Lapeer Community Schools is a dynamic community organization embracing our students with a quality learning environment, developing independent and confident learners for the future.
Lapeer West High School students rolled up their sleeves last week to give the gift of life in the school’s semi-annual Blood Drive.
The West Student Council hosted the American Red Cross Bloodmobile on Friday, December 3, and 52 students signed up to give blood, surpassing the goal for the day. By the end of the day the Genesee-Lapeer Chapter of the American Red Cross had collected 36 pints of blood.
The next Red Cross blood drive at the school is set for March 30.
The Red Cross explains that there is a critical need for blood donors right now. “In fact, someone is counting on you at this very moment to give the gift of life,” notes a Red Cross spokesperson. All blood types are needed, but type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage.
Anyone interested in donating blood can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation to find a convenient blood donation location and to schedule a lifesaving blood donation appointment.
Photo caption: Red Cross Nurse Dawn Moos checks on Senior Chris Collins. Red Cross Nurse Garry Hamm is cataloging blood in the background.
Lapeer Community High School Principal Kevin Walters believes strongly in the Lapeer Community Schools alternative education program.
He was a featured presenter last month at a statewide conference in East Lansing sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education.
The conference was attended by a group of more than 200 teachers, counselors, social workers and administrators. Walters presented a session on the important role of Alternative Education within the Response to Intervention, a concept designed to provide support to all students, with increased interventions and strategies for students that require more intense support in finding academic success.
“Quality alternative programming, with a commitment to Total Quality Management, has the power to provide a model of genuine success for ALL students”, Walters told his fellow educators.
His November 2nd presentation outlined strategies and approaches in practice at Lapeer Community High School that challenge existing mindsets about alternative education.
“Our Board of Education has continued to place both priority and high expectations for all students, including those in the alternative setting. The commitment to a beautiful facility at Cramton and the presence of high-tech classrooms represents a point of pride for the district and community of Lapeer. The staff at Community High School takes that commitment and our responsibility seriously and, in turn, models those priorities and high expectations for our students on a daily basis”.
“The perceptions of old as it relates to alternative education are being replaced by the reality that our alternative education program is a viable high school setting, flexible to the learning styles of our students and small enough to individualize the educational journey. Many students find academic success for the first time within our program.”
In our current state of High School Reform, the importance of alternative education programs across the state will become more and more evident. We all bear responsibility to educate all students in an effort to prepare them to be productive and contributing members of society. The statewide conference offered an opportunity to highlight the commitment of Lapeer Community Schools to that vision.
Please take the time to stop in at Lapeer Community High School, Cramton campus and visit the program.
Photo caption: LCHS Principal Kevin Walters with students Kayla Borror and Sarah Emmons.
With the start of the winter sports season, we would like to remind everyone to get your athletic punch cards to help reduce the cost of attending Lapeer Community Schools’ sporting events.
A punch card costs $25 and is good for $50 worth of entry fees for all LCS home events (including Hockey) except MHSAA sponsored tournament events.
For even more savings, if you purchase five (5) at one time in the Operations Department at the Administration and Services Center, you’ll get an additional punch card free.
In addition to the Administration and Services Center, punch cards also are available in the High School and Middle School offices.
Good sportsmanship continues to be a high priority among Flint Metro League schools.
Instances of unacceptable sportsmanship are rare among league members, due in large measure to the proactive work of FML athletic directors and coaches. Positive reinforcement of outstanding sportsmanship continues with the league's long-standing recognition program. Every FML coach is asked to name the league opponent that showed the best sportsmanship during the recently concluded fall season.
Nine varsity teams from Lapeer high schools -- five at Lapeer West and four at Lapeer East -- were selected by opposing coaches for showing the best sportsmanship for the fall season of 2010:
At Lapeer West: Volleyball (selected by three opponents) Boys Cross Country (selected by two opponents) Girls Cross Country (selected by one opponent) Girls Swim (selected by one opponent) Boys Tennis (selected by one opponent)
At Lapeer East: Girls Cross Country (selected by three opponents) Boys Soccer (selected by two opponents) Boys Tennis (selected by two opponents) Girls Swim (selected by one opponent)
For these teams to be considered the “Best of the Best” in sportsmanship by any opponent is noteworthy. Being chosen by more than one opponent is exemplary.
Congratulations are in order for these Lapeer East and Lapeer West athletes and their coaches on a job well done this fall season.
The Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education is conducting a survey to help guide it in the selection of a new superintendent for the District. The online survey will be accessible from the District website from now through mid-January.
School Board members expect that the survey will result in input from throughout the community that will provide valuable guidance as they select a new superintendent. The survey will take less than ten minutes to complete. It is anonymous and confidential.
“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to stress the importance of this input from our staff and throughout our community,” said LCS Board President Bill Laidlaw. “The more input we get will help us make a better decision. It’s important that the entire community has a voice in this important decision about our schools.”
The survey asks respondents to identify, in general, their relationship to the District (for example as a parent, student, staffer or other community member).
It then asks respondents to select from a list the greatest strengths of the District, the most important challenges facing the District, the most important goals for the District in the next three to five years and the most important attributes required for the next Lapeer Community Schools superintendent.
Space is also provided for comments and any other items the Board should consider in its superintendent search.
The online survey is available on the District website (www.lapeerschools.org) by clicking on the “Superintendent Search Survey” button on the right side of the home page. If you do not have access to a computer, you can access one at any public library or contact Karen Rowden at the Board offices at 810-538-1604 to set up a time to use a District computer to complete the survey.
The School Board is seeking a new superintendent to replace current Superintendent Debbie Thompson, who is retiring in June at the end of 2010-11 school year. The veteran educator has served the District as its superintendent since August 2005.
Lapeer West senior trumpeter Tim Waelde has been selected to perform with the All-State High School Band at the Michigan Music Conference on January 22 at Devos performance hall in Grand Rapids.
All-state band members had to endure a rigorous audition that included required music, scales, and sight reading. A selected panel of judges listened to recordings of all auditions to make the final selections. Students auditioned statewide for this event.
Lapeer West students donned their aprons and added big smiles as they “took over” the Applebees Restaurant on DeMille in Lapeer at a Sunday-morning fundraising breakfast for Project Graduation.
