Lapeer West students host Supreme Court justice

A group of about 60 Lapeer West students played host Sept. 23 to a visit by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Young Jr.

Juniors and seniors in Criminal Justice classes were joined by sophomore Civics students as Justice Young spent an hour or more explaining the workings of the state’s court system and fielding questions about the rule of law.

Justice Young was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1999 by Gov. John Engler and is seeking re-election to the high court in the upcoming Nov. 2 general election.

The visit to Lapeer West was arranged by Metamora attorneys Mike Nolan and Tim Turkelson.

Prior to the visit, students spent time in the media center doing independent research on the state’s court structure, getting background material about Justice Young and reviewing the role of the Supreme Court in the justice system and as one of the three branches of government.

During their research students found a number of topics that interested them. “I was very proud of their efforts and ability to question policies in Michigan,” said teacher Carol Noble.

“It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm in the research process. I particularly enjoyed listening to their private discussions concerning their understanding of a ruling and its enforcement.”

“They were thinking outside of the box,” said Noble. “Because there was no major grade attached to this research, I believe that gave them the freedom to read briefs that interested them without the fear of being wrong or working for a specific grade.”

While in Lapeer, Justice Young also paid a visit to a noontime luncheon with the Senior Citizen Police Academy sponsored by the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept. and taped an interview with Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh for the Lapeer County Crime Scene program, which aired Friday morning on WLCO-1530 AM.

Before-school program forming for Middle Schoolers

Kids and Company would like to offer a before-school program middle school students.
The program will be hosted at Rolland-Warner (Zemmer Middle School students will be shuttled from Rolland-Warner to Zemmer).

The cost for the program is $7 per day for child care from 6:30-9:00 a.m.

Students will be offered activities based on their interest such as games, crafts or gym activities.

We require a minimum number of 11 registered children in order to run the program. If you are interested, please call Kids & Company at (810) 667-2454 to be put on a program list.

Lapeer West 'clickers' featured on TV-25

Students at Lapeer West High School are excited about the new technology in their classroom that allows everyone to get involved.

A news team from WEYI-TV Channel 25 visited Lapeer West High School Sept. 23 to see the TurningPoint clickers in action.

TurningPoint technologies provides teachers today a way to get all students in the class involved in discussion. Mr. Richard Mayberry's biology class uses the TurningPoint clickers to answer questions in the classroom without having to deal with the embarrassment of giving the wrong answer.

The story aired at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, and on Friday, Sept. 24, morning news programs.
To view the story, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkLhwY6KF_U

Rolland-Warner students plant pinwheels for peace

Students at Rolland-Warner Middle School were part of a worldwide celebration of the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

Students lined the walkway near the entrance of the school with hundreds of pinwheels to mark the event.

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, who teach at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for their students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives.


The project was quickly embraced by their students and the entire school community and by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in our world.

The first Pinwheels for Peace were installed on Sept. 21, 2005. Since then, it has grown from 500,000 pinwheels planted the first year, to three million pinwheels in 2009!

Travel advisory for West football fans

Traffic heading into the Friday night (Sept. 24) Lapeer West football game at Swartz Creek will be impeded by the “Bikes to Bricks” motorcycle caravan, which is scheduled to travel down Miller Road through downtown Swartz Creek beginning at 7:00 p.m. (game time).

The caravan is expected to be 3 to 5 miles long. It begins north of I-69 and will be moving at a slow pace. Fans should plan to arrive at the game early to avoid being held up by this event.

East to host College Fair

Lapeer East High School will host its annual College Fair Wednesday, October 6, from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

More than 50 representatives from colleges, universities and technical schools will be present to answer questions regarding academic programs, admissions and financial aid. High school students and parents from the area are invited to attend.

You may call the Lapeer East Counseling Office at 810-667-2421, ext 3124, for Susan Wilmers for further information.

East Homecoming tickets on sale now

Lapeer East High School will be pre-selling football tickets for the homecoming football game which is on Friday, September 24, 2010. Tickets will be sold to the community in the Lapeer East Athletic Office from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting Monday, September 20, through Friday, September 24.

East students can purchase tickets during lunches starting Monday, September 20, through Friday, September 24.

Middle School PTC meets Thursday night at 6:30

The Rolland-Warner/Zemmer PTC will meet Thursday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Zemmer media center.

