More photos from Lapeer East Bus 3 in D.C.

We have received some new photos this morning (Sunday, May 10, 2009) from inside Bus 3. From the background it looks like a high rent section of Washington, D.C. or perhaps Georgetown.

Too many new photos to put them all on the blog, but you can see them in this album.

More pictures up on the photo album at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 10, 2009.

Photos from Six Flags on Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 4 p.m.

Lapeer East students visit the Newseum

Lapeer East High School Bus 4 students at the Newseum with the Capitol in the background.

Looks like another beautiful day for touring. More photos are here.

Another D.C. photo

Kim Rodela's bus 4 group at the Albert Einstein statue. See the whole set of photos here. For a larger version of the pictures, simply click on them.

More from the East Eagles in Washington D.C.

Top photo is the Bus 4 group at the Albert Einstein statue; second photo is the Chelsea Riley group from Bus 4; third photo is the bus 4 chaperones; fourth is bus 3 today heading for some touring; and photo 5 is a group at the Air Force Memorial today. Stay tuned.

Superintendent recommends north-south plan for middle school students

A recommendation to assign students to Rolland Warner and Zemmer Middle Schools based on a north-south geographic plan was presented to the Lapeer Board of Education at its regular meeting Thursday (May 7th) night.

While both schools appear different in their outward architecture, the interior classroom, music, media center, computer, science, art, cafeteria and performance spaces will be equitable in size and opportunity for both schools.

In February, a group of 32 parents, staff and a student worked through a process that examined a number of demographic issues related to assigning students on an east-west or a north-south basis to two new middle schools set to open in the fall of 2010.

Specific student populations such as special education and economically disadvantaged students were studied in the process. It would not be academically sound to have an imbalance of either of those populations at one school. The negligible difference between a north-south or east-west plan, turned out to be a non-factor in the recommendation.

Superintendent Debbie Thompson researched transition issues that put the most stress on students. Some of those factors are obvious, like elementary students moving into a new building and learning their way around and adjusting to having more than one teacher. Socialization is a huge issue with middle school students.

A survey of current students in the 7th through the 12th grade was done to get information about how they viewed some of these transition issues.

Students noted that social networking was the most important aspect of their middle school experience. Nearly half, or 48 percent of 8th-12th graders said they developed and made new friends when they ended up at either high school after leaving Zemmer Junior High School, and only 28 percent said they met their current friends at Zemmer.

Looking at current elementary populations the Superintendent studied the demographics of keeping students together from elementary into middle school. An east-west plan keeps 74 percent of the students together from elementary school to middle school, while a north-south approach keeps 88 percent of the students together.

The administration believes the two middle schools will, and must, develop a unique identity and not one necessarily tied to which high school to which students will eventually attend.

“New middle schools are not being developed as a ‘junior high school’ program or as appendages to the high schools, but as a unique academic experience designed and focused on this special population of student,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.

Each middle school will have its own mascot, school colors and identity. (Zemmer is the bulldog and Rolland Warner is the wolf)

“One thing the new middle school plan will not do is dampen the friendly East-West high school rivalry that both we and our community enjoy,” said Mrs. Thompson “In recent years, the Lapeer East and Lapeer West competition has become a positive force in making both schools better, academically, athletically, musically and artistically. Iron sharpens iron, as they say.”
Many students make and keep friends at the rival high school.

In recent years students from the District’s three high schools have worked, played and shared together in the Omni Council, which was designed to foster better and more healthy relationships between the schools.

The Board of Education will discuss the recommendation at its next work session, May 21, and likely vote on the plan in June.

Students heroic actions make the TV news

Three students who assisted food service staff with a young man who was choking at lunch Tuesday at Lapeer East High School were featured Thursday night on WJRT-TV, Channel 12.

Tonight at 6 p.m. those same three students are to be interviewed on WNEM-TV, Channel 5.

That link will be put up tonight.

Lapeer West Panthers have arrived in D.C.

Eighth grade students from Lapeer West High School have arrived safely in Washington, D.C. for their annual trip. They have had breakfast and are headed to Mt. Vernon for a tour.

More from the Eagles in Washington, D.C.

It appears the weather is perfect for touring in Washington, D.C. today. Here are some photos of the students at the Korean War memorial, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and walking to Arlington via the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge.

The Eagles have landed in Washington, D.C.

Students and staff from Lapeer East High School have arrived in Washington, D.C. for their annual trip to the nation's capitol. All are safe and sound. Here's a couple pictures taken at the Washington monument this morning.

Lapeer East students who performed Heimlich interviewed for television news

Three students who worked with a food service worker at Lapeer East High School Tuesday were interviewed today for separate news segments on WJRT-TV, Channel 12, and WNEM-TV, Channel 5.

Chris Iloncai, James Richie and Emily Miller each performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student in the cafeteria when food became lodged in his throat.

The Channel 12 broadcast is scheduled for the 5 p.m. news tonight (Thursday, May 7th) and the broadcast date and time for the Channel 5 interview, is a little less clear, but supposed to be on Friday.

If you miss the segment a link to the archived broadcast segments will be put up on the blog.

(Top photo is the Channel 5 interview in the Media Center and the bottom photo is the Channel 12 interview in the cafeteria)

First-graders make annual visits to Safetyville

In what is a first-grade right of passage in Lapeer County, first-grade students are making their visits to Safetyville this spring.

Sponsored by the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department and a number of local businesses, Safetyville is a fun way for children to learn safety tips and techniques.

