Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Johns Spotlight
Learning Today ... Leading Tomorrow
March 2010
Superintendent’s Message... 2
Bond Issue Overview... 3
Technology... 4-5
SJPS Foundation... 6
East Olive... 7
Eureka... 8
Gateway... 9
Oakview... 10
Riley... 11
St. Johns Middle School... 12
St. Johns High School... 13
Wrestling State Champs... 14
St. Johns Alternative School... 15
Riley students stuff pinecones with a carnivore CCRESA Career Connections... 16
diet for Arctic foxes during their Big Zoo Lesson. Calendar... 17
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001
Message from the Superintendent
St. Johns Public Schools are on a winning streak. Whether it’s our athletic teams, arts programs or academic extra-curriculars,
our young people are rising to the challenge time and time again.
By now, most readers know that the SJHS Wrestling Team captured the division 2 state championship. The first state
championship in any sport since 1926. As well, our swim team, Science Olympiad, Quiz Busters, Symphonic Band and
Orchestra and high school dance team have all experienced phenomenal success this season. These victories, whether in
sports, academics or the arts, remind me that success is rarely achieved as a singular unit. Success is most often obtained
through a collection of individuals doing what they do best for their team. No one can dispute that, while there may be
Superintendent exceptional performances on an individual level, the greatest achievements are made by teams of people.
Ken Ladouceur
PhD I think about these victories and the parallels to the district asking voters to approve the sale of bonds to support a high
school renovation. Our success in the upcoming election will be determined by the actions of people who support an
investment in our facilities. If we are successful on May 4, it will be because of the tremendous contributions of our parent
volunteers--many of whom have already invested countless hours in informing our citizens about the components of the
proposed high school renovations and the investments in technology throughout the district. It will be because these people
have come together as a team and executed a winning grass roots campaign.
If we are successful on May 4, it will be because the people who believe we must address the deficiencies in safety
throughout the district take the time to go to the polls and cast their vote. If we are successful on May 4, it will be because
voters recognize that our high school is, in many ways, the hub of our community. They will recognize that a vibrant school
district contributes exponentially to the vitality of the community, and can have a direct impact on the value of their property.
It’s true that everyone wants to be associated with a winner. Appealing school facilities attract young families, businesses,
and additional community investment. Let’s continue our winning streak by coming together as a team in support of a vital
community.
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 2
May 4th Bond Issue
How were the 2010 Bond projects chosen?
Many members of our community have been meeting since 2005 to develop a Strategic Plan for the district. Critical
educational and facility issues were identified, and a bond proposal reflecting planned improvements put before the voters
in May 2009. The voters did not approve this proposal. A follow-up survey solicited feedback from community members,
and school board members re-analyzed the Strategic Plan information. The most significant concerns identified by the community were the need to address
the high school and athletic facilities in the following areas: small and educationally-outdated classrooms, student safety and security, inefficient infrastructure
systems, overcrowding, and Title IX infractions regarding equal facilities for female and male students.
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 3
Advanced Placement
Spotlight on Technology
New and Improved Web Presence Technology Planning
We recently upgraded our website so it’s
The SJPS technology plan continues to identify the structural and financial issues
easier to navigate and more informative.
to upgrade our existing network, phone, and security systems. We are now also
Our domain name is now sjredwings.org,
placing significant emphasis on employing technology to enhance our everyday
reflecting our community pride while
classroom teaching and learning. We will pilot technologies to determine what
making our home on the Internet more
works best for our students and teachers.
easily recognizable and memorable.
We want our students to have the experiences they’ll need to compete in a high-
We recently added social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to our
tech market place. And we want them to have the advantages that come with
communications channels because of requests from our community. We
online interaction with their teachers and peers.
also want to offer email subscriptions in the near future so that visitors
can receive the information streams that Devices and Infrastructure
they most care about. The speed of innovation and obsolescence always makes this difficult to nail
An improved web design never ends, down. The devices we use to interact with information are constantly changing.
always applying new technologies and Computer systems put in place only a few years ago show their age quickly. We
adding new content. We continue to strive aim to focus on inexpensive options for both hardware and software.
to make our presence on the Internet a We know that a lot of our work is moving online, and much of what we can do has
great place to interact, share information, and discover everything that little or no cost. St. Johns began integrating Google Apps for word processing,
make our St. Johns schools and community a great place to be our presentation and email into our system this year, and we expect more of these
home.