The pancakes and sausages were cooked up by volunteer Applebees Manager Maggie Edgette and served up by the students. The restaurant opened its doors early for the special all-you-can eat breakfast service.
All proceeds from the November 21 event went to fund Project Graduation for West High School students. West High School’s post-commencement lock-in all-night party will take place June 5 from 10 pm to 5:30 am at the Zap Zone in Farmington.
A group of students at Lapeer West High School took advantage of some nice weather over the last couple of weeks to clean up the courtyards at the school.
West High Garden Club members were joined by National Honor Society members on Nov. 15 and 22.
The Garden Club is in its second year and works in cooperation with the women of the Lapeer Wildflower Garden Club, who have spent countless hours over the past few years working to beautify the courtyards at West.
The Wildflower Garden Club has planted trees, plants and cleaned up some neglected areas. They have added picnic tables, chairs and other garden features as well.
The student group has helped them in these efforts and has raised money to help fund the improvements. This fall’s clean-up involved Garden Club members and NHS members who wanted to help as well as earn community service hours.
All high school students in Lapeer Community Schools now have access to the Universal Free Breakfast program.
Beginning Nov. 16 free hot or cold morning meals were made available to the students at Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community high schools from 7:00-7:20 a.m. daily. All meals consist of milk, a fresh fruit or 100 percent juice drink, two breads or one bread and one protein.
Breakfast is a great way to start the day, said Food Service Director Scott Smith. “Research has shown that school breakfast is a tool for increased learning. Students who eat a morning meal earn higher test scores, are more attentive in class and have fewer hunger-related disruptive behaviors, proving that nutritional needs are part of the total educational process.”
With the addition of the high schools, all students in Lapeer Community Schools, from kindergarten through 12th grade are now participating in the Universal Free Breakfast program. The free breakfast program is a pilot project that will continue to the end of the school year in June. The breakfast program is supported with federal funding.
Based on participation and continued funding, District officials are hopeful that the program will continue for all K-12 students when school starts up again next fall.
The Lapeer Alumni Association inducted four new members into its Alumni Hall of Honor on Sunday, November 7, at an afternoon ceremony at the Lapeer East High School Auditorium.
Distinguished graduates for 2010 include Ronald L. Reamer, Class of 1955; Linda Moore Priestap, Class of 1963; Fr. David Parsch, Class of 1964; and Kevin M. Daley, Class of 1975.
Each year, the Lapeer Alumni Association honors a small, elite group of graduates from Lapeer Community Schools who are inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor. Nominees include any graduate from Lapeer Community Schools who has been out of school for at least 10 years.
The Alumni Hall of Honor selection committee includes members of the Alumni Association, a Lapeer Community Schools board member, school employees and community members.
Brief biographies of the four honorees: Ronald L. Reamer, Class of 1955. Ronald L. Reamer did so much for his Lapeer community. Mr. Reamer owned three businesses, chaired the Merchants Association, Red Feather, United Way, and held all leadership positions at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Ron served in the National Guard and directed the Desert Storm/Desert Shield support group. He served in leadership roles with the Boys Scouts for more than 30 years and was also active in 4-H, Church Youth and the Lapeer Anti-Drug Youth program.
Ron was a local PTC president for six years and served four years as a Lapeer Community Schools board member. He also was honored as the Lapeer Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Mr. Reamer died in 2008.
If it was for the community, Ron Reamer was in the front row.
Linda Moore Priestap, Class of 1963. Linda Moore Priestap taught vocal music and reading for 32 years and was selected LCS Distinguished Educator of the Year in 1992.
She was the musical director for performances of The King and I, Guys and Dolls and The Wizard of Oz. Linda is the chaplain for Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO), a national women’s group,and president of the Carolyn Mawby Chorale. She volunteers with Friends of the deAngeli Library and Sweet Dreams, a group who sews colorful pillowcases for seriously ill children at Hurley Hospital.
She is deeply involved in Goodfellows and the Holiday Depot. Linda raised two children, cared for her mother, and maintains a dedication to her community. She was involved with Kiwanis Kids and Kiwanis Kapers.
Linda served as Director of the First Presbyterian Church adult choir for 17 years. She also is a church Elder and worked on numerous committees. Since its inception Linda has gathered a group of “alumni” friends to open the Distinguished Alumni program with music. Fr. David L. Parsch, Class of 1964. Father Parsch is the eldest son of 2009 inductee Rod L. Parsch.
David graduated from Michigan State University, served in the U.S. Navy and was director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tuscola County. Called to the priesthood, he attended Catholic University in Washington, DC. Dave was ordained by the Catholic Church and has served the Saginaw Diocese since January 1980.
From his starring role in an entertaining production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to the 1,000 Leaders Initiative in Saginaw, to his 20 years as anchor of the WNEM-TV 5 television show Scope, Father David L. Parsch recognizes the goodness in all persons and leads by example in all aspects of his life. He is a true role model.
Rep. Kevin M. Daley, Class of 1975. One of nine children, Kevin Daley is a fourth-generation farmer in Lapeer County.
Never one to be idle, Kevin served politically on the Arcadia Township Board for 24 years, including 13 years as supervisor. As a board member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Michigan Milk Producers Association, the Farm Bureau and Lapeer County EMS, it was only natural that Kevin aspire to higher political calling and service.
In November 2008 and again in November 2010, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent Lapeer County. Kevin has excelled quickly and now serves on state House committees covering Agriculture, Labor, Governmental Operations and Great Lakes and the Environment. Residents of Lapeer County are well served with Kevin M. Daley as their voice in Lansing.
Photo caption:Distinguished Alumni honored were (from left) Ronald L. Reamer (deceased), represented by his wife Susan Reamer, Linda Moore Priestap, Father David L. Parsch and Kevin M. Daley. ###
Is homework a nightly battle at your house? Do you and your child end up yelling at each other while nothing gets done? What happens if you say you are taking away a treasured electronic toy? Does being grounded change behavior?
If any of these sounds like a regular occurrence in your home you need the relief that only "Tutoring Made Easy" can provide! Find out what you can do to end this struggle between you and your child! Enroll in Family Literacy Center's FREE workshop for parents and caregivers!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 9:30 am-3:30 pm Marquerite deAngeli Library 921 W. Nepessing Street Lapeer, 48446
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 simply reply to this email at ican@readlapeer.org. Give your name and phone number along with the date of the workshop you wish to register for.
