Our Schools News - Spring 2017

April 1, 2017 Allegan Public Schools

www.alleganpublicschools.org

Elementary Buildings Remain K-5

2016-17 School Calendar

Shuttle Bus Runs Eliminated for 2017-18

On March 13, the Board of Education approved a recommendation from the administration to maintain all four elementary buildings as K-5 buildings. The recommendation also includes some changes that will be in effect for 2017-18 school year. One of the changes will be the elimination of shuttle buses between elementary buildings (except for special programs) which will add 15-20 minutes of instruction time to each school day.

School of Choice requests for a specific elementary building will still be honored if space is available, but only if parents are able to provide transportation.

Apr 3-7 Apr 19 May 1-4 May 17 May 29 June 6 June 8 June 14

NO SCHOOL (Spring Break) 2 Hr. Early Dismissal Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 Hr. Early Dismissal NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day) Alternative HS Graduation Allegan High School Graduation Last Day for Students

7th Annual

Fit for Life

Although our elementary buildings are maintaining the same configuration for now, watch for exciting changes in the structuring of our learning environments! At Allegan Public Schools, the goal with our RTI philosophy is to meet the needs of all our students, intervening when necessary, and providing opportunities to advance once essential standards are met, in order to provide a personalized approach to learning!

5K run/walk

May 20, 2017 (9 AM) at the Allegan Co. Tech Ed Center

For more information, please read the articles from our Superintendent Kevin Harness on Page 3 and from our Director of Instruction Cheryl-Marie Manson on Page 6.

www.alleganaesa.org/FitForLife5k

Students who will be 5 by September 1 should attend!

• Race through an inflatable obstacle course • make a healthy treat • take a bus ride • make a craft • meet some of our kindergarten staff

What to bring:

Child’s birth certificate, immunization records and vision screening, proof of residency (mortgage or rent receipt, tax bill or receipt, household bill with name and address)

Call any elementary school for more information!

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 School Web page: www.alleganpublicschools.org

Allegan Public Schools Board of Education President: Vicki Knuckles Vice President: Mary Kasprzyk Secretary: Jeff McLaughlin Treasurer: Troy Carns Trustees: Jennifer Nicholson, Lane Sturman, KD Lake

Parent-Teacher Conferences are May 1-4 (Schedules vary by building - Please check your child’s school for details and scheduling.)

Allegan Public Schools 2016-17 Board of Education Regular Meeting Schedule

April 10, 2017 (7:00 p.m.)

May 8, 2017 (7:00 p.m.)

June 26, 2017 (6:00 p.m.)

July 10, 2017 (6:00 p.m.) Organizational Meeting

• Most regular meetings scheduled for the 2nd Monday of each month, except for June 26, 2017.

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

• Regular meetings during the summer (June, July, August) begin at 6:00 p.m.

• Special meetings will be posted at the entrance and on the district website.

• 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

Moving Forward with 4 Discussions have been taking place over the past several months among parents, teachers, administrators, and board members regarding which elementary building configuration will best meet the needs of our students. Information on this topic was shared in the December issue of Our Schools News, in the Allegan County News, as well as on our district Facebook page and Board Bulletin summary of our March board meeting. As you read on the front page of this publication, the Board approved the administrative recommendation to continue to operate four K-5 elementary buildings.

While there will not be changes in the grade configuration at each of our buildings, there will be changes collectively in how the four elementaries operate. For many years, the district has balanced class sizes within each grade level, kindergarten through 5th grade, by transferring students to another elementary within the district. The number of students being moved in order to balance class sizes has increased in recent years due to singleton sections. A “singleton,” as we call it, occurs when there is only one classroom of a particular grade at one of our four elementary buildings. When that occurs we often need to transfer students to another building so that the singleton classroom will not be overloaded with students.

Transferring students to another building requires additional busing and loss of instructional time for our students. “Shuttle bus” students leave their classrooms 15-20 minutes early each day in order to be transported back to their resident elementary building to then ride a bus home that transports students to their neighborhood. Fifteen minutes each day equates to 45 hours or seven days of lost instruction each year! All elementary students are being impacted by the loss of instructional time, not just the students being bused. Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, we will no longer transfer and shuttle students in order to balance class sizes. Instead, we will be creating blended grade level classrooms, where needed, in order to maintain appropriate class sizes. We have operated blended classrooms within the district on a limited basis for many years, including the current 2016-17 school year.

