KpS Welcomes New principals to loy Norrix and Woods lake

Kalamazoo
Public
Schools
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
September 2008
IMPORTANT DATES
Board of Education Meetings
Thursday, September 11, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Administration Building
&
Thursday, September 25, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Administration Building
KPS Welcomes New Principals
to Loy Norrix and Woods Lake
School Starts
September 2, 2008
Winter Break
December 22, 2008–
January 2, 2009
Spring Break
April 6–April 10, 2009
Last Day of School
June 11, 2009
For more information call:
(269) 337-1572
Kalamazoo Promise Week
is tentatively scheduled for
November 7–15, 2008
First Friday
Focus on School Supplies
Kalamazoo Communities
In Schools’ (KCIS) focus for
the summer is on school
supplies. School items can
be dropped off at the
KPS Ad. Building or the
National City bank locations.
Visit First Fridays page at:
www.kcis.us
Inside this issue
From the
Superintendent
Principal Johnny F. Edwards Jr.
Principal Mitch Hawkins.
KPS is pleased to welcome new principals
Johnny F. Edwards Jr. at Loy Norrix and Mitch
Hawkins at Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet
Center for the Arts.
Edwards comes to Kalamazoo from Saginaw
High School where he was assistant principal for
curriculum and instruction since January of this
year. He received his bachelor’s degree in the
teaching of mathematics and his master’s degree in Education Administration from Michigan State University. In addition to his teaching
and administrative experience, he has coached
middle school basketball and served as a school
athletic director and Upward Bound instructor
for two summers at Michigan State.
“Education is neither magic nor a quick
fix,” said Edwards in the parent newsletter.
“Education is a continuous collection of experiences that offer students tools for success. The
2008-2009 school year will be an exciting year
at Loy Norrix High School.”
Hawkins has held the position of assistant
principal at Kalamazoo Central High School since
(continued on page 8)
Artists’ Corner
See page 4
KPS Free and
Reduced Lunch
See page 9
U of M Awards
Top Honors to
Kiara J. HewittSaffold
Kiara J. Hewitt-Saffold, a 2007
graduate from Kalamazoo Central, is a high achiever. She recently completed her first year
at the University of Michigan
where she received the Michigan
Tradition Award for $40,000.
According to the chair, Kiara
was awarded this spectacular
award because she demonstrated scholarly potential and can
contribute significantly to the
overall excellence and diversity
of the entering freshman class
at the University of Michigan.
She also received the Woodstock
Award worth $3,000 and the
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for $2,500 from The African
American Alumni Council.
(continued on page 7)
What Every Parent Needs to Know!
Annual Notifications — Very Important Information for Parents Concerning:
•Staff Qualifications
•Rights Concerning Students’ Education Records
•Disclosure of Students’ Education Records for School Publications or
(please see page 11)
Outside Organizations Including Military Recruiters.
See page 2
Chef Shaun
Berry Cobbler
See page 8
Volume 11, Issue 8
Kalamazoo Public Schools, 1220 Howard St., Kalamazoo, MI 49008
For vision and hearing screening,
call the Kalamazoo
County Health Department
at 373-5031 or 373-5029.
**ECRWSS**
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
Kiara J. Hewitt-Saffold
NonProfit
Organization
US Postage
PAID
Kalamazoo, MI
Permit 709
From the Office of the Superintendent
T
Expectations
for Parents
Second, take a
look at the expectations
for parents as
well. Parent exMichael F. Rice, Ph.D.
pectations are
also on our website, and have
been sent, with student expectations, to parents of students in
the district. As “first teachers,”
parents are critical to the develExpectations for Children
opment of their children. What
First, take a look at the social
you as parents do to support
and academic expectations that
children is enormously imporwe have created for children at
tant to their success.
every age of their development,
from birth to 18. These expecta- Read, Read, Read
tions are on the KPS website at Third, have your child read to you,
www.kalamazoopublicschools. or read with your child, every day.
com. In addition, we have sent Nothing is more critical to your
parents the expectations for child’s success in school than his
their children. Learn these ex- or her ability to read, and to read
pectations and help your chil- with understanding. A student
dren fulfill them. These expec- can’t go to college — and be suctations will help your child get cessful in college — unless he or
on track for, or stay on track she is a strong reader. Help your
for, college success. If you have child achieve this important goal
questions about the expec- by exposing him or her to books,
tations, please contact your newspapers, magazines, and other print materials. Encourage your
child’s teacher or principal.
he beginning of a school
year is always exciting,
with its freshness and its
sense of great possibility.
As we work to improve what
we as adults — parents, educators, support staff, and community members — do for children to
make them college ready, to give
them the maximum number of
options in their lives, let me offer a
few words of advice to parents.
Boys & Girls Clubs
OF GREATER KALAMAZOO
The Boys & Girls Clubs are neighborhood-based
facilities offering positive youth programs and activities.
All school-age youth are eligible to become Club members.
Technology • Education & Career Development
Participating Arts • Character & Leadership Development
Health & Life Skills • Sports & Recreation • Summer Camp
L ak e Street U n it
9 1 5 L a k e S t, K a la ma z o o M I 4 9 0 0 1
2 6 9 -3 4 9 -4 4 8 5
D ouglass U nit
1000 W. Paterson, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(inside Douglass Community Association)
269-344-5350
Pl e as e v is it w w w. b g c k zo o . o rg
Ca l l f o r m e m b e rs h ip in fo rma tio n a n d h o u rs o f ope ra tion.
