Our Schools News - November 29, 2014

November 29, 2014 Allegan Public Schools - “Striving for Excellence”

www.alleganpublicschools.org

Marching Band brings home 2nd place trophy!

SHREK the Musical

This year’s musical performed by AHS Drama, and directed by Kim Sparks, was a delightful and entertaining romp through fairy-tale land for young and old, alike!

Nate Wallace and Emma Kasprzyk shared their singing, acting, and dancing talents as Shrek and Fiona; while Aiden Knoll and Christian MacCartny as Donkey and Lord Farquaad added even more comic relief. Kudos to the entire cast, crew, and orchestra for making this entertaining event possible.

2014-15 School Calendar Dec 10 - 2 hour early dismissal (Prof. Dev.) Dec 22 - Jan 2 (Christmas Break) Jan 5 - School Resumes Jan 19 - NO SCHOOL Jan 20, 21, 22 - Parent/Teacher Conferences Feb 4 -2 hour early dismissal (Prof. Dev.) March 6 - NO SCHOOL (End of Trimester) March 25 - 2 hour early dismissal (Prof. Dev.) April 3-10 - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break) April 27-30 - Parent/Teacher Conferences May 13 - 2 hour early dismissal (Prof. Dev.) May 25 - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day) June 4 - LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS

Congratulations to the Allegan High School Marching Band for their second place finish at the MCBA State Championship at Ford Field on November 1! Their score of 89.475 was less than a point away from the first place band (Godwin Heights, who scored 90.45) and earned them 2nd place in their division of 11 schools

Above: 10th grader Abby Knuckles takes a celebration selfie holding the trophy!

See Page 9 for more photos!

Drum Majors Tyler Miles, Madeline Miller, Karlie Wells, and Cortnie Cook accept the award for the AHS Marching Band.

that qualified. With the theme “Spanish Fantasy,” the band also earned highest scores in Music-General Effect in Flight IV. Band Director Andrea Mack credits this success to talent AND hard work! It was the best finish ever in her 13 years at AHS. “We have strong musicianship this year, with some outstanding soloists, and the band as a whole is focused and super hard-working,” stated Mack. “And we couldn’t be this focused without the support of our amazing Band Boosters and parents!”

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, Ron Orr (principals) L.E. White Middle School............................. 673-2241 James Antoine, Jaym Abraham (principals) Dawson Elementary....................................... 673-6925 Joe James (principal) North Ward Elementary................................. 673-6003 Becky Corbett (principal) Pine Trails Elementary................................... 673-5379 Dave Kanine (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 (assistant director) Athletic Office................................................ 673-7002 Matthew Stofer (director) Recreation Department.................................. 673-7002 Mark Mattox (pool/aquatics) Maintenance Department............................... 673-2085 George Zeock (supervisor) Transportation Department........................... 673-2203 Darrell Stoughton (supervisor) Food Service ............................................... 673-7002 Barb Elenbaas (supervisor) ext. 5517

New School Board Members Elected Board Elections took place at the November 4 general election. Two incumbents, Mary Kasprzyk and Vicki Knuckles, were elected, as well as new board member Lane Sturman, who was a write-in candidate. They will each serve 6 year terms, beginning in JanuLane Sturman ary 2015. Mr. Sturman, who lives at 2825 116th Avenue, Allegan, is married to Mindy and they have three children in Allegan Public Schools: Mackenzie (12th grade), Jacob (10th grade) and Morgan (8th grade).

Mary Kasprzyk and Vicki Knuckles were originally elected in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and will be serving their second terms. Mary currently serves as treasurer on the board, and Vicki is vice-president.

Allegan Public Schools 2014-15 Board of Education Regular Meeting Schedule

December 8, 2014 (7:00 p.m.)

January 12, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)

February 9, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)

March 9, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)

April 13, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)

May 11, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)

June 22, 2015 (6:00 p.m.)

