Inter-workings Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Employee News and Information
OAISD Board Recognition United Way Fundraising CTC Wins Big by Losing
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
3 Superintendent’s Message
Fifty-and-a-Half
4 CTC Float in Holland Parade of Lights I naugural float the result of building wide effort 5 OAISD Thanks School Board in January
Board Appreciation Month
6 It’s All In the Details
CTC Automotive Services Assistant Program students learn car detailing
7 CTC Wolf Den Adds to the Wolf Pack
Marketing Students now selling CBI products in the Wolf Den
8 Meet Your Colleague: Brandie Navarro
Sheldon Pines Behavior Specialist
10 OAISD Employees Keep Giving
A Variety of Building Fundraisers for United Way
11 Careerline Tech Center is Home to a Losing Competition Employees Losing Weight
12 IT’s Cool
Free Software and Device Training
13 OAISD Happenings
ISDs 50th Activities and Introduction to Doing More. Together.
14 ISD Pet Parade
Meet Kitty Gonzalez--Feline Extraordinaire
15 New Employees Introducing our Newest Staff Members
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INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
But just as it is for the four-going-on-five-yearold, this anniversary celebration is not only a time to reflect on where we’ve been, but also where we’re headed.
Fifty-and-a-Half I love when you ask a young child how old they are and they say “four-and-a-half.” They want you to know that they’ve moved beyond being merely four and are well on their way to being five. When you’re young, where you’re headed is so much more exciting than where you’ve been. So here we are...half way through our 50th Anniversary year. Fifty-and-a-half year s old! It’s been a great celebration so far. Yes, we’ve pulled out the stops to let our communities and community leaders know how we contribute every day to the success of our students...cradle through adult.
To say the least, the landscape is changing quickly around us. Even without the dizzying pace of reform being pursued in Lansing, we would be facing educational and economic realities that challenge how we’ve done business for the past fifty years and push us toward how we’ll do business in the next fifty. Parents want more choices. Students demand more engagement. Employers need a better-trained workforce. Resources are quickly shrinking. Technology is quickly expanding. Old models of educational delivery are being challenged and retired. New models of delivery are quickly evolving. These aren’t small changes. In fact, it’s kind of like building a bridge between two planets... the one we’re leaving and the one we’re moving to. Even though we’re not exactly sure of what we’ll find on the new planet, we must build the bridge. We can’t pass that responsibility off to the next generation. The challenge and the opportunity are ours. The only question is: are we as eager for that future as the four-and-a-half-year-old who is eagerly anticipating being five? Welcome to fifty-and-a-half!
1962-2012 3
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
HOLIDAY PARADE
CTC Enters Float in Holland Parade Careerline Tech Center staff from multiple departments worked together to create the inaugural CTC float for the Holland Parade of Lights. “In October the marketing committee decided it was time for CTC to enter a float to show off some of what we do here,” Kristen Bunn, Marketing and College Liaison, said. “We have a lot of really cool programs and walking through the streets of Holland was a great way to tell people about them.”
available at CTC to those unfamiliar with it. The parade offered a great opportunity to promote CTC and have some fun in the process. Instructors from departments around the building including Health Careers, EMS, Electrical, Welding, Visual Communications, Hospitality and Building Trades joined the project and used the float construction as a new method of instruction for their students.
“Building the float was a great opportunity for the instructors to collaborate and spread the word about CTC,” Nicole Gitler, Marketing With six Career Pathways and over 20 programs, Instructor said. it can be challenging to summarize the learning Over 10 instructors and nearly 25 students walked with the float handing out CTC promotional material and interacting with the crowd. “We got a lot of positive feedback from instructors about the fun had during the float building process and participation in general,” David Searles, Director for CTC, said. “The students enjoyed it as well. It’s great seeing staff and students all working together.” The jolly old elf Santa himself stopped by the staging area proclaiming, “Careerline Tech Center is the best thing in Ottawa County.”