Elementary In-District School of Choice As in the past, families will continue to have the option to select their elementary “school of choice” as long as long as there is space available in the building they are requesting. However, because the shuttle buses will no longer be operating, families will be responsible to provide transportation for their child to their school of choice building, or a bus stop that provides transportation to that school.

Kindergarten and Young Fives Another change for our elementary buildings involves our kindergarten and young 5’s programs. Following the same philosophy described above for our older elementary students, we will no longer test and separate a portion of our kindergarten age students to attend a young 5’s classroom at Dawson Elementary. Kindergarten students will stay at their neighborhood school. If students need a second year of growth and development in order to be prepared for 1st grade, a second year of kindergarten will be provided.

We are excited about the increased instructional time and other opportunities that will be provided for students under our new approach to “neighborhood” elementary schools. As always, our goal is to maximize learning for ALL of our students!

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March Reading Month . . .

Camp Read S’more

Read me a story...

Traditionally, Reading Month means sharing the love of reading....

Teachers, Administrators, Board Members, Volunteers, and even other students spent time sharing stories with other students, helping to instill a love of reading!

At Pine Trails Elementary the library was transformed into a “campsite” for Reading

Students in Mrs. Conrad’s Children’s Literature class at Allegan High School spent time sharing some of their favorite children’s books with elementary students.

Above: Benjamin Andrews reads to Dawson Y5 student Amelia Burnett.

Left: Kylee Green reads to North Ward kindergartners Ava Thompson and Kenneth Porter.

Superintendent Kevin Harness was one of the guest “Mystery Readers” at North Ward Elementary, as well as several other elementary schools!

Students from the Alternative High School also chose children’s books and practiced the art of reading aloud.

James Kingsley is pictured reading to Mrs. Sieber’s class at Dawson Elementary.

Eating the Alphabet

Kindergartners in Ms. Norland’s class at Dawson Elementary have been preparing and eating snacks that begin with each letter of the alphabet (such as Pig Pancakes and Elephant Ears). Shown is Riley Gross with her Banana Butterflies!

Yum!!!

“Reading is not something you do, it is somewhere you go!” ...Or so stated Johnathan Rand, author of the American Chillers, Michigan Chillers, and Freddie Fernorter Fearless First Grader series, in a special assembly for students at Dawson and West Ward Elementaries to kick off Reading Month.

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“Hero”

Essay Contest

Three L.E. White Middle School students were selected as local winners in the “America & Me” essay contest sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance Co. This year’s theme was “My Personal Michigan Hero” and student winners were: 1st Place - Carly Mollitor (right) 2nd Place - Jenna Kutcher (center) 3rd Place - Olivia Williams (left) First place winner Carly’s essay will now advance to the state level competition!

Middle School Youth Summit

Allegan area high school students hosted a Youth Summit at the Griswold Auditorium in February for middle school students from Allegan and the surrounding schools. Sponsored through Allegan Pro Youth Team, it focused on the harmful effects of substance abuse and bringing out leadership qualities in students. Highlights included a keynote speech from Ty Sells, a speaker from the Youth to Youth organization, and several breakout sessions and team-building activities.

Purple Heart

“I have a dream....”

Students throughout the district participated in activities and projects to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January. 4th graders in Mrs. Cook-Harlan’s class listened to King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and then wrote about their own dreams. Pictured are: (left to right) Callie Borst, Ke’Juan Foster, Bailey Meade, and Maddison Burke.

High School students in Mr. Fisher’s and Ms. Cooper’s U.S. History classes borrowed some artifacts from the Otsego Area Historical Museum. Freshman Bryce Pierce is shown wearing Private Dieke’s uniform from WWII and holding a Purple Heart Medal. Students also got to view other medals, ration books/stamps, and Selective Service draft cards from the second World War.

Dictionaries for 3rd graders!

The Rotary Club of Allegan donated dictionaries to all 3rd grade students in the school district, for the 10th year in a row! Pictured with students from North Ward Elementary are (back row) Superintendent Kevin Harness, Rotarian Dr. David Ohmart and North Ward Principal Becky Corbett. 3rd grade students from Mrs. Lucas’ and Mrs. McDaniel’s classes are: Madison Cook, Treydan Vanderkooi, Chase Laarman, Morgan Green, Tristin Metzger and Sullivan Garvin.

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Instructional Update By: Cheryl-Marie Manson, Director of Instruction

On February 8, 2017, educators across the nation bid farewell to one of the most influential voices of our time. Dr. Richard Dufour was a teacher, principal and superintendent who lost his battle to cancer. As the former superintendent at Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 in Illinois, he was instrumental in shaping and sustaining a “Success for Every Student” culture. After retiring from his superintendency in 2002, he went on to share his ideas and strategies with administrators and teachers through conferences, workshops and as a prolific writer with his career spanning over 40 years.

