Tree planting honors Ronald Warner

The Nipissing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has planted a tree and presented a plaque at Rolland-Warner Middle School to honor longtime Lapeer Schools educator Ronald Warner.

On Friday April 29th family, friends, members of Mark and Henry Schell C.A.R. Society and Nipissing Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution gathered at the Rolland-Warner Middle School for a tree planting to honor the late Ronald Warner, former teacher, principal and administrator of Lapeer Schools. The middle school is named in honor of Warner and former teacher and administrator Doris Rolland.

Nipissing Chapter chose April 29th, Arbor Day, as a fitting day for the dedication and planting of the Crimson King Maple tree in Mr. Warner’s name. Mrs. Ronald (Abi) Warner, a member of the chapter, received the gift and plaque and presented it to Tony Strump, Principal of Rolland-Warner Middle School.

Speakers included Lapeer teacher Fred Olive, State Rep. Kevin Daley and Nipissing Chapter Regent Marsha Jewett.

East Soccer team earns Good Sports award

Please congratulate Chad Kenny and the Lapeer East Boys Soccer team on being awarded the 2010-2011 “Good Sports Are Winners" award.

This award is in recognition of displaying a high level of sportsmanlike behavior during the MHSAA tournament. The award is presented by the MHSAA and Meemic Insurance Company.

High school art on display at Gallery 194

High School Art Downtown is featured at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer through May 14th displaying work of students engaged in studying art from Lapeer, North Branch, Almont and home school programs. On Friday, May 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. student artists will be on hand for a free opening with live music by Deb & Em, food and artistic conversation. The public is encouraged to venture to downtown Lapeer and enjoy the experience.

“Student art always inspires,” comments Gallery Director, Carolyn Manley McCarter. “This has become an annual event, and every year students stretch our imaginations working in a variety of mediums: clay, plaster, paint on canvas, fiber, photography, photography and mixed media. Some of these students are on their way to art school. Some not. But every one of them has important ideas to share and the Lapeer Center for the Arts Council is dedicated to providing an exhibit space accessible to the general public showcasing the depth of young talent in the region.”

Gallery 194 is located in downtown Lapeer at 194 West Nepessing Street and is open 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free.

Schools Kick off Book Boosters Fundraising Program

Lapeer Community Schools is pleased to announce the launch of its new fundraiser, Book Boosters. The program, which features simplified online contributions, is designed to provide the district with books and other materials that promote literacy and encourage students to read.

“This program is unusual because 100 percent of proceeds go toward buying books,” says K-12 English Language Arts Consultant Lisa Madden. Another feature that is welcome for many parents: There are no catalogs to peruse or gifts to buy. “It’s all online contributions, which makes it nice for people who don’t want to buy something or feel pressured to buy,” Madden says.

The fundraising campaign is being run in partnership with Jacksonville, Ill.-based Perma-Bound Books, a provider of books and teaching materials to schools and libraries worldwide. All of the money donated through Book Boosters will go toward purchasing books from the company.

“We picked the Perma-Bound program because we’ve dealt with them in the past, and we’ve been pleased with their products and service,”. Madden said. “Their binding lasts for years, and they offer an unconditional guarantee on their books—which is a money-saver for us and is increasingly rare these days.”

Like many other school districts, Lapeer Community Schools has faced budget cuts in recent years and is currently developing next year’s budget with an anticipated 20% cut in funding. That makes fundraising campaigns like Book Boosters especially important for students and educators, Madden says. “Certainly, something like Book Boosters can help us get the resources we need but would otherwise have to forgo,” she says. “Such a program can really make a big difference, especially in times like these.”

For more information, contact Lisa Madden at 810-538-1647 or via email at lmadden@lapeeerschools.org or visit the Lapeer Community Schools Book Boosters web page at www.book-boosters.com/caughtyoureading.

Host Families Needed

The Lapeer Rotary Club is looking for host families for a male foreign exchange student coming from Thailand. Each host family is asked to host the student for a 3- to 4-month time period.

The student will attend East or West High school starting this fall.

For more information, please contact Mike Higgins (810-245-4817) or Cindy Schlaud (810-667-3881).

