Science Alive brings critters to visit at Murphy Elementary at Rolland-Warner

The always popular Science Alive made a visit to the Murphy Elementary School students attending classes at Rolland-Warner Middle School on Wednesday, February 24.

Mr. Bill Neill introduced the students to the world of exotic and endangered animals and even let those who wanted get a "hug" from a very large python.

Photos were taken in Mrs. Darlene Gannon's class.

Lapeer East Robotics Team receives new sponsor, heads to District competitions

Armed with a new sponsor, a new robot and a 22-student team the Lapeer East High School FIRST Robotics Team is set for its first regional competition at Kettering University in Flint on March 5 and 6.

The team showed off its new robot Tuesday night at CCS Robotics on Imlay City Road. On hand were continuing sponsor Tony Diodato, owner of CCS Robotics and new sponsor PNC Bank and representatives, Rick Chown, vice-president, Leanne Peterman, assistant vice-president, and Michelle Griffis, branch manager at the Lapeer Main branch, 948 South Main Street.

Mr. Chown presented a check for $3,000 to the team and the team’s advisor, Mr. George Mavis, industrial arts teacher at Lapeer East High School.

Students demonstrated the new robot which will compete with dozens of area robotics teams in a game of robot soccer. Each FIRST Robotics team receives an identical kit of electronic parts and a set of rules describing the game in January and then has six weeks to design and assemble the robot.

Students get technical advice and mentoring from Mr. Diodato and Mr. Mavis, but are responsible for building the robot.

“The students all have great ideas,” Mr. Diodato said.

In addition to fun, the six week build period has a serious side for Diodato who has hired three former Lapeer East graduates and former robotics team members for his business.

“It’s really like a six week job interview,” Mr. Diodato said. Other graduates have gone on to study engineering at Kettering University.

The competition events bring family, friends and many fans, said Mr. Mavis.

(Photo: Lapeer East Robotics Team. Rick Chown, vice-president of PNC Bank (in suit) presents a check for $3,000 to the team. Mr. George Mavis (far left teacher and advisor) and continuing sponsor Tony Diodato of CCS Robotics (far right) pose with the team)

“It’s a basketball game atmosphere,” said Mr. Mavis. “Bring you ear plugs.”
With a successful result at District competitions at Kettering or Ann Arbor on March 11, 12 and 13, the Lapeer East team will move on to State competition at Eastern Michigan University April 1, 2, 3. The national FIRST competition will be held in Atlanta April 15, 16 and 17 at the Georgia Dome.

Lapeer East senior Katy Peacock inks commitment with Rochester College

Surrounded by her family and coaches, Lapeer East High School senior Katryna “Katy” Peacock signed her intent to play softball for Rochester College at a ceremony in the East media center Wednesday (February 24) afternoon.

(Photo caption: Photo from left: East coach Ray Reid, Macomb Explosion Coach Mike Downey, pitching coach Robert Dunham, father and coach, Don Peacock, mother, Lori Peacock, Rochester College Coach Justin Lewis and seated, Katy Peacock.)

Katy, a versatile offensive and defensive player, was honored in 2009 as an Academic All-State player and a Flint Metro League all Conference Honorable Mention player.

In addition to her outstanding athletic ability, Katy has scored well in the classroom as well with a 4.0 grade point average and a 31 ACT score, achieving High Honors each of her high school years. She has also served as President of the 2010 National Honor Society at East and is Senior Class Council vice-president.

Rochester College coach Justin Lewis spoke of Katy’s anticipated impact as both a player and a student at the ceremony.

“At Rochester College we are seeking to improve athletics and academics and Katy is the epitome of a student athlete,” Mr. Lewis said. “We are going to get a great player and a great student. It is the best of the best in both.”

East softball coach Ray Reid also praised Peacock for more than her softball ability.

“Her real strength is her work ethic, Coach Reid said. “Katy is very committed to the game and very committed to learn. She has a good glove and a good bat, she is definitely going to be an asset to Rochester College.”

In addition to Coaches Reid and Lewis and her father/coach Don Peacock, Katy’s summer softball program coaches Mike Downey and Robert Dunham were on hand for the ceremony. Katy plays for the Macomb Explosion summer team.

Katy plans to major in medicine.

Snow day make-up for Middle School orientation is Monday at Rolland-Warner

The snow day make-up for the Middle School Orientation Program for parents of fifth graders going into sixth grade next fall is now Monday, March 1, 2010 at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

The 5 p.m. session is for parents of students at Maple Grove, Murphy and Mayfield Elementary Schools. The 6:30 p.m. session is for parents of students at Schickler, Seaton, Turrill and Lynch Elementary Schools.

Maple Grove students, parents experiment with science during monthlong program

Maple Grove Elementary School culminated a month long science experiment program with a special science night with parents and students in kindergarten through third grade.

Students and parents rotated through a series of science experiment tables during the event.

Starting on January 11, students in kindergarten through third grade participated in a four-week program called "Science-in-a-Sack."

