Starr News Summer 2012

S U M M E R

STARR

2012 I V O L U M E 69 N O

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STARR COMMONWEALTH

RESIDENTIAL

Inside:

Starr Detroit Academy Bullying and Cyberbullying Battle Creek Educational Programs

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COMMUNITY-BASED

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We Think The World of Kids

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PROFESSIONAL

TRAININGS

STARR I MPACTI NG

Bullying and Cyberbullying See Page 12

1.3 MI LL I O N CHI LDREN A ND FA MI L I ES WO RL DWI DE

CREATE

POSITIVE

ENVIRONMENTS

WHERE

CHILDREN

FLOURISH

Contents

Starr Detroit Academy See Page 4

Starr News Summer, 2012 Volume 69, No. 3 Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families & Children.

Starr Commonwealth is a non-profit organization serving children and families regardless of race, religion, color, or national origin. Founded in 1913, Starr is licensed by the states of Michigan and Ohio and serves children and families from locations in Albion, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Clinton Township, MI.; Van Wert, and Columbus, OH; and Lennox, S.D. The Albion campus is a Michigan Historic Site. Starr Commonwealth receives funds from social agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Kyle Caldwell, Chairman of the Board; Martin L. Mitchell, Ed. D., President and Chief Executive Officer; Christopher L. Smith, B.B.A., C.P.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer; Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy & Administrative Services Officer; Gary Q. Tester, MRC, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 800.837.5591 info@starr.org

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President’s Message

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Starr Detroit Academy

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Chaplain’s Message

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Montcalm School

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Commonwealthalia

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TLC Focus: Bullying

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Reclaiming Youth International

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Starr Battle Creek

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Founder’s Day Schedule

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Honor/Memorial Gifts

The theme of this Starr News is dedicated to one of the most important topics affecting our world today – education.

Education is a critical component to the programs at Starr Commonwealth, as we offer a vast array of services devoted to helping children reach their potential, both in and out of the classroom.

At Starr Battle Creek, community-based programs like the Suspension Center and Credit Recovery and Enhancement assist students with catching up on school work or getting ahead. Starr also features Montcalm School, a private therapeutic boarding school for boys and girls on the Albion campus. For boys, ages 12-21, and girls, ages 12-18, Montcalm School offers a strength-based treatment and educational model aimed at focusing on each student’s strengths and abilities.

One of the most exciting new endeavors at Starr is Starr Detroit Academy, an open-admissions charter school located in Harper Woods for K-5 children scheduled to start school this fall.

Using the model of positive youth development essential to Starr’s programs, Starr Detroit Academy will feature a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that will make attending college a priority for children and families in the underserved, metropolitan area of Detroit.

But Starr is about so much more than helping children receive better grades and test scores. Our programs emphasize education outside of the classroom as well, including the acquisition of day-to-day living skills. Through the transitional living aspect of our programs, youth learn to be self-sufficient while becoming productive at school or work and in their communities, giving them the necessary skills to take the next step in their lives.

Often, youth come to our programs having experienced trauma, abuse, neglect or learning difficulties, resulting in a lack of success in school or at home. All of our programs strive to meet the educational and developmental needs of youth through services that help them acquire essential skills and build self-confidence.

At Starr, we truly believe that each child, if given the opportunity, can find their kernel of genius.

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D., President/ CEO

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STARR DETROIT ACADEMY

Unfortunately, Detroit is home to some of the lowest performing schools in the United States.

The high school graduation rate for Detroit Public Schools has hovered around 60 percent for quite some time.

And although it has risen slightly in recent years, it is still well below the national average of 72 percent, according to Education Week, a publication dedicated to reporting on issues related to education in America.

At Starr Commonwealth, we believe every child should have access to a quality education. To make that goal a reality, Starr has embarked on a new endeavor near the eastside of Detroit.

