District recognizes five employees for exemplary service to students, staff

Five employees of the Lapeer Community Schools have been honored for their exemplary service to students and the district with Distinguished Service and Distinguished Educator awards.

Superintendent Debbie Thompson announced the awards during the regular Board of Education meeting on April 1, 2010 at the Administration & Services Center.

The awards are given to “non-certified support staff and administrative staff for exemplary job skills, high personal qualities and dedicated service to the District,” according to District officials.

Karen Rowden, secretary to the Board of Education and administrative assistant to the superintendent, was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. Mrs. Rowden has held the position for eight years but has been with Lapeer Schools for 24 years, starting as a Media Para Pro and serving as a secretary in several departments before moving into her current role.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a recipient’s relationship with students and staff, exemplary representation of the District within the community, consistently excellent work performance and integrity and concern for fellow employees.

The District also honored four people with Distinguished Educator Awards. These honor the recipients for their ability to relate to and inspire students, creativity in teaching, genuine concern for students and exemplary dedication and integrity. The recipients of these awards are:

• Steve Kern, a Lapeer West High School business teacher. He has been with the District for 26 years, with 13 years in his current role. He also has been a teacher at Lapeer East High School and Zemmer and White junior high schools.

• Lisa Loachridge, a Seaton Elementary School fifth-grade ELA, science and math teacher. She has been with Lapeer for 16 years, with 12 years in her current position. She previously taught Special Education at Seaton.

• Janis McKeachie, a Lapeer East High School English teacher. She has been with the district for 26 years, with 19 in her current job. She also has taught English with the Lapeer Adult Education and Spanish and English at White and Zemmer junior high schools and East and West high schools.

• Greg Piontkowski, a District school psychologist who has been with Lapeer for 15 years and has spent a total of 30 years in education.

A committee comprised of one member each from the AFSCME, Central Office Administration, L.E.S.P., LSDAA, LTA and SEIU – Cafeteria, selects recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. A committee of eight educators and three administrators selects recipients of the Distinguished Educator Award. Recipients are selected from nominations made by District staff.

Superintendent Debbie Thompson praised by school leaders in annual evaluation

Superintendent Debbie Thompson has provided strong leadership as the Lapeer Community Schools face tough economic times, the Board of Education said.

The Board praised the Superintendent as it presented the results of her annual evaluation during the regular board meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at the Administration & Services Center.

As a result of the evaluation, the Personnel Committee will recommend to the full Board that Mrs. Thompson’s contract be extended another year.

The Board evaluated the Superintendent based on anonymous input from school principals, union leaders, the Central Office Leadership Team and individual Board of Education members.

“After careful analysis of all of the input from the individuals referenced above, I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Thompson has again received high marks in virtually all aspects of her evaluation,” Board President William Laidlaw said as he presented the results of the evaluation. “Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for continuing to provide the kind of leadership that was again so favorably acknowledged by your peers and contemporaries at all levels of the District.”

The Board of Education reviews the performance of the Superintendent each year to ensure a consistent assessment and maintain accountability.

“I would again like to extend a hand of thanks and praise to each of the bargaining units, members of the administrative staff, principals and fellow Board of Education members for having participated in this necessary and worthwhile process, in this, one of this District’s most challenging and difficult years,” Mr. Laidlaw said.

Zemmer Middle School construction update - March 2010

We've been back over to visit the ongoing construction work at the future Zemmer Middle School. Work is progressing on schedule for a fall 2010 opening. If you'd like to peek over our shoulder at the work go to the District photo gallery for a few more photos.

Photo at right shows a completed skylight in one of the new classroom wings.

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

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

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

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

Preschool Round Up set for April 14, info on several programs set for preschoolers

Parents of children 3 and 4-years-old will have an opportunity to talk to teachers and register for Head Start, the Great Start Readiness Program and tuition-based preschool at Lapeer Preschool Round Up on Wednesday, April 14 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Rolland-Warner Middle School Cafetorium, 333 DeMille Boulevard in Lapeer.

Teachers and staff will help guide parents through the registration process at the event.

Parents will need the following documents to register children for any of the programs: Birth certificate; immunization records; income verification and proof of residency.

People attending the Round Up are advised to enter the school from DeMille Boulevard, park in the events parking lot and enter through the events entrance of Rolland-Warner Middle School.

For further information on Head Start call Jane Hoover at (810) 245-1206. For information on the Great Start Readiness Program on Lapeer Community School’s Preschool call Bobbie Jo Pins at (810) 667-2454.

Kindergarten Round Up serves up info, fun

Kindergarten Round Up is always a special time at Lapeer Community Schools. It's the first day of a great educational adventure for Lapeer children. The Round Up started Wednesday, March 24 and concluded on Thursday, March 25.

In addition to registering for school next fall, the youngsters were treated to information on lunches, services from area child advocacy agencies, such as the Family Literacy Center, and each child went home with a new balloon.

And anyone who wanted to got their first ride on a real school bus.

See you in the fall!

To see more photos go to the District photo gallery.

'Mary Todd Lincoln' visits West students

Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln, came to life for Lapeer West students in the person of Mrs. Marie Papciak, a former elementary school library-media specialist, brought her "Women Who Changed America" portrayal to Lapeer West High School on Wednesday, May 24.

She also portrayed Susan B. Anthony, an early advocate for voting rights for women.

Students from Mrs. Amy Ostrander's Women's Studies class and Mr. Bill Anderson's Advanced Placement English 11 class were in the West Library and Media Center for the presentation.

More photos of the event are available at the District's photo gallery.

Lapeer West to host "Kids Against Hunger" food community service program on April 27

The Flint Metro League Student Council’s will host “Kids Against Hunger” at Lapeer West High School on Tuesday, April 27.

Students from all ten Flint Metro League schools, including Lapeer East High School, will be on hand to help package highly nutritious meals for area food banks.

It is anticipated that the students will pack 10,000 meals from 9-10 a.m. in the West gym that day.

“This is a worthwhile event that involves our students in a positive community service project,” said Hollie Marcola, counseling secretary and advisor to the Lapeer West Student Council.

Lynch, Seaton Elementary Problem Solving competitors head for MSU event April 17

Two teams of students from Lynch Elementary and four teams from Seaton Elementary School and several alternates have been invited to participate in the annual Michigan Future Problem Solving Program State Bowl at Michigan State University in East Lansing on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18.

The Lapeer elementary school team will compete with members of 92 of the top teams Michigan.

Lynch team members, Alicia Birkenhauer, Alexis Mosher, Trey Lubonski, Jacob Schlaud, Allison Johnson, Anastasia Mausolf, Rachel Compton Megan Bopra, with alternates, Abby Horning, Steven Romolino, Paul Ankley, and Shelby Metzger, and Seaton team members, Sam Boddy, James Felton, Sierra Wineman, Brittney Potter, Nicole Tomczyk, Carley Heathcock, Sarah Ridenour, Kara Daniels, Hannah Somerville, Jocelyn Jones, Matthew Brey, Zachary Fritz, Brooklyn Withey, Olivia Card, Greg Schabel, and Katie Sinka, with alternate, Lauren Barber, and their coach, Stephen Larzelere-Kellermann travel to MSU.

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. An estimated 1,000 Michigan students worked on three problems during the 2009-2010 school year – Invasive Species, Sensory Overload, and Orphaned Children, which were scored and critiqued by trained evaluators.

Based on the third problem, 92 of Michigan FPSP’s teams across three grade divisions (4-6, 7-9, and 10-12) have been invited to participate in the State Bowl. While teams know the general topic of this year’s Bowl – Food Distribution – they will not know the specific nature of the problem they will attempt to solve until the Bowl begins.

Solutions will be evaluated on clearly established criteria, and the top five teams from each division will receive trophies. State Champions will also be invited to represent Michigan at the 2010 International FPS Conference at the University of Wisconsin in LaCross in May. In the past years, Michigan participants have won 25 championships at the International Conference.

