Congratulations, Class of 2010!
Transcription
Congratulations, Class of 2010!
Graduation Issue! June 2010 www.livoniapublicschools.org • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 38, No. 4 State Superintendent Flanagan Impressed by Livonia Public Schools Congratulations, Class of 2010! Graduation is the fitting time to review our graduating seniors’ accomplishments, and we are pleased to share: In 2010, LPS graduated 1,527 students from Churchill, Franklin, and Stevenson High Schools. At press time, our students have been awarded over $6.6 million in scholarships and awards. From the three schools combined, 143 students graduated with the Summa Cum Laude distinction (3.95 gpa and above); 94 students with the Magna Cum Laude distinction (3.75-3.94 gpa); and 154 students with the Cum Laude distinction (3.5-3.74 gpa). The Board of Education recognized our five National Merit Finalists on May 10. LPS Superintendent Randy Liepa and State Superintendent Mike Flanagan pause for a photo during his visit to LPS schools in March. State Superintendent Mike Flanagan visited LPS on March 30 as part of his annual visits to select school districts throughout Michigan. His visit included tours of Webster Elementary, Cooper Upper Elementary, Franklin High and the Livonia Career and Technical Center. Flanagan and guests, including members of the LPS School Board, LPS administrators and staff, PTSA members, union leadership and business leaders, enjoyed lunch prepared by Franklin Culinary Arts students. Leaders around the table shared the unique accomplishments throughout our district, including its innovative programs, supportive stakeholders and opportunities for students. In addition to being inspired by the welcoming atmosphere and the team unity, Flanagan was especially impressed by the district’s use of data-driven dialogue to improve student achievement. He noted that the district is not afraid of data and is accomplishing what the Michigan Department of Education is attempting to achieve statewide. Flanagan told attendees at the luncheon, “You should be so proud. You really have something special.” Many graduates have won special honors and awards in the classroom and on the athletic fields, and students were recognized at each high school’s Honors Night. LPS teachers, staff, administrators and the Board of Education share in this proud and happy moment in the lives of our graduates. Parents and caregivers of graduates, thank you for being our partner in preparing your children. Congratulations, Class of 2010! Coming in August - Back to School iParty with special guest Jennette McCurdy who plays Sam on Nickelodeon’s #1 show iCarly! During the month of July, register for a private meet and greet with Jennette! Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/livoniapublicschools, or check our Web site at livoniapublicschools.org for updates. *Talent availability is subject to change. This is a fully sponsored event for the district. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 7 From the Superintendent: Michigan Schools Address Unprecedented Funding Challenges Welcome Information Livonia Public Schools is finishing up the school year in a financial environment we have never seen before. Many of you are aware that $7.7 million was unexpectedly cut from our district’s budget by the State in the middle of this 2009-2010 school year. I would like to share with you two additional sobering facts about funding for our district. • Our foundation allowance, which began at $8,600 at the beginning of this year, will be reduced to $7,800 under the assumption of the revenue projections at the January Revenue Consensus Conference. • If we implement proposed budget reductions, we will be approaching $40 million in budget cuts since 2002. The Financial Roller Coaster All in all, it has been a financial roller coaster like we have never seen. In response to all of these school-funding cuts, the School Board took unprecedented action by making mid-year budget reductions and employees made salary concessions. Looking ahead, winter revenue projections for next year predicted that school districts would lose another significant amount of money. Overall, the district braced itself to lose $17 million through these reductions and declining enrollment loss over the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. Preparing for next year, the Board of Education has been reviewing an additional $11 million of budget reductions for the 2010-2011 school year. Just recently, the State announced that its revenue projection for schools looks brighter. We hope to see at least a portion of the lost revenue returned to us, and we wait now for