Another big crop of Scholastic art winners

Ten high school artists from Lapeer West and Lapeer East have earned awards in the recent nationwide Scholastic Art competition.

The list of awards include three Gold Key, five Silver Key and five Certificates of Merit earned by nine students from Lapeer West and one from Lapeer East.

Nine students of Lapeer West art teacher Nancy Barry took 12 awards in this year’s regional show. West artists have won National honors in this Scholastics competition 13 times over the years. “Schools are honored to have even a single piece in this juried show,” noted Barry. “The competition is very tough.”

She added, “These students continue to impress me with their dedication and work ethic as well as their talent. To be successful in life these traits are invaluable. The arts connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing as well as improve motivation, concentration and confidence. This is evidenced in the comments from these students. “

The Scholastic art competition is the most rigorous art competition for high school art students. For more than 80 years, students from across the United States have competed in this difficult contest. The Regional show is the first step in what can lead to National recognition. All Gold Key winners go on to compete at the national level. The Gold Key awards will be photographed by professional photographers, and the images will be sent to New York for further competition.

If these Gold Key students are award winners at the national level, they travel to New York City to receive their awards onstage at Carnegie Hall.

Barry quotes Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, when she notes: ‘“You can’t outsource creativity.’ These students have skills they can use in their work life. I am glad I had a part in their preparation for life.”
The award-winning artists:


Adrianna Allen is in tenth grade at West. She put three pieces into the show and won three awards. This is her first time entering. Her mom also was a student of Nancy Barry.

Adrianna said, “I was surprised to learn that I had won awards in Scholastics, and I am much honored. I worked hard on my pieces, but I did not think that they could compare to the amazing art of other students. It will be exciting to see the other students’ pieces in the show.”

...........................




Kaitlyn Becker is a junior at West. She entered the competition last year and won a Certificate in Drawing.
Kaitlyn said, “The Scholastics art show is a great experience; you get to see the unique work from around the country. You see techniques you may never have seen before.”

...........................


Eric Birkle is a West senior. He is also a student in Barry’s Kendall Dual Enrollment College Drawing class. This was his first time in the show. “After putting in as much effort as I did into this project, I am so pleased to have won a Gold Key!” Birkle said. “I was overjoyed when I heard the news. This piece was of an antique cash register, from about 1900. This is an era that I really respect, due to the great amount of effort they put into designing and making things look appealing to the eye. I hope and strive to show this through my work.”

...........................




Rachael Broecker, a senior at West, won a Silver Key for her drawing of lacrosse players. She spent several hours just drawing the net in the picture. “I worked very hard on this piece so I am really excited to win a Silver Key.”

...........................



Cheryse Burns is a senior at West. She said, “Who wouldn’t be super stoked? I am deeply touched that people enjoy my art in which I have invested countless hours of focus, frustration and annoying perfectionism.”
Cheryse entered a group portrait of herself, her brother and her cousins for which she was awarded a Silver Key. She also entered a charcoal drawing. It, too, won a Silver Key.
...........................

Victoria Hays drew a very detailed drawing of ribbons in spirals. The piece was done in prismacolors and took several weeks of meticulous work to complete. Victoria is a West junior. “Though I have worked with prismacolor pencils before, I have never done a piece as challenging and time consuming as this project. Every inch of this project has taken a great amount of focus, dedication and patience. Because of this, it makes me even more proud of the Certificate in Drawing that my piece received.”

...........................

Paige Tigner won a Silver Key in her first show. She drew her brother hard at work at his desk. Paige had this to say, “I was unsure that this project would even be accepted into the show, let alone receive a Silver Key! So, after spending many hours putting my best effort into every detail, I’m absolutely ecstatic that I’ve been so fortunate.” Paige is a junior at West.

...........................

