Spring 2011 - Wyoming Public Schools

Insight
Wyoming Public Schools
Schools of Choice
Program 2011-12
Wyoming Public Schools
participates in the Kent
County Schools of Choice
Program administered
through the Kent
Intermediate School District.
The 2011-12 school year
application period is April
11 through June 3, 2011;
applications are available at
the District Administration
office at 3575 Gladiola
Ave SW. Wyoming Public
Schools will accept out-ofdistrict students in grades
kindergarten through
9th grade only based on
availability at each grade
level.
Please note that filling
out an application does
not guarantee that there
is a space available in the
building you are requesting.
If you have questions,
please call Paula Skoog at
530-7555. Out-of-district
students who are currently
attending on a temporary
one-year release (Section
106) will be contacted and
required to complete a
formal Schools of Choice
form.
Spring 2011
K-12 Funding
Reductions Loom
Michigan
Governor Rick
Snyder has released
his proposed 201112 State budget
in which he is
recommending
a $470 per pupil
Superintendent
reduction next
Jon A. Felske
year.This would
result in a reduction of $2.2 million
for our district.
The State of Michigan has
also notified school districts
that employee pension fund
contributions will increase by 3.8
percent for next year, which will
cause Wyoming Public Schools to
pay an additional $1.1 million more
for employee contributions than
this current year.
The district will receive $2
million less in federal funding due
to reductions being proposed
by President Barack Obama.
The district is also anticipating
increased costs for employee health
care, previously negotiated contract
provisions and projected cost
increases for items such as diesel
fuel and electricity.
The Board of Education is
meeting weekly with Central Office
Administration to review difficult
financial decisions that will need
to be made later this spring.The
number one goal of the district
is to continue to provide quality
academic and extra curricular
activities for all students in grades
K-12.
I encourage you to contact
your elected officials in Lansing
to voice your concern about the
serious financial crisis K-12 school
districts are facing this spring.
Please feel free to contact me by
phone at 530-7555 or by email at
[email protected].
Voice Your Concern
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
PHONE: (517) 335-7858
FAX: (517) 335-6863
E-MAIL: [email protected]
State Senator Mark Jansen
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
PHONE: (517) 373-0797
FAX: (517) 373-5236
E-MAIL: [email protected]
State Representative Thomas Hooker
77th District (includes Wyoming)
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-2277
TOLL-FREE: (855) 866-4077
E-MAIL: [email protected]
Enroll Now
for 2011-12
Preschool
Applications for the 20112012 Preschool Programs are
now available at Wyoming
Public Schools Student
Services office and elementary
school offices. For more
information, call Paula at
530-5671.
Traditional
Program
(Tuition-Based Program)
Huntington Woods
Early Childhood Center
• 3 & 4 year olds
• Two or three half-day
programs
• Tuition is $675 $965/full year
Great Start
Readiness
Program
(Free Program)
GSRP is a State of
Michigan funded preschool
program available free to
qualifying residents in the
Wyoming Public Schools
district.
Children must be four
years old by December 1,
2011, and meet income
guidelines and/or qualifying
factors. Examples of factors:
absence of parent, sibling
issues, teen parents, homeless
or developmental delays.
Children enrolled in this
program will attend school
four half-days at the
Huntington Woods Early
Childhood Center.
Early Childhood Program Provides
Help for Developmental Disabilities
Wyoming Schools’ Student
Services Department provides
a special education program for
children two through four years
of age who may need special help
to be better prepared for Early
Childhood instruction.
We will evaluate your child
if you feel there may be some
developmental difficulties in the
following areas:
• Cognitive development:
the ability to think and master
tasks at an appropriate level.
• Language development:
the ability to hear adequately,
form correct speech sounds at
appropriate age levels and put
them together into age-appropriate
speech patterns.
• Perceptual development:
the ability to master concepts such
as color, shape, body parts, etc. at
an age-appropriate level.
• Fine motor development:
demonstration of age-appropriate
use of small muscles in such
tasks as cutting, pasting, coloring,
writing, etc.
• Gross motor development:
demonstration of age-appropriate
use of large muscles in such
tasks as catching, throwing,
running, etc.
