Friday, April 22, 2011

Matt Wandrie is new LCS Superintendent

The Lapeer Community Schools have named Matthew Wandrie as the District’s new superintendent.

He will begin the job July 1, replacing six-year veteran Superintendent Debbie Thompson, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

Wandrie was officially hired by the Board at its April 21 special meeting. He was the Board’s unanimous choice from a list of 43 applicants and six candidates who were selected for interview with the Board.

“I’m eager to begin work in Lapeer, and have been most impressed with the student-centered vision of the Board and District employees,” he said.

“Despite the many economic challenges facing public education, Lapeer has maintained a singular focus on what’s most important – providing exceptional service to our students and families. I hope to honor that legacy while continuing to build a team approach as we chart a course for excellence.”

Wandrie is coming to Lapeer from Dearborn Public Schools, where he has served as the director of human resources. His career in education also includes work as a high school teacher, athletic coach, assistant principal, athletic director and principal.

The Oxford resident is a graduate of Lake Orion High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Alma College. He earned his master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in educational leadership and holds a K-12 administrative certification. He currently is pursuing his doctorate in education at the University of Michigan.

Wandrie and his wife Christie have three children: Thomas, 10, Jack, 8, and Anna, 6. The new superintendent says he enjoys coaching his children in their various athletic pursuits, spending time with family and friends, boating, fishing and playing guitar.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

New YA Café at Rolland-Warner Middle School


A sizable group of students showed up for class early April 15 for the first-ever YA Café at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

The YA Café is designed as a way to promote literacy for all. The morning began at 8 a.m. as 59 students, 5 parent volunteers, and about 10 staff members showed up in the Rolland-Warner Media Center. 7th grade Social Studies teacher, Mr. Sweeney talked about the book “Red Scarf Girl” as students ate donuts and drank hot cocoa. One lucky winner, 6th grader Courtnee Miller, won a copy of the book.

Students were able to check out copies of the book donated by the Rolland-Warner PTC immediately after the book talk. Rolland-Warner is using the YA Café concept as an initiative to promote literacy for all. The program kicks off next week at Zemmer Middle School.

The next Rolland-Warner YA Café is planned for Friday, May 13th, at 8:00 a.m. in the media center. The featured title will be “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman. The Rolland-Warner PTC sponsored this YA Café and has agreed to donate the books and refreshments for the events in May and next September.

For a look at more photos from the YA Café at Rolland-Warner, please go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/RWYaCafe#

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Looking for scholarhsip opportunities?

The Lapeer County Community Foundation is extending the deadline for its Ronald C. Warner Scholarship and the Irma Gelhausen Scholarship to Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

The Warner Scholarship Fund, named for long-time local educator Ronald C. Warner, was established in 2008 to assist students in pursuing a career in agriculture and/or education. The student must be a resident of Lapeer County and in his or her third or more year of study with a cumulative GPA of 2.4 or higher. The 2011 award is $1,000.00

The Irma Gelhausen Scholarship, also named for a long-time local educator, is awarded to students pursuing a career in elementary or secondary education. The student must be a resident of Lapeer County, in his or her third or more year of study with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The 2011 award is $1,000.00

More information and applications can be found at www.lapeercountycommunityfoundation.org or by calling the Lapeer County Community Foundation at (810) 664-0691.