Volunteers at each grade level bagged experiment worksheets and some needed materials into plastic bags for the lucky students. Students took a bag home each Monday during the period and conducted the enclosed experiment and returned the completed materials each Friday.

Lapeer West wrestlers score another winning season

Individually and as a team, members of the Lapeer West High School wrestling team are having a great year.

The team won the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division II District II Championship at North Branch High School on Thursday, February 11. Lapeer West defeated cross-town rival Lapeer East 34-32 to advance to the championship, then downed North Branch 48-24 to become district champs.

“Our team wrestled well in the district tournament,” Head Wrestling Coach Matt Nowak said. “Freshman Vann Spinney won his match against East for the victory. His match was the deciding match and he stepped up in a pressure situation. It was a great win for our program and a step in the right direction.”

Team members also are registering individual successes. Aaron Secrest pinned his way to the League title. On Saturday, February 13, he and Dean Somers, Adams Nichols, Dakota Carie, and Nate Irelan competed in the Individual District Competition. They advanced to the Regional Competition, to be held this Saturday, February 20, at Warren Fitzgerald High School in Warren, Michigan.

The team also competed Wednesday, February 17, in Team Regionals at Kearsley High School losing a touch match to perennial powerhouse Corunna High School.

Four Lapeer West wrestlers qualified at the Regionals to compete in the State meet: Nate Irelan (fourth place in the 135-pound division); Dean Somers (first place in the 103-pound division); Adam Nichols (fourth place in the 103-pound division); and Dakota Carie (third place in the 112-pound division).

Update on evening school activities

The Lapeer West boys’ and girls’ basketball games (all levels) against Holly will be played tonight as scheduled.

The Lapeer East boys’ and girls’ basketball games (all levels) against Fenton will be played tonight as scheduled.

Rolland-Warner Middle School orientation is cancelled tonight. The event will be rescheduled.

Tonight’s Lapeer West 8th grade band concert is cancelled.

The 7th/8th grade basketball game against Oxford at Zemmer at Rolland-Warner is cancelled.

Mayfield Elementary School’s Family Night is cancelled. The event will be rescheduled.

Athletic practices are at the discretion of the coaches, but by school district policy are not mandatory.

The public review of the Family Life resources will be held in Conference Room B at the Adminstration and Services Center building, 250 Second Street tonight at 4 p.m. as scheduled.

City Recreation children's basketball practices are cancelled.

Lapeer schools close due to road conditions

Lapeer schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 23, due to poor back road conditions.

Family Literacy Center: Help with discipline problems at home or in the classroom

A press release from the Family Literacy Center:

Is discipline an issue in your home or classroom? Would you like to be more prepared when behavior problems arise?

Family Literacy Center will present “When the Chips Are Down”, a workshop on discipline and learning disabilities.

Learn strategies for improving your child’s behavior! At this 90 minute workshop we will view an outstanding DVD by Richard Lavoie, educator, administrator, author, and consultant. Gain advice on dealing with behavioral problems. Learn how to anticipate problems before they start! Discover how to create a stable learning environment!

This workshop is full of great information offered at no cost to you! The workshop will be held on:

Tuesday, March 16
12:30-2:00
OR
6:00-7:30
Mott College Lapeer, Room 206
550 Lake Dr., Lapeer, 48446

To register, call the Family Literacy Center at 810-664-2737, or register by email: 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.

Tutoring Made Easy Workshop in March

Press release from the Family Literacy Center:

You want the best for your kids. You would sacrifice anything for them.

Would you set aside six hours that could change your child’s entire life?

If your child is struggling with reading, you can do something about it. Sign up now for Family Literacy Center’s workshop, “Tutoring Made Easy”. At this workshop you will learn tricks and strategies to help your child succeed. These really do work! The workshop is offered at no cost to you! Don’t let your child become one of the 1 in 5 adults who struggles with reading! Register today!

Friday, March 19
8:30-3:30
Mott College, Lapeer

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 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.

Additional winter weather closings, cancellations or postponements

Due to winter weather, the following events scheduled for today are cancelled or postponed:

The Lapeer West 7th-8th grade basketball game versus Holly Middle School at Zemmer Junior High School at the Rolland-Warner building is cancelled. No make-up date has been scheduled.

The Rolland-Warner Middle School orientation program scheduled for this evening is postponed until tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23, at 5 and 6:30 p.m.

The Lapeer East 8th Grade Choir Choir concert scheduled for tonight at Lapeer East is postponed. No make-up date has been scheduled.

Athletic practices will be at the discretion of the coaches, but by school policy are not mandatory.

Schools closed today, Monday, February 22

Schools are closed today, Monday, February 22, due to winter weather.

Lapeer's top spellers heading to county bee

Three more elementary schools found their best spellers in contests Tuesday, February 16, and Wednesday, February 17. Now those students will begin preparing for the countywide spelling bee.