Sheriff's deputy Stacey Stimson talks to the children about bike and water safety, the importance of not touching guns they may find, avoiding the advances of strangers and the meaning and importance of traffic signs.

The children then have a chance to drive a course that is fitted with signs and traffic signals where they learn to stop, look both ways and then proceed when they have the green light.

Also students are taught how to cross roads and railroad tracks, if they happen upon them.

To see photos of a Lynch and Mayfield class visiting Safetyville go to the District's photo gallery.

LCS honors staff at 2009 Employee Recognition Award Dinner May 5

Service “above and beyond” by teachers and non-certified support staff was honored at the 2009 Employee Recognition Award dinner at the Lapeer Country Club Tuesday night, May 5.

Six teachers, Craig Beachum, at Lapeer East High School, Kathy Hergenreder at Lapeer West High School, Duane Machesney at Lapeer East High School, Oscar Rodriguez at Lapeer East High School, Luanne VanAllsburg at Lynch Elementary School, and Gail Vettraino at Murphy Elementary School, were honored with Distinguished Educator Awards.

Consideration for the Distinguished Educator Award is based on professional skills, personal qualities, educational expertise and involvement and work done with students in extra-curricular activities, as well as student and educational contributions outside the school environment.

Kathy Lynch, Mayfield Elementary School paraprofessional, Hollie Marcola, Lapeer West High School secretary, and Tim Zeeman, Lapeer West High School athletic director and assistant principal, received Distinguished Service Awards.

Distinguished Service Awards are given to non-certified support staff and administrative staff for exemplary job skills, high personal qualities and dedicated service to the District.

Carolyn Stroh, Turrill Elementary School paraprofessional, received the Outstanding Contributor Award.

Recipients of the Outstanding Contributor Award are those chosen based on creativity, innovation and the development and use of ideas that contribute to improved instruction or those who have “gone beyond the call of duty” in supporting District programs and operations.

Lapeer West secretary Chris Sierakowski received the Pam Markgraf Memorial Employee Health and Assistance Program (E.H.A.P. Award.

The E.H.A.P. award recognizes staff for exemplary contributions to the health and welfare of those working in Lapeer Community Schools.

In addition to the awards, the district honored 17 employees who retired following last year’s employee recognition program, but prior to or during this school year and those who have retired or are leaving the district at the end of the current school year: Linda Blauet, Carolyn Botkins, Jan Burkhardt, Pam Ciaramitaro, Cheryl Coulter, Lauraine Ferris, Linda Fisher, Carol Jones, Susan King, Jenis Stapleton Nagle, Joan Petersen-Smith, Roberta Rickett, Sue Sharma, Anita Spencer, Sue Strump, Gale Waun, and Mary Ann White.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West soccer teams hold fundraiser for new varsity field

A dinner catered by E.G. Nick’s and a live and silent auction that starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15th, at Lapeer East High School will raise money to furnish the new varsity soccer field shared by the Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School soccer teams.

Mackinac Island vacation packages, furniture, Tiger and Shock tickets, white water rafting trips, golf packages, painting services, portrait packages, dinner, auto, spa, flowers and animal service gift certificates, along with lessons in wakeboarding, karate and much more will be offered during the silent and live auctions.

Dinner, which includes pasta with marinara, salad, bread, dessert and beverage will be served for $8 for advance tickets and $10 at the door.

Tickets are available at Burke’s Flowers, 148 W. Nepessing Street in downtown Lapeer at the athletic offices at Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools, or by e-mail at mebkenny@msn.com.

Three Lapeer East students react to choking student with Heimlich manuever

Three Lapeer East students worked together to help another student choking on a piece of cheese at lunch on Tuesday, May 5th.

The student began choking and a Lapeer East cook attempted the Heimlich maneuver but her relative size to the victim’s did not allow her to get enough pressure to dislodge the food. Two other students, Chris Iloncai and James Richie also attempted the maneuver before student Emily Miller stepped in and forced the food out.

Other kitchen staff went for additional help, but the food was dislodged before it was necessary. The victim was taken to the office, but needed no further medical treatment.

Emily Miller learned the life saving technique at a class in her Health Occupations course at the Lapeer County Intermediate School District’s Education and Technology Center.

“We are proud of the quick actions of everyone involved, particularly our students, in helping this young man,” said Principal Kelly Paige.

“In January, the District provided Heimlich and other food-related first aid training at a January in service for food service employees,” said Scott Smith, Director of Food Services.

Photos (top to bottom): Emily Miller, Chris Iloncai and James Richie.

Seaton students visit R. Michael Supernault Outdoor Education Center

It was the sixth-graders, in Mr. Cory Hoggard's Seaton Elementary School class, turn to visit the R. Michael Supernault Outdoor Education Center on Thursday, April 30th.

Students from around the District have been making their spring trips to the beautiful 80-acre, District owned outdoor classroom in Oregon Township.

Recent rains have filled the ponds and wetlands and the students at one point were greeted by a pair of nesting Canada geese.

Mr. Al Hoppe, the teacher at the outdoor center, led the students on a hike to various ponds and wetlands to collect a variety of spring specimens, such as frogs eggs, larvae and insects.

Back at the center, it was time to sort them out by scientific classifications and then look at them under a stereo microscope in one of the cabin classrooms at the center.

Photos of the students are available at the District photo gallery.

