Highlighting events in Dragon Country! September 2010

MY SCHOOL DISTRICT, YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Highlighting events in Dragon Country!
September 2010
Welcome New Teaching Staff!
Swartz Creek Robotics Team
“Top Dog” at Kettering University
We would like to welcome all of our new staff members On Saturday, September 19 the Swartz Creek Robotics Team co-sponsored and competed in the
th
to Swartz Creek. Here’s to a wonderful school year! 11 Annual Kettering Kick-Off FIRST Robotics competition held at Kettering University. This off-
season event featured robots designed & built for the 2010 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition
of Science & Technology) Robotics competition.
Mark Alberda – High School
Frederick Fuller – High School
Jaimee Gillon – High School
Kristin Nouhan – High School
Cora Armstrong-Blanchard - HS
Krysta Flanagin – HS Academy
Charles Oliver – HS Academy
Brandon Sturgess – HS Academy
Nathanael Gatlin – HS Academy
Lisa Loder – Middle School
Marilla Somers – Dieck
Marie Westman – Elms
Suzanne Wurtz - Gaines
Nicole Hartly – Morrish
Mary Murphy – Morrish
Michele Harbert - Syring
Travis Peruski – Syring
Jennifer Anderson – Syring
Lori Dean – Syring/Gaines
Competing for the “Top Dog” trophy were 38 teams from across Michigan and 1 from Tamra, Israel
making this the first trans-Atlantic Kettering Kick-Off. At the end of the qualification rounds Team
#1243 ranked 6th and was able to select two other teams, one from Midland, Team #2619 “The
Charge” and Goodrich Team #494 “Martians” to form an alliance for the elimination rounds.
In a series of highly competitive matches, the alliance led by team #1243 worked its way into the
finals and upset the alliance led by the #1 ranked team from Bloomfield Hills, Madison Hts., Gross
Pointe and Northville. This marked the 2nd time this past year that the Swartz Creek team pulled
together a winning alliance for an event win.
The team will participate in one final event for the 2010 competition year on October 9, in Zeeland.
High School students who are interested in learning more about FIRST, or who may be interested in
applying to the team are encouraged to contact the high school principal or a current team member
for information on eligibility to attend the upcoming event with the team.
Friday, October 1, 2010
HOMECOMING
Swartz Creek
VS
Flint Northern
7:00 PM
Tailgate dinner
3:30 PM to 6:30 PM
BEFORE & AFTER the parade!
Cost is $5.00
We have also had staff members move to new positions:
Michelle Telliga - Principal at Syring Elementary
(from Assistant Principal MS)
Dave Simonsen - Assistant Principal Middle School
(from Teacher at MS)
Lori Anthony - HS Teacher (from Alternative Academy)
Michelle Mahl - HS Teacher (from Alternative Academy)
Eric Fernald - MS Teacher (from Alternative Academy)
Megan Gell - MS Teacher (from Alternative Academy)
ABOVE: Swartz Creek Robotics Team
took 1st place at Kettering University!
Kindergarten Boot Camp at Elms
The incoming Kindergarten students at Elms Road Elementary
had the opportunity to participate in a two week Boot Camp.
Students were invited to attend three days a week for two
hours each day.
During this time they were able to meet their teacher, Mrs.
Bohm or Mrs. Vander Laan, learn new songs and movements,
hear a story, make a craft, tour the school, learn rules and
routines of the classroom and explore the new playground.
Everyone had fun during Kindergarten Boot Camp.
Archery Class At Dieck Elementary
Dieck Elementary parent, Brent Fader demonstrates the proper way
to use a bow and arrow to fifth graders in preparation for their first
archery class. Mr. Fader is an avid outdoor sportsman, with an
extensive background in the manufacture and use of archery
equipment. The Dieck students are grateful that he is willing to
share his time and talent with them.
ABOVE: Mrs. Vander Laan is reading a story to her group of
students.
SCHS Craft Bazaar
On Saturday, October 16, 2010 the Swartz Creek High
School Junior Class will hold its Annual Craft Bazaar from
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the High School. There will be a
variety of vendors with handmade items, candles, bath
products, Avon, Miche Bags, Home Interior, Christmas
and Halloween items, garden art, baby items and lots
more.