Emily Prchlik, a junior at West, is interested in fashion design. She made a hat using a felting process. Her piece won a Certificate of Merit in the fashion division. “Receiving a certificate in the fashion division has made me more confident in following my dream to become a fashion designer. It feels great to know that my work can be shown with the other students in the Scholastics show, and that my hard work is being recognized.”

...........................

Paige Vronch won a Gold Key in Fashion for a dress she created using white garbage bags. Paige used the yellow tie section of the trash bags to make a pleated border around the top of the dress. The dress balloons out in layers and flows to the floor.
Paige is a senior in the commercial art class at Lapeer West. “When I found out how I did at Scholastics I was surprised. It made me feel like it was possible for me to enter a career in fashion, even though I’m only a senior in high school.”

...........................

Shelbi Davis, an East senior, earned a Certificate of Merit of in the Scholastic art competition for her drawing of a young woman fashionably dressed for winter, titled “Wonderous Surprise.” She is a student of Lapeer East High School art teacher Debbie Helbig.

...........................

Paige Vronch and Adrianna Allen also earned special awards for a scholarship for a class at The College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

All of the West students study with Mrs. Barry, who has taught at Lapeer West for 37 years and is also the school’s fine arts chairperson. Barry also teaches classes for Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University after school. Students receive college credit for the classes at a reduced cost. One half of the students who received awards are dual enrolled in these college classes and have already started their college careers.

For another look at the winning art and photos of the artists at work in the classroom, visit the Lapeer Community Schools Picasa photo album at: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/LCSScholasticArtAwardWinners2011#

Distinguished Alumni nominees being sought

Do you know a Lapeer Community Schools high school alumnus worthy of induction in the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor?

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

The Distinguished Alumni Award program is a coordinated effort by the District and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association.

To be eligible for the award, a person, living or dead, must have graduated from the Lapeer Community Schools at least 10 years ago and be noted in his or her field of endeavor or recognized for expertise and good works.

The person must be considered a role model for youth and demonstrated positive leadership and outstanding achievement, service or contributions to society. Honorees will attend the Distinguished Alumni Induction Ceremony this fall.

Applications are available in District buildings or by calling Mary Linn Voss at (810) 538-1634. Deadline for applications is Friday, April 29.

Art project provides mementoes for orphans

Lapeer East art students are busily putting the finishing touches on their work for the Memory Project, an international program that provides personal portraits for orphans from around the world.

This year, Debbie Helbig’s art students at East are creating portraits for orphaned children in Indonesia and Thailand.

Student artists who work on the Memory Project create portraits (drawings, paintings, graphic design, etc) for children and teens world who have been orphaned, neglected or disadvantaged.

The artists receive photos of kids waiting for portraits and then create the portraits. Memory Project volunteers deliver the portraits to the kids as special gifts. The goal of the project is to inspire caring, global friendship, and a positive sense of self.

The program was begun by University of Wisconsin grad Ben Schumaker after a chance encounter with a young man in Guatemala. The man said that he didn’t have any photographs of himself as a child, no belongings from his early years, no parents to share memories with. His childhood was a blank slate, and he didn’t want any other orphaned kids to share in his fate.

Schumaker thought that if he could get high school art students to paint pictures of the orphans and send them as gifts, the children would have a memento of their youth, a bit of history to hold on to.

The program began with 100 art teachers and their students in 2004 and has since grown to produce a total of 25,000 portraits for children around the world.
Lapeer West art students are just now beginning to work on their Memory Project creations for this year. Artists from both Lapeer high schools have participated in the project for years.

For a look at photos of some of the East artists at work, visit the Lapeer Community Schools Picasa photo albums at: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/EastArtStudentsCreateArtForTheMemoryProject#

New golf program at Zemmer

A new morning golf program is open to 6th-8th grade boys and girls at Zemmer Middle School.

Three pros from Lake Nepessing Golfland and four teachers have volunteered their time to work with the students. The Golf Club currently has 18 students participating.