• Social-emotional development:
demonstration of age-appropriate
ability to play, interact with peers,
separate from parents, control
emotions, etc.
The program offers individual
testing and goal setting designed
just for your child through
close cooperation with parents.
Instruction includes one-half day
sessions five days a week with
specially-trained teachers using
equipment designed to meet
special needs.The services of
speech therapists, occupational
therapists, physical therapists,
psychologists and social workers
are available.
Student’s birth certificate
and immunization records are
required for enrollment. For more
information, call Student Services at
530-7525.
Enrollment for New Students
New enrollments are only for families or students that are not
currently attending Wyoming Public Schools. Please share this
information with your neighbors and friends that are new to the
district.
To enroll, please visit our administration building at:
3575 Gladiola Ave SW • Wyoming, MI 49519 • (616)530-7550
Office hours for registration are Mon.-Thurs. from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
These documents are required by the state of Michigan.
Please bring:
•Certified birth certificate
•Two proofs of residency (utility bill, lease agreement,
driver’s license, etc.)
•Updated immunization or vaccine record
•Kindergarten health form with vision screening
(Kindergarten applicants only)
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Operation
Pillow Talk
by Mindy Harris
Inside 3rd and 4th grade
Gladiola classrooms on February
11, students were busy decorating
pillows and writing letters to
servicemen and women stationed
overseas.
Students learned that pillows
were not provided for many soldiers
because they are not considered
a necessity. Operation Pillow Talk
was a way Gladiola Gators could
provide a bit of comfort as well as
show their gratitude and support to
Immunization
Requirements
All schools in Michigan
are required to report the
immunization status of all
children entering kindergarten,
all sixth grade students, and
all children changing school
districts.This is to assure
that children are adequately
immunized against preventable
diseases before they reach
adolescence when some of
these diseases become a great
threat to their health.
Mindy Harris and her 4th grade students.
military personnel.
The day also included a
presentation from Mr. Wheeler, a
retired Navy veteran and member of
the American Legion, and Sergeants
Estupian and Hagen, Marine
recruiters. During this presentation,
students learned about flag
etiquette, practiced folding the flag
and asked questions about military
life.
The 3rd and 4th graders would
like to thank Grandma Wu for
organizing this special project.
West Families Pay Tribute
to Martin Luther King Jr.
If your child needs
immunizations, please try to
have these completed during
the remainder of the summer.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT
ANY STUDENT WHO HAS
NOT HAD ALL OF HIS/HER
IMMUNIZATIONS WILL NOT
BE ALLOWED TO START
SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER.
If you have any questions
please call Matt at the Wyoming
Public Schools Administration
Building at 530-7550.
Staff, students and parents from West Elementary paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. by marching in downtown Grand Rapids silently with others from across the area. The
march was followed by a program at the Grand Rapids Community College field house.
3
Students Start
the Day with
Breakfast (in
the Classroom)
Making breakfast more
accessible to students in our
buildings with free and reduced
populations exceeding 65
percent was a priority for
Wyoming Public Schools.
Since the school year
began, the Food Service
Department has transitioned
Parkview, Gladiola and West
Elementary Schools and Jackson
Park Intermediate School to
Universal Breakfast that is
offered daily in the classroom.
All students are welcome
to enjoy this well-balanced
breakfast at no charge. Breakfast
participation has dramatically
increased with 80 to 90 percent
of the students eating on any
given day.
Breakfast options include
whole grain items like pancakes,
muffins, granola and reducedsugar cereals. Also offered are
lean proteins including low-fat
yogurt and string cheese, as well
as fresh fruits and 100 percent
fruit juices. Low-fat, white milk
is available every day to wash
down the meal.
Food Services would like
to thank each building’s staff
and students as they are key
to making this program a huge
success.
Teamwork was a major theme for a Pep Rally held at Parkview this winter.
Parkview Treated to Pep Rally
by Jodi West
Parkview staff and students
were welcomed back from Winter
Break with a Pep Rally.
Members from Wyoming Park
Athletic Leadership Council and
the High School Drum Line, as well
as Coach Tom Vanderklay and Sean
Veenstra, were featured.
Student athletes spoke to the
crowd about being safe, respectful
and responsible.These qualities are
important when you are a member
of a team. Parkview students are
just that; whether as a classroom
or a whole building, Bobcats are a
team!