Video: Zemmer Middle School Ribbon Cutting

Video: Opening Day for teachers 2010

Procedure in place for receiving free athletic punch card

Consistent with MHSAA regulations, Lapeer Community Schools is expanding the opportunity to receive a free athletic punch card to all families of secondary students who receive free or reduced lunch.

Eligible families will receive a letter from the Lapeer Community Schools Operations Department informing them of their eligibility to receive one free punch card for the 2010-2011 school year.

Families who are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity will then present the letter to the secretary in the Operations Department, 250 Second St., Lapeer, who will give the family a punch card.

We are happy to be able to extend the opportunity for free attendance at Lapeer Community sporting events to the families of our community who have documented financial needs.


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East tennis coach notches 100th boys win

This is a synopsis of a story that appeared in the Sept. 10 Flint Journal

Lapeer East tennis coach Oscar Rodriguez notched his 100th win as a boys coach in a match with Lapeer West on Thursday, Sept. 9.

“It doesn’t feel any different, it’s like having another birthday," Rodriguez said. "It’s just another day.”

Rodriguez has led East's boys program to a 100-86-7 (.536) overall record since 1995.

He is the 22nd Flint-area tennis coach to reach the 100-win plateau coaching boys, the second from Lapeer.

The area record is held is by Rod McEachern, who tallied 338 dual-meet victories at Lapeer West and its precursor, Lapeer High, from 1958-89.

Rodriguez has an overall mark of 252-189-18 (.569), having led the Eagles' girls program to a 152-103-11 (.592) overall record since 1988.

The Flint native is only the eighth area coach to win 100 or more duals coaching boys and girls.

Thursday, East won three of the four singles flights — Nos. 1, 2, and 4 — and No. 4 doubles in three sets to beat the Panthers, 8-0, and improve to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Metro League. West fell to 0-2-1 in the Metro.

Capturing three-set victories for East were Henry Peabody (No. 1), Tony Wagner (No. 2), Aaron Marietta (No. 4) and Brandon Kelts and James Apfel (No. 4 doubles).

"I’m going to be around for a long time," Rodriguez said. "I love the opportunity and 'm having a great team. I'm glad I can say I coach at Lapeer East."

Zemmer hosts evening with Prosecutor Byron Konschuh

Zemmer Middle School will host an evening with Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh on Monday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. in the school cafetorium.

Konschuh’s discussion will focus on several topics that affect adolescents, including the use of cell phones, texting and social media such as Facebook and MySpace. He also will outline the legal ramifications of bullying and hazing. He will be joined by a representative of the Child Advocacy Center.

The presentation is open to the public and parents of all middle school students. It will include a question-and-answer session.

Visitors are asked to park in the rear parking lot and enter through the events entrance at the north end of the school at 1920 W. Oregon in Lapeer.

New Enrichment Classes for Middle School Students

Lapeer Community Schools 6th, 7th and 8th graders can stay active this fall by signing up for a variety of fun fall activities offered through City of Lapeer Parks and Recreation Dept. in cooperation with Lapeer Community Schools.
Sign-up is underway now for:
Flag Football
Flag Cheerleading
Soccer
Competitive Swim
Splash Swim Club
Competitive Dance
Art @ Gallery 194
Actors’ Gym
Ecology in the Parks
Kids’ Night Out

Call 810-664-4431 for details.

Some students qualify for free athletic Punch Cards

Student athletes in the Lapeer Community Schools who participate in the Free/Reduced price lunch program are eligible to receive one free athletic ticket Punch Card per season they play.

The program is designed to make it more affordable for families with documented financial need to attend school sporting events.

The cards can be used to purchase $50 worth of admission to school sporting events.
Each card provides 50 punches, worth $1 each, when paying for admission at the gate. The Punch Cards can be used at regular school sporting events within the Lapeer Community Schools, including both high school (except hockey) and middle school athletic contests.

Additional cards also are available for purchase by students, parents or community members at the school offices at Lapeer East High School, Lapeer West High School, Rolland-Warner Middle School, Zemmer Middle School and in the Operations Dept. at the Lapeer Schools Administration and Services Center. The cards are priced at $25 and can be used to purchase $50 worth of admission to school sporting events. That’s a 50% discount.

Cheering for Jamie

Just over two weeks ago, the Lapeer East Cross Country coaches, along with several team members and parents gathered at the Lake Orion track on a hot Sunday afternoon.
They were there to do what they have been doing for the past four years – cheering on Jamie Caminiti.

