VIKING VOYAGER - Potterville Public Schools

Potterville Public Schools
VIKING VOYAGER
June 2012
POTTERVILLE
SCHOOLS
420 N High St
Potterville,
Michigan 48876
PHONE:
517-645-2662
FAX:
517-645-0092
High School
645-7609
Middle School
645-4777
Elementary
645-2525
We’re on the
Web!
See us at:
www.pps.k12.mi.us
A CALL TO UNITY
Another graduation is upon us, and by the time you read
this, our Class of 2012 will have left our high school to
move on to the new endeavors that they have prepared
for and dreamed of. I wish them all the best for a bright
future and a fulfilling life. We are grateful to have
shared years with them as our students, and we are
blessed that they shared their talents and knowledge
with all of us. Good luck to all our seniors…the Class of
2012!
Mr. Donahue
Superintendent
At the close of another school year, a time for reflection
back on the year seems most appropriate. And what a challenging and
unprecedented year it has been. Granted, it’s just the end of my fifth
year with Potterville Public Schools, so I may not be the historical expert on this assertion, but I am sure many would agree that these have
indeed been some troubling months this school year. We have had to go
on without some important and valuable programs this school year, and
we have all been tasked to do more with less in the same time in the
school day or the school week because we are making do with fewer staff
members than we started the year with. None of this has been wholly
pleasant, thoroughly planned for, or exceptionally perfect. We have had
to make our way through these changes, which in my humble opinion,
were changes foisted upon us by state leadership in Lansing with an
agenda. Nevertheless, making it through this year has been especially
difficult, and never more than before have we needed each other—all of
us who are here as part of this learning community—to make it through
and make the district work for the betterment of our kids.
As the calendar turns to May and then June, my attention as superintendent has already turned to the 2012-2013 school year. I am watching
to see what Lansing will do for public school funding next year and further working condition changes that are being thrust upon our teachers.
I am looking at our projected enrollment, our schools of choice applications, our program needs, our bond proposal work and sinking fund projects this summer, and many other factors that will shape the future of
this district for next year. As I think about all of these factors to shape
them into the school year yet to come, I think Potterville Public Schools
is at a crossroads of its future success like no other time.
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In my mind, we have arrived at this crossroads after two important events since February of
2012. First, we were very pleased to have the support of this community for our education technology and security bond proposal. The vision of this initiative from the start has been to create
a premier, destination district for this area by putting cutting edge technology tools in our classrooms and in our kids’ hands so they are ready for the future world that we can’t yet define but
know it is our duty to prepare them for. After getting the community’s approval for this significant change to our district, work is underway for the coming months. We will start the next
school year in a much better place technologically than we have been before. Other districts are
watching us and following us down this road to one-to-one computing and learning in the 21st
century, and it’s a credit to our school board and our community for leading the way.
But the other road that has lain before us would have taken us down another path. In recent
months, there have been two recall attempts against district leaders who have faced difficult
choices amid dwindling financial resources. As much as these initiatives failed, it remains clear
that we have disputes within our community about how our school district will function, how it
will look, how it will serve our kids, and how it will survive in these turbulent financial and political times for public schools in general, and our district in particular.
So after all of this, which path do we choose in these crossroads—do we move forward as
planned, to create the vision imagined for our district and our schools? Do we continue to make
the difficult yet necessary choices that allow us to be most able to meet the needs of the majority
of our students—despite limited resources like schools have not seen in quite some time in state
history? Do we continue to support each other—our colleagues, our families, our students—so
that we can continue this journey to being the best district we can be? Of course we do!