Starr Detroit Academy, an open-admissions charter school located in Harper Woods, will offer educational services to K-5 students. Currently, there are nearly 600 children enrolled who will begin classes this fall.

After a highly selective process, Starr Commonwealth received approval in September 2011 for charter school authorization from Central Michigan University. The academy’s daily operations are overseen by a management company, Starr Commonwealth Educational Services.

Starr Detroit Academy is made possible in part by the legacy of Children’s Home of Detroit, which ended its services in 2008. Starr Commonwealth, as successor to the property owned by the 172-year-old organization, pledged to reinvest CHD resources into services for youth in the metropolitan area by establishing a committee called Vision Detroit. Larry Givens, Chair of the Vision Detroit Committee and a Starr Commonwealth board member, is dedicated to creating a culture of success, thus changing the perception of schools in Detroit.

“Detroit is an area with many underserved and at-risk youth,” Givens said. “By making college and academic achievement a priority for children and families early on, the likelihood of our youth succeeding throughout their lives is exponentially greater.”

The mission of Starr Detroit Academy is to prepare students for academic mastery, college, work and life.

To achieve this task, each child will develop a strong character, self-confidence and a deep awareness of their own strengths, interests and abilities. Building a strong foundation in the core subjects through a college preparatory curriculum will also provide students with the skills needed to continue their education with the goal of consistently improving.

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Below is an artist rendering of what the academy building will look like once renovations are complete.

Using the strength-based model of positive youth development pioneered by Starr Commonwealth, the academy will provide individualized instruction aimed at meeting students at their achievement level.

This program, Response to Intervention, offers teacher-led, small-group interventions that keep students engaged and on track with the idea of meeting grade level standards and closing the achievement gap.

Partnering with the academy to assist children in reaching their academic potential, the Efficacy Institute has been dedicated to the mission of getting students to perform at or beyond their grade level for over 25 years. The Efficacy Institute – which has partnered with Starr Commonwealth for the past two years – emphasizes the ability of all individuals to achieve success in school, work and life.

Using data-driven protocols to measure academic success, the Efficacy Institute’s methods of data analysis will allow the academy to accurately gauge each student’s readiness to take the next steps academically. continued on next page

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Starr Detroit Academy continued

“These kids need as much time at school as possible,” said Jim Hall, President of the Starr Detroit Academy School Board. “Using strength-based practices and the Efficacy Institute’s data analysis system, as well as other tools, we are positioned to offer our students access to first-class academic and extracurricular programs.”

But high-level student achievement is impossible without a devoted staff. Starr Detroit Academy will feature professional development opportunities regularly, which will allow the team to be informed on best practices and leading-edge curriculum standards, keeping Starr Detroit Academy ahead of the curve.

Some additional features of the academy are free transportation, an extended school day – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – a full athletic program, a Mandarin Chinese program, an unyielding focus on partnering with parents to ensure their child’s success, and many more aspects intended to help the children of Detroit reach their full potential.

“For Starr Detroit Academy and our students to flourish, we need everyone involved to have an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Jim Pelt, Chair of the Starr Commonwealth Educational Services Board. “All of our staff members will be held accountable, and we will hold our students to that same standard.

“Starr Detroit Academy is just the beginning for these children. Our program can start equipping kids with the skills they will need to succeed for the rest of their lives.”

Starr Detroit Academy is located at 19360 Harper Ave., in Harper Woods, Michigan.

For more information on Starr Detroit Academy, visit www.starracademy.org.

For more information on the Efficacy Institute, visit www.efficacy.org.

ALUMNI SURVEY Starr Commonwealth and Montcalm School are conducting an alumni survey!

If you are a Starr or Montcalm alumni and have not received the survey by mail, please share your experiences with us online.

To complete the survey, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/Starr_Alumni_Survey

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The word “education” is derived from the Latin word “educare,” which means “to bring up, to rear, or to train.” So, education is the process of training and developing knowledge, skill, mind and character in a person. Or as we would say when I was growing up, “schooling.”