July 13, 2015 (6:00 p.m.) Organizational Meeting

School Web page: www.alleganpublicschools.org

Current Board of Education: Troy Carns (trustee) Mark Davidhizar (trustee) Mike Fairbanks (trustee) Mary Kasprzyk (treasurer) Vicki Knuckles (vice president) Jeff McLaughlin (secretary) Dale Wittkop (president)

- Most regular meetings scheduled for the 2nd Monday of each month, except for June 22, 2015 meeting, which is the 4th Monday.

- Regular meetings during school year are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

- Regular meetings during the summer (June, July, Aug.) begin at 6 p.m.

- All meetings to be held at the Allegan Public Schools’ Administration Building, 550 Fifth Street, Allegan MI 49010.

Interested citizens are invited to attend meetings. There is an opportunity for public comments of a general nature at the beginning of every board meeting. Persons with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Superintendent at 673-5431, or at 550 Fifth Street, Allegan, MI 49010, ten days prior to the meeting.

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

‘Tis the season....to be thankful!

By the time this edition of the Our Schools News is published and reaches your mailbox, the Thanksgiving Holiday will be reduced to leftovers. As I am writing this, however, the turkeys have not yet hit the ovens. Regardless of the exact timing, it is still an opportune time for all of us at Allegan Public Schools to be extremely thankful!

We have had a great start to the school year at all of our buildings. Despite a few road bumps and glitches along the way, the roll out of student notebooks and tablets went extremely well at all levels. All of the students I have had the opportunity to talk with are appreciative of their devices and are actively using them every day. It is impressive to witness the learning opportunities created by our technology transformation, particularly with our youngest students. Visiting a kindergarten or first grade classroom and watching these young students actively engaged in learning on their iPads with their fellow classmates and their teacher is very rewarding. And watching students and staff of all ages broaden their horizons with new sources of learning and communicating is nothing short of amazing!

These new experiences for students would not have been possible without the consistent support of our families and community, and YES, we are thankful!

As I mentioned in my article in the August edition of the Our Schools News, we have finished the construction projects associated with the 2012 bond issue. But as I reflect on the tremendous impact the recent projects have had for our district and our students, I can’t help but think back to all of the transformations that have taken place at Allegan Public Schools over the last 20 years. When I first joined the APS family in 1996, the high school renovations had just been completed and a successful bond initiative had passed to renovate all of the elementary buildings, the middle school, the alternative education and administrative building, and the high school stadium. Shortly after all of those projects were completed, in 2000 our community once again supported improved opportunities for our students and we were able to construct our wonderful Performing Arts Center and Aquatic Center. What an impact all of these projects have had on our students and our entire community, and believe me – we are exceptionally thankful!

As impressive and impactful as our beautiful facilities and technology are, I am most thankful for our students and our staff. Our families entrust us with their kids every day, and what great kids they are! I have been involved in education more years than I care to reveal, yet I continue to be excited and captivated by what our students are doing and achieving. Lest I forget, it only takes a visit to a classroom, attendance at an athletic contest, or the enjoyment of a performance that our students are involved in, to remind me how fortunate I am to be an educator.

When I witness our students succeeding, I am thankful for our staff that guides, directs, and enables that success. I recently read that there are basically two roles in education--those that teach, and those that support teachers. We have the best of both here at Allegan Public Schools, and I am simply thankful to be a part of it!

Happy Holidays to all of our families - and don’t forget, tis the season to be thankful!

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Technology fever is “catching”...................

With the introduction of iPads in the classroom this year, even kindergartners are learning to tap and swipe, scan QR codes, and use other educational Aps! Mrs. Norland’s kindergarten class at Dawson Elementary shows off their skills....

Above: Makenna Engel Left: Christine Kiraly and Orion Hatfield

Genesis Hanse and William Thomsen

Young Fives and Kindergartners at Dawson (right) and West Ward (above) use their iPads to practice counting and learn about shapes.

Above: 2nd grader Bailey Meade uses headphones along with her iPad device.

Right; Gabe Kirby in Mrs. Sullivan’s 2nd grade class at West Ward practices spelling words on his iPad.