Fo r m o r e i n f o r m atio n o n a d d itio n a l a c tiv ities ple a s e c a ll
2 6 9 -3 4 9 -4 4 8 5 .
A United Way
Funded Agency
2
EXCELSIOR
September 2008
child to use the school library and day or week, particularly around
when and where your child will
the local library.
study. I heard Denzel Washington
Writing is Right, Too
once say that he used to tell his
Fourth, encourage your child to
children to do what you need to
write. Writing is another literacy
do first, so that you can do what
skill, as well as a way to improve
you want to do later. He was talkreading. To be successful in coling about the future, but the same
lege, a student has to be a good
is true in any given day or week.
writer and a good reader. A stuKnock off what you have to do;
dent must be able to develop his
there will be plenty of time and
or her thoughts and put them on
opportunity to do what you want
paper. Indeed, a student’s ability
to do thereafter. Help your child
to be successful in high school and
learn this lesson by creating as
in jobs right out of high school
much consistency and stability in
will increasingly depend upon
his or her life as you can make.
the student’s ability to express
Attention
himself or herself in writing.
Give your child as much atYour child knows
tention as you can. Your child
when you are interested. knows when you are interested.
That interest, that attention, is a
That interest,
tremendous influence in his or
her life. Pay attention and your
that attention, is a
child benefits enormously.
tremendous influence
in his or her life.
Stability
Fifth, establish as much consistency or stability as possible for
your child. Create a rhythm to the
Parents — just as children are
starting school again in September, so, too, are we. Let’s make
it the best, most positive experience for our children as we prepare them for college success.
Reading First
Staff Helps
Parents With Their
Child’s Literacy
The Reading First team at
King-Westwood made reading packets to be given to parents of kindergarten and firstgrade students. The packets
were given out at the school’s
Literacy Night and also to incoming kindergarten students
at orientation.
The reading packets contain such items as letter flashcards, an “I Spy” stick, plastic
letters, a cutting and coloring
project for parents and their
child(ren) to make stick puppets, and whiteboard and
marker for writing. A sock
puppet is also included to use
while retelling stories the child
has read.
Reading First paraprofessional Linda Woodworth wrote
a PTO Mini-grant after attending the annual Reading First
Conference in Dearborn in the
summer of 2007. She learned
(continued on page 6)
Even Start Program Promotes
Educational Success for Families
Parents — do you want to get
a GED or improve your English skills and also help your
children reach their greatest
learning potential? Take a look
at the KPS Even Start Family
Literacy Program.
KPS Even Start is unique
from other programs that
serve young children because
of the intensity of the services.
The focus, not only on young
children but on the entire
family, is to reach educational
success. In Even Start, parents
work on their own educational
plan while also learning how
to best help their children,
age birth to 7 years, to become successful learners. The
program offers a wide variety
of literacy-based activities that
are designed to promote both
adult- and child-literacy skills
while having fun together.
Families who are eligible for
Even Start must:
•Live in the Kalamazoo Public Schools district.
•Have at least one child
under the age of five.
•Have a desire to obtain a
GED or finish high school.
•Have the desire to improve English speaking and
writing skills.
Interested families may
contact the Even Start office
at 337-0097 or 337-0098.
KPS Even Start family Laila Gourma
and her son, Elmahdi, participate in
a special library program designed
to encourage library usage and
family reading activities.
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
ACT-SO Students Showcase Their Talents
Ebony Gray, a sophomore at Kalamazoo Central, came
home with a gold medal from the National NAACP ACTSO competition held at Disney World during August. Ebony earned the medal in the performing arts category of
oratory with her speech, “The Things Teens Don’t Talk
About.” In addition to the gold medal, she won a $1,000
scholarship, a laptop and other prizes. Ebony said, “All
the ACT-SO students from across the country were in a
parade, and the awards ceremony was so professional,
I felt like I was at the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards.”
Other KPS students who won gold medals at the local event held in April and went on to compete for medals at the national event include: Loy Norrix students
Catrina Brooks (2008), vocal contemporary; Anthony
Hamilton (2008), dramatics; and Jacquese Steele (2008),
vocal classical.
Anthony Hamilton also earned bronze (vocal contemporary) and silver (vocal classical) medals during the local
competition. He has competed in the event for the past four
years and said going out with three medals his last year is
“sweet.” He continued, “I’m happy I went out with a bang.
It was a lot of hard work. I’m involved in other things, but
I’m glad I took the time out to be a part of ACT-SO.”
The City of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan also recognized the local ACT-SO students with proclamations
Excelsior Scholarship/Loan Ad:Layout 1
7/29/08
inspired by Mayor Bobby Hopewell and State Rep. Robert Jones who presented certificates to the young people.
Jacquese Steele received the first ACT-SO Legend award,
which is presented to a contestant who showed exemplary
talent and congeniality.
Other KPS student participators at the local level this
year included:
K-Central: Ci’Erah Bell (graduate), bronze-dance;
Marshall James (graduate), silver-vocal contemporary;
Asia Morgan (senior); Daquon Harp (junior); and Amarachi
Nnbedum (sophomore).
