Second graders help save endangered rhinos

From the County Press
Nancy Lamphere’s second grade class at Mayfield Elementary School presented $175 to Ruth Ann Prey, a retired school teacher, Monday morning (March 14). The money, raised entirely by the students, will be sent to an animal sanctuary in Africa that helps rescue endangered black rhinoceroses.

Prey gave a guest lecture to the second grade class in late February about the black rhinoceros, whose population has decreased dramatically in the past few decades. While tens of thousands of black rhinos thrived as recently as 1970, recent research suggests that as few as approximately 4,000 lack rhinos are alive today.

The rapid decline in population is mostly due to poachers who hunt the rhinos for their horns, which are then sold as trophies or ground into a powder used in pseudo-medical practices as a cure-all. Black rhinos are currently classified as “critically endangered” by the IUCN.

After the presentation, the second grade students decided they wanted to do something to help. In particular, second grader Ella Coulter took the cause to heart. Her parents said she spent an entire snow day making posters, writing a letter to other students and their parents and making a collection jar for spare change. “She did it all herself,” said her parents.

Thanks to Ella and the rest of the students at Mayfield Elementary, a total of $175 was raised. Prey returned to the school Monday to accept the money and thank the students for their efforts. “I think it’s really important.... I love animals,” said Ella.

Photos by JACOB HUNSANGER
Photo captions:
Above, Ruth Ann Prey, a retired Lapeer teacher, talks to the second grade class at Mayfield Elementary School and applauds them for their hard work raising money. To the left, student Ella Coulter shows off the collection jar she made. The students used the jar to collect spare change from parents and students in other classrooms. On the right is the letter Ella wrote to help with the fundraising efforts.

Mayfield 2nd graders perform "Ugly Duckling"

Mrs. Lamphere’s 2nd grade class at Mayfield Elementary will perform "Ugly Duckling" (a mini musical) for students March 16th at 2:00 p.m. and for the public March 17th at 6:00 p.m. at Mayfield Elementary located at 302 Plum Creek Road, Lapeer.

Mrs. Lamphere’s annual play is always a treat for the students and their audience. Come enjoy a delightful cast of singing second graders.

Mayfield honors Veterans

Students at Mayfield Elementary School hosted their annual Veterans Day observance on November 11 with members of the American Legion Post 16 in Lapeer.

Legion members and students took part in the morning flag-raising ceremony and sang patriotic songs.

Special guest State Rep. Kevin Daley offered his thoughts on the meaning of Veterans Day.

Additional photos from the special observance are available online in the Lapeer Community Schools photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/VeteransDayAtMayfieldElementary#

Mayfield Kids’ Boutique Oct 26 & 28

Mayfield Elementary School will host a “Kids’ Boutique” during parent-teacher conferences October 26 and 28.

The “Kids’ Boutique” will be a place to come in and shop for gently-used children’s clothing. Families can stop on the night of their children’s conference and shop for the clothing items their children need. The best part will be that the shopping is FREE!

Parents can help by donating clean, gently-used children’s clothing. Bring the clothes to Mayfield this week (through Friday, October 22).

The school is also looking for a number of parents who would be willing to help sort the clothing and set up on Monday, October 25th, and to staff the boutique during conferences. The boutique will be open the night of conferences, on October 26 and 28 from 5-7:30 pm, for Mayfield families to shop for items that their children need.

For details or to volunteer, please contact Kids’ Boutique Coordinator Cheryl Shifflett-Smith, Mayfield Learning Coach, at 810-667-2442.

Video: Talented and Gifted activities of 2009-2010

The students in The Mayfield Tech Team produced this video on the Talented and Gifted Activities of 2009-2010. Enjoy!

Video: Mayfield Elementary activities 2009-2010

This is a video made by the students of The Mayfield Tech Team of the activities of the classes of Mr. Robert Losinger and Mr. Joshua Back and some activities at the school.

LA View does feature on Mayfield Elementary School leadership student

The LA View had a nice feature story on Matthew Moore, a Mayfield Elementary School sixth-grader, who recently attended a youth leadership event in Washington, D.C.

