Friday, May 20, 2011

LCS Ed-Tech students are winners

More than 20 students from Lapeer Community Schools earned honors this spring in a variety of competitions offered to students at the Lapeer County Intermediate School District’s Education and Technology Center.

The students and their awards, included:
Dominique Sweeney of Lapeer East, third place in personal care in the health occupations competition.
Kevin Gould of Lapeer Community High and Kevin Mason on Lapeer East, first place as members of the state floriculture team.
Ashley St. Clair of Lapeer West, second place as part of the state veterinary science team.
Paul Millard of Lapeer West, third place, MITES auto Tech.
Mason Ward of Lapeer East, second place, MITES carpentry team.
Richard Zock of Lapeer East, first place, MITES V-8 twin turbo project, second place in MITES connection rod drawing MD-8A and third place in MITES connection rod drawing MD-16A.
Mariah Fredericks of Lapeer East, first place in the breaking traditions award as part of the firefighting paramedic program.

In Skills USA competition, awards were earned by the following students:
Paul Millard of Lapeer West, third place, automotive master technician.
Ashlynn Balmer of Lapeer West, first place in Job Skills A
Alyssa Minton of Lapeer Community, first place in commercial baking.
Richard Zock of Lapeer East, first place in technical drafting.
Taylor West of Lapeer Community, second place in cosmetology.
Joey Gingiloski of Lapeer West, first place in collision repair.
Nate Morey of Lapeer West, third place in TV video production.
Lorinda Wils of Lapeer West, third place in TV video production.
Tabbithia Newton of Lapeer West, second place in first responder EMS.
Brandon Moss of Lapeer West, first place in MIG welding.
Tim Peterson of Lapeer West, second place in MIG welding.
Adam Pfeiffer of Lapeer West, third place in overall welding.
Mark Wells of Lapeer West, second place in team welding fabrication.

Board appoints Wendy Byard as new trustee


The Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education has unanimously appointed Wendy Byard to fill the vacant trustee position on the board.

Byard will serve the remainder of the term of board member Bill Laidlaw, who resigned last month to take a job out of state. That term runs through June 30, 2012.

Byard is an English professor at Mott College. She has three daughters who attend Lapeer Community Schools.

Byard holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. She is also the author of the book “Teach and Reach for Classroom Miracles.”

She is a former English teacher at North Branch High School, and prior to her career in education was an advertising and marketing account executive for ad agencies in Chicago and Ann Arbor.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Turrill Student Council donates to Animal Shelter


Members of the Turrill Elementary Student Council did a little shopping May 18 for provisions they donated to the Lapeer County Animal Shelter.


The students selected the Animal Shelter as the beneficiary of its community service project this year.

Armed with $96 that they earned from fundraisers throughout the year, the students first made a stop at Pet Supplies Plus to buy dog and cat food, kitty litter and a few toys for their new furry friends.

Then it was off to the Animal Shelter to drop off their donations and take a tour of the facility.

Student Council members got a chance to meet some of the dogs and cats that are housed at the shelter. The council got some help from parent volunteers and 5th grade teachers Phyllis VanHorn and Cheryl Roy.

For a look at more photos, please visit the LCS Picasa album at: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/TurrillStudentCouncilDonatesToAnimalShelter#

East’s Turczyn is state’s top 3-point shooter

Lapeer East Senior Keely Turczyn has been named to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan's Top Shooter Award. During the 2010-2011 basketball season, Keely shot 41 three-point field goals out of 84 attempts for a 48.8% average.

Keely was awarded first place as she recorded the top 3-point field goal percent in the state of Michigan.

“I think its definitely an honor and especially because it’s my senior year,” Turczyn told a reporter after earning her recognition. “All my hard work has paid off. I didn’t know coach put me up for the award, but I wanted to thank my coach and team for such an awesome year. I know it’s an individual honor, but everyone played a part in what I accomplished.”

Turczyn says she is headed to Central Michigan for academics. “I wasn’t sure which college I wanted to go to, but just liked the college after considering a bunch of them. I’m undecided at this point about what I might major in.”

Keely also received 2nd-Team All Metro League Honors for the 2010-2011 Basketball Season. She is three-year varsity player. Keely was a team captain, led the team in assists, led the team in 3-point field goal percentage, averaged 9.7 pts. per game, and started all 20 games.

Lapeer East Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Phil Widzinski said, “I could not be more proud of Keely. She put a lot of hard work into this past season.”

Noting her strong leadership on and off the court, the coach added, “We could not have accomplished some of the things we did as team without Keely. She was a lights-out shooter that I could count on hitting the big shot when we needed it." Widzinski noted that in the East-West matchup this year, Keely hit a 3-pointer with 1 second left to win the game.