School building summer closing dates posted

All Lapeer Community Schools’ elementary school buildings will be closed to the public for the summer break, beginning at the end of the day Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

All other school buildings, except the Administration and Services Center and bus garage, will close at the end of the day Friday, June 26, 2009.

Schickler Elementary School families enjoy a night of fun and mathematics

Students and their families enjoyed an evening of fun and mathematics at Schickler Elementary School on Tuesday, April 28.

A free hot dog dinner was served and students had a chance to play a series of math games and to win prizes.

A series of photos of the evening can be found at the District's photo gallery.

Turrill families will have their chance on Thursday, April 30th.

Future Problem Solvers teams competed in Statewide competition last weekend

Four teams of students, two from Lynch Elementary School and two teams from the Seaton campus of Elba-Seaton Elementary School, were invited to participate in the annual Michigan Future Problem Solving State Bowl last weekend, April 25th and 26,th at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

“The State Bowl is the culmination of a yearlong program where students are taught to creatively seek, attack, and solve problems related to projections into the future,” said Coach Stephen Larzelere-Kellermann. “An estimated 1,000 Michigan students worked on three problems during the 2008-2009 school year – The Olympics, Cyber Conflict, and Space Junk, which were scored and critiqued by trained evaluators.”

Based on the third problem, 99 of the Michigan Future Problem Solving Program teams across three grade divisions (4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) were invited to participate in the competition. While teams know the general topic of this year’s bowl – The Counterfeit Economy – they will not know the specific nature of the problem they will attempt to solve until the Bowl begins.

Students from Lynch were: Samantha Goodnow, Allison Johnson, Allison Vestbjerg, Jacob Perry, Alycia Mausolf, Alicia Birkenhauer, Celeste Lareau, and Trey Lubonski. Students from Seaton were: Terra Bray, Brendan Jones, Rachel Metter, Katie Sinka, Alexa Hill, Taylor White, Joseph Dennis, and Nicole Tomczyk.

The following eight students went as alternates: Lynch students: Jacob Dam, Dylan Neebes, Alexis Mosher, and Sydney Maggs; Seaton’s alternates: Sarah Brownrigg, Billy Irvine, Amy Lindblom, and Samantha Boddy.

The Seaton team of Joseph Dennis, Alexa Hill, Taylor White and Nicole Tomczyk reached the semifinal round and a team from Lynch consisting of Alicia Birkenhauer, Alycia Mausolf, Trey Lubonski and Celeste Lareau also reached the semifinal round. The Lynch team also took third place in their group of teams in the presentation of their best solution.

“I am quite proud of them all and I believe they all had a terrific weekend,” said Mr. Stephen Larzelere-Kellermann.

For more information, contact Stephen Larzelere-Kellermann at (810) 667-2448 or a Michigan Future Problem Solving Program director at (810) 923-2484. More information about the program is also available at www. MichiganFPS.com or at

Lapeer West students donate 750 cans, bottles to plant trees in Arbor Day program

The Lapeer West High School Earth Angels, a loosely organized group of West students and staff, set aside last week to collect about 750 returnable bottles and cans.

Lapeer West teacher, Ms. Jeanine Smith, collected the bottles and cans and then returned them for cash, which she sent to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Last year the ‘Angels’ collected enough money to plant 50 trees, but set the goal higher this year.

“We collected enough to plant 75 native pine, fir and cedar trees in a national forest,” said Ms. Smith. “This shows how the smallest effort can become very big when we work together to go green.”

It costs about $1 per tree.

Calling all golfers! More teams and golfers wanted for Hadley-Murphy annual outing

Calling all golfers! The weather is improving and there is room for more golfers and more teams for the Saturday, May 9th Hadley-Murphy 8th Annual Tee-Off for Technology Golf Scramble.

Tee off will be a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. at the Lapeer Country Club at 3786 Hunt Road in Lapeer. Registration will be at 7:30 a.m.

The cost is $75 per person and $300 per team. The cost includes 18-holes of golf with cart, coffee and donuts, steak dinner, a gift bag and t-shirt.

There will be lots of great prizes both during and after the golf outing, including first and second place prize money and various on course skill contests, closest to the pin, longest drives a Vegas hole and more.

For information or registration call (810) 797-4274 or (810) 678-2201 or get a flier and registration form at the school’s website at:
http://www.lapeerschools.org/Hadley-Murphy/Events/TOFT-2009-registration.pdf.

Mayfield sponsored spaghetti dinner to help support student with leukemia

A Spaghetti Dinner, hosted by Mrs. Caitlyn Pascoe’s kindergartners, will be held on Friday, May 8th, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at Lapeer East High School, in honor of their classmate – Sydney Gavan.

Sydney was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

Please join the Mayfield community for a fun evening of spaghetti, a silent auction, and child-friendly inflatables. For those not able to stay, take-out is available. Admission is $5 per person at the door, with children under 3 eating for free. All proceeds from the evening will support Sydney.

To assist Mayfield Elementary in planning please contact the Mayfield office at (810) 667-2442 to let them know you are attending.

Come join in the May 20 ground-breaking for the new Zemmer Middle School

Exactly a year to the day after Lapeer Community Schools' broke ground on a new Rolland Warner Middle School, the District will break ground on the second half of the project, the new Zemmer Middle School at the site of the current Zemmer Junior High School.

The public is invited to the ground-breaking ceremony at 6 p.m. on May 20th at Zemmer Junior High School at 1920 Oregon Road in Lapeer.

This is an exciting event and one that opens another chapter in the history of the District.