Looks like CTC has a lifelong place on the (L-R) Kyle Dannenberg, Kris Underhill, Santa, Dave Searles, Amy Dickinson. “Nice” list! 4
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD APPRECIATION
Thank You OAISD Board! January was School Board Recognition Month, and Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) joined 552 local and 56 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their untiring dedication to public education. As citizen leaders, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges. They are alternately described as having the most important volunteer jobs in the country and facing the toughest challenge in elected American government. Collectively, school board members in Michigan have spent about 7,000 hours attending training and professional development. They’re dedicated individuals who are committed to the continuing success of our schools and students. It’s an exciting and challenging time in public education. OAISD school board members develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of our education system. “Our OAISD school board members are enthusiastic advocates for the work of this district and strong supporters of the innovations necessary for excellence,” Karen McPhee, Superintendent for OAISD, said. “In a climate of change and challenge within education, our school board members develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and impact individual students.”
(L-R) Dr. Richard Cooley, Eric Packer, Carol Slagh, Ronald Eding, and Jose Gomez.
The individuals serving on the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Board of Education are as follows:
• Mr. Eric Packer, President, of Allendale (eight years of service)
• Mr. Jose Gomez, Vice President, of Coopersville (11 years of service)
• Mr. Ronald Eding, Treasurer, of Hamilton (15 years of service)
• Dr. Richard Cooley, Secretary, of Jenison (six years of service)
• Ms. Carol Slagh, Trustee, of Zeeland (nine years of service)
Thank you to all our amazing board members. You are truly appreciated! 5
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
CTC AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
It’s All in the Details . . . For many of us, washing a car involves merely one step: driving through a car wash. For the students in Careerline Tech Center’s Automotive Services Assistant Program it could involve over 120 steps for a full cleaning, also known as detailing. According to Renee Kolean, Learning Support Specialist for the program, a full car detailing at an auto shop can be valued at up to $400 “We complete as many steps in the process as we can within the timeframe we are given. At the minimum we do interior cleaning, exterior work, painted surface reconditions, and/or final detail work.”
Before
“Our students work hard to produce the best possible product,” Rich Riolo, Automotive Services Assistant Program Instructor, said. “This program teaches technical work skills as well as the soft skills needed to be a good employee.” One student stated, “I can’t wait for the third trimester when I can go to a work site. I think the company will be impressed with how much I know and what a good worker I am!”
After
“Call us if you would like to see us in action; it’s a fun classroom for the students, and visitors can see that when they visit,” Kolean said. “It’s a great group of hard-working students that take pride in their work!”
Interested in having your car detailed? To gain necessary hands-on experience, students in the program work on OAISD employees’ cars at no cost (treats are gladly accepted). For optimal cleaning, you may need to bring your car to CTC multiple days, however they will work within your time limitations. Email Rich Riolo at rriolo@ oaisd.org to schedule an appointment. 6
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
CBI/CTC COLLABORATE
CTC Wolf Den Adds to the Wolf Pack There is now a central location to shop for products produced by OAISD students – the Careerline Tech Center Wolf Den – and who better to sell those products than OAISD students. The Wolf Den is the student-operated store located just inside the main entrance of CTC. For more than 20 years, CTC Marketing program students have been selling candy, snacks, school supplies, drinks and CTC apparel in order to gain industry-related experience with visual merchandising, promotion and sales. Now, their line of merchandise is expanding to include products such as hand-crafted gift bags, reconditioned golf balls and hand-made jewelry that students in the OAISD Community-Based Instruction Program have been selling on their own. Just as the old saying goes, “Great minds think alike,” Marketing & Entrepreneurship Program Instructor Kay Markovic and Community-Based Instruction Supervisor Juli Lepley were simultaneously pitching the collaborative idea to the other camp. “As I was talking to a parapro who was working at a table selling CBI- made goods about putting them in the Wolf Den, Juli Lepley was talking to CTC Director Dave Searles about the same thing,” Kay said as she laughed. “Our Wolf Den student employees have enjoyed learning about the CBI students who make the items we sell and how they are connected to OAISD,” Dave Searles, said. “It’s a great way for our students to learn about all the services the ISD provides.” “Our students love seeing their items on the shelves,” Juli Lepley, said. “All the profits go directly back into the CBI program and that enables our students to keep learning and growing.” The Wolf Den is open during the school year, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m. or by appointment during the school year. Checks, credit cards and cash are accepted. Be sure to join the pack and check out the Wolf Den for your gift giving needs.
