Kindergarten Round Up serves up info, fun

Kindergarten Round Up is always a special time at Lapeer Community Schools. It's the first day of a great educational adventure for Lapeer children. The Round Up started Wednesday, March 24 and concluded on Thursday, March 25.

In addition to registering for school next fall, the youngsters were treated to information on lunches, services from area child advocacy agencies, such as the Family Literacy Center, and each child went home with a new balloon.

And anyone who wanted to got their first ride on a real school bus.

See you in the fall!

To see more photos go to the District photo gallery.

'Mary Todd Lincoln' visits West students

Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln, came to life for Lapeer West students in the person of Mrs. Marie Papciak, a former elementary school library-media specialist, brought her "Women Who Changed America" portrayal to Lapeer West High School on Wednesday, May 24.

She also portrayed Susan B. Anthony, an early advocate for voting rights for women.

Students from Mrs. Amy Ostrander's Women's Studies class and Mr. Bill Anderson's Advanced Placement English 11 class were in the West Library and Media Center for the presentation.

More photos of the event are available at the District's photo gallery.

Lapeer West to host "Kids Against Hunger" food community service program on April 27

The Flint Metro League Student Council’s will host “Kids Against Hunger” at Lapeer West High School on Tuesday, April 27.

Students from all ten Flint Metro League schools, including Lapeer East High School, will be on hand to help package highly nutritious meals for area food banks.

It is anticipated that the students will pack 10,000 meals from 9-10 a.m. in the West gym that day.

“This is a worthwhile event that involves our students in a positive community service project,” said Hollie Marcola, counseling secretary and advisor to the Lapeer West Student Council.

Lynch, Seaton Elementary Problem Solving competitors head for MSU event April 17

Two teams of students from Lynch Elementary and four teams from Seaton Elementary School and several alternates have been invited to participate in the annual Michigan Future Problem Solving Program State Bowl at Michigan State University in East Lansing on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18.

The Lapeer elementary school team will compete with members of 92 of the top teams Michigan.

Lynch team members, Alicia Birkenhauer, Alexis Mosher, Trey Lubonski, Jacob Schlaud, Allison Johnson, Anastasia Mausolf, Rachel Compton Megan Bopra, with alternates, Abby Horning, Steven Romolino, Paul Ankley, and Shelby Metzger, and Seaton team members, Sam Boddy, James Felton, Sierra Wineman, Brittney Potter, Nicole Tomczyk, Carley Heathcock, Sarah Ridenour, Kara Daniels, Hannah Somerville, Jocelyn Jones, Matthew Brey, Zachary Fritz, Brooklyn Withey, Olivia Card, Greg Schabel, and Katie Sinka, with alternate, Lauren Barber, and their coach, Stephen Larzelere-Kellermann travel to MSU.

The State Bowl is the culmination of a yearlong program where students are taught to creatively seek, attack, and solve problems related to projections into the future. An estimated 1,000 Michigan students worked on three problems during the 2009-2010 school year – Invasive Species, Sensory Overload, and Orphaned Children, which were scored and critiqued by trained evaluators.

Based on the third problem, 92 of Michigan FPSP’s teams across three grade divisions (4-6, 7-9, and 10-12) have been invited to participate in the State Bowl. While teams know the general topic of this year’s Bowl – Food Distribution – they will not know the specific nature of the problem they will attempt to solve until the Bowl begins.

Solutions will be evaluated on clearly established criteria, and the top five teams from each division will receive trophies. State Champions will also be invited to represent Michigan at the 2010 International FPS Conference at the University of Wisconsin in LaCross in May. In the past years, Michigan participants have won 25 championships at the International Conference.

Spring recess office hours announced

Office hours for Administration and Service Center employees working during Spring Recess will by 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The office will be closed on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.

Regular office hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will resume on Monday, April 12 with the resumption of classes.

Lapeer West High School teachers honored at MEA state art show in East Lansing recently

Current Lapeer West art and industrial arts teachers and a retired West art teacher were honored by having art work selected for the Michigan Education Association Art Show.