The club meets on Tuesdays from 7:45 to 8:45 am in the Zemmer gym. Club dues are $10 for the program, which runs through the remainder of the school year.

Space is limited, but there are still a few spaces left. Students can contact Mr. Reitz, Mr. Brinker, Mrs. Peacore or Mrs Yderstad for more information. Students must have a permission slip and dues paid before they can participate.

LCS students perform in honors band concert

More than two dozen high school and middle school music students from Lapeer West, Lapeer East, Zemmer and Rolland-Warner performed in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District III Honors Band Festival on Saturday, January 29, at Brandon High School.


Lapeer West High School students participating in the District III MSBOA High School Honors Band Festival included Kayla Haneline, Stephanie Wilcox, Taylor Harvey, Ashley Nugent, Tim Waelde, Deanna Childress, Aidan Smith. Lapeer East High School students included Dakota Hart, Sarah Powers, Whitney Harvey, Hannah Hastings, Keefer Maresh, Alison Gonda, Lillian Miller, Mason Sorenson, Alex Frederick.

Rolland-Warner Middle School students who participated included Sara Burns, Vanessa Sparks, Mark Lutz, Desmond Doneen and Emily Gillis. Zemmer Middle School participants inlcluded Morgan Combs, Shawn Deverell, Blake Clements, Serra Seib, Emily Dice, Meredith Henderson, Mark Lutz.

The Middle School Honors Band was conducted by Roger Weyersberg, director of the Lions of Michigan All-State Band, Low Brass Instructor at Saginaw Valley State University and the retired director of Music in the Ovid-Elsie area schools.

The High School Honors Band was conducted by Scott Boerma, associate director of bands, director of the University of Michigan Marching Band and professor of Conducting at he University of Michigan. He is also an avid composer. The band performed Glimpses, one of his original compositions, at the performance.

The students were nominated by their director and chosen from hundreds of entries around the Thumb, based on outstanding musicianship and participation in solo & ensemble.

Rolland-Warner Band Director Heather Hundt noted, “Their participation is an honor, and they did a wonderful job representing our school and our district and gave an awesome performance Saturday night.”

To view photos from the concert, please visit the Lapeer Community Schools Picasa photo albums at: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/MSBOABandFestival#

Middle School tutoring on Mondays at R-W

Weekly after-school tutoring for middle school students is avaiable every Monday -- beginning Monday, Jan. 24th -- in the Rolland-Warner Media Center from 3:45-5:00 pm.

Parents of students who will attend need to provide pick-up for their children no later than 5:00 pm.

Still time to register for Enrichment classes

Registration is now underway for Enrichment classes offered through the Lapeer Community Schools. Classes are beginning, but there is still time to register.

Popular classes that still have a few openings include:

Computer 101, a beginner class with a slower-paced, step-by-step overview of computers and related components. The class meets Monday & Wednesday, February 7 and 9, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at The Rolland-Warner Computer Lab. Fee is $25.

Computer 102, a follow-up to Computer 101will be offered Monday & Wednesday, February 28 and March 2, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Rolland-Warner Computer Lab. Fee is $25, or you can enroll in both 101 & 102 for $45.

MORE Knowledge is a follow-up to Computers 101 and 102 and meets Monday & Wednesday, March 14 and 16, from 6:00 – 7:30 PM in the Rolland-Warner Computer Lab. Fee is $25.

Cindy’s Senior Fitness meets Mondays and Wednesdays, from 2:45 – 4:15 pm on January 31, February 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 23, 28, March 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 at the Community High School at Cramton, Gym, 1220 Lake Nepessing Road, Lapeer. Course fee is $75/or $55 with a Lapeer Gold Card.

For more information about Enrichment classes, please call 810-538-1622.

Trio offers artistic insights to West students

Local artists Deb Keene RuthAnn Mersino and Dale Vronch visited with several dozen Lapeer West students January 10 to discuss their life with their art.

They told students their successes and the challenges of working and running an art business and about their goals and how the students can also enjoy different arts, but that they need to continue their education.

