Disability Day at Schickler

Students at Schickler Elementary recently took part in the school’s first Disability Awareness Day.

Students got an opportunity to visit three main stations that dealt with: Hearing/Vision, Learning/Speech, and Gross Motor/Fine Motor. All students were given the opportunity to see what it is like to have one of these impairments (i.e. put on goggles simulating a severe vision impairment, maneuver through a course with a wheelchair, etc.).

"Teachers said this was an awesome day. Students really enjoyed each station. Some of the students’ thoughts included:

It really helped people see what it is like."

"Some people make fun of others, this really helped." (This came from a girl who has a brother in a wheelchair.)

"It was fun."

"It was kind of sad."

"It was hard. Imagine someone who really has to deal with that every day."

"It was weird using the gloves with cotton in them to see how hard it is to do everyday things."

Schickler Tech Club

This year at Schickler Elementary students have the opportunity to be part of a special Technology Club. Two or three students from each 4th and 5th grade classroom are selected.


This year the students have been busy with learning how to use many forms of multi-media. They have recorded video clips using Flip Cameras, mini DV cameras, cell phones, digital cameras, and document cameras. The students then used Windows Movie Maker and Flip Share Software to edit and create movies.

Other responsibilities of the club members include tutoring younger students with technology, updating a school-wide PowerPoint daily, capturing digital images on special occasion, and making a culminating project of a digital yearbook.

Schickler teacher has A Day Made Better

Classroom is presented with $1,000 in supplies

Schickler Elementary teacher Nancy Abeare got a very pleasant surprise when she showed up for class on Oct. 5.

Waiting for her was a crew from Office Max in Rochester Hills, who brought with them $1,000 in school supplies for her classroom. The award was given to her as part of the company’s A Day Made Better event. “The award is given out to teachers because Office Max knows how important teachers are and what they do to support students,” said an Office Max spokesman.

“What a surprise! I felt honored and embarrassed to be singled out from the Schickler teaching staff. Many teachers spend extra hours and dollars to assist their students. We all want our students to reach goals and feel successful in school. It is so wonderful that Office Max is recognizing the teaching profession!”

The gifts included pencils, paper, staplers, tape, highlighters, dry erase markers, storage boxes, planners, pens, pencil sharpener, a digital camera and a whole raft of supplies to keep the classroom humming.


Office Max began the A Day Made Better program in October 2007, and since that time each year has surprised 1,000 teachers at 1,000 schools around the nation by donating approximately $1,000 worth of supplies to each of their classrooms. “We did this because it is estimated that teachers, together, spend about $4 billion of their own money to make sure their students have the supplies they need to learn. OfficeMax feels this is a problem that we can help solve,” said an Office Max spokesman.

This year about 30,000 OfficeMax associates surprised and honored more than 1,000 teachers at Title 1 schools across the nation with $1 million worth of classroom supplies. Nominated by their principals, teachers receive this honor for their exceptional contributions as an educator, demonstrating passion, innovation and dedication in the classroom.
Photo captions:
Top photo: Teacher Nancy Abeare.
Lower photo:
Schickler Elementary teacher Nancy Abeare (center) is joined by Principal Ken Janczarek (left) and is flanked by the Office Max team from Rochester Hills.
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Kenneth Janczarek is new Principal at Schickler Elementary

Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Kenneth Janczarek as the new principal at Schickler Elementary School.

Mr. Janczarek comes to Schickler after teaching fourth grade for the last seven years at Waterford Village Elementary in the Waterford School District. He replaces Michelle Bradford, who transferred to Lynch Elementary.

During his tenure in Waterford he was a lead teacher and worked with other teachers to create reading programs for at-risk readers and to realign the district’s science curriculum.

He also served on several teams that focused on curriculum, staff development and scheduling.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in language arts from Siena Heights University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Oakland University.

“I’m extremely excited to start the new school year and meet all of the wonderful families and students at Schickler,” said Mr. Janczarek.

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Schickler performs "Gotta Keep Reading"

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.