a final report from the State on next year’s funding. Community and Staff Provide Valuable Support Through all of these challenges our community and staff have provided incredible support. Last fall, our community stepped up and supported our schools by passing millages by overwhelming margins. In addition, school employees stepped up and took concessions in the middle of the school year, saving over $1.5 million for this school year, and over $2 million for 2010-2011. Our community and staff have also been very involved by providing budget suggestions over the last seven months. We have received numerous calls and emails, as well as participation in local forums. An Uncertain Future, But a Commitment to Students The future of school funding in Michigan is still up in the air. We continue to do the very best we can to protect programs for students during these turbulent economic times. We believe quality educational programs and opportunities for our students are still available, although it is getting more difficult each year. The Livonia Public Schools remains a lighthouse district and source of pride to our community. We thank our community for their involvement, input and support on behalf of all the students to whom we provide an education. Are You New to the LPS Community? If you are new to the LPS community, welcome to our district! We would love to introduce you to our schools and programs, so please contact the Communications Department at 734-744-2522. Summer Registration Information Middle Schools and High Schools Throughout the summer months, both middle and high school students are to register at their home school, as there is secretarial coverage in these buildings. Elementary Schools Beginning June 30 through August 20, elementary school students are to register at Central Office, located at 15125 Farmington Road. Call 734-744-2541 to schedule an appointment. Please check our Web site for additional information. Schedule a School Tour This Summer School tours are available during the month of August to non-LPS families who are considering attending Livonia Public Schools. Please contact the Communications Department at 734-744-2522 to schedule a school tour. Sign Up for E-News Go to www.livoniapublicschools.org Click on Sign Up for E-News. www.facebook.com/LivoniaPublicSchools Randy A. Liepa, Ph.D. Superintendent 2 Livonia Public Schools Purpose • Passion • Pride District Early Childhood and Childcare Programs Perrinville Early Childhood Center 28201 Lyndon, Livonia 734-744-2765 Pre-Kindergarten and Parent Education Programs Early On - Developmental screenings for infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months Is Your Child Not Quite Ready for Kindergarten? Consider the Young Fives Program! If you have a child who has a fall birthday and is not quite ready for kindergarten, consider Young Fives! Young Fives is designed for students who are eligible for kindergarten yet require the gift of time to further develop their emotional, social, physical and cognitive skills. The Young Fives program follows the LPS curriculum, so your child will be prepared for kindergarten. Before and after school childcare is also available on-site. This State-funded program is free, and is held five days per week in either AM or PM. Young Fives follows the LPS kindergarten calendar. Child must be five years old on or before December 1. Contact Jackson Center at 734-744-2813. Are You a New Parent? Educational Programs Begin at Birth! Through September 30, from a Wayne RESA grant, ALL families with a newborn residing in Wayne County may receive a free home visit by contacting the Welcome Baby program at 313-531-2500 ext. 2110. Preschool Programs for Children ages 3 to 5 years Special Education programs and services include classrooms for children with speech and language delays, cognitive or physical impairments, autism spectrum disorder, and hearing or visual impairments. Hearing and Vision Screenings for children ages 3 to 5 years, by appointment Kids First, Great Start Readiness Program Free part-day preschool for children 4 years of age by December 1. Program participation is based on eligibility. Program is pending legislative action. Ready, Set, Go! - Learning activities are offered for families and caregivers of young children. Parent-child activities and parent education programs are scheduled throughout the year. Jackson Early Childhood Center LPS Launches Best of the Best Writing Curriculum The start of the 2009-2010 school year included the launch of new units of study for teaching writing in kindergarten through sixth grades. LPS Developed Customized Writing Curriculum A team of elementary teachers, chaired by the district’s elementary literacy facilitator, spent several years developing multiple units of study for each grade level. They incorporated the “Best of the Best” in developing a framework that was used to create each unit. The committee reviewed: • research-based effective practices for teaching writing • the work of several internationally- recognized and respected experts in the field of teaching writing • multiple existing instructional programs for teaching writing. 