Demolition and construction work will begin at Zemmer immediately after school is out.

Today we shot new photos of the construction work currently in progress at the Rolland Warner Middle School facility. To view a progression of photos beginning last May go the District photo gallery.

Lapeer students to visit grave of Lapeer 'space' hero

A group of students visiting Washington, D.C. next month will pay their respects at the Arlington gravesite of a Lapeer High School alum who died testing high altitude space equipment.

Dr. Victor Prather died following a successful balloon flight that took him and another Navy officer 21-miles above the earth.

Channel 12 in Flint did a story on Dr. Prather and the students' trip on tonight's news broadcast.

Teachers display talent at State art show

Three Lapeer West High School teachers are part of an art exhibition in East Lansing. The County Press did a story on the accomplishments of the three teachers.

Cory Gutenschwager, Steve Hilgendorf and Jeff Bolzman all had art selected for the display.

The Michigan Education Association/Michigan Art Education Association display is being held at the Michigan Education Association's East Lansing headquarters through May 4th.

New Optimist tennis courts dedicated for current, future generations of Lapeer athletes

It's official. The Lapeer East and Lapeer West tennis teams finally have a home court and beautiful ones at that.

On Thursday, April 23rd, under a clear, blue sky Superintendent Debbie Thompson and Lapeer Optimist Club President Andy Shango officially dedicated the new 8-court facility next to Lapeer West High School.

The new courts, which were first used this girls' tennis season, brought an end to four years of nomadic playing for the two teams after the old courts were condemned.

Made possible by a $280,000 gift of the Lapeer Optimist Club, the courts were constructed early in the fall of 2008.

Thursday's ceremony included remarks by Board of Education member Gary Oyster; Superintendent Debbie Thompson; Lapeer Optimist Club President Andy Shango; Lapeer West tennis coach Sue Pittsley and two of her players, Casey Spooner and Jessica Delange; and Lapeer East tennis coach Oscar Rodriguez and three of his players, Ashley Crump, Victoria Snoblen and Janine Widzinski.

For the first time in years, and due to the new courts, both teams had enough people try out to field both varsity and junior varsity squads.

"It's true, build it and they will come," said Mr. Gary Oyster.

Following the ceremony the two teams faced off on the new courts for their first match on the new home courts. Lapeer West won the first ever meeting on the new courts.

The Lapeer Optimist Club has funded a number of major recreation projects for the schools and for the community in the past. Recent Optimist projects include about $435,000 in work on the soccer fields near Lapeer East, including a recent expansion of the fields, which now include a concession stand, restrooms, a playground and a lighted varsity field.

The Optimists also donated about $130,000 to school playground equipment and additional donations that helped with city recreation projects, many of them dating back many years.

Turrill Elementary School students enjoy Earth Day learning in story and song

Earth Day in song and story delighted the second and third grade students and the classroom of Mrs. Kyle Rhein at Turrill Elementary School on Wednesday, April 22nd.

Ms. Evie Boss, a musician listed in the Arts and Humanities Touring Program, brought her own musical compositions and displays to the Turrill classrooms.

Turrill teachers, Mrs. Cheryl Roy and Mrs. Liz Foster, attended a fall Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference and saw Ms. Boss, a retired middle school science teacher from Rochester Schools.

“After seeing her enthusiasm at the conference, we decided to bring her to Turrill Elementary to help build on our outdoor education program,” said Mrs. Foster. “For the past six years, the gardens, wood lot reclamation and plantings have been an integral part of our science education for Turrill students.”

Students enjoyed the music and entertaining way of presenting information on animals and the environment at the daylong programs.

Wednesday’s activity was funded in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Humanities Council.

Photos are available on the District’s photo gallery.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West math and science students excel at Metro League meet

Individual students from Lapeer East and Lapeer West achieved high honors at a Flint Metro League Math and Science competition held Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Holly High School.

Three Lapeer high school students, two from Lapeer East and one from Lapeer West took first place in their subjects. Three Lapeer West students achieved second place finishes and one Lapeer East student took second place. Two Lapeer East students took third place in science and math subjects.

The students competed against math and science students from the ten Flint Metro League schools.

Winners were: Josh Francis (West) first place in Calculus; Daniel Pierce (East) first place in biology; Michael Puskar (East) first place in biology lab; Dan Barker (West) second place in Physics; Brad Deane (West) second place in statistics; Kaleb Elwert (East) second in pre-Calculus; Kevin Roach (West) second place for Chemistry lab; Nick McHardy (East) third place in statistics; and Mark Stefani (East) third place in Physics lab.

“We are proud of the hard work and skill exhibited by our students at West,” said West teacher Kristen Wilcox.

“The students have worked hard to prepare and compete and we are duly proud of their accomplishments,” said East teacher Mary Boomer.

Important security information for Lapeer East High School parents and students

The following message was announced to Lapeer East High School students this afternoon about 2 p.m.

“May I have your attention please.

We have become aware of an anonymous security situation in the building that we are working to resolve. In light of this, please note the following information related to building security.

All athletic events will be held as scheduled. Parent-teacher conferences will be held as scheduled. All students need to exit the building as soon as school dismisses at 2:07. There will be no after-school tutoring today; detention will be cancelled tonight. NJHS and drama rehearsal are also cancelled.

Following conferences tonight the building will be searched and secured by local police. Once we determine that East is safe and secure, school tomorrow is scheduled to begin at the normal time. Entrance tomorrow morning will be at cafeteria and auditorium doors only. No backpacks and no bags or purses larger that 8 by 11 will be allowed in the building tomorrow. All items entering the building will be subject to search.