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.
Four Lapeer East art students recently won awards in the “Halloween Horse” drawing contest sponsored by Coventry Realty in Metamora.
Courtney Lang, a senior at Lapeer East, won first prize for her hand-drawn poster and received a gift basket containing art supplies, gift cards, movies and popcorn. Other winners were senior Victoria Mullins, 2nd place, junior Erica Soroka, 3rd place, and senior Amelia Meerschaert, honorable mention. They also received art supplies from Coventry Realty.
Lapeer East art teacher Debbie Helbig, submitted artwork by 14 high school students in late October for the second annual drawing contest.
The art was on display at Coventry Realty on Halloween night during its annual Spooktacular Open House event. A total of 70 guests voted for their favorite poster to decide the winners.
The theme of the drawing contest this year was “Halloween Horse,” for which the students had to draw horses in Halloween costumes or with autumn themes. The horse-themed contest was designed to promote both the Village of Metamora, the heart of Hunt in Michigan’s Horse Country, and gave local art students an opportunity to exhibit their work with community recognition.
Photo captions: Top photo: Courtney Lang, a Lapeer East senior, won a gift basket for taking first place in the “Halloween Horse” drawing contest.
Bottom photo: The 14 students who submitted artwork for Coventry Realty’s Spooktacular open house pose with (far right) Karen Lemieux, marketing administrator, Carole Porretta, broker owner, and Debbie Helbig, Lapeer East art teacher. The students all received sketch pads for entering the contest.
Drama students from both Lapeer West and Lapeer East High Schools will perform Peter DeLaurier’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol November 19-21 at the Lapeer East High School Auditorium.
Doors will open at 6 pm on Friday and Saturday and 1 pm on Sunday for a special event: Cast members will be singing carols, and snacks will be available for a small donation.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Curtain time is 7 pm Friday and Saturday evening and 2 pm on Sunday afternoon.
Faithful to Dickens' beautiful language, this flexible adaptation of the beloved Christmas classic tells the heartwarming story of miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge. Mr. Scrooge is always cold-hearted, and Christmas is no exception -- that is, until the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, comes to warn him about the consequences of living a life of greed and materialism. Over the next three nights, Scrooge is visited by three other spirits who try to convince him that his selfishness will be his downfall. Is this enough to make the selfish old miser change his ways?
The play is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts Inc.
Attached is a letter regarding a suspicious incident that took place in Lapeer Township on November 12. This letter is going home with elementary and middle school students today. The information is read to the high school students.
Dear Parents, We were made aware late yesterday of a suspicious incident in Lapeer Township that has been reported to the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department.
A female student was walking in the area of Hunters Creek and Clark roads at about 4:15 p.m. on Friday, November 12, and was approached by a man in a 4-door silver Toyota who asked her if she needed a ride. The girl declined the ride, and the man left.
She later reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Department.
She described the driver as a younger Hispanic man with dark complexion. He was heavy-set and had very short black hair. She also gave the deputy a partial license plate number.
We are committed to protecting our students and know that you, as parents, will continue to teach your children how to best protect themselves and seek assistance if necessary. Please reinforce with your children the lessons about interacting with strangers and, of course, immediately notify the police or sheriff’s deputies if you see or hear anything out of the ordinary.
A class of about two dozen Rolland-Warner students got an up close and personal look at Lapeer County history last week as they hosted nine long-time area residents for some coffee and donuts and good conversation about the way things were when their special guests were in school.
Your Town is an oral history project that is part of a new elective history class at Rolland-Warner. It gives students a chance to take a more personal look at history and their community, said teacher Chris Hinkley.
The 25 students talked with long-time Lapeer area residents Jim Davis, Al Hart, Ed Oyster, Ardith Rowley, Ila Burris, Art Baldwin, Della Hammond, Doris Rolland and Abi Warner. The school is named after Doris Rolland, the former principal of Woodside School, which is now the site of Rolland-Warner, and Ronald Warner, a former teacher and administrator in the Lapeer Community Schools and the husband of lesson guest Abi Warner.
Students queried theirs guests on a number of topics, including the differences between their childhood and the lives of children today. They also compared recreation, transportation, a typical day, stores and shops, types of jobs, the economy and what school was like a half century ago.
Students also asked about the common activities and sports played by children then, what chores were typical for children and memorable events from their childhood. Students will turn their research into a report on the history of the Lapeer area.
In a note to Hinkley following the history lesson, Abi Warner complimented the students on their preparedness, how informed they were and their politeness. She added: “Your class was conducted in the tradition that would make Ronald Warner proud.”
The group of area residents was invited through the help of Lapeer County Historical Society President Bill Rykhus. Donuts were donated by Tim Horton’s though the efforts of parent and Tim Horton’s employee Pamela Cahilellis and coffee was provided by the Rolland-Warner food service staff.
The Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association has honored the 2010 Lapeer East Boys Tennis Team with the 2010 All Academic Tennis Team Award.
The award honors student athletes for their many hours of work and dedication in maintaining high academic achievement, as well as recognizing their athletic talents and competitive spirit.
With this accomplishment, they have brought honor to themselves, their school and our community.
Please congratulate East Boys Tennis Coach Oscar Rodriguez and the following athletes:
Henry Peabody Matt Wagner Aaron Marietta Drake Lamphere Ryan Herderich Justin Townsend Tyler McCleery Brad McCully Brad Bessette Alex Apfel James Apfel Brandon Kelts
The gyms at Rolland-Warner and Zemmer middle schools rocked last week as students were treated to concerts by national recording artist Britney Christian.
The November 9 concerts were part of the “Milk Rocks” tour that visited Michigan last week to promote the benefits of milk as a healthy alternative to less-nutritious beverages. The singer and her band set up for a morning concert at Zemmer, followed by an early afternoon concert at Rolland-Warner.
The concert was presented by Prairie Farms Dairy, Chartwells School Dining Services, which serves breakfast and lunch to students in the Lapeer Community Schools, and Evergreen Packaging, the nation’s largest producer of school milk cartons.
Christian is the official spokesperson for “Milk Rocks,” which stresses the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle and promotes milk.
Christian says she is very pleased to represent a product and a cause she believes in. “I’m really excited to be able to promote my music in a healthy way, and set a good example for others,” she says.