“This is a very prestigious award, and her teammates are proud of her,” he said.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Kindergarten Readiness workshops set


Do you have a child age 4 or 5? Are you wondering what skills they need before entering Kindergarten? Would you like a way to measure their progress?

Family Literacy Center in partnership with Lapeer District Library is offering this workshop at no charge to you! Families will participate in fun projects, educational games, story-time and a snack. Each child will receive a free book. Siblings are also welcomed. Contact the Family Literacy Center office for the complete listing of workshops! ican@readlapeer.org or call 810-664-2737.

May 27, 2011, Friday
or
June 24, 2011, Friday
10:00 - 11:30 am
Metamora Library
4018 Oak Street, Metamora

Creative Writing Comes to Lapeer Celebrates the Arts

Writing can be a powerful art form, and is suitable for all ages and levels of abilities. Come join us Saturday, June 4 & Sunday, June 5, 2011 to learn more, to practice your craft, or just dabble in the experience of writing in several risk-free sessions.

Registration is recommended to reserve your spot and ensure workshops are not cancelled. Walk-in registrants will be accepted if space is available.
Registration deadline is May 25. Please contact Lisa Madden at 810-240-5544
or email: lisamargaret64@gmail.com for further information.

Session 100: The Art of The Writer’s Notebook, Saturday 9:30-11:30
Audience: Recommended for educators and other interested adults
Cost: $20.00 *Registration proceeds will be donated to Kiwanis
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
For Teachers Who (don’t) Write. This isn’t just for English Teachers! Keeping a notebook is an effective component of the writing process that we can share with our students. Experiencing the practice of keeping a notebook yourself will impact you personally and professionally. Join us to find out what a writer’s notebook is; how it can be used to inspire and improve student writing; and to experience several notebook strategies that will bring out the (non) writer in you.

Session 101: Writing Historical Fiction, Saturday 11:45-12:45
Audience: Recommended for High school students and adults
Cost: None
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
A published author gives insights into how he used historical research in his writing. Historical research can be a great way to get ideas and a great way to weave fact and fiction together. Learn how to get started with your own ideas for a historical piece!

Session 102: Looking to Write Saturday, 1:00-2:15
Audience: Grade 6-Adults
Cost: None
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
Writers are often inspired by objects, scenery, art, and photography. In this session, participants will use art pieces from the festival to inspire their words. You will be surprised where this experience will take you!

Session 103: Writer’s Notebook Samplers Saturday, Starting at 2:30
Audience: Age 8-Adults
Cost: None
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
Experience a variety of ways that writers gather ideas in order to develop future writing pieces Participants may register for 1, 2, or all 6 writer’s notebook exercises. You will be given a brief introduction and a prompt, then set free to explore the grounds and the art festival with notebook in hand:
2:30 Sketching to inspire writing
3:15 Learning to Look: Observation walk
4:00 Responding to a photo/work of art
4:45 Making the ordinary...extraordinary
5:30 Eavesdropping--dialogue and bits of conversation/People-watching
6:00 Share your discoveries! Return to the tent to share (or just listen!) to highlights from other writer

Session 201: Responding to Primary Resources: Letters & Photos from the Civil War Sunday, 11:45-1:00
Audience: Recommended for middle, high school, and adult writers
Cost: None
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
Primary resources often serve as inspiration for the creative writer. They lead way to mystery, character, historical research, poetry, and pieces of stories just waiting to be told. Join us as we explore several primary resources, and write it response to that exploration.

Session 202: Writing from the Stream Sunday, 1:15-2:30
Audience: Grade 6-Adults
Cost: None
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
Some of our best writing often comes from the “stream of consciousness,” a spontaneous, ongoing writing activity that may include perceptions, impressions, or random fragments of thought. The key to writing from the stream is taking the time after the exercise to “mine” the writing, to look for those seed ideas. In this session, your facilitator will guide you through a writing activity, and then have you revisit work, highlight "gems,” and consider ways to revise your ideas for future projects.