Mrs. Burnett’s writing classes from Dawson Elementary had an assignment at the Old Jail Museum to start their unit on historical fiction. In this photo, 5th grader Anthony Locatis is writing about artifacts he photographed using his iPad. Page 4

............................at Allegan Public Schools

High School students helped with the “roll-out” of their personal computing devices!

Elivia Maida raises her hand while other 2nd graders in Mrs. Sullivan’s class at West Ward Elementary explore their new devices.

10th graders Andrew Delpiere and Jacob Sturman try out the new notebooks.

Kodie Edwards uses an ap called “Thinglink” to show off what he learned about earthquakes.

Carly Rynearson and Lacie Crisman make their stories and narratives “come alive” by scanning images with their iPads.

3rd graders in Mrs. Wildeboer’s 3rd grade class at Pine Trails Elementary combine “old school” and “new tech” in their classroom every day! Students are using their iPads to research subjects, create their own stories and collages, and supplement their regular curriculum using math and language arts aps. From scientific research about soil types and about earthquakes, to sophisticated 3rd graders in Mrs. Wildeboer’s class: Austin Zoch, Jimmy “book reports” using videos and avatars, students are excited Millbocker, Robert King working on stories using their iPads. about their new learning tools!

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New Employees at APS:

Kristin Travers Social Worker (MS)

Lisa Alofs Kitchen Asst. (Alt HS)

Laura Wilson Supplemental Instruction (PT, WW)

Emmily Schulz Instructional Asst.

(PT)

Melissa Kuebler Tiger’s Den Preschool Assistant

Amy Mills Noon Supervisor (NW)

James Evans Special Ed Teacher (Elementary)

Jessica Blank Tiger’s Den Daycare Assistant

Aaron Rogers Academic Coach (Alt HS)

Natalie Beilfuss Noon Supervisor (Daw) Tera Crichton Supplemental Instruction (NW, Daw) Chad Corbett Special Education Teacher (HS)

Megan Knight Inst. Asst. (NW)

Annette Simaz Library (Daw)

Kristin Munn Noon Supv. (WW)

Allegan High School YEARBOOK Info: Pre-order your 2014-15 high school yearbook today! The cost of a yearbook is $63.60 (tax included); personalization, icons, protective covers, photo pockets, and personal yearbook pages cost extra. Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com or call 1-866-282-1516 to order with a check or credit card. Payments can be made all at once or installments. Yearbooks make a great Christmas or birthday present!

Senior portraits are due to the high school yearbook staff no later than January 15, 2015. Photos should be vertical, high-resolution digital photos submitted through email (jconrad@alleganps.org), on a USB drive, or on a CD. If you have any questions or need a recommendation for a photographer, please contact Jennifer Conrad, Yearbook Adviser, at 269-673-7002, ext. 5715.

Celebrate your student’s involvement and accomplishments with a personal ad in the high school yearbook! The yearbook staff can create ads to honor a student’s or group’s achievements in any extracurricular activity, from band, choir, drama, clubs, sports, com

Jenna Pinnell Noon Supv. (Daw)

munity service, church, Girl/Boy Scouts, dance, and more! You can also surprise your senior by placing a congratulatory ad in the yearbook! All you need are a few photos and a special message, and the yearbook staff can do the rest! Ads can be for an individual student, siblings, cousins, a couple of life-long buddies, or a group of friends. The cost of an ad can be split up between participating parents. Please contact Jennifer Conrad, Yearbook Adviser, at 269-673-7002, ext. 5715 for more information, including ad sizes and prices.

If you are interested in buying this year’s or last year’s yearbook and donating it to a student who would like one but can’t afford it, please contact Jennifer Conrad, Yearbook Adviser, at 269-6737002, ext. 5715. You may buy the yearbook for a specific student, or the yearbook staff can pick the recipient.

Keep up to date on the Allegan High School Yearbook news by following them on Facebook and Twitter! There you will find links for online yearbook and ad sales, photos the staff has taken, lists of old yearbooks available for sale, and much more!