Premier banjo and guitar manufacturer Epiphone is a sponsorship partner in the campaign. The company presented custom Milk Rocks guitars to the music programs at both Zemmer and Rolland-Warner. Ten selected students also got a chance to get an inside peek at the Gibson tour bus that is used for the Milk Rocks concert tours.
Christian is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Southern California. She has more than 92,000 fans on MySpace and a tour schedule that takes her across the country as the spokesperson for the national "Milk Rocks" campaign. She is the winner of the Next American Star and her songs have been featured on MTV, Laguna Beach, Ghost Whisper, The Biggest Loser, Guiding Light and Radio Disney. She was seen on Disney's High School Musical: Get in the Picture and the Dreamworks/Nickelodeon film Hotel For Dogs.
Lapeer East Senior Amanda Stepp has signed a letter of intent to attend Northern Illinois University, where she has received a full-ride scholarship for gymnastics.
Amanda has been involved with gymnastics for the last 12 years and for the last five years has worked out with coaches at All American Flames Gymnastix in Port Huron.
“Northern Illinois is going to get a very good athlete” said Joe Scheible, one of her coaches at the Port Huron training facility. “Her determination in and out of the gym has been a trademark of her successful career, and we know it will serve her well deep into her bright future,” Scheible added.
Amanda says she’s pleased to be able to continue with gymnastics at the college level, noting that her favorite exercise is the vault. She plans to study nursing at Northern Illinois.
On Monday, Amanda joined with her parents and coaches for a signing ceremony in the Lapeer East High School Media Center.
Photo cutline: Amanda Stepp (seated) signed her national letter of intent to attend Northern Illinois University Monday surrounded by (from left) her father, Mike Stepp, coaches Sarah Morgan, Joe and Melinda Scheible and mother Robin Stepp.
Schickler Elementary teacher Nancy Abeare got a very pleasant surprise when she showed up for class on Oct. 5.
Waiting for her was a crew from Office Max in Rochester Hills, who brought with them $1,000 in school supplies for her classroom. The award was given to her as part of the company’s A Day Made Better event. “The award is given out to teachers because Office Max knows how important teachers are and what they do to support students,” said an Office Max spokesman.
“What a surprise! I felt honored and embarrassed to be singled out from the Schickler teaching staff. Many teachers spend extra hours and dollars to assist their students. We all want our students to reach goals and feel successful in school. It is so wonderful that Office Max is recognizing the teaching profession!”
The gifts included pencils, paper, staplers, tape, highlighters, dry erase markers, storage boxes, planners, pens, pencil sharpener, a digital camera and a whole raft of supplies to keep the classroom humming.
Office Max began the A Day Made Better program in October 2007, and since that time each year has surprised 1,000 teachers at 1,000 schools around the nation by donating approximately $1,000 worth of supplies to each of their classrooms. “We did this because it is estimated that teachers, together, spend about $4 billion of their own money to make sure their students have the supplies they need to learn. OfficeMax feels this is a problem that we can help solve,” said an Office Max spokesman.
This year about 30,000 OfficeMax associates surprised and honored more than 1,000 teachers at Title 1 schools across the nation with $1 million worth of classroom supplies. Nominated by their principals, teachers receive this honor for their exceptional contributions as an educator, demonstrating passion, innovation and dedication in the classroom. Photo captions: Top photo: Teacher Nancy Abeare. Lower photo: Schickler Elementary teacher Nancy Abeare (center) is joined by Principal Ken Janczarek (left) and is flanked by the Office Max team from Rochester Hills. ###
Students at Mayfield Elementary School hosted their annual Veterans Day observance on November 11 with members of the American Legion Post 16 in Lapeer.
Legion members and students took part in the morning flag-raising ceremony and sang patriotic songs.
Special guest State Rep. Kevin Daley offered his thoughts on the meaning of Veterans Day.
Lapeer Community Schools are excited to communicate the progress of Lapeer Community Schools, and we are proud to report that all of our teachers meet highly qualified status as defined in No Child Left Behind.
Individual school and district-wide Annual Education Reports that are required through No Child Left Behind are available online. Please visit our District website at www.lapeerschools.org and click on the “Annual Education Report” icon located directly under “Welcome to Lapeer Community Schools.” Select from the list to view a building or district Annual Education Report for 2009-2010.
A printed copy of the district report and individual building reports also are available from any school building within the Lapeer Community Schools District or Administration and Services Center.
If you have questions regarding any information contained within the Annual Education Report, you may contact (810) 538-1644 with questions.
Lapeer East AD Sharon Miller will need to expand the school's All State Trophy Case. For the first time ever, the Lapeer East Boys Soccer team advanced to the Final Four. Winning the regional title paid off for he Eagles, who ended the season with the program's highest ranking ever, 6th in the state! http://www.mihisoccer.org/boysrankings.htm.
Individually, Lapeer East also did well. A quartet from the East squad earned All-State Honors.
Those honors were awarded to:
Junior starting midfielder Justin Henderson was second team All-Metro League. He was the lone goal scorer for East in the State Semi-Final game. He earned Honorable Mention All-State.
Junior starting goalie Colin Owen earned second team All-Metro League. He had 12 shutouts this year to raise his career total to 30 shutouts. Owen made 14 saves in the state semi-final game. He earned third team All-State.
Junior starting forward Alex Podolski was named to the first team All-Metro League. He led East in scoring with 19 goals. Alex earned second team All-State.
Senior Starting midfielder Clayton Tomczyk, a 4-year varsity player for East., also earned first team All-Metro League. He was recognized as one of the State's best players, and earned first team All-State. Tomczyk joins elite company as he is the third player in East's history to earn this accomplishment, the highest honor a soccer player can get. Dan Elliott did it in 2007. Niila Arajuuri was the first to do it in 2005.
East Coach Chad Kenny noted, "I am very proud to coach this team. Collectively they are committed to winning with character and class. These four guys are great representatives of our whole program. They were all honored to be selected to the All-State team. They would be the first ones to tell you that soccer is a team sport. These four were recognized at the All-State level, mainly because as a team we did very well. All 17 letter winners on our varsity played an important role in these four being recognized at the highest level."
The Lapeer East Golf teams are brightening the season with a Holiday Wreath Fundraiser.
The brightly colored Holiday Wreaths are made with balsam cedar and pine greenery decorated with pine cones and a velvet bow.