32025 Lyndon, Livonia 734-744-2813 Preschool Enrichment - Developmentally appropriate activity-based program for 3 and 4 year olds Innovative Writing Curriculum Focuses on High Standards Preschool with a Parenting Component (PREP) While 3 and 4 year old children participate in classroom activities, parents attend a weekly adult parenting class in a separate room. Each unit of study for teaching writing focuses on a single genre, such as poetry, persuasive essay and nonfiction research article. At the start of the school year, each teacher received a writing resource binder, which included lesson plans for each unit, a year-long curricular calendar for the units, copies of mentor text, copies of professional resources related to teaching writing and a grammar continuum for teaching grammar, usage and mechanics of writing. These teaching resources provide a comprehensive and cohesive guide for teaching writing, so LPS students become proficient writers and enjoy writing for sustained periods of time. Childcare Childcare with a preschool component is provided to meet the needs of working parents of children from infancy through 5 years of age. Childcare is available five days per week, year round. Young Fives Childcare - Provides children with activities and adult supervision before and after the Young Fives session School-Age Childcare (SACC) - Provides children with activities and adult supervision before and after the elementary school day Kindergarten Childcare (KSACC) - Provides children with activities and adult supervision before and after the kindergarten session. For more information, visit us online at www.livoniapublicschools.org under the Program tab. All programs are currently registering for the Fall. Neighboring Districts Look to LPS for Professional Development The district’s elementary literacy leadership team is becoming known outside the district for providing high quality professional development Continued on page 10. 3 Churchill High School Class of 2010 Honors and Highlights Sports Highlights Boys Cross Country City Champs Girls Cross Country City Champs Division Champs Jesus has performed in numerous CAPA musicals. He competed in the District and State Solo & Ensemble Festival, was a member of the MYE Chamber Singers through UofM and was one of two high school students chosen to be in the Rackham Symphony Choir this year. Jesus was the lead in the opera, The Very Last Green Thing, performing with the Michigan Opera Theatre. He competed as a finalist in New York in the National Classical Competition. Livonia Observer 2010 Academic All-Star Team Members “Churchill is more to me than just another stepping stone in my life. It has shown me how to maintain a positive mental attitude, and this has made me a better person through all my experiences. Thank you Churchill High. Positive Mental Attitude: Believe it. Lead it. Live it.” Holly – Joey Boys Soccer City Champs Division Champs Conference Champs Association Champs Channel 7 Brightest & Best Girls Volleyball U-M Dearborn Inv. Champs KLAA Inv. Champs Division Champs Conference Champs MHSAA Final Four Chelsea Chelsea James P. Carli Scholarship Winner Bryce Boys Tennis Adrian Inv. Champs MHSAA State Qualifiers Girls Golf Division Champs Boys Basketball City Champs Conference Champs Association Champs Rotary Club Student Vocational Leadership Award Winners Jenna Nick Competitive Cheerleading Division Champs Hockey Division Champs Girls Tennis City Champs Division Champs Girls Track & Field City Champs Division Champs Conference Champs MHSAA Regional Champs 4 Special Recognitions National Merit Finalists Holly Chiang Ziwen Deng Bryce Morgan Cory Townes Livonia Council PTSA Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees Darcy DeRoo Melissa Roe Joey Salloum Chelsea Wezensky Nicole Williams Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete Adam Bedell “My four years at Churchill High School have been shaped greatly by the inspiring people I have had the chance to work with. The responsibilities I held and the experiences I gained will always be with me no matter where my future leads me. I’ll always keep up the Charger spirit.” – Melissa Franklin High School Class of 2010 Honors