Session 203: The Poetry of Music: Song Writing Workshop Sunday, 2:45-4:00
Audience: Age 8-Adults
Cost: None
Please Bring: Any kind of writing utensil and notebook that makes you want to write!
Have you ever wanted to write your own song? Do you have the music in your head but no words on paper? Participants will work with local musicians to learn and practice the art of songwriting.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
1. Please complete the information below, detach, and send to Lisa Madden, 250 Second Street, Lapeer, MI 48446
2. Call Lisa Madden at (810) 240-5544
3. Email: lisamargaret64@gmail.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name _________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ Phone____________________Email__________________________
Please check sessions you will attend:
SATURDAY SESSIONS
 Session 100 The Art of the Writer’s Notebook (Please enclose $20 check made payable to Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Lapeer)
 Session 101 Writing Historical Fiction
 Session 102 Looking to Write
 Session 103 Writer’s Notebook Samplers: please circle sessions you will attend: 2:30 3:15 4:00 4:45 5:30 6:00 ALL
SUNDAY SESSIONS
 Session 201 Responding to Primary Resources: Letters & Photos from the Civil War
 Session 202 Writing From the Stream
 Session 203 The Poetry of Music: Song Writing Workshop

Registrations due by Wednesday, May 25 to reserve your space!!

All sessions will be held at the Art Festival, located on the grounds in front of Chatfield School and Mott Community College, at the corner of DeMille and Genesee Roads in Lapeer, Michigan. Look for signs in the History section of the festival.

Monday, May 16, 2011

East Ecology students monitor the river


Lapeer East High School ecology students of Cheryl Butterfield spent the afternoon May 4 doing a bit of research at Hunters Creek, about a quarter mile north of the school.

Seniors Jackey Toland, Sam Rubick and Ginger Pearson set up their lab stations on the sidewalk to gather data on the health of the creek.
The 32 students waded the river and collected both water and species samples for further study.

Students use nets to gather critters in the stream.


Some of the data will be used by Susanne Lossing and the Flint River Watershed Council to assess the health of Hunters Creek, which feeds the Flint River.

Teacher Cheryl Butterfield reviews data collection with student Nicole Medellin.

Students Adam DeMeyere, Tate Robinson and CJ Spencer empty their nets into a tray for further study by Susanne Lossing of the Flint River Watershed Council.

Additional photos are available at the LCS Picasa site: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/LapeerEastEcologyStudentsAssessRiverHealth#

Zemmer Drama: Greek Mythology

Come one, come all and step back in time to Ancient Greece as the Zemmer Middle School Drama Club Presents Greek Mythology: A Night of Truth, Love, Journey, and Misfortune as written by Zemmer Middle School Students May 20 & 21at 7:30 p.m. in the Zemmer Middle School Cafetorium and on May 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5.00 at the door, and no advanced tickets will be sold. Seating is general admission, so get there early. Zemmer Middle School is at 1920 W. Oregon Street in Lapeer. Any questions, please call 810-667-2413.

West students selected for leadership camps

More than a dozen Lapeer West High Schools students have been selected to attend youth leadership camps this spring and summer sponsored by a variety of business and service groups.

The selected students include:

Boy’s State
Northwood University)

June 19 – 25, 2011
Colin Coulter
Michael O’Brien


Girl’s State (Michigan State University)
June 19 -25, 2011
Rebecca Francis
Ashley Nugent –alternate


Rotary
“Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders”

(University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario)
May 6 – 8, 2011
Katie Metter
Janelle Owen
Kaila Parent



Farm Bureau
“Young People’s Citizenship Seminar”
at Northwood University

June 27 – 30, 2011
Autumn Burgett
Kayla Stock



“High School Leadership Academy”
at Alma College

July 9 – 15, 2011


Operation Bentley 2011
May 14 – 20, 2011


Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
United National Pilgrimage for Youth

June 25 – July 16, 2011
Gina Cavanaugh
Lindsay Yateman
Stephanie Brown
Alexis Greer
Janessa Lanza
Allison Hamilton

Exchange students from Spain need local homes for July

Four exchange students from Spain will be visiting Lapeer County this summer and need local homes for the month of July.

The students, age 14-16, are fluent in English and are looking for an opportunity to spend time with an average Midwestern family.

Marina: female, 15, parents both teachers, likes windsurfing, dancing, biking, horseback riding and being with friends.

Miguel: male, 16, parents are accountants, likes soccer, swimming, windsurfing, computers, movies, reading, camping and being with friends.

Jaime: male, 14, parents, attorney and civil servant, likes basketball, soccer, swimming, computers, movies, reading, hiking, music and being with friends.

Maria Teresa: female, 16, likes movies, being with friends, reading, music and singing.

If you are interested, please contact Jeanine LeMieux at 810-441-2817 or jlemieux@lapeerschools.org

Recycled art show at Maple Grove May 17

It's the 3rd Annual Recycled Art Show for all grades at Maple Grove Elementary, 2020 Imlay City Road, Lapeer.

The show runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17th, in the Maple Grove Cafeteria.

See three dimensional art work created using only recycled items. Students have repurposed items that would have been thrown away into creative works of art.

Stop by and view an environmentally friendly city of the future, a Chihuly-inspired installation piece, eco-robots and so much more.