Rolland-Warner students raise a barn

Using a quarter-size replica of a 19th Century American Midwest timber frame barn, the Michigan Barn Preservation Network visited Rolland-Warner Middle School May 20 to give 6th and 7th grade students a chance to "raise" a barn.

The afternoon event introduced students to part of our agricultural heritage, the pride of craftsmanship and offered a glimpse at what can happen when people come together to accomplish something that they cannot do alone.

Rolland-Warner Teacher Mike Wiltse was joined by Michigan Barn Preservation volunteers Melissa Jaskiewicz, Ben Lewis and Jen Kramer.

For a look at photos from the afternoon event, please visit the LCS Picasa albums at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/RWStudentsBuildABarn#

Board, teachers reach agreement on contract

The Lapeer Community Schools and the Lapeer Education Association have reached an agreement on a one-year contract that will run though the 2011-2012 school year.

Teachers ratified the contract and the School Board voted to approve the contract on May 26.

Key provisions of the agreement include working condition changes and wage and benefit concessions by the teachers that are expected to save the District in excess of $4 million in the coming school year.

“In light of the state revenue cuts that the District is facing, both the District and its teachers worked together to address the cost-cutting that is necessary and to minimize the effects in the classroom,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “It was truly a collaborative effort.”

The new contract carves out a structural change that reduces the number of teaching positions in the District by more than 30 and increases the amount teachers pay toward their health care premiums. The one-year contract also includes a wage freeze.

Despite the commitment by the teachers to save the District $4 million a year, the Board still needs to reduce spending by another $3 million to $4 million to balance the District’s budget for the 2011-12 school year.

Sports Physicals offered June 8

Students who would like to play school sports in the 2011-12 school year can take their sports physicals at the Lapeer Regional Physical Therapy Center, 1057 Suncrest Drive, Lapeer, on Wednesday, June 8th, beginning at 5 p.m. The cost is $20.

The physicals will be done for incoming 7th-12th grade LCS (East, West, Rolland-Warner and Zemmer) students. This is a change from previous years: Physicals will not be offered in August

Important Information:

 Only the Lapeer Regional Physical Form will be accepted for the physicals on this date; no other physical forms will be accepted (including the MHSAA form).
 Physical forms may be picked up in the offices of East, West, Rolland-Warner, Zemmer, and the LCS Administration & Services Center.
 A parent/guardian must sign the physical form.
 Physical forms for the 2011-2012 school year must be dated on or after April 15, 2011.
 Physicals WILL NOT be offered in August.
 Physical forms must be on file at the athletes’ respective school prior to athletic participation; this includes all tryouts and practices.

Maple Grove students turn trash into art

Students at Maple Grove Elementary School turned trash into treasure and put it on display at their Recycled Art Show on May 17. Friends and family members to stopped by to see the art work, all of which was put together by students over the last six weeks using only recycled items.

Working together, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders created a large chandelier made entirely from melted and painted plastic bottles, complete with functional lights. The art work will be a permanent fixture in the school.

The kindergarten class had “found items” collages set up on a table for people to see. The collages were styled after the work of modern artist Louise Nevelson, who would take assortments of found items, lay them down together and paint them all the same color. The kindergarten students did the same thing, mostly painting their collages bright green, blue or pink.

The 1st grade class at Maple Grove made artistic masks out of recycled pieces of foam, cardboard and paper. The colorful and often outrageous faces showed the artistic creativity of small children.

Maple Grove 2nd graders displayed their flower garden project. The brightly colored flowers were all made from used plastic pop bottles.

The 3rd grade students also used plastic pop bottles to make decorative fish, which hung from the ceiling.

Silver and gray robots made by the 4th graders lined one whole wall of the cafeteria. The robots were made from recycled materials from home: cereal boxes, cardboard tubes and pieces of foam. After the pieces were glued together, they were painted silver and gray, giving them a perfect metallic look.

The 5th grade class worked together to make the Eco-City display, a model of a small town laid out on a table. The model was displayed collectively, but each student was assigned one building to design and create. Along with the physical model of the buildings, each student had to list ways that building could be more environmentally friendly. One student designed a fire department building with rain collection tubes on the roof that would collect natural water to be used by the firefighters.

Veihl to continue her volleyball at St. Clair

Martha Veihl, a starter on the Lapeer East volleyball team, has decided that she will continue with her volleyball career at St. Clair Community College.

“I chose (St. Clair) because I felt it was the right distance from home, and I already have some friends there,” said Veihl, who plans to study education and administration.

A three-sport star for Lapeer East, Veihl also played basketball and ran track for the Eagles.


Veihl said choosing St. Clair was an easy decision. “I considered a few other smaller schools, but St. Clair was my best option for volleyball,” she said. “I look forward to a successful season, and just getting to know my new teammates.”

Photo caption:
Martha Veihl signs her letter of intent surrounded by Chris, Susan and Emily Veihl as East coach Dan Purvis and St. Clair coach Chuck Weisner look on.