Spring recess office hours announced

Office hours for Administration and Service Center employees working during Spring Recess will by 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The office will be closed on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.

Regular office hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will resume on Monday, April 12 with the resumption of classes.

Lapeer West High School teachers honored at MEA state art show in East Lansing recently

Current Lapeer West art and industrial arts teachers and a retired West art teacher were honored by having art work selected for the Michigan Education Association Art Show.

Selected for the show was a photograph (left) taken by Mrs. Julie Fernandez; a wood sculpture and papier mache sculpture created by Mr. Jeff Bolzman (right, below); a wooden sculpted plate by Mr. Steve Hilgendorf and a sculptural piece of glass, metal and wood titled “Balance” by retired art teacher Jeanine Smith.

Only 79 art pieces from around Michigan were selected for the show.

Mrs. Fernandez was further honored by having her photograph selected as a “Purchase Award,” putting it in the top tier of the awards at the show.

To see more teacher art go to the photo gallery.

“Having a piece selected for the show is a nice honor, having one selected for purchased by the MEA is an even higher honor,” said Mr. Bolzman. “We all congratulate Julie on her work.”

Lapeer West High School 8th graders finish high in 2010 Delta College Math Competition

Two Lapeer West 8th graders competed in the 2010 Delta College Math Competition held Saturday, March 20 and both finished among the top contestants. A total of 126 8th graders from around the State competed in the event.

Travis Lusigna finished tied for 23rd in the competition which earned him a medal. Cole Heathcock finished tied for 24th, just out of the medals.

Lapeer West students score well at District 5 Regional Science Olympiad held at Mott

Lapeer West High School’s Science Olympiad team finished 5th overall in the District 5 Regional competition held at Mott Community College on Saturday, March 20. There are 26 teams in Region 5.

A number of West team members had outstanding results, including an overall first place finish by Patrick Martindale and Scott Essenmacher with their mousetrap car. Josh Francis and Rebecca Francis had a first place finish in the Technical Problem Solving event.

At least one medal was earned by each of the team’s members, Ana Tkach, Carson Phillips, Pat Chouinard, Gina Cavanaugh, Thomas Goslin, Brandon Jakeway, David Pless and Kevin Roach in the competition.

Lapeer West High School creative writing class produces book of student work

Students in Lapeer West teacher Dawn Summerlee’s Creative Writing Class receive more than just a grade at the end of each trimester, they end up with a book with the best of the class’s collective works.

The current volume, “Writing from Inside,” includes art work and each student’s favorite poem and short story from the winter trimester.

The books have proven popular with students and a little extra incentive to put in a little extra effort.

“This class challenged me to write in a different way, it challenged me to think in a different way,” said Micah Corlew, a West student who recently took the class. “I developed a few writing skills in that period, but more importantly, I developed character. The best part is the end-of-the-trimester anthology. I hope to see this class offered again and again for years to come. It was one of my best high school experiences.”

Three students, Gabby Koerner, Grace Koerner and Jade Cremer produced a short, emotional video on Haiti for their final exam.

Previous volumes include, “Write from the heart,’” and “All Writes Reserved.”

Murphy Elementary set to "Tee Off for Technology" at annual golf scramble in May

Spring and warmer temperatures signal that it’s time for the 2010 Murphy Elementary School’s 9th Annual Tee-Off For Technology Golf Scramble.

Teams and sponsors are being sought to compete in the event on Saturday, May 8 at the Lapeer Country Club. Early registration is suggested as the event usually ends up with a waiting list. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Last year’s outing enabled the school to purchase online programs for students, helped fund the summer school program, updated Murphy’s studio equipment and allowed the school to continue to purchase age appropriate software to complement curriculum.

Funds from this year’s event will be used to support technology and literacy programs.
There will be plenty of prizes, both on and off the course. Cost of golfing is $75 per person or $300 a team. The price includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, coffee and donuts, a steak dinner and a t-shirt.

Prizes include first and second place money, a Vegas hole, a hole-in-one prize, Skins game, longest drives, closest to the pins, 50/50 raffle and raffles for several great golf courses and other door prizes.

Non-golfers are invited for lunch for $15, or buy a t-shirt for $10. A wide variety of sponsorships are available.

For more information or to receive a registration or sponsor form, call Debbie Bridges at (810) 441-3023, the school at (810) 678-2201 or go to the school’s website for more information, www.lapeerschools.org/murphy.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West choirs 'excellent' at District 3 Choral Festival at FIM, head to State Choral Festival

Two choirs at Lapeer West High School and the Lapeer East Concert Choir received “excellent” ratings at the District 3 Choral Festival at the Flint Institute of Music on Wednesday, March 3 and qualified to sing at the State Choral Festival.

A Lapeer West student, David Smith (photo), who sings with the Lapeer East choir, has advanced from his performance at the State Honors Choir in January to the All-State Choir and a performance at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May conducted by the nationally-known conductor, Craig Jessop.

“This is the second time David has been chosen for this honor,” said teacher Mrs. Cheryl Burnside, who conducts the East choirs. “Our students, both East and West, wonderfully represent Lapeer. They are not only ‘excellent’ choirs, but are also very courteous and well-mannered when they visit other schools.”

The State Choir Festival will be Tuesday, April 27, at Rochester High School.

The Lapeer West Mixed Choir and the Lapeer West Concert Choir both received the “excellent” ratings. The Lapeer West Treble Choir also performed and received a “good” rating.

“I’m proud of the students and all the work they put into the choirs,” said Lapeer West teacher Mr. Thomas Kaiser, who conducts the West choirs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For information on the summer running club contact Coach Mandy.

Statement on a December incident at Lapeer East High School

Lapeer Community Schools was notified on March 19 that a court prohibition preventing four students involved in a December after-school incident at Lapeer East High School from attending classes at the school was lifted.

While the District cannot, and will not, discuss specific student discipline due to Federal law, the District has been notified that no felony charges, no assault charges and no charges related to sexual misconduct have been issued in relation to these students.

Because of the federal law, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the District will not release any additional information.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West students win several honors at recent Lansing art show

Lapeer East and Lapeer West students won several honors at the recent Michigan Art Education Association show held in Lansing.

The selections continue a history of success by Lapeer art students at the State art competition.
Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community High School students had art work selected for judging in the Region 10 MAEA and several of those had artwork selected for further judging at the State level in Lansing.

Lapeer West students Cheryse Burns and Rachel Gillotte, students of Mrs. Nancy Barry had art work selected for the State’s Top 18. Cheryse, Rachel and Hillary Davlin, a Lapeer East art student of Mrs. Deb Helbig had art pieces selected for the Governor’s Traveling Show.

As part of the traveling art show, the students’ artwork will be exhibited in at least three high schools in Michigan, the Governor's residence, the Michigan Art Education Association convention and three universities. Lapeer West and Mrs. Barry will host one of the governor's show exhibits next school year.

In addition several East and West art students had artwork selected for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Art Show.

Selected for the YAFAS were: East students, Ayla Chanakam Asawasathaporn and Hillary Davlin; and West students, Cheryse Burns, Elizabeth Smith and Rachel Gillotte.

The Top 18 artists will be honored at a special luncheon in May at the Michigan YAFAS at Western Michigan University.

“These students are to be congratulated for a terrific job,” said Mr. Jeff Bolzman. “Congratulations to all the students who participated in this show.”

Other students selected for the State judging were: West students, Rhonda Vandercook, Jessica Phelps, and eighth-grader Paula Kelly Greenman; East student, Kayla Miller.

Lapeer West students honored for work at Regional Scholastic Art competition

Two Lapeer West students won Gold Key awards at a recent Regional Scholastic Art competition. (As soon as the art is returned from judging it will be posted online, so come back and check)

A total of 11 students were honored for 17 pieces of art judged at the regional event.
The prestigious Scholastic Art Show has been the most rigorous competition for high school artists in the country for more than 80 years.

