Murphy Students light up Metamora tree

On Friday, December 4, students from Murphy Elementary School traveled to the Village of Metamora to sing and celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree. More photos can be found on at the photo gallery.

Lapeer students perform at Polar Palace Ice & Fashion show to benefit Toys For Tots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Holiday Ice & Fashion Show for Charity includes Local Talents

Lapeer, MI -- The Polar Palace in Lapeer, MI will be taking the community on
an unforgettable "ice" journey to the North Pole on its very own "Polar Palace Express." Not only skaters from the Lapeer Skating School, but a variety of local talents will take to the ice with music and fashion on Sunday, December 20 from 1:00pm-2:30pm with proceeds to benefit our local Marine's Toys For Tots Foundation.

No stranger to the community, Dave Kennedy will be the "Conductor" on this unforgettable ice journey to the North Pole. "Dave is the voice of the show," stated Karen Lemieux, Learn-to-Skate Instructor. "The community may remember Dave from Pix Theaters' Oklahoma when he portrayed Jud Fry." Kennedy is not only a very talented writer and entertainer, but an extraordinary singer as well. Kennedy is a wonderful asset to helping take this ice show to a whole new level with a bit of theater and vocals.

Joining Kennedy will be Tara Lemieux, a 12-year old attending Roland Warner Middle School, who will blend vocals and skating into a special performance titled, "The Man with the Bag." At one stop, the train comes across another new and wonderful thing to look at and listen to, featuring a Mother - Daughter performance titled, "Silver Bells." Annie Petersmark, a fellow Roland Warner student of Lemieux, will skate to live music performed by her Mother, Susan Wizinsky, a freelance cellist and a member of the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra.

Erica Miller, a Lapeer West High School Junior, will take to the ice with several special skating performances including a heart touching skate to "Christmas Shoes." Additional skating performers and/or skating "models" from the Lapeer and surrounding communities include Elaina Wizinsky, Emma Waatti, Josie Roberts, Katie Evans, Sarah Evans, Kacie Davis, Megan Conlon, Jacob Garris, Jade Garris, Faith Garten, Michael Garten, Claire Trombley, Jenna Ulrich, Olivia Colpean, Leah Peraino, Benjamin Colpean, Jake Austin, Kirsten Bowen, Nicholas Mozola, Brandon Bicknell, Crosby Wildfong, Steven Kennedy, Samantha Baalerud, Renee Fromwiller and Lizzy Anderson. "It is with such talents and community support that we can bring The Polar Palace Express story to life," stated Lemieux.

Upon arriving, the North Pole, our skaters encounter stores…several stores. As everyone listens to Lemieux's stylish singing of “All I Want for Christmas is Clothes,” skaters will impress the audience with the latest winter collections from Fashion Bug, rue21 and Walmart. "The community support for this charitable ice and fashion show has been unbelievable," stated Wayne Alexander, General Manager. "I was thrilled to learn that several Lapeer East Hockey players wanted to take part as well." Amongst the skating "models" sporting the Men's Collections, from rue21, include Steve Tadazak, Kenny Pekala, Jared Ross, Adam Schroeder, Nate Herr, Grant Masters and Alex Hart.

To help skaters in becoming "runway models on ice," local modeling agency, Models & Co., has agreed to offer some tips in fashion and modeling. Models & Co. is a full service modeling agency and training facility. Established in 1999, the agency has grown to be the leading Agency in the area.

"Well, are you coming?" Admission to the show is a new, unwrapped toy (minimum value $5.00) or a $5.00 entrance fee, per family, at the door. Upon arriving, you will be greeted with the sweet sounds of carolers (Murphy Elementary School students) and the smell of hot chocolate and fresh baked goods.

One-dollar raffle tickets will also be available for your chance to win a merchandise gift card from Fashion Bug and rue21, 4 passes for a 14-mile excursion train ride from the Coopersville & Marne Railway in 2010, several children's outfits from Walmart just in time for "dressing in style" this holiday season, free passes to the Lapeer Community Center and many more.

