Graduation Issue! - Livonia Public Schools

Graduation Issue!
LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Accredited
June 2015
www.livoniapublicschools.org • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 45, No. 1
Finishing up another successful school year!
As I write this, we are coming to the end
of another great school year. Year-end
activities, such as prom and graduation,
are upon us. We are very proud of our
students and staff for their work this year.
We are also getting ready for our second phase of construction
through our bond issue. Franklin, Emerson, Riley, Kennedy,
Roosevelt, and Hayes will all be seeing significant renovations
this summer. Look inside the Dialog for more details on the work
being done.
As we finish the year, there are many
items going on in our district that I would
like to share with you. First, our students
have completed the first year of the new
state assessment. Because of proper planning by our staff, the
implementation of the new test went very smoothly.
With the retirement of 38 professional staff, we will also be doing
some very important hiring for the next school year. This includes
five principal positions. We hope to have the principal positions
filled before the end of the school year so we will have a good
transition into next year.
We do have issues with our new state assessment, and will be
sharing our thoughts with state officials. The data we collect on
student performance does not really help our teachers in their
daily instruction and is simply taking away too much instructional
time from our students. We believe the state can collect the
data they need - and data that is helpful for our assessment - in
a much shorter time period, testing fewer students. This would
allow us additional instructional time, and the ability to provide
more meaningful assessments that will help teachers with their
instruction.
We continue to wrestle with reduced funds to operate our schools.
While we are still very proud of the programs we offer, it is getting
more difficult to maintain the quality programs we have been so
proud of. Being down almost $20 million over the last several
years creates a major challenge. We will continue to do our best
to provide as many quality programs as possible for our students.
Thanks to all of you throughout our community who continue to
support our schools. Our success truly is a team effort by all. I
hope you have a great summer!
Dr. Randy Liepa, Superintendent
Congratulations, Class of 2015!
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Stevenson High School
The first day of school is
Tuesday, September 8.
In this Issue:
Our Graduates.....................................4-8
Student Highlights............................9-12
Staff/Volunteer Recognitions........13-14
Congratulations to
the 1,259 graduates
of Churchill, Franklin
and Stevenson high
schools! This year, 132
are graduating Summa
Cum Laude (3.95
GPA and above); 86
are graduating Magna
Cum Laude (3.75 –
3.94 GPA); and 138 are
graduating Cum Laude
(3.5 – 3.74 GPA).
A large section of this edition of the Dialog is dedicated to the Class of 2015! We
hope you enjoy reading about just a few of our many talented and accomplished
students. Congratulations, Class of 2015!
Welcome Information
New this year: Begin the registration
process online!
We are excited to announce that families will now be able to
begin the process of registering their students online!
In order to help families save time, and to streamline the
registration process, most registration documents will now be
completed through our website.
To begin the registration process, visit
www.livoniapublicschools.org/registration and complete the
forms from the comfort of your home! If you do not have
access to a computer, don’t worry! We will have computers
available for your use.
We will be offering Centralized Registration at our
Administration building during the summer months.
You MUST come
in to complete your
Now
registration on or after
offering
July 6. Registration will
online
not be complete until
registration!
you visit in person to
present the necessary
documentation.
We are located at 15125
Farmington Road in Livonia (south of Five Mile). Call
(734) 744-2541 with any questions, or to find out which school
your child will attend.
Webster Elementary and Jackson Early Childhood Center
will register students at their building. Please call Perrinville
at (734) 744-2765 to register students for specialized early
childhood programs.
Summer 2015: Centralized Registration
July 6 - September 3:
Monday & Tuesday: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(CLOSED FRIDAYS)
Online Registration at a glance
•
•
September 8 - September 11:
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
•
September 14 - September 18:
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
•
Beginning September 21, all registrations will be
completed directly at your child’s school.
School Tours for New
Families
School tours will be offered this
year at all of our K-4 schools.
Tours will be held on the
following dates:
- Wednesday, August 26: 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 28: 10:00 a.m.
Visit www.livoniapublicschools.org/registration to
begin the registration process as early as possible.
Complete all registration forms online. If there
are any issues with your registration, an LPS staff
member will contact you.
If you do not have access to a computer, we
will have computers available at Centralized
Registration for your use.
You MUST present all required documentation
in person on or after July 6 to complete
registration.
Is Your Child Not Quite Ready for
Kindergarten? Consider the
Young Fives Program
Young Fives is a program designed for students who are
eligible for kindergarten, yet require the gift of time to
further develop their emotional, social, physical, and
cognitive skills.
This State-funded program is free, and is held five days per
week in either the morning or the afternoon. Young Fives
follows the LPS kindergarten calendar. Your child must be
five years old between July 1 and October 1, 2015. (Children
with October birth dates may sign a waiver for entry.)
If you do not know which school your child will attend,
Before- and after-school childcare is available on-site for an
please call (734) 744-2522.
additional fee. Please contact the Jackson Early Childhood
Please note that, due to construction, no tours will be held Center at 734-744-2813 for more information.
at Kennedy, Roosevelt, or Hayes.
No reservations are required.
Simply arrive promptly at your child’s school at the listed
time.