Students of Lapeer West art teacher, Mrs. Nancy Barry, have won national honors more than 20 times during her career.

“Schools are honored to have even a single piece in this juried show,” said Mrs. Barry. “The Art Department instructors firmly believe that everyone can benefit from instruction in the visual arts.”

The West art department agrees with author Daniel Pink’s statement that: “Research has shown that instruction in the arts boost test scores in other areas as well as being valuable for teaching creativity, which cannot be outsourced.”

Gold Key awards; Lisa Noelle (two awards, sculpture and ceramics and glass) and Jessica Phelps (ceramics and glass). Noelle also won a College for Creative Studies Special Award for her ceramics and glass art. Both are students of teacher Mr. Jeff Bolzman.

Silver Key awards, Jaclyn Conlon (photography), Jessica Phelps (ceramics and glass), Elizabeth Smith (sculpture), Haileigh Sanders (drawing). Phelps is a student of Mr. Bolzman and Jaclyn, Haileigh and Elizabeth are students of Mrs. Barry.

Students honored with Certificates were: Kaitlyn Becker (drawing), Samantha Case (drawing), Jaclyn Conlon (photography – two photos), Lauren Gates (drawing), Rachel Gillotte (drawing), Jessica Phelps (ceramics and glass), Megan Roberson (drawing), and Sabrina Stryznski (drawing), all students of Mrs. Barry.

Lunch can be educational too! Lapeer Community Schools spices up lunch time

Learning doesn’t always stop when the lunch hour bell rings.

As part of National Nutrition Month, the Lapeer Community Food Service Department is using student lunch time this week to teach students about the flavorful and healthy use of spices in crafting low-fat healthy snacks.

Students around the District will be offered a taste test of four healthy snacks during the month of March.

“Spice Up Your Health. Exploring the benefits of herbs and spices” was the theme of the annual program to teach healthy nutrition to District students. The program was offered by Chartwells, the food service company that supplies meal services to the District.

“From observations, it appears the two most popular snacks were the ‘Creamy Cinnamon Vanilla Dip,’ which was served as a dip with apple slices, and the ‘Cheddar Herb Biscuits,” said Jill McLaughlin, administrative assistant and chef at Chartwells, “But students like the other healthy snacks as well.”

Copies of all the recipes were made available to students. Copies of the recipes are posted on the District’s photo gallery at: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/SpicingUpLunchAtLCS.

Spices used in the four recipes were cinnamon, vanilla, ground ginger, granulated garlic, oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme leaves and black pepper.

Brownie Girl Scout beginning ice skaing program at Polar Palace begins March 24

Following is some information that may be of interest to many of our students and parents about a new beginning ice skating program at the Polar Palace. From the Polar Palace:

The Brownie Girl Scout Program is a beginning ice skating class for those Scouts interested in discovering, connecting and taking action on and off the ice.

Trained Skating Instructors will be conducting the 5-week program on Wednesday (Mar 24 - Apr 28 from 4:50-5:50pm) to help Scouts achieve several of the designated outcomes that are essential to strong leadership -- from exploring the sport of ice skating, ice skating etiquette, learning the basics of ice skating, ice skating games and the opportunity to be an inspiration to others.

"We will also have some off-ice time devoted to creating an acrostic poem about ice skating and making a skating mural," stated Lemieux. "It is our hope to provide the Scouts with a unique experience both on and off the ice."

The cost of the 5-week session program is $55 and includes skate rental. Scouts enrolled in the program can take advantage of the Wednesday Public Skate beginning at 3 pm. The designated one hour session includes 1/2-hour group lesson and 1/2-hour practice time. Upon earning their Polar Palace Skating School patch, a $5 discount coupon will also be provided to all Scouts wishing to "first time" enroll in any "Learn-to-Skate or Learn-to-Play" class thereafter.

Reminders, notes from today's e-mail blast

If you are the parent of a high school senior, now is the application time for scholarships. Many are available in both small and large amounts, but every little bit can help. There is plenty of information on the counseling tabs on both high school websites. Deadlines are approaching, some as early as next week, so make sure your senior is not left out of a scholarship. Each year millions of dollars of scholarships are given to graduating seniors at the high schools.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Canned and boxed foods are being collected at the school offices at Lapeer East and Lapeer West for the Habitat for Humanity Food Drive during the month of March. All donations will remain in Lapeer County.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

High school juniors at Lapeer East and Lapeer West should be aware of several opportunities this spring and summer for leadership and citizenship seminars. These programs are completely funded by our Lapeer American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Lapeer Rotary and Lapeer Farm Bureau Organizations. Students attend free of charge. Applications for Boys State, Girls State, Rotary Youth Leadership Conference and Young Peoples Citizenship Seminar are now available in the counseling offices and must be returned by this Friday, March 19.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for orders for the West Music Boosters Easter Ham Sale is this Friday, March 19. Ham pick-up will be next Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the West band room. Call Tina Conlon (24*) 766-5701 to place an order.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder: The Mayfield Elementary School PTC Spring Craft Bazaar and Mom 2 Mom Sale is this Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, 302 Plum Creek Road. It’s a great place to get deals on new or gently used clothing and other items.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
We now have links on the elementary school home pages for the fun Math & Science Connection newsletter. Lots of fun things to do at home with your student.

Advanced Sitter, Youth Golf enrichment classes offered through spring enrichment

Advanced babysitting classes and a youth golf class for boys and girls in grades K -7, are being offered through the Lapeer Community Schools Spring Youth Enrichment Programs.

Young men and young women with at least some babysitting experience are invited to take an Advanced Sitter class on Monday, April 19, that will prepare them for overnight or family travel babysitting jobs. Basic CPR will also be taught. The class is excellent for achieving scout badges or 4-H requirements.

An Advanced Babysitting Certificate will be issued upon successful completion. The two-hour class which begins at 6:30 p.m. will cost $20 a person or 2 registrants can enroll for $30. The class is taught by Mrs. Gloria Sherman and will be held at Rolland-Warner Middle School, 333 DeMille Boulevard in Lapeer.

Young people interested in learning golf are invited to register for a program taught by professional instructors. Students will be taught the fundamentals (grip, stance and swing); long game (drivers and irons); and short game (pitching, chipping and putting).

The course, which will be held in one-hour sessions on Wednesdays, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5 at 6:15 p.m. in the Murphy Elementary School gym, 1100 Pratt Road in Metamora Township, will also teach the finer points of etiquette and rules. Top-of-the-line junior clubs and safe foam balls will be used for this indoor class.

Cost of the four sessions is $55.

Pre-registration is required for both classes. There will be no registration at the door. To register or to obtain a registration form call (810) 538-1622.

Lapeer East High School receives high marks as NCA accreditation approved

Following the visit of a Quality Assurance Review team in December, Lapeer East High was notified it received high marks and a five-year renewal of its accreditation by the North Central Association on Accreditation and School Improvement.

The seven-member team gave Lapeer East high marks in the seven areas of “Standards for Quality Schools.” Those standards are: Vision and purpose, governance and leadership, teaching and learning, documenting and using results, resource and support systems, stakeholder communications and relationships and commitment to continuous improvement.

Among others, the team specifically commended Lapeer East in the following areas:

· “The Advanced Placement (AP) program has seen significant growth, increasing student achievement and skill set of teaching staff. This growth is also diverse in terms of socio-economic background and the teaching staff receiving training in this program.”

· “Stakeholders have a great deal of pride and building staff display a great deal of camaraderie.”

· The building staff has begun to use data to support teaching and curriculum choices.

NCA CASI provides nationally-recognized accreditation, the purpose of which is continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCA CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school, and implement a continuous process of school improvement.

NCA CASI accreditation is recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school but also assures parents that the school is meeting nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice.