Vendor tables are still available. For add itional informat ion please contact Diane at (989) 288-5380 or
[email protected]. Proceeds from this event will
be used for Prom 2011 and Project Graduation 2012.
Archery is a new component of the physical education curriculum
for elementary students this year. Teacher Mike Sheick strives to
introduce his students to a variety of athletic pursuits. Archery is
his latest endeavor. In addition to archery and the mainstays of
Physical Education.; this year students in his classes will be able to
experience a wide variety of special activities which include: fishing,
snowshoeing, ropes course, bowling, rock wall climbing and ice
skating.
Mr. Sheick believes that by offering such
a diverse range of activities, every
student should be able to find a sport or
recreational activity that appeals to
them. It is his hope that every student
will develop a passion for lifelong fitness
and an active, healthy lifestyle.
ABOVE: Dieck Elementary parent, Brent Fader shows students
the correct way to use a bow and arrow.
Page 2
Music in the After
noon at Syring Elementar
hool
Afternoon
Elementaryy Sc
School
Imagine this: You are a squirmy young child. You have been imprisoned in a classroom all morning long. The warm sunshine permeates the windows;
beckons to you; sings an alluring siren song of adventure and fun. You know there is a magic moment on the way; a moment of personal freedom,
excitement and empowerment. That moment is known as RECESS!!!
Finally, the bell rings and away you go; racing out to play and have your lunch with your compatriots, your posse, your people, your peeps, your friends!
You spend your time laughing, giggling, running, rumbling and tumbling with your pals who REALLY understand you.
But alas, you realize this is only a temporary reprieve. There is no parole in sight, for it is only September. Now, you must bottle up all this excitement and
energy and venture back to “the box”; “the hole”; the classroom for meaningful instruction. Woe be unto the teacher that must corral these mighty (albeit
small) young dragons. This time of transition is often stressful for both the prisoner and the paladin.
That is, until Syring Elementary’s own music teacher, Ms. Lisa Hayward proposed the solution! Ms. Hayward developed MITA (Music in the Afternoon).
MITA is 15 minutes of musical enrichment which she knows will add a bit of élan and balance to smooth the transitional atmosphere. Ms. Hayward tells,
“I wanted to integrate music more into the fabric of our school day. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for learning (how many jingles can you sing from
products that were advertised years ago?). Once granted the timeslot of first thing in the afternoon, I took into consideration what the children would
most need and came up with two things; an opportunity to calm down from lunch and recess and focus again on learning; and also to work on a list of
songs in my curriculum that are considered essential for them to know in order to preserve and pass on our American culture.”
Ms. Hayward’s play list includes patriotic songs (Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, etc.), folk songs (I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, This
Land is Your Land) and religious/cultural songs (Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Amazing Grace, De Colores, Lift Every Voice and Sing).
Concerning classical pieces, she advises, “The classical music will be various pieces that are upbeat but not overly dramatic.”
Ms. Hayward will utilize “state of the art” technology and skills to attain her lofty goals for our young dragons. “I’m burning CD’s in my classroom and
taking them to the I-TV room. There, I can talk to - and play music for - all the classrooms in the school at the same time. Teachers are invited to turn
their TVs on to Channel 78 after recess where they find the live broadcast. The youngest children are so fun! They come to my class later in the
afternoon with eyes as big as saucers: “We SAW you on TV!!!!!!! We were waving to you, did you see us???”
Ms. Hayward is very excited about the cross-curricular connections to be made with her new
program. She says, “That’s what makes music so powerful! It uses both the left and right
hemispheres of the brain to listen to and comprehend. It also ties into emotions and “heart”
issues which connect powerfully into memory. Now add the lyrics, the performing artists and the
history or story behind the song (why was it written, when was it written, what is it used for
today) and the possibilities are endless!!
