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Battle Creek SHOPPER NEWS, Delivered Free to Nearly 50,000 Area Homes – January 18, 2018 – Page 25
HARPER CREEK SCHOOLS
www.harpercreek.net • January 18, 2018 - Page 1
Message from the Superintendent
EDUCATE • EMPOWER • EQUIP
Students for Life SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS Beau Bess, President Lisa Hubbard, Vice President Tina Kyger, Secretary Don Myers, Treasurer Vikki Bauer, Trustee Tim Martin, Trustee Tina McNeil, Trustee
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF • Rob Ridgeway, Superintendent • Laura Williams, Asst. Superintendent of Instruction • Jim Maynard, Technology • Carol Davis, Finance • Tammy Chapman, Human Resources • Jim Robinson, Facilities • Stacy Hendon, Transportation • Gail Braman, School of Choice • Melody Askew, Marketing and Alumni • Ed Greenman, Athletic Director • Dennis Anthony, High School • Kim Thayer, Middle School • Nneka Daniels, Beadle Lake Elementary • Cyndi Mead, Sonoma Elementary • Brent Swan, Wattles Park Elementary
SCHOOL DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION 7454 B Drive North Battle Creek, MI 49014 Telephone: 269.441.6550 Fax: 269.962.6034 Website: www.harpercreek.net Facebook: Harper Creek Schools Twitter: Harper Creek Schools
NEWSLETTER CONTACT INFORMATION Melody Askew askewm@harpercreek.net
In This Issue... Message from the Superintendent . . . . . 1 Harper Creek Middle School Supports All Learners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2018 Harper Creek District Calendar . . . 1 Great Experiences at Beadle Lake Elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Full STEAM Ahead at Sonoma Elementary! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Wattles Park Elementary LEADS the Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Harper Creek Board Information . . . . . . . 2 Harper Creek Loves to Sing . . . . . . . . . . 3 A Healthier Harper Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Book and Blanket Program . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What is Besa? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Harper Creek High School Marches into 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Becoming a Community of Readers . . . . 4 Harper Creek Athletic Hall of Fame . . . . . 4
Accountability is a critical aspect for successful school districts. Schools must be open in communicating academic measures to their communities. The State of Michigan requires students in 3rd through 8th grade to take the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) assessment in math and English; requires 9th and 10th grade students to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) for math and English; and requires 11th graders to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for math and English. Additionally, 5th, 8th, and 11th grade students are assessed by the State of Michigan using the M-STEP in science and social studies. In addition to state tests, the district further assesses students using several methods. Students are assessed in math and English using the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. Elementary students are assessed in reading using the Fountas and Pinnell assessment, and in writing by use of writing prompts scored by a district-developed writing rubric. The 8th, 9th, 10th , and 11th grade students also take the PSAT testing series in the fall, in addition to the state-required assessment in the spring. The wide range of data sources provides teachers with information regarding the progress of each student. This information guides instruction to provide optimal student learning—every child is an individual learner, and assessment results provide understanding for interventions or extensions necessary for her/his success. Without a doubt, assessments and the data they supply are vital for student success and continual improvement of the district. So, how are we doing at Harper Creek Community Schools? What do assessment results reveal about us as a district? We look at progress in two ways—student achievement and student growth. The Harper Creek Board of Education has defined success in student achievement as being at or above state average on state assessments. The latest test results showed a mixture of successes and improvement areas. Our high school not only increased SAT scores significantly, but they also were above state average in both math and English, as well as featured increasing scores in both science and social studies. Students in 3rd through 8th grades showed improvement year-over-year in eight out of fifteen tested areas on the M-STEP and were at or above state average in five out of fifteen tested areas. Our 6th and 8th graders showed improvement in all tested content areas. Student achievement is an area of concentrated effort within the district and is one of the primary goals of the Board of Education. Student growth is the other area of progress monitored by our school district. Growth is different from achievement because individual students are measured on actual growth from beginning to end of the year on district assessments. Harper Creek has moved towards using the NWEA MAP assessment to monitor student growth. This assessment will give our staff detailed information about the progress of each individual student in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. The high school will continue to use the SAT battery of tests in the fall and spring to not only measure growth, but also readiness for college. Last year 88 percent of students exhibited growth in reading. Keeping the community informed about the status and progress of our students is a critical cornerstone to success. Harper Creek Community Schools continues to make progress toward meeting our district goals of preparing our next generation for their future. I continue to be excited about our charge to Educate, Empower, and Equip Students for Life.