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Ecology Fieldtrip

Mrs. Eichbauer’s Ecology students from AHS recently took a fieldtrip to Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery where they learned about environmental careers and participated in a lab activity, analysing the biological quality of a pond. The class also received 200 salmon eggs which they will raise in their classroom to be released next spring into the Kalamazoo River.

Kara Harker earned 2nd place in Connecticut’s 2014 Trumbull Art Festival Poetry Contest with her free verse poem, “Just a Dream”.

Austin Nicholson’s personal narrative, “Dark Stone,” is a top 10 winner in Creative Communication’s spring Essay Contest!

Mr. Chalupa’s Early World History class took part in a simulation of ancient Greece. Some of the activities included a Minotaur Maze, Greek Alphabet Challenge, and Greek Olympics. Students Tom Loftus, Gabbie McKee and Emerald Dewey dressed in togas and constructed their own Acropolis temple.

Artifacts and Poetry

AHS English students sought literary inspiration from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum collection.

The field trip was sponsored through a grant from the Ed Foundation of APS (Kaechele family fine arts grant).

Boxtops for Education

Making Tortillas Students in Alicia Ojeda’s Conversational Spanish Class used vocabulary and culture by making homemade tortillas in class.

Alex Larriuz and Mason Jilek try their hand at rolling tortillas.

Ancient Greece

L. E. White Middle School, as well as each of our elementary schools, is always collecting Box Tops for Education. Drawings for prizes are held throughout the school year for students who bring these in at the middle school, and elementaries also have class contests. Please save these off hundreds of grocery and household items and turn them in to your child’s school.

Donorschoose.org

Many of our APS teachers participate in an online donation program called Donors Choose. The Library/Media Center at L. E. White Middle School and Allegan High School has a Donorschoose.org project listed now. This project is to purchase books for students in grades 6-12 to make sure the students have the reading materials they need to succeed. A classroom project request has been created at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity. Please visit this link to make a contribution: http://www. donorschoose.org/project/reading-is-life-long-learning/1416357/

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Reading Workshop

What’s Cookin’?

Mrs. Brower’s 1st grade class celebrated the end of a Reading Workshop unit by “practicing” their reading to the students in Mrs. Rogers’ kindergarten class. Kindergartners enjoyed having the “big kids” read to them and 1st graders enjoyed practicing their new reading skills. 1st grader Kyleigh Dillon reads to her kindergarten brother Linkoln.

Kindergartners in Mrs. Norland’s class at Dawson Elementary spent time exploring each letter of the alphabet and what they loved most was making a snack that begins with each letter. They have made pig-shaped pancakes, supersticky s’mores, and teeth from apples and marshmallows! Kenna McHerron demonstrates her “pig pancake”.

Instrument “Zoo”

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo came again this year to demonstrate instruments for 4th graders at Pine Trails and West Ward. Students got to “try out” various instruments! Thanks to music teacher Mrs. Armbruster, band director Andrea Mack, and 8th grade band helpers for making this event so successful.

Mason Wendt tries out a violin.

“Everyday Evidence”....... ........is a promotion going on now at Allegan Public Schools. You, too, can write in and tell your stories of the good things going on at APS, or just read about some of the examples people have given already. Just go to our website at www.alleganps.org and click on EE on the front page!

Mrs. Sieber (teacher at Dawson Elementary) submitted this photo as Everyday Evidence, recognizing Sharon and Allen Lynema and Agri-Equipment Service for donating money for t-shirts for the C.I. Classroom at Dawson Elementary.

Just one more example of “everyday evidence” of the great things happening at Allegan Public Schools!

More “Everyday Evidence”.....