RuthAnn Mersino told the students that after taking ten weeks of basic oil-painting classes, she began experimenting with palette knives. Since 1971, she has painted almost exclusively with palette knives, which she says is faster, cleaner and brings more realism to the subject painted. For 30 years she has been selling her art and teaching her palette knife technique.

Deb Keene is a wilidlife artist that may be best known for her carved wooden feathers. Keene expresses her artistic flair in just about every medium; from oil paints to meticulously precise carvings of woodland creatures and nearly everything in between. The work includes vivid landscapes and a remarkable attention to detail, especially in her wildlife pieces.

Dale Vronch’s home is located in a natural setting that lends itself to many photographic subjects. Dale specializes in nature photography. He explained to students how he can spend many hours searching for unique subjects to capture as images. This could include finite detail, achieved through macro photography, to the wide angle perspective of landscapes.

The discussion was hosted by the West library staff and arranged by library parapo Judi Warnke. Students were invited to learn about the different types of art done by the three artists. They explained to the students how they can sell their artwork, but would likely need another source of income as well. As part of the program the library got a chance to showcase all of the art books that are part of the wide variety on the school library’s shelves.

Photo caption:
Artists Deb Keene and RuthAnn Mersino, and photographer Dale Vronch spoke to students in the Lapeer West library.

For more photos of the visit, please go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/LocalArtistsVisitWestStudents#

East student attends governor’s State of the State

Lapeer East sophomore Ashley VanOoteghem was the guest of State Sen. Phil Pavlov as Gov. Rick Snyder delivered his first State of the State address Wednesday in Lansing.

Ashley accompanied the senator to the House of Representatives in Lansing to watch the address. Each elected official is allowed one guest to join them on the House floor.

Ashley’s essay was the winning entry in a contest hosted by Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township. He asked students to write a 250-500 word essay detailing their vision to reinvent Michigan.

.”
“I’m really grateful for this opportunity,” said VanOoteghem, daughter of Kim and Jim VanOoteghem. “Government is something I’m very passionate about and I think more people in my age group should be interested in it.”

“I’m excited about the proposals we heard tonight,” said Pavlov, chair of the Senate Education Committee. “It’s an exciting time in Michigan, and we must engage our young people to help make our great state even greater.

Earlier this month, Sen. Pavlov made a special visit to Lapeer East. During the January 7th visit, he met with high school Principal Scott Roper to discuss and seek input on important issues impacting education in our state.

The senator also toured the building and met with some of East’s students. Pavlov had many compliments for the staff and students at Lapeer East.

Photo captions:
Top photo -- Ahsley VanOoteghem talks with Sen. Phil Pavlov on the Senate floor in Lansing.
Middle -- Sen. Pavlov, East Student Council President Danielle Schultz and Principal Scott Roper in a Jan. 7 visit.
Bottom -- Sen. Pavlov. is interviewed by Lapeer East student Olivia Wallace during his visit to the school.

R-W students are learning about bees

They’re trying to keep the swarm warm

A chance discovery during a walk in the woods has turned into a biology project for students at Rolland-Warner Middle School.


Mike Wiltse’s special education class came across a bee hive in a large fallen down oak tree last fall on student walks “out back.”

Dave Peasley, the janitor at Rolland-Warner, is an amateur bee keeper in his spare time, and he helped the students identify the bees as honey bees. He told students he thinks it is a pretty large swarm.

“Dave has been instrumental in developing an interest in bee keeping with the class by bringing in raw honey, honeycomb and bee-keeping magazines,” Wiltse says. “With his knowledge we have been attempting to keep the bee hive free of predators such as mice, raccoons and skunks, during the winter.”



Students are feeding the bees supplemental food. Wiltse says a large bee hive survives by eating the honey stored in the hive throughout the winter, and without enough honey the bees will not last.