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OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
BRANDIE NAVARRO
Brandi shown with her husband Tom Pietri and their son Dominic Pietri.
MEET YOUR COLLEAGUE:
BRANDIE NAVARRO 8
It’s hard to know if Brandie Navarro is familiar with the Funky Chicken dance, but she’s definitely familiar with the Funky Buddha. Brandie has worked at Sheldon Pines School (SPS) for the past five years as a behavior specialist and school social worker. She works with students individually and in groups, and works with schools in local districts to assess student needs. Recently, she has been attending classes at the Funky Buddha Hothouse Yoga in Holland and has become quite involved in the practice. Navarro earned her bachelor degree from Western Michigan University and her masters in social work from Wayne State University in
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BRANDIE NAVARRO
Everyone here has such a high level of expertise and provides great support . . . Their sense of humor doesn’t hurt either. - Brandie Navarro
Detroit. After graduating from Wayne State she Brandie noted there is never a dull day started her U.S. tour moving to San Diego, and at Sheldon Pines and credits her amazing coworkers for fueling her through tough days. then Chicago where she met her husband. The two of them eventually moved to Holland and “Everyone here has such a high level of expertise now have a six-year-old son. and provides great support,” Brandie said. “Their sense of humor doesn’t hurt either.” After working for agencies who serve people with developmental disabilities, she focused her Navarro is looking forward to taking relaxation Holland job applications in the world “to the extreme” on an upcoming vacation in of education. Puerto Vallarta with her family and ready for relaxing, refreshing, and great family time when “I knew I always wanted to work in schools,” they hit the beach. Brandie said. “Students in our building have pretty intense social and emotional needs. “Just give me a beach chair and a pool and I’m Being able to give them the help and support good,” Brandie said. “Oh, and maybe a yoga they need to get through high school is a very studio nearby.” gratifying experience.” 9
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
GIVING TO UNITED WAY
OAISD Employees Keep Giving The 2012-13 United Way donation drive once again topped the previous year thanks to the generosity of OAISD employees. In addition to payroll deduction, employees participated in other fundraising activities around the district to support the invaluable work United Way does. “Last year we had a great turnout for French Toast Fridays and Penny Wars,” Denise Dhuse, Human Resources Specialist, said. “These events are a wonderful way for employees to have fun and raise money for a terrific cause at the same time.” Buildings around the ISD held a variety of fundraising activities in December. The season kicked off with candy-grams. For a donation of at least $1, staff could send a sweet message paired with a sweet treat to coworkers. The Helping Hand Auction (December 12 -16) raised over $600 with the ART2 chair, car detailing, and Joe Mack’s (nee’ Mackenzie) Rockin’ Chocolate Chip Cookies earning some of the top donations. Individual building initiatives raised money in other creative ways. Employees at the Educational Services Building participated in an ornament exchange and enjoyed a delicious potluck beside a“roaring fire” (on a projection screen) while adding funds to the United Way campaign. Ottawa Area Center staff added a little friendly competition to the fundraising efforts. “We had a soup and bread contest on Records Day and encouraged staff to bring in their favorite soup,” OAC Director Brian Pianosi said. “Staff paid a dime to vote for their favorite and all proceeds benefited United Way.” “This year we have a record number of homeless students in the Ottawa area,” Julie Gillespie, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Communications, said. “It’s a great feeling to see our employees pitch in to make a difference in the lives of those in need.” 10
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Careerline Tech Center is Home to a Losing Competition Once again employees at Careerline Tech Center (CTC) are participating in the annual competition that resembles the TV hit show, The Biggest Loser. Participants weigh in every Wednesday to determine who has lost the greatest percentage of weight for the week. The person with the lowest percentage of weight loss goes into the loser’s bracket and could potentially be out of the competition. Every three weeks, the “biggest loser” from the loser’s bracket returns to the winner’s bracket as motivation to continue weight loss efforts. Participant’s entry fees are put into a prize box which will be distributed at the end of the of the competition to the first and second place winner as well as the first place winner in the loser’s bracket. “This is just a fun, competitive way to get people to think, eat and live a healthier lifestyle,” Kris Doenges, Student Services Associate for CTC, said. During the 2012 competition, the beginning weight total from all 19 participants was 3,920 lbs. and the final total loss was 271.7 lbs. This year 16 people are participating with a starting weight of 3,517 lbs. “The participants this year have already lost 69 lbs. in the first week,” Gloria Burkhour, Secretary for CTC, said. “This is one motivated group!” “What started out as “Wellness Awareness” after the busy holidays has turned into an event that is both fun and competitive,” Doenges said. “What else can you expect when you have a motivated-and highly competitive-staff like we do at CTC?” The contest runs through March 27. Keep up the good work CTC participants. And may the best loser win!