and Highlights Sports Highlights Football City Champions Playoff Qualifier Boys Basketball District Champions Girls Basketball City Champions District Champions Cheerleading Conference Champions Pom Pon City Champions Wrestling City Champions District Champions Softball Salem Invitational Champions Megan made a goal to end high school successfully, and she has certainly done so with a GPA of 4.67 her senior year. This fall, she will be attending Washington University in St. Louis on a full ride scholarship to study Biomedical Engineering. In addition to numerous other awards, she received the Exchange Club’s Youth of the Year Award. Channel 7 Brightest & Best Megan James P. Carli Scholarship Shannon (at right) Benjamin Franklin Key Award Shannon Mayra (at far right) Livonia Observer 2010 Academic All-Star Team Members Kyle (at right) Megan “High school has taught me to encounter every situation with a positive attitude. Livonia’s commitment to my education has set me up for success in my future endeavors, and I know I couldn’t be better prepared. I’ll miss high school very much and would do it over again the same way given the chance.” – Tommy Volleyball KLAA Challenge Inv. Champions Students Going to Military Brittany Dilley USAF Charles Foster USMC Kevin Frear USMC Charles Krappitz Army Nicholas McElroy Navy Cynthia Peters USMC Kalvaughn Richardson Navy Hezikiah Streifel USMC Patrick Tacoma USMC Tiffany Van Orden USAF Rotary Club Student Vocational Leadership Award Winners Alison Cynthia Special Recognitions Livonia Council PTSA Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees John Chinavare Shannon Niznik Erin Roulier Thomas Morrison II Jennifer Rellingerr Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete Emily Quint “Opportunity to go above all standards and norms has been the biggest contribution by Livonia Public Schools to my education and future. Opportunities to have teachers that deeply care, extra-curricular activities for all types of preferences, community involvement and high standards for the alumni were always given. – Mayra 5 Stevenson High School Class of 2010 Honors and Highlights Sports Highlights Girls Soccer City Champions Football MHSAA State Playoff Qualifiers Conference Champions Division Champions Boys Basketball Division Champions Dan, senior at Stevenson, won the Outstanding Interpretation Award for the National PTA. This award is presented to only one entry of each art category for Reflections. The contest is international in scope, as it includes students in American schools overseas and military-based students in addition to all 50 states. A Michigan student has not won an award at the national level in twenty years. (See related article on page 9.) Channel 7 Brightest & Best Angela James P. Carli Scholarship Emily Hockey MHSAA Regional Finalist Association Champions Conference Champions Division Champions City Champions Boys Swimming and Diving Division Champions City Champions Livonia Observer 2010 Academic All-Star Team Members Laura Hanlin (at far right) – Hanlin Baseball Ranked 5th in the State Broke School record with most wins Division Champions City Champions Softball City Champions Boys Track and Field City Champions Rotary Club Student Vocational Leadership Award Winners Danielle Neil Boys Golf MHSAA Regional Qualifiers City Champions Girls Swimming and Diving City Champions Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete Claire LeBlanc Special Recognitions Jay W. Formsma Award Winners Rita Lee Hanlin Yang National Merit Finalist Calum Galt Livonia Council PTSA Outstanding Youth Honorees Angela Gasser Adam Kleven Henry Weyand Emily Whittico Hanlin Yang 6 “Graduating now is a bittersweet moment… bitter because there is so much I have enjoyed doing and so many people who have helped me to achieve what I’ve had that I am leaving behind; sweet because I can finally see the end result of the cumulative effort of the past four years. I can’t wait to see where all that I have gained from Stevenson will carry me in life.” “Some of the greatest, challenging and bizarre things happened while at Stevenson, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” – Rita Program Recognitions Math/Science/Computer (MSC) Program Western Wayne Skill Center The Mathematics/Science/Computer (MSC) Program at Churchill High School was founded in 1984 and is celebrating the conclusion of its 26th year. The MSC program is comprised of students from all three Livonia high schools who have a high level of interest and achievement in math and science. Students qualify for this advanced academic program at the end of their 8th grade year based on academic test scores, an application process and teacher recommendations. Since September 2002, WWSC has been accredited with the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. Recipients of Outstanding MSC Senior Award: Holly Chiang Bryce Morgan Chelsea Wezensky Congratulations, Megan, Bobby and Edward for perfect attendance! Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Program Founded in 1986, the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Program offers an in-depth study of drama, dance, music and the visual arts. The curriculum is designed to teach classical and contemporary art forms. Guest artists are on campus to instruct and critique students in workshops/seminars and masters classes. CAPA Program Award Recipients 2010: Victoria Knieriem – Outstanding Student in Theatre Jesus Murillo – Outstanding Student in Vocal Madelyn Prebola – Outstanding Student in Dance Career Technical Center Technology Education Awards The Livonia Career Technical Center (LCTC) offers career and technical training in five of the six career pathways established by the Michigan Department of Career Development. The following students have been honored for their efforts in the 2009-10 school year: Churchill Kevin Inglis – Residential Construction Annette Perkowski – Website Design & Interactive Media Nicholas Promo – Arch Eng (Rotary) Jenna Stauch – Sports Medicine (Rotary) Franklin Alison Armstrong – Fashion (Rotary) Drew Dood – Criminal Justice Cynthia Cooke – Medical Occupations (Rotary) Steven Turner – Auto The mission of the Western Wayne Skill Center (WWSC) is to provide instruction in the life roles of citizen, family member, recreation participant and worker. The goal is to prepare students to make choices leading to a healthy, productive and satisfying lifestyle. Congratulations to all Graduates!! Michael Adams, Samantha Amore, William Ardt, Kaitlin Baiocchi, Jeffrey Benson, Autumn Boards, Emily Breen, Megan Campbell, Dominique Connor, Kevin Cislo, Brian Coskie-Acevedo, Danielle Donaldson, William Evans, DeAndre Hadden, Mohamad Harake, Allante Hollis, Bobby Hubbard, Breeyana Johnson, DeAndre Johnson, Nathaniel Jones, Nathan Kunze, Lavonte Lucas, Jerre Mabry, Lindsey Martin, Tyler Martin, Erika Massie, Brianne Milliner, Michael Neal, Edward Nicholson, Steven Psaila, Rebecca Reid, Jaron Robinson, Thomas Schermerhorn, Wesley Schermerhorn, Carly Smith, Kelsey Terry, Veronica Thomas, Malcolm Tyms, Russell Vincent, Al Wells, Michael Young and Scott Zimmerman. Adult and Continuing Education Adult & Continuing Education Program enrollments for the 20092010 school year included 110 GED/ABE students, 63 alternative education students, 95 adult secondary/enrichment students, 125 workplace literacy students and over 700 English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Also, more than 250 high school credit recovery students received diplomas, certifications, achievement and completion credentials and academic awards. Adult and Continuing Education also successfully piloted the on-line Web-based content delivery program in which many students from each of the educational programs participated. Stevenson Danielle Aliseo – Medical Occupations (Rotary) Neil Betham – Cisco (Rotary) Samantha DeLuca – Digital Imaging Maxwell Petrie – Management & Business Admin 7 Spotlight on Achievements Have You Seen School News on the Web? Legislative Forum Clarifies State Funding Issues School News has been implemented on the district Web site to share with you some of our school and student accomplishments. A few of the numerous examples of school and student achievements that are posted online and updated throughout the school year can be found at www.livoniapublicschools.org. Rosedale Third Grader Wins Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest LPS legislators from left to right: Representative John Walsh, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, Representative Richard LeBlanc and Senator Glenn Anderson welcomed the opportunity to attend a Legislative Forum to discuss the state of school funding in Michigan. On January 25, the District Communications Team sponsored a Legislative Forum at Stevenson High School. Representative John Walsh, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, Representative Richard LeBlanc and Senator Glenn Anderson answered tough questions regarding Michigan’s school aid budget crisis. Over 200 parents, staff and community members attended this special event. “The Legislative Forum was very informative, and also provided direct access to the legislators for parents to voice their concerns about public school funding,” stated Patty O’Brien, a district parent attending the forum. The legislators were impressed by the