Maple Grove Carnival May 13

The Maple Grove PTA will host its first Maple Grove Carnival on Friday, May 13th, from 5-8 p.m.

The event is open to families from the entire Lapeer area. The evening events include games, inflatables, cotton candy and slushies, and even a dunk tank for Maple Grove Principal Mr. Dombrowski!

East cagers earn trip to summer basketball camp

East High School basketball players Jeff Wells and Aaron Hirsh have both been dedicated to basketball since they were old enough to dribble a ball, and their hard work apparently has paid off. The two teens will spend a week this summer getting a good look from college coaches at a national competition in Ohio.

Wells, a senior, and Hirsh, a junior, were both standouts on the court this year for the Eagles. Wells, a small forward, averaged 10 points a game, and Hirsch, a point guard, averaged nine points a game and four rebounds. They will compete in the USA Junior Nationals competition July 18-24, which includes a free-throw contest, a three-point contest, and then pool play, where they will battle for a spot in the championship game.

Both qualified for the summer camp after attending a tryout of hundreds of high school players from Michigan and Canada on the Eastern Michigan University campus in early April. The competition in July will be loaded with Division II and junior college coaches and scouts, who will be looking for players to help bolster their programs.

“I went there and played not knowing if I could really make it, and in the end, I did,” Wells told a newspaper reporter last week. Wells says he is hoping this will give him an opportunity to play at the collegiate level this fall. “It’s exciting and fun,” said Wells, who also hopes the experience will earn him a basketball scholarship.

Hirsh still has a year left at East, but he also hopes that the scouts will see something they like when he takes to the hardwood at the summer camp. “It’s good to play against tougher competition. This is a lot tougher than the Metro League,” Hirsch said. The big difference: “Everyone’s a lot taller.”

The USA Junior Nationals is considered the top amateur high school basketball competition in the United States. It is viewed as an entry level to international competition and for high school athletes looking for college basketball scholarship opportunities. It is designed to serve as a gathering point for promising young players in an atmosphere of intense competition. Players who rarely are exposed to big time spring/summer competition go toe-to-toe with players of equal or superior skills.

Both students are working hard to save money for their summer trip. Each has to pay registration fees as well as transportation and lodging costs for the July competitions.

Photo caption:
Lapeer East Junior Aaron Hirsch and Senior Jeff Wells.

World record pancake-tosser at Murphy

Murphy Elementary School is hosting a pancake dinner, featuring Chris Cakes of Michigan, on Friday, May 6th from 4:30-7:30p. Chris Cakes holds the world record of tossing and catching pancakes 25.4 feet high and making 555 pancakes in an hour. Check out his video and website at www.chriscakesofmi.com.

Dinner will include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, orange drink and coffee. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5.00 per plate, and children 4 and under eat FREE.

The funds raised at this event enable the Murphy PTC to provide busing for field trips, teacher allowances and educational materials for students.

This is a community, event so please help support the school. All of the proceeds will directly benefit our children. If you have any questions, please contact Kathryn Dennis at kathden@gmail.com or Murphy School at 810-538-2345.

Lapeer East Class of 96 reunion

The Lapeer East High School Class of ’96 will host its 15-year reunion on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at Castle Creek Golf Course in Lum.

Tickets are $40 per person. For more information, please contact Mary Kobylczak -- 810-614-7855 email Spatulaj@yahoo.com, or Mindy Patrick -- 810-724-0567 email dollzdimplez@yahoo.com. Details of the event can be found at http://www.classof1996.myevent.com/.

Deadline extended for Alumni Hall of Honor

The deadline for nominations for candidates for the sixth annual Lapeer Community Schools Distinguished Alumni Award program has been extended until Friday, May 13.

To be eligible for the award, a person, living or dead, must have graduated from the Lapeer Community Schools at least 10 years ago and be noted in his or her field of endeavor or recognized for expertise and good works.

The person must be considered a role model for youth and demonstrated positive leadership and outstanding achievement, service or contributions to society. Honorees will attend the Distinguished Alumni Induction Ceremony this fall.

