Administration and Services Center, punch cards also are available in the High School and Middle School offices.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

West and East athletes are good sports

Good sportsmanship continues to be a high priority among Flint Metro League schools.

Instances of unacceptable sportsmanship are rare among league members, due in large measure to the proactive work of FML athletic directors and coaches. Positive reinforcement of outstanding sportsmanship continues with the league's long-standing recognition program. Every FML coach is asked to name the league opponent that showed the best sportsmanship during the recently concluded fall season.

Nine varsity teams from Lapeer high schools -- five at Lapeer West and four at Lapeer East -- were selected by opposing coaches for showing the best sportsmanship for the fall season of 2010:

At Lapeer West:
Volleyball
(selected by three opponents)
Boys Cross Country (selected by two opponents)
Girls Cross Country (selected by one opponent)
Girls Swim (selected by one opponent)
Boys Tennis (selected by one opponent)

At Lapeer East:
Girls Cross Country (selected by three opponents)
Boys Soccer (selected by two opponents)
Boys Tennis (selected by two opponents)
Girls Swim (selected by one opponent)

For these teams to be considered the “Best of the Best” in sportsmanship by any opponent is noteworthy. Being chosen by more than one opponent is exemplary.

Congratulations are in order for these Lapeer East and Lapeer West athletes and their coaches on a job well done this fall season.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Superintendent search survey is online

The Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education is conducting a survey to help guide it in the selection of a new superintendent for the District. The online survey will be accessible from the District website from now through mid-January.

School Board members expect that the survey will result in input from throughout the community that will provide valuable guidance as they select a new superintendent. The survey will take less than ten minutes to complete. It is anonymous and confidential.

“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to stress the importance of this input from our staff and throughout our community,” said LCS Board President Bill Laidlaw. “The more input we get will help us make a better decision. It’s important that the entire community has a voice in this important decision about our schools.”

The survey asks respondents to identify, in general, their relationship to the District (for example as a parent, student, staffer or other community member).

It then asks respondents to select from a list the greatest strengths of the District, the most important challenges facing the District, the most important goals for the District in the next three to five years and the most important attributes required for the next Lapeer Community Schools superintendent.

Space is also provided for comments and any other items the Board should consider in its superintendent search.

The online survey is available on the District website (www.lapeerschools.org) by clicking on the “Superintendent Search Survey” button on the right side of the home page. If you do not have access to a computer, you can access one at any public library or contact Karen Rowden at the Board offices at 810-538-1604 to set up a time to use a District computer to complete the survey.

The School Board is seeking a new superintendent to replace current Superintendent Debbie Thompson, who is retiring in June at the end of 2010-11 school year. The veteran educator has served the District as its superintendent since August 2005.

West trumpeter to perform with all-state band


Lapeer West senior trumpeter Tim Waelde has been selected to perform with the All-State High School Band at the Michigan Music Conference on January 22 at Devos performance hall in Grand Rapids.

All-state band members had to endure a rigorous audition that included required music, scales, and sight reading. A selected panel of judges listened to recordings of all auditions to make the final selections. Students auditioned statewide for this event.

West students serve up pancakes in Project Graduation fundraiser

Lapeer West students donned their aprons and added big smiles as they “took over” the Applebees Restaurant on DeMille in Lapeer at a Sunday-morning fundraising breakfast for Project Graduation.


The pancakes and sausages were cooked up by volunteer Applebees Manager Maggie Edgette and served up by the students. The restaurant opened its doors early for the special all-you-can eat breakfast service.

All proceeds from the November 21 event went to fund Project Graduation for West High School students. West High School’s post-commencement lock-in all-night party will take place June 5 from 10 pm to 5:30 am at the Zap Zone in Farmington.

For a look at more photos from the event go to http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/WestStudentsServeUpBreakfastAtApplebees#

Monday, November 29, 2010

West students clean up courtyards

A group of students at Lapeer West High School took advantage of some nice weather over the last couple of weeks to clean up the courtyards at the school.


West High Garden Club members were joined by National Honor Society members on Nov. 15 and 22.


The Garden Club is in its second year and works in cooperation with the women of the Lapeer Wildflower Garden Club, who have spent countless hours over the past few years working to beautify the courtyards at West.

The Wildflower Garden Club has planted trees, plants and cleaned up some neglected areas. They have added picnic tables, chairs and other garden features as well.


The student group has helped them in these efforts and has raised money to help fund the improvements. This fall’s clean-up involved Garden Club members and NHS members who wanted to help as well as earn community service hours.

View photos from the cleanup at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/WestStudentsCleanUpCourtyards#

Free Breakfast program expands to high schools

All high school students in Lapeer Community Schools now have access to the Universal Free Breakfast program.

Beginning Nov. 16 free hot or cold morning meals were made available to the students at Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community high schools from 7:00-7:20 a.m. daily. All meals consist of milk, a fresh fruit or 100 percent juice drink, two breads or one bread and one protein.

