Our Schools News - June 2016

End-of-school-year June 2016 Allegan Public Schools

www.alleganpublicschools.org

2016 “School Bell” Awards

K.D. Lake

Nancy Hascall

The 2016 School Bell Award this year went to Nancy Hascall and K.D. Lake. This prestigious award is given annually to someone who goes “above and beyond” in their service to the district. Hascall, who retired this year after 19 years teaching English, has encouraged numerous AHS students to expand their writing skills and implemented Tiger Tales to recognize student writing achievement. Katherine D. Lake has donated her time and talents to the district with her involvement in the Educational Foundation and other school organizations, as well as making several cash donations in support of various programs!

Top Ten Graduates Allegan High School’s Class of 2016 Top Ten academic students: Front Row: Rayanne Williams, Cameron Zeter, Christi Carlson, Blade Porterfield, Brianna Price. Back Row: Erin Isola, Emma Sullivan, McKayla Burmeister, Caroline Wolf, Noah DeLaRosa.

School Starts September 6th Psssst!

The “app” is coming....

(8.8.16)

“OUTSTANDING People For Education” This year’s recipients of the OP4E Award from Allegan Public Schools were (left to right): Ed Garvin, Laura Sullivan, and Ed Spicer.

This award, sponsored annually by the Allegan County School Board Association, recognizes up to three individuals from each of the county school districts who have made an impact on education in their districts. Ed Garvin, one of our most requested substitute teachers, is also a volunteer for Kids Hope and for Science Olympiad. Laura Sullivan, 2nd grade teacher at Pine Trails Elementary, is a compassionate and fierce educator, who goes out of her way for students with special needs. Ed Spicer, 1st grade teacher at North Ward Elementary who retired this year, was recognized for his book donations and for his involvement in developing the Tiger Tales program at AHS, as well as for instilling a love of reading in his students.

IMPORTANT – KEEP NEAR YOUR PHONE

Allegan Public Schools Telephone Numbers

Administration Office.................................... 673-5431 Kevin Harness (superintendent) Bill Hammer (director of operations) Cheryl-Marie Manson (director of instruction) George Mohr (state and federal programs) Allegan High School .................................... 673-7002 Jim Mallard (principal) L.E. White Middle School............................. 673-2241 James Antoine (principal) Dawson Elementary....................................... 673-6925 Ron Orr (principal) North Ward Elementary................................. 673-6003 Becky Corbett (principal) Pine Trails Elementary................................... 673-5379 Jaym Abraham (principal) West Ward Elementary................................... 673-7000 Harry Dalm (principal) Allegan Alternative High & Adult Ed............ 673-5433 Laura Feffer (principal) Special Education........................................... 673-5431 Cheryl-Marie Manson (director) Tasha Frigmanski (supervisor) Athletic Office................................................ 673-7002 Matthew Stofer (director) Pool/Aquatics................................................. 673-7002 Mark Mattox (ext. 5507) Maintenance Department............................... 673-2085 George Zeock (supervisor) Transportation Department........................... 673-2203 Darrell Stoughton (supervisor) Food Service ............................................... 673-7002 Barb Elenbaas (supervisor) ext. 5517

August 2 Election

Renewal of 18 mills of Non-Homestead Tax Voters in the Allegan Public School District will have the opportunity to vote on a proposal that would renew the 18 mills of Non-Homestead tax for Allegan Public Schools.

This vote would renew the current millage being assessed on Non-Homestead property (businesses, second homes, etc.) for a period of two more years (2017 & 2018) but would NOT affect property taxes on any person’s homestead property.

Open Seats on the Board of Education ALLEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS will have 3 open positions on the Board of Education (two 6-year terms, and one 2-year term), with all terms beginning in January of 2017.

This election will take place on November 5, 2016. If you are interested in running for a position on the school board, nominating petitions must be filed at the Allegan County Clerk’s office by 4 p.m. on July 26, 2016. Contact the County Clerk’s Office for filing information, or call Joni Van at Allegan Public Schools (269) 673-5431 for more information about board service.

Other Board News: •

School Web page: www.alleganpublicschools.org

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Board of Education President: Mike Fairbanks Vice Presicent: Vicki Knuckles Secretary: Jeff McLaughlin Treasurer: Mary Kasprzyk Trustees: Troy Carns, Lane Sturman, Mark Davidhizar

Meetings:

Meetings are held in the Administrative Building (550 Fifth Street) and are open to the public, usually on the 2nd Monday of each month. The Organizational Meeting for 2016-17 will be held on July 11.

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A preliminary budget has been approved for the upcoming school year, projecting a $44,523 addition to the fund balance.

Tentative contract agreements have been reached with all employee groups including teachers, secretaries, food service, instructional assistants, custodians/maintenance, and bus drivers.

The Calendar for the 2016-17 school year has an additional 5 student days to meet the 180-day State requirement.