community’s engagement and commitment to understanding the challenging State budget issues. Emerson Student Wins Second Place in International Photo Contest Rosedale Principal Tammy Spangler Timm and teacher Carolyn Jackson attended the Board of Education meeting to congratulate Bailie on her accomplishment. Bailie, a third grader at Rosedale, won first place in her grade category in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Earth Day Poster Contest. Over 4,000 students submitted entries, so this is quite an accomplishment. She was recognized at Constitution Hall on Earth Day, April 22, and her poster will hang in the art gallery at Constitution Hall. 8 Cassidy, an 8th grader at Emerson, won second place in an International Photography Contest for Earth Science Week. The focus of the contest was capturing earth science exploration around the world, and Cassidy’s entry did an excellent job of capturing her brother studying the pond water in their grandparent’s backyard! Cassidy’s photo will be featured on the International Year of Planet Earth and Earth Science Week Web sites! FHS Students Travel to DC for Winter Congress Franklin High School’s Junior State of America Chapter traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Winter Congress March 12-14. Students prepared, debated and passed bills and amendments during the mock-Congress simulation. While in Washington, students met with Congressman Thaddeus McCotter and John Schall, former White House aide and current Deputy CEO at the Parkinson’s Action Group. Students gained first-hand experience of the federal government and an inside look into Washington’s inner circle. LPS Sponsors Healthy Activity Day with the YMCA and St. Mary Mercy Hospital LPS Students Win Statewide Reflections Awards In a collaborative sponsorship with the YMCA and St. Mary Mercy Hospital, the Livonia Public Schools hosted Healthy Activity Day on Saturday, April 17. Over 165 students and approximately 66 families took part in the Healthy Activity Day. Families learned healthy daily living and nutrition tips for young and old alike. The Healthy Activity Day was made possible with funding from the district’s Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant. LPS was the ONLY public school district in Michigan to receive this three-year funding, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. LCTC Receives Excellence in Practice Award Of 140 students across the State that competed in the PTSA Reflections contest, fourteen LPS students won an award. Pictured above, with some of their award winning entries in the background, are: Dan, Elise, Kelsie, Gabriel, Kacey, Elayna, Evan. Award winners not pictured: Lyndsay Jones, Lisa Johns, Emily Crombez, Chad Gabon, Tatiana Smyk, Mary McLain, Tarra Dempsey. SHS Student’s National Award Winning Artwork The Livonia Career Technical Center received the Michigan Department of Education’s 2010 Excellence in Practice Award. This top honor from the State was given for the academic integration of Algebra II into the CTE programs at the Career Center. Patty Cantu, State Director, Office of Career and Technical Education, stated, “LCTC’s academic integration program exemplifies the highest standards in preparing Michigan students for higher education and careers.” The National PTA’s 2010 Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Award winners were chosen from more than 500,000 submissions from students across the nation. Dan won the National Outstanding Interpretation Visual Art Award. The theme was Beauty is, and his entry is Beauty is Hilarious. Congratulations to Our Newest Green Schools Frost Middle School and Cleveland, Grant, Kennedy and Rosedale Elementary Schools have joined Buchanan Elementary School in their commitment to go green. These four schools have received the Michigan Green School designation, and the Board of Education formally recognized the schools for this accomplishment in June. 9 Staff and Volunteer News FHS Teacher Takes Home VFW Award Mary Helen Diegel, FHS Social Studies teacher, was awarded the VFW District Four Teacher of the Year award. Teacher Publishes First Children’s Book Colleen Murray Fisher, teacher at Hayes Elementary, recently published a children’s book, The One and Only Bernadette P. McMullen! Michigan Dance Educator of the Year Mary Murphy, dance teacher for Churchill’s Creative and Performing Arts program, received an award as the 2010 Michigan Dance Educator of the Year. Joe Anderson Presented Citizen Award Karen Ling Receives Award Karen Ling, a LPS Shared Time teacher assigned to Plymouth Christian Academy, was honored with the “E & J Award” given by their senior class naming her the most inspiring and influential teacher over their four years at the school. This vote was unanimous and is impressive given that she is the first non Plymouth Christian Academy staff member to receive the award. Writing Curriculum continued from page 3. The US Marines presented Joe Anderson, CHS principal, with an Outstanding Citizen Award. 