The Distinguished Alumni Award program is a coordinated effort by the District and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association.

Applications are available in District buildings or by calling Mary Linn Voss at (810) 538-1634. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 13.

District-Wide Dodgeball Tourney on tap

Any Lapeer Community Schools staff members, along with friends and family, who want to dip, duck, dive, or dodge a dodgeball are invited to the District’s first District-Wide Dodgeball Tournament at Zemmer Middle School on Thursday May 12.

Action begins at 4:30 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament. The winner gets district-wide bragging rights.

The event will raise funds for the physical education equipment across the district. The entry fee is $10 per person for the 6-member co-ed teams. Admission is $1.00 a person, with part of proceeds to be donated to a local charity. The Zemmer PTC will be operating the concessions.

Two West teachers' art part of exhibition

Two West High School art teachers have had their artwork accepted to the MEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition.

Cory Gutenschwager received a Juror’s Choice Award for his “Figured Ash Vase” that was carved out of laminated wood.
Jeff Bolzman had a clay piece selected for the show entitled, “Hummingbird Teapot #2.”

Both pieces are currently on display at the MEA East Lansing headquarters. You can view them online at www.mea.org/awards/art/index.html.

Matt Wandrie is new LCS Superintendent

The Lapeer Community Schools have named Matthew Wandrie as the District’s new superintendent.

He will begin the job July 1, replacing six-year veteran Superintendent Debbie Thompson, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

Wandrie was officially hired by the Board at its April 21 special meeting. He was the Board’s unanimous choice from a list of 43 applicants and six candidates who were selected for interview with the Board.

“I’m eager to begin work in Lapeer, and have been most impressed with the student-centered vision of the Board and District employees,” he said.

“Despite the many economic challenges facing public education, Lapeer has maintained a singular focus on what’s most important – providing exceptional service to our students and families. I hope to honor that legacy while continuing to build a team approach as we chart a course for excellence.”

Wandrie is coming to Lapeer from Dearborn Public Schools, where he has served as the director of human resources. His career in education also includes work as a high school teacher, athletic coach, assistant principal, athletic director and principal.

The Oxford resident is a graduate of Lake Orion High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Alma College. He earned his master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in educational leadership and holds a K-12 administrative certification. He currently is pursuing his doctorate in education at the University of Michigan.

Wandrie and his wife Christie have three children: Thomas, 10, Jack, 8, and Anna, 6. The new superintendent says he enjoys coaching his children in their various athletic pursuits, spending time with family and friends, boating, fishing and playing guitar.

New YA Café at Rolland-Warner Middle School

A sizable group of students showed up for class early April 15 for the first-ever YA Café at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

The YA Café is designed as a way to promote literacy for all. The morning began at 8 a.m. as 59 students, 5 parent volunteers, and about 10 staff members showed up in the Rolland-Warner Media Center. 7th grade Social Studies teacher, Mr. Sweeney talked about the book “Red Scarf Girl” as students ate donuts and drank hot cocoa. One lucky winner, 6th grader Courtnee Miller, won a copy of the book.

Students were able to check out copies of the book donated by the Rolland-Warner PTC immediately after the book talk. Rolland-Warner is using the YA Café concept as an initiative to promote literacy for all. The program kicks off next week at Zemmer Middle School.

The next Rolland-Warner YA Café is planned for Friday, May 13th, at 8:00 a.m. in the media center. The featured title will be “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman. The Rolland-Warner PTC sponsored this YA Café and has agreed to donate the books and refreshments for the events in May and next September.

For a look at more photos from the YA Café at Rolland-Warner, please go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/RWYaCafe#

Looking for scholarhsip opportunities?

The Lapeer County Community Foundation is extending the deadline for its Ronald C. Warner Scholarship and the Irma Gelhausen Scholarship to Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

The Warner Scholarship Fund, named for long-time local educator Ronald C. Warner, was established in 2008 to assist students in pursuing a career in agriculture and/or education. The student must be a resident of Lapeer County and in his or her third or more year of study with a cumulative GPA of 2.4 or higher. The 2011 award is $1,000.00

The Irma Gelhausen Scholarship, also named for a long-time local educator, is awarded to students pursuing a career in elementary or secondary education. The student must be a resident of Lapeer County, in his or her third or more year of study with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The 2011 award is $1,000.00

More information and applications can be found at www.lapeercountycommunityfoundation.org or by calling the Lapeer County Community Foundation at (810) 664-0691.