EDUCATE • EMPOWER • EQUIP STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Rob Ridgeway, Superintendent
Harper Creek Middle School Supports All Learners By Kim Thayer, Principal The staff at Harper Creek Middle School has spent the first part of this school year focusing on data. Student data gives us direction for our efforts. Our efforts intend to improve not only the academic experience for our students, but also their social experience during their four years in middle school. Newly introduced data protocols are helping to guide rich conversations around data. These conversations culminate with action items developed by the data team. As a staff, we want to make sound decisions in programming and strategies to help our students achieve their goals. Social-emotional learning continues to be a focus at Harper Creek Middle School. Social-emotional learning focuses on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Research tells us that focusing on social-emotional learning can significantly improve achievement and increase positive behaviors like kindness and empathy. This learning may also influence how students feel about school and reduce stress in students. This year, we added new assessments and surveys to collect data on the social and support elements within our school. This data will help guide our system of support offered to students. One of our systems of support, Harper Creek Middle School’s Peer2Peer Program, continues to grow. Peer2Peer Programs are part of START (Statewide Autism Resources and Training). Our Peer2Peer Program is designed to increase the opportunity for students with ASD to have general education peers model academic and social behavior in different settings throughout the school day. The purpose is to boost independence and socialization in the ASD student, and kindness, understanding, and empathy in the general education student. Harper Creek Middle School’s Peer2Peer Program has been so successful that it has been expanded to include 5th and 6th
grade students this year. The 5th grade group is guided by Spanish teacher Julie Mead, and the 6th grade program is led by student support specialist Amanda Schultz. The students in this program have worked hard to increase understanding of all learners. Because of the students’
passion and efforts, and the committed guidance of their adult mentors, this has become a growing and thriving program. In January, our Peer2Peer groups were highlighted at a Harper Creek Board of Education meeting.
• 2018 HARPER CREEK DISTRICT CALENDAR • 1/18 1/19 1/19 1/22 1/22 1/23 1/25 1/26 1/27 2/2 2/5 - 2/9 2/12 2/13 2/14 2/14 2/16 2/21 2/22 2/26 2/27 3/9 - 3/10 3/12 3/14 3/15 3/16 3/20 3/21 3/21 - 3/22
MS 7th/8th Grade Student of the Month Breakfast .............................................7:20 a.m. Half Day of School ......................................... HS 10:50 a.m./MS 10:44 a.m/EL 11:55 a.m. HS DECA District Competition SO STAR Assembly..................................................................................................3:10 p.m. SO PTA Meeting ...........................................................................................................6 p.m. SO Deputy Dave Day SO Winter Family Night ......................................................................................... 5 - 7 p.m. HS Winter Carnival Pep Assembly HS Winter Carnival .............................................................................................. 8 - 11 p.m. HS Senior Pictures Due MS 6th Grade Camp Board of Education Meeting ......................................................................................7 p.m. MS Watch D.O.G.S. Donuts with Dad ....................................................................7:15 a.m. Count Day HS Blood Drive ............................................................................................. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Half Day of School ......................................... HS 10:50 a.m./MS 10:44 a.m/EL 11:55 a.m. MS 5th/6th Grade Student of the Month Breakfast .............................................7:20 a.m. MS 7th/8th Grade Student of the Month Breakfast .............................................7:20 a.m. HS Band Concert .........................................................................................................7 p.m. MS 7th/8th Grade Band Concert ...............................................................................7 p.m. MSBOA District Band and Orchestra Festival Board of Education Meeting ......................................................................................7 p.m. MS 5th/6th Grade Student of the Month Breakfast .............................................7:20 a.m. MS 7th/8th Grade Student of the Month Breakfast .............................................7:20 a.m. Half Day of School ......................................... HS 10:50 a.m./MS 10:44 a.m/EL 11:55 a.m. MS 5th/6th Grade Band Concert ...............................................................................7 p.m. BL Parent/Teacher Conferences............................................................... 3:45 - 8:45 p.m. MS Parent/Teacher Conferences ....................................................................... 3 - 8 p.m.