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Preschool and Childcare Programs
Childcare and Tuition Preschool Programs
Jackson Early Childhood Center
32025 Lyndon, Livonia
(734) 744-2813
• Jackson Childcare
Childcare with a preschool component for children ages 1 through
5. Available five days a week, year round.
• Preschool Enrichment
• School-Age Child Care
Provides children with activities and adult supervision before and
after the elementary school day.
Early Childhood Programs
Jennifer Taiariol
(734) 744-2615
• Early On
Developmental screenings for infants and toddlers ages birth to 36
months
• Special Education preschool programs
For children ages 3 to 5
• Hearing and vision screenings
For children ages 3 to 5, by appointment
• Kids First, Great Start Readiness Program
Free part-day preschool for children 4 years of age by September 1,
2015. Participation is based on eligibility.
Register Your High School Student for
Transportation for the 2015-2016 School Year
If your high school, parochial, ACAT, or MACAT student is eligible for
transportation services, don’t forget to register for transportation. All
parents of these students must register again for transportation services,
even if they received services last school year. The Transportation
Department will mail bus assignments to all eligible students in midAugust. Eligible students in grades K-8 will automatically receive
an assignment unless they are school of choice, ACAT, or MACAT.
Contact the Transportation Department with any questions at
(734) 744-2517 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., or by
email at [email protected].
Calling all Stevenson High School
Grads!
Arrangements for the Stevenson High School 50th
anniversary celebration have been finalized for
October 22-24, 2015. Don’t miss out on your
chance to take part in the fun! Visit the 50th
Anniversary Portal under the “Our School” tab
at http://stevenson.livoniapublicschools.org for event information,
volunteer opportunities, and a chance to submit your SHS memories
for the celebration.
Public Notice
Family Rights and Privacy Act Policies of the federal
legislation entitled Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) of 1974 are available online at
www.livoniapublicschools.org under “Public Notices”,
located in the “District” tab.
AHERA Update
The Livonia Public Schools, as required by the Asbestos
Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) conducts
ongoing surveillance and re-inspection programs for
asbestos. Livonia Public Schools has an ongoing
operations and maintenance program to address the
asbestos in the buildings owned and operated by the
district.
ADA Accessibility Notice
Livonia Public Schools, consistent with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), is committed to ensuring that
communication with individuals with disabilities are as
effective as communications with others and will furnish
appropriate aids and services where necessary to meet
this commitment. Persons desiring further information are
to contact the Director of Student Services at 734-7442500.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Livonia Public Schools prohibits unlawful discrimination
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, height, weight, marital status, handicap, or disability
in any of its educational programs or activities. The
following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human
Resources, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 at
734-744-2500.
Student Health/Accident Insurance
Livonia Public Schools does not insure students for
accidental injuries during the school year. LPS makes
reasonably priced student accident insurance plans
available through a third party insurer. Application forms
and brochures are available on the middle and high school
websites, under “Athletics”.
Livonia Career Technical Center Notice - All vocational
education classes offered at the Livonia Career Technical
Center follow the district’s policies of nondiscrimination on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height,
weight, marital status, handicap, or disability in all activities
and employment. In addition, arrangements can be made to
ensure that the lack of English language skills is not a barrier
to admission or participation. A complete list of CTE programs
being offered this year and the criteria for admission can be
found online at http://lctc.livoniapublicschools.org.
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Churchill High School
Class of 2015
Honors and Highlights
WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Brightest and Best Representative
Kevin Xu
Sports Highlights
Livonia Observer 2015 Academic All-Star Team Members
Shantam Ravan and Kevin Xu
James P. Carli Scholarship
Girls Cross Country: Division
Alexandria Fata
Champs, MHSAA State Finals
Qualifier, MHSAA Individual Qualifiers
Boys Cross Country: MHSAA
Individual Qualifiers
Boys Tennis: MHSAA State Finals
Qualifier, MHSAA Individual Qualifiers
Boys Football: MHSAA State
Qualifier
Special Recognitions
National Merit Finalists:
Shantam Ravan, Zachary W. Smith, Ashley Wong,
Kevin Xu, Oliver Xu
.
Girls Volleyball: Bloomfield Inv.
Champs
Boys Swimming & Diving: MHSAA
Individual Qualifiers
“The staff of Churchill High School
has helped me become a leader in
and out of the classroom by building up my confidence. They have
taught me to always push myself to
be my very best.”
- Tyler Guzowski
Wrestling: City Champs, Mott Inv.
Champs, MHSAA Individual Qualifiers
Cheerleading: Allen Park Inv.
Champs, Division Champs
Pompon: Mid American Division I
State Qualifying Team, Individual All
Star Team Members
Livonia PTSA Council Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
Boys Golf: MHSAA Individual
Qualifiers
Boys Track & Field: Observerland
Inv. Champions
Boys Track & Field: City Champs,
Division Champs, Conference
Champs, MHSAA Individual Qualifiers, Churchill students honored (L-R)
Victoria Lupher, Erin Emmanuel, Kevin
MHSAA Regional Runner Up
Rudberg, Lauren Saint Pierre and Alexandria Fata
Girls Track & Field: Division Champs,
City Champions, MHSAA Regional
Champs, MHSAA Individual Qualifiers
Keith Armstrong,
Zak Danke,
Girls Tennis: MHSAA Individual
Air Force
Army
Qualifiers
Brandon Baltes,
Griffin Kozak,
Army
Marines
Girls Soccer: City Champs
Kyle Gothe,
Tony Cash,
Army
Army
Brandon Gerringer,
Air Force
Students Entering the Military
4
“The opportunities that I’ve had
through my activities at Churchill,
such as student council and the allschool musicals, have given me the
confidence and leadership skills that
I lacked before. I
appreciate the encouragement
by my classmates, teachers and
administrators.”