Mayfield second-grade students present Billy Goat Gruff play to residents of Suncrest

Students from Mrs. Nancy Lamphere's second-grade class at Mayfield brought their "Billy Goat Gruff Goes Calypso" play to the senior citizens at the Lapeer County Medical Care Facility or as everyone calls it, Suncrest.

The classic tale included some wonderful singing and dancing by the students in a "calypso" style.

Residents enjoyed the play and especially enjoyed the hugs that came after the play. To see a few more photos of the event go to the District photo gallery.

Coach Mandy hopes to expand after school running program to all elementary schools

Successful after school Running Clubs at Murphy and Mayfield Elementary Schools may be expanded to all District elementary schools in 2010-2011.

Currently at Murphy, 61 students participate in the program, which started in October and meets after school each Thursday. The Mayfield program meets on Wednesday and currently has 52 students signed up for its program.

On nice days at both schools, the running is done on a track behind the school and on more inclement days, students run in the front parking lot under adult supervision.

The running program is coordinated by Ms. Mandy Jo Rindhage, who has children at Murphy and Lapeer West.

“I would like to expand the running clubs to all of the Lapeer elementary and middle schools for the 2010-2011 school year,” said Coach Mandy. “With only five days a week and nine buildings, I’m going to need some help.”

Volunteers are being sought to help start programs at all the buildings. To receive more information or to help start a running club at a school, contact Coach Mandy at (810) 449-8340 or at mandyjo@fitnessbymandyjo.com. There will be a small charge for these programs.

A free summer running program will start on June 16. An exact time has not yet been determined but options are for a 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5, 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. start time.

The summer running club is open to all students entering kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2010-2011 school year. All District students are invited to this free program.

For information on the summer running club contact Coach Mandy.

Mayfield Elementary School hosts Mom 2 Mom sale, crafters and more March 20

Table vendors for the Mayfield Elementary School PTC Spring Craft Bazaar and Mom 2 Mom Sale scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010 are being sought. The March 9 deadline is rapidly approaching.

The popular Mom 2 Mom sale offers great bargains on new or gently used clothing and other children’s items. Crafters, home-based businesses, such as Pampered Chef or jewelry, candle or purse sales, are also invited to the event.

The cost of an 8-foot table for the event is $25. Mom 2 Mom participants may also bring one small clothing rack. Concessions and a bake sale will also be offered.

Cost of admission is $1 per person.

For additional questions or to rent a table call Mayfield Elementary School at (810) 667-2442.

Money raised at this fundraiser will support ongoing educational opportunities for students, including field trips, literacy events, classroom supplies and much more.

Lapeer's top spellers heading to county bee

Three more elementary schools found their best spellers in contests Tuesday, February 16, and Wednesday, February 17. Now those students will begin preparing for the countywide spelling bee.

At Schickler Elementary, fifth-grader Kylee Roberts won the bee Tuesday when she correctly spelled “enfranchise.” Second place went to fifth-grader Paul Gregor. Both will represent their school at the county level. Sixth-grader Kaylee Fenslau was third and will compete if Kylee or Paul are unable to attend.

Jocelyn Jones was named top speller at Elba-Seaton Elementary School after she correctly spelled “suburban” in a competition with 11 of her classmates. Fifth-grader Alex Craig was named alternate for Elba-Seaton.

Jocelyn said she studied the word list provided by her teacher to prepare for the bee. While she felt ready for the competition, she said she was still nervous, especially about spelling in front of an audience of other students.

“It’s harder for me to spell out loud than it is to write it down,” she said. “So I wasn’t sure what letters were coming out of my mouth.”

Alex said she has a trick for calming her nerves: “When I get nervous, I just go to my happy place.”

At Murphy Elementary at Rolland-Warner Middle School, sixth-grader Jessica Pantone won her school’s bee Wednesday when she correctly spelled “patience.” She and fifth-grader Lydia Bontrager will represent their school at the county bee. Fifth-grader Isabella Mirza was named alternate.

Jessica said she studied for the bee by writing words from a study sheet onto index cards. Her plan to prepare for the county bee? “More index cards.”

Lydia said she also studied, but spelling wasn’t the difficult part of the contest — speaking in front of an audience was. “If you look at the crowd it makes you even more nervous,” she said, adding she focused on the judges instead.