— COUNT DAY IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 —
HARPER CREEK SCHOOLS – “The Cornerstone of the Community”
Battle Creek SHOPPER NEWS, Delivered Free to Nearly 50,000 Area Homes – January 18, 2018 – Page 26
Page 2 – Harper Creek Newsletter • January 18, 2018 • www.harpercreek.net
Great Experiences at Beadle Lake Elementary By Nneka Daniels, Principal Our children reflect the possibilities of tomorrow, and we should take every imaginable opportunity to enrich their lives and experiences. Beadle Lake Elementary students kicked off the 2017-18 school year with rich classroom learning experiences, in addition to well-rounded community outreach. This article cannot capture all the amazing things that are happening at Beadle Lake, but it will highlight a few. Preschoolers take to the floor as they spread out and capture their thoughts during writing time. Imagine what they will be able to do by the end of the school year. Kindergarten students focused on developing emerging literacy skills in a unique way. They practiced reading and writing their names with shaving cream. This gave kindergarteners a chance to have a tactile and visual experience. First graders had the opportunity to learn about fire safety. They also had an onsite visit from Binder Park Zoo staff. Students were able to touch animals and learn about animal characteristics and habitats. A group of four second graders was selected to go to the Technology Showcase at the State Capital to show off classroom technology. They were also able to learn about advances in technology from others. These four students presented their classroom technology to Senator Mike Nofs and State Representative Dave Maturen. It was a great learning experience for the team. It was also wonderful for parents, educators, and politicians to see what is taking place in elementary classrooms across the state. Third graders took science on the go. They moved outside to conduct an authentic science experiment and to become meteorologists. They collected data on climate, temperature, and weather-related concepts. Fourth graders had the opportunity to go to the State Capitol and learn how the judicial process works. To wrap up 2017, Post Cereal Company and Sugar Bear visited Beadle Lake. All students received a box of yummy cereal and a book to enjoy over winter break. Our goal as educators is to immerse students in experiences that they will learn from, remember, and carry in their hearts.
Full STEAM Ahead at Sonoma Elementary! by Cyndi Mead, Principal STEAM education is sweeping through the nation and has made its way to Sonoma Elementary. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics and refers to a way of learning in which students work closely together in a hands-on way to solve real-world problems. What educators find exciting in this approach is that students must use cross-disciplinary learning and clear communication strategies in order to work through the tasks required. The role of the teacher changes from the “person with the knowledge” to a facilitator who offers questions that stimulate critical thinking by the students. STEAM education actually began as STEM, however, as people realized that students also needed to be creative and use critical thinking skills, the A (developed through exposure to the arts) was added to the acronym. Numerous classroom teachers at Sonoma have begun adding STEAM activities to their lesson planning. The 1st grade team, however, has taken it a step further in adding STEAM lessons to their weekly schedule every Friday. As well as exposing students to connections between science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, the first grade teachers also work to deepen student learning by showing a link to literacy. Students enjoy the collaborative activities and soon discover that making mistakes is a normal part of learning and problem solving. In life we rarely solve a challenge on our first attempt—STEAM education helps students realize this aspect of life through trial and error and trial again. Students may not figure out how to do something the first time they try, however they begin to find enjoyment in the process of learning. It is through this process that the real learning takes place. Some of the STEAM activities first grade students have worked through: • Parachutes—which were taken outside and tried from atop the playground slide • Apple trees through the seasons/Apple Rafts—that hold an object without sinking • Spider Webs—strong enough to hold weighted items • Mask Making—that cover a face without holding onto it • Tall Towers—using marshmallows and toothpicks • Bear Den—to accommodate a wide variety of animals As students work through activities such as these, their excitement levels increase, supplies are used in imaginative and creative ways, and freedom of movement is encouraged. A STEAM activity is noisy, a STEAM activity is exuberant, a STEAM activity drives critical thinking—and, students love it!