Your cooperation is important to us. We ask all students who may have information about anyone making such a threat to contact a teacher or administration.”

Additional information:

Parents will be given another letter about the situation at parent-teacher conferences at the school tonight. A copy of that letter will be sent to all parents of students at Lapeer East High School.

Here is the current text of that letter:

Dear Parents:

This afternoon we became aware of an anonymous security threat focused on the school day at Lapeer East High School tomorrow, Friday, April 24th.

We immediately began putting our safety procedures in place. Some of those are in place now and others will be completed after the building is secured tonight following conferences. We are working with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of our students and staff tomorrow.

We believe the extra measures we are taking will ensure a safe school day on Friday for our students and staff.

Your help is important by making sure that your student(s) assist us by not bringing back packs or large bags to school. All items brought to school will be subject to search by police, who will be on hand.

Although threats seemed timed to take advantage of fair weather days in the spring, be assured that we take whatever threats we receive seriously. That is why we would also encourage you to talk to your child or children about the importance of notifying a teacher or administrator if they are aware of anyone making a threat for any reason.

As always we are committed to the safety of our students and staff and appreciate your help in this.

Kelly Paige
PrincipalLapeer East High School

Lapeer Optimist Community Tennis Court dedication Thursday, April 23rd 4 p.m.

Just a reminder that the formal grand opening of the Lapeer Optimist Community Tennis Courts will be held at 4 p.m. today, April 23rd at the courts, next to Lapeer West High School, 170 Millville Road.

The ceremony will take place just before the Lapeer East vs. Lapeer West High Schools girls' tennis match and the public is invited.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be held at the same time and place the next day, Friday, April 24th.

Talented and Gifted students learn and play mathematics games at Maple Grove

Lapeer Community Schools' Talented and Gifted program ventured to Maple Grove Elementary School on Wednesday, April 22, for a day of fun and games focused around math and technology.

More than 70 students from all the District's elementary schools and Zemmer Junior High School, were involved in "Math Day."

Centered around space, the students had a chance to build launchers and then working with angles and tension got points for calculating the precise angle and strength to hit a "planet" target halfway across the gymnasium.

In another game, students measured how far they could jump from a standing start. With the measurement of their longest jump, they used a formula to calculate how far they would have jumped on each of the solar system's other planets.

The variations in gravity mean that the lengths would vary greatly from planet to planet. Using computers in the Maple Grove computer laboratory, the students made an Excel spread sheet showing their individual distances.

Photos from the event are at the District photo gallery here.

'Empty Bowls' fund raiser at Zemmer "Fine Arts Night" nets $1,232 for soup kitchen

An evening of band and theater arts performances by Zemmer Junior High School students, as well as student art displays, and an “Empty Bowls” fundraiser, collected more than $1,232 for a local soup kitchen, Thursday, April 16th.

Participants purchased a student-crafted bowl and then chose from a variety of homemade soups at the fundraiser.

Students in the Theater Arts program under the direction of Mrs. Karen Hale, presented a play in the theater arts room and band students under the direction of Mrs. JoAnn Royce, presented selected musical pieces in the gymnasium.

All donations from the event will go to the soup kitchen at Grace Episcopal Church.
Photos are available on the District photo gallery here.

A hop, skip and a jump to raising $23,272 for the American Heart Association

Lapeer Community Schools’ elementary students jump roped and shot basketballs on their way to raising $23,272 for the American Heart Association in the past two months.

“Hoops for Heart” and “Jump Rope for Heart” events were held at all District elementary schools. Students accepted pledges and then participated in the athletic events during a specified physical education time.

Students jumped individually and in groups in raising the money. Physical education teachers involved in the programs were: Ken Baginski, Deb Cooper, Jane Darin, and Sandy Mroz.

“Students have learned an important exercise skill as well as helping out a very worthy cause,” said Jane Darin, a District physical education teacher.

On May 7th, Cindie DeWolf, youth director for the American Heart Association, will present certificates to the District’s elementary physical education teachers for their work in promoting the healthy heart events.

“All of your elementary physical education teachers do a great job,” DeWolf said. “Your technology teachers also participated by bringing the physical education lessons into the technology classes.”

“In Lapeer, every single school participates and every single student gets a chance to do the activities whether they are raising money or not,” DeWolf said. “It’s not just about raising the money, it’s about eating healthy stuff, moving around and being tobacco free and then having the students share that information with family and friends. The students really get it. Lapeer does a phenomenal job.”

Here are the totals for the schools: Elba ($2,900); Hadley ($1,600); Lynch ($5,000); Maple Grove ($2,700); Mayfield ($2,591); Murphy ($2,581); Schickler ($2,100); Seaton ($1,400); and Turrill ($2,400).

Turrill's second-graders make nostalgic journey to Crossroads Village and the Stanley School

Turrill Elementary School second-graders have traveled to Crossroads Village to take a journey back in time to spend a few hours studying as their great grandparents might have studied.

Students dressed in period clothing (see photos of Ms. Luann Roberson's class) and spent three hours studying in the old school house on the grounds of Crossroads Village in Genesee Township near Flint, on Wednesday, April 22.

Students met in class at the Stanley School House at Crossroads Village.

The program is part of the Crossroads Village School Days offering.

To make it even more realistic, many students packed their lunches into an old-fashioned metal bucket, or pail.