Dr. Dufour is most noted for his work in creating Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs are groups of teachers who meet regularly to discuss and plan around common topics to improve student achievement. In order to guide the work of these teachers, Dr. Dufour posed four corollary questions: What do we want students to learn? (essential standards) How will we know if they have learned? (team-developed common assessments) What will we do if they don’t learn? (systematic interventions) What will we do if they already know it? (extended learning) As a young curriculum consultant in 2004, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Dufour in person and hear him speak about these “new ideas”. With my special education teaching background, I shared deeply his passion for “Success for Every Student”. The concept seemed too simple: Teachers could meet to discuss these four questions and the answers to these questions would drive their instruction to ensure every child’s success. What I didn’t know as a young curriculum consultant was that this change wasn’t as easy as it appeared. Unfortunately, given the ongoing demands and ever changing mandates handed down to local school districts, educational institutions do not naturally function in this way.

Over the last four years, the Dufours’ work has infiltrated the schools and classrooms of Allegan Public Schools as teachers have worked to learn and address the corollary questions posed

by Dr. Dufour over a decade ago. In fact, our entire Response to Intervention (RtI) journey has been designed around this body of work. I believe he would be proud to see the evidence of our journey in the quality of our teacher conversations using data, the interventions in place to address student needs at every grade level, and in our improved assessment scores.

Despite some changes at our elementary level, we will remain steadfast in continuing our RtI journey to ensure that all students learn at high levels and that there is “Success for Every Student” across the grade levels. We have proven ourselves as a successful RtI district as we have worked to address the first three questions. The next leg of our journey will be to move ahead with planning intentionally for question #four: “What will we do if they already know it?”. In our conversations as educators over the next several years, we will be learning and exploring how we can better support and challenge our students that have learned our essential standards and are ready to move beyond.

Many people can create change and build a system, but it is a true leader who can create a system that is successful and transcends time. Dr. Richard Dufour has certainly left his mark on education as an exceptional leader, and Allegan Public Schools has benefited from his influence!

Student Growth at APS: The Allegan Public School District showed remarkable growth in achievement test scores over the last 3 years. Overall elementary scores have improved in reading and math, since the implementation of RtI began in 2012-13, as evidenced by state M-step scores, Delta Math, and Running Record for English Language Arts.

Pine Trails Elementary was awarded REWARD SCHOOL status by the Michigan Department of Education due to their strong gains over the past two years on the M-step test. Additionally, Pine Trails was also recognized in the category “Beating the Odds” which means they outperformed predicted rankings based on traditional risk factors. Pine Trails was ranked in the 11th perDespite the constraints placed on districts across the nation, centile in 2012-13 based on test scores, but increased to the 79th examples of Dr. Dufour’s questions and PLC work have made percentile in 2015-16! Dawson Elementary also improved from their way past the school doors and into administrators’ and the 24th percentile to the 77th percentile. In addition, Allegan teachers’ trainings and meetings. Countless books have been High School was removed from the state’s FOCUS SCHOOL list, written on the topic of these four corollary questions with Dr. which was a designation they held for two years, while working Dufour and his wife Rebecca relentlessly delivering the same successfully to improve the “achievement gap” between the highest and lowest scoring students. message for over a decade.

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Grants and Gifts . . . .

(Thank-you to our community for your support of education!)

Kitchen Aid Mixers

Allegan Alumni Ashley Vaughn and family donated four Kitchen Aid stand mixers to AHS to use in food preparation classes. Trinity DeRidder shown making meringue in Mrs. Dykstra’s “Art of Baking” class.

Shopko Donates $$$

MEEMIC Grant

Kim Carroll, instrucional assistant in Marne Sieber’s Level 2 classroom at Dawson Elementary, wrote a grand to the MEEMIC Insurance Company and received a check for $500 to purchase school supplies!

Great Lakes Energy Technology Grant

Angela Mulder, Elementary MET teacher, applied for and received a grant for $1885 from Great Lakes Energy’s Touchstone Energy Classroom Grant program to purchase 13 OSMO systems for student iPads. OSMO is an educational software that allows students to play interactive games with their iPads that help enforce reading, math, coding, art, and logic into the lessons. This grant was one of 13 recipients chosen from 64 applicants! For more info on OSMO, check out page 12-13 of this issue.