Lori Bireta and Wiltse team-teach in a class or two. Her outdoor education class, along with Wiltse’s students, have adopted the project of trying to keep the bees alive this winter.
“Our goal is to capture the queen when the bees swarm in the spring and have our own Rolland-Warner hives,” Wiltse says. “We plan on building some bee hives this winter and raise bees out back.”

“We don't claim to know too much about bees,” he says, so he will take some of his students to the Michigan Beekeepers Association Spring meeting at Michigan State University in March to learn more. He says several of the classes offered are for beginning beekeepers.


The project is teaching the children about symbiotic relationships, he notes. “The bees need our help to survive, and in return we help the planet with nature’s pollination. Bee enthusiasts say that one of every three bites of food a person takes is due to bee pollination. Getting some honey might also ‘bee’ motivation for the students,” Wiltse says.

“Either way, we have students who want to help build things rather than destroy.”
See additional photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/RollandWarnerStudentsAreFeedingTheBees#

Schickler Tech Club

This year at Schickler Elementary students have the opportunity to be part of a special Technology Club. Two or three students from each 4th and 5th grade classroom are selected.


This year the students have been busy with learning how to use many forms of multi-media. They have recorded video clips using Flip Cameras, mini DV cameras, cell phones, digital cameras, and document cameras. The students then used Windows Movie Maker and Flip Share Software to edit and create movies.

Other responsibilities of the club members include tutoring younger students with technology, updating a school-wide PowerPoint daily, capturing digital images on special occasion, and making a culminating project of a digital yearbook.

December 2010 West Holiday Concerts

View videos of the December 2010 West High School Choir Concert and the West Band Concert.

West choirs


West band

December 2010 East Holiday Concerts

View videos of the December 2010 East High School Choir Concert and the East Band Concert.


East band

Ed-Tech Open House

The Lapeer County Education and Technology Center’s annual Open House will be Monday, January 10, 2011. The Center will be open to the public from 6-8 pm.

Meet instructors, view the programs in action, and meet with college representatives.

Tenth grade students who are planning to enroll at Ed-Tech next year are strongly encouraged to attend this Open House and also need to complete an application and turn it into the Counseling Office at Lapeer East or Lapeer West High School by Wednesday, January 12th. Applications are available in the Counseling Office.

Lapeer East 2010 Halloween Band Concert

View the video of the Lapeer East 2010 Halloween Band Concert.

Lapeer Community Schools Transportation Director retires

The Transportation Department celebrated the holidays with its annual holiday luncheon December 20 at the bus garage on Calhoun Street. The District rolls out more than 60 buses a day to transport students to and from school.

Employees gathered together gifts for a Holiday Depot family and bid farewell to retiring Transportation Director Jerry Podzikowski, who has worked for the District for seven years.

The new director is Gail Finley, who comes to the District from Royal Oak with more than 20 years of experience in transportation.

Troubadours entertain at Lynch Elementary

Lynch Elementary students got a pre-holiday treat on Tuesday, December 21, as the Flint-based Troubadours paid a visit to the school.


The musical tour included a string quartet and storyteller from the Flint Institute of Music who offered up a fun, music-filled half hour “in the round” in the school cafeteria.

With their lively tunes and banter, the Troubadours wove in lessons about geography, writing and social studies in their program: The Places You Can Go: Adventures in Music.

Throughout the program students were transported to different countries, learning about the customs and music of other cultures.


The Lynch audience also got a chance to see and hear stringed instruments in the hands of professional musicians and got an opportunity to interact with the musicians, up close and personal. Students got a chance to get in the act by playing along on traditional instruments, trying out the instruments the Troubadours played.


The Troubadours encouraged Lynch students to participate and use their imaginations, and then get up on their feet to dance to classical, folk and ethnic music. The Lynch visit included a view of Mozart’s Austria, the dragon dance of China and the traditional dances of the Scots who now make their home in Nova Scotia. A rousing chorus of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” brought students back home to the USA.