- Amy Szuba
Franklin High School
Class of 2015
Honors and Highlights
WXYZ-TV Channel 7
Brightest and Best Representative
Amanda Pokryfky
Sports Highlights
Girls Cross Country
City Champions
MHSAA Individual Qualifiers
Boys Cross Country
MHSAA Individual Qualifiers
Boys Tennis
Team Academic All State
Girls Tennis
Team Academic All State
Wrestling
MHSAA District Champions
Observerland Champions
MHSAA Individual State Qualifers
Livonia Observer 2015 Academic All-Star
Team Members
Kyle Cameron, Amanda Pokryfky
Benjamin Franklin Key Award
Dustin Bowers, Kyle Cameron,
Tim Nehasil, Jake Martin,
Alexandra Ruiz, Rebecca Giacobbi,
Brianna Facione, Danielle Marlett
Kenneth B. McClain Scholarship
Isabella Yardley
Special Recognitions
Livonia PTSA Council Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
“Coming to LPS from a private school
has been an amazing, welcoming
experience. I have been involved in
numerous activities including Student
Council, Student Congress, Choir,
NHS, and our freshmen mentoring
program. These opportunities have
taught me how to think outside the
box, work well with others, and
prioritize. “
- Emily Crouson
Cheerleading
Lady Patriot Invitational Champions
Boys Track And Field
MHSAA Individual State Qualifers
Girls Track and Field
MHSAA Individual State Qualifiers
Gymnastics
MHSAA Individual Regional &
State Qualifiers
Ice Hockey
Individual All State Selections
Softball
City Champions
Franklin students honored (L-R)
Megan Theisen, Sophia Modes, Edward White,
Isabella Yardley and Kennedy Mang
Students Entering the Military
Tyler Day,
Marines
Michael Dubuc,
Marines
Blayne Edwards,
Marines
Brooklynn Hall,
Marines
Jack Howe,
Marines
Steven Kruppa,
Coast Guard
Nathan McCall,
Marines
Brendan Soukas,
Marines
Jenna Smith,
Marines
Pomethus Wilkes,
Marines
Gage Wheeler,
Marines
Jacob Zeipekis,
Navy
"My LPS experience has helped
shape who I am today. I've
encountered teachers and coaches
who care about me as a person, and
organizations that got me involved.
My LPS experience resulted in me
starting my own business and has
helped shape my future career
choice."
- Edward White
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Stevenson High School
Class of 2015
Honors and Highlights
WXYZ-TV Channel 7
Brightest and Best Representative:
Rachel Smith
Sports Highlights
Girls Golf: City Champs
James P. Carli Scholarship
Rachel Smith
James F. Brieske Award
Football: KLAA Central Division Co-Champs, Danielle Marzec, CJ Weiss
MHSAA State Qualifying Team, All-State
Kenneth B. McClain Scholarship
Girls Swim & Dive: State Qualifiers-School Rachel Smith
Records
Boys Soccer: City Champs, KLAA Central
Division Champs
Boys Cross Country: City Champs, State
Qualifier
Special Recognitions
National Merit Finalists: Rachel Collins,
Eric Ferrara, Kyle Sweeney, Faith Ureel
Boys Tennis: City Champs, MHSAA State
Qualifying Team
Wrestling: Notre Dame Prep Invite Champs,
State Qualifiers
Hockey: City Champs, MHSAA Regional
Champs, MHSAA Division II State Runnerup, All-State, Dream Team
Competitive Cheer: KLAA Central Division
Champs, KLAA Kensington Conference
Champs, MHSAA State Finalists
Pom Pon: Mid -American Division I State
Qualifying Team, All-Star Team Members
“The academic opportunities
I have had through LPS are
endless, with access to top
teachers and an array of AP and
accelerated classes to challenge
me. Student Senate has shaped
me to be a better leader and
person, while giving me the
opportunity to help strengthen me
at school.”
- Rachel Smith
Livonia PTSA Council Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
Girls Basketball: MHSAA District Champs
Boys Basketball: City Champs
Boys Swim & Dive: State Qualifiers-All
American, All-State, School Records
Gymnastics: Regional Qualifiers, State
Qualifiers, All-State
Boys Golf: City Champs, Regional Qualifier
Girls Tennis: City Champs, Plymouth
Champs, Howell Invite Champs, MHSAA
State Qualifying team, 2nd place finish in
Regionals
Boys Track & Field: State Qualifiers-Field
and Relay
Girls Track & Field: State Qualifiers-Field
Baseball: City Champs, District Champs
Girls Soccer: City Champs
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Stevenson students honored (L-R) Erin
Pierzynski, Danielle Marzec, Stephen
Olschanski, Carly Mercure and Holly
Henderson
Students Entering the Military
Nicholas G. Bousquette
Air Force
Summer N. Buckshaw
Air Force Academy
Connor McQueen
Army
Thomas J. Strach
Army
Adam M. Turbin
Army
Alejandro S. Lopez
Logan A. Wells
“The Livonia Public School District
has had an immense impact on
my life. It has instilled in me the
importance of being not only a
good student in the classroom, but
of being a leader outside of it as
well. I would not be the person I
am today without the tremendous
opportunities presented to me by
this school system.”
