St.

Johns Spotlight
Learning Today ... Leading Tomorrow

March 2011

Inside the Spotlight

Wrestling State Champions... 2

Superintendent’s Message... 3
Mother’s Day Prelude... 4
Foundation of Excellence... 5
Construction News... 6,7
East Olive... 8,9
Eureka... 10
Gateway... 11
Oakview... 12,13
Riley... 14
St. Johns Middle School... 15
St. Johns High School... 16,17
CCRESA Career Connections... 18
Calendar... 19

Theatre Competition

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001
 State Wrestling Champions
Congratulations State Wrestling Champions … Again!

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 2
 Superintendent’s Message

St Johns Public Schools continues on with an inspiring legacy of excellence. It has been a long winter this year but it was hot in the gymnasiums,
auditoriums and swimming pools of mid-Michigan. Our athletes and performers have done us proud once again. The strength of the Redwing tradition
lives on with more state and district champions to mark this school year once again. We go into the Spring athletic season and academic competitions
with the same energy that has carried us through this winter. Our students continue to move the bar higher in all respects.
Complementing all of this student activity, our community and staff have worked hard this year with the planning process for our high school
renovation. There are endless meetings, reports and evaluations that must occur before the first shovel can go into the ground. Yes, there is a middle
school roof component and we will never downplay the quality of life expected with our rural elementary parking areas, but the excitement over
the high school renovation eclipses all else. It is unfortunate that so much preparation has to go into a major project like this as everyone wants to
see the project underway. Phase One demolition and site preparation starts on July 1.
There has also been a lot of not-easily-visible work going on inside and underground
with cabling and technology.
This renovation will also add a new competition gymnasium to house tomorrow’s
Redwings and also provide a new competition swimming pool. The academic wing
will contain seven new science labs with state of the art technology throughout every
classroom. This same technology will be installed in every other classroom in St Johns
schools as early as this summer.
The St Johns community has placed their confidence in us to build an excellent facility
for their children. We are good stewards of public money and we are well on our way
to doing it right.
It has been a great school year so far. I look forward to another strong ending as we
now move into those long, beautiful Michigan spring days.
Oakview students and staff were recently treated to the Five
Go Redwings!
Gold Stars legendary lunch service of Superintendent Ken
Dr. Ken Ladouceur
Ladouceur and Oakview’s principal Kerry Kelly.

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 3

{Reprinted from various Internet sites, source unknown}
Answers given by 2nd-graders to questions
about their moms:
What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be
pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before
she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get
drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and
YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats
a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.
www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001
Mother’s Day Prelude
What’s the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
2. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power
‘cause that’s who you got to ask for a sleep-over.
3. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don’t do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of
plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I’d diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom,
what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get
rid of that.
2. I’d make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister
who did it, not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back
of her head.
4
 Foundation for Excellence
Logo Contest Winner
Nicole Fransted, a St. Johns High School sophomore, is the winner
of our logo contest celebrating the Foundation’s 25th anniversary.
Nicole received a $100 gift certificate for art supplies, courtesy of
Eclipse Healthcare Consulting, Inc. of St. Johns.
The decision was based on creativity, readability, the ease of
reproducing it digitally and the interpretation of the Foundation’s
“above and beyond” philosophy. You’ll soon see Nicole’s winning
logo on future Foundation publications and on the Excellence T-shirts
awarded in the spring.

Spring is also the time for our Foundation’s annual Visiting Author Program,
supported with donations from people throughout our St. Johns school district.
Look for announcements soon about this year’s program.
To encourage more proposals for excellence in learning, the Foundation is
working on a short movie to talk about the grant process, too. Visit http://
sjsffe.org for more details or to contribute to the work of the group.

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 5
 Construction News

Eureka, Riley and East Olive Elementary Schools

Design is being completed for new parking lots at these three elementary schools. Each of the new parking lots will provide
parking spaces for staff and visitors and new, brighter parking lot lighting. Both East Olive and Riley will have a new separate
bus drop-off for added safety and improved traffic flow. Construction at all three schools is expected to be completed before
teachers report back to work in August 2011.

St. Johns Middle School

Design is being completed for the remodeling -- replacing flooring in the Auditorium/Cafeteria, converting an existing computer
lab into the district-wide technology hub and technology staff offices, and re-roofing the entire shingled portion of the building.
Construction is expected to be completed before teachers report back to work in August 2011.

St. Johns High School

The exterior design of the high school is ready, while interior design work continues with guidance from a teacher/staff
committee to select finishes, color placement, and patterns.
All room locations, final layouts, and fixed equipment are set, based on space review meetings held with high school staff during
November.
The classroom wing addition is well into final design, and will go to the State Review agencies to expedite the permitting
process. Drawings for the remainder of the building will be finished in late June. The entire project will be bid sometime during
the summer. Demolition work for the classroom wing should begin sometime this summer or early fall.

