Turtles, chincillas, birds, frogs and snakes. Oh My! at Lynch Elementary School

Science Alive! brought its collection of interesting animals to visit the students at Lynch Elementary School on Thursday, May 21.

Photos were taken in Mrs. Talia Leonard's class.

Students had an opportunity learn about reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals during the classroom presentations.

Also, the students had a chance to gently handle or pet the animals, if they wanted. The critters return to Lynch on Friday.

Staff urged to show school spirit and raise money for the LCS Scholarship Fund May 29

On May 29, the LCS Scholarship Fund needs your support.

Each year, the LCS Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for students at Lapeer East, Lapeer West, and Lapeer Community High School. These scholarships are funded by donations each year. This year, Friday, May 29, was selected as LCS Scholarship fundraising day for 2009.

Staff members throughout the district are asked to donate a $5 toll for wearing either school spirit colors or jeans to work on Friday, May 29 in support of the LCS Scholarship Fund. Large envelopes will be available in each main office area for donations.

Please help us continue to support our LCS graduates on an annual basis!

Thanks for your help in this. Please contact Kevin Walters at Lapeer West, (810) 67-2423, if there are any questions.

Ground breaking at Zemmer marks exciting new beginning to the future of LCS

A cloudless sky and warm temperatures matched the wonderful occasion of the ground breaking at the site of the future Zemmer Middle School on Wednesday, May 20th.

A large group of parents, students, staff and community leaders were on hand to mark the official beginning of construction work to transform Zemmer Junior High School into a state-of-the-art Middle School. More photos are here.

Students Billy Irvine and Blake Clements, of Seaton; Martin Flores and Brooke Soroka, of Murphy; and MacKenzie Putnam and Brianna King, of Turrill Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Superintendent Debbie Thompson welcomed everyone to the event and introduced the Zemmer Band under the direction of Joann Royce which played "This Is My Country."

Board of Education President William Laidlaw thanked the community for the passage of the 2007 and welcomed a bright future for the Lapeer Community Schools with the eventual completion of two new middle schools in the fall of 2010.

The Board of Education members, William Laidlaw, Peggy Bush, John Nugent, Denise Becker, Michael Keller, Michael Nolan and Gary Oyster then official broke ground for the new school.

Following the Board were student participants from several elementary schools that will eventually feed into the new school. Participating were: Logan Morys and Anthony Tholl, of Schickler Elementary; McKenna Carr and Ryan Klingler, of Maple Grove Elementary; Olivia Petrie and Jessica Creason, of Mayfield Elementary; Allison Ciak and Matthew Gizinski, of Lynch Elementary; Billy Irvine and Blake Clements, of Seaton Elementary; Martin Flores and Brooke Soroka, of Murphy Elementary; and MacKenzie Putnam and Brianna King, of Turrill Elementary.

It was "Jazz for Lunch" at Lapeer East High School today

Students had a little jazz jammin' with their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches today at Lapeer East High School.

"Jazz Fest" was put on during four lunches for the enjoyment of the East student body by students of Mrs. Lyniece Fenner.

This group of "zero hour" students committed to an extra hour of school in order to make the jazz band a reality.

To see additional pictures of the "groovy" lunch performance, go to the District photo gallery.

Wendy Byard writes a new inspirational book for teachers, book signing Saturday, May 30

Wendy Byard, a Lapeer resident, Mott College English professor, and former North Branch High School teacher has a new book available.

It's an inspirational book for teachers titled Teach and Reach for Classroom Miracles! Lessons on Teaching With Love. The book was edited and reviewed by Dr. Shirley Harris of the Lapeer County Intermediate School District. Her review appears in the book.

Wendy will be signing her books at the Book Shelf in Lapeer on Saturday, May 30 from 1-4 p.m. For more information visit wendybyard.com.

There are links on her website to articles written about her and her book.

Seaton hosts Art Show and Ice Cream Social event to highlight accomplishments

Hundreds of students and their families and friends enjoyed a wonderful night of art and ice cream at the Art Show and Ice Cream Social event on Thursday, May 14th.

