lo - Livonia Public Schools

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Livonia Public Schools:
Teaming together to ensure learning for all!
Potpourri
Early Childhood registrations to be
held at Jackson Center
Jackson Early Childhood Center will
host an informational meeting for
Young Fives on Monday, March 8,
2004 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. for parents
interested in the program. Registration will begin on March 10, 2004 at
8:00 a.m. at Jackson Center.
Registration for Pre-School will
begin March 3, 2004 for the 2004/
2005 school year at Jackson Center
beginning at 8:00 a.m. For more information call 734-744-2813.
PTSA Founders Day scheduled for
February 11
The annual PTSA Founders Day celebration will take place Wednesday,
February 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the St.
Mary Cultural Center (on Merriman Road between Six and Seven
Mile Roads). All PTA members are
invited to attend. For ticket information, contact your local school.
LPS documents available on-line
The LPS District Annual Report, individual school annual reports, and the
2004 Information Packet are now
posted on the district Web site. Click
on the “News and Events” button
on the home page to download the
documents. If you would like a hard
copy of either document, call the
Community Relations Department
at 734-744-2522.
For individual school reports click
the schools button on the district
home page to search for your child’s
school.
The LPStv cable guide is available
on line at www.livonia.k12.mi.us/
great/cable.html. Programming airs
on Channels 15 (WOW and Bright
House) and 19 (Comcast).
www.livonia.k12.mi.us. • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 32 No. 3 February 2004
LPS assessments are more
meaningful than state report card
By: Dr. Randy A. Liepa, Superintendent
The recent release of the state report card for schools
across Michigan has naturally prompted questions from
some parents about the meaning of the grades and the
entire assessment process.
As expected, LPS schools fared well on the state
report card. However, we’d like to send a clear message
about how we assess our schools in ways that we believe
are more meaningful to our parents and staff.
District is committed to
assessing our schools
The following are important
commitments made by our
district about the need to assess
our schools:
• We are committed to being
accountable to our community for student learning.
• We are committed to measuring how we are doing and
setting goals to improve.
• We are committed to processes that strive for ongoing
improvement.
• We are committed to sharing this information with our
community.
We believe our building
based school improvement
process meets these objectives,
while providing a much more
comprehensive and accurate
measurement of how we are
doing. It provides more timely,
meaningful feedback to those
directly working with our students so we can continually
work on ways to meet the needs
of our students.
LPS school improvement
process produces stronger
measurements
We believe our school improvement process provides stronger
measurements of how our
schools are performing. Why?
Because our process uses multiple assessments rather than
just one test; it uses assessment
(continued on page 2)
For current, up-to-date information about the release of the state report
cards, or any other information about the Livonia Public Schools log on to:
www.livonia.k12.mi.us
Tampering with
20j funding
spells hardship
for LPS
In 1999, a section of the
state school funding law was
approved, called Section 20j,
which was designed to assure all
school districts receive at least
the minimum amount of any
foundation allowance change
approved by the legislature in
any year.
For example, if the state
agreed to increase the per
pupil foundation grant for
all school districts by $200, it
would assure that every district
received at least that amount.
Without that provision, some
districts would receive less.
(continued on page 3
2003-04 Teachers of the Year
Inside
• Teacher of the Year Form
2
• Korean vets offered diplomas
2
• Kindergarten Round-up
3
• Tips to Parents
4