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 6
 Construction News

Site plans for Riley and East Olive

Elementary Schools show changes to
improve traffic flow and safety.

www.sjredwings.org • 2583 E. Green Rd • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4800 7

 East Olive Elementary School
W.I.S.E. Production
East Olive staff members are continuing to work together
to build a consistent, positive behavior plan to emphasize
a safe and happy learning environment for all. As part of
this process the staff and students were actors/actresses
in a video to teach the difference between appropriate and
inappropriate behavior expected here at East Olive. This
video will assist in reinforcing and reteaching expected
behaviors. Filming of the video was done by SJHS students
who attend the CCRESA digital/media program housed at
Ovid Elsie Schools.

Singers of United Lands Visit East Olive

Our students were treated to a variety of music when S.O.U.L. visited
East Olive on February 4. This group is comprised of four singers, each
representing a different continent. The singers are carefully selected prior
to touring the United States for six months, with new singers chosen every
year. This year’s singers were Paddy from Australia, Sergio from Columbia,
Kayla from Canada and Lulu from Zambia. Students learned a little about
each singer’s culture and home country as well as their music. The singers
commented on how welcoming everyone had been so far. One of the singers
commented that “Michigan has really set the bar high for the rest of the
country!”

www.sjredwings.org • 2583 E. Green Rd • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4800 8

 East Olive Elementary School

The Big Zoo Lesson

Recently, East Olive’s fourth-
and fifth-grade classes had the
opportunity to go to “school” for
a week at the zoo! The Big Zoo
Lesson takes place at the Potter
Park Zoo. Throughout the week
our students received lessons
by the zookeeper, educational
curator and docents, along with
a question and answer session
with the zoo’s veterinarian.
Students observed “their”
animal for an hour each day,
took notes, sketched animal
behaviors and habitats, and
participated in enrichment
activities for the spider monkeys
and the meerkats. Students
and teachers kept an updated
blog to share the experience with others. The week culminates with each student giving a “docent” lesson on their animal for peers and
parents. It was a very busy, informative and fun week!

www.sjredwings.org • 2583 E. Green Rd • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4800 9

 Eureka Elementary School

Much to do at Eureka in March

• Eureka’s students, their families and our staff enjoyed our annual Eureka School Carnival Friday, March 10th with games,
food and fun filling our Eureka building.
• Special guest author Mrs. Peggy House visits Eureka Thursday morning March 17th to present her book Junk Food
Gordon.
• The Eureka PTO meets Thursday March 17 at 6:30pm.
• Eureka students are rewarded for their good citizenship during the inaugural STAR Celebration Thursday morning,
March 24th.
• Our Spring Music Program for kindergarten, first- and second-graders is Monday, March 28th at 7:00pm. Mrs. Cravotta
reports “the students have been practicing with great enthusiasm!”
• In conjunction with the Spring Music Progam, visit Eureka’s annual Spring Book Fair during March 28th-31st in our
Eureka library, many of which could be very useful on any Spring Break car trips.
• We thank our Eureka PTO for sponsoring the Impressions 5 Science Museum’s two assemblies Thursday March 31st in
the morning. One assembly is for grades K-2, and the other is for grades 3-5.
• January’s Eureka Rocket Trophy winner was Mrs. Keck’s fourth-grade class, while Miss Shaver and Mr. Ferden’s third-
graders were February’s winners.
• Don’t forget Spring break is the week April 4th-8th, with school resuming Monday April 11th.

www.sjredwings.org • 7550 N. Welling Rd • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4900 10

 Gateway Elementary School
Top Chef Awaits Reading Pirates
There’s always a waiting list of Gateway fourth- and fifth-graders Gateway adopted a Pirate theme to promote March as Reading Month.
who want to participate in an after-school cooking class conducted Students are encouraged to sail into a good book and complete
each Fall and Spring at Gateway by a group from the First Church different reading activities with pirate gear incentives. They can earn
of God. The coordinator, Ms. Sharon Chutes, presents the recipe larger prizes by collecting “gold doubloons” each week. (Sounds
to the students and then the students get cooking with the better than the “gold stars” we used to earn in school!)
assistance of volunteers from the church. It’s obvious our students
appreciate learning this practical experience in the kitchen.