By: Michael Fairbanks (board of education trustee) Recognizing the APS Administration for their Proactive Response to School Funding that Directly Impacts All APS students Although many in the community might not be aware, on November 12 the MI Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 1077, which would severely limit access to the school bond loan fund. If this bill continues to move through the process and is signed into law, borrowing from the fund will be almost nonexistent for 20 years and could lead to much higher property taxes for new building projects or the inability to pass bond issues, leading to substandard buildings. It is important to note that our school administration saw the potential for this coming. Through good planning, excellent leadership throughout the process, and the community’s support, APS proposed and passed our bond issue in 2012 (with NO tax increase!) which has led to significant improvements in building infrastructure, student safety initiatives, elementary school playgrounds, athletic facilities, and the recent expansion in our technology platform to boost student achievement – enhancements that touch each one of our students on a daily basis!......The Allegan community is very fortunate to have a school administration that is well-informed, prepared, and thinks of the community as a whole in making Allegan Public Schools a great place to learn and grow!

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Solo & Ensemble

Congrats to following MS Band students for their performances at the MSBOA MS Solo and Ensemble Festival on 11/22/14 at Fennville HS. Division I Rating (Excellent) Alesandra Garcia and Caleb DeKryger (flute solo and pianist) Maddy Waite and Alesandra Garcia (flute duet) Noah Festerling (trumpet solo) Kelsey Clark (clarinet solo) Kenidy Allen (clarinet solo) Jacob Pierce (trumpet solo) Kavan Withrow (flute solo) CJ Chenard and Ezra Butcher (marimba duet Garrett Fairbanks (snare drum solo) Division II Rating (Good) Eliza Spritzer and Emali Steward (flute duet) Andrew Teachout and Jacob Pierce (trumpet duet)

Allegan Band “Notes” Marching Band Takes 2nd Place at State! “Spanish Fantasy” was the theme, but reality became a 2nd place finish at the MCBA Championships! (See page 1 for more details.)

Dates to Remember: Dec 4 - Holiday Concert (HS & 8th grade band) 7 pm in P.A.C. Jan 31 - High School District Solo & Ensemble Feb 11 - 6th grade band performs for 5th graders (1:30 pm) Feb 12 - Pre-Festival Concert for 7th, 8th, and HS Bands Feb 17-26 - MSBOA Band Festival 7th, 8th, and HS Bands - Exact date and time TBA Apr 18 - Spring MSBOA Solo and Ensemble

Marching Band:

(by Cor��ie Cook, co-dr�m major and 8 year flute player) Marching band season requires three things -perseverance, dedication, and resolve. Perseverance to work through the intense summer heat or the frigid September air. To continue when you want to quit, and you’re sick of hearing, “just one more time”. Dedication for ever� single Tuesday to be occupied, many lunch minutes missed, and a month of Sat�rdays--time when you could be with your friends, but choose your band family instead. Marching band requires the resolve to work through tired chops (the muscles of your mouth), sunbur�s, and not only your own exhaustion but also your peers’. Marching band is so much more than just ten minutes on the field. It’s a family with many dysf�nctions, who come together as a cohesive g�oup to create something that’s bigger than themselves.

Honors Choir

Allegan High School choir students who were selected by audition to perform in MSVMA Regional Honor’s Choir. This event takes place in early December at WMU’s Dalton Center.

“Festival of Voices” All-Choir Concert Tuesday, December 17 7:00 p.m. in the P.A.C.

Back row (left to right): McKennah Heckman, Brianna Price, Jessica Willey. Front row: Josh Curtis, Dontae Havinga-Hamilton.

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Allegan Public Schools - Adult Education, Alternative Education, Online Education Meeting students’ educational needs in a variety of ways!

ALLEGAN ONLINE

Convenient Class/Lab Times Monday & Wednesday: 9 AM – 8 PM Tuesday & Thursday: 9 AM – 4 PM Friday: 9 AM – 12 PM

Allegan Public Schools Online School •

Offering FREE online classes towards an Allegan Public Schools High School Diploma.

•

Open to students in grades 6 - 12 who qualify.

•

Computer lab open 5 days a week for test taking & academic help.