The Polar Palace hopes to make this a memorable, and perhaps an annual, event in an effort to raising vital funds and the collecting of toys for a worthwhile local charity.

For additional information on the Charitable Ice and Fashion Show, please contact the Polar Palace Office via 810-245-7778 or email klemieux@polarpalace.com.

Videos: 2009 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor Ceremony

The 2009 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor Ceremony (edited)



Direct link to the School Tube video (full size).


This is the montage video for the four 2009 Distinguished Hall of Honor inductees



Direct link to School Tube for the video.

Board approves resolution for State demanding school funding issues be addressed

A strongly worded resolution demanding State leaders put in place a “fair and equitable” funding plan to finance Michigan’s educational system was passed unanimously by the Lapeer Board of Education Thursday, December 3.

The resolution called for the Board to do a complete evaluation of the State’s financial process and establish a fair method to tax citizens for needed services.

Additionally, the resolution demanded that the State establish a funding system that is in place before school districts must set their annual budgets on July 1st of each year.

The resolution is in response to the State’s recent record of passing along budget decreases long after the State required budget decisions are made by local public school districts.

“The long-term economic health of our state, and opportunity for our citizens is conditioned on meaningful structural reform to provide stable and fair funding for education,” the resolution said in part.

On July 1, the Lapeer Board of Education approved a balanced $56.2 million budget based on State funding projections at that time. To balance that budget the District used $1.2 million from its savings account to off set the projected loss of State money.

In mid-October after missing its own September 30 budget deadline, the State Legislature adopted a budget that cut $165 per student from those projections causing a shortfall of $1 million in the District’s budget. And beyond that, the governor added a $127 cut for an additional deficit of about $800,000, which is scheduled to take effect later this month.

“It is time for State leaders to put aside politics and deal with an issue that has long term consequences for the State’s most valuable resource, its children,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.

Complete text of the resolution follows:

WHEREAS, education is the cornerstone of a successful economic turnaround and investment in education is the key to a new Michigan; and

WHEREAS, the children of Michigan deserve educational opportunities that allow them to compete on a national and international basis; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to combine needed investments in education with meaningful, money-saving reforms in the delivery of educational programs; and

WHEREAS, the long-term economic health of our state, and opportunity for our citizens is conditioned on meaningful structural reform to provide stable and fair funding for education; and

WHEREAS, given the crippling effects on our citizens and our educational institutions of continuing short-term, temporary measures and budget impasses over education funding.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Lapeer Community Schools demands that the governor and legislators make a commitment to this State and to the citizens to make the necessary budget decisions that allow for the education of our children;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education of Lapeer Community Schools demands that the governor and legislators do a complete evaluation of the State’s financial processes and create a financial system that funds the educational system in a fair and equitable manner. This system should ensure that the educational budget is in place prior to the start of the district’s fiscal year. Further, we urge the governor and legislators to review processes for funding of this State’s needs and to explore all options to stabilize the State revenues and to establish a fair method to tax citizens for needed services. This Board holds the governor and legislators responsible for creating these processes in a timely manner.
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Zemmer Junior High School renamed officially to Zemmer Middle School

Zemmer Junior High School officially became Zemmer Middle School in a vote by the Lapeer Board of Education Thursday night.
Opened as Zemmer Junior High School in October 1969, the school is currently undergoing a major renovation to convert it into a 21st Century Middle School. Voters approved a bond in May 2007 that financed the construction of Rolland-Warner Middle School, Zemmer Middle School, District wide technology improvements and other facility improvements.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony is planned for late summer 2010 with the first classes in the new school to begin in September 2010.

Accreditation team to visit Lapeer East

A Quality Assurance Review team from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement will be at Lapeer East High School on Thursday, December 10th and Friday, December 11th for a visit.

The review at East is part of the ongoing process of the continued accreditation of all three District high schools.