Getting to this future we envision, however, may involve a change in each of us to do the heavy
lifting, the collaborating, and the forward thinking that will lead us to that success. With all
that transpired this year, let us learn to set aside the mistrust and the petty disputes that have
distracted us from giving the best to our kids. Let us frame our conversations to highlight the
positives that happen here daily. At the same time, we cannot ignore our problems; they must
be confronted constructively and realistically, rather than pointing fingers of blame or taking
actions to undermine those who are investing their time and their passion for our kids. Let us
maintain that support for our students, whom I implore to continue their best efforts to get the
education they desperately need to make sense of, and to survive and thrive in, the world that is
ahead of them. Let us look for the best in each other—our teachers and our administrators, our
support staff and our board members, our parents and our community members—rather than
disparaging each other and the district. If Michigan is going to continue to underfund public
schools to meet a highly political agenda of privatizing education through charter schools—
which research shows perform no better than public schools, or cyber schools, with absolutely no
data at all to indicate educational success, Potterville Public Schools must continue to reinvent
itself and move forward, and not be hindered by disputes and conflicts. We have to highlight the
great things we have done thus far. If we want to increase our financial resources by gaining
enrollment and the foundation grant that follows from it, we have to market ourselves to students and parents who want innovative educational programs, not just the status quo of how
schools have always been, just because that’s the way we have always done it. That works no
longer. We can’t move forward with yesterday’s rules and yesterday’s tools. The game has
changed, and so must we.
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In conclusion, as a writing teacher for over fifteen years, I always had to curtail student writers’
use of clichés, but I hope you will forgive me for use of one now that succinctly speaks to the essence of my message: if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
I and many others in this district continue to selflessly dedicate our efforts and time and heart
to this school district. I ask you to join with us to make Potterville Public Schools the premier
district for K-12 education in this area. And if you cannot share in this vision, for whatever your
reasons may be, I encourage you to dialogue with me or our courageous and dedicated board
leaders to help us understand your viewpoint and to arrive together at solutions and mutually
beneficial goals that enable Potterville Public Schools to continue improving life for our kids,
our community, and our future.
PTA ROCKS!
I have been a school media specialist for almost 30 years. I decided to work toward a library
science degree when I was still in high school because I had adults around me who were passionate about books and the libraries that provided them. I watched as they listened and selected books that students swooped up and devoured. I wanted to be one of them.
When I arrived in Potterville in 1988, my main responsibility was the middle/high school library. I worked with Pam Walbridge who served as the library parapro in the elementary
school. As I spent time in the elementary school, I was amazed at the quality and quantity of
the books in that collection. When I asked Pam, I was told that the PTA sponsored the elementary library and every year they purchased a generous amount of good books for the students.
Every year since then I have witnessed the dedication of the elementary PTA as they continued
to have book fairs and donate books to the elementary library. Students came in and out of
that library with books to read and treasure. So many children left that building with a love of
reading and the knowledge that the library was the place to go for cool books. When they came
over to the middle school, I was lucky to inherit those kids who devoured books. It was both a
delight and a responsibility as I worked to continue the legacy the PTA had begun in the elementary school.
So my hat is off to the members of Potterville PTA who have given their time and efforts to enrich the lives of Potterville students. Know that your work has affected several generations of
kids. Know that you are appreciated by the many kids who are now teachers, firemen, business
owners, lawyers and computer engineers. You have created generations of dreamers! You
rock!
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THE ELEMENTARY ELEMENTS
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Look what hatched in Mrs. McClellan’s class! Baby chicks! Students were totally engaged in "life science" for the past 21 days! The kids were able to see
the growth of the chickens daily by candling the eggs.
The chickens started hatching on Tuesday and finished
on Wednesday. Many classes got to visit to witness the
chicks hatching. Now the children can learn how to care
for them and also hold them (under supervision of
course). It is an inspirational experience that unites all
ages, boosts morale and makes learning fun.
Pride in Potterville week was a huge success thanks the PTA, as well as the
students and staff at Potterville Elementary School. Our PTA hosted our most Mr. King
successful book fair ever raising over $8,000 in new books for the school. PTA Elementary Principal
also directed the school talent show followed by
an awesome ice cream social. The Grandparent luncheon was
the highlight of the week with grandparents having the opportunity to have lunch with their grandchild. In addition to serving
all the students during the week for breakfast and lunch Chef
Andrew and his super staff were able to serve over three hundred adults who ate with the children throughout the week.
On Wednesday May 23rd Potterville Elementary School held a Safety Patrol Picnic for our
fourth grade safeties in gratitude of their service to keeping our school safe. Fun was had by all
with games, prizes, snacks and ice cream. Thank you to all our fourth grade safety patrol members for providing a great service for the younger kids at Potterville Elementary School.