He consistently sought ways to educate his youth so that they would be better prepared to handle the challenges of life.

He did this through the employment of skilled teachers and staff and through hosting people of achievement on campus to speak to the youth. He taught the value of work, and respect for one’s neighbor and one’s country. “Uncle” Floyd believed in adequate exercise and proper nutrition, the power of learning to appreciate nature and the good earth, and spiritual guidance.

In a society that appears to be changing at the speed of light, education remains at the heart of much of what we do here at Starr, whether at our residential sites or in the communities in which many of our young people live.

Chaplain Ken Ponds

CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE

While the word “education” is not mentioned directly in Starr Commonwealth’s Creed, which was composed by Floyd Starr nearly 100 years ago as the foundation of Starr Commonwealth’s efforts on behalf of children and their families, education is implied throughout. Floyd Starr understood the value of education, not only in “book learning,” but also in “life learning” and in “spiritual learning.”

Starr will always seek ways to educate and better prepare our youth to succeed in a world that desperately needs people with quality “book learning,” “life learning” and “spiritual learning.” That’s the power of education.

The Starr Commonwealth Creed In 1913, the Creed of Starr Commonwealth was born. Today, we continue to take to heart what Floyd Starr so compassionately penned that day as his core belief and the foundation of our organization, "there is no such thing as a bad boy." We have since updated that statement to read, "there is no such thing as a bad child," to reflect the care of girls as well as boys.

The values we seek to nurture and live by are:

honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility and fairness.

These values guide us and allow us to continue to build on Starr's strength-based treatment philosophy and provide hope for today's children and families.

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MONTCALM SCHOOL

The journey from adolescence to adulthood is challenging for many. But for some, this already difficult time of transition is filled with the frustration and anguish of struggling socially, emotionally and academically.

Montcalm School for Boys and Girls is a residential, therapeutic boarding school on Starr Commonwealth’s Albion campus that helps youth overcome these issues and build self-confidence. For boys, ages 12-21, and girls, ages 12-18, Montcalm provides a culture of acceptance and understanding by promoting the good in every child through its strength-based treatment approach.

Although many students come to Montcalm with a history of poor academic performance, one of the goals of treatment is to restore each student’s confidence in the classroom.

“Most of the students coming to Montcalm have had a negative educational experience,” said Patti Hiatt, the Dean of Students. “We work with each student to help raise their confidence and enhance their skill sets in the classroom.”

Youth are assessed at the beginning of treatment and throughout their stay at Montcalm to measure academic gains. The school uses the Woodcock Johnson III, a renowned achievement test that identifies youth’s academic ability levels.

“The Woodcock Johnson test allows us to assess the level at which the student is functioning in math, reading and writing,” Hiatt said. “It really helps us determine what direction to take. When the student is leaving the program, we re-administer the test and measure his or her gains.”

At Montcalm, students show two to four years of growth in each assessed academic area on average.

“During my time at Montcalm, I changed the way I saw the world,” said Kurt Tech, a Montcalm alumnus.

“I went in with low self-esteem and an overall sense of anxiety toward everything in my life. Soon after I got there, I began focusing on my education, and now I am a college graduate.”

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According to Hiatt, students need to buy into the Montcalm program to incur lasting change. Most of the time, she said, students realize there are many aspects that provide for a unique and beneficial student experience.

All of Montcalm’s teachers are licensed by the Michigan Department of Education. Because teachers are viewed as important members of the treatment team, they are always up to date on their students’ progress.

Small class sizes – 10 to 12 students per class on average – and individualized instruction help challenge students while providing one-on-one education tailored to each student. Every classroom has one teacher and a teacher’s assistant who educate youth in all core subject areas.

Students with different learning styles are assisted through the use of technology like SMART interactive white boards, AlphaSmart keyboards and a computer lab.

For youth of all ability levels, Montcalm offers a broad range of courses from basic to college preparatory classes.