A five-year review is required for continued accreditation, something that Lapeer East has had since its opening in January 1976.

Lapeer East has identified as goals the improvement of writing skills and reading and analytical thinking proficiency.

The review calls for an intensive examination of school records and interviews to confirm that the school is working towards the seven standards of the NCA and East’s own goals.

The seven standards of NCA are: Vision and Purpose; Governance and Leadership; Documenting and Using Results; Resource and Support Systems; Stakeholder Communications and Relationships; and a Commitment to Continuous Improvement.

“We look forward to the visit of the Quality Assurance Review team,” said Principal Kelly Paige. “We believe the NCA accreditation process helps keep us focused on providing an outstanding secondary education for our students.”

Lapeer West, Lapeer East host major fund raising events on Saturday, December 5th

Here are a couple high school fund raising events to fill up your Saturday. (Photo by Julie Fernandez, click to enlarge)

Lapeer West

A night of fun and music provided by the popular local band “Eddie West” will help raise money needed to send the Lapeer West High School Symphony Band to the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids in January will be held this Saturday, December 5th. The West band is only one of four high schools in the State chosen to play at the conference.

Cost for the trip, which includes busing, meals, programs and lodging for 72 students is estimated at about $25,000. A series of fund-raisers are being held to defray student costs.

The “Eddie West” benefit will be at the Lapeer Country Club from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. There will be a silent auction and snacks will be provided. Tickets are $10 per person. All money raised at the event will benefit the trip. Tickets are on sale at the Lapeer West High School office or by contacting Mary Nugent at at (248) 515-9904 or mnugent@lapeerwestmusic.org.

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Lapeer East

The Lapeer East High School Athletic Boosters Annual Craft and Bake Show and food drive is this Saturday, December 5th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school, 933 S. Saginaw Street.

The show is free to the public and concessions will be sold on site. The boosters are also seeking donated items for a raffle to be held during the show.

Customers attending the craft and bake show will be given a free raffle ticket for any non-perishable item donated to the food drive. Food collected will be given to KIND, Kids in New Directions.

Zemmer Middle School construction progress update - Photos from December 2

New photos of the ongoing work at the future Zemmer Middle School were taken on Wednesday, December 2nd and are available for viewing at the District photo gallery.

Follow up to suspicious vehicle at school on Thursday

The issue regarding the suspicious person at one of our schools yesterday turned out not to be a threat. The following letter was sent home to parents today from the Superintendent:

"November 20, 2009


Dear Parent/Guardian:

A report about a suspicious person and vehicle at one of our schools yesterday, that we reported to you in a letter sent home with your child, turned out not to be a threat to students. The circumstances surrounding this incident present an important lesson for all of us.

As it turned out the woman and vehicle involved in the incident was a parent of a student trying to contact her child during the school day. As soon as she heard about the incident she reported that she was the “suspicious” person to the principal.

We are grateful that the incident was not one that presented a threat to our students, but it does reinforce the rules for contacting your child at school during the school day.

If a need arises that causes a parent or guardian to visit a child in one of our schools it is required that the contact be made through the school office. The reasons for this are obvious, and ones that I’m sure all of our parents and guardians can appreciate.

Anytime there is an attempt to contact children, other than through the office, our staff has been directed to call the police and make a report. We are pleased that the staff at the school reacted in a quick and responsible way to ensure the safety of the students.

Sincerely,


Debbie Thompson
Superintendent"

Schickler family hosts night with "Santa" at Burger King

There’ll be no pouting or crying for Schickler students, their families and supporters as Santa Claus is making an early trip south to visit with students and staff at the Lapeer Burger King on Tuesday, December 8th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. leaving the elves in charge at the North Pole for a night.

Sponsored by Burger King and the Parent Teacher Organization of Schickler Elementary School children are encouraged to bring wish lists and letters to Santa and come eat dinner with the staff and students.

Depending on participation at the dinner, Schickler will earn up to 20 percent of the dinner receipts for school events.