- Jeff Brooks
Program Recognitions
IB Program Graduates
(L-R) Jacquelyn Dziurgot, John Gregg, Lauren Dunstan, Austin Klotz, Ellary Marano, Adam
Ross, Alexa Orosz, Tim Nehasil, Jill Chernavage, Angelica Stewart, Christopher Wolfe, Nicole
Chackunkal, Joel Chackunkal, Ashley Dewicki, Zachary Bugosh and Julia Politi
Franklin High School has the distinct honor of being the first high school in Wayne County
to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. In 2009, the program
was awarded IB World School status and began recruiting students who would take up the
challenge of a college preparatory curriculum that would emphasize the skills of inquiry and
international awareness. IB courses provide students with the opportunity to do collegelevel work that is measured against an international standard.
The sixteen-member class of 2015 was offered more than $1 million in scholarships
and grants to further their education. They will be attending the following universities:
Columbia College Chicago, Madonna University, Michigan State University, Michigan
Technological University, Oakland University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Seton Hall
University, The University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.
For more information about the IB program, contact Sunshine Weber at
[email protected].
Math/Science/Computer (MSC) Program
The Math/Science/Computer
(MSC) program was founded
at Churchill High School in
1984 and is celebrating the
conclusion of its 31st year.
The MSC program is open to
students from all three LPS
high school attendance areas.
Students must have a high level
of interest and achievement in
math and science. Students in
the program take a minimum
MSC Graduating Class of 2015
of 22 credit hours of coursework in
Noah Bagazinski, Lauren Bernhardt,
mathematics, science, and computer
Gabriel Coombs, Devin Finneren,
science. The foundation of the MSC
Gabriel Hanna, Michael Jackman, Luke
curriculum is the College Board
Justice, Alex Kravaritis, Andrew Lang,
Advanced Placement exams. Students
Tyler Loveall, Madeline Mahnke, Vlad
apply for this program during the
Marcu, Jonathan Martin, Shantam Ravan, fall of their 8th grade year, and
Kyle Reppenhagen, Austin Runkle, Tristin selection is based on academic test
Smith, Zach Smith, Ashley Wong, Kevin
scores, student essays, and teacher
Xu, Oliver Xu
recommendations.
Creative and Performing
Arts (CAPA) Program
The CAPA program builds the
skills, passion, creativity and
supportive artistic community
that performers need in order to
continue their formal education in
the creative arts. CAPA provides a
safe, imaginative, and caring place
for young people to land and learn.
The program includes intense
studies in the areas of acting,
dance, and vocal music. For any
questions, or to set up an audition
for the program, please contact
Ms. Hillman, Director of CAPA, at
[email protected].
CAPA Program Award
Recipients 2015
Acting Award: Carly Swekel
Vocal Award: Jessica Rushing
Dance Award: Amanda Zawisza
Western Wayne
Skill Center
The Western Wayne Skill Center
is a work skills program for
students with disabilities. Our
mission is to provide instruction
in the life roles of worker, family
member, citizen, and recreation
participant. Our goal is to
prepare students to make choices
leading to a healthy, satisfying,
and productive lifestyle.
Congratulations, graduates, on a
job well done!
WWSC Class of 2015:
Mary Rose Babula, Davonte
Bradley, Jonathon Byrne,
Amanda Colter, Christopher
Dinco, Melissa Dobson, Brian
Eason, Bailey Fox, Jeremiah
Gardner, Timothy Johnson
Jr., Betty Kinchloe, Aaron
Lewis, Raffi Markarian, Dana
Peacock, Kelly Pennington, Keith
Polinski, Jagdeep Sidhu, Patrick
Springstead, David Thom, Casey
Thomas, Amanda Wroblewski
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LPS
en;
e
Career Technical Center Technology
Education Awards
The Livonia Career Technical Center offers career and
technical training in five of the six career pathways
established by the Michigan Department of Career
Development. LCTC honorees were selected based on
their academic achievement in their LCTC program; their
responsibility as it relates to attendance and completing all
assignments with exceptional ability; their leadership skills
as they relate to working with peers; and their interest in
pursuing a career in the field they have selected.
The following students have been honored in the
2014-2015 school year:
Churchill
Alison M. Freier – Sports Medicine
Michael J. Palumbo-May – Engineering Technology
Erica K. Socha – Hospitality Management 2 & IS
Amy E. Szuba – Medical Occupations IS
Franklin
Rebecca M. Jarvis – Criminal Justice
Amanda R. Pokryfky – Medical Assisting
Michael C. Wade – Mobile Game Design
Julie A. Williamson – Graphic Design 2
Stevenson
Jeremy R. Stevens – Engineering Technology IS
Ashley M. Trotter – Criminal Justice
Maura K. Wassermann – Medical Occupations
Nicole B. Zolynsky – Graphic Design 2
LPS offers Japanese Immersion
Program at Niji-Iro
Are you looking for a unique educational setting for your
young student? Do you know of a child who would benefit
from a dual immersion Japanese–English education?