The wreaths are greenhouse-quality, and there are two sizes to choose from with a red or burgundy bow. The 18-to 22-inch wreaths are priced at $18, and the 24- to 28-inch wreaths are $25. All proceeds benefit the Lapeer East Golf program.
The following is a letter regarding a suspicious incident that took place near Zemmer Middle School this morning (November 9). This letter is going home with all elementary and middle school students today.
Dear Parents, We became aware of a suspicious incident near Zemmer Middle School that was reported to school officials and the Mayfield Township Police Department this morning.
A female student was walking on Oregon Road near the east side of school property at Zemmer Middle School at about 8:45 a.m. and was approached by a man in a red minivan who asked her if she needed a ride. The girl reported the incident to school officials, who contacted the police.
The man was in his 50s or 60s with grey hair, a pony tail and beard. He was wearing a flannel vest.
We are committed to protecting our students and know that you, as parents, will continue to teach your children how to best protect themselves and seek assistance if necessary. Please reinforce with your children the lessons about interacting with strangers and, of course, immediately notify the police or sheriff’s deputies if you see or hear anything out of the ordinary. Sincerely,
The Middle School PTCs for both Rolland-Warner and Zemmer Middle Schools have scheduled evening meetings on Thursday, November 11th..
The Zemmer Middle School PTC will meet in the Zemmer Media Center at 6:00 pm. The Zemmer PTC executive board will meet at 5:30pm.
The Rolland-Warner Middle School PTC will meet in the Rolland-Warner Media Center at 6:30 pm. The Rolland-Warner PTC executive board will meet prior to the general meeting.
The PTCs at both schools encourage any interested parents to please consider coming to see what the PTC is all about. This is a great way to stay involved and be a part of your child’s school.
At the conclusion of the Zemmer PTC meeting a Parent Advisory Council meeting also will be held in the Zemmer Media Center at 7:00pm. The purpose of the PAC is to both educate parents on topics that are important to them as well as provide a forum for our parents to talk directly with school administration regarding current issues.
The PTC welcomes any interested parents wishing to attend to join them.
The Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education agreed at its regular meeting on November 4 to contract with School Exec Connect in its search for a new superintendent.
The board will meet in a work session November 18 to discuss the timeline for the search. School board President Bill Laidlaw said the board hopes to have a candidate selected by March of 2011.
Laidlaw added that the process will have a lot of input from both the staff and the whole community.
Current LCS Superintendent Debbie Thompson is retiring at the end of the 2010-11 school year in June. She has served the district as its superintendent since August 2005.
Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney Byron Konschuh will be the featured speaker at a meeting of the Lapeer East and West High School Parent Advisory Councils at 5:30 pm Tuesday, November 9, at the Lapeer East High School Media Center.
Konschuh’s discussion will focus on several topics that affect high schoolers, including bullying and hazing, the use of cell phones, texting and social media such as Facebook and MySpace.
After the prosecutor’s presentation, East and West parents will split into separate building PAC meetings.
Lapeer East High School and Lapeer West High School host combined PAC Meetings throughout the school year. Mr. Roper, Principal at Lapeer East, and Mr. Zeeman, Principal at Lapeer West, look forward to parent involvement at these meetings.
Future meetings are set for January 11th at West; February 8th at East; March 8th at West; April 12th at East; May 10th at West.
Kids and Company still has openings in its Kinder Kids Plus Friday enrichment program for Kindergarteners and Early 5's.
Kinder Kids Plus is staffed with certified teachers. It is part of Lapeer Community Schools Kids and Company, which offers a variety of programs including pre-school and school-age latchkey programs.
Kinder Kids Plus is especially designed for Lapeer Kindergarteners and Early 5's children. It is an enrichment program taught by certified elementary education teachers. The teachers extend the kindergarten curriculum to give children that extra help they may need in their first year of school.
Kinder Kids Plus is available on Fridays from 8:00 am-3:00 pm. at three sites in the District. Transportation is provided for the program through Lapeer Community Schools.
Kinder Kids Plus is available at Turrill, Mayfield, and Murphy Elementary. It is open to all children in Lapeer Schools. Students from Maple Grove and Seaton are shuttled to Turrill. Lynch and Schickler students are shuttled to Mayfield.
Kinder Kids Plus is tuition-based, and a full day (5 hours or more) costs $25 per day. A half day (5 hours or less) costs $15 per day. There is also a $40 registration fee.
Please contact Kids and Company at (810) 667-2454 for more details or to register your child in the program.
Lapeer East Senior Austin Dudley grabbed 5 gold medals in an international martial arts competition in Scotland last week. The 17-year-old also grabbed a silver and bronze medal to earn medals in seven of the eight competitions he entered.
His huge medal collection came in the WKA (World Kickboxing and Karate Association) World Championships at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland, Oct 23-29. Austin was one of more than 1,000 athletes from 27 countries competing at the event.
His medal count included golds in Weapons with music, Weapons/no music, Freestyle with music, Traditional Korean Forms and Traditional Hardstyle Forms. He also grabbed a silver in Extreme Freestyle Forms and a bronze in Extreme Weapons. Austin brought home 7 medals for Team USA in the 13-17 junior male division.
He is very dedicated to his sport and trains for several hours daily and says he loves what he does. Austin has been studying martial arts for the last 10 years and recently earned his 3rd degree black belt through Dragon Karate in Lapeer, under Master Dan Cousineau.
Seven students from Dragon Karate participated in the international competition, including Annthony Cotton, 13, a student at Rolland-Waner Middle School. Anthony captured a bronze medal in Extreme Weapons in the Edinburgh competition in which teammate Austin Dudley won the gold.
Austin has competed on the Michigan Sport Karate Circuit and has held state titles in weapons and forms consecutively since 2005. Austin also has competed as a member of the US National Karate Team and has attended three WKA World Championships in which he brought home medals for the U.S.
In 2007 he won a Bronze medal in weapons with music at Karlsruhe, Germany, and in 2008 in Orlando, Fla., was a Gold medalist in Weapons with music, a Silver medalist in Open Forms with music and a Silver medalist in Traditional Korean Forms.
While in Scotland last week he was offered an all-expense paid trip to Germany to conduct a martial arts seminar for the German National Karate Team.
Austin loves teaching martial arts and currently teaches at GLE gymnastics in Oxford, MI. He hopes to have continued success and open his own karate school one day.