“We want to give Santa a “Whopper” of a Schickler welcome to the Burger King in Lapeer,” said parent Wendy McCord.

Lapeer East students to be chosen for U.S. Ed Department long range high school, career study

A select number of Lapeer East High School students will be tracked through high school and beyond through a program by the U.S. Department of Education as part of a High School Longitudinal Study.

Lapeer East High School is among 940 high schools nationwide, selected at random, for the study of 24,000 current high school students.

The study plans to follow these students through high school, into college and beyond into careers to measure achievement and the various influences that bear on the plans and decision-making of high school students.

Students will be asked to spend about 90 minutes filling out a background questionnaire and taking a math test at school.

Names and addresses of the participants, who will be contacted by the U.S. Department of Education, will not be made public and participation is voluntary.

Students who agree to participate will receive a clear backpack filled with educational items.

New text message program includes school closings, emergencies

The Lapeer Community Schools has established, and tested, a new telephone text program that will allow the District to send emergency or school closing information via a text message to individual cellular phones. People interested in receiving school closing or other emergency messages via a text message, please e-mail Communications Specialist Jim Smith with your name, cell phone number and the company you use (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, etc.) at jimsmith@lapeerschools.org. Certain pre-paid cell phones are not accessible to the system at this time.

The anticipation is that a great number of people may want this service so please give allow a week or so to get all the numbers entered into the system.

Two former Lapeer East Eagles making a mark in collegiate soccer

The County Press has a nice story on two Lapeer East High School grads, Kristen Tomczyk, Class of 2009, and Haley Weingartz, Class of 2007, and their collegiate soccer accomplishments.

Lapeer West students to pump gas for Project Graduation fund-raiser

Lapeer West students working on Project Graduation will be pumping gas at three area gas stations on Friday, November 27th (Day after Thanksgiving) as a fund-raiser. Motorists can sit in their cars and get fueled the old fashioned way between 7 a.m. and Noon on that day. The students will be at the Pine Knob station at Pratt Road and M-24; at the Sunoco station at Clark and M-21 (Genesee Street); and at the Clark station next to the railroad tracks on M-24.

Free after school golf lessons offered to Lapeer East High School students

Lapeer East students interested in free golf lessons are invited to afternoon sessions with East girls’ golf coach Steve Stearns , Monday to Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., except for days there are staff or professional development meetings.

Students are encouraged to bring their own clubs but there are clubs for students who don’t have them. The lessons will continue until the weather turns better or through April, whichever comes first.

Lapeer students honored for achievement in Conservation poster contest

Lapeer East freshman Colin Robertson, who took first place in the 7th to 9th grade division, Turrill first-grader Hannah Hundt, who won in the kindergarten to first grade category and Maple Grove fifth-grader Mason Wnuk, are three of several Lapeer students honored for posters they entered in the 2009 Michigan Conservation District “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” art contest.

Colin, Hannah and Mason’s posters will now move on to Statewide judging. Winners at the State contest will go on to compete nationally.

(Lapeer East photo caption: (Left to right) Payton Holden, Colin Robertson, Ryan Shoults, Julian Hicks, Jennifer Mausolf; and Whitney Lee.)

Student artists were required to us the “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” and design artwork around the subject for the poster.

Lapeer East students recognized for their artwork were Julian Hicks (10th grade, Honorable Mention); Payton Holden (8th grade, Honorable Mention); Whitney Lee (10th grade, Honorable Mention); Jennifer Mausolf (9th grade, Honorable Mention); Colin Robertson (9th grade, First Place); and Ryan Shoults (12th grade, Third Place).

Also honored were six District elementary students. In addition to Hannah Hundt at Turrill, other Turrill students honored were: First-grader Auston Kornacki, Second Place; first-grader Morgan Putnam, Third Place and third-grader Marshall Umsted, Third Place; in addition to Mason Wnuk at Maple Grove, sixth-grader Clay Smith, Second Place, was honored.