Selected for the show was a photograph (left) taken by Mrs. Julie Fernandez; a wood sculpture and papier mache sculpture created by Mr. Jeff Bolzman (right, below); a wooden sculpted plate by Mr. Steve Hilgendorf and a sculptural piece of glass, metal and wood titled “Balance” by retired art teacher Jeanine Smith.

Only 79 art pieces from around Michigan were selected for the show.

Mrs. Fernandez was further honored by having her photograph selected as a “Purchase Award,” putting it in the top tier of the awards at the show.

To see more teacher art go to the photo gallery.

“Having a piece selected for the show is a nice honor, having one selected for purchased by the MEA is an even higher honor,” said Mr. Bolzman. “We all congratulate Julie on her work.”

Lapeer West High School 8th graders finish high in 2010 Delta College Math Competition

Two Lapeer West 8th graders competed in the 2010 Delta College Math Competition held Saturday, March 20 and both finished among the top contestants. A total of 126 8th graders from around the State competed in the event.

Travis Lusigna finished tied for 23rd in the competition which earned him a medal. Cole Heathcock finished tied for 24th, just out of the medals.

Lapeer West students score well at District 5 Regional Science Olympiad held at Mott

Lapeer West High School’s Science Olympiad team finished 5th overall in the District 5 Regional competition held at Mott Community College on Saturday, March 20. There are 26 teams in Region 5.

A number of West team members had outstanding results, including an overall first place finish by Patrick Martindale and Scott Essenmacher with their mousetrap car. Josh Francis and Rebecca Francis had a first place finish in the Technical Problem Solving event.

At least one medal was earned by each of the team’s members, Ana Tkach, Carson Phillips, Pat Chouinard, Gina Cavanaugh, Thomas Goslin, Brandon Jakeway, David Pless and Kevin Roach in the competition.

Lapeer West High School creative writing class produces book of student work

Students in Lapeer West teacher Dawn Summerlee’s Creative Writing Class receive more than just a grade at the end of each trimester, they end up with a book with the best of the class’s collective works.

The current volume, “Writing from Inside,” includes art work and each student’s favorite poem and short story from the winter trimester.

The books have proven popular with students and a little extra incentive to put in a little extra effort.

“This class challenged me to write in a different way, it challenged me to think in a different way,” said Micah Corlew, a West student who recently took the class. “I developed a few writing skills in that period, but more importantly, I developed character. The best part is the end-of-the-trimester anthology. I hope to see this class offered again and again for years to come. It was one of my best high school experiences.”

Three students, Gabby Koerner, Grace Koerner and Jade Cremer produced a short, emotional video on Haiti for their final exam.

Previous volumes include, “Write from the heart,’” and “All Writes Reserved.”

Murphy Elementary set to "Tee Off for Technology" at annual golf scramble in May

Spring and warmer temperatures signal that it’s time for the 2010 Murphy Elementary School’s 9th Annual Tee-Off For Technology Golf Scramble.

Teams and sponsors are being sought to compete in the event on Saturday, May 8 at the Lapeer Country Club. Early registration is suggested as the event usually ends up with a waiting list. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Last year’s outing enabled the school to purchase online programs for students, helped fund the summer school program, updated Murphy’s studio equipment and allowed the school to continue to purchase age appropriate software to complement curriculum.

Funds from this year’s event will be used to support technology and literacy programs.
There will be plenty of prizes, both on and off the course. Cost of golfing is $75 per person or $300 a team. The price includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, coffee and donuts, a steak dinner and a t-shirt.

Prizes include first and second place money, a Vegas hole, a hole-in-one prize, Skins game, longest drives, closest to the pins, 50/50 raffle and raffles for several great golf courses and other door prizes.

Non-golfers are invited for lunch for $15, or buy a t-shirt for $10. A wide variety of sponsorships are available.

For more information or to receive a registration or sponsor form, call Debbie Bridges at (810) 441-3023, the school at (810) 678-2201 or go to the school’s website for more information, www.lapeerschools.org/murphy.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West choirs 'excellent' at District 3 Choral Festival at FIM, head to State Choral Festival

Two choirs at Lapeer West High School and the Lapeer East Concert Choir received “excellent” ratings at the District 3 Choral Festival at the Flint Institute of Music on Wednesday, March 3 and qualified to sing at the State Choral Festival.