The third grade students have been working really hard this marking period on Animal Reports. Each student researches, take notes, learns to form proper paragraphs and then presents
their final report to their classmates and other children throughout the school. They also create
a hands-on project to show something that they learned during this process. The pictures
shown here are of three habitats that were created by Mrs. Stiver's students. Justin Bannister showed the habitat of the bald eagle. Shaylee
Sherman created the environment that a giraffe could be found in, and
finally Kaya Allen has shown the habitat, along with the predators and
prey, of a polar bear. Great job third graders!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE
As the 2011-2012 school year culminates in a variety of activities to punctuate the year, and anticipation of summer fun is on the minds of students and
staff alike, we reflect on how much has been accomplished this year. This
was my sixteenth year in Potterville and my first serving as principal of the
middle school. I am encouraged and inspired by the gifted staff we have and
look forward to working as a team to move our school and student achievement to new heights.
We implemented the privilege system for all grades and saw most students
succeed at meeting our goals and expectations. As a staff, we will of course
be reflecting on how we can keep the system in place and look for even more
ways to recognize students who continue to make our school a positive place Mrs. Roe
to learn. We implemented academic interventions for students, with oppor- Middle School Principal
tunities during the school day and after school. While we will continue to
move forward with our efforts to help students reach their potential, we will also look forward to
integrating more technology thanks to the bond our wonderful community approved this year! We
will strive to utilize our new tools to find more ways to keep parents informed and part of our team
for student success.
This spring I talked to the staff about a special trip for our 8th graders as they finish out their career in the middle school. The students will be taking a trip to Michigan's Adventure as a reward
for their hard work and citizenship. We hope to continue this tradition for years to come.
The Farewell dance was another continued tradition to celebrate the end to their middle school career. We wish all our students well as they begin their high school career in the fall.
Attendance is an important piece of the success puzzle. I want to thank the parents of our students
for supporting this concept and making attendance a priority. We had many students with outstanding attendance this year and we had one student with perfect attendance. Congratulations
and job well done goes out to Hunter Robirds, who made it through without one tardy or absence.
Thank you Potterville PTA! I want to extend my gratitude to all the parents involved in the
PTA. This year was my first to experience the benefits from all the hard work and dedication of
this organization. On behalf of the teachers in our building, I want to extend a sincere thank you
for all the financial support and also for the dinners provided during parent/teacher conferences.
With budgets continuing to shrink and resources becoming scarce, it was nice to have the support
of our PTA to get some needed items. The dinners provided at conferences were a wonderful option
to fast food or having to plan for bringing something in, and everything was wonderful! A special
thank you to president of the PTA, Kelly Yarger, for all the time she devotes to heading this group!
The recent walk-a-thon was again a great success. Thank you to Mrs. Hill for organizing the event,
collecting donations, and collecting prizes for students participating in the event. This year's total
was $7,000. Again, with tight budgets, our school greatly benefits from these funds to provide supplies and products that all our students benefit from. We had great weather this year for the event
and a majority of the students participated.
We are taking orders for student planners for use next year. This is a wonderful tool to help students stay organized and help remind them of upcoming due dates. We were able to secure a low
price of $3.00 and if you did not get your chance to preorder, you may plan to purchase one in the
fall. As always we hope the summer brings with it not only warm and wonderful weather, but the
time for students and their families to get quality time at home. Please remember it only takes a
small investment of time to keep kids brushed up on their academic skills. Reading is the single
most important activity students can do to maintain preparedness for school next fall. Have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you for the 2012-2013 school year.
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POTTERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
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NEWS & INFORMATION
POTTERVILLE’S 2012 GRADUATES
This time of year is often bittersweet as we have to say goodbye to our
seniors. While it is difficult to let them go, we are excited for them as
they prepare for the next phase of their lives. The 2012 Senior Class has
demonstrated strength of character and commitment to scholarship in so
many ways and we are glad to have had the opportunity to watch them
transform throughout their high school years.