Loy Norrix: Dominique Essix, honorable mentionmusic instrumental; Bryton Perry (senior), bronze-poetry;
Bazsa Miller (sophomore); and Deymeon Todd (senior).
Mentors: Caldin Street, James Watkins, Les Roberts,
Alixandria D. Amparano, Juliette Smith, James C. Palmore,
Alfrylynn Roberts, Edward Callahan, CaSaundra Flagg,
John Schmitt, Karen Brown, Albert Lateef, Dr. Frank
Mwakasisi, Dalette Anderson, Dr. Regina Stevens-Truss,
and Nelson Nave.
The ACT-SO acronym stands for Afro-Academic,
Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. It is an
opportunity for students of African-American decent in
grades nine through 12 to share their talents and compete
for prizes and medals in 27 fields of interest from dance to
architecture.
2:43 PM
Page 1
ACT-SO winners, who went to Orlando this summer,
are (L to R) Loy Norrix students Jacquese Steele, Catrina
Brooks, and Anthony Hamilton, and K-Central student
Ebony Gray.
Scholarships
and school supplies
...just two of the ways we’ve supported the educational community since 1935!
Congratulations to our 2008 scholarship recipients! ECCU
has awarded $23,000 to high school seniors to help continue
their education. And, to assist K-12 teachers who often use their
own money for school supplies, ECCU offers a no-fee, $500
Classroom Supplies Loan at 0% APR.*
*
Visit www.eccu1.org for details on
these and other services unique to
the educational community.
Call or stop by any ECCU office for a loan application today!
* Annual Percentage Rate
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
(269) 375-6702
• Serving you with 6 offices throughout West Michigan
September 2008
EXCELSIOR
3
Hundreds of fabulous art of KPS secondary students was on display during the month of May at the administration building. The community
was invited to stop in and wander the halls and rooms to view and enjoy the “Promising Artists” collection. A reception was held on the first
Friday as part of the Kalamazoo Art Hop. Here are a few of the talented
students’ works with more to be featured in upcoming Excelsiors.
Elexis Buchanan, Loy Norrix. Art teacher Sue Lyons.
Young Chiang, Hillside. Art teacher Kathy Tyson.
PEEP Preschool
Program Available
for Four-Year-Olds
The KPS prekindergarten program is available free to eligible
children living within the school
district who will be 4 years old
on or before the first of December 2008. PEEP is a state-funded
half-day program that offers:
•Morning or afternoon
sessions.
•Quality learning experiences.
•Transportation available
(restrictions apply).
Applications may be picked
up at the KPS Administration
Building, 1220 Howard; West
Main Professional Development
Building, 1627 West Main Street,
or at any of the elementary buildings. For an application or more
information, call the KPS Early
Childhood office at 337-0095.
Ashlee DeMink,
Loy Norrix.
Art teacher Nancy Mollhagen.
PEEP students Zoey Dalke-Davis (Left)
and Ellery Matheison make sure that
Teddy has his immunizations up-to-date.
www.kpl.gov
4
EXCELSIOR
September 2008
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
NOTICE
The District, in compliance with state
and federal laws, will maintain equal
employment opportunity without regard to religion, race, color, national
origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy,
gender identification, height, weight,
familial status, marital status, sexual
orientation, disabilities, or other legally protected factors except where
age, sex, gender or physical requirements constitute a bona fide occupational qualification necessary to
proper and efficient performance of
the duties and responsibilities inherent in the position.
Inquiries by students and/or their parents/guardians should be directed to:
Assistant Superintendent of
Student Services
Kalamazoo Public Schools
1220 Howard Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 337-0161
All other inquiries should be directed to:
Assistant Superintendent of
Human Resources
Kalamazoo Public Schools
1220 Howard Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 337-0177
District Directory at :
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
Board of Education
President
Patti Sholler-Barber
Vice President
Mollie Peterson
Secretary
Liz Henderson
Treasurer
Eric Breisach
Trustee
Philip Dietrich
Trustee
Carol McGlinn
Trustee
Marcy Peake
Kalamazoo Central Activists for Action Receive
Star Award for Their Accomplishments
Kalamazoo Central High School
Activists for Action have been
busy all year recycling, and
during the fall and spring, you
will find them sprucing up the
school grounds. As recognition for their accomplishments, the group received the
Youth Volunteer Group Award
at the Kalamazoo Gazette and
Volunteer Center of Greater
Kalamazoo annual Star Award
breakfast. The Star trophy was
awarded to the high school
students, along with many
other community members
who received Stars in 11 different categories.
The K-Central students not
only recycle waste paper from
every box at the school once a
week and pick up trash around
the schoolyard, but last year
the group made a peace garden
and erected a peace pole. They
also join others at Kalamazoo
Bloom to plant flowers in the
community.
K-Central teacher Patricia
Carlin nominated the young
activists for the award “because they are so hard working and responsible,” she said.
“They are self-directed, have
raised the consciousness of the
entire school, and brought the
issues of environmental stewardship to new levels. They
also created a peace garden
and support a variety of issues
and causes.”