A Lapeer West student, David Smith (photo), who sings with the Lapeer East choir, has advanced from his performance at the State Honors Choir in January to the All-State Choir and a performance at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May conducted by the nationally-known conductor, Craig Jessop.

“This is the second time David has been chosen for this honor,” said teacher Mrs. Cheryl Burnside, who conducts the East choirs. “Our students, both East and West, wonderfully represent Lapeer. They are not only ‘excellent’ choirs, but are also very courteous and well-mannered when they visit other schools.”

The State Choir Festival will be Tuesday, April 27, at Rochester High School.

The Lapeer West Mixed Choir and the Lapeer West Concert Choir both received the “excellent” ratings. The Lapeer West Treble Choir also performed and received a “good” rating.

“I’m proud of the students and all the work they put into the choirs,” said Lapeer West teacher Mr. Thomas Kaiser, who conducts the West choirs.

Coach Mandy hopes to expand after school running program to all elementary schools

Successful after school Running Clubs at Murphy and Mayfield Elementary Schools may be expanded to all District elementary schools in 2010-2011.

Currently at Murphy, 61 students participate in the program, which started in October and meets after school each Thursday. The Mayfield program meets on Wednesday and currently has 52 students signed up for its program.

On nice days at both schools, the running is done on a track behind the school and on more inclement days, students run in the front parking lot under adult supervision.

The running program is coordinated by Ms. Mandy Jo Rindhage, who has children at Murphy and Lapeer West.

“I would like to expand the running clubs to all of the Lapeer elementary and middle schools for the 2010-2011 school year,” said Coach Mandy. “With only five days a week and nine buildings, I’m going to need some help.”

Volunteers are being sought to help start programs at all the buildings. To receive more information or to help start a running club at a school, contact Coach Mandy at (810) 449-8340 or at mandyjo@fitnessbymandyjo.com. There will be a small charge for these programs.

A free summer running program will start on June 16. An exact time has not yet been determined but options are for a 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5, 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. start time.

The summer running club is open to all students entering kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2010-2011 school year. All District students are invited to this free program.

For information on the summer running club contact Coach Mandy.

Statement on a December incident at Lapeer East High School

Lapeer Community Schools was notified on March 19 that a court prohibition preventing four students involved in a December after-school incident at Lapeer East High School from attending classes at the school was lifted.

While the District cannot, and will not, discuss specific student discipline due to Federal law, the District has been notified that no felony charges, no assault charges and no charges related to sexual misconduct have been issued in relation to these students.

Because of the federal law, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the District will not release any additional information.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West students win several honors at recent Lansing art show

Lapeer East and Lapeer West students won several honors at the recent Michigan Art Education Association show held in Lansing.

The selections continue a history of success by Lapeer art students at the State art competition.
Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community High School students had art work selected for judging in the Region 10 MAEA and several of those had artwork selected for further judging at the State level in Lansing.

Lapeer West students Cheryse Burns and Rachel Gillotte, students of Mrs. Nancy Barry had art work selected for the State’s Top 18. Cheryse, Rachel and Hillary Davlin, a Lapeer East art student of Mrs. Deb Helbig had art pieces selected for the Governor’s Traveling Show.

As part of the traveling art show, the students’ artwork will be exhibited in at least three high schools in Michigan, the Governor's residence, the Michigan Art Education Association convention and three universities. Lapeer West and Mrs. Barry will host one of the governor's show exhibits next school year.

In addition several East and West art students had artwork selected for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Art Show.

Selected for the YAFAS were: East students, Ayla Chanakam Asawasathaporn and Hillary Davlin; and West students, Cheryse Burns, Elizabeth Smith and Rachel Gillotte.

The Top 18 artists will be honored at a special luncheon in May at the Michigan YAFAS at Western Michigan University.

“These students are to be congratulated for a terrific job,” said Mr. Jeff Bolzman. “Congratulations to all the students who participated in this show.”

Other students selected for the State judging were: West students, Rhonda Vandercook, Jessica Phelps, and eighth-grader Paula Kelly Greenman; East student, Kayla Miller.