Students Giving Back . . . .

(APS students learn the value of community!)

Our local Shopko store’s Foundation has donated to our school district generously over the last few years! Pictured are senior class officers receiving a check for $150 donated to the AHS Post Prom/Grad Bash Committee. Dawson Elementary also received a $500 grant from the Shopko Foundation to help fund student rewards in their H.E.R.O. program, and also to help fund family events such as their family pool party and family carnival.

BOXTOPS & WENDY’s Frosties

L.E. White Middle School would like to thank WENDY’s of Allegan for donating free “frosties” to students in the winning classes for 3 weeks in February, who brought in the most BOXTOPS. The BOXTOPS contest brought in $255.40 of free money for the school, which will be used to purchase books and other items for the school library.

TIGERS Unite

L.E. White Middle School’s TIGERS Unite students helped spread cheer and positivity throughout the district when they posted over 1,000 sticky notes on all elementary students’ lockers. Notes of encouragement said things like “You’re a wonderful person!” and “Dream Big!” Over 60 students participate in TIGERS Unite and they will be partnering with the local Rotary Interact Team to make a positive impact in the community.

Day of Giving

Shoot-Out for Hunger

AHS Boys Basketball players held their annual “Shoot-Out for Hunger” and raised $2,016. Each player shot 100 free-throws and collected pledges for each shot made. All money raised was used to purchase non-perishable food items for local food pantries in Allegan. Pictured are some of the basketball players who helped shop, sort, and deliver the canned and boxed goods.

Students of the Allegan Alternative High School participated in a service project in February in partnership with International Aid, Inc. in Spring Lake, MI, where students helped pack hygiene kits to be given to Native Americans on reservations out west. Students packed 3,600 kits in record time! Student Ninmkee Fox stated, “I feel like I made a difference and helped my people.”

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Most Valuable Educator (MVE) Awards 2017

Senior athletes on the varsity boys and girls basketball teams recognized their favorite educators at this year’s MVE game. This event, sponsored by the Educational Foundation of APS, is part of “C.O.D.E. Orange”--Community On Deck for Education. Athletes and their MVE picks are as follows: Kara Bishop (Mrs. Lori Fletcher, MS math teacher), Jeff Calderona (Mr. Chad Corbett, football coach), Haylie Curtiss (Mrs. Lori Layman, HS English teacher), Ian Garcia (Mr. Craig Pennock, MS wood shop teacher), Leslie Scane (Mrs. Sarah Cooper, HS teacher), Hudson Smith (Mr. Josh Lucas, football coach/teacher--missing from photo), Jack Sturman (Mr. Ryan Dumas, MS teacher), Thomas Voglewede (Mr. Joe Munn, HS history/government teacher).

AHS Drama presented “The Giver” in the Allegan Performing Arts Center on March 23-24. This stage adaptation of Lois Lowry’s 1993 young adult novel featured alternate endings for each night’s show.

The lead character, Jonas (played by Blake Ruffer) lives in a dystopian society where “sameness” exists to protect people from pain and strife. When Jonas is selected as “Receiver of Memory” from THE GIVER (played by Madelynn Katsma), he learns how to deal with all the new emotions while he discovers what life is really like, along with his closest friends Fiona (Abby Knuckles) and Asher (Owen McClellan) and his parents (played by Ezekiel Butcher and Angelica Zoch), as well as a host of other cast members. Kudos to Director Kim Sparks and this year’s cast!

Summer Tennis

Blake Ruffer (as Jonas) with his parents played by Ezekiel Butcher and Angelica Zoch.

Summer Tennis is right around the corner! Flyers will be sent home with students in May, but listed below are important dates so you can start planning your summer months: Week of June 12: MS & HS only (MS group 3-4:30, HS group 4:30-6) June 19-July 21 (normal times) (MS group 11-12:30, HS 12:30-2) Carnival Sign-up Date for Tiny Tykes and Elem Students is June 19 (10-12) (food, games, and prizes provided!)

June 20-July 20: Elem Tennis Lessons (9-10 am or 10-11 am) July 3-7 (Dead Week - No Tennis) July 24-27: Lion’s Club Tournament Page 8

Elementary GLO Dance Party for grades 2nd - 5th

April 21, 2017 (6 -7:30 pm)

at L.E.White Middle School

$3 per person

(Concession available and Glo-sticks will also be on sale)

Sponsored by the AHS Post Prom/ Grad Bash Committee

Allegan Band “Notes” District Festival -

Congratulations to the Allegan High School Symphonic Band on their Division I rating at their festival performance at Grandville HS on March 2. They earned straight 1’s and A’s in all categories and according to Band Director Colin Weber, they wowed the audience with their “well-honed musical skills”...!!! This Division I performance qualifies them for State Band Festival. Congrats to the band members, Mr. Weber, and Mr. Ruble!!!