Harper Creek Community Schools The Harper Creek Board of Education elected officers for January through December 2018 at an annual organizational meeting held on January 8, 2018. Newly elected officers: • Beau Bess, President • Lisa Hubbard, Vice President • Tina Kyger, Secretary • Don Myers, Treasurer • Vikki Bauer, Trustee • Tim Martin, Trustee • Tina McNeil, Trustee The Board of Education set regular and workshop meeting dates for February 2018 through January 2019. Regular Meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month and Workshop Meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month. All meetings will take place at 7 p.m. in the Harper Creek Administration Building Board Room. All are welcome to attend. Regular Meetings Workshop Meetings February 12, 2018 January 22, 2018 March 12, 2018 February 26, 2018 April 9, 2018 March 26, 2018 May 14, 2018 April 23, 2018 June 11, 2018 May 28, 2018 July 9, 2018 June 25, 2018 August 13, 2018 July 23, 2018 September 10, 2018 August 27, 2018 October 8, 2018 September 24, 2018 November 12, 2018 October 22, 2018 December 10, 2018 November 26, 2018 January 14, 2019 December 24, 2018
Thank You Harper Creek Board of Education! Harper Creek Community Schools truly appreciates the Board of Education’s dedication to students, staff, district, and community as we Educate, Empower, and Equip Students for Life.
Wattles Park Elementary LEADS the Way By Brent Swan, Principal A team of staff members has been training and are Wattles Park Elementary has been working to strengthen its Positive Behavior Intervention Support working together to implement this program during (PBIS) program called LEAD. The word LEAD forms an the current school year. Led by student support specialist Deb Rowe, this PBIS Leadership Team has acronym that stands for: • Lead by example worked to develop behavioral expectations for every area of the school, as well as state them in positive, • Encourage kindness • Act Responsibly child-friendly language. This team has worked to • Do the right thing develop lesson plans that assist teachers in The design of a quality PBIS program is to create a communicating the expectations with their students. school culture where positive student behavior is In January, teachers began teaching lessons to their expected and recognized as being the norm. Behavioral students to help them understand how they are to expectations are stated in positive terms, and students conduct themselves in every part of the school. are rewarded individually and collectively for good Students are learning that they can be “leaders” by behavior. The benefit to students is that they are better being an example to classmates on how to properly able to follow expectations because the expectations behave at school. With clear expectations, students are are consistent throughout their school day. This better able to understand and follow the expectations creates a positive culture that allows students to make that are part of the LEAD program. greater academic achievement gains. The benefit to Wattles Park Elementary became a “Leader in Me” staff is that they spend less time dealing with discipline school during the 2017-18 school year. Leader in Me infractions, resulting in less classroom disruptions and teaches students how to leverage good habits to more time for teachers to spend instructing students. become a leader in their classrooms and school. It
teaches them how to maximize their strengths, set goals, and maintain healthy relationships with their peers. Mrs. Rowe states, “I love how the two programs complement each other…when students are clear on expectations and have good habits on how to conduct themselves, their chances for success increase dramatically.” Giving students the tools to be successful in all areas of their lives is an important part of what the team at Wattles Park Elementary is working to accomplish.
HARPER CREEK SCHOOLS – “The Cornerstone of the Community”
Battle Creek SHOPPER NEWS, Delivered Free to Nearly 50,000 Area Homes – January 18, 2018 – Page 27
www.harpercreek.net • January 18, 2018 • Harper Creek Newsletter – Page 3
Harper Creek Loves to Sing! By Eric Hansen, Choir Director The Harper Creek choirs have just finished a very busy winter concert season. All three choirs performed at the Winter Concert and did a great job showing off what they have learned first semester. The Harper Creek Honors Choir performed for multiple groups in the month of December. They performed for three assistedliving homes bringing a bit of holiday cheer to the residents. They performed for a local community group at the Battle Creek Country Club, and they sang for the members of Battle Creek Friends Church. The choirs appreciate all the support they have received from the Harper Creek and Battle Creek community! The students enjoy going out into the community and showing the love of music that the choirs possess. The students hope that anyone who was able to hear their music this semester had their spirits lifted and were left with a feeling of pride for the Harper Creek choral students. They look forward to singing for you in again the future!