Lapeer West students honored for work at Regional Scholastic Art competition

Two Lapeer West students won Gold Key awards at a recent Regional Scholastic Art competition. (As soon as the art is returned from judging it will be posted online, so come back and check)

A total of 11 students were honored for 17 pieces of art judged at the regional event.
The prestigious Scholastic Art Show has been the most rigorous competition for high school artists in the country for more than 80 years.

Students of Lapeer West art teacher, Mrs. Nancy Barry, have won national honors more than 20 times during her career.

“Schools are honored to have even a single piece in this juried show,” said Mrs. Barry. “The Art Department instructors firmly believe that everyone can benefit from instruction in the visual arts.”

The West art department agrees with author Daniel Pink’s statement that: “Research has shown that instruction in the arts boost test scores in other areas as well as being valuable for teaching creativity, which cannot be outsourced.”

Gold Key awards; Lisa Noelle (two awards, sculpture and ceramics and glass) and Jessica Phelps (ceramics and glass). Noelle also won a College for Creative Studies Special Award for her ceramics and glass art. Both are students of teacher Mr. Jeff Bolzman.

Silver Key awards, Jaclyn Conlon (photography), Jessica Phelps (ceramics and glass), Elizabeth Smith (sculpture), Haileigh Sanders (drawing). Phelps is a student of Mr. Bolzman and Jaclyn, Haileigh and Elizabeth are students of Mrs. Barry.

Students honored with Certificates were: Kaitlyn Becker (drawing), Samantha Case (drawing), Jaclyn Conlon (photography – two photos), Lauren Gates (drawing), Rachel Gillotte (drawing), Jessica Phelps (ceramics and glass), Megan Roberson (drawing), and Sabrina Stryznski (drawing), all students of Mrs. Barry.

Lunch can be educational too! Lapeer Community Schools spices up lunch time

Learning doesn’t always stop when the lunch hour bell rings.

As part of National Nutrition Month, the Lapeer Community Food Service Department is using student lunch time this week to teach students about the flavorful and healthy use of spices in crafting low-fat healthy snacks.

Students around the District will be offered a taste test of four healthy snacks during the month of March.

“Spice Up Your Health. Exploring the benefits of herbs and spices” was the theme of the annual program to teach healthy nutrition to District students. The program was offered by Chartwells, the food service company that supplies meal services to the District.

“From observations, it appears the two most popular snacks were the ‘Creamy Cinnamon Vanilla Dip,’ which was served as a dip with apple slices, and the ‘Cheddar Herb Biscuits,” said Jill McLaughlin, administrative assistant and chef at Chartwells, “But students like the other healthy snacks as well.”

Copies of all the recipes were made available to students. Copies of the recipes are posted on the District’s photo gallery at: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/SpicingUpLunchAtLCS.

Spices used in the four recipes were cinnamon, vanilla, ground ginger, granulated garlic, oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme leaves and black pepper.

Brownie Girl Scout beginning ice skaing program at Polar Palace begins March 24

Following is some information that may be of interest to many of our students and parents about a new beginning ice skating program at the Polar Palace. From the Polar Palace:

The Brownie Girl Scout Program is a beginning ice skating class for those Scouts interested in discovering, connecting and taking action on and off the ice.

Trained Skating Instructors will be conducting the 5-week program on Wednesday (Mar 24 - Apr 28 from 4:50-5:50pm) to help Scouts achieve several of the designated outcomes that are essential to strong leadership -- from exploring the sport of ice skating, ice skating etiquette, learning the basics of ice skating, ice skating games and the opportunity to be an inspiration to others.

"We will also have some off-ice time devoted to creating an acrostic poem about ice skating and making a skating mural," stated Lemieux. "It is our hope to provide the Scouts with a unique experience both on and off the ice."

The cost of the 5-week session program is $55 and includes skate rental. Scouts enrolled in the program can take advantage of the Wednesday Public Skate beginning at 3 pm. The designated one hour session includes 1/2-hour group lesson and 1/2-hour practice time. Upon earning their Polar Palace Skating School patch, a $5 discount coupon will also be provided to all Scouts wishing to "first time" enroll in any "Learn-to-Skate or Learn-to-Play" class thereafter.