New staff are now being hired to replace some of the positions left vacant due to retirements and transfers. Look for the Back-To-School issue of Our Schools News for some new names and faces!

The “Our Schools News” is a publication of Allegan Public Schools. It is published at least four times annually and mailed to all residents of the Allegan area. If you know of someone who is not receiving this publication that would benefit from receiving it, please contact Joni VanNieuwenhuyzen, editor, at 673-5431 or email: jonivan@alleganps.org Page 2

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. . . the POWER of Education (A message from the superintendent of schools)

Kevin Harness Superintendent

So What Do You Do All Summer?

The 2015-16 school year is officially over for our students and most of our staff members. Students’ grades have been recorded, and our graduation ceremonies are complete. The last concert has been performed and the final athletic contest is over. Our food service staff has served the final lunch, and our bus drivers will not return to their routes until September. However, the work of operating our school district was far from over when the last bus pulled into the garage on June 9.

It is quite common for me to be asked the question: “So what do you do all summer?” Often the question is posed as a joke, almost implying that “You really don’t have much to do all summer do you?!” Actually the business of running a school district in 2016 allows for very little “down time” over the summer months. In our last issue of Our Schools News I provided a lengthy, yet not comprehensive, list of the programs and services we provide for our students. In order to provide those opportunities, there is a substantial amount of business and operations work that must be accomplished on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. For this article I thought I would attempt to answer the question “So what do you do all summer?” ....Not just for me personally, but for all of us throughout the district who work during the summer months.

Since school was out on June 9, the following tasks have been completed, or will be completed before students return on September 6: Obviously there are numerous camps and many other events for students that continue throughout the summer as well, however this list was limited to business and operation type activities.

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Preparation and follow-up work for June, July, and August Board of Education meetings Final 2015-16 budget amendment with Board approval Initial 2016-17 budget proposal with Board approval Completion of the borrowing process for the district’s general fund and debt millage Completion of financial audit Completion of grant compliance final reports Submission of grant applications for 2016-17 Negotiation of labor contracts with six bargaining units including: teachers, secretaries, instructional assistants, food service employees, custodians, and bus drivers Updating of all payroll and benefit information to reflect 2016-17 labor contracts Completion of all required employee evaluations Hiring and orientation of all new employees Completion of all state reporting requirements Processing of purchase orders for supplies and services Sorting and delivery of classroom materials Planning and coordination of professional development activities for 2016-17 Preparation of student assessment databases

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Updating of the district website and continuous postings to social media sites Launch of the new “district app.” for students, parents, and staff on August 8 Upgrade of all operating systems for computer network switches Migration of student information system (PowerSchool) to a new server Configuration of all new student devices Cleaning of all teacher workstations and projector filter replacement Upgrading of teacher/student software Thorough cleaning of all district facilities and buildings Inspection, cleaning, and repair of HVAC systems Maintenance and improvements of athletic fields and grounds Inspection, maintenance, and repair of bus fleet (26 buses) Publication of the summer issue and back-to-school editions of Our Schools News

Please don’t misconstrue this list as a plea for sympathy because we are so overworked during the summer months. We do manage to get some time off and enjoy what this great state has to offer for summertime activities. But at least you now know that we are not sitting around drinking coffee waiting for the school year to start. (Actually, I’m not even much of a coffee drinker!)

Enjoy the rest of your summer… We are looking forward to seeing all of our students back September 6!!!!

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What exactly is RTI?

(And how has it impacted Allegan Public Schools?)

By: Cheryl-Marie Manson, Director of Instruction The 2015-16 school year marked year three in a four-year implementation plan for Response to Intervention (RTI) at Allegan Public Schools.

Every building in our district is working towards this goal to create a systematic process that ensures every child receives the additional time and support needed to learn at high levels.

What is Response to Intervention (RTI)?

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Response to Intervention is a multi-tiered approach to early identification and support of students with academic and behavior needs. It is sometimes referred to as a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).

Response to Intervention is encouraged in federal and state law as an effective way to support high achievement for all students.

Interventions are specifically designed for the student that will provide intensive instruction on specific foundation skills.

Parents are kept informed about their child’s progress.

Students are screened for reading and math three times a year.

This is called our benchmark screening. It is done to evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum and instruction. It is also done to make sure that our students are on track to meet the essential standards at each grade level. We would expect that 80% of our students will be successful in the general education classroom without any further interventions.

Students who are not meeting the essential standards are provided with additional instruction and their progress is monitored. Data is used to make decisions about continuing the intervention, or providing more or different interventions in Tiers 2 and 3. We would expect no more than 15% of our students will need this level of intervention. Tier 2 instruction allows students more time in a smaller group to work on a concentrated skill. Students in this tier would continue to receive instruction in the classroom in addition to this additional support.