Jamie was there to complete a 1.5-mile time trial, competing for a $10,000 scholarship through the Boomer Esiason Foundation. In spite of the fact that the event had to be moved at the last minute from East to Lake Orion, all of these people made the effort to be there for Jamie.

“We cannot begin to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to everyone – coaches, team members and parents – for all of the support and encouragement that they have given to Jamie in her years at Lapeer East and for being a part of this special day for her,” noted Jamie’s parents, Joel and Sharon Caminiti.


Jamie won the scholarship by running the mile and a half in 9:32. The scholarship will go toward her studies at Cornerstone University, where she is a freshman this fall. The foundation annually awards this scholarship to two senior athletes across the nation with cystic fibrosis (one male, one female) with the best 1.5-mile time.

New school phone system

Thanks to the 2007 bond issue, the Lapeer Community Schools technology department has been busy this summer installing a new phone system.

Every building throughout the school district is involved in the upgrade, which brings a phone into every classroom. The new system was purchased with proceeds from the bond issue approved by District voters in 2007.

The new phones are connected to an internet-based network, which will allow anyone calling from within the District-wide system to contact any of our 400 classrooms and offices by dialing the 4-digit extension.

The new system also will allow teachers to check their school voice mail messages from home or any other outside location.

Most of the bugs have been worked out of the system in preparation for the start of school on Sept. 7. Normally the volume of calls increases with the start of school, so parents may occasionally have difficulty getting through. We ask for your patience.

The conversion to the new voice over internet protocol (VOIP) system provides greater access by staffers to phone communications and also will save the district thousands of dollars each year on its phone bills, explains Lapeer Community Schools Technology Director Nick Ward.

The upgrades to the phone system required a change in phone numbers for some locations in the Lapeer Community Schools. You can find an updated list of building phone numbers by visiting the District website at www.lapeerschools.org. Click on the Contact Us icon at the upper right.

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Many school starting times change

The school bell will be ringing one hour earlier for students in five of the District’s elementary schools this fall.
The “country” elementary schools (Lynch, Maple Grove, Mayfield, Murphy and Seaton) will now follow the same schedule as the “city” elementaries (Schickler and Turrill) to optimize the busing schedule across the district. All elementary school students, grades K-5, will start the day beginning at 8:07 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.
Middle school students in grades 6-8 at both Rolland-Warner and Zemmer will attend classes from 9:07 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The starting times at the District’s three high schools (Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community) remain the same. East and West students attend classes from 7:25 a.m. to 2:07 p.m. Community High School students go from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.

Zemmer to be open for student tours

Zemmer Middle School will be open for tours Aug. 26 and 30, and Sept. 1 and 2.
Parents and students will be able to tour the building on August 26 and August 30 after students pick up their schedules at Rolland-Warner.
Students also will be able to tour on September 1st from 4- 7 PM and also again on September 2 from 8 – 3.
State building officials have given the OK for the student visits prior to the opening of school on September 7.

Car Wash for middle schoolers

Rolland-Warner/Zemmer Middle School PTC group will be hosting a car wash fundraiser on Friday, August 27, 2010 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at The Farmhouse Restaurant on M-24 in Lapeer. In addition to the car wash, The Farmhouse will be donating a portion of their proceeds inside the restaurant during those hours back to the middle school PTC group. Car washes are by donation.

Discounts for athletic tickets

Students and parents can cheer their favorite teams to victory and save money as well by purchasing a Lapeer Community Schools athletic Punch Card.

The cards are priced at $25 and can be used to purchase $50 worth of admission to school sporting events. That’s a 50% discount.

Each card provides 50 punches, worth $1 each, when paying for admission at the gate. The punch cards can be used on any school sporting event within the Lapeer Community Schools, including all high school and middle school athletic contests.

Cards are available for purchase at the school offices at Lapeer East High School, Lapeer West High School, Rolland-Warner Middle School, Zemmer Middle School and in the Operations Dept. at the Lapeer Schools Administration and Services Center.

Zemmer orientation moves to Rolland-Warner

Because of construction complications, plans to open the new Zemmer Middle School to student tours on Aug. 26 and Aug. 30 have been cancelled.

The building will not be open to students until the first day of school on Sept. 7.