“We are pleased that the hard work by our students and staff was recognized in such a positive way by the accreditation team,” said East Principal Kelly Paige. “Our goal is to constantly improve our standards and expectations for our students and our staff.”

Lapeer West High School is also an NCA accredited high schools.

Combined Lapeer boys' swim team finishes season well at its final 2010 meet

In the final swim meet of the season, every swimmer on the combined Lapeer East/Lapeer West swimming team improved in at least one individual event and some in more than one.

“The team dropped almost 50 seconds off its total best time for the meet,” said Coach Pat Thomas. “That’s almost as long as the 100 freestyle event being eliminated. The whole team and every member improved all season long but really had some dramatic drops in their times at this final meet.”

The team’s overall record, 2 wins and 6 losses, second place finishes at the Vehicle City Relay and Mt. Morris Invitational and a tenth place finish at the Glen County Invitational is not a full picture of how much the team accomplished and how it sets up for next year.

“Every member of the team made giant strides to become well-rounded swimmers who can swim all the strokes and are prepared to go the distance to be a force to be dealt with in the future,” said Coach Thomas. “I am very proud of what our team has done since the onset of the season on November 23rd.”

At the Flint Metro League meet in Fenton in late February, the swim team finished in sixth place in the seven-team field.

Personal best finishes and scores were posted at the meet by: Patrick Martindale (200 free); Mason Sornson (diving); Alex Hart (100 butterfly – also a school record); Ryan Tuckfield (100 fly); Eric Bevers (100 free); Mark Wells (100 backstroke); John Turner (100 backstroke); John Nestor (100 breaststroke); and Mason Sornson (100 breaststroke).

Season best results were posted in: 200 Medlay relay, Mark Wells, John Nestor, Mason Sornson and Neil Denver; 200 Free relay, Alex Hart (broke school record in lead-off part of relay), Pat Martindale, Ryan Tuckfield and John Nestor; 400 Free relay, Alex Hart, Pat Martindale, Eric Bevers and Ryan Tuckfield.

Lapeer West secretary Chris Sierakowski brings her EMT expertise to the radio

Lapeer West secretary Chris Sierakowski brought her emergency medical technician knowledge and experience to the radio program Friday. With St. Patrick’s Day, spring vacation and the prom season approaching, Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh invited Mrs. Sierakowski to talk about a range of safety issues.

Drunk driving, supervision for high school students on spring vacation and sudden infant death syndrome were all areas touched on during the program.

Mrs. Sierakowski sometimes mixes safety lessons in with the daily announcements to students at Lapeer West High School.

Lapeer East, West and Community High School students honored for art at show

A recent show at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer recognized the artwork of a number of Lapeer East and Lapeer West art students who had work selected for the Region 10 Michigan Art Education Association show.

A number of those students were selected for State judging in Lansing. (With the artwork all in Lansing, no photos were available for this article, but we will be putting up high school artwork next week).

At Lapeer West students from Mrs. Nancy Barry’s class were Elizabeth Smith (senior), Cheryse Burns (junior) and Rachel Gillotte (junior). Students from Mr. Jeff Bolzman’s class were Rhonda Vandercook (senior), Cheryse Burns (junior) and Jessica Phelps (senior). Kelly Greenman was selected from Mrs. Julie Fernandez’s eighth grade art class.

Three students of Lapeer East teacher Mrs. Deb Helbig, Kayla Miller (senior), Hillary Davlin (junior) and Ayla Asawasathaporn (senior – two pieces) also had artwork selected for further judging in Lansing.

The 2010 Michigan Art Education Association Region 10 Art Show is a juried art show of student art from Genesee and Lapeer counties.

Other students who had work chosen for the region show were:

Lapeer West: Karley Bauroth (sophomore); Kami Carpenter (freshman); Samantha Chouinard (8th grade); Lisa Noelle (senior); Alexandra Norton (sophomore); Haileigh Sanders (senior); Madison Dearing (8th grade); Abrianna DeBono (freshman); Lauren Gates (senior); Kaylee Hammerstein (freshman); Danielle Holmes (freshman).

Lapeer East: Sharon McCully (senior); Dawn Wesley (senior).

Lapeer Community High School students in Ms. Kelly Wagner’s class: Kayla Bowman (senior); Amanda Ramirez (senior); Sonja Dietz (senior); Magan Hadley (senior); Amanda Swain (senior).

Lapeer East graduate Ray Stover, now head of Gladwin's MidMichigan Medical Center

Raymond Stover said he was “very quiet and very shy” while growing up and attending Lapeer Community Schools, so much that it was painfully difficult to talk to people.

But now, that quiet kid is President and Chief Executive Officer of MidMichigan Medical Center in Gladwin. He said one of his main duties is seeking out the more than 200 employees, as well as medical center patients, to boost morale, inform them about current issues and solicit their concerns and ideas.

How did the 1984 Lapeer East High School graduate overcome his fear to become the communications heart of a thriving medical center? It started, he said, with mentoring from his family, teachers and coaches in Lapeer.

“It surprises me and my family that I would be in this job,” Stover said. “My dad (Sherwin Stover) and I were just talking about that the other day.”

Stover said his mother, Charlene, who passed away in 1993, was the first to help him overcome his shyness by enrolling him in a variety of activities. His sister, Ruth Stover-Lange, his opposite in many ways, was very outgoing and he said he watched and learned from her. He had a co-op job while in high school and said his father taught him a strong work ethic.

His opportunities while a student in Lapeer schools also played a role, he said. He became close to several teachers who encouraged him, starting in elementary school in Attica. Most of his elementary school friends went to Zemmer Junior High, but because of where he lived, he went to the former White Junior High School.

“I met a lot of new people at White and that was a good experience for me,” he said.

Along the way, Stover discovered he was a talented baseball player. That led him to join the Lapeer East team and meet Coach Brad Gerlach. The two became close – Gerlach gave him the nickname “Razor, because he was a real sharp kid,” which sticks to this day – and helped him get a baseball scholarship to Saginaw Valley State University.

His sister said their family was poor when they were growing up and Gerlach’s assistance was a big factor in helping her brother go to college.

Ruth Stover-Lange, a 1982 graduate named Most Outstanding Graduating Senior, is a teacher in the North Branch School District. She said until she began working with students, she did not realize just how great an influence teachers and school had on her and her brother.

“He had a lot of encouragement from teachers,” she said. “Baseball also was very important. Having a team full of friends supporting you is huge, and his coach was very instrumental in helping Ray get the SVSU scholarship.”

Gerlach said he always recognized Stover’s potential.

“He was an outstanding baseball player and outstanding human being,” Gerlach said. “He was someone you’d want working for you or even better, running something. His senior year, he just blossomed.”

Gerlach downplays his role in helping Stover get to college, saying it was his student’s talent and hard work that propelled him forward.

“I just made the connections and the talent spoke for itself,” he said.

Raymond Stover said he was very good in math while in Lapeer schools and decided on a career as a certified public accountant. After graduating from SVSU with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, he got an accounting job with the Blue Care Network, starting him in health care.

He joined Midland-based MidMichigan Health in 1990, starting in Midland and then moving to the organization’s medical center in Clare, where he rose to vice president and chief financial officer. He was promoted to his current job at the 20-bed primary care Gladwin medical center in January 2008.

“One of my most challenging duties is recruiting doctors to come to a rural hospital,” he said. “And then there is keeping up with what is happening with the economy and its impact on health insurance, declining reimbursements and keeping people in their jobs.”

He continues to seek mentors, saying he met several people at MidMichigan who helped him grow and now relies on the advice of many people as he learns his new job.

Stover also has served on the boards of several civic groups.

He lives in Midland with his wife, Rose, and their four daughters – Jessica, 21, a student at Lansing Community College, Samantha, 17, a Midland High School senior, and 16-year-old twins Jalynn and Taylor, high school juniors. He returns to the area a few times a year to visit his father, who now lives in Otter Lake, and Ruth, who still lives in Lapeer. He said he is very proud to call Lapeer his hometown and hopes students will take advantage of all the community and school district have to offer.