If you had an opportunity to attend the Spring Honors program, you
were a witness to the number of awards, scholarships, and other recognitions the members of this class have accumulated. That evening, more Mrs. Klomp
High School Principal
than 50 seniors received subject area awards from their teachers, and 25
students were honored for their scholarship, service, and athleticism. Ten students graduated
with Honors for earning a GPA between a 3.0 and 3.5, and another 11 students with a GPA of
3.5 or higher graduated with High Honors. This group included our Salutatorian, Kara England, and the Valedictorian, Tam Nguyen. On behalf of the Potterville School District staff, administration, and board of education members, we are proud to announce the 2012 High Honors Graduates:
SENIORS
Graduating with
High Honors
2012
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Tam Nguyen
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Distinguished Service
– Youth Advisory Council
– Student Council President
DAR Good Citizen Award – PHS Class of 2012 Nominee
Lake Trust Credit Union Community Scholarship Program
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Semifinalist
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
Potterville Education Association Scholarship
Principal‟s Award
National Honor Society Cords ● Academic Honor Roll
Graduating with High Honors
Valedictorian
Attend Michigan State University to study Chemical Engineering
Kara England
• Distinguished Service
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– Peer Assistance Leaders
– Student Council
American Choral Directors Award
CMAC Scholar Athlete
„10 Who Are 10‟ Award
● Embassy Art Contest Award
Poskey Foundation Scholarship
Tabitha Stanton Scholarship
Elizabeth “Betsy” Lowe Memorial Scholarship
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
National Honor Society Cords ● Academic Honor Roll
Graduating with High Honors
Salutatorian
Attend Michigan State University to study Psychology
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Joshua Ackley
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Distinguished Service
– Peer Assistance Leaders
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Dual Enrollment Achievement
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CMAC Scholar Athlete
Eaton Federal Savings Herbert R. Black Memorial Scholarship
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Finalist
President‟s Award for Educational Excellence
National Honor Society Cords
Academic Honor Roll
Graduating with High Honors
Attend Michigan State University to study Civil Engineering
– 3 credits
Sara Anderson
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Central Michigan University‟s Board of Trustees
Academic Honors Scholarship
Outstanding Achievement
– Capital Area Health Education Program
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Breanna Hill
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Outstanding Achievement
– Capital Area Health Education Program
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Poskey Foundation Scholarship
Tabitha Stanton Scholarship
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Semifinalist
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
National Technical Honor Society Medallion
National Honor Society Cords
Academic Honor Roll
Graduating with High Honors
Attend Michigan State University to study Nursing
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Semifinalist
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
National Technical Honor Society Medallion
Academic Honor Roll
Graduating with High Honors
Attend Central Michigan University for the Physician‟s Assistant
Undergraduate Program
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Samantha Mehney
• Distinguished Service
– Youth Advisory Council
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CMAC Scholar Athlete
EISD Career Preparation Center Award
Lansing Community College Foundation Scholarship
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Semifinalist
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
National Technical Honor Society Cords
National Honor Society Cords
Begin at Lansing Community College to study Architecture
Jessica Ritchey
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Outstanding Achievement
– Capital Area Health Education Program
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CMAC Scholar Athlete
Abbey Award
Gerald & Lala Mae Elliot Scholarship
Poskey Foundation Scholarship
Elizabeth “Betsy” Lowe Memorial Scholarship
Jackson Community College Full Athletic Scholarship
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
National Technical Honor Society Medallion
National Honor Society Cords
Academic Honor Roll
Graduating with High Honors
Attend Jackson Community College to study Nursing and play
Basketball
Kaitlyn Tarrant
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Distinguished Service
– Peer Assistance Leaders
– Youth Advisory Council
– Student Council
President‟s Volunteer Service Award – Bronze
Dual Enrollment Achievement – 10 credits
Advanced Placement Achievement
Sarah M. Jones Memorial Scholarship and Tabitha Stanton Scholarship
Youth Advisory Council/American Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship
Grand Valley State University – Laker Scholarship
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Semifinalist
President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
Academic Honor Roll ● National Honor Society Cords
Graduating with High Honors
Attend Grand Valley to study Elementary Education
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BreAnne Turner
• Quiz Bowl – Varsity Member
• EISD Career Preparation
Center Award
• Advanced Placement Achievement
• Potterville Music Boosters Scholarship
• President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
• National Technical Honor Society Cords
• National Honor Society Cords
• Academic Honor Roll
• Graduating with High Honors
• Begin at LCC to study majors in the Fashion Industry
Morgan West
• CMAC Scholar Athlete
• President‟s Award for Educational Achievement
• Jackson Community College – Full Athletic
Scholarship
• Academic Honor Roll
• Graduating with High Honors
• Attend Jackson Community College to study
Sonography and to play Basketball
Christopher Wonch
• Michigan Competitive
Scholarship Semifinalist
• President‟s Award for Educational Excellence
• Academic Honor Roll
• Graduating with High Honors
• Attend Michigan State University
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WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO:
A FOCUS ON THE CAP ALTERNATIVE TEACHERS
For the past four months, I’ve had the honor of working with three of the finest teachers I’ve ever worked with. As the student success coordinator of the
CAP program, I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated and caring staff. I spent
some time talking with each of them about their teaching beliefs and what
they think is most important for students to learn. Here’s what I found out.