Niji-Iro Japanese Immersion Elementary School is the
newest offering of Livonia Public Schools, and is designed
for students to become bilingual, respectful and globallyminded in a dynamic dual immersion setting. It is one of
just four programs of its kind in the U.S.
Niji-Iro is a tuition-free magnet program that accepts
students from outside the LPS boundaries. It offers full-day
kindergarten, along with art, music, physical education,
and instructional technology for all grades. The program is
housed in the building that was formerly Taylor Elementary,
which is located in a neighborhood setting. Niji-Iro boasts
an active PTA, along with many other benefits.
Call Niji-Iro at (734) 744-2785 to schedule a tour!
Community forums help shape LPS budget
sessions with members of the Board of Education and district
administrators. During those sessions, participants were asked
to rate a list of areas of potential cost savings.
The input was recorded, and a summary is posted under the
Community tab at www.livoniapublicschools.org. Input from
community members included: expanding the number of outof-district students for special programs and general education
Schools of Choice; selling surplus property; closing schools,
and, attracting more students to LPS programs through
marketing.
The Livonia Public Schools Board of Education recently held a
series of Community Forums on the topic of Planning for our
Financial Future.
An overview of the district’s financial picture was presented
by Lisa Abbey, director of Business Services, and additional
information was presented by Superintendent Dr. Randy Liepa.
More than 300 community and LPS staff members attended
the forums and participated in the small group discussion
8
The Board of Education must have a balanced budget in
place by June 30 each year. This year, in particular, the board
and administration is taking added measures to thoroughly
consider all cost-cutting options that are not required by law
for LPS to provide.
“No one wants to cut programs or services,” said Dr. Liepa.
“But, we have to be prepared for that scenario. And, to do that,
we are asking staff and the public to help us in arranging those
priorities.”
LPS Students Make a Difference
Johnson kids run, walk, raise
awareness for cancer
Arbor Day: Garfield students grow
goodness
Carrie Woodall and her son Caden, during the
Johnson Relay for Life event. Carrie is a 1-year
cancer survivor.
A special Arbor Day celebration took root at Garfield Elementary
School, where students showed off their love for trees with artwork
and songs. They also planted three new trees, and hosted a parade to
celebrate the beauty, unity, diversity and goodness of trees.
Johnson Upper Elementary students and staff
combined a Relay For Life fund-raising event with
a Building Healthy Communities celebration, to
help raise awareness and funds for the American
Cancer Society. Students had a blast being active
by running and walking laps around the Churchill
indoor track, even with a rainy start to the day.
Joined by members of the City of Livonia Tree Committee, Livonia
Mayor Jack Kirksey, LPS administrators, and other city leaders, the
students first held a festive assembly before they paraded outdoors,
around the school, and past the three new trees on the school
grounds.
From Randolph, With Love
A tradition continued at Randolph Elementary
with a record-breaking 1,300 student-made
Valentine’s Day goodie bags that were delivered to
St. Joseph Mercy and St. Mary Mercy, in addition
to a first-time stop at Providence Park in Novi.
The bags were delivered by Randolph student
leaders, Student Lighthouse Team Leaders Kim
Marlowe and Carla Walters, parents, school
staff, as well as staff members from neighboring
Plymouth-Canton Public Schools’ Hulsing
Elementary. Students spent weeks collecting candy
and hot cocoa to add to the bags, and used lunch
and recess time to assemble them.
“Every bag was made with love and concern for those who are living with cancer and going through one of the most
difficult times in their life,” said Marlowe. “This one small token of love can change the entire outlook of the giver and
recipient alike.”
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LPS Youth Making a Difference
The PTSA Council's Youth Making a Difference event
celebrated the community service projects of nearly
1,900 students in Livonia Public Schools.
Students from the following schools participated in the
projects, which benefitted animal shelters, community
service organizations, youth programs and more:
Buchanan
Cass
Churchill
Cleveland
Coolidge
Cooper
Frost
Grant
Hayes
Holmes
Hoover
Johnson
Kennedy
Randolph
Riley
Rosedale
Stevenson
Webster
Kaelin and Ryland Hughes show their Cass Elementary
Youth Making a Difference poster.
Keara Eaton (on left) asked for donations to The Turtle
Hospital in Florida instead of gifts for her birthday this year.
The celebration event featured special guests LPS
Superintendent Dr. Randy Liepa, Westland Mayor Bill
Wild and Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey, who encouraged
students to continue doing good things for others.
"In your lives, you will see opportunities where you
can make a difference. There are all of these great
opportunities out there," said Mayor Kirksey.
Chargers CAN!
Churchill High School
students, staff and
community members
collected a whopping
43,105 cans of food, as
well as cash donations for
the Livonia and Westland
Goodfellows organizations
to help feed struggling
families during the holiday
season. Way to go!