Students not making adequate progress in the general education curriculum and with additional interventions are referred to Tier 3 interventions. Students are provided with intensive and individualized instruction on specific skills. Their progress is frequently monitored to ensure they are learning the skills. We would expect that no more than 5% of our students will need this level of intervention. Tier 3 instruction is an additional block of time where an even smaller group of students work together on a particular skill. Students in this tier would continue to receive instruction in the classroom and Tier 2 as well as this additional support.

Our goal is to promote student success by supporting students along the school year with intentional systems and supports. As a result of our RTI efforts, students are achieving at higher levels in both reading and math.

As you can see by looking at this data, our efforts are showing an encouraging pay-off. We are pleased with what we are seeing so far, and look forward to planning our next 4 year plan for RTI plan to continue building on this success.

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Tech Camp 2016

Technology is not just about computers.

It’s about using computer concepts to solve every-day problems!

North Ward students at this year’s Tech Camp learn to program a Dash robot, applying computer programming skills to find new ways to get their “bot” moving!

About 50 elementary and middle school participated in the first ever TECH CAMP, sponsored by Allegan Public Schools. Students had the opportunity to experience creative, challenging, and “hands on” activities such as tearing apart computers, building LEGO simple machines, programming Robotics, experimenting with snap circuits and 3D designing.

Elementary teachers Julie Eickweilen, Brian Price, and Geoff Nash integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) lessons from their technology classes into Tech Camp. Using programs with funny sounding names like Kodu, Scratch, and Tinkercad, students learned basic programming concepts to create their own computer games and 3-dimentional objects.

Thank you to AAESA Math/Science Center for supporting our camp by loaning their 3D printer and EV3 robots; and to the Allegan Education Association for providing partial scholarships to several students to attend the camp.

Do you know about the changes to our Technology Policy?: (BYOT - Now an option at all grade levels!)

School issued devices will still be available, but if students wish to Bring their Own Technology (BYOT), this option will now be available for secondary and elementary levels, wherever allowed by the teacher. The complete revised Technology Guide is available on the APS website under Student Links/Student Resources and it includes:

NETBOOK COMPUTERS FOR SALE Now is your chance to purchase a “gently-used” laptop computer at a fraction of the wholesale cost! The specs: HP 215 G1 11.6” LED Notebook - AMD A-Series A6-1450 Quad-core (4 Core) 1 GHz - Silver (Terms: Cash & Carry. Contact 269.673.5431) These devices are available to Allegan students or ANYONE who is interested in purchasing. Charging cord included.

All for only $195, while supplies last!

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APS Student Acceptable Use Policy for Technology FAQ’s about student devices, including BYOT BYOT Specifications (What type of computer or device shoudl I buy?)

Information about ATC (Annual Technology Coverage) Fees Required Parent Permission Forms

Coming Soon!

Our very own Allegan Public Schools “App” Watch for it 8.8.16 Page 5

“Outstanding Citizens”

The students below were recognized as “Outstanding Citizens of the Year” at their respective elementary schools for 2016! They were praised for their academic success, their involvement in school activities, and for their exemplary citizenship.

North Ward Emma Kuebler Titus Smith

Outstanding People for Education Nominees

This year, Allegan Public Schools had LOTS of very-deserving Nominees for the Allegan County School Board Association OP4E Award (see winners on Page 1).

Pictured are many of this year’s nominees, which included staff members, volunteers, and community members: (Back row, left to right) Sarah Mallard, Kim Sparks, Jim Mallard, Jen Aldrich, Michelle Norland, Martee Spreitzer, Brian Ouellette. (Front Row) Colleen Fast, Kim Licavoli, Jaime Antoine, Catherine Hellmann, Lydia Hanse, K.D. Lake. Not pictured: Cindy Tibbitts, Jeff Grabber, Shawn Eckweilen, Lisa Heyboer.

$2500 Donation!

KD Lake of Hartman-Ellis Insurance donated $2,500 (as part of a matching grant from Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial) to Pine Trails Elementary. KD is shown here with Principal Jaym Abraham and a group of the Pine Trails Student Council.

Pine Trails

Ryan Davis Grace Clearwater

Early College - Allegan County

The 2nd group of students to enroll in Early College Allegan County have been announced! Students from Allegan High School who were selected for this program will start ECAC as high school juniors and agree to attend school for one additional year after 12th grade. They then graduate with a high school diploma AND an Associate’s Degree from Lake Michigan College.

Dawson

Madison Cariker & Eli Festerling Note: West Ward Elementary “Outstanding Citizens” were named in the spring issue of “Our Schools News” Page 6

AHS students were presented their acceptance letters to the ECAC 2016 cohort! Left to right: AHS Principal Jim Mallard, Danny Looman, Matilda Allen, Joseph LaJoice, ECAC Dean Robin Sterk, Matthew Cogar, Caleb Priebe, Chris Hitchcock, Nicholas Sagodic, and Gorden Wickens (college access consultant at ACATEC).