As the Drum Line kept beat,
students were excited to shake
their Pom Poms provided by Car
City Supercenter. Each child was
given a Pom Pom to help show
their spirit.
Throughout the week, school
officials were on the lookout for
good behavior. Special “Golden
Power Paws” were given as rewards
and then entered into a drawing
at the Assembly. Plenty of prizes
were given away, including a soccer
ball, hats, water bottles, chips and
special certificates.
Thank you to Car City
Supercenter, Athletic Leaders and
the Drum Line for encouraging our
youngest learners to be successful!
GO TEAM!
Foundation Welcomes New Members
by Oogie LaMar
The Wyoming Public Schools Education Foundation would like to
welcome its three new members. The new members include Brian
Patterson, Executive Director of Compassion This Way. Compassion
This Way is a non-profit group focused on mentoring and youth in
the Wyoming community. Sara Dyess, Property Manager of Land and
Company, which owns multiple apartment complexes in the Wyoming
area, and Chad Marrow, Branch Manager of DFCU also joing our
Foundation. All three new members bring years of experience to the
community building process, property management and business to
the board.
4
Oriole Park
Celebrates
Chinese
New Year
You will be surprised that
the Chinese New Year falls on a
different day every year, and this
year it was celebrated on
February 3.This is the
year of the Rabbit for
Chinese and Japanese
and the year of the
Cat for Vietnamese.
At Oriole Park, Mr.
Nguyen celebrated
the New Year for all
Asian students and
some of their friends.
Each Asian student invited
two of his/her best friends to
join the celebration.
At the beginning, Mr. Nguyen
introduced and thanked those
parents who came to help,
although we had to reschedule the
celebration due to snow.Thank you
to the parent who provided 30 red
envelopes for all students to wish
them luck.
Above: Students play the game Bau Cua Ca Cop. Left: Tiffany Le
and Vivian Nguyen did the presentation on the 12 zodiac animals.
Students raised their hands to find out what animal he/she was born
under and its characteristic.
Mr. Nguyen
concluded with the
New Year song called “Ly
Ruou Mung “with his accordion.
The most fun was playing the
game called Bau Cua Ca Cop; our
parents provided candies for the
game.
Everyone had a good time with
some treats in their pocket and
returned to class around 3:15 p.m.
with a big smile on their faces.
West Kids Get “Green” Light for Fun
During the celebration, Vivian
Nguyen, a fourth grader, presented
the location of China and Vietnam
followed by Tiffany Le on the story
of 12 zodiac animals. She used a big
poster with 12 animals and the year
which falls under each animal and
its characteristic. Each student had
a chance to find out what animal
he/she is born in and its fortune.
Alvin Ly talked about the
follower that we have in Vietnam
during the TET. Nina Duong shared
our New Year’s food and she
introduced how to make banh TeT
on her colorful poster.
by Lori Brillowsky & Marcia Baker
Students at West Elementary who stayed on Green for the first
semester of school were treated to a roller skating party at Kentwood
Fun Spot. Staying on Green means they followed our school rules:
Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible. We had nearly 200 kids
participate in this fun event!!
5
Parkview Students Benefit
from MEEMIC Grant for Books
by Jodi West
Parkview’s Deb Creswell
was awarded a grant for $500 to
purchase new books for the school.
Chris Suchner, from MEEMIC
Insurance Company presented
Creswell with the award.
The MEEMIC Foundation, a
non-profit organization created in
1992 by the MEEMIC Insurance
Company, offers grants to support
Michigan educators. In early 2010,
Meemic launched its first ever
Book Grant. Sixty three teachers
throughout Michigan were awarded
grants to help purchase books for
their schools. Creswell was one of
three in Kent County to be selected.
Parkview’s motto is “Mission
POSSIBLE: College!” Teachers
mention college daily to their
students as a way to instill a vision
for academic success for the
students. Field trips have been
awarded through grants, so students
can have a first-hand experience of
what college is truly like.
In alignment with the goal of
improving reading comprehension
as established by the School
Improvement Team, these books
will also support Parkview’s focus
on college and career training.