Honors Choir
Varsity Choir
A Healthier Harper Creek Harper Creek staff are currently involved in a district-wide voluntary weight loss competition. Currently 72 staff are participating. The project runs from January 8 to March 23. Healthy staff who exercise and eat good foods make positive role models for students. They feel better and are more energetic in classrooms and at district events. Eating right helps the brain think faster and clearer. Last year the one-woman team of teacher Christine Valenzuela (Sonoma Elementary) lost 11.4% and was the Weight Loss Challenge winner! Christine was the recipient of two crisp $100 bills, compliments of the Wellness Team. Good luck, Harper Creek Staff!
Book and Blanket Program The Harper Creek Community Schools Book and Blanket Program is accepting contributions of small blankets, blanket materials, and gently-used books. With questions, or for additional information, contact Sharon Zebell at zebells@ harpercreek.net or 269-441-6555. Community support is always appreciated!
All of us can be the eyes and ears of the community and ensure that our children are safe. Everyone—students, staff, parents, and community members—is encouraged to report potentially harmful or criminal acts using OK2SAY. To submit a confidential tip: • Call 855-565-2729 • Text 652729 (OK2SAY) • Email ok2say@mi.gov • Download the Mobile App search OK2SAY • Visit the OK2SAY website at www. ok2say.com
Treble Choir
Harper Creek High School teachers Cynthia Schofield and Rachel Foreman were awarded the Delia M. and Dora D. DeMaso International Study Fellowship. The Fellowship offers international learning experiences designed to enhance educational and cultural instruction for students. Dr. Schofield and Ms. Foreman traveled to Albania for approximately 30 days. Their itinerary included visits to national historical, archaeologcal, and art museums, religious centers, and castles, as well as other important historical and cultural sites. The educators used YouTube videos, threaded discussions, blogs, and when possible, Skype to share their experiences while on the road.
What is Besa? By Rachel Many often ask, “So where is Albania?” And that is a legitimate question. We are more aware of Greece, and most of us can remember when the United States sent troops to settle the unrest in the former Yugoslavia with Kosovo and Bosnia in the late 90’s. Albania is the small country nestled in between Greece and Serbia—right across the Adriatic Sea from Italy—in the Balkan region. The other question we get asked is “Why Albania?” Being right next to Greece and Italy, Albanian history goes back to Antiquity. Ancient Albanians—the Illyrians—traded with ancient Greece. They adopted Greek gods (there is an ancient Greek city in western Albania called Apollonia after the Greek god Apollo). When Greece fell, Illyrians remained and traded with the Roman Empire, and after three wars, Illyria became part of the Roman Empire. When the Romans fell, Albania was part of the Byzantine and then Ottoman Empires. Yet through it all, Illyria—or Albania—remained unique with its own culture, its own language, and its own customs. Of all the Indo-European languages, Albania remains separate. While French, Dutch, and German all have influenced English, Albania has absolutely not connected to any other language. It is entirely unique. Having their own language allowed Albania to keep its own identity when ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines, and even the Ottomans. In fact, their language became the rallying cry when they fought for their independence against the Ottomans in the early 19th century. Unlike other places that were conquered by outside forces, Albania never forgot who or what they were. Instead they took what they liked from the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Ottomans. Albania is the amalgamation of the best of those cultures. It was the Albanian language and the Albanians’ sense of nationalism which allowed the country to endure. Albania’s
Foreman rich diversity reflects the ancient history, story upon story. It is not uncommon to walk down the historic streets and walk by a Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, or a Muslim mosque. Throughout the day you can hear the call to prayer harmonize with the church bells. And it was in Albania that we learned of the concept of Besa, a vow or oath. In Prishtina, we learned that if someone came to your door in “old” Albania, then you were given food and shelter for at least 24 hours. There was one story where a man came to the local bazaar and got into an argument with another. The result was that the first man killed the local man. The murderer then ran to a house and knocked three times. When the head of the house answered, he invited the man inside and gave him food and promised shelter. However, soon the head of the house learned that the man he was harboring killed his son. But because of Besa, the murderer was protected for 24 hours. If the family promised Besa, then you were willing to put your life and the life of your loved ones on the line. Perhaps Besa is “old” Albanian. Yet, the hospitality to total strangers, and the sacredness of one’s word, is still present in Albania. We learned this when we got lost on the twisted, winding streets. Regardless of our lack of Albanian language, we were met with people who went out of their way to assist us. They got up from their breaks or took time from their day to take care of us. From Albania we learned that nationalism—identifying with your country—doesn’t rely on political party or religion. Their nationalism appears to spring from their shared stories and the pride they express in their diversity. From this tiny Balkan nation, we learned that you can love your country without hate and that to welcome strangers is a sign of strength.