Young author is selected for writer's camp

Seaton Elementary 4th grader Morgan Pierce will get a chance to attend a special summer writing camp in August hosted by author Jonathan Rand, writer of the popular Michigan Chillers mysteries for young readers.

Morgan wrote a 100-word essay to be selected for Rand's Author's Quest Writing Camp. She was accepted and will be attending the camp from August 11-14. She will stay with other writers for three nights and four days and share her writing and learn new techniques to improve her already wonderful stories.

In her essay, she expressed a desire to learn more about similes and metaphors, which will help her improve her word choice.

Morgan says she is extremely excited to be given this opportunity. She is looking forward to meeting the special guest and the attending the workshop.

Photo caption:
Morgan Pierce and her 4th grade teacher Cindy Morris.

Robotics teams duke it out at state competition

From the County Press
Teens from the Lapeer area got to mix it up with the big time last weekend, when the country’s most competitive statewide FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics effort held its competition at Eastern Michigan University.

Lapeer County was well-represented with not one, but two, teams at the state competition. Kids from Lapeer East and West High Schools went as members of the Chimeras team, coached by Tony Diodato. Students from Lapeer County Education and Technology Center formed Galak Tech 3535, coached by Jeff Beatley.

It was the first time for either local team to compete at the state level, and Galak Tech’s rookie year as a team.

The Lapeer area teams held their own in the intense competition.

“Both the Chimeras and Galak Tech battled valiantly in their 12 matches sometimes with and sometimes against the powerhouse teams. The 68 teams are randomly mixed in 3 on 3 matches over the 3 day competition,” said Diodato.

Team Galak Tech picked up 79 points overall, placing 56th, and the Chimeras scored 67, placing 62nd.

“There is no doubt that Michigan is the epicenter of high school and professional robotics in the country,” said Diodato. “In no other concurrent regional event in the country could you score 110 points and still lose the match.” He points out that typical scores outside of Michigan are in the 30s.

“The students were very pleased in that they and the robot had done everything possible to win,” said Diodato of the Chimeras.

Although the hometown teams gave it their all and made an impressive showing, the St. Louis national competition remained out of reach this year. A very supportive Grand Blanc team, the Enginerds, placed 11th in the event, racking up the highest score at the state tournament. They’re among the teams headed to the nationals, as are students from Goodrich High School.


The state competitions mark the end of a frenzied season of non-stop thinking and doing that launched in January for the robotics team members.

“Our season has ended but we are ecstatic about our growth and success this year,” said Diodato. “None of it would be possible without the support of the schools, the community, the parents, local business and our generous sponsors.”

Diodato said there are some off-season events in coming months, and that the teams will be launching their fundraising for the next competition right away “in hopes of having the resources to be one of the power-house teams who make it all the way!”

The state competition finals will be broadcast on television on April 16 at 1 p.m. on ABC.

YFU seeks host families

Youth For Understanding (YFU) is looking for Lapeer host families to host high school exchange students for the 2011-2012 school year.

Host families provide a place to live and three meals a day plus the encouragement, advice and love to help their new family member through a semester or year in a new home.

The students bring their own spending money and health insurance plus the willingness to be a good family member, following family rules and helping out with family responsibilities. YFU local representatives support the students and families to make sure it’s a good experience for all involved. All kinds of families host, with and without children of all ages.

Youth For Understanding is a volunteer-based organization, and they are always looking for volunteers who enjoy working with teens and families to promote intercultural understanding. If you, or someone you know, are interested in being a mentor to an exchange student, they have a place for you!

For more information or to request complete profiles and letters of students, contact Jon McQuinn, YFU Field Director, at (989) 777-4420, or email him at jmcquinn@yfu.org. More information is available on the YFU Web site at www.yfu-usa.org.