The K-Central Activists for
Action are:
Mike Borzkowski
Mary Kate Cartmill
Bridin Clements
Sara Cronin
Casey Davenport
Sara Davidson
Emily Deering
Dena Elian
Ashely Ellis
Elly Fisher
Megan Greer
Morgan Hansen
Activists for Action receive a trophy at the Star Award Breakfast. They are: (L to R)
Front: Sarah Kuenzel, Amy Henderson (holding the Star Trophy), Laura Maihofer,
teacher Patricia Carlin and advisor Mikell Thurston Griffith. Back: Casey Davenport, Alec Wells, Alex Rey, Morgan Hansen, Bridin Clements, K-Central Principal
Von Washington, and teacher Lauren Yavor.
Amy Henriksen
Shawn Karalash
Sarah Kuenzel
Laura Maihofer
Jesse McCormick
Paul Mutsaers
Quinten Myers
Nisha Pillai
Alex Rey
Aaron Swartz-Duval
Andre Tolles
Crystal Townes
Alec Wells
Jared Young
SUPERINTENDENT
Michael F. Rice, Ph.D.
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
September 2008
EXCELSIOR
5
Students Read and Win in Global Reading Challenge
For 15 years, the Kalamazoo
Public Library (KPL) has promoted the love of reading for
fourth and fifth graders with
the Global Reading Challenge.
Each year Kalamazoo, Seattle,
and British Columbia children’s
librarians select 10 books. Students on the challenge teams
read the books, and then answer questions during a series
of challenges, beginning at the
school level and proceeding
through the branch, district
and final levels.
This year Spring Valley’s
team topped all the competition at the district level and
moved up to the final competition. Even though the
Seattle team emerged as the
winner of the competition,
Spring Valley made an impressive showing.
The Spring Valley team members are:
Kyle Launius
Jameelah Williams
Derrick Willis Bowie
Kalli Hale
Alyssa Coleman
Breana Parsons
Other KPS teams and members
who competed at the district
level are:
Winchell
Lars Johnson
Ron DeYoung
Sarah Ghazal
Angie Bissonnette
Elaine Fatany
Winchell “Rock Star Readers”
Woods Lake
Nijayah Sanders
Yazmin Perez
Brooks Eisenbise
Brooke Washington
Rubi Aguilar
Haley Howard
Keegin Garrison
Woods Lake “Wonder Readers”
The Spring Valley “Speed Readers”
Reading First Staff Helps Parents With Their
Child’s Literacy (continued from page 2)
about many of the ideas contained in the packet at this conference. The purpose of the reading packet is to enable parents to
work on literacy with their child.
The packet contains a list of items
found in the packet with suggested uses to help the parents when
they are working with their child.
The paraprofessionals hope this
project will be continued in the
years to come.
The Reading First staff who
worked on this project are Mary
Copping, Tanya Hill, Judith Nufer,
Pat Shipley, Lois Walterhouse,
Linda Woodworth and Kathie Dievendorf, literacy coach.
Kindergarteners Madison and Caleb Jackson receive their Reading First packets. The twins are students in Mrs Nancy Vader’s class. The adults are (L to R)
Dan Jackson, father of Madison and Caleb; Linda Woodworth and Mary Copping,
Reading First paraprofessionals; and Kathie Dievendorf, literacy coach.
6
EXCELSIOR
September 2008
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
U of M Awards Top
Honors to Kiara J.
Hewitt-Saffold
(continued from page 1)
Kiara was valedictorian of her
class at K-Central with a 4.0
GPA and was active in the National Honor Society, DECA,
and Delta GEMS. She served as
co-captain of the varsity cheerleading team and participated
in dual enrollment at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
During her senior year,
Kiara received the Robert C.
Thompson Award from Education for Employment, Mable
Chase Youth Scholarship from
the Red Cross, Michigan Merit Scholarship, Valedictorian
Award from Loy Norrix, and
Delta Scholarship. She also
qualified for 100 percent of The
Kalamazoo Promise®.
Her volunteer experiences
include: Red Cross, Girls on
the Run, Residential Opportunities Incorporated, Race for
the Cure, United Way, Salvation Army, Black Arts and Culture Center, tutoring, and peer
mentoring.
While attending Lincoln
International Studies School,
Kiara traveled to Chile with her
classmates. They were the first
group of KPS elementary students to travel abroad.
During this past summer,
she took courses at Western
Michigan University and has an
intern position at Pfizer, Inc., for
2008. Kiara is majoring in biology, pre-medicine. Her future
plan is to become a physician.
KPS Graduates Win B’nai B’rith Scholarships
for Their Academic and Athletic Skills
Four KPS students from the Class of 2008 are recipients of the
2007/2008 B’nai B’rith Scholar-Athlete award. The students are
Jordan Laney and Jana Groudins, graduates of Loy Norrix, and
Ci’Erah Bell and Matthew Fraser, graduates of K-Central. The
45th-annual B’nai B’rith is awarded to seniors who excel in both
academics and athletics.
Jordan is a member of
the National Honor Society, Jeters’ Leaders, and
carries a high GPA. He was
the MVP of the school’s
football team. He plans
to attend Michigan State
University and major in
either electrical engineering or business.
Jana is a member of the
National Honor Society and
consistently on the honor
roll. She was the MVP on Ci’Erah Bell and Matthew Fraser.
the school’s cross-country
team, played volleyball, and volunteers in her community. Jana
plans to attend either WMU or Hope College and is leaning toward
an environmental-studies major.
