Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Video: Mayfield Elementary activities 2009-2010

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


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

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

Current Lapeer East High School Principal Kelly Paige is retiring at the end of the school year.
Mr. Roper’s education career began as a middle school teacher in Danville, Illinois 13 years ago. Later he became a middle school teacher, then high school teacher and basketball coach at Schoolcraft Community Schools near Kalamazoo.
He obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in English from Illinois State University. Mr. Roper also serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and committees for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

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

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

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

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

Monday, June 14, 2010

Lapeer Community High School honors Top Graduates

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

Congratulations to these graduates!

Beat the Heat! Summer fun at the Polar Palace

Press Release from the Polar Palace:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 11, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Summer sports physicals clinic offered

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

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

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

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

District to provide free summer breakfast, lunch at two locations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matt Olson named Principal of Zemmer Middle School

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students sew dresses for Africa as class project

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

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

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

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

Photos of the project are available at the photo gallery.

Lynch students lobby State Representative Kevin Daley for State dragonfly designation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Three Lapeer sports teams advance in the post season

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

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

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

Friday, June 4, 2010

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

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

Summer building hours, closings set

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, June 3, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

Superintendent Debbie Thompson announces plans to retire at end of 2010-2011

Superintendent Debbie Thompson’s 40-year education career that began as a second-grade teacher at a private school in Oxford will end June 30, 2011 in retirement.

Last week, Mrs. Thompson informed the Board of Education that she will retire next year allowing the District plenty of time to find a new superintendent and create a seamless transition.

In her tenure as Superintendent she and the Board of Education navigated the District through difficult budgets brought on by Michigan’s financial woes, but also oversaw a successful bond campaign that brought two long sought after new middle schools to the District. Both schools open in the fall.

In 1974, Mrs. Thompson started her career with Lapeer Community Schools as a third and fourth grade Chapter I Reading teacher at Hadley Elementary School. Previously she had been a second-grade teacher at Kingsbury School in Oxford starting in 1971.

During her career she held a variety of posts including Title I teacher, Administrative Assistant for Staff Development, Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Interim Superintendent of Schools and finally in 2005, Superintendent.

From 1988 to 1992 she was an elementary school principal in Linden, the only time she was absent from the Lapeer District during her long career.

“I am excited to continue working next school year as we open and operate our two new middle schools,” said Mrs. Thompson. “It is a dream a long time in the making! In addition, I am energized by the enthusiasm of our current staff and the potential of the new staff we are in the process of hiring. I look forward to leading the District as we work to make LCS the best possible learning environment for all of our students.”

Mrs. Thompson received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and did advanced course work in educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University. She is listed in the 1988 Who’s Who in American Education and was named the 1984 Distinguished Educator for Lapeer Community Schools.

“At a time when the District needed strong leadership and vision, Mrs. Thompson admirably exemplified those assets during her time as Superintendent with Lapeer Community Schools,” said Board of Education President Bill Laidlaw. “She has been a pleasure to work with and a team player with the Board of Education in moving the District forward. She will be deeply missed when she retires.”

Swing Out 2010 - Photos


Photos of Swing Out 2010 are now posted on the District's photo gallery. This nearly 80-year tradition continued with graduates from Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community High School marching through town and being greeted by friends and family.