Security products to become available. These work environments demand a high-speed
Security is a major issue for every public school district. We want to connection.
increase our camera coverage and allow our entire school system to Expectations for user devices change as well. We expect students and staff
have the kind of security our times demand. We plan on using as much to be interacting with information on handheld devices and low-cost units like
of our existing equipment as possible to achieve a great impact for net-books. We plan for these devices to become a normal part of class without
minimal cost. teachers and students constantly competing for resources.
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 4
Spotlight on Technology
Wireless Research shows wireless access is integral to education, Audio/Video Presentation There are so many
so we must plan for wireless everywhere in all our facilities. But wireless goes great digital lesson materials already available to our teachers, but not
beyond infrastructure. Our tech committee is now discussing the policies and every classroom is equipped to deliver them. We continue to equip our
philosophies needed to connect our students safely. classrooms to meet today’s teaching and learning, including inexpensively
retrofitting classrooms. New listening stations, document cameras and
projectors make it easier for teachers to reach each student’s learning
Student Information Mentoring level and best learning style. Investing now to upgrade kid-friendly
Student Information Mentoring enables students to become discriminating devices in every classroom will enable us to deliver inexpensive content
information users, while helping their peers make effective use of every as we move forward.
information resource available. The entire school community benefits when
students become the source of good information seeking strategies. Meet Information Director
It’s an ideal course for students interested in Information as a profession Dan Davenport
and an excellent precursor to university level research. The course is largely As SJPS Information Director, Dan Davenport is responsible
modeled after peer information undergraduate counseling courses. for leading the Technology Plan, library system and district
The course is being piloted with two students led by SJPS Information communications. Dan’s previous experience includes positions
Director Dan Davenport. Each student completes two in-depth personalized with high school, public and university academic libraries.
research projects through hands-on use of various information and His education includes a Wayne State library fellowship and a Masters in
communication tools. Information Science along with his English B.A. and secondary teaching
To date, Dave Goodknecht has completed a series of short films highlighting certification.
the classes in our high school to assist students and their parents when Dan confides “I came to St. Johns Public Schools because of the community.
selecting courses. Bug Richardson has surveyed students and staff to Here’s a community that cares about family, values work ethic, and desires
gather feedback about a future information center. Her thorough analysis the best for their kids. I could have happily stayed in my previous job, but
is available online at http://sjredwings.info. I believe our district and community can become the model for a great
place to live and learn in Michigan.”
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 5
SJPS Foundation of Excellence
Grandma Janet Mary and Craig Pennington, Local Author
and Illustrator, Share Special Message
Because of the financial support from our school district’s Foundation Without your financial support of our district’s Foundation, the author/
of Excellence and its donors, authors and illustrators have been able illustrator program would not be possible. And our students would
to share their passion and knowledge with our students. Award- not be privileged to discover rich and rewarding experiences from
winning author Grandma Janet Mary Sinke and illustrator Craig fine authors and illustrators such as Grandma Janet Mary and Craig
Pennington are no exception. Pennington.
They visited our elementary schools to not only share their craft, but Grandma Janet Mary Sinke, a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s
also a special message of caring, compassion, and acceptance of one Choice award, was inspired by her five children and 14 grandchildren
another. This message is beautifully written and illustrated in their when creating her five children’s books and one inspirational book.
book Priscilla McDoodleNutDoodleMcMae Asks Why?. She and her husband Mike live in St. Johns.
Be good to your neighbor. Mr. Pennington is a graduate of Kendall School of Art and Design,
Show others you care. with the Society of Illustrators’ Wahlberg Award among his national
Speak kindly. awards. He resides in Williamston with his wife Natalie and three
Rejoice with all colors of hair. sons.
Make peace as you journey
So all understand
That life is more fun
Without lines in the sand.
A year later when third-graders were asked what they recalled from
the visit, the entire class recited the message in unison. The impact
can last a lifetime.
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 6
East Olive Elementary School
Historical Figures Come to Life
Students and staff at East Olive recently spent time learning about famous people in
history by touring the “Living Museum” presented by our fourth-grade students. Helen
Keller, Betsy Ross, Francis Scott Key, Lucille Ball and Davey Crockett were among the
historical characters sharing important facts and information about themselves.