ACATEC Students of the Year 2016

An outstanding high school student is selected annually in each of the 21 vocational areas featured at the Allegan County Area Technical Education Center (ACATEC). Allegan was well represented, with three winners in the areas listed below:

Classroom Museum After two weeks of hard work doing research on student-selected topics, Mrs. Burnett’s 5th grade students at Pine Trails Elementary designed their own displays and opened their “museum” to share their knowledge with other students at Pine Trails Elementary.

Two of the many displays are depicted above, with Josh Bruin and his model train replica, and Brody Houser with a dirt biking display.

Sheala Kocur, Teacher Education (pictured with Jennifer Fuller, Teacher Ed Program)

Career Day

Riley Vance, Health Science (pictured with Margaret Brown, R.N.)

A big THANK YOU to the organizers and participants of Career Day 2016 at West Ward Elementary. Many people came and shared information about their chosen professions and vocations with the students, including fire fighters, dance instructors, meteorologists, nurses , farmers, and more!!!

Anna Southwick, Veterinary Tech. (with Cindy Walker Vet-Tech Instructor)

Pilot Jon Nahikian shared a little about what it is like to fly airplanes.

Museum Field Trip

Students from Mrs. Penny’s 3rd grade at Pine Trails Elementary enjoyed their field trip to the Grand Rapids Museum this spring.

Principal for a Day

Poetry!

Mr. Ed Spicer’s 1st graders again presented a Poetry Reading at the Allegan Senior Residence.

Pictured, 1st grader Addisyn Raber reads her poem.

Carter Southwick and William Burroughs try out this old-fashioned bicycle.

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Ava Earl was a very popular principal at West Ward Elementary, even if it was only for one day. She decreed an extra five minutes of recess for all students (with special permission from Mr. Dalm, of course)! Ava’s name was drawn from tickets sold as a fundraiser for the West Ward PTO.

Ecology and Earth Day Studies Author Visits

Children’s author Edith Pattou visited North Ward students in Mr. Spicer’s 1st grade class and answered questions about writing, gardening, and Earth Day! She is the author of Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden, and she helped the students plant pumpkin, milkweed, and bean seeds!

Earth Day Art

Florida Trip to Study Ecology

The AHS Science Department hosted the first trip to Florida recently. Ms. Eichbauer, 10 students and one parent spent five days in the Florida Keys and Everglades studying the area’s environment. Activities including: swimming with dolphins, snorkeling a coral reef, dissecting a squid (many ate the eye lens to get 7 years good luck!), and kayaking through the mangroves. Students also visited a motel turned Sea Turtle Hospital that treats and rehabilitates Sea Turtles that have been found injured. Exploring the Everglades invovled a night hike and a day tram ride where many alligators were spotted. This trip was such a success, the Science Department hopes to offer this trip again to high school students.

Mrs. Rogers Kindergarten class at West Ward Elemtary decorated their hallway “Earth Day” style!

Water Study

Ms. Eichbauer’s Ecology classes recently traveled to Grand Haven and completed a water study aboard GVSU’s DJ Angus. Water samples were analyzed for chemicals, sediment, and living organisms.

Students also toured PJ Hoffmaster State Park and visitor’s center.

Watch it Grow...

Students planted a garden outside the P.A.C. in hopes to provide a place for students to observe flowers, plants, birds, and insects native to Michigan. Students and the community are invited to watch this project grow!

Salmon!

Ecology students again released salmon at the Allegan Dam area. This year they had 173 smolt to release, starting with 200 eggs!

Bridget Hopkins and Ryleigh Galbreath

Pond Study

Ecology students also studied the diversity of plants and animals in a pond near the middle school. They viewed pond water samples under microscopes and performed microorganism analysis.

Emma Resendiz, Nicole Kutcher collecting pond samples.

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Allegan Band “Notes”

Help us buy new UNIFORMS - Please don’t forget all the various fundraisers going on to help support the effort to purchase new band uniforms for our marching band: Pizza Hut nights every 2nd Wednesday, Meijer Community Rewards (#856725), Amazon Smiles and Village Market Receipts; Pop Can Drive (your slips, not your cans please), and we always accept cash donations!!!

Correction - State Solo & Ensemble results were indicated incorrectly for Abby Knuckles (flute) and Christian MacCartny (horn) in last issue of “Our Schools News”. Both students received Division I ratings at State S&E with their solos!!!