All the children had a wonderful and educational time. Previously students in Mrs. Diana Carr's class made the trip.

Zemmer Junior High School debuts new band website with "Fine Arts Night" pictures

The link to the new Zemmer Junior High School band website is on the link list to the right.

If you get a chance stop over and take a look! There are pictures from the recent "Fine Arts Night" as well as practice information for students and parents.

Lapeer West's Alyssa Marino in the news

In case you missed the front page story in The County Press this past Sunday, April 19, 2009, here's a link to the story about Lapeer West senior Alyssa Marino and her coming chance to win a national cooking competition and an appearance on the Food Network.

Last month, Alyssa whipped up a chicken, rice pilaf and broccoli dish so great it won her a first place medal at a local “Best Teen Chef” competition at the Art Institute of Novi.

Marino also won a $3,000 scholarship for her efforts.

Next up is the national competition.

Marino, who is a second-year culinary arts student at the Lapeer County Intermediate School District’s Education and Technology Center, will compete with 40 other teens from around the country on May 9th in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The top winner of the competition will win a full-ride scholarship to one of the more than 30 Art Institutes in the country that offer a culinary arts program. Other winners will receive partial scholarships.

The top winner also wins an appearance in a short feature of the Best Teen Chef competition on the Food Network. The Best Teen Chef competition has a partnership with the Food Network.
The 2009 Best Teen Chef will be an “Intern for a Day” in the Food Network kitchens in New York City and receive a studio tour, dinner for two at a Food Network chef’s restaurant and a library of Food Network cookbooks.

Michigan's Electronic Library - explained for free at Lapeer East Thursday evening

A free presentation and demonstration of "MeL" - Michigan's Electronic Library - will be offered to the public on Thursday, April 23rd at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. or 7 p.m.

The demonstration will be held in the Lapeer East Media Center.

"MeL offers a wealth of on-line resources free to Michigan residents," said Terrie Hazard, Lapeer East Library Media Specialist. "It covers topics such as job searching, homework help, test preparation and even auto repair."

"We hope people will join us to learn more," Hazard said.

Author Michael P. Spradlin to visit Lapeer West twice, Friday's visit open to the public

A popular author of books for children and young adults is making two visits to Lapeer West High School this week.

Students, parents, staff and the community are invited to meet Michael P. Spradlin from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 24th at the high school media center at 170 Millville Road in Lapeer.

Spradlin has written a number of books, including the popular “Spy Goddess” series. The books will be on sale at the event and Mr. Spradlin will autograph them for the buyers.

The author will also be at the school during the day Tuesday, April 21st.

For more information on the author go to his website.

Dinner at E.G. Nick's on May 3rd to benefit Hadley-Murphy Elementary School

A dinner at E.G. Nick’s on May 3rd will raise money for special programs at the Hadley-Murphy Elementary School.

The dinner out at E.G. Nick’s at 825 S. Main Street in Lapeer will be held Sunday, May 3rd from noon to 9 p.m. Diners who present a coupon from Hadley-Murphy will have 20 percent of their purchase go to the school.

For information or to get a coupon, call (810) 797-4274 or (810) 678-2201 or check out the school’s website for a coupon here.

Hadley-Murphy sets 8th Annual Tee-Off for Technology Golf Scramble for May 9th

A golf outing on May 9th has been scheduled to help raise money for technology at Hadley-Murphy Elementary School.

On Saturday, May 9th the Hadley-Murphy 8th Annual Tee-Off for Technology Golf Scramble will tee off at the Lapeer Country Club at 3786 Hunt Road in Lapeer. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and a shotgun start will be a 8:30 a.m.

For teams who register by April 24th, the cost is $70 per person or $280 per team for the 4-person scramble. After April 24th the cost will by $75 per person and $300 per team. The cost includes 18-holes of golf with cart, coffee and donuts, steak dinner, a gift bag and t-shirt.

There will be lots of great prizes both during and after the golf outing, including first and second place prize money and various on course skill contests, closest to the pin, longest drives a Vegas hole and more.

For information or registration call (810) 797-4274 or (810) 678-2201 or get a flier and registration form here.

Zemmer Empty Bowls and Fine Arts Night raises more than $1,200 for soup kitchen

An evening of band and theater arts performances by Zemmer Junior High School students as well as student art displays, helped raised more than $1,200 for the Grace Episcopal Church soup kitchen Thursday night.

Students crafted ceramic bowls, which were purchased with a donation and participants got to pick from dozens of homemade soups at this year’s “Fine Arts Night!” at Zemmer Junior High School.

Theater arts students performed a play and band musicians under the direction of Joann Royce performed a number of excellent musical pieces in the gymnasium.

Students honor "Someone Special" at 2009 ceremony at Murphy Elementary School

It was a pretty "special" day at the Murphy campus of Hadley-Murphy Elementary School on Friday, April 17, 2009.

Students in Mrs. Rachel Pake and Mrs. Stephanie Giroux Phillips' class each invited a very special person to enjoy a day of honor and pampering.

Poems written by each student in honor of the "special" person were read and presented to the honorees. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings and two aunts were invited to the "Hollywood" treatment that included a red carpet lined with adoring fans.

There were plenty of hugs and tears as the poems were read and presented to the special guests.

Following the ceremony, the students and their special person were treated to refreshments and other activities.

Photos of the event are here.