'Caught You Reading' launches Book Boosters

Lapeer area families love to read.

Kids and their parents flocked to Zemmer Middle School in Lapeer April 12 for the launch of the Caught You Reading program and Rob’s Books at Lapeer Community Schools. Many of the more than 250 people who attended were actually caught in the act of reading during the event, as they eagerly perused an irresistible array of books made available by event sponsors.

Rob’s Books is the brainchild of Robert and Tami Erickson. It’s a foundation they established to fund books for the schools’ libraries. They are working with area organizations and partnering with Lapeer Community Schools to make it happen.

The foundation is named in memory of Tami’s son, Spc. Rob Hornbeck, who was tragically killed in an accident after returning from Iraq almost five years ago. Rob was a 2001 Lapeer East graduate, and an avid reader. Stepdad Bob Erickson describes Rob, “A really bright kid — just loved to read.”

The Ericksons hope that through Rob’s Books, “fun, new, relevant to the curriculum, fiction books” will be available to kids.

The Caught You Reading event also kicked off an exciting new program at Lapeer Community Schools to help “grow” our stock of classroom and library books.

It’s an innovative online fundraising program called Book Boosters. In partnership with Perma-Bound Books, the District has created a list of titles our libraries need. Many school districts such as ours have been forced to cut back even on essential purchases such as new books. Book Boosters is one way we can fill that gap, helping to improve reading scores and literacy while fostering the joy of reading!

In contrast to other programs, with Book Boosters, 100% of contributions go toward buying books and other materials from Perma-Bound. Many of these books are in Perma-Bound’s patented binding, guaranteed to last over a lifetime of rough use, with an unconditional replacement guarantee.

Giving is easy. Simply log on to http://www.book-boosters.com/caughtyoureading and contribute any amount (of $10 or greater) to the Caught You Reading campaign (in conjunction with Rob’s Books) through Perma-Bound's secure system by Visa® or MasterCard®.

All proceeds will go directly toward the Book Boosters goal. As an added bonus, you can keep track of our fundraising progress in real time using the Book-O-Meter; the stack of books that gets filled in higher and higher as we get closer to our goal—on the web page.

SPECIAL NOTE: MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT’S NAME AND SCHOOL IS LISTED IN THE COMMENTS/SPECIAL REQUESTS SECTION AS PART OF EACH ELECTRONIC DONATION. THIS WILL MAKE YOUR CHILD ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR THEIR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.

There are no phone calls to make, no items to buy, and no forms for you or your child to fill out. And you can rest easy knowing that ALL of your contribution goes toward books and educational material for Lapeer Community Schools. Please join us to make Book Boosters a success!

Photo courtesy The County Press
Photo captions:
Top: Marilee Greene of Perma-Bound was one of the sponsoring hosts at the April 12 Caught You Reading event at Zemmer Middle School. Kids and adults checked out the books and posters, and many took one home with them.

Bottom: Sixth and seventh graders under the direction of theater arts teacher Amber Dillard entertained students and their parents with dramatic storytelling, including such favorites as “The Tortoise and the Hare.”

Zemmer hosts county spelling bee

Zemmer Middle School played host for this year's Lapeer County Spelling Bee on March 30 as a total of 32 students from elementary and middle schools across the county competed for the title of spelling bee champion.

The competition lasted for 27 rounds before Almont seventh grader Emily Levy took first place. Niquole Caringi from North Branch Middle School took second place. The two girls went 17 rounds just between the two of them before Levy finally won. The winning word that clenched the title for Levy was “belligerent.”

Other winners were third place Alexis Caringi from Ruth Fox Elementary, fourth place Brittany Gray from North Branch Middle School and fifth place Cole Silva from Maple Grove Elementary. All five winning students received medals in honor of their achievement.

Photo by JACOB HUNSANGER
Photo caption:
Winners of the Lapeer County Spelling Bee were (left to right): first place Emily Levy of Almont Middle School, second place Niquole Caringi of North Branch Middle School, third place Alexis Caringi of Ruth Fox Elementary, fourth place Brittany Gray of North Branch Middle School and fifth place Cole Silva of Maple Grove Elementary.