Students also have the opportunity to retrieve lost credits and catch up through credit recovery.

Youth will also have access to ACT and SAT preparatory classes and can take these tests at area high schools or colleges.

College-bound students can take advantage of Montcalm’s relationship with Kellogg Community College – located across the street – and receive college credits while experiencing life as a college student.

“For students who are ready therapeutically, KCC gives them a chance at dual enrollment, which allows for a student to receive high school and college credit,” Hiatt said. “This helps get students in a college mindset and prepares them for life after Montcalm.”

Students work with staff to set goals for the future, and each aspect of the school is designed to help youth reach their full potential.

“After leaving Montcalm and graduating high school, I went on to attend Albion College,” Tech said. “While in school, I opened a landscaping business with my younger brothers. I would not have been able to handle such responsibility if it weren’t for the skills I developed at Montcalm. I will be forever grateful to those who helped me get to where I am today.” continued on page 11 9

COMMONWEALTH

by Amy Reimann, Director of Archives

University of Michigan student researchers delve into the history of Starr’s child-centric architecture and its first architect, Marcus Burrowes.

In the spring of 2011, Ann Stolberg of the Farmington Historical Society called to discuss a proposal for a research project concerning Farmington Architect Marcus Burrowes. Burrowes was the campus architect for Starr Commonwealth for our first 40 years of existence and designed 11 buildings currently standing on our Albion campus. The historical society was interested in sponsoring an exhibit about Burrowes and these childcentric spaces, all of which contribute to the enrichment of children in Michigan.

Another person introduced to the mix of researchers was Elizabeth Goodenough, an award-winning documentarian and University of Michigan lecturer in Literature. Goodenough, with family ties to Farmington and Burrowes’ sphere of influence, introduced the concept of using student researchers involved in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) at the University of Michigan. Through Goodenough, we engaged two undergraduates, Alice Murphy and Gabrielle Valentic, to work with Starr Commonwealth archival materials and employ the idea of the creation of unique spaces for children that differed from the juvenile reformatory standard of the early 20th century.

Murphy searched for insight on the physical spaces that were created for the children living here. Valentic investigated methods leading to positive success rates over the previous 10

reformatory system. Both students won prizes for their research and presentations at the Spring Symposium held in Ann Arbor April 18, 2012. Their research will be used to develop exhibits for the upcoming Centennial celebrations.

The Research Projects 1. Beauty is a Silent Teacher Alice Murphy One of Starr Commonwealth Founder Floyd Starr’s mottos was, “Beauty is a silent teacher.” The Starr Commonwealth campus illustrates this motto.

Between 1915 and 1952, Floyd Starr employed Marcus Burrowes to design 11 buildings for his growing reformatory. Burrowes, who became a friend to Starr and a believer in the school, used his English revival style to design the buildings. The design brought comfort and stability to the now 350-acre campus. The architecture, as well as the interaction of the structures with their surroundings, show how Burrowes aimed to connect children with nature as well as offer the safeness and permanence of a home. Burrowes’ designs, inspired by his association with Detroit architect Albert

Kahn, evokes reminiscence of old English cottages. The architectural aspects such as the halftimbering, sharply angled roofs, rounded windows and doors, high chimneys, and centrally located fireplaces offer domestic comforts lacking in more industrial configurations of the period. Starr and Burrowes had a shared reverence for the past and confidence that charming houses, comfortable recreational spaces, and splendid grounds influence the attitudes and growth of young people in positive ways. Observations from those both inside and outside Starr Commonwealth imply that the comfort, stability and beauty provided by

landscape and architecture had a positive impact on the way the children grew and developed.

As alumnus Gerald D. Robinson said, “The fondness I have in my heart for the campus will always remain unchanged.” Starr Commonwealth’s commitment to the cottage style, regardless of cost, created a nurturing reformatory.