Nine Lapeer winter sports teams honored for good sportsmanship by Metro League

Five teams from Lapeer West High School, three teams from Lapeer East and a combined boys’ swim team from both schools were honored for “good sportsmanship” from the Flint Metro League recently.

Selected from Lapeer West by varsity coaches from opposing teams were the following winter sports teams: wrestling, competitive cheer, girls’ basketball, boys’ bowling and girls’ bowling.

Lapeer East teams selected for the sportsmanship award from opposing coaches were: competitive cheer, girls’ basketball and boys’ basketball.

The combined Lapeer East/Lapeer West High School boys’ swim and dive team was also selected by opposing coaches for showing good sportsmanship.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West art students excel at Young Artists Today show

Art students from Lapeer Community Schools once again exhibited their talent as seven students from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools walked away with awards at the Young Artists Today Show held at the Flint Public Library.

Lapeer East students, Morgan Williams, senior, won a second place, and Ariana Donahue, a sophomore received third place in the show.

Honorable mention awards were received by East student senior Holly Osentoski, and West students Drew Dabrowski, junior, who won two awards, Samantha Dahnke, senior, Nikky Mobley, junior, and Lindsy Barrow, senior.

“We are proud of the awesome talent of the art students and their teachers in our District,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.

Turrill Elementary hosts "Family Night" on April 21, both benefit Snack Pak Program

An open swim at the Lapeer Recreation Center and a dinner at Burger King on Tuesday, April 21st, have been scheduled to benefit the Snack Pak Program at Turrill Elementary School.

Turrill Elementary School is hosting a Family Night outing at Burger King, 727 S. Main Street in Lapeer, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, that will benefit the Snack Pak Program at the school, as well an open swim from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lapeer Recreation Center, 880 S. Saginaw Street.

For every paying participant in the open swim that night, $1 will be given back to the Snack Pak Program at the school. People participating should be sure to mention Turrill school when paying for the swim.

Mrs. Pat Pozzi will collect Burger King receipts at the restaurant, which has agreed to return a portion of the dinner sales to the school.

“We encourage everyone to have a great swim and a good meal, and help our Snack Pak Program at Turrill,” said Mrs. Pat Pozzi, Dean of Students.

Lapeer East seniors present research, community service projects Thursday

More than 200 Lapeer East High School seniors presented research projects to classrooms at the school on Thursday, April 16th.

The projects, which included topics on politics, music, health, world affairs, sports, gambling and the military, are part of the senior English requirement.

In addition to the research, writing and presentation of the paper to another class of their peers, students are required to do 15 hours of community service in the topic of their choice.

Students use electronic, graphic and verbal presentations to aid in their talks.

An earlier round of presentations were made in February.

"Our students have worked long and hard on these projects and have learned a great deal in doing the research," said Mr. Bill Spryutte, East English teacher who has supervised many of the projects. "Many of our teachers look forward to having the students come to their classes and make the presentations."

To see photos of some of the presentations go to the District's photo gallery.

'Fiddler on the Roof' opens Friday at East

The Lapeer High School Drama Club will present “Fiddler on the Roof” on Friday, April 17th, Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19th, at the Lapeer East High School auditorium, 933 S. Saginaw St. in Lapeer. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

In a small village called Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman tries to inspire, in his five daughters, the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social values and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.

“Fiddler On The Roof” has touched audiences across the globe with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of tradition speaks to all people regardless of race, class, nationality, or religion. It will leave audiences crying from joy and sadness!

The production features many talented students from East and West High Schools including Lucas Cosens as Tevye and Sara Keys as Golde.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students, children and seniors. Tickets are available one hour before showtime.

Tonight: Dinner and the arts at Zemmer

Tonight is the evening of band and theater arts performances by students as well as student art displays, highlight this year’s “Fine Arts Night!” at Zemmer Junior High School from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16th at the school, 1920 Oregon Road.

The “Empty Bowls” annual fund-raiser will also be held tonight at the school. Students craft the beautiful ceramic bowls, and guests to the event choose a bowl. The donation they make to a Lapeer soup kitchen will get them both the bowl and a meal of soup, bread and drinks.

All donations this year will go to the soup kitchen at Grace Episcopal Church.

Zemmer invites the public to come enjoy the performances and artwork and also help contribute to a worthy cause.

Combined Lapeer East/Lapeer West boys' swim and dive team make Academic top 10

The combined Lapeer East and Lapeer West 2009 boys’ swimming and diving team placed 6th on the Michigan Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association All-State Academic Team in Division 1.

The boys combined to post a 3.56 grade point average to achieve the high honor.

“This is a great accomplishment for these young men,” said Coach Pat Thomas.

Members of the boys’ team are: Lapeer East seniors, Jeff Baeckeroot, Bryan Bush, James Crittenden, Andrew Sornig, East junior Matt Schneider, East sophomores Aaron Knowlton, John Nestor, Mike Puskar and Mason Sornson and East freshman Kyle Nelson; Lapeer West seniors, Scott Boller, Austin Clements, John Engelman, Troy Hillman, David Jackson, Andrew Serrels, and West sophomore Patrick Martindale.

To see the listing go to to the Michigan Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association webpage.

Lapeer Alumni hold Spring Luncheon

A large number of members of The Lapeer High School Alumni Association turned out Tuesday to enjoy lunch, fellowship and a speaker at the Association's annual Spring Luncheon.

The meeting was held at the Lapeer Area Elks Lodge and was catered by Bryan's in Deerfield Township.

A full set of photos are available for viewing at the District's photo gallery.