The entire school was turned into an art gallery that included a student dressed and portraying famous artist Vincent van Gogh. There were tours of an art garden and a gymnasium gallery.

In this photo first-grader Donavan Mingee shows off his special artwork on display in the Seaton gymnasium.

To see more pictures of the event go to the District photo gallery.

Zemmer Junior High students to study in the great outdoors next week at Skinner Lake

Natural classroom lighting will take on a whole new meaning for Zemmer Junior High School students who will gather at the R. Michael Supernault Outdoor Education Center at Skinner Lake for a full day of classes in a variety of subjects all next week, beginning Tuesday.

Students will work on math, English, art and even fishing skills – part of the physical education program – during their school day at the center.

The center is an 80-acre District owned property in a beautiful, rural setting in Oregon Township. It is primarily used for science field trips for students from Lapeer and other area districts.

There will be eight stations that students will rotate through during the school day. Four of the stations will involve science subjects including, water quality testing, macro invertebrate collection, classification and observation in a lab setting.

For English, students will write about their surroundings, using their senses.

Math will involve using trigonometry functions to measure the height of a tree.

An outdoor art class will have the students drawing what they see around them.

Fishing rods, received through an outdoor health and physical education grant, will be used as part of the outdoor education and physical education class for that day.

Lapeer East art student draws winning poster in Easter Michigan Fair contest

Lapeer East junior Dawn Wesley won the Eastern Michigan Fair Poster contest and a $200 first prize. Her design will be used to advertise the fair this summer, and she will be on hand during part of the fair autographing posters for fair goers.

Wesley’s poster, which depicts a Ferris wheel, a teddy bear, cotton candy and popcorn was chosen from entries from throughout the county.

Eastern Michigan Fair manager Ian Kempf holds the winning poster.

Lapeer bus drivers finished third in the Region 10 Bus Road-e-o on Saturday

A total of 24 drivers, 8 from Lapeer Community Schools, participated in the Region 10 Bus Road-e-o on Saturday, May 16th at Lapeer West High School.

Of the eight Lapeer competitors, four were driving for the first time in the event.

Lapeer’s top three drivers from last year’s competition did not compete and for the first time in five years, Lapeer did not win the team trophy. Winner of this year’s event were the drivers from the Genesee County Intermediate School District.

The Lapeer transportation team placed third, just 34 points behind drivers from North Branch, who took second. Four Lapeer drivers placed in the top 10.

“We want to thank all of the people in our department and district wide responsible for making the event a success,” said Jerry Podzikowski, Director of Transportation. “We especially want to thank Kevin Walters, Tim Zeeman and their staff for the great hospitality at West. Thanks also to Craig Irish for his help in getting us setup in the morning and cleaning up after we were finished. A special thanks to Vance Holmes who served us well by providing grills and cooking fine ‘tube’ steaks and Superintendent Debbie Thompson for supporting our event.”

“We appreciate all the community businesses and district vendors that contributed gifts and equipment to make the event a success,” Podzikowski said. “Each person who participated and all of the people who helped by judging and assisting us in some way were sent home with a gift that was contributed to us.”

The Lapeer County Road Commission helped by providing road signs for the course.

The Lapeer District will pass the event to another school in Region 10 next year, but the equipment acquired during the past two years will be used by the Transportation Department in future driver training.

While the event is fun and competitive there is a serious point to Road-e-o and that is supporting bus driver training and proficiency.

Lapeer East students visit grave of Lt. Cmdr. Victor A. Prather II, space hero

The Arlington National Cemetery grave of local space hero, Navy Lt. Commander Victor A. Prather II, a 1943 Lapeer High School graduate and a member of the original class inducted into the Lapeer High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, received a visit from Lapeer East High School eighth graders during their recent Washington, D.C. trip.

Lt. Commander Prather drowned in the Gulf of Mexico after an extreme high altitude balloon flight to test new astronaut suits for the space program.

A number of East students researched Prather's record-breaking high altitude flight and subsequent tragic end as part of their preparation for the annual trip to Washington, D.C.

The work they did was featured on a WJRT-TV, Channel 12 broadcast.