2. A Commonwealth Founded on Love Gabrielle Valentic The histories and testimonies of the lives that have come forth from Starr Commonwealth all point to two key factors in the success of the school: love and respect. Starr Commonwealth Founder Floyd Starr was brought up by a family who taught him these values, and outside influences such as Dr. John Harvey Kellogg further shaped these convictions. He reinforced self-worth by requiring chores, encouraging spirituality and teaching practical skills such as carpentry, musicology and artistry. Floyd Starr complemented “an environment full of love and activity” with influential visitors, a nature-filled campus, team sports and free play. On this vital foundation Floyd Starr built trust, diligence and responsibility that led to the outstanding success rate of Starr Commonwealth.

Montcalm School continued

Hiatt believes that each student has an opportunity to make the most of their stay at Montcalm, and if they do, there are many options going forward.

“I think what sets Montcalm apart is that we are preparing these students to flourish after their stay here by helping them build confidence in all areas of their lives,” Hiatt said. “Every student who comes here is worthy of greatness. We are working to show them that they deserve to be successful.”

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BULLYING AND CYBERBULLYING

Bullying is one of the largest problems in the United States and across the world today. One in seven K-12 students worldwide is either a bully or victim of bullying.

According to the National Education Association, 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by others. Anti-bullying laws have been created in 49 states to combat this growing epidemic.

Bullying not only occurs more often but with more lethality than in recent decades. Bullying peaks during middle school and in the early adolescent years. Today, bullying takes place in person as well as through social media platforms and text messages, which makes bullying accessible at any time. Cyberbullying, as it is known, allows for faster and wider spread distribution of hate messages.

All children have the capability to engage in bullying and victimization behaviors, and these roles remain fluid and dynamic. Bullying can be traumatic and has severe, adverse effects on all involved, including the bully.

Physical bullying and verbal bullying are equally as damaging depending upon how the bullying is perceived by the victim. The following are the main themes of trauma – terror, hurt, fear, anger and victim thinking – and show how all children involved in bullying are impacted and experience trauma themes.

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The Victim

The Bully

The Witness

Terror

Scared for one's own safety/life

I'm out of control.

I even scare myself.

Scared for the victim's safety/life

Hurt

Physical and emotional hurt from being bullied physically/emotionally

Physical hurt from engaging in bullying behaviors and violence

Viewing physical and emotional abuse

Fear

Never knowing if/when bullying is going to happen

I have to stick up for myself because nobody else will.

Is it going to happen again?

Could it happen to me?

If I help, will I be bullied, too?

Anger

Anger at the bully Anger at self for not being able to do anything to stop it Anger at witnesses/adults for not helping put a stop to the bullying behavior

Angry at the victim for "making me do it"

Mad at the victim for "taking it" Mad at the bully for their behavior

Revenge

Wanting to "get back" at the person who bullied

Getting back at their own abuser by hurting others

Wanting to "get back" at the person who bullied

Victim Thinking

I am the target of bullying because I am no good and nobody likes me.

I will always be a bully.

It makes me feel good because I’ve been bullied myself.

I could be next.

I am no good for not jumping in or stopping the bullying.

Caelan Kuban and Sarah Slamer (2012) TLC has a Bullying and Cyberbullying course and is also releasing a book, “Brave Bart and the Bully,” which comes out in the fall of 2012.

Parents and professionals also have access to TLC’s Parent Trauma Resource Center at www.starrtraining.org/ptrc Caelan Kuban Director The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children

Sarah Slamer Assistant Director The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children

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Honor a student.

Here’s the perfect opportunity to honor a student or others like alumni and staff, and tell the world of your support for them and Starr Commonwealth. When you reserve a commemorative brick, bench or picnic table, you get to choose the Starr campus – Albion or Columbus – where you’d like it displayed.

You also get to choose the message you’d like engraved, and your tax-deductible charitable contribution will help our campuses remain beautiful, comfortable and easily accessible for all.