10 The Livonia PTSA Council (LPTSAC) was selected to receive two awards at its Michigan PTSA Council Convention. Our PTSA Council received the Newsletter Award for the outstanding publication that Liz Jarvis creates and distributes electronically and received a Website Award thanks to the creative and technical talents of Heather Broos, who also does a fantastic job. NOTICE for Fall 2010: Elementary School Class Lists Will NOT Be Posted Publicly In past years, elementary schools had participated in the practice of publicly posting class lists prior to school starting. Last year, we were advised this practice is not compliant with FERPA law. Therefore, class lists are no longer posted. To comply with the guidelines of FERPA: Coach of the Year The Observer named James Solak from Churchill High School the Basketball Coach of the Year. LPTSAC Earns Awards at State Convention K-4 schools will mail home a letter with information regarding your child’s teacher and classroom assignment prior to Labor Day. on teaching writing. Birmingham Public Schools and WayneWestland Community Schools have contracted with LPS to have our talented trainers bring their knowledge, skill and expertise to their districts’ teachers for multiple training sessions on effective, best practices for teaching writing. Exceptional academics are a beacon of excellence The district is proud of the new units of study for teaching writing. These new rigorous writing units are bringing revitalization to teaching writing in our elementary schools and new engagement and enthusiasm to student writing. Upper Elementary schools will provide classroom assignments with their orientation packets, as they have done for the past four years. Students will have their information available regarding class placement before the first day of school. LPS Celebrates Second Year of the Competitive Edge The Livonia Public Schools Foundation has completed its second year of implementing the Competitive Edge College Savings Program. Again this year, the Foundation provided an opportunity to all first grade families to have a college savings plan account set up on behalf of their student, and the Foundation provided seed money to the account as a gift from the community. The LPS Foundation also helps inform families about the value of college savings. This one-of-a-kind program is unique to Livonia Public Schools and is intended to give the children of the district a “competitive edge” in the future by helping families pay for college. Looking ahead, the LPS Foundation is excited to offer this college savings program once again for our 2010-2011 first grade students. We would like to thank the Corporate Partners of the Competitive Edge program: Corporate Partners: Past Partners: Alpha Stamping Livonia Chamber of Commerce Bill Brown Ford Madonna University Bright House Networks Masri Orthodontics Camp Mirage Parkside Credit Union dfcu Financial Davenport University Kopmeyer & Talty, P.C. Livonia Public Schools PTA/PTSAs Livonia Public Schools Employees Michigan Educational Credit Union Michigan Education Savings Program Northwood University Observer & Eccentric Newspapers Schoolcraft College St. Mary Mercy Hospital TRW Automotive To learn more about the LPS Foundation, visit us online at www.lpsfoundation.org. LPS Board of Education Serves You Livonia Public Schools’ 2010-2011 Board of Education members are: Lynda Scheel, Gregory Oke, Robert Freeman, Colleen Burton, Daniel Lessard, Patrice Mang and Mark Johnson. Mark Johnson was elected this year for a four-year term which begins July 1, 2010. Regular Board of Education meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Office located at 15125 Farmington Rd., Livonia, MI. Please visit www.livoniapublicschools.org for dates of Board of Education meetings. Click on School Board, and Select Board Meeting Dates. Jim Cambridge, President of the LPS Foundation (far right) acknowledged its newest Corporate Partners at the Board of Education meeting. From left: Diane Policelli, LPS Foundation member; Brendan Robinson, Northwood University; Janice Newsome, Alpha Stamping; and Bob McCann, Bright House Networks. Help the LPS Foundation Help Others Through the Competitive Edge College Savings Program Buy or lease a vehicle, and $200 will be donated to the LPS Foundation. Bill Brown Ford Tennyson Chevrolet Livonia, MI 48150 32570 Plymouth Road (734) 421-7000 Livonia, MI 48150 New Vehicles - (734) 425-6500 32222 Plymouth Road Used Vehicles 35000 or 30400 Plymouth Road Clip this coupon and bring it to Tennyson Chevrolet or Bill Brown Ford when purchasing or leasing a new or used car or truck. Not only will you get a great deal on your next vehicle, but you will also be helping the LPS Foundation help our families. Does not include prior sales. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. For more information, contact the LPS Foundation at (734) 744-2510, or visit us online at www.lpsfoundation.org. www.livoniapublicschools.org Serving portions of Livonia & Westland June 2010 • Vol. 38 No. 4 Dialog is an official publication of the 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 Karin LaMothe at [email protected]. 11 From the Teacher of the Year, Amy Rozman It is easy for us as individuals to become so focused on ourselves that we overlook what is happening to those outside of our own lives. We ask, “What will this do for me?” What will I get out of it?” “Why should I care?” There is a sense of entitlement, a belief that we deserve everything and owe nothing. The tendency is to want more and to take for granted all of the positive things life has to offer. I feel one of the most important lessons we can teach young people today is empathy, which is learning to understand and care about others. In my sixteen years of teaching, I am most proud of the opportunities I have had to teach my students empathy, which happened to come from my students themselves. In 2007, two of my students brought to my attention a documentary made about kids in Uganda. The film was called Invisible Children: The Rough Cut, and it exposed the atrocities occurring as a result of a decades-old war. The leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army was abducting children. These innocent children were beaten, tortured, raped and forced to kill. Listening to the accounts of the children, I couldn’t believe that this was going on and that the rest of the world was standing by and doing nothing. My students wanted to organize school assemblies to provide an opportunity to share this story with their classmates. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be. After all, these “invisible” kids lived in Africa, where there seems to be an acceptance and almost an expectation that things there are nothing like life here, and I worried that many of the kids just wouldn’t relate or care. I could not have been more wrong. We introduced the film by asking how many of the students felt that they were “spoiled.” A few hands went up. After the viewing, he asked the same question. Every hand went up. They got it. So many students wanted to get involved and help. We sold bracelets and t-shirts and took donations all week. We partnered with a war torn school in Uganda that would benefit from our donations. The next year, the Invisible Children club was formed. We participated in a book drive for schools in Uganda, and we collected over 18,000 books! Amy Rozman has been teaching at Stevenson High School for sixteen years. She has a BA in English from Michigan State University and an MA in Secondary Education from Eastern Michigan University. Amy’s colleagues describe her as one who mentors, promotes and encourages students to make a difference in the world. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and everyone is inspired by her commitment to excellence. Amy Rozman is the Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010. Finally this year, we were able to meet one of the abducted child soldiers who had escaped. We first met Boni in the original film. Now nineteen, he was traveling to schools with other Invisible Children, sharing his experience. When Boni took the stage, this small, soft-spoken Ugandan, you could have heard a pin drop. In today’s world, it is so easy to get caught up in our lives and problems so that we disregard what is going on around us. I cannot express how fortunate I am to have been able to share the Invisible Children experiences with Stevenson High School students. Invisible Children taught us to sincerely care and think about others. I can’t think of a more important life lesson that one can learn. Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid Livonia, Michigan Permit No. 36 2009-2010 Board of Education Lynda Scheel, President Gregory Oke, Vice President Robert Freeman, Secretary Colleen Burton, Trustee Steve King, Trustee Daniel Lessard, Trustee Patrice Mang, Trustee Dr. Randy A. Liepa, Superintendent ECRWSS Residential Customer Livonia Public Schools
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