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
PET PARADE
The ISD’s Pet Parade The typical saying may be “It’s a dog’s life” but CTC Healthcare Foundations/CNA Instructor Julie Cardenas’s cat might make you think twice. Kitty Gonzalez has taken over the princess carriage owned by Julie’s daughter as his personal TV lounge from which he enjoys watching Law & Order. Kitty also enjoys playing Barbies by inserting himself into the scene whenever the Barbie house is in use. While Julie notes he can be feisty at times, he is greatly loved by the family. Just don’t kick him out of the princess carriage at night. Where else is a cat supposed to sleep?
Kitty Gonzalez being petted by her gal pals.
Kitty Gonzalez watching Law & Order in the princess carriage 12
Kitty Gonzalez chillin’ with Hello Kitty.
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHAT’S HAPPENING
OAISD Happenings 2013 holds many new and exciting things for Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. Here are just a couple.
OAISD Turns Fifty To kick it off, we continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the creation of ISDs by the Michigan legislature. OAISD is proud to be among the 56 ISDs statewide providing 50 years of leadership, innovation and collaboration to our students and schools. Join the celebration and “Like” Ottawa Area Intermediate School District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oaisd. Then, keep an eye out for the OAISD Facebook 5-Oh! Contest posts for your chance to win a $10 Meijer gift card. Simply respond to the post and your name will be entered. It’s that easy! One winner is drawn each month through June.
Doing More.Together. OAISD is collaborating with public and private schools in the Ottawa area to launch a regional public engagement initiative–entitled Doing More. Together.–to highlight the high quality education being delivered in our region. Together, we are partnering with local schools, businesses, agencies and communities to share stories about educators and students involved in unique, innovative and collaborative learning experiences. If you have a story to share about OAISD or your community schools, and to view stories already submitted please visit www.doingmoretogether.com. Help us spread the word!
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FREE SOFTWARE AND DEVICE
TRAINING
MAKE THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM WITH FREE TRAINING FROM ATOMIC LEARNING
Love the idea of technology, but having trouble with the reality?
Do you own the latest and greatest technology but find yourself asking, “Now what do I do with it?” We have a solution for you! OAISD has partnered with Atomic Learning to offer training software such as Adobe, Microsoft Office, Mac and Windows Operating Systems and tutorials on how to use technology effectively in the classroom. Interested? Then visit Atomic Learning at www.atomiclearning.com. Once there, sign in with OAISD’s username and password (available through the help desk). Next, click the Tutorials tab and select the software or device of interest from the Applications drop down menu. Please take advantage of this amazing resource for your personal and professional software and device training needs. If you need assistance, please contact the Technology Services Help Desk at 877.702.8600, ext. 3000.
INTERWORKINGS WINTER 2013
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEW EMPLOYEES
WELCOME New Employees as of January, 2013
Employee
Building
Marlene Field
CTC
Connie Weir
Business Services
Veronica Pechumer
Early Childhood
Miranda Christensen
MTEC
Rich Baylie
Specialized Business Unit
Ron Oskam
Technology
Ryan Pendleton
Technology
LeAnn Szymanski
Technology
Blake Webster
Technology
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