By having access to a variety of
high-interest career texts, students
will now have an opportunity
to explore career options that
are available to them.They will
also learn the importance of
A Sledding We Will Go
by Huntington Woods
Early Childhood Team
Whee! This is what could be
heard at Huntington Woods Early
Childhood Center on January 12
and 13, as children and adults
played on the snowy hill. It was
a perfectly crisp, sunny day to
make snow angels and explore the
outdoor winter season with family
and friends.
It is not always easy to plan for
an outside, sledding day in Michigan. One never knows what the weather
may be like two or more weeks out. Will it be too cold or too warm? Will we have snow or mud on the
ground? HWECC took a gamble
and planned a Sledding Day in
January for all of the children and
their families. With sleds and winter clothes in
tow, the children arrived at school
with an air of excitement! Who
knew that it would be the perfect
day? The children bundled up and
went outside to do many things
that playing in the snow offers
preschoolers and their families! The
teamwork and problem solving in
getting dressed, hauling sleds up
the hill, pushing each other down
the hill and keeping those hats,
mittens, and boots on was a great,
natural learning experience for all
150 preschoolers. The large and
small muscles used were apparent
as the bus drivers and families
reported to us that the ride home
was one of the quietest that they
have had! As one listened to the
group, the language being used by
the adults and amongst the children
was incredible, not to mention all
of the laughter! New and stronger
relationships were made, not only
6
Deb Creswell is presented with a grant to
purchase new books for Parkview by Chris
Suchner from MEEMIC Insurance.
perseverance, working hard and
applying oneself to achieve goals.
Thank you, Mrs. Creswell, for
meeting the needs of our students.
Thank you, MEEMIC, for
supporting our schools and
ensuring all schools are given
opportunities to continue to grow.
Relay for Life
The Relay for Life of WyomingGrandville is all about sports
this year, so come join your
community and learn how you
can help score some points in
the fight against cancer!
May 13-14
Noon to Noon
Lamar Park, Wyoming
For more information contact
Kim Cousineau at (616) 8283892 or Jaime Counterman at
(616) 551-4033.
with and between the children, but
with the families.
This day was such a huge
success, that another Sledding Day
was planned in February. Our luck
did not last, as the white hill was
no longer and grass reappeared
after the February thaw. The
children and their families were
disappointed, but hopefully not for
long, as a March Sledding Day is in
the works. Wish us luck!
Math, Science Activities Focus of West Family Night
by Lori Brillowksy & Marcia Baker
West Elementary Families were
invited to solve math problems,
play math games or conduct
scientific experiments Family Night
on Thursday, January 20. Each classroom hosted a math
activity or science experiment
for families to learn from or play. Families from West enjoyed this
evening of hands-on activities with
their children!
Above: Skylar Whisman shares the results
of an experiment with Zach Vandenbos and
Luke Dzonlagic.
Far left: Mahrle Miller creates a bubble
explosion.
Left: Angel Martinez and his mother play
bingo together.
Parkview Combines Reading,
Pancakes for Day of Fun, Learning
by Katie Jobson
The second graders at Parkview
celebrated “March is Reading
Month” and “National Pancake Day”
in their classrooms.The students
rotated in groups from classroom to
classroom.
In one classroom,“Clum’s
Closet,” the students celebrated
Dr. Seuss’ birthday by trying to
put themselves into character by
wearing crazy hats.They did this
to think about how Dr. Seuss came
up with his different characters. In
their crazy hats, the students wrote
stories as a character.
Michelle Trieu (above) and
Le’Andre Jones (right) enjoy
their pancakes.
In another room,
“Kinney’s Kitchen,” the
students listened to the story, If You
Give a Pig a Pancake.
Chef Kinney and his assistant,
parent helper Michelle Black,
whipped up and flipped up
delicious world-famous pancakes.
The students enjoyed their
pancakes before moving onto the
third classroom,“Cook’s Cupboard.”
In this classroom, the students
listened to the story Green Eggs
7
and Ham.They learned that you
cannot judge a book by its cover
and that you should try new things.
Following this idea, the students
showed courage and ate their own
green eggs. Some were afraid at
first, but they tried anyway!
Local Eateries Encourage Reading, Make It Fun
by Oogie LaMar & Mike Sturm
March was Reading Month
– a reminder to read with your
children and make them aware of
the possibilities and imagination
that reading offers!