Upcoming Band Dates:

July 18-29 Band Camp July 29 Performance/ Potluck Sept 1 Football Game Sept 12 Fair Parade (tentative) Sept 16 Football Game Watch for more events in the Back-To-School Issue of “Our Schools News”

Middle School Solo & Ensemble Results:

Superior Ratings (1): Aiden Glatz (snare drum solo) Olivia Williams (piano solo) Stephen Pierce (clarinet solo) Sean Dewey (clarinet solo) Sean Dewey & Stephen Pierce (clarinet duet) Excellent Ratings (II): Jillian LaJoice & Kiersten Osborn (flute duet) Sean Dewey, Trevor Moore, Stephen Pierce (woodwind trio)

Golf Outing Fundraiser - The Band Boosters earned over $3,000 at their first annual Golf Outing at Cheshire Hills. Thanks to Jennifer Nicholson for organizing this event, and to all who participated, donated, or helped out!

Choir News:

The “tall and short” of it! AHS Marching Band makes our community proud every year marching in the Memorial Day Parade!

State Solo & Ensemble

Congrats to the choir students who performed at State Solo & Ensemble in Portage. All events, including soloists and ensembles received Division 1 ratings in performance and sight reading. Soloists included Brianna Price, Sadie Clark, & Bailey Weaver. The Combined Womens Ensemble & the Chamber Women’s Ensemble included Kaitlyn Barnes, Aly Bazan, Bryanna Belden, Ciara Burr, Darian Guile, Kara Harker, Jacelyn Hinesly, Erin Milbocker, Karmind Nordblom, Emma Kasprzyk, Christine Panjikaran, Brianna Price, & Caroline Wolf, Madelynn Spreitzer. Amazing results and great job to all! Special congrats to Sadie Clark on her amazing score and to all of the students for knocking the site reading out of the park!

We will miss you, Ms. Balkon!

After 14 years with Allegan Public Schools, directing the APS Vocal Music program, Rebecca Balkon has taken another job opportunity in the Kentwood school district. We are grateful to Ms. Balkon for sharing her talents with us in numerous performances, musicals, Madrigal dinners, and much more! She will definitely be missed at AHS, but we wish her all the best in her new position!

State Choral Festival

Congratulations to both Treble & Chamber Choir for receiving Division 1 ratings at the MSVMA State Choral Festival amazing performances by both choirs!

MSVMA Middle School Solo & Ensemble

Congrats to the MS Honors Choir! Not only did they receive a division 1-”Superior” at Solo & Ensemble, they received a perfect score!!!! Congrats to you all, we are proud!!!

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HS Writing Awards:

Short Story Contest

“Letters About Literature”

These AHS students were semi-finalists in Michigan’s Letters About Literature Competition!!!

Caroline Wolf (Fangirl), Adam Johnson (Thing One & Thing Two), Riley Vance (Thirteen Reasons Why) Elizabeth Moelker (All the Bright Places), Hannah Stark (All the Bright Places)

One-Act Plays

Video Awards

The Lake Superior State University High School Short Story Prize is a regional literary competition open to high school students residing in the Midwestern U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The theme for this year’s contest was alternate history short stories. Two semifinalists from AHS were: Charles Riess, with “A Lunar U.S.S.R.” and Laura Stahlhut’s “June 17, 1953”.

Congrats to CC Cerven and Jaime Scane for making the top ten in the Meijer Great Choices Film Festival with their individual Public Service Announcements. Also to Emma Kasprzyk for making the top 60 cut in a nation-wide PSA video competition for her video “Why Drain Your Brain”.

Cartoon Carolyn Wolf and Angelica Captioning Zoch’s original one-act Wren Ashley was the plays (“Something Unsaid winner of “Detroit News “and “The Swindler’s in Education Cartoon Secret”) were selected for Caption Contest”! As production by the Allegan victor, Wren will receive Community Players! an anthology of editorial cartoons.

Poetry Contest

Devin Bradbury earned $50 for his second place victory in the Manningham Poetry Contest for his poem, “Small Friendly Town.”

Tiger Tales 2016 Personal Narrative

1st--Katie Heusser (Danger at Custer) 2nd--Hannah Stark (My Sunshine) 3rd--Rayanne Williams (The Laundry Argument) HM--Erin Isola (two essays: Selam & A Perfect Equation) HM--Zachery Sisson (Parakeet Chaos)

Poetry

Formal Essay

1st--Molly Long (The Case for Noise) 2nd--Hannah Stark (Fervently Affected) 3rd--Maya Geiselhart (People are Just People) HM--Wren Ashley(PG-18) HM--Allie Katsma (Home is Where the Heart Is ) HM--Abby Knuckles (The Champion of Modernism) HM--Emma Resendiz (Sixteen Years) HM--Riley Vance (The Disintegration of Dating)

Short Story

1st--Emma Resendiz (Today is the Day) 2nd--Abby Knuckles (White Chocolate Mocha) 3rd--Teague Hoffman (Little Charlie) HM--Christi Carlson (Lured) HM--Thomas Delor (Grave Consequences) HM--Agenda Domsitz (two stories: Flightless, Doll)