Zemmer students will be able to pick up their class schedules and orientation packets from noon to 7 p.m. on Aug. 26 (last names from A-L) and Aug. 30 (M-Z) in the gymnasium at Rolland-Warner Middle School, 333 DeMille Boulevard, Lapeer. (Rolland-Warner students also will be able to pick up their schedules and orientation packets on the same days in the cafeteria.)

Only certified school district staff will be allowed into Zemmer prior to a state fire and building inspection, scheduled to take place on Sept. 2. No students, parents or other members of the public can enter the building until the inspections take place.

Both the state fire marshall and the state building inspector will not be able to visit Zemmer until Sept. 2 because of scheduling conflicts.

“We want to assure parents and all of our students that we will provide plenty of support for students to find their classrooms and navigate our new building on the first day of school," said Zemmer Middle School Principal Matt Olson.


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Elementary school buildings open Aug. 23

Because of ongoing construction in the District, all Lapeer Community Schools elementary buildings will not be open until Monday, August 23.
Thank you for your patience.

New hockey coach at Lapeer West

Lapeer West High School has named Brian Macdonald as its new varsity hockey coach.

The veteran player and coach has been involved with hockey for nearly four decades, beginning as a player on the 1974 State Championship Detroit Catholic Central team, followed by three years of play with the University of Michigan-Dearborn hockey team, which made it to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship finals.

Lapeer West Athletic Director Mary Haslinger noted, ”I am excited that Brian has accepted the coaching position, and I am confident that he is the right coach to lead Lapeer West toward contention for a Flint Metro League Championship.”

His coaching career began at Brother Rice High School, and he has been a coach in the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA), coaching young players from Mites through Bantams, since 1996.

Macdonald lives in Lapeer and served as an assistant coach in the Lapeer East hockey program for six years, where his son played for four years.

Macdonald says he is excited about the coming season. “We will have a winning attitude,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the kids. I want to see them work hard and help them improve their skills.”
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Ribbon cutting at Zemmer Middle School

Lapeer Community Schools will celebrate the completion of construction on the second of its two new middle schools at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at 6 p.m. August 12 at Zemmer Middle School, 1920 W. Oregon, Lapeer.

Lapeer voters approved a $56.7 million bond issue in 2007, a portion of which financed the renovation of the former Zemmer Junior High School into a new middle school. Construction of the new Rolland-Warner Middle School was completed last fall, expanding the facilities at the former Woodside School. This fall will mark the first time the two new schools will house 6th, 7th and 8th grade students with new, innovative middle school programs.

“We are extremely happy to be able to open these new facilities,” said Debbie Thompson, Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent. “Wired from top to bottom for today’s technology and the technology of the future, these two campuses are ready to serve the students of Lapeer for generations.”

LCS student MME scores show improvement

LAPEER ¬– For the third year in a row, Lapeer Community Schools 11th graders have shown improvement on the statewide Michigan Merit Exam, which includes the ACT college entrance test.

District-wide, scores for the 552 high school juniors who took the test were 55% in Math (up 6 points), 74% in Reading (up 10 points), 67% in Science (up 10 points), 89% in Social Studies (up 3 points) and 46% in Reading (up 4 points). Scores in all subject areas tested were above the state average, and showed continued improvement over the last three years.

“We’re pleased that our student scores have continued to increase,” said Kim Seifferly, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Lapeer Community Schools. “We remain focused on providing the needed curriculum and teacher development to help all of our students achieve.”

The MME scores were released by the Michigan Department of Education late last week. The test is given each spring to the state’s 11th grade students. Testing takes place over three days. During the testing period, students take the ACT Plus Writing college entrance exam, three portions of the WorkKeys employability skills assessment and additional items in mathematics, science and social studies needed to complete the assessment to meet Michigan standards.

In addition to information provided by the MME to meet state and federal requirements, schools are provided Parent Reports that show a student's performance on the tests. Schools will provide to parents the printed Parent Reports when students return to class this fall.

MME results also provide students with an opportunity to obtain, at no cost to the student, college reportable ACT scores needed for admission to most colleges and universities.

Student scores for individual school districts are available on the internet: https://oeaa.state.mi.us/oeaa/.

Kenneth Janczarek is new Principal at Schickler Elementary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Traci Chouinard named Acting Principal at Seaton Elementary School

The Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Traci Chouinard as the Acting Principal at Seaton Elementary School.