Activities took place
throughout the City of Wyoming
to acknowledge this event. Local
restaurants welcomed students,
parents and staff to their businesses
for a night of reading, door prizes
and refreshments. Main Street Pub
We had around 35 families join
us for dinner and a book exchange
at the Main Street Pub.
PAPA DOGS – Above: Matt Yakes watches his
boys Micah Yakes and Max Cavasos. Right: Will
Richardson shares what he’s reading. Lower Top
right: Right: Psychologist Luke Scholten and family
enjoy their meal together.
A special thanks to principal
Bruce Cook, teachers Lisa Beach,
Michelle Rudolph, Julie Dykstra,
Kate Hull, Anne Jones, Sarah Lichti
and Sarah Bolema who attended
and assisted. Papa Dogs
Close to 30 WPS families
enjoyed dinner and Literacy
activities at Papa Dogs on Monday,
March 7. A special thank you to teachers
Brenda Brizzolara, Jared Herron
and Ellen Holmes. Also, thanks to
Administrators Oogie Lamar, Jen
Debski, Luke Scholten and Katie
Jobson for coming out with their
families. MAIN STREET PUB – Wyoming
Public School families enjoy a
night out at Main Street Pub during
Reading Month. Top: the Dexter
family. Right: Sarah Bolema and
her family.
Skinny’s Pizza
Monday, March 14, was enjoyed by
many of our families at Skinny’s
Restaurant. Books were read while
enjoying a delicious pizza meal! A special thanks to principal
Jen Debski and teachers Patti
Armstrong, Erin Hackett, Shannon
Hendges, Deb Verburg and Sarah
Lichti.
SKINNY’S – Teacher
Patti Armstrong reads
to Lilith Sturdivant,
Dr. Rebecca VincentSturdivant and Maynard
Sturdivant.
8
Parkview
Celebrates
with Rodeo
Reading
Roundup
by Stacy Gruppen
To help celebrate March
is Reading Month, Parkview
Elementary held a Rodeo Reading
Roundup on Tuesday, March 1.
Almost 400 students and their
families came to this spectacular
family literacy night.Yeehaw!
Above (from left to right): Mrs.
Clum, Mrs. Brunink, Mrs. Durr, and
Mrs. Evenhouse register families
as they enter the Rodeo Reading
Roundup.
Those who attended were able
to receive some free books at RIF,
participate in several fun literacy
activities, listen to storytellers
around the campfire and enjoy a
free dinner with their families.
Several area businesses donated
prizes that were given away
throughout the night.
Thanks to all the Parkview
families that were able to attend,
teachers and volunteers who
helped and businesses who
donated gifts (Little Peñas, On the
Border Mexican Grill, Applebee’s,
Family Fare, Parents of Parkview
(POPS) and Frankie V’s).
Above: Jasmine and Odessa Burns show
off the RIF books they received at the Rodeo
Reading Roundup.
West Students
Bring Warm
Wishes
Students from Mrs. Lichti’s
and Mrs. Baker’s class traveled to
Waldon Woods to sing Christmas
carols, visit and pass out student
created greeting cards.
9
Jackson Park, Newhall Students Welcome Author
by Melissa Schneider &
Karen Potter
On March 10, Jackson Park
and Newhall students and staff
had a great opportunity to hear
from author Pam Flowers about
her adventurous journey along the
Appalachian Trail with her dog,
Ellie.
Flowers took her audiences on
a pictorial trip that chronicled her
2,174-mile and 199-day trek from
the northern terminus in Maine to
the southern terminus in Georgia.
Her captivating stories included
tales of wild and unpredictable
weather, dangerous climbs and
descents, river crossings and “trail
angels” who volunteer to aid hikers
on the trail.
Flowers’ canine companion,
Ellie, even made a guest appearance
at the end of each presentation.
Pam and Ellie’s story of
determination and endurance
is depicted in the picture book,
Ellie’s Long Walk: the true story of
two friends on the Appalachian
Trail. Students and staff had the
opportunity to purchase Flowers’
book while she was here. It is
also available on her website at
pamflowers.com.
Top: Pam and Ellie answer questions
from Jackson Park 5th graders.