Several photos of their visit can be found on the District's photo gallery.

New 2009 Lapeer Junior Golf League seeks players

A summer youth golf program – The 2009 Lapeer Junior Golf League - is in the process of forming and invites young people between the ages of 10 and 17 who live or go to school in Lapeer County to sign up for the program.

It is a fun and inexpensive way for young people to play and improve their golf game.

Depending on the number of entries, the LJGL will be divided into four divisions. Participants will be eligible to play four qualifying rounds of golf all leading up to a season ending tournament. The only cost for the program, including the golf, is a $50 entry fee.

The qualifying rounds will be played on Friday mornings, June 19, 26, July 10 and 17, with the tournament to be played on Friday, July 31. In the event of rain, the tournament will be held on Friday, August 7.

Tee times will be from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. New participants and at least one parent or guardian should attend one of two preliminary rules meetings at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, or Tuesday June 9 at Lake Nepessing Golfland, 1125 Lake Nepessing Road.

Registration forms may be picked up at Lake Nepessing Golfland, 1125 Lake Nepessing Road or the Lapeer Country Club, 3786 Hunt Road, both in Elba Township. For more information call Mr. Steve Stearns at (810) 667-2418, ext. 3114.

Lapeer East art students score well in 2009 Michigan Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

Lapeer East senior Travis Cushaway took third place in the 2009 Michigan Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest for the senior high age group with this artwork.

A copy of the entry is currently on display at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer.

East senior Camerin Levi, East junior Devin Verhulst and East junior Dawn Wesley received honorable mention in the same age group for the Statewide contest.

Lapeer West student Charles Verbeke wins OU Music, Theatre and Dance scholarship

Lapeer West High School senior Charles “CJ” Verbeke danced his way to a large scholarship to the Oakland University Dance Program following a recent audition at the school.

The scholarship is one of the largest, talent-based scholarships from the Oakland University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Charles, who has been dancing since he was 3 years old, has been part of the opening acts for the Jonas Brothers, Radio Disney Dance Team, The Raven and a number of other celebrities as part of his repertory dance group from Deborah’s Stage Door Center for the Performing Arts in Rochester Hills.

Since 2004, Charles’ dance team at Deborah’s Stage Door has won consecutive national championships at an annual “Showstopper” competition at Myrtle Beach.

On Wednesday, May 13th, Charles was performing at another audition for the “Wannabes,” a television series to be shot in Michigan.

Charles is proficient in a number of dance disciplines, tap, ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary.

“Looking into the future I want to be a professional dancer,” Charles said.

When he’s not working on his dancing, Charles likes to run, bike and play basketball and “hang out” with his friends.

Charles lives with his mother and father, Pam and Charles Verbeke, in Elba Township.

“He’s just inspiring to watch and his stage presence has wowed a lot of judges,” said his mother, Pam Verbeke. “He has always loved dancing.”

Eddie West concert on May 29th to benefit Mayfield kindergartner Sydney Gavan

An Eddie West benefit concert, the first in more than a year, will help raise money for bone marrow drives in honor of Sydney Gavan, a Mayfield Elementary School kindergartner who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Sydney is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant, but to date there is currently no match.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 29th, at the Lapeer Country Club, 3786 Hunt Road, in Elba Township. Admission is $10 and will include the concert, a chance at some door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. All money earned will go to the SPG Fund (Sydney Page Gavan) for the National Bone Marrow Registry.

Eddie West is a group of musicians composed of current and former staff and students of Lapeer West High School, friends, and family members. The band performs songs from Motown, classic rock, to current hits.

Tickets are available at the Lapeer West High School office, the Mayfield office or from Eddie West band members. Checks should be made out to “Be the Match.” For further information call Kari Briggs at (810) 577-6778 or Paul Fernandez at (810) 441-6533.

Lapeer West's Troy Hillman wins Congressional Art Award

Lapeer West High School senior Troy Hillman said he “was more than excited to find out” he won first place in the U.S. Congressional Art Show.

“Troy’s piece will be matted, framed and be on display in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol for the next year,” said Nancy Barry, Hillman’s teacher. “When next year’s eight graders travel to Washington, D.C. they will be able to see his artwork on display there.”