Spelling Ace
Congratulations to Allie Otberg for her spelling prowess! Allie
finished 8th in the state-wide Knights of Columbus spelling
bee.

www.sjredwings.org • 915 N. Lansing St • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4600 11

 Oakview Elementary School
Oakview students contribute Hands-on Science Experiences
to Empty Plate Dinner Three new science units implemented to our second-graders are deepening their abilities
Oakview fourth- and fifth-graders have designed to explore and question as scientists. Their hands-on science experiences enable them
and created their own dinner plates to auction to question their thinking and discover answers to many questions. And what do our
off at the Empty Plate Dinner on April 26th, 5:30- second-graders say about this?
8:00pm at the Kellogg Center. All proceeds from • “I like it because we get to do different experiments!”
this special event benefit the Greater Lansing • “Science is my favorite part of the day!”
Food Bank. • “Science is sweet because we get to make things like goo!”
Please check our Facebook page for pictures of
some of the amazing creations by our students!

Daughters and Dads (and uncles and grandpas) Dance

Our PTO hosted a dance for Oakview’s girls Saturday, February 5. The girls dressed in
their finest, and the dads, uncles, grandpas and family friends came in suits. One of the
fathers wore a family kilt! In addition to dancing, there were games, face painting, and
a limbo bar.

www.sjredwings.org • 1400 S Clinton Ave • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4500 12

Square One Art
Mrs. DenHerder has been working very hard
for the past several weeks with our students
as they created their Square One Art projects.
A fundraiser for our Oakview PTO, Square One
Art celebrates students’ creativity with hand-
crafted designs on pillows, luggage tags, plates,
coffee mugs and many other products.
www.sjredwings.org • 1400 S Clinton Ave • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4500
Oakview Elementary School
Faces of Friendship Quilt
The “Faces of Friendship Quilt” designed by Oakview fifth-graders will be on display at
Briggs Public Library during the month of March for the Japanese Art Show. Then, the quilt
travels to our friendship city, Konan, in Shiga, Japan. Fifth-grade artists also created self-
portraits to communicate friendship through the universal language of art.
Capitol Area Humane Society thanks you
Instead of a holiday party and gift exchange, Oakview fifth-graders chose to raise money
for the animals at the Capital Area Humane Society. They raised over $600, more than any
other school or youth group! Staff at CAHS were so impressed that
they created a special plaque honoring our fifth-graders, which will be
presented at an upcoming school board meeting.
Project DARE
Fifth grade students “graduated” from DARE on February 25th.
Special thanks are extended to Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy Sharon
Worthington for spending so many Fridays with us, and teaching
students how to say no to drugs, tobacco and alcohol.
Oakview K-2 students Spring Musical
Tuesday, March 29th
Kindergarten Registration
Tuesday, May 3 at Oakview (must be five years old on or before
December 1, 2011)
13
 Riley Elementary School

“ March is Reading Month is great

because reading is good for your
brain. - Sophia, Riley student
Have you filled a bucket today?
Students at Riley were entertained with visuals, heart-

”
warming stories and sing-a-longs about bucket filling. The
assembly reinforced the book that Ms. Dawes reads every
fall with students, and encourages them to take PRIDE at
Riley.

“
I learned that if you fill
somebody’s bucket, then
you have filled your bucket also.
- Ashley, Riley Student

”
Our goal is to have our students treat each other with
respect and leave Riley each day with full buckets.

Read the Rainbow

Our Riley students experience a rainbow of activities during March is
Reading month.
• Guest Readers • Teacher Swap Day
• Trivia Day • Mystery Reader Trivia
• Book Exchange • Wear your team colors
• Studying different genres weekly in reading and writing

www.sjredwings.org • 5935 W. Pratt Road • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-5100 14
 St. Johns Middle School
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
But there’s no place like St. Johns Middle School this
Spring with our feature musical The Wizard of Oz! Be
sure to attend at least one of the three performances
-- Friday and Saturday evenings April 29th and 30th at
7:00pm or Sunday afternoon May 1st at 2:00pm, all at
our Middle School.

S2 Program Receives
a New Twist
The S2 (Student Success) program continues with a
new twist -- parents/guardians receive phone calls
and e-mails (via an automated notification system)
each night to communicate if their child has a missing
assignment that needs to be completed for various
classes.
Student Success is designed to motivate student
to complete assignments on time, and to work on
St. Johns Junior Aquatic Club
assignments after school with a volunteer teacher if
Our Middle School swimming and diving club – the St. Johns Junior Aquatic
needed. The program meets immediately after school
Club -- finished a strong season this year. Our girls team were champs at
from 2:45 to 3:30 every day Monday through Friday.
the CAAC conference meet, while our boys team took fourth.
Mile Madness
The physical education staff will be hosting the second
annual St. Johns Middle School Mile Madness in May.

www.sjredwings.org • 900 W Townsend Rd• St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4300 15
 St. Johns High School