HARPER CREEK SCHOOLS – “The Cornerstone of the Community”
i
Battle Creek SHOPPER NEWS, Delivered Free to Nearly 50,000 Area Homes – January 18, 2018 – Page 28
Page 4 – Harper Creek Newsletter • January 18, 2018 • www.harpercreek.net
Harper Creek High School Marches into 2018 By Dennis Anthony, Principal On the academic side, teachers Cynthia Schofield and The holiday season was expectedly busy once again. Harper Creek High School continued their tradition of Rachel Foreman recently returned from their four-week supporting the community with the annual “Boot ‘em to journey to Albania. Their trip was made possible by the the Curb” fundraising event. Led by retired high school DeMaso Fellowship, established by former BCPS educators teacher Deb Look, the staff and students at the high school Delia and Dora DeMaso, so that teachers in the area can raised over $5,000. Together, supported by the efforts of enhance their teaching and learning through international many others within the district and community, the high study and teaching experience, and in the process bring the school donated and collected essential winter items—coats world to their classroom. Dr. Schofield and Ms. Foreman and boots and food and toys—and helped support over 30 examined the traditional folktales, poetry, and literature, families in need of assistance during the holiday and winter which contributed to the evolution of the concept of Besa, season. Thank you to all who donated time and resources as well as Albania’s status as a cultural crossroads throughout different eras of time. Both teachers stayed in contact with to this cause! The winter sports season is upon us, as well as other home by maintaining a blog of their trip while documenting extracurricular and co-curricular activities. DECA hopes to their journey. As with many who have traveled before, they continue its success at district competition this month, and brought back experiences that will most surely have farthe Robo Beavers robotics team will begin its competitive reaching implications in their classrooms. I hope the new year brings you hope and the fulfillment season soon. The Ski Club is anxiously hoping for continued snow so they can further enjoy the season. If you are of prosperity and success. The students and staff at Harper looking to stay warm, please consider joining us in our nice, Creek High School are continuing their personal journeys warm facilities as we support our students and athletes this towards creating an enriching and rewarding educational winter in wrestling, boys swimming, boys and girls experience that will lead them to a brighter, warmer future. Happy New Year! basketball, and competitive cheerleading.
Becoming a Community of Readers
Harper Creek Educational Foundation
G i v e • G r o w • A c h i e v e
www.bccfoundation.org/fund/hccsef The Harper Creek Educational Foundation’s sole purpose is to generate and distribute resources to Harper Creek Community Schools for scholarships, enrichment programs, and other projects aimed at enhancing the quality of education. If you would like to donate to this philanthropic organization, learn more about its mission and goals, or join the movement by volunteering, call 269.441.6555.