Lapeer West High School was the featured school Oct. 29 on the ABC-12 Spirit Cup Challenge.
The honor brought with it a live broadcast from the West gym, beginning at 5 am.
Lapeer West is in the lead in the Spirit Cup Challenge. The efforts of 143 West athletes to harvest squash at an Almont Farm last week alone brought in more than 30,000 pounds of food.
Last year students across Mid-Michigan helped raise more than 673,000 pounds of food to help the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan through the ABC-12 Spirit Challenge.
Students collect canned food and other non-perishable items. Cash donations also are welcome. Each dollar donated can be used to buy nine pounds of food. The students’ efforts last year provided food for people in 22 counties.
At the end of the school year, the school that donates the most food gets to claim the ABC-12 Spirit Cup trophy and keep it for a full year.
THe Lapeer East Boys Soccer team will make its first trip to the state semifinals when it takes on Bloomfield Hills Lahser at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School.
East downed Dearborn Divine Child Friday, 1-0, in the Division 2 Regionals to advance to the state semis.
The Eagles scored the only goal of the Regional final game Friday afternoon at St. Clair’s East China Stadium when Nate Kolvek took a cross from Alex Podolski with three minutes to go in the first half and put it past the Divine Child goalkeeper.
"It was obviously a huge emotional lift going in 1-0. We knew they would really bring it in the second half," East coach Chad Kenny told the Flint Journal after the team victory.
The Eagles are now 18-4-1 on the season and will meet ninth-ranked Bloomfield Hills Lahser (19-4-1).
"We're thrilled to be there," Kenny said after the game. "Our kids have come together and played hard. They wanted to do something the program had never done, and I'll be darned if they didn't do it."
East keeper Colin Owen made 10 saves and notched his 13th shutout of the season for the Eagles.
"It speaks volumes about our league," Kenny said of Friday's win. "We finished second in our league and here we are in the final four in Division 2."
The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan needed a little help.
This year produced a bumper crop of squash, and there were thousands of them sitting in the fields of the Wiegand Farm in Almont with no one to harvest them.
Athletes at Lapeer West answered the challenge, and 143 Lapeer West athletes spent a good part of the day Tuesday collecting the remaining vegetables for donation to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
The gleaning is part of the high school’s participation in the Channel 12 Spirit Squad which will be at the school Friday for a live broadcast at 5 a.m.
"They're gathering. They're collecting. There's a spirit and excitement about it," West Athletic Director Mary Haslinger told a reporter from WJRT-TV Channel 12.
"You get to be with all your friends and help the poor," added senior Beau Allen. "I put out a call to all of my athletes, and 143 of them are here today," Haslinger said.
The 35-acre field was owned by George Wiegand, who died this spring. His daughter Cheryl Wiegand Stanek told the television reporter he would approve of the donation. "I just believe this is a gift from my dad from heaven to feed the poor. He always cared for the poor. He gave so much to the poor."
"Every week we're feeding close to 50,000 to 60,000 people. Right now in the fall, with the harvest, you can make squash soup. There are any number of ways the clients are going to use it. It's nice to have fresh produce," said Tracy Fowler-Johnson from the Food Bank.
"We're going to feed a lot of people who couldn't get food anywhere else," senior Jalen Houston told ABC12's Randy Conat.
Have fun and learn along with your preschooler at "ABCs, Activities, Books and Cookies!"
This fun, interactive workshop is presented by the Family Literacy Center at no cost to you! The workshop focuses on pre-reading and reading activities for preschool children 3-6 years old and a parent or caregiver.
Participate in learning activities that will help develop reading skills. Enjoy a snack and take home a free book as well as valuable resources from the Family Literacy Center! Siblings are welcome!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 10:00 am - 10:45 am Metamora Library 4081 Oak Street Metamora, MI 48455
To register, call the Family Literacy Center at 810-664-2737, or email ican@readlapeer.org. Give your name, phone number and the Workshop you wish to register for.
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.
Seaton Elementary students put their creativity to work last week to raise money for United Way. Their efforts raised $75 to support United Way programs in Lapeer County.
The contest highlight was the judging on Oct. 22 for the Most Creative, Funniest, Scariest and Best Animal in each grade, Kindergarten through 5th grade.
There were smiles aplenty, and two dozen pumpkins emerged as the best in the crop.
For the third year in a row the Lapeer East Volleyball team hosted its “Volley For A Cure” in a home match against Linden on October 19th.
Donned in “Volley For A Cure” T-shirts, the girls won all three of their games with Linden, 25-10, 25-12 and 25-20, and clinched third place in the Metro League.
The fundraiser collected nearly $1,000 to help two families that had daughters play on the Lapeer East volleyball team who have suffered a loss to cancer in the last year.
Jessica Knapp’s mother, Kathy, lost her battle to breast cancer this past June. Evie, Kari, and Lisa Dinsmore’s dad, Steve, lost his battle to stomach cancer this past August.
The team honored both families and the memory of each of their parents at the game.
The girls raised the bulk of their funds through the sale of Volley for a Cure T-shirts. Sponsors of the fundraiser included Dr. Aaron Fisher, DDS, Dr. Albert Smith Jr. and family, Dr. John Yap, Lapeer Medical Associates, Mott Community College, Ray C’s and Speedy Screen Printing.
Murphy Elementary School is hosting its 4th Annual Lotza Pasta dinner on Friday, November 5th, from 4:30-7:30 pm at Murphy Elementary School in Metamora. This all-you-can-eat pasta dinner will be catered by Italia Gardens in Davison.
The funds raised at this event enable the PTC to pay for assemblies, busing for field trips, student scholarships, classroom allowances, science and art fair awards, magazines, supplies and equipment for our students throughout the school year.
The menu includes all-you-can-eat mostaccioli (with buttered, meat or marinara sauce), salad, bread, beverage and dessert.
Advance tickets are available until November 3rd, $7 for adults, $5 for kids, and children 3 and under eat free. Tickets at the door will be $9 for adults and $7 for kids. There will be a drive-through carry-out again this year.
The Murphy PTC hosts its dinners to eliminate the need for door-to-door sales for fundraising. “We love having the community get together at our school for a fun night out.”