Left: Pam and Ellie talking with Jackson
Park 6th graders Claire Hendrickson,
Susan Tuttle and Ja’Vyana Clark.
Above: Pam and Ellie; Ellie enjoys an
afternoon nap after her fourth presentation of
the day.
Newhall Staff Donates
Blood, Saves Lives
by Robyn Gransow-Higley
Newhall staff went the extra mile for our
community on February 23. Twenty-two pints
of blood were collected while the Michigan
Community Blood Center mobile unit was
parked outside the school. Since each pint is
broken down into three components, we have
potentially saved sixty-six lives!
Social Workers, Jeff Tubergen and Brooke
Davis (above) donate blood together. Dean Josh
Baumbach (right) does his part to help save lives.
10
MCBC is the major blood supplier for all of
our community hospitals. For more information,
go to miblood.org. GO HUSKIES!
Wyoming Park Career and
Technical Students Excel at
Academic Competition
New Signs
Make Rogers
Visitor-Friendly
Regional BPA competition students with Jon Bushen instructor.
by Jon Bushen
Career and Technical Education
has been around for many years,
and for the last four years, Wyoming
Park has embraced the student
organization, Business Professionals
of America, which partners with the
school to help students prepare for
college and the future careers that
await them.
skills, extemporaneous speech and
many more.The result, 19 of our
students placed in the top five of
their event, qualifying them for the
state competition at the Amway
Grand Plaza, March 24-27, 2011, and
the possibility of reaching nationals
this year in our nation’s capital,
Washington, D.C.
This year, Wyoming Park High
School currently has 30 active
members in our organization.
Members participate in academic
competitions, perform service
projects, attend business seminars
and continue to prepare to be part
of a world-class workforce.
This is a great accomplishment
for such a large group of students
from Wyoming Park High School
to make it to the state level and
represent Wyoming Park High
School so well.This is just a
glimpse of the great strides in
the development of Career and
Technical Education programs and
student organizations at the Park.
On Saturday, January 8, at
Davenport University, our Wyoming
Park students competed with
hundreds of students around the
West Michigan area in a variety of
academic events.
Our students competed in 29
different events, including video
production team, accounting, small
business management, interview
11
If you have any questions
regarding the upcoming state
competition or if you would
like to help support the
students or Wyoming Park’s
CTE programs, please call
Wyoming Park High
School.
by Adam Gajewski
New this winter, Rogers High
School just became a little more
visitor-friendly thanks to our
assistant principal, Mr. Hollern.
Hollern, along with a few
members from National Honor
Society, shared his vision of a
school with signs adorning the
hallways, adding an aesthetic
warmth and helping visitors
navigate their way around our
building with a quick glance at any
one of these now-abundant and
stylish new additions. All classrooms
and other major building features
– main office, cafeteria, counseling
office, etc. – now have individually
tailored markers to point you in the
right direction.
Guests, new students, and
those that have walked these halls
many a time alike are all going to
appreciate these in the years to
come. Come visit us and check
them out yourself!
Jazz Band
Shares Love
of the Arts
with Young
Students
by Shawn Gurk
The members of the Wyoming
Park Jazz Band visited Oriole Park
and Gladiola Elementaries on
Thursday, March 17, to perform
for the students and encourage
participation in the arts through
middle and high school.
The students (elementary and
high school alike) enjoyed the mix
of tunes, including funk, swing and
blues.The band also read a book to
a first grade class, playing examples
of the sound effects from “Froggy
Plays in the Band” for the kids.
Afterwards, the Jazz Band
Students in Wyoming Park’s Jazz Band stop at Oriole Park to perform and encourage students
to participate in the arts.
travelled to the MSBOA Jazz Festival
to perform for a judging panel of
accomplished jazz musicians in
the area.The band received a II,
a 2nd division rating for a quality
performance.This is the last festival
of the year for the Wyoming Park
Band Program; the marching band
and the concert band received
a I, a 1st division rating at their
respective festivals (this was the
32nd consecutive year that the Park
marching band has been awarded
this honor!).
The Wyoming Park Jazz Band
would like to invite the community
to its annual Jazz Nite on Thursday,
April 21, in the Wyoming Park
Cafeteria at 7 p.m. A suggested
donation of $2 to the band program
will be collected at the door. We
hope to see you there!