Mrs. Chouinard has worked as a teacher in the Lapeer Schools for the last six years and moves to her new job after serving as a second and third-grade teacher at Murphy Elementary School. She has also been a first-grade teacher at Mayfield Elementary and taught early fives and kindergarten at both Irwin and Hadley Elementary Schools.

She replaces Cindi Niblack, who retired at the end of the school year in June.

A lifelong resident of Lapeer County and a graduate of Lapeer East High School, Mrs. Chouinard earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan-Flint and a master’s degree in elementary reading and literacy from Walden University. She also holds an associate’s degree in childhood development from Mott Community College.

Before she began her tenure with the Lapeer Community Schools she co-founded and, for seven years, served as the director of the Little Miracle Early Childhood Center in Metamora.

She and her husband, Chris, live in Metamora with their two children, Emily and Kyle. “As a family, we believe in supporting our community, and we’re involved in many activities.”

Board of Education elects officers for 2010-2011

Next year’s Board of Education officers will look the same as the previous year after Board members selected new officers for the 2010-2011 school year.

Bill Laidlaw is President, Peggy Bush is vice-president and John Nugent is secretary.

The Board also kept its regular meeting schedule of the first and third Thursday of the month. The first meeting is designated as the regular meeting and the second meeting will be the work session. Two exceptions are the July work session will not be held and the regular meeting scheduled in April 2011 will be held the last Thursday of March due to spring vacation.

Board meetings and the locations are available on the District website at lapeerschools.org and are posted at the Administration and Services Center, 250 Second Street in Lapeer.

Budget adjustments approved at Board of Education meeting

To address a $4.6 million budget shortfall caused by rollbacks in State funding for the past years and rising costs in health care and retirement the Board of Education approved a series of budget adjustments Wednesday to balance the budget.

Some of those adjustments will affect high school families with a small increase to high school parking fees, the elimination of family athletic passes and strict adherence to pay-to-play numbers for athletic teams.

Families will still be able to buy athletic punch cards that will allow entry to sporting events at a discount rate.

Strict adherence to minimum athletic participation numbers for teams is expected to save $50,000. In the past, teams with below the minimum number of students were provided but in the future the District will adhere to the minimum numbers based on the pay-to-play receipts on a specific payment deadline.

It will also cost high school students an additional 25 cents per week to park at the high schools as student parking fees were increased to $30 per year.

In addition to a number of budget cuts for the 2010-2011 year, the Board also downgraded an administrative position in the Business Office as part of the effort to eliminate the budget shortfall.

These actions were in addition to savings from teacher retirements, employee contract concessions, elimination of certain support staff positions, the postponement of bus purchases and a withdrawal of $1.7 million from the District’s savings, among other budget saving measures.

Video: Lapeer East Band - Senior Awards

Video: Mr. Steve Burns performs with the Lapeer East Band at Spring Concert

Video: Lapeer West Spring Band Concert - Hightlights

Some highlights from the 2010 Spring Lapeer West Band Concert. Enjoy!

Video: Lapeer West Spring Band Concert and Awards

Enjoy this edited version of the 2010 Lapeer West Spring Band Concert. The full video will be available on Charter Cable at various times during the summer and fall.

Video: Talented and Gifted activities of 2009-2010

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

Video: Mayfield Elementary activities 2009-2010

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

Meet Mr. Scott Roper, Lapeer East's new Principal

Mr. Scott Roper, Principal at Brown City Junior/Senior High School for the past five years, is the new Principal at Lapeer East High School.

Current Lapeer East High School Principal Kelly Paige is retiring at the end of the school year.
Mr. Roper’s education career began as a middle school teacher in Danville, Illinois 13 years ago. Later he became a middle school teacher, then high school teacher and basketball coach at Schoolcraft Community Schools near Kalamazoo.

He obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in English from Illinois State University. Mr. Roper also serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and committees for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

In addition to enjoying his family and friends, Mr. Roper is a fan of the outdoors and enjoys hunting, fishing, snowmobiling as well as landscaping, gardening and a recent interest in golf.

“I am a big fan of high school sports and activities, and I look forward to supporting the students at Lapeer East in their various programs of interest,” Mr. Roper said. “Lapeer Community Schools has many great traditions including its commitment to academics.

“It is evident that there is a dedication to provide a school environment which promotes academic, social, and emotional growth. I look forward to collaborating with the staff, students, parents, and community members of Lapeer East in our quest to raise student achievement and promote life-long learning through opportunities which inspire and challenge our students to reach personal, academic, social, and career goals.”