William Congreve wrote these famous words: “Music has charms to sooth a savage beast, to
soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d. And, as with
living souls, have been inform’d by magic numbers and persuasive sound.” Our Ms. Lisa
Hayward is utilizing each and every resource provided, including her own passion for music
and education, to nurture our young dragons. Innumerable thanks for going above and beyond,
Ms. Hayward!
Page 3
ABOVE: Ms. Hayward and AM Kindergartener
Mike Workman.
Constitution Day
At Elms Road Elementary
In recognition of Constitution Day at Elms Road Elementary, Alice Peterie, a member of the
Stoney Creek Chapter, DAR, made presentations about the Constitution to Mrs. Harnden’s
multi-grade class, along with Mrs. Genovesi and Mrs. LaFave’s second grade classes. Each
child was given a small bell to ring for the occasion. The celebration of Constitution Week
began September 17. The tradition of celebrating Constitution Week was started in the
mid-1950s by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the largest women’s patriotic
organization in the world.
Students were able to see through pictures, song and discussion the steps taken by the 13
colonies to gain their freedom from England and begin their own nation, resulting in the
historical document, The Constitution.
BELOW: Elms Road Elementary students learn about the
Constitution.
SCHS Excitement!
The 2010-2011 school year has begun and seniors
Peter Verhaeghe and Bobbi Proffer are anticipant
to meet approaching challenges. As the President
and Vice-President of this year’s Student Council,
there will be many challenges for them to face,
indeed.
In less than a week Homecoming will be here
bringing floats, a parade and a dance for council
members to plan. Students have already chosen
the theme,“Octopus’s Garden” and have created
fun spirit days for high school students to
participate in next week.
ABOVE: Alice Peterie, a member of
the Stoney Creek Chapter, DAR,
gives a presentation to Elms Road
Elementary students
BELOW: SCHS Student Council members.
Meanwhile,Verhaeghe and Proffer, along with new
teacher sponsor Shannon Cumming, are
preparing to lead the Flint Metro League Student
Council. The officers of the student councils of
all Flint Metro League Schools meet every other
month, discussing school festivities, performing
service projects and setting goals to improve
student life.
As if that weren’t enough, the dynamic duo is
also currently preparing to hold the first of this
year’s three high school blood drives and is pairing
up council and staff members for the annual
Secret Pal Program. The Secret Pal Program is
loved by both students and staff, as it is found to
be both fun and encouraging through the year.
All in all, council members are shaping up for a
fabulous year; filled by fun projects, spirited
service, driven donations and a courageous
council, this year is sure to be full of excitement!
By Bobbi Proffer, SC High School Senior
Page 4
Mark Your Calendar
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Teacher Professional Development Day
No School K-12
End of 1st Marking Period
1/2 Day for 1-5 Students - PM Kindergarten Only
Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences 5-8 p.m.
High School Parent/Teacher Conferences 3-6 p.m.
Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-7 PM
Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences 1-3:30 p.m. 5-7p.m.
1/2 Day for Grades 1-5 Students - Both A.M. and P.M. Kindergartens attend
High School Parent/Teacher Conferences 5-8 p.m.
Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences 12:30-2 & 4-7 PM
1/2 Day MS Students Only
Thanksgiving Day
No School K-12
No School K-12
Swartz Creek Athletic Department
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT FUNDRAISER
DRIVE ONE 4UR SCHOOL
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Swartz Creek High School Parking Lot
9am – 5pm
WHAT:
• Randy Wise - Genesee Valley Auto Mall will have Lincoln Mercury
vehicles available to test-drive
• Ford Motor Co. will make a $20 donation, to Swartz Creek Athletics, for
every test-drive that takes place.
• Last year we had 200 people test-drive vehicles and we raised
$4,000.00. Ford Motor Co. gives us the opportunity to raise up to
$6,000.00, which is our goal.
REQUIREMENTS FOR TEST-DRIVE:
•
•
“Let us not look back in anger
or forward in fear,
but around in awareness.”
- James Thurber
•
Page 5
NO COST TO TEST DRIVE A VEHICLE – TOTALLY FREE
Participants must be 18 or older, and produce a valid driver’s license
(one per household)
The $20 donation from Ford Motor Company to Swartz Creek Athletics
is limited to one per household