The Troubadours have been performing in the Lapeer Community Schools for at least a decade, and this is the fifth year the group has entertained at Lynch. The innovative program is funded in part by grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional photos are available at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/TroubadoorsAtLynchElementary#

Rolland-Warner Student Council volunteers at Soup Kitchen

About 30 members of the Rolland-Warner Student Council are volunteering at the Soup Kitchen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lapeer.

The crew is working December 10 and 17th and again on January 7th to help out with the meal that's served to needy and homeless people in the Lapeer area.


The students also got to use their sorting skills to help organize canned goods, and when the meal was over, they washed the dishes.

The Soup Kitchen rotates each weekday between five local churches. The other Lapeer churches include First Presbyterian, Grace Episcopal, Trinity United Methodist and Church of Christ.

Photo captions:
Top photo:
Students Katie Barker, Skyler Humphreys and Kaila Sutton get instructions from Soup Kitchen volunteer Ann Pfeifle.
Bottom photo:
Helping to sort canned goods for Holiday food baskets are Sara Burns, Bethany Berlinger and Nikolaus Bristol.

For additional photos, please go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/RollandWarnerStudentCouncilVolunteersAtSoupKitchen#

Music classes get an online assist

Elementary music students in Lapeer Community Schools are getting a chance to take a musical expedition that covers everything from music theory to dance, and a whole lot of learning in between.


The program source is Music Express magazine, which comes with worksheets, CDs, and interactive online web programs. Students get a chance to explore the world of music and get a chance to perform the lessons – which includes singing and playing instruments along with an added measure of history and geography.

Elementary music teacher Stephanie Harrington explains that teachers get a new edition of Music Express every two months. The lesson comes with 30 student magazines, a teacher's magazine and a CD with all the songs, artist interviews and articles on it.

Harrington says this year’s theme for the magazine is Rock and Roll with a little country thrown in.

“The really neat thing about the magazine is that there is an online website with extra resources such a choreography to some of the songs (it is actually taught and performed by the magazine’s creator, John Jacobson)” Harrington said.

There are mini lessons to go along with the world music section of the magazine. “This section contains information such as the geography of the country, customs, dress, music and dance,” she added. “I am currently presenting the song from Liberia, and at the end of the mini lesson there is a lesson on how to play djembe drum.”

The music department owns several djembe drums, and 4th grade students at Seaton Elementary recently got a chance to play the djembe with instructions provided via the online video.

The Music Express program is being used throughout the District in 1st through 6th grade music classes. Different aspects of the magazine are geared toward different age levels. The teacher's magazine includes keyboard accompaniments, choreography notes, instrumental parts, activities, columns and articles and full-length lesson plans.
The accompanying CD provides vocal and instrumental versions of each featured song, plus listening selections

“The program is great,” said Harrington, and it appeals to a wide range of music knowledge – everything from classical composers to the Black Eyed Peas.

For a look at pictures of Music Express in the classroom at Seaton, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/MusicExpressAtMusicProgramAtSeaton#

Reminder about School Cancellations and Early Closings

Check our website www.lapeerschools.org
and click on the School Closing Information icon near the top of the page
TV station – LCS-TV Channel 99

For the most detailed and immediate information, tune in to the following radio stations:
WQUS – 103.1 FM
WMPC – 1230 AM

Other radio and TV stations to listen to:

Radio
WJR 760 AM
WCRZ 107.9 FM
WWJ 950 AM
WHNN 96.1 FM

TV
LCS TV Channel 99
WJBK Fox 2
WNEM Channel 5
WXYZ Channel 7
WJRT Channel 12
WDIV Channel 4
WEYI Channel 25

The decision to cancel the regular school day program usually is made no later than 6:00 AM, if at all possible. Only in unusually severe weather conditions is a decision made the night before.

Although rare, the decision to send students home after the school day has begun may be necessary. A decision to close school early will not be made after 11:00 AM.