“We are pleased to welcome this dedicated educator to Lapeer East and to our District,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.

Lapeer Community High School honors Top Graduates

The photos of the Top 3 Lapeer Community High School graduates and the bios are now available for viewing at the photo gallery.

Congratulations to these graduates!

Beat the Heat! Summer fun at the Polar Palace

Press Release from the Polar Palace:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Beat the Heat Inside the Polar Palace this Summer

Lapeer, MI -- As the temperatures begin to soar into the 90's this summer, inside Polar Palace's state-of-the-art ice skating center will remain cool.

Preschoolers as young as 3 years old can come in from the heat and enjoy the ice with Polar Palace's Mice on Ice Program.

"This Learn-to-Skate program acts as a one hour skating party combining on- and off-ice activities to help children become comfortable on the ice," stated Wayne Alexander, General Manager. "It also provides time for building their socialization skills with a craft and snack time."

Emphasis is placed on familiarizing the preschooler with the ice by teaching them how to stand, march, fall down and get up. Upon completion of the Mice-On-Ice program, skaters will be ready to move on to Snow Plow Sam 2-3, Rink Rats or Basic Hockey class.

For all non-preschoolers through adult, the Lapeer Skating School will continue to host its 6-week Learn-to-Skate program beginning June 14 through July 29. The United States Skating Structure will include Snow Plow Sam 1-3, Basic Skills 1-8 and Freestyle 1-6 classes -- your choice of Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.

The skating team is also very excited to offer a "Bridge Program" to their list of skating offerings this summer. This program is designed for the serious skater wishing to take their abilities to new levels through concentrated disciplines including Moves in the Field, Ice Dancing, Stroking Techniques, etc. as well as learning the proper ice etiquette in becoming a true figure skater.

The class focus remains fun, however, with solid technique building. Skaters interested in future Club skating, competitions, private instruction would benefit immensely from this type of Bridge Program. Freestyle Drop-In is also available and recommended for this level skater...whether practicing on their own or with a private instructor.

Does your skater like skating in unison? If yes, Polar Palace's Synchro Clinic is for him/her. Trained instructors will provide an introduction to synchronized skating (formerly called precision team skating) for those skaters interested in discovering this wonderful spectators' sport. This clinic is designed to teach skaters to skate in unison, similar to line dancing or a chorus line. Skaters under 16 years of age interested in enrolling for this clinic must have solid basic skills ie. Skater must be at a Basic Skills 2 or above and a USFS member. If not a USFS member, a $10 membership fee will be required.

Got coffee and cocoa? The Polar Palace does! The Coffee & Cocoa Club Skate is open to all adults and their children and/or grandchildren wishing to step in from the "heat" and use the ice as their path to "cool" fitness and fun. Membership includes skate rental, coffee or cocoa, bagel or muffins and logo'ed travel mug. Trained Skating Instructors will be available during this open session "floating around the ice" offering tips and suggestions to improve your skate. This is a fun and casual environment and all levels of skaters are welcome. Club members can enjoy coffee or cocoa in their new logo'ed mug before or after their skating fun. (Children 5 and under skate free).

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, skating around the rink in circles is healthful. But, when combined with the basic skills of skating, which include forward and backward crossovers, turning, stopping and changing feet, the health benefits increase tremendously.

So, consider stepping in from the "heat" this summer with Polar Palace's many "cool" skating offerings. For specific program details, please call the rink's office via 810-245-7778 or visit www.polarpalace.com. On-line registrations are welcome.

Lapeer West B-ball standout Anthony Sisson signs commitment with Henry Ford Community College

Lapeer West High School graduating senior and star basketball guard Anthony Sisson has inked a commitment to play at the next level for Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn next season.

Anthony averaged 13.3 points per game this season with a season high game of 25 points. A key 3-point shooter for the Panthers’ basketball team, Anthony hit 36 of 109 attempts from the 3-point stripe for a 33 percent average.

He tallied 42 steals this past season and was listed among the All Flint Metro League players. Flint Journal had a brief story today.

On Thursday, June 10, he joined his head varsity basketball coach, Andy Roberts, for a signing ceremony in the Lapeer West Media Center.

East, West golf coaches offering a summer 2010 Lapeer Junior Golf League

Varsity golf coaches from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High Schools, Mr. Steve Stearns and Mr. Mike Ogg, are offering the 2010 Lapeer Junior Golf League for young people, ages 10 through 17, who live or go to school in Lapeer County starting June 18 at the Lapeer Country Club.