By Laura Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction As we enter a new calendar year, many of us are energized into goal-setting and personal improvement plans—some a rerun of our goals from 365 days ago. The headlines on this month’s magazines near the store checkout read like this: “More Calm, Less Clutter”, “This Year is Your Year”, “Fresh Start”, and “Let’s Go”, just to name a few of the invitations to change and improve. This year I am hoping that we can work as a community to engage each other and our youth to read on a daily basis. In addition to any resolutions that you are currently meeting, please take some time to reflect on how your family members are personally enriching their reading lives. When we focus on encouraging each other (adults and youth) to find engaging literature to read, we accomplish two very important things—we feel a new excitement about reading for enjoyment, and as a community, we will collectively exhibit more positive energy regarding what’s possible. Here are suggestions to help make this happen: • Harper Creek Staff—Look for avenues to excite students about a variety of reading opportunities embedded in what we are teaching. Take time to read with your students, regardless of grade level. • Harper Creek Students—Ask for help finding books, magazines, etc. that get you excited about reading. Talk to your friends about what you are reading! Read the book before you see the movie. • Harper Creek Parents—Model reading daily. Have reading materials at hand, even on-the-go, and read to or with your child. Discuss as a family what you are each reading. Take your family to the library weekly as a family routine. Make a game out of reading signs and cereal boxes with your younger readers. • Harper Creek Businesses—Have diverse reading materials available in your waiting rooms. Strike up casual conversations with your patrons about what you are reading and ask them in return what they are reading. Consider donating funds to enhance a classroom library. • Harper Creek Community Members—Consider volunteering time as a guest reader at one of our elementary schools. Share a favorite book from your youth with a neighbor or friend. Check with the school closest to you about donating books. Offer to buy a magazine subscription for one of our buildings. In closing, our teachers are working hard to develop readers for life, and we need your help. Our achievement data indicates that we still have room to grow. Let us send a message that reading is something we value at all ages. Let us make this a daily goal, not just a New Year’s resolution. Let us showcase this to the world by posting photos of engaged readers of all ages using our HC empowering learners hashtag: #Hcignitesgreatness. While you’re there, be sure to drop us a note about a good book you think others would like to read!
Harper Creek Athletic Hall of Fame By Ed Greenman, Athletic Director This year Harper Creek will induct seven new members into the Harper Creek Athletic Hall of Fame. The new inductees and the year they graduated are: • Laurie Smith (1975) • Joe Yurisich (2002) • Seth Arbogast (2002) • Rocky Weaver (2007) • Nate Smith (2007) • Adam Wilson (2007) • Coach Dennis Stansbery This is the ninth group to enter the hall of fame and the first time the induction has taken place in the winter. The past eight classes were inducted in the fall, in conjunction with a football game. We are proud of all 66 members of our hall of fame, and here are a few comments about each of our inductees: Laurie Smith—A pioneer in women’s athletics, Laurie was a member of the first women’s basketball team at Harper Creek. She averaged 24 points a game and had an 82% free throw percentage during her senior year. She was also an excellent volleyball player and golfer. Joe Yurisich—A three-sport athlete for Harper Creek, Joe was all-state in wrestling and finished his career with over 100 wins. He also had an excellent wrestling career at Olivet College where he achieved allleague status three different times. Seth Arobgast—Another three-sport athlete, Seth shined brightest in track and football. He would end up as all-state shot putter for the Beavers, and after his career at Harper Creek, he played football at Northern Michigan University. Rocky Weaver—One of the most versatile athletes to play at Harper Creek, Rocky was a 3rd team all-state player in basketball and a two-time 1st team allstate performer in football. He ended up playing football at Central Michigan University and signed a rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nate Smith—A three-sport standout for the Beavers, Nate was special mention allstate in basketball and 1st team all-state in football. He is in the MHSAA record books in several passing categories, and he went on to play baseball at Alma College, where he was the team MVP and is in the top ten in career hits. Adam Wilson—A two-sport athlete at Harper Creek, Adam experienced most of his success in wrestling. He is the school record holder in both wins and pins and earned four varsity letters in wrestling at Olivet College. He was all-league for three years at Olivet, was a conference champion, captain, and is currently an assistant coach for the Comets. Dennis Stansbery—Dennis just completed his 34th year of coaching football for Harper Creek. In 2000, he was selected as Assistant Coach of the Year by the Football Coaches Association and in 2015 was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. We celebrate another great class entering the Harper Creek Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations!
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