Rogers Coach
Inducted into
Michigan Softball
Hall of Fame
by Bernard Varnesdeel
Rogers High School is proud
to announce that long time
Softball Coach Tom Hudson
was inducted into the Michigan
High School Softball Coaches
Association Hall of Fame
February 4, 2011.
Coach Hudson coached
Varsity Softball at Rogers High
School for 18 years. During
this time, his teams won 11
district championships, eight
regional titles and three State
Left to right: Marlee Cain, Brianne (Rosenberg) Hettinga, Emily Butkis, Emily Holt, Whitney
Hudson, Tonya Coates, Coach Hudson, Krystal Bailey, Michelle Racine, Megan Bardwell,
Kelsey Bandstra and Brooke Cain.
Championships.The Rogers High
School Softball program has won
many championships during
Coach “Huds” tenure, but the
passion, dedication and ability to
12
inspire our student athletes will
never be forgotten.
Congratulations and THANK
YOU for everything that you have
done for Rogers High School!
Wyoming
Park Uses
Thinking Maps
to Improve
Learning
Experience
by John Doyle
Wyoming Park High School
has implemented a learning
tool necessary for its students
to become successful thinkers,
problem solvers, decision
makers and, ultimately, lifelong
learners.This tool is called
“Thinking Maps.”All instructors
at The Park have received quality
Wyoming Park students show off their
Thinking Maps. Clockwise from top: Amanda
Pippin, Amber Grzeszak and Brianna
Popma; Meryssa Seitz, Leila Villa and
Kassie Garcia; and Lillian Gleason, Anna
Petrenko and Sullivan Goodman.
Internationally,Thinking Maps are
also being used and promoted
in Canada, the United Kingdom,
Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Egypt,
Ethiopia and other countries.
Some of the benefits for
thinking maps are:
•Students learn more effectively
and more efficiently
•Objectives are covered in less
time with greater retention
•Thought processes are
represented similarly
throughout the curricula
•Schools also promote integrated
thinking and interdisciplinary
learning
training/materials and support
services to enhance our learning
community through thinking maps.
Thinking Maps were developed
as a language for learning in 1988
by Dr. David Hyerle.There are eight
different maps in this language that
are used by instructors and students
around the world (K-12, pre-K, adult
education, university and business)
for reading comprehension, writing
process problem solving and
thinking skills improvement.
Thousands of educators from
across the United States have
received this in-depth training and
follow-up using Thinking Maps.
13
•Teachers can easily gauge
student knowledge prior to a
specific lesson
•Student performance can be
tracked accurately over time
•Students gain effective tools to
use across their academic and
working careers
•Lifelong thinking tools
Rogers Boys B’ball Plays at The Palace
by Bernard Vanesdeel
On Wednesday, January 12,
Rogers High School’s varsity boys
basketball team played against
Kalamazoo’s Loy Norrix at The
Palace of Auburn Hills. More than 100 Rogers students
and staff accompanied the team
to cheer them on, led by our own
varsity Competitive Cheerleaders. After the game, everyone stayed
to watch the Detroit Pistons take on
the Memphis Grizzlies in another
great game. This was a memorable day for
the basketball players and Rogers
students, and the team is
grateful to all who made
this event possible!
Wyoming Park
Boys B’ball
Wrap-up
Top: Dai’ Vaughn Stimage
takes a free throw. Right: Coach Vamesdeel
advises the team during
the game.
Third Place OK Green
Below: Two buses were
needed to transport the
crowd of Rogers High
School students who paid to
attend the game.
First Team All Conference:
6’5 Junior Forward
Casey Mott &
6”1 Senior Guard
Brock Vander Klay
Honorable Mention
All Conference
6’ Senior Guard
Spencer Nabors
The Park’s Boys Basketball
team was also invited to the Top
100 Reaching Higher Showcase
in South Lyon this July.The
top 100 returning players in
the State are invited to the
Michigan High School Athletic
Association and Michigan
Basketball Coaches Association
Reaching Higher program each
summer. Juniors Casey Mott and
Jesse Love are both going to
attend this summer.