Students were judged in grade categories of K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. First place winners received a t-shirt and first, second and third place finishers received ribbons.

Judging was based on the conservation message, visual effectiveness, originality and universal appeal.

Lapeer East volleyball run ends in quarterfinals

It was a great run, but the Lapeer East Eagles volleyball team lost to Farmington Hills Mercy 3-1 in a quarterfinals match at Fenton High School.

Congratulations to the Eagles for a fine season.

Are you ready for L-o-t-z-a P-a-s-t-a? Popular Murphy all-you-can-eat fund raiser is Friday

Murphy Elementary PTC will be hosting our annual all-you-can-eat pasta dinner on Friday, November 20th from 4:30-7:30 PM in the gymnasium at Murphy School on Pratt Road. Many items donated from local businesses & merchants will be raffled off. There will also be a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing.

The PTC is trying to raise money to fund projects for the school. Monies raised will provide assemblies, busing for field trips, classroom allowances, student scholarships, science and art fair awards, scholastic learning magazines and equipment for our students throughout the school year.

A successful dinner will allow us to eliminate some of the door-to-door sales that we ask of our Murphy Families and will provide needed items for our students. This will also give our parent’s pocketbook a much-needed break, as well as bringing the community together for a fun night out.

Our dinner will be catered by Italia Gardens and will include all-you-can-eat mostaccioli (with sauce or buttered), salad, bread, beverage and dessert. Pre-pay tickets are $7 for adults $5 for kids and 3 and under is free. Tickets sold at the door are $9 for adults and $7 for kids. If you’re in a hurry or too tired to get out of your car, a drive-up carry out is available again this year. All raffle tickets will be available that night. Everyone is welcome! You can click on “School Events” on the Murphy Elementary page at http://www.lapeerschools.org/ for more information.

Please join us for Lotza Fun, Lotza Pasta and Lotza Prizes! Come hungry and help us support our school!

For tickets or more information contact: Debbie Bridges at 810-441-3023 or Alysia Easton at 810-797-2046

"Eddie West" performance to benefit the Lapeer West Symphony Band trip to Grand Rapids

A night of fun and music provided by the popular local band “Eddie West” will help raise money needed to send the Lapeer West High School Symphony Band to the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids in January. (Photo credit: Julie Fernandez. Click on photo to enlarge)

Lapeer West was one of only four high school bands in Michigan selected to perform this year. The selection marks the fifth time in 31 years that Lapeer West Symphony Band was selected for this honor.

Every year more than 2,000 music educators, public and collegiate, attend the conference. To be selected the West band had to submit an application and a live recording of the ensemble. A selection committee reviews the applications and recordings and selects only the most outstanding ensembles to showcase at the conference.

Cost for the trip, which includes busing, meals, programs and lodging for 72 students is estimated at about $25,000. A series of fund-raisers are being held to defray student costs.

“The students have achieved this honor through hard work and discipline,” said West Band Director Daniel Hundt. “They have represented our schools and community at the very highest level.”

The Symphony Band is scheduled to perform from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Friday, January 22nd in the DeVos Place Performance Hall in Grand Rapids.

The “Eddie West” benefit will be at the Lapeer Country Club from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2009. There will be a silent auction and snacks will be provided. Tickets are $10 per person. All money raised at the event will benefit the trip. Tickets are on sale at the Lapeer West High School office or by contacting Mary Nugent at at (248) 515-9904 or mnugent@lapeerwestmusic.org.

Special thanks to the Lapeer Optimist, Kiwanis, and Sunrise Kiwanis Clubs for their generous donations. We also wish to thank Mary Sue Weber for club contact information.

Anyone wishing to make a donation for the trip may call Mr. Hundt at (810) 656-3368.

Homework help from the Family Literacy Center

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!

Friday, December 4
9:00-3:30
Mott College Campus Lapeer, Room 206.

Lunch and all materials are provided. Registration is required. Adults only, please. To register contact Family Literacy Center at 810-664-2737 or ican@readlapeer.org.

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