Odili Onwudiwe, a senior,
helps sort the cans.
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Students from Hayes Elementary always have several YMAD
projects.
LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Serving portions of Livonia & Westland
www.livoniapublicschools.org
June 2015 • Vol. 45 • No. 1
Dialog is an official publication of 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.
To contact the LPS Communications office, please call (734) 744-2522,
or email Katie Patterson at [email protected].
Spotlight on Achievements
Two CHS students score perfect 36
on the ACT
Two Churchill High School students
scored a perfect composite score of
36 on the ACT test. James Jahns and
Zachary Obsniuk are both juniors
in the Math, Science and Computers
(MSC) program at Churchill.
James Jahns
On average, less than one-tenth
of 1 percent of students who take
the ACT earn the top score. The
ACT consists of tests in English,
mathematics, reading, and science.
Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36,
and a student’s composite score is the
average of the four test scores.
James Jahns is the son of Christine
and Jason Rhines; Zachary Obsniuk
is the son of Glenn and Kathleen
Zachary Obsniuk Obsniuk.
SHS Wind Ensemble shines at
state festival
Stevenson Wind Ensemble
received straight 1’s in the
MSBOA State Band Festival
at Skyline High School
in Ann Arbor. The group
performed a prepared
program for a panel of
judges, who rated their
performance on a scale of
1-5, with 1 being superior. Following the performance the
ensemble sight-read a piece for another judge.
LPS sends two students to state
math competition
Max Parr is first-ever two-time
state champ in You Be the Chemist
Max Parr, an eighth grader at
Frost Middle School, became
the first Michigan student to win
back-to-back state championships
in the You Be the Chemist
Challenge.
Max advanced to the national
championship in Philadelphia,
Pa., where the top students from
each of the 36 participating states
were to compete on June 22.
Frost Middle School has dominated the state You Be the
Chemist Challenge over the past five years, sending 10
students to the state finals. Max Parr is the only repeat
state champion for Michigan in the 11-year history of the
competition.
Pictured from left: Brandon VandeKieft; MSC teacher Paul
Serri; Zachary Obsniuk.
Livonia Public Schools had two students place among the
top 30 Michigan students on the 58th Annual Michigan
Mathematics Prize Competition (MMPC). Zachary
Obsniuk finished 11th, and Brendan VandeKieft finished
29th.
Zach and Brendan are both juniors in the Livonia Math/
Science/Computer Program at Churchill High School. Both
students finished in the top 100 in the 2013-14 school year
as well, and Zach has now finished in the top 100 for four
consecutive school years. Approximately 5,500 students in
the state of Michigan participated in the 58th MMPC.
Visit our website for up-to-date information:
www.livoniapublicschools.org
11
CHS Percussion Quartet
The Churchill High School Percussion Quartet (Josh
Morningstar, Gabriel Coombs, Oliver Xu, Nathan Bloomfield)
was selected to perform at the 2015 Michigan Music
Conference, which was attended by more than 1,200 music
educators from the Midwest. The quartet was also named the
Michigan Youth Arts state finalist for Outstanding Percussion
Ensemble in 2013 and 2011, and has been a semi-finalist or
finalist every year for the past seven years. The students in the
percussion ensembles also participate in the Churchill band
classes and marching band.
Franklin student is state DECA
champ
Ashley Schou, a senior at Franklin High School, was
the 2015 Michigan DECA State Champion in the area
of Professional Selling.
DECA is an organization that works with high school
and college students from around the world who
demonstrate entrepreneurial leadership in the areas of
marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
(L-R) Josh Morningstar, Gabriel Coombs, Oliver Xu,
Nathan Bloomfield
Schou went on to compete at the International DECA
Competition in Florida this spring.
LCTC students design brochure for LPS Education Foundation
The students in the graphic design program at the Livonia
Career Technical Center are well-known in the district for
their talents. Three students in the program were given the
opportunity to flex their skills in a recent partnership with the
LPS Education Foundation.
Students Hannah Gayden, Madison Hille and Nichole
Zolynsky, under the supervision of their teacher, Missina
Ormbsy, were commissioned to design a new marketing
brochure for the Foundation. The project was approached
in the same way that a real-world job would be: the students
were given an outline of the goal of the brochure, as well as a
timeline in which the project needed to be completed.
The Foundation was thrilled with the finished product, and
celebrated the students’ success with a pizza party for the entire
graphics arts class.
Design Instructor Missina Ormsby, Nicole
Zolynsky, Hannah Gayden, Madison Hille, and
Foundation member Paul Condon
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Staff and Volunteer News
Livonia Public Schools is extremely proud of the exceptional teachers, administrators, and staff that it employs.
Here are just a few of the honors they have received this school year. Congratulations to all!
Caryl Dazer
Caryl Dazer, physical education
teacher at Cass and Cleveland
elementary schools, was named the
Elementary Adapted Physical Education
Teacher of the Year for 2014-2015.
Additionally, Cass Elementary received
the School Wellness Award from the
Michigan Department of Education
for outstanding healthy school.
Matt Moll
Emerson Middle School Assistant
Principal Matt Moll was selected
as a fellow for the Michigan
Educator Voice Fellowship
from America Achieves for the
2014-15 school year. Moll is a
14-year educator, and one of
just 50 fellows across Michigan
to be given this highly selective
fellowship.