Ci’Erah has received the Distinguished Scholars Award and
Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award for three years in a row and
won the YWCA Young Women of Achievement. She has a high
GPA and was on the volleyball team and received the confer-
CHADD Focus on Children’s Inner Strengths
Kalamazoo County CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
free monthly programs for parents and teachers will be held
on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.
Coaching Strategies for Parents: Helping Your ADHD Child
Use Their Inner Strengths will
be presented by speaker Kyle
Kinder, who holds a master’s
in education and is a leadership
coach and consultant and an
AD/HD parent.
All meetings are held from
7-8:30 p.m. at Bronson Hospital
Gilmore Center for Health Education, Auditorium (1st Floor),
7 Healthcare Plaza, Kalamazoo.
For more information contact
(269) 384-2270 or our Web site
at www.kazoochadd.com.
ence champion award in track with first place in the long jump.
Ci’Erah loves music and played in the marching band and was
co-captain of the colorguard. She has been a teacher cadet and
also is active in her church and the youth choir. As a Kalamazoo
Central Orientation Assistant, she mentored incoming freshmen
at her high school. Ci’Erah will attend WMU in the fall to study
elementary education and either film directing or journalism.
Matthew has a 4-point GPA and is a member of the National
Honor Society. He was very active in sports at K-Central, playing
all four years on the baseball and soccer teams. He was the captain
of the soccer team during his senior year. Matt will attend WMU
and major in engineering.
Jordan Laney and Jana Graudins.
Annual Children’s Literature Seminar
with author/illustrator
KADIR
NELSON
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
Friday, November 14
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fetzer Center, WMU
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
September 2008
www.kpl.gov/childlit
EXCELSIOR
7
State History Day
Competition
Chef Shaun • kps food service chef
Triple Berry Cobbler
Hello, Kalamazoo. Fall is creeping up soon. I hope you enjoy this
cobbler with family and friends anytime of the year. Summer and fall,
of course, prove to be more economical and accessible for your
ingredients. A really nice scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side will
win anyone over! Please enjoy.
Best regards, Chef Shaun
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour
Serves: 8
Ingredients
•1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
•1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
•1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
•4 tablespoons white sugar
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•2 cups rolled oats
•1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•1 1/2 cups butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
(175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, gently toss
together blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and white sugar;
set aside. In a separate, large bowl,
combine flour, oats, brown sugar,
cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in
butter until crumbly. Press half of
mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-
Shaun Robinson is the district chef
for Chartwell at KPS Food Service.
inch pan. Cover with berries.
Sprinkle remaining crumble
mixture over the berries.
Bake in the preheated oven
for 30 to 40 minutes, or until
fruit is bubbly and topping is
golden brown.
KPS Welcomes New Principals to Loy
Norrix and Woods Lake
(continued from page 1)
2006. He received his bachelor’s
degree in Elementary Education
and his master’s degree in Education Leadership from Western
Michigan University. He has taught
math at Maple Street Magnet
School and fifth and sixth grades
at Woods Lake Elementary and
has been trained in art integration
and A+ Schools. In addition, he
has served as the upper elementary reading facilitator and the 21st
Century after-school facilitator at
Woods Lake. He has also coached
for KPS in wrestling and track.
Hawkins will use his abil-
ity to communicate in Spanish
with the bilingual students at
Woods Lake. He looks forward
to his new position. “I am excited about this opportunity,”
he said, “and I can’t wait to be
reunited with the Woods Lake
students, families and staff.”
G]cQO\¸bPSbVS`SOZZbVSbW[S
0cbg]cQO\^`]dWRSg]c`QVWZR`S\eWbV
bVS^]eS`b][OYSU]]RZWTSRSQWaW]\a
’acPabO\QSOPcaS
O\RdW]ZS\QS^`SdS\bW]\
’VSOZbVgQV]WQSa
’RWdS`aWbgSRcQObW]\
ES^`]dWRSTO[WZg^`]U`O[[W\URSaWU\SRT]`
g]cbVO\RbVSW`^O`S\baQO`SUWdS`abVObT]Qca
]\Q][[c\WQObW\UeWbVg]c`QVWZR`S\STTSQbWdS
RWaQW^ZW\SbSQV\W_cSaPcWZRW\UQ]\¿RS\QSW\g]c`
QVWZR`S\O\R^`]dWRW\Ug]cbVeWbVbVSb]]Zab]
`SaWab^SS`^`Saac`S
=c`[WaaW]\Wab]PcWZRab`]\US`Q][[c\WbWSa
Pg^`]dWRW\UQ][^`SVS\aWdSVSOZbVSRcQObW]\
aS`dWQSab]g]cbVO\RTO[WZWSa/\ReSW\dWbSg]c
b]S\UOUSQVO\US
B]S\UOUSQVO\USU]b]
^`SdS\bW]\e]`Ya]`U
]`QOZZ $'!&&" 8
EXCELSIOR
September 2008
Katherine Warren holds the certificate she received in recognition of her display.
