New hockey coach at Lapeer West

Lapeer West High School has named Brian Macdonald as its new varsity hockey coach.

The veteran player and coach has been involved with hockey for nearly four decades, beginning as a player on the 1974 State Championship Detroit Catholic Central team, followed by three years of play with the University of Michigan-Dearborn hockey team, which made it to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship finals.

Lapeer West Athletic Director Mary Haslinger noted, ”I am excited that Brian has accepted the coaching position, and I am confident that he is the right coach to lead Lapeer West toward contention for a Flint Metro League Championship.”

His coaching career began at Brother Rice High School, and he has been a coach in the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA), coaching young players from Mites through Bantams, since 1996.

Macdonald lives in Lapeer and served as an assistant coach in the Lapeer East hockey program for six years, where his son played for four years.

Macdonald says he is excited about the coming season. “We will have a winning attitude,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the kids. I want to see them work hard and help them improve their skills.”
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Ribbon cutting at Zemmer Middle School

Lapeer Community Schools will celebrate the completion of construction on the second of its two new middle schools at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at 6 p.m. August 12 at Zemmer Middle School, 1920 W. Oregon, Lapeer.

Lapeer voters approved a $56.7 million bond issue in 2007, a portion of which financed the renovation of the former Zemmer Junior High School into a new middle school. Construction of the new Rolland-Warner Middle School was completed last fall, expanding the facilities at the former Woodside School. This fall will mark the first time the two new schools will house 6th, 7th and 8th grade students with new, innovative middle school programs.

“We are extremely happy to be able to open these new facilities,” said Debbie Thompson, Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent. “Wired from top to bottom for today’s technology and the technology of the future, these two campuses are ready to serve the students of Lapeer for generations.”

LCS student MME scores show improvement

LAPEER ¬– For the third year in a row, Lapeer Community Schools 11th graders have shown improvement on the statewide Michigan Merit Exam, which includes the ACT college entrance test.

District-wide, scores for the 552 high school juniors who took the test were 55% in Math (up 6 points), 74% in Reading (up 10 points), 67% in Science (up 10 points), 89% in Social Studies (up 3 points) and 46% in Reading (up 4 points). Scores in all subject areas tested were above the state average, and showed continued improvement over the last three years.

“We’re pleased that our student scores have continued to increase,” said Kim Seifferly, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Lapeer Community Schools. “We remain focused on providing the needed curriculum and teacher development to help all of our students achieve.”

The MME scores were released by the Michigan Department of Education late last week. The test is given each spring to the state’s 11th grade students. Testing takes place over three days. During the testing period, students take the ACT Plus Writing college entrance exam, three portions of the WorkKeys employability skills assessment and additional items in mathematics, science and social studies needed to complete the assessment to meet Michigan standards.

In addition to information provided by the MME to meet state and federal requirements, schools are provided Parent Reports that show a student's performance on the tests. Schools will provide to parents the printed Parent Reports when students return to class this fall.

MME results also provide students with an opportunity to obtain, at no cost to the student, college reportable ACT scores needed for admission to most colleges and universities.

Student scores for individual school districts are available on the internet: https://oeaa.state.mi.us/oeaa/.

Kenneth Janczarek is new Principal at Schickler Elementary

Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Kenneth Janczarek as the new principal at Schickler Elementary School.

Mr. Janczarek comes to Schickler after teaching fourth grade for the last seven years at Waterford Village Elementary in the Waterford School District. He replaces Michelle Bradford, who transferred to Lynch Elementary.

During his tenure in Waterford he was a lead teacher and worked with other teachers to create reading programs for at-risk readers and to realign the district’s science curriculum.

He also served on several teams that focused on curriculum, staff development and scheduling.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in language arts from Siena Heights University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Oakland University.

“I’m extremely excited to start the new school year and meet all of the wonderful families and students at Schickler,” said Mr. Janczarek.

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Traci Chouinard named Acting Principal at Seaton Elementary School

The Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Traci Chouinard as the Acting Principal at Seaton Elementary School.

Mrs. Chouinard has worked as a teacher in the Lapeer Schools for the last six years and moves to her new job after serving as a second and third-grade teacher at Murphy Elementary School. She has also been a first-grade teacher at Mayfield Elementary and taught early fives and kindergarten at both Irwin and Hadley Elementary Schools.

She replaces Cindi Niblack, who retired at the end of the school year in June.

A lifelong resident of Lapeer County and a graduate of Lapeer East High School, Mrs. Chouinard earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan-Flint and a master’s degree in elementary reading and literacy from Walden University. She also holds an associate’s degree in childhood development from Mott Community College.

Before she began her tenure with the Lapeer Community Schools she co-founded and, for seven years, served as the director of the Little Miracle Early Childhood Center in Metamora.

She and her husband, Chris, live in Metamora with their two children, Emily and Kyle. “As a family, we believe in supporting our community, and we’re involved in many activities.”

Board of Education elects officers for 2010-2011

Next year’s Board of Education officers will look the same as the previous year after Board members selected new officers for the 2010-2011 school year.

Bill Laidlaw is President, Peggy Bush is vice-president and John Nugent is secretary.

The Board also kept its regular meeting schedule of the first and third Thursday of the month. The first meeting is designated as the regular meeting and the second meeting will be the work session. Two exceptions are the July work session will not be held and the regular meeting scheduled in April 2011 will be held the last Thursday of March due to spring vacation.

Board meetings and the locations are available on the District website at lapeerschools.org and are posted at the Administration and Services Center, 250 Second Street in Lapeer.

Budget adjustments approved at Board of Education meeting

To address a $4.6 million budget shortfall caused by rollbacks in State funding for the past years and rising costs in health care and retirement the Board of Education approved a series of budget adjustments Wednesday to balance the budget.

Some of those adjustments will affect high school families with a small increase to high school parking fees, the elimination of family athletic passes and strict adherence to pay-to-play numbers for athletic teams.

Families will still be able to buy athletic punch cards that will allow entry to sporting events at a discount rate.

Strict adherence to minimum athletic participation numbers for teams is expected to save $50,000. In the past, teams with below the minimum number of students were provided but in the future the District will adhere to the minimum numbers based on the pay-to-play receipts on a specific payment deadline.

It will also cost high school students an additional 25 cents per week to park at the high schools as student parking fees were increased to $30 per year.

In addition to a number of budget cuts for the 2010-2011 year, the Board also downgraded an administrative position in the Business Office as part of the effort to eliminate the budget shortfall.

These actions were in addition to savings from teacher retirements, employee contract concessions, elimination of certain support staff positions, the postponement of bus purchases and a withdrawal of $1.7 million from the District’s savings, among other budget saving measures.

Video: Lapeer East Band - Senior Awards

Video: Mr. Steve Burns performs with the Lapeer East Band at Spring Concert

Video: Lapeer West Spring Band Concert - Hightlights

Some highlights from the 2010 Spring Lapeer West Band Concert. Enjoy!

Video: Lapeer West Spring Band Concert and Awards

Enjoy this edited version of the 2010 Lapeer West Spring Band Concert. The full video will be available on Charter Cable at various times during the summer and fall.

Video: Talented and Gifted activities of 2009-2010

The students in The Mayfield Tech Team produced this video on the Talented and Gifted Activities of 2009-2010. Enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

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