The total cost of the league is $50 and includes eligibility to play in six qualifying rounds to enter a season tournament. The tournament will be set up in flights depending on the number of entrants per division. Golfers must play at least three qualifying rounds to be eligible to win the Net divisions of the tournament.

Qualifying rounds will be played at the Lapeer Country Club on Fridays, June 18, June 25, July 9, 16, 23, and 30. The tournament will be played on Friday, August 6, with a rain date of August 13. Tee times will range from 6:30 a.m. to 7;30 a.m. and participants should be at the course 20 minutes ahead of their tee time.

The parent/guardian of each participant is asked to be available to observe at least one qualifying round.

For more information or to obtain an enrollment application contact Mr. Stearns at (810) 664-0288 or Mr. Ogg at (810) 577-7108.

Summer sports physicals clinic offered

An annual clinic for sports physicals is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 4 at the Lapeer Regional Physical Therapy Center, 1057 Suncrest Drive. The physicals will continue until everyone waiting for one is done.

Cost is $20 and is for Lapeer Community School students in 7th-12th grades only.

Sports physicals at this clinic are required to be done on the Lapeer Regional Physical Form. Forms will be available at the therapy center. Forms will also be available all summer at the Administration & Services Center, 250 Second Street in Lapeer as well as Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Rolland-Warner Middle School until they close for the summer on June 21.

Sports physicals for participation in the 2010-2011 school year must be signed by a parent or guardian and must be dated on or after April 15, 2010.

District to provide free summer breakfast, lunch at two locations

School is ending for the year, but Lapeer Community Schools will not close the doors on those who need help getting nutritional meals.

The district will provide free breakfast and lunch at two locations on weekdays to all people 18 and younger beginning this month and continuing into August. The only exception is no meals will be served on Monday, July 5. The schedule for meals is as follows:

Rolland Warner
June 21 to Aug. 20
Breakfast: 7:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Lapeer Rec Center June 14 to Aug. 20
Breakfast: 8:15 a.m.- 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.

All meals are free to all individuals 18 and under, whether or not they attend Lapeer schools. Parents may drop young people off or can stay and eat with them for a small charge. Breakfast for adults is $1.50 and lunch is $2.50

The program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, is designed to ensure young people have nutritious meals throughout the summer and comes during a particularly difficult time for Michigan’s economy and workers.

This is the third year for the free summer meal program. In its first year, the district served more than 12,000 breakfast and lunch meals during the summer months

Matt Olson named Principal of Zemmer Middle School

An experienced administrator who believes middle school students have unique educational needs has been named principal of Zemmer Middle School.

Matt Olson, currently principal at Sherman Middle School and Richert Intermediate School in the Holly School District, will begin his new job with Lapeer Community Schools on July 1, 2010.

Mr. Olson said he was interested in the Zemmer position because his philosophy matches that of the district in terms of educating middle school students.

“I am a middle school guy through and through,” Mr. Olson said. “When I saw what Lapeer was doing and the groundwork in the program they are establishing, all the effort to create a true middle school that is not older elementary school or young high school, I wanted to join.

“I believe they (middle school students) are truly unique and have unique needs. The district feels the same way.”

Lapeer is launching a new middle school program designed to be a better bridge between the elementary and high school years and to help students prepare and meet the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements for high school graduation. Mr. Olson said he is eager to become involved in that program.

“I am incredibly excited about this,” he said. “It’s a great position and I can’t wait to start.”

Mr. Olson earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan-Flint and earned his master’s degree in educational administration from Michigan State University. He currently is pursuing an educational specialist degree from Oakland University.

He also has worked in the Mt. Morris and Carman-Ainsworth school districts.

Students sew dresses for Africa as class project

Lapeer East eighth grade sewing students have been finishing up a final exam project that will mean something to their grades, but more to some young girls in Africa who will be the beneficiaries of the hand made pillowcase dresses made by the students.

Last year’s students created about 60 of the dresses, but this year’s students will make and ship about 100 of the creations for the http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/ project.

The sewing students are working in teams to ‘fancy up’ the pillowcases with lace, ribbon and bows. Students must use many sewing skills, like elastic casings and making armholes to finish the dresses.