14
Wyoming Park 26th Annual Basketball Camp
LEARN ATTITUDES, MENTAL TOUGHNESS,
FUNDAMENTALS AND SKILLS OF A CHAMPION
Boys & Girls • Grades 3-12
June 6-9 • 8-11 a.m. • Wyoming Park High School
Each player will get a Park Basketball T-Shirt. Begin preparing for another championship! All players that
get information in by June 1 are guaranteed shirts.You can also sign up the first day of camp. (If you paid
for the Boys Royal Winter Basketball League or Newhall Second Season, you are already registered.)
What Do I Need To Do?
Fill out and send information (name, school, grade, male/female, email address and phone)
and a $40.00 check to:
Thom Vander Klay, Head Boys Coach, or Kirk Kambestad, Head Girls Coach,
Wyoming Park High School, 2125 Wrenwood, Wyoming MI 49519
Make check out to: Wyoming Park Basketball.
Come dressed and ready to work and learn!
15
Wyoming Public Schools
3575 Gladiola Avenue, S.W.
Wyoming, Michigan 49519
(616) 530-7550
Please visit us at www.wyoming.k12.mi.us
Wyoming Public
Schools
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit No. 131
Board of Education 2010-2011
Deborah Fewless....................................President
Craig Popma...................................Vice President
Dennis Bush...........................................Treasurer
Susan Sheets...........................................Secretary
Tom Mott................................................... Trustee
Amy Payne................................................. Trustee
Mary VandeWater...................................... Trustee
Board of Education meetings are open to
the public and held at the Administration
Building the 2nd Monday of the month at
7:00 p.m. and the 4th Monday of the month
at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified.
Administration
Jon A. Felske..................................Superintendent
Dr.Tom Reeder............Associate Superintendent
Gerald Hopkins............Assistant Superintendent
Matt Lewis............................. Director of Finance
James Nora..........................Technology Director
Don Hebeler.....................Director of Operations
Harry Knol............ Director of Special Education
Mike Slager........................Food Service Director
Insight is published by the Wyoming Board of
Education as the official newsletter for residents
of the Wyoming School District.
Sharon G.Wolfe, Editor
Items for publication in the Insight should be
sent to the following address:
Wyoming Public Schools
c/o Insight Newsletter
3575 Gladiola SW
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
[email protected] (e-mail)
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the
Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act of 1977, and the
Americans with Disability Act of 1990, it is the
policy of Wyoming Public School District that no
person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability,
height, weight, or marital status be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of,
or be subjected to discrimination during any
program, activity, or in employment. The lack of
English skills will not be barrier to admission
or participation in educational programs. The
following people have been designated to
handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination
policies. Inquiries related to discrimination on
the basis of race, color, origin, age, height, weight,
sex, or marital status should be directed to
Thomas Reeder, Assistant Superintendent, 3575
Gladiola SW,Wyoming, MI 49509, (616) 530-7556.
Inquiries related to discrimination on the basis of
disability or religion should be directed to Harry
Knol, Director of Student Services, 3575 Gladiola,
SW,Wyoming, MI, 49509, (616) 530-7525.
Insight design by Lorena Deiters.
Insight printing by Printech, Inc.
School Communications Contest
2001 Award Winner
Wyoming Public Schools
REGULAR BOARD MEETING DATES FOR 2010-2011
April 18, 2011................5:30 p.m.
May 9, 2011...................7:00 p.m.
(@ Gladiola Elementary)
June 13, 2011.................7:00 p.m.
June 27, 2011.................5:30 p.m.
May 23, 2011.................5:30 p.m.
(Budget Hearing @ 5 p.m.)
Regular Board Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
and the 4th Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified.
In the spirit of compliance with the ADA, individuals with a disability should feel free to contact the Office of the
Superintendent by phone (616) 530-7555 if requesting special services to effectively participate in this meeting.
School Board Election:
Vote May 3
The school board sets
the vision for the school
district and the decisions
they make at their
monthly meetings make a
difference for your school.
Two seats on the Wyoming
Board of Education are to
be voted on. Incumbents
Deborah Fewless and
Thomas Mott are running
for re-election and a new
candidate Lisa Manley is also
running.
Your vote counts, be sure
and vote on May 3rd for the
candidate of your choice.