"Fine Arts Night!" and "Empty Bowls" fund-raiser set for April 16 at Zemmer

An evening of band and theater arts performances by students and student art displays highlight this year’s “Fine Arts Night!” at Zemmer Junior High School from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16th at the school, 1920 Oregon Road.

The “Empty Bowls” annual fund-raiser will also be held that night at the school. Students craft the beautiful ceramic bowls and guests to the event choose a bowl and the donation they make to a Lapeer soup kitchen will get them both the bowl and a meal of soup, bread and drinks.

All donations this year will go to the soup kitchen at Grace Episcopal Church.

Zemmer invites the public to come enjoy the performances and artwork and also help contribute to a worthy cause.

Fall school start date set: September 8

Students will return to fall classes at Lapeer Community Schools on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

The Lapeer Board of Education set the opening day of school at its regular meeting on Thursday, April 2nd.

Last day of school for students is June 10, 2009.

Lapeer Optimist Community Tennis Courts to be dedicated 4 p.m. April 23

A dedication ceremony for the official grand opening of the Lapeer Optimist Community Tennis Courts is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the courts next to Lapeer West High School, 170 Millville Road in Lapeer.

The dedication will precede the tennis match between home town rivals Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools.

For the first time in more than four years, high school teams from Lapeer East and Lapeer West have home courts to play on.

The new courts became a reality after the Lapeer Optimist Club donated $280,000 for their construction.

Demolition of the old courts was done last summer at the same time the West parking lot was resurfaced.

In the event of inclement weather, the dedication ceremony will be held at the same time and place the following day, Friday, April 24th.

"Fiddler on the Roof" presented by The Lapeer High School Drama Club

The Lapeer High School Drama Club will present “Fiddler on the Roof” on April 17th, 18th and 19th, at the Lapeer East High School auditorium, 933 S. Saginaw St. in Lapeer. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

In a small village called Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to inspire in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social values and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.

“Fiddler On The Roof” has touched audiences across the globe with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of tradition speaks to all people regardless of race, class, nationality, or religion. It will leave audiences crying from joy and sadness!

The production features many talented students from East and West High Schools including, Lucas Cosens as Tevye and Sara Keys as Golde.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students, children and senior citizens. Tickets are available for purchase one hour before the show begins.

Board of Education give high marks to Superintendent Debbie Thompson

Lapeer Community Schools’ Superintendent Debbie Thompson was commended by the Board of Education for her strong and effective leadership during challenging economic times.

The Board presented its evaluation of the Superintendent at its regular monthly meeting held at Lynch Elementary School Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Each year, the Board of Education conducts a thorough evaluation of the Superintendent’s job performance. The annual review is done to ensure a consistent assessment and maintain accountability.

On Thursday, Board President William Laidlaw presented the Board’s evaluation.

“The Lapeer Community Schools’ Board of Education has concluded and reviewed its annual evaluation process with the Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Debbie Thompson. We are pleased to announce that she has once again received high performance scores from the Board of Education in the following areas: Educational leadership, staff relations, community relations, board relations, business and finance, personal qualities and goal achievement.

The Board commends Debbie for providing strong and effective leadership within the organization during challenging economic times.

Upon lengthy discussion, the Board of Education and Mrs. Thompson have set goals for the upcoming school year that will continually improve our schools and develop her skills as an effective leader for Lapeer Community Schools.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, the Board of Education will continue to enhance the strong working relationship that we have established with Debbie to keep the District moving in a positive direction.”

Dinner at Brian's Family Restaurant will benefit Lapeer West music boosters

So you stayed home for the spring recess?

Here's your chance to help the Lapeer West Music Boosters by dining out at Brian's Family Restaurant on M-24 in Lapeer on Thursday, April 9.

Here's how it works. Download a certificate from www.lapeerwestmusic.org and present the certificate at the time you pay for your dinner and Brian's will donate 10 percent of the bill to the Music Boosters.

The Boosters thank you very much for your support.

Maple Grove Elementary travels to Rollhaven for science lesson on wheels

A science lesson for the sixth graders in Mr. Chris Hinkley's sixth grade class at Maple Grove Elementary School in late March required the students to lace up some skates.

The purpose of the field trip was to explore force and motion.

In their lesson on wheels students learned about Galileo and Sir Isaac Newton's three laws of motion. With skates on students got a real life lesson in the three laws of motion and five mini-lab stations at the rink.

Later the students skated and played several games that further demonstrated these laws of motion and force.

Students worked out of work books and also got some physical education time on the skates.

A truly fun science lesson.

Lapeer West football press box named in honor of volunteer "Herbie" Matheson

To honor the late Destain Herbert “Herbie” Matheson, a long time Lapeer West High School football announcer, athletic clock operator and official, the Lapeer Board of Education Thursday named the press box at Fitzpatrick Field in his honor.

Herbie Matheson gave more than 40 years of volunteer service to Lapeer High School and Lapeer West High School athletics department as an announcer and supporter of the school’s athletic programs.

In addition to announcing football games and operating the time clock, Herbie Matheson also served as a clock operator for Lapeer West basketball games.

At the time of his death, many people made memorial contributions to Lapeer West High School in his honor.

“I believe this is a fitting way to remember the memory and service of a great friend of Lapeer High School and Lapeer West High School,” said Tim Zeeman, athletic director at Lapeer West. “From 1984-1994, Herbie was most ‘at home’ in the West press box.”

Herbie was born on January 2, 1936 and died on January 21, 2000.