1st--Abby Knuckles (Approximate Affection) 2nd--Hannah Stark (seven poems: Apologies from Girls Like Me, Letters to Cloud Nine, Melange, re(e)l, Downpour, Simpler, Doppleganger) 3rd--Bree Katje (two poems: Moon Talk, Emergency Room Knuckles) HM--Benjamin Andrews (A-Stigma-Tism) HM--Molly Long (A Casual Haunting) HM--Daisy Radke (Airsickness) HM--Emma Resendiz (Marine’s Boots) HM--Alisha Smith (Yellow) HM--Amanda Snyder (Fossil)

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“Poems That Ate Our Ears” 2016 Winners: 7th-9th Grade Agenda Domsitz, Cold Fire Agenda Domsitz, Sleep Kody Harrington, Tricks up his Shell Hannah Roon, Upon My Shoulder Winners, 10-12 Grade Erin Isola, Blueberry Blues Gabby Katsma, Crooked Caves Gabby Katsma, Spiked Shells Charles Riess, The Ancestor’s Gift Jamie Scane, Blank Expressions Hannah Stark, Cheap Honorable Mention 10-12 Grade Erin Isola, Small Worlds Mia McLaughlin, Naiads Elizabeth Moelker, The Rush Emma Resendez, Marine’s Boots Hannah Stark, Chaos

Middle School “Cub Tales”:

Congratulations to the winners of the 6th annual AMS Cub Tales Literary Competition. This contest is organized and run by the Allegan High School AP Literature class, and it is sponsored by retired teacher Sandy Savage.

Personal Narrative

1st Place: Cadyn DeGroff (The Girl Who Walked the Storm) 2nd Place: Sasha Mills (The Hawaiian Jungle) 3rd Place: Harleigh Wesche (Bam!Pow!Thud!)

Poetry

1st Place: Zach Southwell (Dove & Boy Who Lost His Way 2nd Place: Celina Hamilton (Not Just a Cat) 3rd Place: Ella Gillies (Petals and Thorns) Honorable Mention: Kassidy McElwee (The Forgotten One) Lucy Kaylor (Darkness), Cohen Raymond (Pokemon Poem)

Short Story

1st Place: Alexis Harper (The Remark) 2nd Place: Tara Bradshaw (Code Black) 3rd Place: Brianna Mannon (War of the Lost) Honorable Mention: Jaelee White (Abigail’s Wish Before Death), Jenna Kutscher (All Good Things).

Entertainment Award: Kaleb Green (Cow to the Moon)

Alternative High School Happenings: By: Laura Feffer, Principal

What a year it has been at Allegan Alternative High School!

After year one of our Mind, Body, Spirit Initiative, here are a few examples of what we were able to offer our students. We will continue our focus on the “whole student” next year and beyond!

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New First Day of School Orientation & Review Sessions at the start of each trimester Visiting Therapist from Pathways each Wednesday Mental Health First Aid Training for Staff Music Therapy Painting of school mural with local artist Paddy Aidan Cookies & Canvas Art Event Yoga & Meditation Freedom From Smoking Group with AGH Extra-Curricular Sports & Quiz Bowl Fresh Food Education Youth Leadership Summit Organized three community Blood Drives with The Red Cross 6th Hour Electives including Team Sports & Robotics Spoken Word Poetry Presentations (The Diatribe & Kinetic Effect) Prime for Life Class on High-Risk Choices All-School Reading of All American Boys including trip to visit the author Students helped the City of Allegan prepare the Sow What Community Garden.

Holocaust Survivor Speaks to School about his experiences Field Trip to Camp Kidwell Staff Presented our Mind, Body, Spirit Initiative at MAEO (MI Alternative Ed. Organization)

“Sow What?”

Community Garden

Students from Allegan Alternative High School helped the City of Allegan prepare the Sow What?

Community Garden for its second year.

Aaron Rogers and members of the Community Relations class worked with Kelsie King, the city’s Promotions Director, to ready the garden, paint the fence, then plant vegetables. We look forward to even more opportunities for our students to become involved in their community!

“Allegan Roots” Root Beer

Students of AAHS had the unique opportunity to name the new root beer soft drink beverage, locally made at Millgrove Brewing Company here in Allegan. Aiming to keep the essence of the name as local as possible, students brainstormed and researched the history of Allegan, and even had a distinguished taste-test of the root beer for inspiration. Stop in at Millgrove and give “Allegan Roots” or “Whipple Truss” cola a taste for yourself!

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Lily Cook and Tracey, Resource Coordinator from the Food Pantry Collaborative.

Cereal Drive

The Student Council at Dawson Elementary collected over 116 boxes of cereal to donate to the Allegan County Food Pantry. Lily Cook had the idea, and helped organize the event. Her Girl Scout Troop #80520 and Dawson Student Council got involved to help!