Take a minute now to fill out the attached order form below and own a piece of the walk.

Please return the form below along with payment to: Starr Commonwealth, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd., Albion, MI 49224

Official Order Form Designate a Campus:

Mr. & Mrs.

__Albion Campus

Mr.

Mrs.

Ms.

___Columbus Campus

Miss

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your Name Daytime Phone Email _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address City State Zip Designation:

___Memorial

___Honor

___Chapel

___Employee

___Alumni

___4"x 8" Bricks (1 to 3 lines) at $100/each = _________ ___8"x 8" Bricks (1 to 6 lines) at $200/each = _________ ___Bench at $2000/each = _________ (1-4 lines; 25 spaces) ___Picnic Table at $1500/each =_________ (1-4 lines; 25 spaces) Total Donation

_________

Please bill my ___VISA

___MC

___AMEX

___Check enclosed

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn #2 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn #3 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn #4 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn #5 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn #6 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn #1

____________________________________________ Card #

____________________________________________ Expiration Date

Here’s the text for my engraving. Up to 15 characters per line including spaces and punctuation. Use “&” for “and” to save space.

WELCOMING BACK STUDENTS Millions of children are experiencing the quick passing of summer vacation as the days go by. Some are attending summer school in order to progress to the next grade, and some are there to make room in their schedules to take more advanced placement courses to boost their chances of getting into universities of their choice.

Mark Freado, President Reclaiming Youth International

One of the concerns educators have for many young people is the amount of learning loss that will occur as a result of long breaks from school. The biggest concerns are with children whose learning was tentative at best. A great deal of education is now focused on teaching to proficiency tests that have yet to be proven to have any effectiveness in creating better students or citizens.

For some children, summer means less access to nutrition from breakfasts and lunches that are provided to them in the school setting. More schools are now focused on improving the nutritional value of food offered to students. For many, that is their best chance at balanced diets.

Still, others lose contact with peers they may only access when they are at school. Most importantly, though, many students lose contact with attentive, caring adults and services that are only available during the school year. This absence may be the most detrimental to students who get the majority of their adult interaction in the school setting. Attention from adults in school, not just teachers or para-professionals, but staff throughout those settings, may be the moments when these young people feel most significant.

They receive encouragement to join in, to try new things, to express themselves in a variety of ways, and to contribute something, regardless of how small, to the school community.

We can predict some of the students who will be returning to school in need of help and support, and yet there may be scores of others in each school who are quietly struggling to begin another academic year.

The best way to ensure that our children get off to a great start this coming school year is to meet them and greet them at the door. A smile, handshake, high-five or a welcoming comment can tip the balance toward the most hopeful start possible for many young people in need.

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STARR BATTLE CREEK

For many students who fall behind in school, catching up can feel like an insurmountable task. Students may not have access to a nurturing environment outside of school where education is a high priority, or they may simply feel overwhelmed by the workload in the classroom.

Missing instruction time due to behavioral issues may also contribute to a decline in school performance.

But at Starr Battle Creek, these challenges are addressed by programs that help youth in tumultuous situations.

The Credit Recovery and Enhancement program allows students to use Education 2020, an online learning tool, to either recover lost credits or get ahead.

“Education 2020 affords our students the opportunity to graduate on time, something that is invaluable to them,” said Nate Cox, the Supervisor of the Suspension Center and Day Treatment programs. “Some students come to the program to get ahead in school, but it’s particularly rewarding when we see kids who come here with very little interest in school leave with a new appreciation for education and what it can do for their future.”

For students with behavioral challenges, the Suspension Center provides a safe, comfortable environment for them to do school work while they are suspended, free from negative influences that may have put the student in a detrimental situation.

“ The idea is to help each student get caught up in school while fixing the issue that resulted in the suspension.”