Kelly Eddy
Churchill High School AP U.S. History
and AP European History teacher Kelly
Eddy was honored by the Historical
Society of Michigan for her “outstanding
contributions to the appreciation,
collection, preservation and/or
promotion of state and local history.”
Lori Hyman
Stevenson High School
Athletic Director Lori
Hyman received the
prestigious Jack Johnson
Distinguished Service
Award that is presented
annually by the Michigan
Interscholastic Athletic
Administrators Association.
She just finished her 20th year as AD at Stevenson High School.
Dr. Randy Liepa
Amie Van Horn
Stevenson High School
Global Ed teacher Amie
Van Horn was accepted
into the Teachers for
Global Classrooms
program this year.
She participated in a
national symposium in
Washington DC and
travelled to Morocco,
where she experienced
learning and teaching with
a global focus. More than
400 teachers applied from 46 U.S. states and District of
Columbia, and only 80 teachers were selected.
Amy Watts
Randolph Elementary third-grade teacher Amy Watts
was honored with an Excellence in Education award
from the Michigan Lottery, for the individual attention
she provides each student and her willingness to help
them work through problems to succeed inside and
outside the classroom.
Livonia Public Schools Superintendent
Dr. Randy Liepa was named 2015
Superintendent of the Year for Region
9, which includes Wayne, Oakland and
Macomb counties, by the Michigan
Association of School Administrators.
Amy Watts meets with Tom Izzo as
part of her award.
13
Golden Apple Awards
September:
Cindy Gessler,
secretary and
smiling face at
Churchill High
School.
For the 2014-2015 school year, the district
honored the following people with a Golden
Apple Award for going above and beyond
for our students. Our district would not be
the same without these special honorees!
October: Dave “Mr. Dave” Bekkala,
staffer in the School Age Child Care
program at Randolph Elementary.
March: Cherie Broccardo, a
volunteer who has been helping at
Rosedale Elementary for 45 years!
April: Stephen Mac, building
supervisor at Emerson Middle
School, where he keeps everything
in tip-top shape!
Investment in LPS continues with summer 2015 bond projects
It’s summer and we all know what that means! Five more
LPS schools will be renovated, thanks to the voter-approved
2013 bond issue.
This summer, complete renovations will occur at Hayes,
Kennedy and Roosevelt elementary schools; Riley Upper
Elementary, and Emerson Middle School.
Top-to-bottom improvements will include: classroom
renovations; new doors, windows, ceilings, floors, and
paint; interactive classroom instruction boards and other
classroom technology; heating and cooling systems;
lighting; restroom upgrades; fire alarm system upgrades;
new emergency generators; security improvements; and,
the reconfiguration of main office locations (where needed).
New classroom and office furniture, as well as science
equipment and musical instruments, are also included in
the projects.
In addition, the 18-month renovation of Franklin High
School will begin. This will include all of the classroom
improvements mentioned above, in addition to an all-new,
state-of-the-art performing arts theater, which will be
built on to the southwest corner of the school. The existing
theater will be renovated for performing arts classroom
space.
14
A rendering showing Franklin High School’s
auditorium addition.
Thus far, the following schools have been renovated:
Coolidge, Cleveland, Rosedale, Cooper and Frost. The $195
million bond issue will provide nearly 3 million square
feet of facility improvements in our school district, in
addition to technology infrastructure, school buses, safety
enhancements, furniture and maintenance equipment
upgrades.
To review timelines and much more, please visit
www.livoniapublicschools.org and click on “Bond Issue”
under the District tab.
Celebrating 11 years
The mission of the LPS Education Foundation is to enlarge the resources
available to the school district which will foster and expand educational
opportunities for programs impacting students by building effective collaborations.
www.lpsfoundation.org
LPS Education Foundation advances
marketing efforts
Over the last several months, the Education Foundation has made great
strides in advancing its marketing efforts with the development of two
new marketing materials.
One of these developments is a new presentation folder, which contains
information sheets detailing the various benefits provided to the district
by the Foundation.
The other marketing material - a brochure - allowed the Foundation the
exciting opportunity to work with graphic arts students at the Livonia
Career and Technical Center. This collaboration provided the Foundation
with a multi-page, multi-color handout that fully details the Foundation,
its mission, and its programs. According to graphics arts teacher
Missina Ormsby, it also allowed the students to “use their talents and
imaginations, and (gave) them real-world experience in dealing with an
actual client.”
Dr. Randy Liepa speaks at the annual breakfast to recognize the members of
the Honorary Board. The breakfast was hosted by Schoolcraft College
at their new Jeffress Center.
Foundation Corporate Donors
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Alpha Group
Bill Brown Ford, Inc.
Bright House Networks, LLC
Cheryl Bowker Agency –
Allstate Insurance
Comcast
Community Financial Credit Union
DFCU Financial
Livonia A.M. Rotary
Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers
LPS Employees
LPS PTAs/PTSAs
Michigan Educational Credit Union
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Observer and Eccentric Newspaper
The Orthodontics Office of
Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane
Parkside Credit Union
Rock Out Entertainment
Roush Industries
Schoolcraft College
St. Mary Mercy Hospital - Livonia
St. Mary’s Cultural and
Banquet Center
Tennyson Chevrolet
TRW Automotive
Westland Shopping Center
Competitive Edge
The Competitive Edge College Savings Plan
is the premier program of the Foundation.