At Schickler Elementary, fifth-grader Kylee Roberts won the bee Tuesday when she correctly spelled “enfranchise.” Second place went to fifth-grader Paul Gregor. Both will represent their school at the county level. Sixth-grader Kaylee Fenslau was third and will compete if Kylee or Paul are unable to attend.

Jocelyn Jones was named top speller at Elba-Seaton Elementary School after she correctly spelled “suburban” in a competition with 11 of her classmates. Fifth-grader Alex Craig was named alternate for Elba-Seaton.

Jocelyn said she studied the word list provided by her teacher to prepare for the bee. While she felt ready for the competition, she said she was still nervous, especially about spelling in front of an audience of other students.

“It’s harder for me to spell out loud than it is to write it down,” she said. “So I wasn’t sure what letters were coming out of my mouth.”

Alex said she has a trick for calming her nerves: “When I get nervous, I just go to my happy place.”

At Murphy Elementary at Rolland-Warner Middle School, sixth-grader Jessica Pantone won her school’s bee Wednesday when she correctly spelled “patience.” She and fifth-grader Lydia Bontrager will represent their school at the county bee. Fifth-grader Isabella Mirza was named alternate.

Jessica said she studied for the bee by writing words from a study sheet onto index cards. Her plan to prepare for the county bee? “More index cards.”

Lydia said she also studied, but spelling wasn’t the difficult part of the contest — speaking in front of an audience was. “If you look at the crowd it makes you even more nervous,” she said, adding she focused on the judges instead.

The students join those already selected at other schools to attend the countywide bee. Sixth-grader Cody Cruce and fifth-grader Hope O’Neill will represent Mayfield Elementary. Allison Vestbjerg will represent Lynch Elementary. Maple Grove holds its bee today, February 17.

The countywide competition will be Thursday, March 18 at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

The spelling bees, occurring in schools across the country, eventually will determine the competitors for the National Spelling Bee to be held in June in Washington, D.C.

Student efforts to help Haitian earthquake victims paying off in big donations

Efforts by Lapeer students to help people devastated by the earthquake in Haiti are paying off in the form of significant donations to relief efforts.

The February 5 “Helping Haiti Heal Benefit Concert!” and silent auction, organized by Lapeer East High School students Katherine Baeckeroot and Rebecca Wright, raised $1,785.28 that will be donated to the relief effort through the Healing Hands International Organization.

The concert featured East junior Tate Robinson playing the guitar and singing, East Social Studies Teacher Al Margrif offering his brand of acoustic rock and a performance by Rick Samano, owner of Lapeer Music in downtown Lapeer.

Students also conducted a silent auction before the concert. Auction items included gift certificates and merchandise from local businesses and handmade items.

At Zemmer Middle School, students helped the cause recently with a “Hats for Haiti Day.” Sponsored by the Student Council, students paid $1 to wear hats to class for the day. Students and staff raised $513.

Students at Mayfield Elementary School raised $391.95 for relief efforts during their recent fundraiser. Students in Ms. Shellie Forgione’s third grade and Ms. Maja Burris’s sixth grade raised the money by collecting $1 dollar for students to add their names to a Hearts for Haiti wall.

Daddy-Daughter Dance at Lynch Elementary a big hit

The Daddy-Daughter Dance on Friday, February 12, at Lynch Elementary School was a sparkling affair with lights and balloons and lots of beautiful dresses.

Pistons assembly at Lynch Elementary gets students fired up

A Pistons assembly at Lynch Elementary School taught the students about integrity, passion and success followed by a lot of fun when staff members were made to do push-ups after losing a game of free throw to a couple of students.

Seaton hosts Valentine's Day Dance

The Seaton Valentine's Day Dance was held on Friday, February 12 from 7-9 p.m.

Turrill Elementary hosts Family Dance

Turrill Elementary School hosted their first Family Dance on Friday, February 12 from 6-8 p.m.

Schickler Elementary School spelling bee

Fifth-grader Kylee Roberts won the Schickler Elementary School spelling bee on February 16 correctly spelling "enfranchise."

School officials plan public hearings on updates to Family Life program

Lapeer Community Schools officials are proposing two updates to the district’s Family Life program and are offering the public a chance to learn about them before they are adopted.

The district has scheduled public hearings to review a new DVD about STDs, an updated resource for the ninth-grade Family Life program. The 20-minute DVD, entitled “STDs: Lifetime Consequences,” will replace the current, outdated video now used in the program. The DVD provides current statistics and methods of contraction while examining why risks are so often ignored.

The district also is proposing a new Personal Safety Awareness program to be offered to second-graders as part of the Family Life program. The program was developed by the Child Advocacy Center of the United States and teaches students how to respond in potentially dangerous situations, particularly those involving strangers. It will be presented by teachers, police liaisons and a Child Advocacy volunteer in four, one-hour sessions in the classroom.

The first public hearing will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 16. A second hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 23. Both will be in Meeting Room B of the Administration and Services Center, 250 Second St., Lapeer.