“We are pleased to celebrate
Katherine Blyth Warren, a fifth
grader here at Lincoln International Studies School, for her
awesome accomplishment,” said
Lincoln principal Kimberly Parker Devauld upon hearing that
Katie had placed second in the
youth division at the State History Day competition. Katie had
personally created a project board
based on the life and times of
Harriet Tubman. Her project was
entitled “Harriet Tubman and the
Conflict and Compromise over
Slavery.” Katie had presented
her work in the district challenge
and won first place. She also took
home the youth individual exhibit award.
Over five hundred people
were present as Michigan students received top honors at the
Michigan History Day State Finals in Mount Pleasant at Central
Michigan University. This year
an estimated 5,500 students
competed in the History Day
program statewide in Michigan.
After competing in 10 regional
districts, over 260 of these students reached the state finals
representing schools from all
across the state.
“The students had an outstanding experience this year”
commented Larry J. Wagenaar,
Executive Director of the Historical Society of Michigan. “Students
are the experts for the day and
share what they have learned.
They actively engaged our judges.
History Day is hands-on education, with students gaining phenomenal new skills.”
Michigan History Day is an
educational program of the Historical Society of Michigan, the
state’s oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828.
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
KPS Policy for Free and Reduced Lunches
Kalamazoo Public Schools today announced the free and reduced price meals for
children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch
and School Breakfast Program. The following household size and income criteria
will be used for determining eligibility:
Scale for Reduced Price Meals
ervation (FDPIR) benefits for your child, you only have to list your child’s name and
Food Stamp or FIP/FDPIR case number and sign the application.
The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only
for the purpose of determining eligibility, verifying data, or qualifying children for
other federal and state programs, as authorized by the United States Department of
Agriculture. The school or other officials may verify applications at any time during
Family Size Annual
Monthly
2x month
Bi-weekly
Weekly
the school year.
1
$19240 $1604 $802 $740 $370
Households may apply for benefits at any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible but has a decrease in household income, an increase
2
$25900 $2159
$1080 $997 $499
in household size or if a household member becomes unemployed, the household
should fill out an application at that time.
3
$32560
$2714 $1357
$1253
$627
In most cases, foster children are eligible for these benefits regardless of the
4
$39220
$3269
$1635 $1509
$755
household’s income. If a household has foster children living with them and they
wish to apply for free or reduced price meals for them, the household should contact
5
$45,880 $3824
$1912 $1765 $883
the school for more information. Under the provisions of the policy, Gary Start (1220
6
$52540 $4379
$2190
$2021 $1011
Howard St. • Kalamazoo, MI 49008 • (269) 337-0100) will review applications and
determine eligibility.
7
$59200 $4934
$2467 $2277
$1139
Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. The household
8
$65860 $5489
$2745
$2534
$1267
also has the right to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling or writing the follow *each
ing official:
additional $6660* $555* $278
$257 $129*
member
Gary Start • 1220 Howard St. • Kalamazoo, MI 49008 • (269) 337-0100
Each school and the Kalamazoo Public Schools Administration have a complete
Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible
policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
for free and reduced price meals.
REAPPLY: You may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year. If
Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians.
you lose your job, if your income decreases, if your family size increases, if you begin
To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill out the form and
Food Stamps or FIP/FDPIR, fill out an application at that time.
return it to the school. Additional copies of the application form are available at
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its
the principal’s office in each school. Households should answer all questions on the
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or
form, and sign the form. One application is for the entire family.
disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communicaNON FOOD STAMP HOUSEHOLDS: An application which does not contain all of tion of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
the following information cannot be processed by the school: (1) the total income by USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil
source for each household member (such as wages, child support, etc.); (2) names of
all household members; (3) social security number of the adult household member Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Bldg., 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportuwho signs the application; and (4) the signature of a household member.
FOOD STAMP/FIP/FDPIR HOUSEHOLDS: If you currently receive Food Stamps, nity provider and employer.
You will be informed of application approval or denial.
Family Independence Program (FIP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Res-
LNCCC Preschool Program Enrolling Now
The Loy Norrix Child Care
Center Preschool program
enrollment is open to the
public and the tuition rate is
one of the best in the county.
For more information or to
register, call 269-337-0264.
Enrollment is limited.
KSS
Stop in and
shop where
the pros do.
ENTERPRISES
Cleaning Supplies & Equipment
Since 1945
Showroom Hours
M 8–5, Tu–Fri 7:30–5:30
(269) 349-6637
616 E. VINE ST. KALAMAZOO, MI 49001
www.kssenterprises.com
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
September 2008
EXCELSIOR
9
ECCU Chooses Recipients for
Scholarship Program
KPS graduates of the Class of
2008, Gordon Warwick (Kalamazoo Central) and Carly Wheaton
(KAMSC and Loy Norrix), were
awarded Educational Community Credit Union’s scholarship
of $1,000. The ECCU scholarship program was established
to enhance the educational opportunities and advancement
of our member-owners. The
scholarship awards are based
on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and/or
community involvement, and
an essay.
Gordon will attend the University of Michigan in the fall and
plans to major in architecture.
While at K-Central, he studied drafting I and II in EFE with
teacher Marvin Gage and was
on the wrestling and baseball
teams. Gordon was a member of
the National Honor Society for
two years.
Carly plans to study pharmacy at the University of Michigan.
She was a member of the National
Honor Society at Loy Norrix and
vice-president her senior year.
For her four years in high school,
she was a member of the volleyball team and co-captain for the
last two years. Carly volunteers in
the mission field for her church,
spending summers in Kentucky
and Virginia.