Elementary school students will be returned to their school if the bus driver determines that they cannot be left at home. Students needing to remain at school for an extended period of time will be transferred to a Kids & Company site.

Students who are kept home by parents because of unusual or hazardous road conditions in their area will have their absences excused. However, those absences are still counted in the attendance policy.

When necessary to close an individual school because of electrical, plumbing, or other problems related only to that building, it will be announced on radio and TV stations.

Kids and Company will offer child care at Rolland-Warner Middle School for children 2½ through 12 years of age on days when school buildings are closed for the entire day due to weather-related conditions.

When school is cancelled, Enrichment classes and children’s recreation league offerings also are cancelled.

Some after-school activities, are not automatically cancelled when school is closed for the day.

Athletic practices that are still held during school closings are optional. Separate decisions are made on these activities, and the information is available after 1:00 pm on the District’s website (www.lapeerschools.org), on LCS-TV (the District’s Charter cable access Channel 99) and on local radio and TV stations.

LCS finances get an ‘A’

The Lapeer Community School District has earned an “A” from its independent financial auditors.

Eric Formberg and Andrea Edwards from Plante Moran reviewed the audit results for the 2009-2010 school year for the Lapeer School Board December 2. The results were positive, with a “clean” audit.

This is the highest rating the auditors can give a district, Formberg told board members. “It’s like getting an A on your report card.”

“The auditors have confirmed that our school district provides outstanding value in the community,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “We are at the lowest end of state per-pupil funding,” Thompson added, “and yet compared to other districts, a greater percentage of our funding is going right into the classroom.”

The District and its employees have consistently found ways to do more with less. That’s particularly important in Lapeer County, which has been hit especially hard by the current economic downturn.

General fund revenue for the District has dropped by $4 million (more than 7%) from 2008 to 2010, the audit report pointed out, but nearly 63% of expenditures in 2009-10 were dedicated to instruction, an increase from 60% in 2008.

The Plante Moran audit pointed out that for the last seven years, Lapeer Community Schools have consistently dedicated a higher percentage of resources to the classroom and significantly less to administrative costs than the average of all school districts in the state.

During the presentation to the Board, the auditors noted that the District had again brought the 2009-10 budget in extremely close to the actual final numbers for the school year, differing by only $15,000 on a $51 million budget, or by a few hundredths of a percent.

Auditors commended the Board and the Finance Department for continuing a trend of very accurate budgeting during these economically challenging times.

In supplemental material provided for the board, the Plante Moran auditors noted that Lapeer Community Schools’ per-pupil state Foundation Allowance is the lowest given to school districts across the state. It is nearly $300 per pupil under the state average, $700 per-pupil less than the average of school districts of similar size, and is $5,000 less per-pupil than the highest Foundation Allowance for districts of similar size.

The auditor’s report noted that if Lapeer Community Schools were to receive the state average per-pupil funding, it would add $1.88 million to the District’s annual revenue.

Plante Moran’s Formberg said, “The district has done an outstanding job maximizing what they have to work with.”

Writing workshop encourages budding authors at Maple Grove

The focus has been on creativity over the last several weeks as 45 students have stayed “after class” for Maple Grove Elementary School’s first Writing Workshop.

The PTA-funded program gives students a look at many aspects of the writing experience. The 1st through 5th grade students got a chance to drop in to a number of writing stations, to explore Poetry, Story Line, Characters, Setting, Brainstorming and Words.

The Maple Grove Writing Workshop is sponsored in part by the Meadow Brook Writing Project, a Michigan site of the National Writing Project. Oakland University is the host university.

PTA parent Christina Hall is a writing teacher at OU and became a part of the Meadow Brook Writing Project when she heard about it through Marshall Kitchens, the director of MBWP and the head of the writing department at Oakland University. MBWP's goal is to help teachers and schools participate in professional development and other programs in order to improve student writing. MBWP sponsored the majority of the event and will fully support any writing activities in Lapeer Community Schools.