The students join those already selected at other schools to attend the countywide bee. Sixth-grader Cody Cruce and fifth-grader Hope O’Neill will represent Mayfield Elementary. Allison Vestbjerg will represent Lynch Elementary. Maple Grove holds its bee today, February 17.

The countywide competition will be Thursday, March 18 at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

The spelling bees, occurring in schools across the country, eventually will determine the competitors for the National Spelling Bee to be held in June in Washington, D.C.

Cody Cruce wins the Mayfield Spelling Bee competition on February 11

Sixth-grader Cody Cruce was named the spelling champ after correctly spelling "vanilla" during the Mayfield Spelling Bee on February 11. Fifth-grader Hope O'Neill was named the runner-up and sixth-grader Beth Adams the alternate.

Sixth-grader Cody Cruce will represent Mayfield Elementary School in the Lapeer County spelling bee after he emerged the winner in a spelling competition at his school on Thursday, February 11.

His secret for success? He reads a lot and controls his nerves when spelling in front of a crowd.

Cody won the competition at his school when he correctly spelled “vanilla” after other students were eliminated in the multi-round spelling bee.

“It just really seems to come to me,” Cody said of his spelling skills.

Mayfield will send two students to the county spelling bee. Fifth-grader Hope O’Neill will join him in the competition after finishing second Thursday. Sixth-grader Beth Adams finished third and will serve as alternate, competing at the county level if Cody or Hope are unable to attend.

The spelling bees, occurring in schools across the country, eventually will determine the competitors for the National Spelling Bee to be held in June in Washington, D.C.

Lynch Elementary held its spelling bee on Monday, February 8. Allison Vestbjerg won the Lynch competition and will represent her school in the county-wide bee. Seaton, Murphy and Maple Grove elementary schools will conduct their spelling bees next week to determine which of their students will compete at the county level.

Mayfield Elementary School first-graders turn weather lesson into snowman building

Mayfield Elementary School first-grade teacher Mrs. Debbie Daley turned a weather and science lesson into a little fun.

After learning about winter weather, Mrs. Daley took the students outside for a little snowman building. Only a certain kind of snow works for building find snow figures.

Several photos are available on the District's photo gallery.

Mayfield Elementary students honor vets

A long standing tradition at Mayfield Elementary School continued Wednesday with a solemn flag-raising ceremony to honor veterans.

Members of American Legion Post No. 16 of Lapeer were on hand to participate in morning flag raising ceremonies.

Additional photos of the event are on the District's photo gallery.

Mayfield Elementary School kindergartners, Early 5's visit Past Tense Cider Mill

Students in Mrs. Caitlyn Pascoe and Ms. Sarah Haglund’s kindergarten and Early 5’s class at Mayfield Elementary School had a fall field trip to the Past Tense Cider Mill on Thursday, October 29th.

A visit to the apple orchard and cider press was well received by the students.
To see more photos of the trip go to the District photo gallery.

Lapeer West 8th Grade Band, with appearances by combined members of a number of 6th grade bands

Enjoy the edited version of the 2009 Spring Concert of the Lapeer West 8th Grade Concert Band and combined 6th grade elementary bands of Bishop Kelly, Mayfield, Seaton and Lynch.

Mayfield Elementary School parking lot improvement- photos

Photos taken of extensive parking lot and bus loop improvements at Mayfield Elementary School - July 31, 2009.

Mayfield Elementary School undergoing parking lot, traffic safety improvements

Parking lot construction work on making a safer pick up and drop off for students at Mayfield Elementary School is underway at the school on Plum Creek Road in Mayfield Township.

When complete, there will be additional parking, a new bus loop around the back of the building and a new pick up and drop off scheme at the school.

To see additional photos go to the District photo gallery.

Mayfield Students produce videos on Talented and Gifted Programs, Physics Club

Mayfield Elementary School students in Mr. Robert Losinger's class have produced a number of videos of school events and projects during 2008-2009. Here are two more that were recently accepted on Schooltube.com.

Mayfield Elementary 5th Grade Trebuchet Project now available on video at School Tube

Trebuchet projects (catapults) in the fifth grade classroom of Mr. Robert Losinger and the 6th grade classroom of Mr. Joshua Back culminated in a contest Thursday, May 28th, to see which catapult was more accurate. The video shot by the students is now on School Tube.