“I made the piece using charcoal pencils,” Troy said. “I love the contrast you can create with the pencils while also having subtle grays to smooth out the piece. The medium can also be quite messy, but it’s exciting to take your time and be careful with the drawing.”

U.S. Representative Candace Miller is flying Troy to the Capitol for the awards ceremony.

Troy plans to attend the Art Institute of Chicago, School of the Arts, next fall.

“I’m not exactly sure of what I want to pursue there, but as long as I’m creating artwork, I’ll be happy,” Troy said. “It makes me feel good as an artist to have people enjoy my artwork as well as being recognized for it.”

Lapeer East, Lapeer West industrial arts students take home many MITES awards

Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School industrial arts students brought home a number of honors from the Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society (MITES) convention and student competition last week at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

Lapeer East students won 16 first place awards and Lapeer West students won 14 first place awards in the Region 10 industrial arts contest. East students won nine second place awards and West students won seven in the regional contest.

In statewide judging, Lapeer East won two first place awards and West won one first place. East students’ projects won second place awards in two categories and two West projects won second place awards. East students had one third place and West two third place projects in statewide judging.

A total of 35 East students and 30 West students won regional and/or state awards in the competition.

Students with first place awards in regional competition were: Lapeer East, Jordan Morris, Andrew Rydell, Nicole Medellin, Amber Mauk, Joel Meyers, Josh Poole, Jake Crateur, Rodney Fulcher, Ryan Dixon, Chris Iloncai, Kyle Woolner, David Barrett, Alec Mihm, Will Smith (2), Tyler Lemieux, Scott Henry, Daniel Pierce and Chris Gonzalez; Lapeer West, Adrianna Allen, Tom Blanton (2), Kyle Stoutenburg, Zach Brown, Kyle Dickson, Joey Gingiloski (2), Dennis Makowski, Jamie Discher, Alex Kooistra, Kaitlyn Becker, Clinton Cranick and Jacob Stone.
Second place winners were: Lapeer East, Korey LaCroix, Daniel Pierce (2), Will Smith, Zachary Sehn, Mat Gonzalez, Kyle Stickney and Lexie Crisp; Lapeer West, Kris Bauroth, Zach Brown, Jamie Discher, Garrett Kitts, Adam Pfeiffer, Dan Raymond and Sarah Clinton.
Third place regional winners were: Lapeer East, Joe Gibbons, Michael Fales, Corey Smith, Josh Strong and Jordan Fejedelem; Lapeer West, Kris Bauroth, Jon Boal, Joey Gingiloski, Jon Morelli and Adrianna Allen.

Statewide winners were: East, Will Smith (first - Pictorial Illustration- exploded assembly drawing) and Jordan Morris (first-architectural drawing – working drawing single family residential); West, Tom Blanton (first – fish sculpture); East, Will Smith (second - Pictorial Illustration- exploded assembly drawing) and Amber Mauk, Josh Poole and Joel Meyers (second – architectural presentation drawing – group); West, Kaitlyn Becker (third – Intarsia cat) and Jon Morelli (third – minibike).

In addition to architectural drawings, the variety of projects submitted by the students was impressive and included a model train, guitar racks, gun racks, bowls, three-dimensional drawings, wood furniture and wood and metal projects.

Pictured here is Kaitlyn Becker, a freshman, who made this Intarsia cat. Intarsia involves the cutting and shaping of a variety of woods into a solid wood sculpture. For more photos from the show go to our photo gallery.

School bus driving championship for Region 10 this Saturday at Lapeer West High School

For the second consecutive year, the Lapeer Community Schools will host the Michigan Association of Pupil Transportation (MAPT) Region 10, School Bus Driving Championship on Saturday, May 16th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lapeer West High School.

School bus drivers from Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Huron and Sanilac counties are being invited to the event.

The event involves tight maneuvering and difficult backing on an obstacle course, safety checks and a written test.