Carly Wheaton
Gordon Warwick
It Is Never too Late to Learn
Kalamazoo Adult Education
classes are offered free to
adults 20 years old or older
without a high school diploma and who have had a break
in their education. The classes day, September 15, 2008.
Sign up today.
include basic skills, GED preparation and English Literacy- For more information,
call 269-337-0422.
Civics (formally ESL).
Classes will start on Mon-
2008 American ComputerScience League Award Winners
This was Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center’s tenth
straight year to qualify and compete in the ACSL All-Star International Invitational that draws high school computer-science
teams from all over the US, Canada, Croatia and Romania.
Loy Norrix junior Jack Stankewicz was one of a handful
of KAMSC students who proved their versatility with computer science by mastering a variety of challenging topics
in computer programming and discrete mathematics. The
topics included computer numbering systems (binary, octal, hexadecimal), Boolean algebra, LISP, bit-string flicking,
graph theory, data structures (binary trees, stacks, queues),
Polish and reverse Polish notation, recursion, algorithm
analysis, and digital electronics.
The students completed a series of four monthly tests
and programming challenge problems between December
and April, and Jack did so to perfection. This qualified him
for the 2008 ACSL All-Star International Invitational held
near Baltimore. Jack and his KAMSC teammates placed in
the top five in nearly all events at the invitational.
KAMSC/Loy Norrix sophomore Megan Davis’ nearly
perfect effort in the ACSL Classroom Contest earned her an
ACSL Outstanding Achievement Award. The endeavors of
Jack and Megan and their KAMSC teammates earned them
first-place regional and national finishes overall.
KAMSC computer-science teacher Shannon Houtrouw
said, “Though they were not part of the All-Star Invitational team, Jack’s Loy Norrix teammates, juniors Maddy
Parker, Anita Tung, and Robin Veeck, and Kalamazoo Central senior Kyle Cunningham-Rhoads were instrumental
in propelling KAMSC’s computer-science team to its best
overall finish for ACSL in the 10 years that we have been
participating. Additionally, Jack, Anita and Robin each
received Computing Olympiad Bronze Awards this year.
Robin received even further distinction by earning a 2008
KAMSC CodeWarrior induction.”
Megan Davis shows her ACSL
Outstanding Achievement Award
ribbon.
10
EXCELSIOR
September 2008
Jack Stankewicz holds several
awards that he earned at the ACSL
All-Star invitational. Earlier in the
month, he also received an award
for achieving a perfect score during
the regular season.
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
What Every Parent Needs to Know
Notification Regarding Staff Qualifications
Under the No Child Left Behind Act parents have the right
to request information on the professional qualifications of
their children’s classroom teachers and the qualifications
of any paraprofessionals who provide services to their children. Parents may request and receive information about:
(a) whether the teacher is State-certified, (b) whether the
teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional
status, and (c) the baccalaureate major of the teacher and
any other graduate degree or certification. Parents may
request information on the level of achievement of their
child in each of the State academic assessments.
If a student attending a school that receives any Title
I, Part A funds is assigned to, or taught, for four or more
consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified, the school must provide timely notice to the student’s parents.
Inquires to: Human Resources • 1220 Howard Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive
funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect
to their children’s education records. These rights
transfer to the student when he or she reaches the
age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school
level. Students to whom the rights have transferred
are “eligible students.”
1.) Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide
copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to
review the records. Schools must honor your request to
review your child’s education records within 45 days of
receiving the request. Parents or eligible students should
submit to the School principal a written request that
identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School
official will make arrangements for access and notify the
parent or eligible students of the time and place where
the records may be inspected.
2.) Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to
be inaccurate or misleading. They should write the School
principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want
changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school
decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent
or eligible student of the decision and advise them of
their right to a formal hearing regarding the request for
amendment. After the hearing, if the school still decides
not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student
has the right to place a statement with the record setting
forth his or her view about the contested information.
3.) Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those
records, without consent, to the following parties or
under the following conditions:
•School officials with legitimate educational interest;
•Other schools to which a student is transferring;
•Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
•Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid
to a student;
•Organizations conducting certain studies for or
on behalf of the school;
•Accrediting organizations;
•To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued
subpoena;
•Appropriate officials in cases of health and
safety emergencies;
•State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
Disclosure of Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
require that the Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), with
certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior
to the disclosure of personally identifiable information
from your child’s education records. However, KPS may
disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised
the District to the contrary in accordance with District
procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow KPS to include this type of information
from your child’s education records in certain school
publications. Examples include: A playbill, showing
your student’s role in a drama production; the annual
yearbook; honor roll or other recognition lists; graduation programs; sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.
Directory information, which includes student’s
name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth,
major field of study, participation in officially recognized
school activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, dates of attendance and previous
school(s) attended, is information that is generally not
considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released,
can also be disclosed to organizations without a parent’s
prior written consent. Outside organizations include,
but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class
rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws
require us to provide military recruiters, upon request,
with three directory information categories — names,
addresses and telephone listings — unless parents have
advised KPS that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.
If you do not want KPS to disclose information from
your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the District by writing to:
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Office of Administrative Information Systems
1220 Howard Street • Kalamazoo, MI 49008
or faxing 337-0195 on or before Friday, September 19,
2008.