Located in the Learning Center Lower Level of the APS Administration Building 550 Fifth Street * Allegan, MI 49010

Any Time * Any Place * Any Pace

Allegan Adult Education •

Offering FREE classes towards a High School Diploma or GED Certificate

•

Official GED Testing Center

•

Open to students ages 17 and up.

www.alleganps.org

Questions?

Call

(269) 673-5431

Brenda Nyhof

bnyhof@alleganps.org Ext. - 3022

Enrolling in January or

Sue Chappell

schappell@alleganps.org Ext. - 3054

Allegan Alternative High School The positive behavior incentive for Allegan Alternative High School uses the acronym S.O.A.R. and students are rewarded for exhibiting the values listed.

Each Friday they host an assembly where students are recognized. Other activities at Alternative High this trimester included: Blood Drive - Students partnered with the American Red Cross and brought in a total of 24 pints.

Fall Olympics - Students participated in a mixture of physical, mental, and social activities aimed at building self-confidence and connections between students.

Explore Hour

Allowing students time to be creative and pursue their passions was the goal of the Alternative High’s “Explore Hour”. Teachers acted as guides and mentors as students pursued activities such as music, writing, mechanics, and computer coding. Above: Stone Clark and Josh Carpenter play a song they learned on guitar; and Austin Field had an article published in the Allegan County News!

Bow Tie Tuesdays

What started as one teacher wearing a bow tie, has led other staff and students to join in on the fun and raise the bar for professional appearance!

Teachers Mark Horn, Kyle Shack, and Aaron Rogers join students Kyle VanDine and Elizabeth Barstatis in donning their bow ties one Tuesday!

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Teacher of the Year

Adult Education teacher Cindy Siegers was recently named “Teacher of the Year’ by the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education (MACAE), and was recognized by the Board of Education in November. She has helped develop individualized lesson plans that assist students in passing the new GED test.

Top Fundraiser Hunter Weeks

North Ward Walk-A-Thon

As their major fundraiser for the school year, North Ward held a walk-a-thon and students got pledges totalling over $14,000! Teachers even got in the spirit and dressed up in crazy costumes. Huge thanks go to Hunter Weeks, a 5th grader, who has been the top fundraising student for the past 5 years, earning nearly $5000 by selling products and getting pledges!

Cards for Veterans

Ms. Tibbitt’s 2nd graders at Dawson Elementary created cards, letters, and pictures for the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek for Veteran’s Day. They brainstormed ideas, thoughts, and words to write and discussed symbols of the USA for their pictures, while students learned the importance of honoring our veterans.

Donuts for Dads Dawson Elementary once held their annual “Donuts for Dads” event on November 21. This is a special opportunity for dads and their children to spend quality time together before school. Pictured is Kandence, Kambre, and Kohen Wilhelm, with their dad, Tyler Wilhelm.

Parent Volunteers are Priceless

Mrs. Norland and her kindergartners are very thankful for all the parent volunteers that help out in their classroom! Pictured is parent volunteer Cara Ritter, along with Isabella Ritter, Isaiah Babbitt, and Kenna McHerron. Other volunteers this year are Heather Deible, Lydia Hanse, Shannon Klinkhammer, and Michell Truax. THANK YOU!

“My Personal Hero” Essays These 10 students from L.E.White Middle School were chosen by their teachers as winners of the “My Personal Hero” essay contest. The contest is sponsored by State Farm Insurance, and students wrote wonderful tributes to their “heroes”: moms, stepmoms, grandmothers, dads, grandfathers, coaches, doctors, and teachers! These students will compete for ten state-wide awards of $1,000 each, a riverboat ride, and a chance to be honored at a minor league baseball game.

Essay winners were: Megan Collins, Stephanie Klinkhammer, Chloe Schans, Kayla Jacobs, Tara Kizer, Jackson Foster, Grace DeKoff, Zach Sisson, Hailey Raymond, and Annika Hansen.

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Mileage Club

Students and staff at Dawson Elementary are encouraged to run or walk a course around the school during recess time. For every five miles they run, they receive a foot token charm to put on a necklace or bracelet.