Photo is from last year's competition.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West bands get high marks at Band, Jazz Festivals

Lapeer East and Lapeer West Jazz Bands participated in the recent District III Jazz Festival at Montrose High School, both schools bringing home first division ratings, the highest possible marks.

It was the first time that Lapeer Jazz Bands have participated in a judged event.

“Worth noting is that one of our major soloists, to be featured on an entire chart, was out sick,” said West Band Director Daniel Hundt. “Aidan Smith stepped up and became the unsung hero of the performance, filling in for the ill soloist at the last minute.”

The Lapeer East and Lapeer West Concert and Symphony Bands also performed at recent State Festivals.

Lapeer East’s Concert Band received a mixture of first and second division ratings and the East Symphony Band received straight first division ratings, the highest possible, at the May 2nd event at Warren Woods High School.

“One judge gave the Symphony Band ‘A+’s on his sheet,” said East Band Director Lyniece Fenner.

Lapeer West’s Concert and Symphony bands took first division ratings at their State Festival performance May 1st at Holly High School.

“One judge wrote, ‘even though I’ve been doing this since 9 a.m. your performance inspired me, I think that speaks,’” Hundt said.

New construction pictures from Rolland Warner Middle School

New photos were taken of the ongoing construction work at Rolland Warner Middle School today, Monday, May 11, 2009.

Photos are on the District's photo gallery.

Bone Marrow drive for Mayfield Elementary School student set for Saturday

A bone marrow drive will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 16th at Mayfield Elementary School, 302 Plum Creek Road in Mayfield Township to help find a donor for kindergarten student Sydney Page Gavan.

The school held a successful fundraiser for Sydney Friday night and invites anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 to come Saturday to see if they are a bone marrow donor match for Sydney.

Participants will be asked to fill out a brief health questionnaire, submit to a painless mouth swab and be in general good health. A $25 tax deductible fee is requested to pay for the processing, but financial aid is available to potential donors who need help paying the fee.

For further information call (810) 441-6088. Mayfield Elementary School is about ½-mile west of M-24 on Plum Creek Road.

Zemmer Junior High student, Braydin Walters, chosen for U.S./Canadian hockey team

Braydin Walters, a Zemmer Junior High School student, was recently selected to play on the Border City Bandits, a blended U.S. and Canadian hockey team. The team consists of players from Ontario and Michigan and will compete in elite AAA tournaments over the next three years during the spring and summer.

Scouts from the team identified Braydin and scouted him for a year before contacting his parents, Kevin and Candi Walters. Kevin Walters is principal at Lapeer West High School.

Braydin was recently named Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Bantam Spring Showcase Tournament in Port Huron.

Last season, Braydin scored 50 goals and had 28 assists (78 points) in 41 games.

“Braydin has been very blessed to be offered these opportunities at such a young age,” said Kevin Walters. “Candi and I are truly proud of him.”

Lapeer High School Class of 1949 invites classmate to a reunion on September 26

Where did 60 years go?

Come and find out at the Lapeer High School Class of 1949 60th reunion at Lenny Millers, 5800 Dryden Road in Dryden, on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Social hour begins at 3 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.

Cost of the evening is $25 per person and reservation must be made by September 1st.

Two members of the Class of 1949, Marie Cassidy Nolan and Edward Oyster, are parents of two current Lapeer Board of Education members, Mike Nolan and Gary Oyster.

For questions or reservations, please call Marie Nolan at (248) 628-2960.

Lapeer East Bus 4 students visit Pentagon Memorial

Lapeer East Bus 4 student visit the Pentagon Memorial this afternoon, Monday, May 11, 2009.

Lapeer West students and staff raise $478 for Cystic Fibrosis research on Friday

The Lapeer West High School National Honor Society's Cystic Fibrosis walk on Friday afternoon was great success!

More than 70 students and employees participated in the walk. The walkers raised $478.28.

"Thanks to all who participated," said West's Chris Sierakowski.

Lapeer East students visit the Jefferson Memorial

Lapeer East Bus 3 students visit the Jefferson Memorial today, Monday, May 11, 2009. Bus 3 students at the FDR Memorial and Lapeer East Bus 4 students in front of the White House.

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.