“Take your education very seriously,” he advised, “especially as hard as it is to get into college these days. Soak up as much as you can. Build relationships with teachers because you’ll be surprised at how often you need to return to them for advice.

“And get involved in the community. Offer some time back because it helps you and because Michigan really needs it now.”

High School Robotics teams compete at Kettering, Lapeer East moves on to Ann Arbor

In an atmosphere not unlike a major high school sporting contest, the Lapeer East High School Robotics teams competed at the FIRST Robotics competition at Kettering University this past weekend.

The 22-member Lapeer East Robotics team, led by teacher and advisor George Mavis, placed 14th out of 40 teams after the two-day event. The East team will now take its robot to Ann Arbor this weekend for another meet.

Sponsored by CCS Robotics on Imlay City Road and PNC Bank, the East robot played soccer, scoring points by robotically kicking a ball into a goal and scored bonus points by successfully hanging the robot from a metal stand, one of the few teams to do so.

“This is a great experience for our robotics club members,” said Principal Kelly Paige. “It is great to see 22 students who are ‘geeked’ about math and science and a bleacher full of supportive adults, friends and family watching as referees, a timer and the competition unfolds.”

The Lapeer West Robotics Team also passed inspection and participated in the Kettering competition.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West High School wrestlers compete at State Finals

Lapeer West High School wrestlers and a wrestler from Lapeer East High School represented themselves well at the recent State Wrestling Individual Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

West wrestler Dean Somers, took fifth place in the State in the 103 weight division.

Other members of the West team who wrestled at the State Finals were Adam Nichols (103), Dakota Carie (112), and Nate Irelan (135). Dakota and Adam each won matches in their weight divisions at the meet.

“I’m proud of the work these young men put into the sport during the recent season,” said West Coach Matt Nowak. “It takes a lot of dedication to end up in the State Finals.”

East wrestler Isaac Joseph (145), a junior, also won one of his matches in his weight division, but missed placing in the top eight by one point in his last match, said East Coach Al Lalonde.

Health Department announces vaccination help for parents with financial challenges

The Lapeer County Health Department asked us to provide information to parents/guardians who need help in obtaining required vaccinations for school.

Federal stimulus funds will be available for Tdap, meningitis, and varicella vaccines.

A clinic date has been set for Thursday, April 8th by appointment only.

Besides vaccinating children with Medicaid, uninsured, underinsured, and Alaskan Native or American Indian, this vaccine allows us to expand that eligibility to children who have copays or deductibles that would hinder them from receiving vaccines from their Healthcare Provider.

The only vaccines we will be able to provide to school-age children with insurance that covers part of vaccine costs are Tdap, Meningitis, and varicella vaccines.

To set up an appointment, to determine eligibility or to ask questions, parents should call (810)-667-0448.

"Greatest Art Show on Earth" to be held at Lynch Elementary on March 19 (free root beer floats too!)

“The Greatest Art Show on Earth” will be held at Lynch Elementary School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 19.

Each student at the school will have a piece of art or sculpture on display at the show.

Student tour guides will offer tours through the sculpture park that will have more than 400 pieces of art.

Every student will also display a two-dimensional piece of art in the show.

If seeing “The Greatest Art Show on Earth” isn’t enough of an incentive to come, parents will be serving free root beer floats at the show.

“The students have worked very hard on their creations and we are hope many people will turn out to see them,” said art teacher Karen Milito.

A month of reading is the month of March, the celebration starts with a hat-on-a-cat

Food, drinks, guest readers and “Cat-in-the-Hat” pins highlight the “March is Reading Month” celebration at Lapeer West High School on Wednesday, March 31, during the school day.

Students will belatedly celebrate the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as “Dr. Seuss,” on that day. The celebration could not be held on Dr. Seuss’s real birthday – March 2 – because of the crush of tests and the end of the trimester.

On that day, Student Council will provide food and drink to all students and special dispensation will be made for the wearing of hats and pajama pants for students who purchase “Cat-in-the-Hat” pins. Funds raised from the event will benefit the Family Literacy Center of Lapeer.

Teachers are invited to participate by devoting 15 minutes of class time to reading to students if the teaching schedule allows. Other staff will be invited to be guest readers and teachers will also be invited to participate in a bookmark activity.

The West media staff has purchased bookmarks to distribute to students and is sponsoring a book review contest with signed copies of books as prizes. “READ” temporary tattoos will also be sold as a fund raiser.

Special decorations will adorn the Book Club display. The Book Club will sell tattoos, Cat-in-the-Hat pins and Cat-in-the-Hat cookies during lunches.

“Students at Lapeer West are great readers and this day celebrates the atmosphere of reading that is so prevalent at our school,” said teacher Mrs. Daryl Debano, the club sponsor.

Lapeer West Clothing Construction students provide comfort to kids with quilts

A Lapeer West High School class project in the Clothing Construction class of Ms. Charlotte Cornell yielded more learning than just the skills needed to make a quilt.

Photo caption: Some McLaren employee names are not known. Second from left (standing) Ms. Charlotte Cornell, teacher; West student Whitney Avenall (next to Ms. Cornell), students Tabitha Barber and Jane Craemer (far right standing next to Dr. Dr. Ed Gullekson, and student Morgan Burgess (front, center). Additional photos are at the District's photo gallery.

Students in the class made baby and child quilts and then donated them to Hurley Medical Center and the Child Evaluation Center at McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint in February.

Four students and Ms. Cornell drove to Hurley and McLaren to deliver the completed quilts and received a warm reception at both hospitals.

At McLaren, Dr. Ed Gullekson and a social worker at the CEC, talked to the students about the medical profession and gave them a tour of the facility and clinic which deals with children who have been abused.

“The doctor told us that the kids at the center who receive the blankets will have the comfort of them for the rest of their lives,” said Ms. Cornell. “When the four students returned, they shared the information with the rest of the class. It had a trickle down effect.”

In the next trimester class which began this week, Ms. Cornell said she is planning to have the next class create teddy bears for the CEC at McLaren.

Students sometimes need a little financial help in buying the material needed for the class and Ms. Cornell said donations of material are accepted at school. Donations of money or material can be made by calling Ms. Cornell at Lapeer West at (810) 667-2423.

'Farm-ol-o-gy' event to highlight local agriculture is Thursday, March 18

We received the following press release about a Lapeer County Farm Bureau event - "Farm-ol-o-gy" that may be of interest to our parents and students.

Milk a cow, drive a combine, and talk to a farmer at Lapeer County Farm Bureau’s farm-ol-o-gy event

LAPEER — In recognition of National Agriculture Week, the Lapeer County Farm Bureau is hosting Farm●ol●o●gy at the Lapeer Center Building, Thursday, March 18, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Farm-ol-o-gy attendees can chat with local farmers “over the fence” and learn some science behind farming, what it takes to be a farmer, the advantages of buying locally grown foods, and why farmers make good neighbors. Over 20 local farmers representing organic, cash crops, livestock, fruit, maple syrup, honey, and specialty farming will be available to answer questions.

Hands-on attractions include a combine simulator where you can try your hand at harvesting; Urlene the cow offers the chance to experience milking a cow and Lapeer Master Gardeners will teach you how to make paper pot plant starters. Lapeer County’s FFA, under the guidance of Tammy Hyatt, Ed Tech’s horticulture and agriculture instructor, will demonstrate ice cream production, embryo transfer in cattle and how to raise alpaca.

The evening also brings a 100-mile-meal to the Center Building.

“Six times a year we cater a meal to raise funds toward the restoration of the Center Building,” remarks Cathy Carter, manager of the Center Buildings. “We were presented with the opportunity to regain sight of where our food comes from by creating a meal using foods grown within 100 miles.

We did our research and found many local farmers and growers we weren’t aware of,” she notes.