Nate Cox, Supervisor of Suspension Center and Day Treatment Programs

“I feel like I needed to come here to get my mind back on track,” a Suspension Center student said. “I am able to get help when I need it and talk to staff about any issues I’m having in or out of school.”

There are three main objectives of the Suspension Center’s program, including helping youth with school, improving behavior and assessing each student to determine the appropriate course of action going forward.

“The idea is to help each student get caught up in school while fixing the issue that resulted in a suspension,” Cox said. “We want to equip them with the tools to prevent getting suspended in the future, like identifying anger triggers and developing appropriate coping mechanisms. If a student shows a pattern of negative behavior and faces 16

greater challenges, we may refer them to one of Starr’s other programs or to one of our community-based partners.”

Cox believes that the educational programs in Battle Creek truly reflect Starr Commonwealth’s mission to create positive environments where children flourish.

“The programs make each kid think, ‘What did I do to get in this situation?’” Cox said. “We want them to make positive changes in their lives, but to do that, they need a safe place where they are encouraged.

That’s what Starr provides.”

For more information on the Credit Recovery and Enhancement program or the Suspension Center, contact Starr Battle Creek at 269.968.9287 or visit www.starrbattlecreek.org.

2012 FOUNDER’S DAY SCHEDULE 9 a.m.

Registration begins

9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Car and Bike Cruise In

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Chapel Service

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Chicken Luncheon at Towsley Center (one meal per person; donations appreciated)

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Campus Activities / Kid’s Alley – Mendelssohn Valley

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Program featuring guest speaker, Dick Vitale

At right: Founder’s Day Speaker, Dick Vitale For more information on this Speaker/Performer, please visit www.apbspeakers.com You can register online at www.starr.org/fdregistration

Watch your gift grow.

Do you work for a company that offers a matching gifts program?

Or, are you retired from a matching gifts company? If so, you could double – maybe even triple – your gifts to Starr Commonwealth children simply by letting us know. Just ask your employer or former employer to provide you with the paperwork you need. Fill it out and send it to Attention: Development Office, Starr Commonwealth, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road, Albion, MI 49224-9910.

Thank you for caring!

GIFTS HONOR GIFTS are thoughtful ways to remember a special person and/or a special occasion, such as a birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, while also helping Starr children. When sending an honor gift, please provide the address of the honoree. We will send an acknowledgment card to let them know of your thoughtfulness, but we won’t mention the gift amount. You may call in your honor gift for faster acknowledgment at: 800.837.5591. Honor gifts also may be made online at: www.starr.org.

MEMORIAL GIFTS offer an enduring tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one, while extending a helping hand to the children of Starr Commonwealth. When sending a memorial gift, please provide the address of a family member of the deceased to whom we can send an acknowledgment card. We will let them know of your thoughtfulness but won’t mention the gift amount. You may call in your memorial gift for faster acknowledgment at: 800.837.5591.

Memorial donations also may be made online at: www.starr.org.

Here is a listing of Honor and Memorial gifts received from 4/20/2012 6/30/2012. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed. Gifts not listed here will appear in a future issue of Starr News. If we missed your name or an error has occurred with your listing, please forgive us and contact us so we may correct it in the next issue.

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IN HONOR OF: BERNARDO D. BRUNETTI Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo Brunetti VANESSA A. FERRI Ms. Jennifer Ferri DAVID L. HAARER Mr.and Mrs. Richard Magsig STEVEN R. WOODERSON Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wooderson

IN MEMORY OF: ROBERT BLACK Mr. and Mrs. Dallas E. Seiler ROSALIND BRISCO Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Mason JOHN "MAX" BUZZELL Ms. Leslie Brown Mr. and Mrs. Mark Veich MARVIN L. COLNESS Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness CAROLYN COPELAND Dr. George H. Lauff FORREST CREASON Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Wille HOWARD DIEPENHORST Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness FREDA FATATO-HOEBEKE Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell GORDON GRABILL Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Champion Ms. Kathy Lantz Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell

Thank You! Starr Commonwealth’s current summer appeal has raised over $38,000 and will run through August. Thank you so much for your unwavering support of Starr Commonwealth and our mission to create positive environments where children flourish.