Dawson Carnival

Dawson Elementary students celebrated the end of the school year with their annual Carnival, made possible by the efforts of over 30 parent volunteers!

Arbor Day

North Ward 5th grader, Delanie Dell, was the winner of this year’s Arbor Day Poster Contest, sponsored by the City of Allegan. Students were invited to an Arbor Day celebration downtown, where they learned fire prevention tips and received their own seedlings from Smokey the Bear. Principal Becky Corbett helped with the planting of a white pine tree in the park.

All sewn up!

2nd graders Mary Groendyk and Presleigh Clawson

4th graders at North Ward Elementary learned how to sew with a sewing machine, thanks to help from Mrs. Zachman, the grandmother of Natalie Prentice in Mrs. WinderbankLucas’ class. Students sewed their names onto fabric, added buttons, then created cushions which they stuffed and sealed.

Bookmark Project

As part of their social studies curriculum, students in Mrs. Sullivan’s 2nd grade class at West Ward Elementary recently organized and planned a community service project. Students were in charge of developing and implementing their own idea. They learned to collaborate, compromise, and delegate responsibilities.

Their final project was to create bookmarks to distribute to students and staff to promote summer reading!

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Hannah Corbett at the sewing machine with Mrs. Zachman, while Robert Holden awaits his turn.

Walk-a-Thon

Students raised $19,500 by taking pledges at their annual Walk-a-Thon at North Ward Elementary! The students who collected the most pledges earned prizes, including a Kindle, gift cards, and a chance to be “Principal for A Day”! A huge THANK YOU to all who donated to this cause...

“Grad-Walk” at Elementaries

What may be the start of a great tradition, many of our Class of 2016 graduates returned to their elementary buildings during the last week of school! Elementary students cheered, hugs were exchanged with former teachers, and a few tears were shed as grads bid farewell to Dawson, North Ward, West Ward, and Pine Trails....

North Ward students whose writings were selected were: (front row, left to right) Ellen Bishop, Amara Peters, Treydan VanderKooi, Isabella Giovannuci, Alayna Martin, Matheson Vernia, Brandon Thrash, Enzo Giovannuci, Jozaphine Navarro. AHS drama students who read and acted were: back row – teacher Kim Sparks, Larry Hopkins, Angelica Zoch, Alester Panjikaran, Katie Heusser, Ezekiel Butcher, Emma Kasprzyk

“IMAGINEERS”

Students from AHS Advanced Drama class volunteered to “act out” the stories created

by North Ward Elementary students. The selected authors were treated to an afternoon performance at the APS Performing Arts Center on May 6. The high school acting students, who named themselves “Imagineers,” cleverly acted out the students stories, much to the delight of the authors and the students in the audience.

Mural

Alternative High School students had the opportunity to design and paint a mural that depicts their school and their commuity.

Big thanks to artist Paddy Aiden for help with this creative endeavor!

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Art Displays

The Elementary Art Department would like to thank Poster Frame Depot for their generous donation of poster frames.

100 frames were purchased with a teacher mini-grant, and this company donated an additional 100, so we now can frame nearly all the student art-work for display at the annual K-12 art show!

TIGER ATHLETICS By: Matt Stofer, Athletic Director

www.alleganathletics.com

Recapping the spring sports seasonand looking forward to fall! *2016 SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD WINNERS: Van Melle (Top Male Athlete): Joey Orr Allegan County News (Top Female Athlete): CC Cerven​ Ackerman Sportsmanship: Jared Krug & Erin Isola Booster Club Scholarships: CC Cerven & Erin Isola Triple Threat (3 sports - 4 years): CC Cerven & Cam Zeter *GIRLS TENNIS: The Tigers won the Wolverine Conference title, finished runner-up at Regional and qualified for the Division III State Finals where the Tigers finished 7th at State. Kate Clark & Mollie Babbitt reached the semifinals at 2nd Doubles.

Reannon & Adrian Rizqallah All-State in Doubles... Mollie Babbitt and Kate Clark Honorable Mention All-State in Doubles...

Head Coach, Jen Aldrich was named Woverine Conference Coach-of-the-Year after leading a roster that featured only two seniors. *TRACK & FIELD: Brianna Price, Erin Isola and Nate Passorelli qualified for the Division II State Finals in Track & Field. Isola earned All-State status finishing 8th in the Pole Vault and also was named Wolverine Conference Top Female performer at the Conference Meet, winning three events in Three Rivers. *GIRLS SOCCER: Joy Hunziker was named Third Team AllState. Kara Bishop, Hunziker and Haylie Curtiss were named First Team All-Conference. BrookAnn Hitchcock and Jaime Scane were selected 2nd Team All-Conference. Daisy Radke was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Head Coach, Roberto Gonzalez was named Co-Wolverine Conference Coach-of-the-Year. *SOFTBALL: CC Cerven was selected 2nd Team All-Conference. *HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS START DATES: Football starts on Monday, Aug. 8 with all other fall sports opening on Wednesday, Aug. 10. *MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL SPORTS START DATES: Middle School Boys/Girls Cross Country starts on Aug. 22 and Middle School Football & Volleyball start on Monday, Aug. 29. *2016-17 SPORTS PHYSICALS: Reminder -- all student-athletes must have a sports physical turned into the High School Office (completed after April 15, 2016) before starting a sport. The physical form is available online at alleganathletics.com under the forms section.