“Our biggest challenge has been the time of year; there is not much growing outside right now, but we have been able to put together a premium meal featuring pulled pork, roasted vegetables, biscuits, slaw, with apple crisp for desert. We are sticking with the 100 mile theme right down to the butter,” says Jackson.

Farm-ol-o-gy is a free event sponsored by Lapeer County Farm Bureau, Michigan Thumb Works and the Lapeer Center Building. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. The 100-mile-meal starts at 4:00 p.m. in the west wing of the Center Building.

Tickets are $8.00 and can be reserved by calling Cathy Carter at 810-664-2109 or Gloria Ginell at 810-664-9712.

Project R.E.D., Rural Education Day, hosted by Farm Bureau, inspired this collaboration.

Kelly Lewis, Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education chairperson, explains, “Research suggests that the general public is eager to know more about the food they eat, where and how it is produced, and the connection farming has to their community.”

“Bringing the public and local farmers together at a single venue has been an idea I’ve had brewing for a couple of years. As the county coordinator for Project R.E.D., I have seen the positive reaction Lapeer County’s third graders have toward farmers and agriculture and I want to bring that to all the people of our community,” added Lewis.

For more information regarding Farm-ol-o-gy, please call Teresa Fick at 810-441-0911.

Lapeer West's Project Graduation hosts Schwan's fund-raising event Saturday, March 13

Project Graduation of Lapeer West is conducting a Schwan's Truckload Sales Event this Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 10 am until 4 pm. The pickup location will be in the parking lot of Sleep Doctor Mattress store, 700 S. Main St, Lapeer ( across the street from Kroger Gas as well as Meijer Gas).

Project Graduation of Lapeer West will earn a percentage of the sales made on Saturday to help offset the cost of providing an all night, chaperoned, fun, substance-free Graduation Party for the entire Lapeer West Graduating class of 2010, to be held on Graduation night June 6, 2010.

Community support of this fundraiser requires only that our friends stop by the yellow Schwan's trucks and purchase an item of their choice. Project Graduation of Lapeer West thanks you, our community for all the wonderful support of our organization and our mission.

Lapeer West hosts First Annual Spring Fashion Show

The First Annual Spring Fashion Show will be at Lapeer West High School on Thursday, March 11th. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. to view and shop vendor booths. The fashion show will begin at 7:00 p.m. with our Jazz Band providing the entertainment before the event!

Also during the fashion show, West will host the first ever MR. LAPEER WEST Contest! Winners will be chosen by audience response so come and cheer on your favorite!

Vendor booths will offer coupons, appointments & incentives. Used prom dresses will also be for sale and entry is only $2.00.

Battle of the Bands this Friday at Lapeer East

High school bands from Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community High School will face off in the Battle of the Bands on Friday, March 12 in the Lapeer East High School auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music is scheduled to start about 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 and the proceeds will help pay for the Leadership Forum of OMNI Council, an umbrella student leadership group made up of students from all three high schools.

New 2010-2011 school hours proposed for elementary, middle schools

Faced with a $3.9 million budget shortfall the Board of Education put 12 members of the District management staff and 7 deans of students on notice that their jobs could be eliminated in the 2010-2011 budget process.

The vote Thursday to approve these notifications to management staff was required by State law to allow the Board to consider elimination of management positions later in the budget process.

In addition to these nineteen staff members, who were part of this Board action, 6 other management staff members are contract employees whose employment immediately can be terminated at any time. Also, 4 central office administrators were not part of this board action because they are in the first year of a two-year contract. These 4 administrators have received notice that their positions could be eliminated and that they could be reassigned in 2010-2011, the final year of their contracts.

In January, Board members emphasized that “everything was on the table this year” when considering how the District would balance its budget in the face of shrinking State education support.

“Again this year we are faced with extremely difficult choices,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “We need to be true to the promise that we will examine every part of the budget for places to cut.”

District Innovative Grants awarded

Software to help increase student achievement in math, speech, science and English at Lapeer West and an after-school support program to help students struggling with mathematics at Lapeer East are the newest recipients of 2009-2010 Innovative Instructional Programs grants.

The Board of Education recently announced the two grants totaling $7,702. Funds for the programs come through Michigan grants.

“Turning Points” software will assist Lapeer West High School teachers in making immediate changes in teaching decisions based upon student success and comprehension of data in math, speech, science and English.

“On the spot” assessments will also be used to improve comprehension through the use of the software.

The $3,600 West grant was proposed by teachers Ted Tomczyk, Andy Roberts and Erica Niemi.

At Lapeer East a $4,102 grant was awarded to “Project Success” an after-school support program twice a week to help at-risk students stay on track for graduation through the help of highly qualified math teachers. The teachers will front load new math concepts to prepare students to handle those as they are introduced in the math classroom.

Project Success was proposed by East counselors and teachers: Susan Wilmers, Dennis Warner, Jeff Lorenz, Jan Ciaramella, Devin Palmer, and Susan Wheatley.

In 2006, the Board of Education decided to commit outside grant funding annually to support the use of Innovative Technology and Instructional programs in classrooms through a competitive application process. This year the program was expanded to include other innovative instructional ideas not related to technology.


“The Board of Education is proud that we established the grants to improve the educational opportunities for our students,” said Board President William Laidlaw. “Our faculty is to be praised for integrating technology into our classrooms. We also thank the community for passing the bond that allows new technology to be a major part of the educational process at Lapeer Community Schools.”

District management staff, deans of students put on notice of potential job cuts

Faced with a $3.9 million budget shortfall the Board of Education put 12 members of the District management staff and 7 deans of students on notice that their jobs could be eliminated in the 2010-2011 budget process.

The vote Thursday to approve these notifications to management staff was required by State law to allow the Board to consider elimination of management positions later in the budget process.

In addition to these nineteen staff members, who were part of this Board action, 6 other management staff members are contract employees whose employment immediately can be terminated at any time. Also, 4 central office administrators were not part of this board action because they are in the first year of a two-year contract. These 4 administrators have received notice that their positions could be eliminated and that they could be reassigned in 2010-2011, the final year of their contracts.

In January, Board members emphasized that “everything was on the table this year” when considering how the District would balance its budget in the face of shrinking State education support.

“Again this year we are faced with extremely difficult choices,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “We need to be true to the promise that we will examine every part of the budget for places to cut.”

Lapeer East Cake Decorating Club puts frosting on fund raising event

Lapeer East High School students are turning their interest in cake decorating to put the frosting on a couple recent fund-raising events to help others.

On Saturday, February 27, the students decorated cakes for a fund raiser for Ruth Wolski, the mother of East teacher Rejean Wolski. Ruth Wolski recently underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat her leukemia. Orange is the color for leukemia in the same way pink is the color for breast cancer. The club made, decorated and donated the cakes to the event.

The Lapeer East Cake Decorating Club has about 20 members, with senior Tiffany Turner as founder and president. The Club is on Facebook at Lapeer East Cake Club. The club also donated a cake to the Family Literacy Center of Lapeer.

The cake decorators can always use donations or a bakery willing to donate “naked” cakes to help fund their benevolent work. The Club has raised money for supplies and cake mixes through returnable bottle and can drives and bake sales at school events.

For now, Club advisor, Mrs.Terrie Hazard, the students and one mother, Lynn Turner, Tiffany Turner’s mother, have been doing the baking at home.

To help the students call Mrs. Hazard at Lapeer East High School at (810) 667-2418 or at thazard.lapeerschools.org.

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?

Who says there is no such thing as a ‘free’ lunch?

A challenge from the Board of Education to the District’s food service department to find ways to help students and their parents during difficult economic times has resulted in an additional 613 students receiving free lunches at school.

Beginning last Monday, March 1, the District’s Food Service Department extended free lunches to the 613 students who had been receiving reduced cost lunches. The free lunch program continues through the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

In addition to the 613 reduced lunch students, the District already provided 2,149 students with free lunches. The District has an enrollment of 6,387. Before Monday, lunches cost 40 cents a day for students in the reduced lunch program.