Each student in Ms. Foreback’s fourth-grade class chose a person to research. Using the
information gained through their research, each student created a written report, oral
presentation and a visual presentation. Students dressed in character and were stationed
throughout East Olive to share facts about “themselves” with other students, staff
members and families.
The Living Museum was a great learning opportunity for all!
Important dates
March is Reading Month
April 13-14: Parent-Teacher Conferences
May 12: Music program “A World of Music”
June 7: Field Day
June 8: Fifth-grade Graduation
Andrew Menard
Living Museum class photo as Ulysses S. Grant
Government Visitors
“Once Upon a Time” … Again
Our fourth-graders had two special guests to enhance
The Gateway fifth-graders have been practicing after school several days
our Civics unit’s instruction about the three branches of
a week since early January to perform The Glass Slipper, a re-telling of
government. Clinton County Circuit Court Judge Randy
Cinderella. Students are participating through acting roles on stage, in the
Tahvonen discussed the judicial system, while Mayor
lighting and sound technical crew, creating the set, and in hair and makeup
Dana Beaman focused on his executive role in our City
preparation.
government. Students asked follow-up questions at the
We’re excited about performing this play, and invite you to experience it
conclusion of each presentation.
with us. There’s three performances -- March 16th at 10am, March 17th at
We appreciate Judge Tahvonen’s and Mayor Beaman’s
2:30pm, and March 18th at 7pm.
sharing of their expertise and experience.
Important dates
March is Reading Month
April 13-14: Parent-Teacher Conferences
April 20: Music program for grades 3, 4 & 5
May 4: Music program for grades K, 1 & 2
June 9, 2pm: Fifth-grade graduation
Oakview students Baylie Dush and
June 9: Last day of school
Abby Koneval with their art
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 1400 S Clinton Ave • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4500 10
Riley Elementary School
The Big Zoo Lesson
For the fourth consecutive year, Mrs. Montville’s and Mrs. Kirsch’s fifth-graders at Riley
Elementary have participated in the Big Zoo Lesson at Potter Park Zoo. This is definitely not
your average trip to the zoo.
Potter Park Zoo becomes the classroom for a week-long, in-depth study of biological sciences.
Students are immersed in their learning from all angles. Talking with wildlife experts, observing
animal behaviors, and taking part in creating animal enrichments are just a few highlights from
the Big Zoo Lesson. This experience impacts the students for a lifetime, giving them a new
appreciation for nature and our role in the conservation and preservation of living organisms.
The Big Zoo Lesson is not cheap, putting its future in jeopardy. This year, however, we were
fortunate and eternally grateful to have AT&T sponsor the trip for us.
Riley Buddies
Students go to school to learn, but often they end up teaching as well. In fact, a widely accepted education
model say a person’s highest level of learning occurs when she or he takes the teacher role. At Riley, students
are given opportunities to teach and connect across different grade levels through our Buddy program.
Every child has a Buddy. Buddy activities range from arts and crafts, computer lab assignments, sharing
written work, and reading favorite stories together. The older Buddies enjoy having someone younger to look
after, and the younger children benefit from the mentoring that naturally occurs from this time spent together.
Students get excited when they pass their Buddy in the hall, in the cafeteria, or waiting for the bus. Lasting
friendships have developed throughout the years; some Buddy pairs exchange Christmas cards and send
Valentines to each other.
As human beings we take comfort in seeing a familiar face, so this opportunity enhances the feelings of a safe
and warm learning community within our Riley building.
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 5935 W. Pratt Road • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-5100 11
St. Johns Middle School
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 900 W Townsend Rd• St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4300 12
St. Johns High School
A Woodworker’s Creed
As the hours pass by This need to create,
And the sawdust clears Just one more cut,
From out of a plank For the hour is late.
A piece of furniture appears. Father, thank you for the blessings
As I stand back amazed And the talents you gave
Wasn’t sure if I could. And for keeping me safe
It was my two hands As I play with blades.
That breathed life into wood. - Author unknown
This drive, this desire
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 16
District Calendar
April May
2 Good Friday – No School 4 Oakview Music programs for grades K, 1 & 2
5-9 Spring Break – No School 6 Riley Music programs for grades 3 & 4
13,14 East Olive and Oakview parent-teacher conferences 12 East Olive “A World of Music” musical program
14-15 Gateway and Riley parent-teacher conferences – No School (elementary schools only)
15-16 Middle School, High School & 28 Professional development day for staff -- No School
www.stjohns.edzone.net • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 17