Now in its eighth year, the program has
enrolled an all-time high 1,440 students in a
529 educational trust account, set up by the
Foundation.
Families of kindergartners are invited to
enroll. The Foundation contributes $100 on
behalf of each student, thanks to the
generosity of corporate donors, LPS
employees, PTAs, PTSAs and local residents.
This unique program gives children of the
district a “competitive edge” in the future, by
helping families pay for college or trade school.
Foundation Grants
The Foundation’s grant program is in its second
year of supporting teachers and students.
This year, more than $35,000 in grants
were awarded.
Buy or lease a vehicle, and $200 will be
donated to the LPS Education Foundation.
Bill Brown Ford
(734) 421-7000
Tennyson Chevrolet
(734) 425-6500
Bring this coupon to Bill Brown Ford or Tennyson
Chevrolet when purchasing or leasing a new or used
vehicle. Not only will you get a great deal, you will
also be helping the LPS Education Foundation help
our families. Does not include prior sales. Coupon
must be presented at time of purchase. For more
information, call the LPS Education Foundation at
(734) 744-2510.
15
From the Teacher of the Year, Jacki Price
I can’t count the number of times people have looked at me with
a mix of awe and horror and said, “You teach high school?” You
know the scenario when meeting people; it starts with names and
then the inevitable question, “What do you do for a living?” There
are follow up questions as well: “What subject?” (English—at this
point, that look of slight horror magnifies) and, “What grades?”
(Usually 11th and 12th but sometimes 9th or 10th as well.) “You
are so brave,” they say. Or, “I don’t know how you do it.”
It doesn’t matter how many times this happens to me - I am
always surprised by this reaction, and maybe a little disappointed.
I don’t feel “brave” when I walk into school in the morning. I
might say “lucky,” “privileged,” or, “excited.” In a rough week,
I might grant you “drained” or even “overwhelmed,” but
never brave, because this term implies that there is something
unpleasant about teenagers. This is how teens are often portrayed
by the media, but rarely does the average high school day look
like a Hollywood movie.
Parents are taught to dread the years when their children are
claimed by adolescence, and we know there is some truth to teen
stereotypes. We see kids every day who try to disengaged from
learning, or who are too plugged into technology. Sometimes they
make poor decisions, are immature, or mean. But, what many
people don’t know is that these instances are not what define most
teenagers; the majority of teenagers defy negative stereotypes.
Yes, they roll their eyes when we tell them to wear a jacket, to be
safe, that we care, to do homework... Actually, they roll their eyes
at us a lot. But they secretly appreciate our concern and attention
- even when they complain to their friends about us, parents and
teachers alike.
Predominantly they complain about school - they want us to
believe they don’t like it. For a small minority, this may be true.
However, most students actually enjoy thinking, debating,
exploring their creativity, or mastering a new skill, though they
might never admit it to an adult. What they may not realize is
that, while we attempt to teach our content, we learn from them
as much as we teach.
The movies would have us all believe that the typical high school
student is completely carefree
and irresponsible. While most
high schools students don’t face
all the stresses of the “real world,”
most feel stress and anxiety
acutely: grades, homework,
balancing school and work or
activities, and navigating the
ever difficult social network
can be overwhelming. It’s no
wonder they make mistakes
and irresponsible choices! Yet,
that is exactly what youth is for. Jacki Price teaches English
Being a guide through the wilds at Franklin High School. She
of adolescence has its dangers,
was selected as Livonia Public
but it is rewarding and fulfilling
Schools’ High School Teacher
to watch the transition from
of the Year.
uncertain freshmen to selfassured young adult, even when
that journey is wrought with pitfalls.
There are plenty of other wonderful truths about working with
or raising high school students that come as a surprise to those
who haven’t experienced it. Videos of teens performing acts of
kindness go viral, as if these instances are exception rather than
norm. But these examples of kindness, friendship, loyalty, and
respect happen in our hallways every day. Getting to witness
this is something I consider to be a gift far more valuable than
anything material.
Teachers get to be a very small part of watching kids reach their
potential. Is there anything “brave” in this? Maybe only when
we’re facing June, watching our graduates walk across the stage,
and saying goodbye to adults we’ve watched grow for four years,
hoping that they we’ve prepared them for college and life in
the “real world.” We miss their smiles, their humor (even their
sarcasm), and their personalities, whether they were our most
vocal leaders, the quietest kids in the class, the most responsible
students, or the lovable hallway clowns. We know we have to let
them go and that they are ready, but this might be the only day
high school teachers themselves wonder “how we do it.”
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage Paid
Livonia, Michigan
Permit No. 36
2014-2015
Board of Education
Tammy Bonifeld
Colleen Burton
Daniel Centers
Liz Jarvis
Mark Johnson
Dianne Laura
Eileen McDonnell
Dr. Randy Liepa, Superintendent
ECRWSS
Postal Customer
Livonia Public Schools