Report card
(continued from page 1)
data for students at different
grade levels; it more accurately
reflects our strengths and identifies areas for improvement;
it sets clear goals based on the
data collected; it forms the basis
of school improvement plans
developed by those closest to
our students; and it is evaluated
by an independent, nationally
recognized accreditation organization (NCA).
Education Yes! and NCLB
The state’s accreditation process known as Education Yes!
and the federal accountability
process known as “No Child
Left Behind” are less useful in
judging the quality of a school
because they focus on only one
test, rather than multiple assessments; they only look at student
performance in selected grades;
they use arbitrary calculations
to measure student growth; and
they set no plan for improvement.
Suppose this district decided
that two thirds of a student’s
grade be determined by a single
test given midway through the
school year. Would this give the
student and parent an accurate
Livonia Public Schools:
Teaming together to ensure
learning for all!
www.livonia.k12.mi.us.
portrayal of the student’s learning for the year?
Yet, two thirds of the state
report card is based on the
MEAP test. Districts across the
state are being asked to accept
an assessment system that any
parent would oppose if applied
to their student’s progress.
So, take the grade assigned
your school by the state for
what it is - an arbitrary grade
based mostly on one test, forced
on this district by outside influences and just one of many
indicators of the quality education and assessment process we
provide our students.
The data collected through
our improvement processes are
available in annual reports prepared by each building and the
school district. These reports
are available to the public on
our Web site and at our schools.
Teachers
Korean War
vets to receive
diplomas
The state has authorized the
school district to award high
school diplomas to Korean
War, as well as World War II
veterans, who were unable to
complete their high school
education due to military
service.
Under provisions of the
recently amended law, any
(continued on page 3)
year
of the
N O M I NAT I O N F O R M
H
elp us find teachers of the year.
Livonia Public Schools is searching for its 2004-2005
Teachers of the Year, one for each level: elementary (K-6), and
secondary (7-12). A committee of teachers, administrators, and residents has formed to select the designees to be announced in June.
Nominees must possess exemplary personal qualifications,
professional skills, and records of school/community service. In
addition, they should spend at least half of their time teaching in a
regular classroom and have tenure status.
▼
The deadline to nominate is
Monday, March 1, 2004. To
nominate a teacher, fill out
this form and return to:
Jan Clark
Office of the Superintendent
15125 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(Use additional sheets if
necessary.)
Name of Teacher:
School:
Grade or subject:
In narrative form, briefly give examples of:
● Personal characteristics of the nominee (integrity, persistence, caring, etc.)
● Excellence in and commitment to the teaching profession (events, quotes,
innovations, successes, good personal relationship with students and teachers, etc.)
Serving portions of Livonia & Westland
February 2004 • Vol. 32 No. 3
Dialog is an official publication of the Livonia
Public Schools. It is published regularly and
mailed to residents of the Livonia School
District as a public service. We encourage
your response. All correspondence should be
addressed to:
15125 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154.
Mary Pat Benoit,
Jay A.Young, APR,
Co-Editors

● Related professional experience (participation in efforts to improve the education and
social conditions of the community, etc.)
Your name and phone number:
Kindergarten Roundups scheduled at local
elementaries
Kindergarten registration for the 2004-05 school year has begun at
many of our elementary schools. Please contact your neighborhood
school to obtain kindergarten registration information, to register a
child for kindergarten, or if you have any questions.
A kindergarten round-up is scheduled at each elementary school.
This is an opportunity for parents/guardians to visit their neighborhood school, meet the school staff and learn more about the kindergarten curriculum.
The following is a list of kindergarten round-up dates:
Hayes is pilot for new health program
Hayes Elementary school has been chosen as a pilot
school for a new program being developed by Wayne
County Executive Robert Ficano. The program, called
“Health Wise and Pound Smart” educates and encourages children to practice healthy eating habits.
A presentation at the school
to kick off the event included
an interactive puppet show that
helped the second and third
grade students to understand
the food pyramid and how to
plan a healthy meal.
Throughout the course of
the health program, students
will be introduced to reading
food labels and how to determine if something is good for
you. With the help of health
and fitness instructors from
Life Long Fitness, students will
learn about the importance of
exercise and receive tips that
could last a lifetime.
“This is a great opportunity
for students to learn about
healthy eating and exercise
habits,” said Linda Minsterman,
Hayes principal. “It’s exciting
that Hayes was selected as the
pilot school for the program.”
Above:
Hayes students listen as Wayne
County Executive Robert Ficano
talks to students about healthy
eating habits.
Korean vets
(cont. from page 2)
WWII veteran who left high
school between Dec. 16, 1940 Dec. 31, 1946 or a Korean War
veteran who left high school
between June 27, 1950 - Jan. 31,
1955 may apply.
The application requires a
copy of the veteran’s honorable
discharge papers and evidence
of service between the dates
listed above. Family members
may also apply on behalf of a
living or deceased veteran.
To receive an application,
call the Community Relations
Department at (734) 744-2522.
Adams
Buchanan
April 30
May 19
Cass
Cleveland
Coolidge
Cooper
May 19
April 30
May 13
May 21 - a.m.
May 22 - p.m.
May 14
April 29
May 4
May 4 parents
May 5 students
Garfield
Grant
Hayes
Hoover
Hull
Johnson
Kennedy
McKinley
Nankin Mills
Randolph
Roosevelt
Taylor
Tyler
Washington
April 27
May 6
April 28
April 28
April 28
April 28
April 28
May 13 parents
May 14 students
May 12
May 6 - p.m.
May 7 - a.m.
20j funding (cont. from page 1)
The reason legislators passed
Section 20j was to keep their
promise to Michigan voters
who approved Proposal A,
namely, that funding for poorer
Michigan school districts
would not be increased at the
expense of more affluent districts in some type of “Robin
Hood” scheme.
Unfortunately, the governor’s continuing budget woes
have caused her to consider
eliminating Section 20j to
recoup additional money to
balance the state budget. This
would break a key promise that
all school budget cuts would be
equal and across-the-board and
that funds would not be taken
from some districts and redistributed to others.
For LPS, the elimination of
Section 20j could amount to a
loss of over $300 per student,
or a funding cut of $5.5 million
above other potential state cuts.
This would have a devastating
impact on LPS programs and
services.
LPS residents who are
concerned over this issue may
write the governor to voice their
opinions.
Further information about
20j is available on the Advocacy
page of the district’s Web site
www.livonia.k12.mi.us. A link
to the governor’s office makes it
easy to contact her.