Along with an amazing dinner, the evening includes a raffle, silent auction table and a 50/50 drawing. Many local businesses have been very generous and donated some great items! Raffle and 50/50 tickets will be available at the dinner.
For more information, please visit Murphy’s website at www.lapeerschools.org/murphy and click on “School Events” or call Debbie Bridges at 810-441-3023 or Alysia Easton at 810-797-2046.
Is it difficult for your child to make and keep friends? Does your child struggle to get along socially?
Family Literacy Center will presents the workshop "It's So Much Work to be Your Friend" on Wednesday, November 2, from 12:30-2 pm or 6-7 pm at Mott College Lapeer Campus, Room 206, 550 Lake Dr., Lapeer.
Children who suffer with a learning disability often have difficulty in social situations. Whether your child has a learning disability or not, the information in this DVD presentation is priceless.
Educator, administrator, and consultant Richard Lavoie provides powerful strategies for teaching friendship skills in the classroom, home, and community. This workshop is offered at no cost. Registration is required.
To register, call the Family Literacy Center at 810-664-2737. Give your name, phone number, and the time of the session you wish to register.
Parent volunteers are needed for the "Your Time" After School study hall at Lapeer East High School.
The program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
National Honor Society students are available to help with any issues that a student needs help with, and students have access to all elements of the East media center including books and computers.
Any interested parent may contact Parent Vounteer Bill Gavette at wmgavette@gmail.com, or call 810-417-1559. Please note: Parent volunteers must go through a background check at the Lapeer Community Schools Administration Building.
The following is the text of a letter sent to parents today from Superintendent Debbie Thompson about a suspicious incident yesterday in Metamora Township.
October 21, 2010
Dear Parents, Today we became aware of a suspicious incident that was reported to the Metamora Township Police Department yesterday. A female student was walking near Sutton Road and Metamora Road at about 2:25 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon and was offered a ride by a man in a newer, light-green pickup truck with an extended cab. The girl went to a nearby home and called 911. The man was reported to be a clean-shaven, chubby white male in his mid-30s with short brownish-blond hair. We are committed to protecting our students and know that you, as parents, will continue to teach your children how to best protect themselves and seek assistance if necessary. Please reinforce with your children the lessons about interacting with strangers and, of course, immediately notify the police or sheriff’s deputies if you see or hear anything out of the ordinary. Sincerely,
First grade students at Mayfield Elementary School took their classroom research outside to gain a little experience in the field.
The students visited the woods at the R. Michael Supernault Environmental Center on Oct. 13 to gather woodland plants and animals to create their own mini habitats.
Under the guidance of Environmental Education Teacher Al Hoppe, Teacher Debbie Daley and some dedicated parents, students carefully gathered twigs and leaves to provide the needed environment for the bugs and critters they found living on the woodland floor.
The science lesson for the day included a review of the plants and animals that are found throughout the woods as well as building habitats – in clear plastic containers – to house the plants and animals they uncovered in their search.
The Supernault Nature Center is an 80-acre District-owned property in a beautiful, rural setting in Oregon Township. It is primarily used for science field trips for students from Lapeer and other area districts.
Anthony Novick takes parental involvement seriously. His son, Joey, is a student at Seaton Elementary, and he wanted to do his part to help brighten the learning environment.
His crew from Color Wonders Painting rolled up to Seaton on Saturday, Oct. 16, to freshen up the playscape at the school.
With a bit of scraping and sanding and a healthy application of paint sprayed carefully from a large bucket, the Saturday-morning volunteer efforts brightened up the playground equipment and the basketball courts.
The paint company owner was joined by his wife, Jody, daughter Katie and employees James Keyes and Nathan Surbrook, as they added a bit of flair to the playground structures, recoating them in a popular “Seaton orange” color.
Novick’s crew was joined in the effort by Seaton parent Laura Fromwiller and daughter Renee.
Mayfield Elementary School will host a “Kids’ Boutique” during parent-teacher conferences October 26 and 28.
The “Kids’ Boutique” will be a place to come in and shop for gently-used children’s clothing. Families can stop on the night of their children’s conference and shop for the clothing items their children need. The best part will be that the shopping is FREE!
Parents can help by donating clean, gently-used children’s clothing. Bring the clothes to Mayfield this week (through Friday, October 22).
The school is also looking for a number of parents who would be willing to help sort the clothing and set up on Monday, October 25th, and to staff the boutique during conferences. The boutique will be open the night of conferences, on October 26 and 28 from 5-7:30 pm, for Mayfield families to shop for items that their children need.
For details or to volunteer, please contact Kids’ Boutique Coordinator Cheryl Shifflett-Smith, Mayfield Learning Coach, at 810-667-2442.
The annual Lapeer Community Schools FREE winter walking program begins on Monday, November 1.
Join us at Lapeer West on Monday through Thursday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 pm as we walk for fitness and fun! Our quick registration is easily completed the first night you attend.
ALL walkers will wear a name badge (provided) while walking. Children under age 16 must walk with an attending adult. SORRY, no power walking, running or jogging. Please enter the high school using the door by the band room on the south side of building.
No walking on November 24 & 25, December 22 – January 2, January 17 & 20, February 21or “snow days.” If school closes earlier in the day because of inclement weather, the walking program is cancelled.
The walking program concludes on Thursday evening, March 31st.
The walking program is part of the Lapeer Community Schools Enrichment Program. Please do not call Lapeer West regarding this program. Questions can be directed to the Enrichment office at 810-538-1622.
This parent smoothes out the ruts at Rolland-Warner
A few twisted ankles on the new Rolland-Warner Cross Country Course prompted Mike McClellan to take action.
He brought his Bobcat skidsteer to school Oct. 11 and spent the day working over the Cross Country course with a Harley power rake to get rid of all of the bumps and gullies along the 2-mile course that winds through the woods behind the school. He also sewed a little grass seed to prevent erosion and to help keep the course in shape in the future.
Math teacher Wyatt Stevens and science teacher Anne Prill coach the all-new cross country team. They explain that the power rake chewed up the top couple of inches to remove the ruts and bumps so that students weren't twisting their ankles any more. “We had multiple students down with injuries earlier in the season,” said Stevens.
“We really appreciate Mr. McClellan’s help. It’s made a huge difference in the course,” said Prill.