Breakfast is a great way to start the day, said Food Service Director Scott Smith. “Research has shown that school breakfast is a tool for increased learning. Students who eat a morning meal earn higher test scores, are more attentive in class and have fewer hunger-related disruptive behaviors, proving that nutritional needs are part of the total educational process.”

With the addition of the high schools, all students in Lapeer Community Schools, from kindergarten through 12th grade are now participating in the Universal Free Breakfast program. The free breakfast program is a pilot project that will continue to the end of the school year in June. The breakfast program is supported with federal funding.

Based on participation and continued funding, District officials are hopeful that the program will continue for all K-12 students when school starts up again next fall.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Four Lapeer graduates inducted into Alumni Hall of Honor

The Lapeer Alumni Association inducted four new members into its Alumni Hall of Honor on Sunday, November 7, at an afternoon ceremony at the Lapeer East High School Auditorium.

Distinguished graduates for 2010 include Ronald L. Reamer, Class of 1955; Linda Moore Priestap, Class of 1963; Fr. David Parsch, Class of 1964; and Kevin M. Daley, Class of 1975.

To view a video of the presentation, visit: http://www.schooltube.com/video/bdc17ce29ad9b07c2a13/2010-Distinguished-Alumni

or click on the video screen:




For a look at more photos, visit the LCS photo albums at: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/2010AlumniHallOfHonor#

Each year, the Lapeer Alumni Association honors a small, elite group of graduates from Lapeer Community Schools who are inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor. Nominees include any graduate from Lapeer Community Schools who has been out of school for at least 10 years.

The Alumni Hall of Honor selection committee includes members of the Alumni Association, a Lapeer Community Schools board member, school employees and community members.

Brief biographies of the four honorees:

Ronald L. Reamer, Class of 1955.

Ronald L. Reamer did so much for his Lapeer community. Mr. Reamer owned three businesses, chaired the Merchants Association, Red Feather, United Way, and held all leadership positions at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Ron served in the National Guard and directed the Desert Storm/Desert Shield support group. He served in leadership roles with the Boys Scouts for more than 30 years and was also active in 4-H, Church Youth and the Lapeer Anti-Drug Youth program.

Ron was a local PTC president for six years and served four years as a Lapeer Community Schools board member. He also was honored as the Lapeer Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Mr. Reamer died in 2008.

If it was for the community, Ron Reamer was in the front row.

Linda Moore Priestap, Class of 1963.
Linda Moore Priestap taught vocal music and reading for 32 years and was selected LCS Distinguished Educator of the Year in 1992.

She was the musical director for performances of The King and I, Guys and Dolls and The Wizard of Oz. Linda is the chaplain for Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO), a national women’s group,and president of the Carolyn Mawby Chorale. She volunteers with Friends of the deAngeli Library and Sweet Dreams, a group who sews colorful pillowcases for seriously ill children at Hurley Hospital.

She is deeply involved in Goodfellows and the Holiday Depot. Linda raised two children, cared for her mother, and maintains a dedication to her community. She was involved with Kiwanis Kids and Kiwanis Kapers.

Linda served as Director of the First Presbyterian Church adult choir for 17 years. She also is a church Elder and worked on numerous committees. Since its inception Linda has gathered a group of “alumni” friends to open the Distinguished Alumni program with music.

Fr. David L. Parsch, Class of 1964.

Father Parsch is the eldest son of 2009 inductee Rod L. Parsch.

David graduated from Michigan State University, served in the U.S. Navy and was director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tuscola County. Called to the priesthood, he attended Catholic University in Washington, DC. Dave was ordained by the Catholic Church and has served the Saginaw Diocese since January 1980.

From his starring role in an entertaining production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to the 1,000 Leaders Initiative in Saginaw, to his 20 years as anchor of the WNEM-TV 5 television show Scope, Father David L. Parsch recognizes the goodness in all persons and leads by example in all aspects of his life. He is a true role model.

Rep. Kevin M. Daley, Class of 1975.
One of nine children, Kevin Daley is a fourth-generation farmer in Lapeer County.

Never one to be idle, Kevin served politically on the Arcadia Township Board for 24 years, including 13 years as supervisor. As a board member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Michigan Milk Producers Association, the Farm Bureau and Lapeer County EMS, it was only natural that Kevin aspire to higher political calling and service.

In November 2008 and again in November 2010, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent Lapeer County. Kevin has excelled quickly and now serves on state House committees covering Agriculture, Labor, Governmental Operations and Great Lakes and the Environment. Residents of Lapeer County are well served with Kevin M. Daley as their voice in Lansing.

Photo caption:Distinguished Alumni honored were (from left) Ronald L. Reamer (deceased), represented by his wife Susan Reamer, Linda Moore Priestap, Father David L. Parsch and Kevin M. Daley.
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