Chris Graham (The Helpful and Understanding One): Chris believes
that all students are capable if they are given the opportunity. She has the
utmost respect for our students who choose to come to school, even though
she knows they’ve had more life struggles than she has seen in her own life. She knows that building
relationships with her students is key and part of the reason that our students choose to be here. She
acknowledges that academics are a struggle for our students and while they are important, they are not
the most important thing. Regardless, they deserve a quality education, to be looked at as individuals
and treated with respect. She believes that the most important thing she teaches students is that they
are capable. She can see their confidence grow after just one opportunity with success.
Degrees earned from: College of Charleston and Olivet College
Years teaching: five One word that describes her teaching experience: “Rewarding”
John Ley (The Positive and Patient One): John believes that motivation is the key to education, but
this is a double-edged sword for us. Our students are more likely to question the importance of curriculum and we must work to make their learning meaningful and self-directed. This intertwines with what
he thinks is most important for students to learn, which is answering the question “why is this important?” Students need to get on board with their learning and the answer needs to go deeper than good
grades and for college. When we deal with counseling issues both inside and outside of academics, it often makes it difficult for students to see the importance of their education so we must work to make it
intrinsically interesting using big concepts. John sees positive social interaction as the most important
thing he teaches his students. He wants them to understand the importance of how they will be perceived in different social settings.
Degrees earned from: Michigan State and the University of Michigan
Years teaching: 18 One word about his teaching experience: “Amazed”
Mary Sherwood (The Loving and Supportive One): Mary believes that if students can leave our
program with a positive attitude toward learning, they will continue to learn and grow in their future
and that every student has something to offer the community and the world. The most important thing
that students need to learn is that things aren’t perfect the first time and that there is always a process
and there is always room for improvement. Our students have faced years of failure and in many ways
have given up on themselves and on getting good grades. We have to re-teach them that they can all be
successful. The most important thing that Mary teaches is life skills and building relationships. She
wants students to understand how to maneuver in the world as humans, not as students evaluated by a
test score.
Degrees earned from: Olivet College
Years teaching: 15 One word that describes her teaching experience: “Enriching”
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“Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn
in your schools are the work of many generations.
All of this is put in your hands as your inheritance in
order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and
one day faithfully hand it on to
your children." -Albert Einstein
Potterville Public Schools Mission Statement:
It is the mission of the Potterville Public Schools to provide an educational learning environment with a level of
instruction that gives all students opportunities to reach their individual potential and to develop the skills essential for success in life and work.
Potterville Schools
Board of Education
2012
2012--2013 School Year
President
Christopher Hampton
Vice-President
Jim Lehman
Secretary
John Hampton
Treasurer
Karen Miller
Trustee
Jerry Sweet
Trustee
Angela Schmalbach
Trustee
Dean Geisenhaver
POTTERVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETINGS - 6:00 PM
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARD ROOM
Mark your calendars—we urge the
community to attend
July 16, 2012
August 20, 2012
September 17, 2012
October 15, 2012
November 19, 2012
December 17, 2012
January 21, 2013
February 19, 2013
March 18, 2013
April 15, 2013
May 20, 2013
June 17, 2013
It is the policy of Potterville Public Schools that no person on the basis of race,
color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status or handicap shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the
benefits of or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program conducted by this educational agency.