Students can also earn other fun prizes. The program helps students stay fit and builds selfesteem So far this year, Dawson students have walked or run over 640 miles!

Audrey Brink and Malacca Truax race to get their cards punched.

North Ward Pumpkin Patch

A community/school project produced much “fruit” and students were thrilled to see the pumpkins seeds that they planted last spring grew into an entire pumpkin patch over the summer! Students with no office referrals all got to choose a pumpkin to decorate for Halloween.

Many thanks go to the parents and community members who made this project possible: Mindy Sturman, Tina Giovannucci, Mindy Laarman, Julie Ziemelis, Jeff Brown, Denise Lucas, Tonya Mauer, Beaudoin Construction, Gary Mannon, DK Landscape Management, JRB Property Management, Kids HopeAllegan United Methodist Church, Tom Richardson, Scott’s landscape Management, Ed Garvin, Jackie Thompson, Allegan Lumbertown, and Karen Rambadt.

Lifelong Learners

Pumpkin Contest

Dawson 3rd graders who won this year’s pumpkin decorating contest and their winning entries were: Ella Mae Carter (candy corn cat), Luna Ruiz (owl), Matthew Ritter (MSU Sparty), Tyyriss Pullen (penguin), and Kambre Wilhelm (ghost).

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Our Lifelong Learners celebrated Halloween with some spooky ghost stories and some delicious treats! Some even dressed in festive attire for the party! Come join us most Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. at 550 Fifth Street (APS administration office). Visit the Allegan Lifelong Learners Facebook page for more info on what’s happening, or call (269) 673-5431.

Big Apple Crunch Day Allegan Public Schools students joined students all across the nation to celebrate the Big Apple Crunch! While students were crunching on apples, they were also raising awareness about eating healthy fruits and vegetables!

Matisse Art Students in Mrs. Lemons 4th grade at North Ward Elementary recently had a guest artist, Jane Brodt visit their classroom to conduct an art talk about Henri Matisse. Students learned about his style of art and then they created their own geometric figures and shapes into a colorful and unique piece in the style of Matisse!

Staff and students from all Allegan Public Schools earned $793 to be donated to breast cancer awareness in our 2014 “Passionately Pink for the Cure” campaign. West Ward Elementary students contributed $143. Teacher Laura Sullivan, who organizes the event each year, said APS has raised over $7,000 since 2006 to benefit this cause!

Middle School Canned/Non-Perishable Food Drive for the Allegan Ministerium Central Food Pantry starts next week: Tuesday Dec. 2 - Thursday Dec. 4. Prizes for the top classroom and any student who brings in 5 items receives a free pass to a social event.

“Be Nice” It sounds like a simple premise...but students at West Ward Elementary are engaged in a positive behavior, anti-bullying initiative that focuses on school-wide change through simple daily actions. N (Notice), I (Initiative), C (Challenge), and E (Empower). Students are learning how to invite others to play, make someone laugh, give a compliment, and more!

This assembly was funded in part by the West Ward PTO. 2nd graders Gabe Kirby and David Oetman try to make each other laugh by telling jokes!

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Students in Mrs. Sullivan’s class learn actual techniques on how to invite another student to play.

Allegan Athletics by; Matt Stofer, Athletic Director

As the winter sports season gets underway and we head towards Christmas break, happy holidays to everyone!

Athletic Department updates: Practices for Middle School Girls Basketball and Middle School Wrestling will start on Monday, January 5. More information will be announced at school and on the athletic website in December. Reminder: all students interested in Middle School Girls Basketball or Middle School Wrestling must have a sports physical turned into the High School office prior to joining a team. $1 student tickets are on sale at the elementary, middle, high and alternative high schools during the school day and would make great gifts for the holiday season! Student tickets are regular price when bought at the game.