DARYL GROSS Mrs. Mildred Williams BARBARA HAYES Dr. and Mrs. Don Nelson HENRIETTA JANSSEN Mrs. Shirley Flanagan RAYMOND F. LAUFF Dr. George H. Lauff JESSIE LONGHURST Mrs. Evelyn Gay BRUCE MATSON Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness VIVIAN MILLER Mr. Edgar W. Miller FLORENCE NESS Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness LARRY SMART Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell MORRIS STULBERG Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell

Help them take their learning to a higher level.

Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program Since 1978, we’ve provided 938 Starr graduates the opportunity to pursue higher education through the Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program.

Created in 1977 with the estate of former trustee Thomas Lloyd, the scholarship program provides financial assistance for those students in “good academic standing” who want to take their education to the next level. Last year, 57 students were awarded over $250,000 in fund assistance, however, total requests averaged over $370,000. Your generous donation will help us continue to provide scholarships to students who want to reach even higher.

Please donate today.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program, please contact Amy Reimann, Alumni Coordinator, at 517.630.2317 or reimanna@starr.org.

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

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® 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, Michigan 49224 www.starr.org

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www.starrtraining.org

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Officers

Board of Trustees

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. President Chief Executive Officer

Kyle Caldwell, Chair President and CEO Michigan Nonprofit Association Lansing, MI

Christopher L. Smith, BBA, CPA Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA Executive Vice President Chief Clinical Officer Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW Executive Vice President Chief Strategy and Administrative Services Officer Gary Q. Tester, MRC Executive Vice President Chief Development Officer

Michael Leach, Vice Chair Chief Financial Officer Nationwide Insurance Columbus, OH

Duplicate mailing? Call (800) 837-5591 Address service requested

Honorable John Hallacy District Court Judge 10th District Court Battle Creek, MI

Gary Taylor Owner Taylor Auto Sales Inc. Van Wert, OH

Lawrence Givens Blackmond and Givens, Inc. Southfield, MI

Bruce Vande Vusse Attorney Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Farmington Hills, MI

George A. Goodman Ypsilanti, MI

Tom Kolassa, Secretary Senior Vice President Hub International Battle Creek, MI

Jack Kresnak President and CEO (Retired) Michigan’s Children Lansing, MI

Honorable Eugene A. Moore, Immediate Past Chair Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI

Dr. Pamela Lemerand Professor Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI

George Wilson General Agent Wilson Insurance Services Gilbert Wiseman Agency Flint, MI

Trustees Emeritus Margaret Starr Leutheuser Daughter of Floyd Starr Haverford, PA

Scott Bennett Vice President UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI

Albert Little Vice President and Business Development Officer Greenleaf Trust Kalamazoo, MI

Michael J. Gable Chief Operating Officer Howard and Howard Royal Oak, MI

Ralph J. Burrell President and CEO SymCon, Inc. Detroit, MI

William C. Rands Managing Partner Sagres Partners, L.P. Grosse Pointe, MI

George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI

Craig Carrel President and Partner Team 1 Plastics Albion, MI

Cornelia Romanowski Educator Shavertown, PA

Dr. Russell G. Mawby Chairman Emeritus W.K. Kellogg Foundation Battle Creek, MI

Dr. Velma Clay Director of Equal Employment Opportunity (Retired) Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center Battle Creek, MI

Ahmad E. Sinno Chief Information Officer Bricker & Eckler LLC Columbus, OH Erick Stewart President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI

William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

Honorary Trustees Anne Willson Dupré Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA Sylvia Starr Richey Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Seal Beach, CA

President Emeritus Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ

Locations Michigan: Albion, Battle Creek, Detroit, Clinton Township Ohio: Van Wert, Columbus South Dakota: Lennox