The Writing Workshop got a healthy assist from parent volunteers Margaret Tompkins, Lena Kline and Kim Knickerbocker. Maple Grove teachers Rose Rinke, Jacquie Campbell, Kelly Vangel and Lynn Delpy were also part of the team.

The first session on Nov. 22 included a visit from children’s author Dan Waltz, who discussed his books with the students. That session was the first of three, where students explored all aspects of a story and brainstorming. In the next session students created a story or collection of poetry, or in one case a co-authored novel. The works are being put together in a hardcover book. Writing Workshop students at Maple Grove also will participate in a Writing Festival Dec. 16 from 5-7 pm where the children will have the opportunity to share their work with parents and peers.

The Maple Grove program is a pilot for future Writing Workshop and Festivals. “We are looking at doing one in the fall and one in the spring, and the plan is also to create a program that will be duplicated in other schools in the district, “ said Hall.

“I am extremely pleased with how it is going so far, the kids had so much fun, and I can't wait for the rest of the sessions and for future projects in Lapeer.”

Additional photos are available in the LCS Picasa online photo albums at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/MapleGroveWritersWorkshop#

Lynch families care "A whole awful lot"

Once again the Lynch community has shown that their generosity and giving spirit is alive and well.

Each year the Community Resource Program at the Department of Human Services and other local agencies are in need of personal care items and household cleaning supplies to help low income families and children throughout Lapeer County. Food assistance programs do not allow for the purchase of these very necessary health and hygiene items.

This is the 5th consecutive year that Lynch has participated and each year surpasses the last. In 2009 Lynch received a special commendation from the DHS for having contributed more items than any other school in the district.

This year they passed last year's successful drive by 500 items.

Each classroom held a good-natured contest to see who could bring in the most items. Mrs. Schlusler’s 1st graders won the lower el contest with an outstanding 2,400 items. Thanks to the tenacity and generosity of her students they pushed Lynch way beyond this year’s goal.

Special thanks go to Carter Hornback and his mom Sandy who approached her employer requesting help. Mrs. Hornback’s employer Greenblendz Inc. a company in Bloomfield Hills, generously gave more than 2,200 cleaning and hygiene items from their “green” product line.

Mrs. Jamison’s 4th graders won the upper el contest with more than 300 items brought in. Each class contributed at least 50 items, with many donating 150 or more.

In total, Lynch students collected around 4,000 items.

Mrs. Jamison’s and Mrs. Schlusler’s classes will be treated to homemade hot chocolate and cookies for their efforts.

As the socially aware Dr. Seuss once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Thanks to all of our Lynch families for caring ”A whole awful lot.”

PTC meeting at Rolland-Warner

The Roland-Warner PTC will meet on Thursday, December 9, at 6:30 pm in the media center. Door prizes will be given to a few lucky winners.

West students host Blood Drive

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.


Additional photos are available at: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/WestHostsBloodDrive#

State educators learn from LCHS example

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.

Ticket discounts with Punch Cards

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.

West and East athletes are good sports

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.

Superintendent search survey is online

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.

West trumpeter to perform with all-state band

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.

West students serve up pancakes in Project Graduation fundraiser

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.

For a look at more photos from the event go to http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/WestStudentsServeUpBreakfastAtApplebees#

West students clean up courtyards

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.

View photos from the cleanup at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/WestStudentsCleanUpCourtyards#

Free Breakfast program expands to high schools

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.

Four Lapeer graduates inducted into Alumni Hall of Honor

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.

To view a video of the presentation, visit: http://www.schooltube.com/video/bdc17ce29ad9b07c2a13/2010-Distinguished-Alumni

or click on the video screen:




For a look at more photos, visit the LCS photo albums at: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/2010AlumniHallOfHonor#

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.
###

FLC offers Tutoring Made Easy

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.