s tPrts
Help your child succeed in mathematics
By: Susan Fraelich
Mathematics is all around us. Helping your child see this will help him or her be more successful in
mathematics at school. At school, your child will be learning important mathematical concepts. He
or she will also learn computation skills and problem solving skills as well as how these skills and concepts are applied in real life situations.
Susan Fraelich is a National Board
Certified third and fourth grade teacher
at Webster Elementary School. She has
a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics
from the University of Michigan and a
Master’s in Early Childhood Education
from Eastern Michigan University.
Susan and her husband Bruce have two
daughters in graduate school. Susan
is the 2003-04 Elementary Teacher of
the Year.
P
reading habits at home, parents
need to model and share their own
successes with math.
Be positive and encouraging
Let your child see how you
use math everyday
arents can support this understanding by talking and thinking
about the relevant mathematics they
use every day.
All children are capable of learning
and understanding mathematics.
One of the most important things
parents can do to help students
succeed in mathematics is to instill
a positive and confident attitude
about their child’s ability to succeed
in math. Even if you had less than
positive experiences yourself in
school with mathematics, emphasize
that math is understandable with
some effort. Just as parents model
lor
February 11
February 16
February 20-23
March 1
March 12
March 15
March 16
April 9-16
PTA Founders Day
Board of Education meeting, 7:00 pm
Midwinter Recess
Board of Education meeting, 7:00 pm
Professional Development Day - No School
Board of Education meeting, 7:00 pm
Field Trip: Tony Kenny’s Ireland Show at the
Stranahan eater in Toledo, $62
Spring Break - No School
For more information about Field Trips call 734/744-2602.
2003-2004
Board of Education
Kevin Whitehead, President
Terry Godfroid-Marecki, Vice President
Joanne M. Morgan, Secretary
Robert J. Freeman, Trustee
Daniel P. Lessard, Trustee
Larry Naser, Trustee
Lynda L. Scheel, Trustee
Dr. Randy Liepa, Superintendent

Whether it is through using recipes or balancing your checkbook
or by using on-the-job math skills,
frequently share with your child
how you use math in your life. For
example, you could point out how
you might use multiplication to figure out how much carpet you might
need in the living room.
The next time you are shopping
for a few items at the store, you
could show your child how to estimate how much it will cost before
you go to the checkout counter. In
this way, your child will see the connection to what he or she is learning in school to practical applications
and will come to realize how you
rely on math in many ways.
Find easy, everyday ways to
involve your child in math
activities with you
One way to foster a positive attitude about math in your child is to
involve him or her in mathematical
activities with you. Here are a few
ideas:
Postal Customer
Livonia Public Schools
❒ Play games involving play
money together, such as Monopoly.
Students can practice skills such as
adding, subtracting, logical reasoning
and even percentages, if you land on
the Income Tax square. Many board
games help build mathematical understanding.
❒ Cook together and have your
child do the measuring. Try doubling
or halving the recipe and help your
child make the adjustments in the
quantities.
❒ The next time you are driving home from a nearby store or
friend’s home, ask your child to help
you navigate by having him or her
supply the directions home. This
can help develop your child’s visual
and spatial sense, which will be a
help to him or her in geometry.
❒ Have your child estimate what
your bill might be the next time you
go to a restaurant. Older children
might like to estimate the tip.
Math is a vital tool in our world. By
sending a clear message through
your words and actions that you
value math as an important and
useful skill, you can help your child
be more successful in his or her
mathematics studies at school.
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