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Swimmers/divers: (Back row) Gabbie Dame, Bre Price, Erin Isola; (Front row) Joel Raymond, Noah DeLaRosa, Charlie Riess

ACADEMIC ALL AMERICAN

Allegan High School is very proud to announce that six swimmers/divers from this year’s boys and girls teams were named “Academic All-American” based on their academic success, as well as their athletic accomplishments! Only approximately 2% of athletes participating in high school aquatics earn this level of recognition. Allegan’s women’s team also earned Academic All-State honors with the 8th highest team GPA in the state! *2016-17 BOOSTER RAFFLE FUNDRAISER: $25 tickets will go on sale in Mid-July for the weekly Friday evening three digit Michigan Lotto winner which will start on Friday, Sept. 9 and go for 38 consecutive Fridays (May 26, 2017). Join the fun as last year’s 38 - $200 winners found out! For information on ticket sales, email the Booster Club at alleganallsportsboosters@gmail.com

*TRI ALLEGAN - JULY 19: The 5th annual Tri Allegan triathlon is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 at LittleJohn Lake Park. Registration is filling up quickly, check out the Tri Allegan web site at: www.triallegan.com For sponsorship information on this event, email Mark Mattox at mmattox@alleganps.org

Dates for your Fall Calendars: • C.O.D.E. Orange game (Friday, September 16) • Homecoming game (Friday, September 30)

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FROM: Allegan Public Schools 550 Fifth Street Allegan, MI 49010

ECRWS TO: Current Resident

Allegan, MI 49010

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT #192

The Allegan Public School District complies with all federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, marital status, political belief, or physical or mental handicap or disability--in all of its programs and in employment. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, 550 Fifth Street, Allegan, MI (phone 269-673-5431).

Thank-you, KIDS HOPE Volunteers!

This group was recently recognized at a Board of Education meeting. In the KIDS HOPE program, local churches “adopt” a local school and then match up volunteer mentors with at-risk students. Mentors are trained at their respective churches and they commit to meet with their student once a week. Many mentors continue on from year to year and some even go on to mentor “their kids” as they move on to the middle school. Elementary principals spoke at the board meeting on the importance of this program and what a huge impact they are making in the lives of students! Allegan Public Schools wishes to thank the United Methodist Church, Christ Community Church, and the First Baptist Church of Allegan for sponsoring KIDS HOPE in Allegan. The directors and volunteer mentors are listed below: North Ward Elementary: Director-Karen Rambadt (United Methodist Church) 25 Mentors: Lisa Campeau, Susan Thiel, Leah VanOrder, Chic Heckman, Ed Garvin, Richard Randels, Shari Bradley, Joy Masek, Jaque James, Volunteer Tony Lombardo with his Pine Trails buddy!

Trevah Dalrymple, Emmie Babcock, Judy Jennings, Ellen Bierlein, Hanford Brink, Rod Rambadt, Karen Rambadt, Lois Giles, Jon Brink, Irene Waanders, Sally Adams, Jackie Thompson, Weslyn Francisco, Chris Jurkas. West Ward Elementary: Directors-Jeanette Kievit & Kelly Fales (Christ Community Church) 13 mentors: Larry Fales, Jeanette Kievit, Kathy Smith, Cheryl White, Lynn Taylor, Kevin Moelker, Sally Cook, Rachel Hill, Wally Coots, Kevin Butcher, Steve Schulz, Cheri Schulz, Cindi VanNostrand. Pine Trails Elementary: Director-Linda Evans (First Baptist Church of Allegan) 14 mentors: Lisa Sims, Lorraine Heckman, Rick Blair, Jodi Carra, Scott Parmenter, Leon DeFauw, Annabelle Samuelson, Linda Evans, Tony Lombardo, Pam Wallace, Carol Pinkley, Nathan Smith, Steve Hough, Paul Stauffer (Dawson student).

Summer Buddies Celebrating 15 years of having Fun! Fun! Fun!!!! This year’s program included 24 kids participating in lots of handson learning activities, led by teachers Miss Sara and Miss Susan. Summer Buddies is a summer day-camp experience that utilizes various thematic units to help students’ minds keep active over the summer. This year’s themes included All About Me, Red White & Blue, Western Days, and Buggy World!