For further information, please call the Office of
Administrative Information Systems at 337-0146.
KC Class of 2008 Are Grateful for The Kalamazoo Promise
Seniors from the Kalamazoo Central Class of 2008 and their families had the desire to demonstrate
to the donors of The Kalamazoo
Promise Scholarship how thankful they are for this great gift. The
class gathered in the auditorium
with Principal Von Washington
Jr. and parent representatives on
May 30, 2008, the last official day
of school for seniors. Hand-made
signs spelled out their appreciation for the opportunity to continue their education.
Some of the seniors spoke
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com
about their feelings of the gift.
Sadie Dullam said, “You
have given so many the opportunity to attend the college they
dream about.”
Josalyn Pratt wanted to show
her appreciation for what the donors have done for the community. “This has changed so many
lives,” she said. “Without this
gift, we would have had a slim
chance to go on to college. I plan
on showing my appreciation by
attending college and becoming
successful.”
Lance Brown added, “It is
surreal how one decision can
change your whole life. I am very
grateful that such a gift exists. I
plan to graduate from college and
be successful. Thank you.”
The KC Class of 2008 chose a
quote by Gandhi: “Be the change
you want to see in the world,”
as their class motto. The seniors
thank The Kalamazoo Promise
donors, whose actions have certainly changed the world of Kalamazoo Public Schools students.
K-Central seniors say: Thank You Promise Donors, Class of 2008.
(Photo by Photographic Artistry, Inc.)
Thank you, donors!
September 2008
EXCELSIOR
11
New Books and Reading
Summer School was a great
success. The 8 Promise Fellows, Americorps VISTA summer workers, volunteered and
proved to be of great value in
the classrooms. Kalamazoo
Communities In Schools helped
with several special programs
tied into the summer session.
Bagels and Books was one of
the events, with 40 volunteers
reading to the younger elementary children at Northeastern on
July 10. Forty-five readers read
to the older children at Milwood
Elementary on July 11.
The volunteers were community leaders including Kalamazoo’s new Chief of Police
Jeffrey Hadley, City Clerk Tim
Snow, Fire Marshall Marty Meyers, Meteorologist Keith Thompson, Pastor Matt Laney, judges
Carol Husum and Pam Lightvoet, attorneys Jeff Gagie and Mike
Schlack, county commissioners
Pat Krause and Nasim Ansari,
and city commissioners Mary
Ty’Jonnay McFerrin picks out a book to take home.
Dr. Michael Rice shares his love of reading.
EXCELSIOR
During the first week of summer school at Maple Street Magnet School,
Andrea Baschal, English Language 7th and 8th grade teacher, asked
her students about their fears. The majority of the students said they
had a fear of reading out loud in front of people. Quite a few of the students also admitted that they were afraid of snakes as most people are.
Baschal planned to hold a Face-Your-Fears day later in the summer.
Baschal talked to her friend, “Wild” Wil Crooks, who owns three
snakes and has been holding snake shows for many years. He agreed
to bring the snakes to the classroom on the day the students planned
to look their fears in the eye.
Wild Wil told the students that the best way to face a fear is with
knowledge. He began with a question-and-answer session, which
went from discussing the body temperature of snakes to what snakes
eat and how to hold them. Then the students had a chance to hold
the snakes. “The big boa constrictor, Scarlett, was the main event,”
said Baschal. “Many students were very scared to have her placed
around their necks. Everyone was very brave, and even those who
had claimed to be deathly afraid of snakes held the massive boa.”
Student Donovan Fults said, “I wasn’t scared at all because I have
my own python at home. It was fun and so cool. I wish we could do
something like that with animals.”
Student Shaqera Wallace wasn’t quite so comfortable with the
reptiles. “I was freaked out at first,” she said. “Then I learned more
about them and decided to try to hold one. It felt soft and scaly — a
heavy weight around my neck.”
Representative Robert Jones with (L to R) students
Claniqua Williams and Nasira Williams.
Layla DeRuyscher enjoys an awardwinning book.
Assistant Superintendent Cindy Green reads to and then poses with her young
listeners. They are (L to R) Front: Asia Taylor-Smith. Middle: Bryan James Diamond Robinson, Brittany Standish, Cindy Green, Artashia Edmonson and Haylee
Wotta. Back: Kitana Weatherford, Rickysha Dixon, Cornelius Jackson, Ronne Lee,
Dominique Robinson, and Maxine Dulaney.
12
Balkema and Sean McCann.
Each child chose a book
to take home. KCIS supplied
the book from the 1,220 books
donated by Clay Aiken fans in
November. Some of the books
were also donated by State
Farm, National City Insurance Group, Kazoo Books, and
Barnes and Noble. The Bagels
were provided by Bagel Beanery and Big Apple Bagels on
Westnedge, and the coffee was
donated by D & W.
Snakes Come to School
September 2008
Donovan Fults keeps his eye on the snake.
Phillip Smith knows the answer.
Sheriff Mike Anderson reads a favorite
story.
Ruthanne Whitney, Michael Obreiter-Weiandt, Neil Stinnett, Victor Bible and
Shaqera Wallace bravely hold Scarlett, a boa constrictor.
www.kalamazoopublicschools.com