The District previously opened up a free breakfast program to all students, regardless of income, at all District elementary schools and the students at Zemmer Junior High School attending at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

“In addition to saving reduced cost lunch students up to $2 a week, the free lunch program is really aimed at encouraging children to eat a nutritious hot lunch every school day,” said Mr. Scott Smith, Director of Food Services in the District. “The Board of Education is committed to helping our families during this difficult economic time. A good breakfast and lunch contributes to better learning.”

New 2010 State immunization requirements

New State immunization requirements will require new kindergarten students, all sixth grade students and all children changing school districts to show proof of two doses of Varicella vaccine or a history of chickenpox disease for the 2010-2011 school year.

In addition, all students ages 11 to 18 years of age who are changing school districts or who are enrolled in the sixth grade are required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine and one dose of tetanus/diphtheria/accellular pertussis vaccine if five years have passed since the last dose of the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine.

The new rules were passed by the Michigan Legislature in October 2009.

Varicella vaccine is for the prevention of chickenpox, tetanus/diphtheria/accellular pertussis vaccine is a combination vaccine for the prevention of tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. The meningococcal vaccine is for the prevention of meningitis.

Students enrolling in the District after January 1, 2010 are required to comply with the new immunization rules.

The Lapeer County Health Department expects to receive additional school required vaccines through the federal stimulus funds. This will allow LCHD to expand eligibility for additional children. Please call the Health Department at (810) 667-0448 for more information.

Congratulations to Turrill Elementary School Spelling Bee contestants and winners

Congratulations to Turrill Elementary School Spelling Bee winner, Nathan Jasper (left) and runner-up Kane Sweet. Both are 4th grade students.

The competition was hosted in January. To see photos of the entire group go to the photo gallery.

Students compete in 10th annual Spanish IV piñata contest at Lapeer East High School

The 10th annual Spanish IV piñata contest in Mr. Duane Machesney’s class is complete.

The piñatas are displayed in the East Media Center where teachers vote on their favorite designs. To see all the creations go to the District photo gallery.

First place was a traffic light made by Mike Bates, Aaron Marietta, Dylan Rowley and Clayton Tomczyk. Second place was a cactus done by Ian Komisak, Mike Puskar, Rebecca Tencza and Chris Whiting. The Space Shuttle and Yoshi piñatas tied for third place. The Space Shuttle was done by Juniors Josh Hockstad, Zach Nolan, Mike Sawchuk and Steve Tadazak. Yoshi was done by the trio of Danica Crouch, Taylor McGuffie and Shelby Saelens.

The event is one that Spanish IV students look forward to every year and can be interesting and creative in a class with no running water to work with paper maché or a lot of space to store wet piñatas to dry. Students have three weeks to complete the piñatas in and out of class.

The piñata contest is one of the reasons students look forward to taking Spanish IV at East.

“This year’s students did a great job with their piñatas,” said Mr. Machesney.

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

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

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

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

Cost of admission is $1 per person.

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

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

Nominations sought for 2010 LCS Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor program

Nominations for candidates for the fifth annual Lapeer Community Schools Distinguished Alumni Award program are being sought for the fall induction program.

The Distinguished Alumni Award program is sponsored by the District and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association.

To be eligible for the award, a person, living or dead, must have graduated from the Lapeer Community Schools at least ten years ago and be noted in his or her field of endeavor or recognized for expertise and good works.

The person must be considered a role model for youth and demonstrated positive leadership and outstanding achievement, service or contributions to society. Honorees will attend the Distinguished Alumni Induction Ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2010 in the Lapeer East High School Auditorium.

Four previous classes of Distinguished Alumni Award winners included pillars of the education community; a U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilot and other distinguished military men and women; local business owners and executives, a women’s basketball team head coach, a former high altitude balloon test pilot killed testing flight suit equipment for the fledgling astronaut program in the 1960s and a police chief, among others.

Applications are available in District buildings or by calling Mary Linn Voss at (810) 538-1634.
Deadline for applications is Friday, April 30, 2010.

Professional soccer player takes over Lapeer West boys' varsity soccer, girls' jv program

Kenny Uzoigwe, a forward with the Michigan Bucks professional soccer team in Pontiac, is the new Lapeer West High School boys’ varsity and girls’ junior varsity soccer coach.

Uzoigwe, a prolific scorer with several professional soccer teams, is a graduate of the University of Toledo.

At a high school known for its American football, Uzoigwe wants to bring a level of excellence to the other “football.”

“What I want to do is build the program and it’s not going to happen overnight,” Coach Uzoigwe said. “It’s a development process.”

With a retired professor as a father, Uzoigwe understands the term “student-athlete.”

“Education is very important, you play the sport, but you have to make sure you have a good education and a degree to fall back on,” Coach Uzoigwe said. “I am very excited about this opportunity.”

In 2007, Uzoigwe was the Most Valuable Player on the Michigan Bucks team. He has also played for the Major League Soccer Colorado Rapids Reserve team, the United Soccer League Division 1 Charleston Battery and the Toledo Slayers of the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League. He was a goal scoring finalist, member of a PDL Championship team, selected to the PDL All Conference Team, All-Star, All-American teams in consecutive years and was the PDL Conference Leading Goal Scorer in 2006.

He has helped coach at Lake Orion High School, at the Lake Orion Soccer Club and is employed by the Michigan Bucks to conduct youth summer camps as well as play.
“We are very excited to welcome Coach Uzoigwe to the Lapeer West athletic team,” said Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mary Haslinger. Uzoigwe is married. He and his wife, Melissa Wright, live in Auburn Hills with their twin son and daughter.

Science Alive brings critters to visit at Murphy Elementary at Rolland-Warner

The always popular Science Alive made a visit to the Murphy Elementary School students attending classes at Rolland-Warner Middle School on Wednesday, February 24.

Mr. Bill Neill introduced the students to the world of exotic and endangered animals and even let those who wanted get a "hug" from a very large python.

Photos were taken in Mrs. Darlene Gannon's class.

Lapeer East Robotics Team receives new sponsor, heads to District competitions

Armed with a new sponsor, a new robot and a 22-student team the Lapeer East High School FIRST Robotics Team is set for its first regional competition at Kettering University in Flint on March 5 and 6.

The team showed off its new robot Tuesday night at CCS Robotics on Imlay City Road. On hand were continuing sponsor Tony Diodato, owner of CCS Robotics and new sponsor PNC Bank and representatives, Rick Chown, vice-president, Leanne Peterman, assistant vice-president, and Michelle Griffis, branch manager at the Lapeer Main branch, 948 South Main Street.

Mr. Chown presented a check for $3,000 to the team and the team’s advisor, Mr. George Mavis, industrial arts teacher at Lapeer East High School.

Students demonstrated the new robot which will compete with dozens of area robotics teams in a game of robot soccer. Each FIRST Robotics team receives an identical kit of electronic parts and a set of rules describing the game in January and then has six weeks to design and assemble the robot.

Students get technical advice and mentoring from Mr. Diodato and Mr. Mavis, but are responsible for building the robot.

“The students all have great ideas,” Mr. Diodato said.

In addition to fun, the six week build period has a serious side for Diodato who has hired three former Lapeer East graduates and former robotics team members for his business.

“It’s really like a six week job interview,” Mr. Diodato said. Other graduates have gone on to study engineering at Kettering University.

The competition events bring family, friends and many fans, said Mr. Mavis.