“This is a wonderful way to test the skills of my students and perform a worthwhile public service project at the same time,” said Lapeer East Life Management teacher Miss Terry Brennan.

Photos of the project are available at the photo gallery.

Lynch students lobby State Representative Kevin Daley for State dragonfly designation

A group of third-graders at Lynch Elementary School received a surprise visit from State Representative Kevin Daley Monday so they could personally lobby him for an issue that has been ‘bugging’ them.

Students in Mrs. Gail Hale’s class wrote letters to Rep. Daley, which they had a chance to present to him in person during his surprise visit, about making the dragonfly the official insect of Michigan.

Last year, Mrs. Hale discovered that Michigan was one of only four states without an official insect. The third-graders were presented with the challenge of researching and then lobbying their State Representative on the issue.

Part of the third grade curriculum includes an outdoor education visit to Skinner Lake where water samples are collected and examined for various life forms. One of the most common underwater findings are dragonfly nymphs which soon climb out of the water to shed their exoskeleton and fly away. (Photo above is Rep. Daleyand students Chase DeLong and Brittany Beck)

Students peppered Rep. Daley with dragonfly facts during his visit. Photos are available on the District photo gallery.

As adults the dragonflies lay eggs in the water and their life cycle is repeated. The third graders from Lynch brought back samples of the dragonfly nymphs to the classroom where they observed this process before releasing the dragonflies outdoors. The experience with this event made the dragonfly their perfect choice for Michigan’s state insect.

This is the second year that the Lynch third graders have written to Representative Daley and now they may have the opportunity to actually visit Lansing to formally present their request.

“The students are excited about this prospect and look forward to learning more about how they can play an active role in our government’s procedures,” said Mrs. Hale.

Three Lapeer sports teams advance in the post season

Lapeer East girls' soccer and boys' baseball continue their already successful seasons. Last night the girls' soccer team defeated Warren Regina in a thrilling 1-0 match. The Flint Journal has great photos and a story. The team now faces a tough challenge facing Birmingham Marian Thursday night in the Regional championship game. Photos and story in The County Press.

Lapeer West softball defeated Lapeer East and Grand Blanc last Saturday and advanced to the next level Saturday, June 12, against Flint Kearsley. The County Press has some great coverage as well.

Lapeer East baseball downed Brandon last Saturday to win the District title and advance. The County Press had photos and story in Wednesday's paper.

Schickler performs "Gotta Keep Reading"

Top 10 Graduates from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School announced

Following the links to photos and biographies of the Top 10 from Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School. We're still waiting on photos from Lapeer Community High Schools Top 3. They will be posted next week.

Summer building hours, closings set

The Administration & Services Center will begin summer office hours on Monday, June 14. The building will be open from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

Regular business hours of 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM will resume on Monday, August 23.

All District school buildings, with the exception of the Administration & Services Center and the bus garage, will close to the public on June 21. Bus garage hours will be 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning June 14.

District administration proposes $3 million in budget cuts to Board of Education

A budget recommendation to cut $3 million from the 2010-2011 District budget, which includes large cost items like contracted food service, a reduction in bus driver hours due to a change in middle school and elementary school schedules and many smaller cuts, will be discussed further at the June 17 Board of Education meeting.

In addition to retirements, the District also proposes saving $500,000 by not replacing five teachers and another $210,000 by reducing the number of new buses purchased.

Other recommended cuts include, reducing and restructuring administrative staff at central office, eliminating auxiliary secretaries at the elementary schools and reducing custodial costs through contracting services as current employees retire.

Smaller cuts are also proposed like allowing parents to choose paper or electronic copies of school mailings, an expected savings of $11,300. That leaves the District spending about $1.5 million from the District’s fund equity.

Board members requested additional budget information and further discussion before making a final decision.

A special Board of Education meeting will be set to adopt the budget following the June 17 discussion. By State law a budget must be in place by June 30.

Youth basketball camp scheduled at Lapeer West High School gym on June 14-17

Improved ball handling, shooting and strong defensive fundamentals will be the focus of a Lapeer West Boys’ Basketball Camp in the Lapeer West High School gym from 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. on June 14-17.

Head West varsity basketball coach Andy Roberts, his coaching staff and varsity West players will also help develop teamwork skills and help students learn to play at a higher level.

The camp is aimed at students who will be in grades 6-9 next year, but fifth graders are also welcome.

Cost for the camp is $25 and registration will be at the door.