Redwings Star in Competitive Theatre

Every year nearly 70 Redwing Dramatists compete in the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association’s high school Theatre competition.
St. Johns has a long history of excellence in this event -- participating since the organization was formed almost 40 years ago, and
earning TEN separate state championships.
This year’s entry, All Shook Up, was well received on every level of competition to continue our reign of success. The students earned a
regional championship, qualifying them
to compete at the state competition
at the Pankow Center in L’Anse Creuse
where our team of dramatists finished
fourth.
“I can always count on St. Johns students
to work hard in attempting to achieve
any goal they choose to make,” stated
co-director Ashley Bowen. “This is a very
difficult competition but our kids always
rise to meet any challenge.”
Andrea Makarauskas and Ashley
Bowen directed our St. Johns team’s
production.
We are always proud of our Theatre
team and how they represent our St.
Johns community.

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4100 16

 St. Johns High School

Science Olympiad Prepares For Regionals

The St. Johns Science Olympiad team has been fierce in their efforts since
November, preparing for the Regional Tournament Saturday, March 19th at
LCC. The team competes in 23 events representing almost every field of
science, from Chemistry and Biology to Engineering and Robotics. Having
taken 1st-place at Regionals in 2010, the team is hoping for a repeat this year.
No matter what, the students always walk away from the season with a firm
understanding of the fields they explore.

Seniors Pierce O’Connell and Niki

Shaw devise the best plan for
modifications to the Mousetrap
Vehicle, which must push an
Juniors Tyler Curtis and Scott Wilson compare their previous Tower object a distance, stop, and come
design to the new, lighter design. The Towers must hold a lot, but back, while only being powered
for competition, the lighter they are, the better! by a mousetrap.

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4100 17

 Teacher Career Opportunities
Via CCRESA Career Connections
Juniors and seniors at St. Johns High School who are interested in becoming
a teacher have a hands-on opportunity to explore the profession in-depth
by taking the CCRESA Career Connections Teacher Prep class. This class
is actually comprised of three Lansing Community College courses.
Students are able to learn about teaching and the educational system while
gaining specific skills needed to become a successful teacher. Students
first learn how to develop, write and teach effective lessons, how to
manage a classroom, how to facilitate student growth and development,
and much more. Then, they use their new knowledge and skills via a
semester-long practicum three mornings weekly in a local elementary or
middle school classroom.
In their practicum classrooms, students observe effective teaching
techniques, tutor students, grade papers, take attendance, prepare for
lessons and activities, create bulletin boards, and help with the many other
tasks that teachers perform on a daily basis. Eventually, each student has
the opportunity to write and teach their own lesson to their practicum
class! This practicum experience enables students to experience firsthand
both the rewards and the challenges of the teaching profession.
Additionally, this course gives students the opportunity to earn seven The Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency
Lansing Community College credits (which are often transferable to other (CCRESA) Career Education Department provides career
institutions) and the chance to meet people from many other schools with focused education programs. For more information, please
similar interests and goals. Students have fun while learning about the contact your high school counselor, visit CCRESA’s website at
profession and forming life-long relationships with classmates, practicum www.ccresa.org, or call the Career Connections department
students, and their host teachers. at 989-224-6831.

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4100 18

 District Calendar
Follow the Yellow Brick Road Conference Week
But there’s no place like St. Johns Middle School this Spring Week beginning Monday, April 18th. Contact your child’s school for
with our feature musical The Wizard of Oz! Be sure to attend exact conference times
at least one of the three performances -- Friday and Saturday Friday, April 22nd, all day: NO school for ALL students due to
evenings April 29th and 30th at 7:00pm or Sunday afternoon conferences.
May 1st at 2:00pm, all at our Middle School.
Long Memorial Day Weekend
Thursday, May 26th: Scoring day, NO school for ELEMENTARY
Kindergarten Round Up
school students ONLY
Children who will be 5 years old on or by December 1, 2011 are
Friday, May 27th: Professional development, NO school for ALL
eligible to attend school this coming Fall.
students
Call Mrs. Metzmaker at 989.227.4802 to schedule an
Monday, May 30th: Memorial Day, NO school for ALL students and
appointment.
ALL staff
Registration days for each school are as follows:
• East Olive Elementary April 18
End of School Year
• Gateway Elementary April 28 Tuesday, June 7th and Wednesday, June 8th: High school exams,
• Oakview Elementary May 3 high school students released at 12:10 both days
• Eureka Elementary May 9 Tuesday, June 7th: LAST day for elementary school and middle
• Riley Elementary May 10 school students
St. Johns Public Schools
Spring Break District Office
501 W. Sickels Street
Monday, April 4th – Friday, April 8th
St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 227-4001
Fax: (989) 227-4099

www.sjredwings.org • 501 W. Sickels • PO Box 230 • St. Johns, Michigan 48879 • (989) 227-4001 19