(Photo: Lapeer East Robotics Team. Rick Chown, vice-president of PNC Bank (in suit) presents a check for $3,000 to the team. Mr. George Mavis (far left teacher and advisor) and continuing sponsor Tony Diodato of CCS Robotics (far right) pose with the team)

“It’s a basketball game atmosphere,” said Mr. Mavis. “Bring you ear plugs.”
With a successful result at District competitions at Kettering or Ann Arbor on March 11, 12 and 13, the Lapeer East team will move on to State competition at Eastern Michigan University April 1, 2, 3. The national FIRST competition will be held in Atlanta April 15, 16 and 17 at the Georgia Dome.

Lapeer East senior Katy Peacock inks commitment with Rochester College

Surrounded by her family and coaches, Lapeer East High School senior Katryna “Katy” Peacock signed her intent to play softball for Rochester College at a ceremony in the East media center Wednesday (February 24) afternoon.

(Photo caption: Photo from left: East coach Ray Reid, Macomb Explosion Coach Mike Downey, pitching coach Robert Dunham, father and coach, Don Peacock, mother, Lori Peacock, Rochester College Coach Justin Lewis and seated, Katy Peacock.)

Katy, a versatile offensive and defensive player, was honored in 2009 as an Academic All-State player and a Flint Metro League all Conference Honorable Mention player.

In addition to her outstanding athletic ability, Katy has scored well in the classroom as well with a 4.0 grade point average and a 31 ACT score, achieving High Honors each of her high school years. She has also served as President of the 2010 National Honor Society at East and is Senior Class Council vice-president.

Rochester College coach Justin Lewis spoke of Katy’s anticipated impact as both a player and a student at the ceremony.

“At Rochester College we are seeking to improve athletics and academics and Katy is the epitome of a student athlete,” Mr. Lewis said. “We are going to get a great player and a great student. It is the best of the best in both.”

East softball coach Ray Reid also praised Peacock for more than her softball ability.

“Her real strength is her work ethic, Coach Reid said. “Katy is very committed to the game and very committed to learn. She has a good glove and a good bat, she is definitely going to be an asset to Rochester College.”

In addition to Coaches Reid and Lewis and her father/coach Don Peacock, Katy’s summer softball program coaches Mike Downey and Robert Dunham were on hand for the ceremony. Katy plays for the Macomb Explosion summer team.

Katy plans to major in medicine.

Snow day make-up for Middle School orientation is Monday at Rolland-Warner

The snow day make-up for the Middle School Orientation Program for parents of fifth graders going into sixth grade next fall is now Monday, March 1, 2010 at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

The 5 p.m. session is for parents of students at Maple Grove, Murphy and Mayfield Elementary Schools. The 6:30 p.m. session is for parents of students at Schickler, Seaton, Turrill and Lynch Elementary Schools.

Maple Grove students, parents experiment with science during monthlong program

Maple Grove Elementary School culminated a month long science experiment program with a special science night with parents and students in kindergarten through third grade.

Students and parents rotated through a series of science experiment tables during the event.

Starting on January 11, students in kindergarten through third grade participated in a four-week program called "Science-in-a-Sack."

Volunteers at each grade level bagged experiment worksheets and some needed materials into plastic bags for the lucky students. Students took a bag home each Monday during the period and conducted the enclosed experiment and returned the completed materials each Friday.

Lapeer West wrestlers score another winning season

Individually and as a team, members of the Lapeer West High School wrestling team are having a great year.

The team won the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division II District II Championship at North Branch High School on Thursday, February 11. Lapeer West defeated cross-town rival Lapeer East 34-32 to advance to the championship, then downed North Branch 48-24 to become district champs.

“Our team wrestled well in the district tournament,” Head Wrestling Coach Matt Nowak said. “Freshman Vann Spinney won his match against East for the victory. His match was the deciding match and he stepped up in a pressure situation. It was a great win for our program and a step in the right direction.”

Team members also are registering individual successes. Aaron Secrest pinned his way to the League title. On Saturday, February 13, he and Dean Somers, Adams Nichols, Dakota Carie, and Nate Irelan competed in the Individual District Competition. They advanced to the Regional Competition, to be held this Saturday, February 20, at Warren Fitzgerald High School in Warren, Michigan.

The team also competed Wednesday, February 17, in Team Regionals at Kearsley High School losing a touch match to perennial powerhouse Corunna High School.

Four Lapeer West wrestlers qualified at the Regionals to compete in the State meet: Nate Irelan (fourth place in the 135-pound division); Dean Somers (first place in the 103-pound division); Adam Nichols (fourth place in the 103-pound division); and Dakota Carie (third place in the 112-pound division).

Update on evening school activities

The Lapeer West boys’ and girls’ basketball games (all levels) against Holly will be played tonight as scheduled.

The Lapeer East boys’ and girls’ basketball games (all levels) against Fenton will be played tonight as scheduled.

Rolland-Warner Middle School orientation is cancelled tonight. The event will be rescheduled.

Tonight’s Lapeer West 8th grade band concert is cancelled.

The 7th/8th grade basketball game against Oxford at Zemmer at Rolland-Warner is cancelled.

Mayfield Elementary School’s Family Night is cancelled. The event will be rescheduled.

Athletic practices are at the discretion of the coaches, but by school district policy are not mandatory.

The public review of the Family Life resources will be held in Conference Room B at the Adminstration and Services Center building, 250 Second Street tonight at 4 p.m. as scheduled.

City Recreation children's basketball practices are cancelled.

Lapeer schools close due to road conditions

Lapeer schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 23, due to poor back road conditions.

Family Literacy Center: Help with discipline problems at home or in the classroom

A press release from the Family Literacy Center:

Is discipline an issue in your home or classroom? Would you like to be more prepared when behavior problems arise?

Family Literacy Center will present “When the Chips Are Down”, a workshop on discipline and learning disabilities.

Learn strategies for improving your child’s behavior! At this 90 minute workshop we will view an outstanding DVD by Richard Lavoie, educator, administrator, author, and consultant. Gain advice on dealing with behavioral problems. Learn how to anticipate problems before they start! Discover how to create a stable learning environment!

This workshop is full of great information offered at no cost to you! The workshop will be held on:

Tuesday, March 16
12:30-2:00
OR
6:00-7:30
Mott College Lapeer, Room 206
550 Lake Dr., Lapeer, 48446

To register, call the Family Literacy Center at 810-664-2737, or register by email: ican@readlapeer.org. Visit Family Literacy Center on the web at: www.readlapeer.org. Family Literacy Center and the Lapeer District Library are partners for literacy in Lapeer County.

Tutoring Made Easy Workshop in March

Press release from the Family Literacy Center:

You want the best for your kids. You would sacrifice anything for them.

Would you set aside six hours that could change your child’s entire life?

If your child is struggling with reading, you can do something about it. Sign up now for Family Literacy Center’s workshop, “Tutoring Made Easy”. At this workshop you will learn tricks and strategies to help your child succeed. These really do work! The workshop is offered at no cost to you! Don’t let your child become one of the 1 in 5 adults who struggles with reading! Register today!

Friday, March 19
8:30-3:30
Mott College, Lapeer

Lunch and all materials are provided. Registration is required. Adults only, please. No childcare is provided. To register contact Family Literacy Center at 810-664-2737 or ican@readlapeer.org.

Visit Family Literacy Center on the web at www.readlapeer.org. Family Literacy Center and the Lapeer District Library are Partners for Literacy in Lapeer County.

Additional winter weather closings, cancellations or postponements

Due to winter weather, the following events scheduled for today are cancelled or postponed:

The Lapeer West 7th-8th grade basketball game versus Holly Middle School at Zemmer Junior High School at the Rolland-Warner building is cancelled. No make-up date has been scheduled.

The Rolland-Warner Middle School orientation program scheduled for this evening is postponed until tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23, at 5 and 6:30 p.m.

The Lapeer East 8th Grade Choir Choir concert scheduled for tonight at Lapeer East is postponed. No make-up date has been scheduled.

Athletic practices will be at the discretion of the coaches, but by school policy are not mandatory.

Schools closed today, Monday, February 22

Schools are closed today, Monday, February 22, due to winter weather.