Reminders, notes from today's e-mail blast

If you are the parent of a high school senior, now is the application time for scholarships. Many are available in both small and large amounts, but every little bit can help. There is plenty of information on the counseling tabs on both high school websites. Deadlines are approaching, some as early as next week, so make sure your senior is not left out of a scholarship. Each year millions of dollars of scholarships are given to graduating seniors at the high schools.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Canned and boxed foods are being collected at the school offices at Lapeer East and Lapeer West for the Habitat for Humanity Food Drive during the month of March. All donations will remain in Lapeer County.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

High school juniors at Lapeer East and Lapeer West should be aware of several opportunities this spring and summer for leadership and citizenship seminars. These programs are completely funded by our Lapeer American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Lapeer Rotary and Lapeer Farm Bureau Organizations. Students attend free of charge. Applications for Boys State, Girls State, Rotary Youth Leadership Conference and Young Peoples Citizenship Seminar are now available in the counseling offices and must be returned by this Friday, March 19.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for orders for the West Music Boosters Easter Ham Sale is this Friday, March 19. Ham pick-up will be next Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the West band room. Call Tina Conlon (24*) 766-5701 to place an order.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder: The Mayfield Elementary School PTC Spring Craft Bazaar and Mom 2 Mom Sale is this Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, 302 Plum Creek Road. It’s a great place to get deals on new or gently used clothing and other items.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
We now have links on the elementary school home pages for the fun Math & Science Connection newsletter. Lots of fun things to do at home with your student.

Advanced Sitter, Youth Golf enrichment classes offered through spring enrichment

Advanced babysitting classes and a youth golf class for boys and girls in grades K -7, are being offered through the Lapeer Community Schools Spring Youth Enrichment Programs.

Young men and young women with at least some babysitting experience are invited to take an Advanced Sitter class on Monday, April 19, that will prepare them for overnight or family travel babysitting jobs. Basic CPR will also be taught. The class is excellent for achieving scout badges or 4-H requirements.

An Advanced Babysitting Certificate will be issued upon successful completion. The two-hour class which begins at 6:30 p.m. will cost $20 a person or 2 registrants can enroll for $30. The class is taught by Mrs. Gloria Sherman and will be held at Rolland-Warner Middle School, 333 DeMille Boulevard in Lapeer.

Young people interested in learning golf are invited to register for a program taught by professional instructors. Students will be taught the fundamentals (grip, stance and swing); long game (drivers and irons); and short game (pitching, chipping and putting).

The course, which will be held in one-hour sessions on Wednesdays, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5 at 6:15 p.m. in the Murphy Elementary School gym, 1100 Pratt Road in Metamora Township, will also teach the finer points of etiquette and rules. Top-of-the-line junior clubs and safe foam balls will be used for this indoor class.

Cost of the four sessions is $55.

Pre-registration is required for both classes. There will be no registration at the door. To register or to obtain a registration form call (810) 538-1622.

Lapeer East High School receives high marks as NCA accreditation approved

Following the visit of a Quality Assurance Review team in December, Lapeer East High was notified it received high marks and a five-year renewal of its accreditation by the North Central Association on Accreditation and School Improvement.

The seven-member team gave Lapeer East high marks in the seven areas of “Standards for Quality Schools.” Those standards are: Vision and purpose, governance and leadership, teaching and learning, documenting and using results, resource and support systems, stakeholder communications and relationships and commitment to continuous improvement.

Among others, the team specifically commended Lapeer East in the following areas:

· “The Advanced Placement (AP) program has seen significant growth, increasing student achievement and skill set of teaching staff. This growth is also diverse in terms of socio-economic background and the teaching staff receiving training in this program.”

· “Stakeholders have a great deal of pride and building staff display a great deal of camaraderie.”

· The building staff has begun to use data to support teaching and curriculum choices.

NCA CASI provides nationally-recognized accreditation, the purpose of which is continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCA CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school, and implement a continuous process of school improvement.

NCA CASI accreditation is recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school but also assures parents that the school is meeting nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice.

“We are pleased that the hard work by our students and staff was recognized in such a positive way by the accreditation team,” said East Principal Kelly Paige. “Our goal is to constantly improve our standards and expectations for our students and our staff.”

Lapeer West High School is also an NCA accredited high schools.