McClellan’s daughter Meghan is an 8th grader and a member of the R-W Cross Country team. Mike McClellan, the owner of M&M Construction in Attica, said he was happy to put in the volunteer effort to make things better for the 33-member team.
This is the first-ever season for Cross Country at the middle school, so many team members are setting new course records in almost every home meet. So far this year, the girls team has compiled an impressive 4-1 record. The boys stand at 1-4.
With the course improvements, the coaches say R-W hopes to be able to host invitational meets in the future, bringing in competitors from all over the Metro League.
Cutlines: Mike McClellan (the guy near the left with the hat) gets a thumbs up for his efforts from the Rolland-Warner Cross Country team. The all-new Cross Country team at Rolland Warner Middle School includes 33 runners in 7th and 8th grade.
Turrill Elementary School will host a “Kids’ Boutique” during parent-teacher conferences October 26 and 28.
The “Kids’ Boutique” will be a place to come in and shop for gently-used children’s clothing. Families can stop on the night of their children’s conference and shop for the clothing items their children need. The best part will be that the shopping is FREE!
Here is how the Kids’ Boutique will work: Clean out your closets and donate clean, gently-used children’s clothing. Bring the clothes to Turrill this week (through Friday, October 22).
The school is also looking for a number of parents who would be willing to help sort the clothing and set up on Monday, October 25th and to staff the boutique during conferences. The boutique will be open the night of conferences, October 26 and 28 from 3:15-4:15 pm and again from 5-7:30 pm for Turrill families to shop for items that their children need.
For details or to volunteer, please contact Kids’ Boutique Coordinator Cheryl Smith, Turrill Title 1 Teacher /Interventionist, at 810-667-2418.
Once again the Lapeer East Volleyball team is hosting a “Volley For A Cure” match against Linden on Tuesday, October 19th, at Lapeer East High School. The game tips off at 7 pm.
This year the team will donate the money to the charities of their wishes: two families that had daughters play on the Lapeer East volleyball team.
Jessica Knapp’s mother, Kathy, lost her battle to breast cancer this past June. Evie, Kari, and Lisa Dinsmore’s dad, Steve, lost his battle to stomach cancer this past August. At the game the team will honor both families and the memory of each of their parents.
Sponsors of the fundraiser include Dr. Aaron Fisher, DDS, Dr. Albert Smith Jr. and family, Dr. John Yap, Lapeer Medical Associates, Mott Community College, Ray C’s and Speedy Screen Printing.
Volleyball team members will sell T-shirts for $10.00 each to raise funds for this occasion.
The popular Super Babysitter class will be offered next month by the Lapeer Community Schools Enrichment Program in a two-session program for students 12 and older.
Instructor Gloria Sherman and super sitter students, both boys and girls age 12 and older, discuss important safety issues and first aid, nutritious snacks, diapering, bottle preparation, and fun-filled games in this two-week course.
Helpful tips include advertising techniques and how to determine what wage to charge. The two-week class runs Monday Nov. 1 and 8 from 6:30 to 8 pm at a city school location.
The fee for the class is $20, or 2 students for $30, and it includes a Certificate of Completion.
For more information or to register by phone, please contact the Enrichment Office at 810-538-1622.
Lapeer Community Schools have been honored with a silver award in the State of Michigan Breakfast Challenge for significantly increasing participation in the District’s breakfast program in 2010.
The silver award brings with it a $2,500 cash prize that will be reinvested in the Lapeer Community Schools breakfast program. The award was handed out by State School Superintendent Mike Flanagan at the September Michigan Association of School Administrator’s Fall Conference in Traverse City.
District officials honored the LCS Food Services staff for its winning ways at its Oct. 7 meeting of the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education.
“The goal of the program was to increase school breakfast participation by 50%,” said Dining Services Director Scott Smith. “This past school year we increased participation by 64%, which according to the Michigan Department of Education was ‘way up there.’” Twelve school districts earned awards this year for increasing participation in the school breakfast program: 4 overall champions (2-year-awards), 4 gold awards and 4 silver awards.
The Superintendent’s Breakfast Challenge is sponsored by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. Over the past two years, 206 school districts met Flanagan’s challenge. The 52,145,702 school breakfasts served statewide during the 2009-10 school year marked a 30% increase from the 2007-08 school year.
The school breakfast program is important because research shows that students who eat a healthy breakfast improve their academic achievement, have fewer health issues, behave better in class and are more attentive.
Photo cutline: On hand for the presentation were (from left) Lapeer Community Schools Food Service Director Scott Smith, Assistant Food Services Director Jill McLaughlin, cook helper Emma Bugaski, head cooks Diane Ritter, Mary Holbrook and Jennifer Putnam; Food Services driver Steven Ritter and head cook Edie Hogan. (Photo courtesy Jeff Hogan)
Lapeer East Girls Golf Coach Steve Stearns has earned Regional Coach of the Year honors after his team finished second Oct. 7 in Regional play hosted by Lapeer West at Lapeer Country Club.
Coach Stearns has led both the girls and boys golf teams at Lapeer East for the last six years, and prior to that was the golf coach at Lapeer West for two years. The honors came from a vote of the 11 coaches whose teams participated in the Regional tournament.
This year’s second-place finish in Regional play is the best showing for the East girls golfers. “All of the credit goes to the girls. They were the ones who won that. They made me look good by playing well,” said the coach.
“I really was surprised,” said Stearns of the honor. “I had a lot of fun watching the girls play and perform well.”
Stearns, a business and co-op teacher at East, is in his 27th year as a teacher in the Lapeer Community Schools. During that time he also has coached junior high and junior varsity football for 25 years. He is an avid golfer and spends his summers working at Devil’s Ridge golf course in Oxford.
The Lapeer East girls team shot 378 to earn a second-place finish and its first trip the State Finals. The MHSAA Girls Finals Tournament takes place on October 15-16 at Forest Akers West (MSU) in East Lansing.
Host Lapeer West girls golfers shot a 373 to earn first place in the Regional and advance to the state finals for the third year in a row.
Cutline for photo: Coach Steve Stearns with East golfers Sierra Woodcum, Keely Turczyn, Kelsy Robinson, Meghan Gordon and Audrey Fleming.
The Motor Moms at Maple Grove are looking for a mini trampoline. If anyone has one collecting dust in their basement that they would like to donate they can contact Julia or Brooke at Maple Grove Elementary. 810-667-2444.
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