Web Site - Thanks to everyone who visited the athletic web site which for October was #30 in page views in the state of Michigan. For the most update schedules, team news and to sign up for Twitter and Facebook updates, visit www.alleganathletics.com. Winter Middle School and High School printable schedules are available at the website under “schedules” on the homepage.

On days when school is closed due to weather, please note only varsity teams will have the option to practice. All sub-varsity and middle school teams will not practice on days when school is cancelled. This policy is for practices only.

Baseball Camp: Students in grades 3-8 can sign-up for baseball camp to be held at the Fieldhouse over Christmas Break (December 29, 30 and 31). Visit the athletic website as registration information is available under the “forms” link on the homepage.

Swim and Dive Team earns State honors Led by stunning performances by their two divers and senior swimmer Madelyn Smith, the Allegan Women’s Swimming and Diving Team finished 14th at State Championships at Oakland University on November 22. Divers Brianna Price and Erin Isola finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively, and diving coach Kyle Oberhill was named Division 3 Diving Coach of the Year. Madelyn Smith captured her own All-State honors, finishing 8th in the 100 butterfly, an event for which she has set the school record 3 times in the last two weeks. Walking straight from the medal stands to her blocks less than 20 minutes later, Smith again found a school record, finishing 12th in the 500 freestyle.

Rounding out the day, the veteran team of Gabbie Dame, Olivia Lake, Emily Baiers and Madelyn Smith swam to a 14th place finish in the 400 free relay. Gabbie Dame finished 24th in the 50 free and 18th in the 100 free. The Medley relay of Smith, Lake, Lake, and Dame finished 20th and the 200 free relay of Baiers, Lake, Hartman and Lake finished 19th, going the fastest time of any Allegan team this season. It was the Lady Tigers’ best state ranking ever, another great accomplishment this year for a wonderful group of young women who were led by 8 seniors and first-year Allegan Coach Mark Mattox.

Hygiene Presentations

Landria Christman, AHS and Welcome to Dan Lang, who has been named Varsity Soft- University of Michigan grad, ball Head Coach. was asked to give demonstrations to each of our elementary schools, where Dec. 29, 30, 31 (10 am-noon) she discussed proper hygiene for Allegan students in grades 3-8 and hand-washing techniques to help prevent the spread of Cost: $20 illness. Landria is working for Bronson Hospital currently, Registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 19 where she is involved as an intern in a study of hand-washing and infectious disease.

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Baseball Camp

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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).

Allegan Principals Deputized

Three administrators from Allegan Public Schools have been “deputized”

by Allegan County Family Court Judge Michael Buck. As Truancy Officers, Jaym Abraham (assistant principal at L.E.White Middle School), Ron Orr (assistant principal at Allegan High School), and Laura Feffer (principal at Allegan Alternative High School), will be part of a pilot program called “Direct Referral Diverson” which aims to help curb truancy and absence issues. These three will work along with the AAESA Truancy Officer and Family Court to streamline the process and work with families and students.

Christmas Decorations

4th graders in Mrs. Hilsbos’ art classes have been busy making decorations for the trees in downtown Allegan. Look for them in front of downtown businesses coming soon! Alva Morgan, who recently retired from Allegan Public Schools, is still coordinating the event, and high school students will help with the decorating this year as a community service project.

Playgroups are Fun! “Champion for Children” If you are the parent of a pre-school child aged 0-5, you may be interested in joining one of our Playgroups, taking place once per month at our various elementary schools. In collaboration with Great Start - Great Parents, Headstart, and Early Headstart, we are hosting these playgroups to help parents learn ways they can interact with their children. The next group is December 10.

Contact family coach Allison Bush to find out more! (673-5431, ext. 3021)

Allegan’s Phyllis Drozd was the recipient of the 2014 “Champion for Children” award, presented by the MASA (Michigan Association of School Administrators), Region 3. Phyllis, who served 50 years on the AAESA (formerly Allegan ISD) Board of Education and also served on the MASB (Michigan Association of School Boards) Board of Directors for 10 years, is shown with Superintendent Kevin Harness, who had the honor of presenting her with this award.