MSBOA State Band Festival: Select members of the Symphonic Band per-

formed at the MSBOA State Band Festival. The following students received a Division I rating at State Solo and Ensemble Festival: Abigail Knuckles, Wren Ashley, Emerald Dewey, Maddy Waite, Ethan Hill, Spencer Davis, Connor Kokotan, and Gabe Francisco. Emerald Dewey scored 73 out of 100 on her piano solo, earning her a Division II rating. Olivia Duron scored 85 out of 100 on her marimba solo, earning her a Division I rating. Ethan Hill scored 90 out of 100 on his saxophone solo, earning him a Division I rating. Spencer Davis scored 93 our of 100 on his saxophone solo, earning him a Division I rating. All soloists prepared scales and performed a sight reading piece for the judge. Piano soloists must learn a Bach Invention as well. From there, each soloist enters the Festival at as a Proficiency I, II or III, with III being the hardest. Ethan and Spencer performed as Proficiency III soloists, and scored very well! Congrats to all that participated, especially the soloists! These students are evidence that hard work pays off!

Vocal Music

Upcoming Band Events: May 16 - Spring Concert (6th grade and Concert Bands) 7 PM May 18 - Spring Concert (MS & HS Symphonic Bands) 7 PM May 29 - Memorial Day Parade June 8 - Graduation Elementary students: Joining band is as simple as registering for 6th grade band next year!

Instrument “fitting” will take place in May where you will get the chance to try out instruments!!!

Art Show

Solo & Ensemble

Come view our talented elementary, middle school, and high school students’ artwork :

Select soloists and ensembles competed in District Solo and Ensemble. The Treble of Chamber Choir and soloists, Ezekiel Butcher, Karmind Nordblom, and Bailey Weaver received rankings to continue on to State Solo and Ensemble on March 25th. Both Treble Choir and Chamber Choir competed in District Choral Festival coming out with a ranking of Good! Congratulations to all of our singing Tigers!!!!!

K-12 Art Show May 18 5 pm - 6:45 p.m.

in the Allegan PAC lobby (followed by HS band concert in the auditorium)

“Oh say, can you see?”

The AHS Chamber Choir was asked to peform the National Anthem for the Grand Rapids Whitecaps on April 15 (4 pm)!!!

Join us for our final concert this year as we celebrate the decades of music with grooves, tunes, and laughs as we travel down the long road of radio!

May 25th at 7pm (in the High School Performing Arts Center) Page 9

Allegan Tiger Athletics

State Champion Youth Swimmer!

Titus Smith, 6th grader at L.E. White Middle School who trains with the Allegan Tigershark Aquatics Club (ATAC) was named State Champion in the Boys 11-12 age group 50 yard butterfly at the 12U State Championship meet at Holland Community Aquatic Center earlier in March. He swam the event in 26.06 and Titus finished 9th in the overall points standings!

News & Notes from Matt Stofer, Athletic Director

BEARD STATE CHAMPION: Congratulations to Chase Beard after winning the Wrestling Division II State Championship at 285 pounds. Beard’s final match was an exciting 2-1 win at the Palace of Auburn Hills and he finished with a 52-2 record. Joining Beard at the state finals was Ricky Jefferson (37-16) who finished 8th and earn All-State honors at 135 pounds. Davynn Schneider qualified for the state tournament at 112 pounds and finished with a 42-10 record.

GIRLS BOWLING COACH HONORED: Congratulations to Tigers Girls Bowling Head Coach Tonya Lamb who was selected Wolverine Conference Coach-of-the-Year by the league’s coaches.

BOYS SWIM & DIVE STATE FINALS: Congratulations to Nate Greenway who finished 16th in Diving and the 200 free relay team of Sy TerAvest, Weston Rife, Jackson Foster and Francisco Mosquera, which finished 12th at the Division III Swimming & Diving State Finals in Holland.

WINTER SPORTS VOLUNTEERS: Huge thanks to all the individuals that volunteer at home events during the winter sports season. Basketball, Swimming & Diving and Wrestling events at Allegan do not go off without the support of each and everyone of you... The coaches and student-athletes refer to you as the MVP’s.

2017 TRI ALLEGAN: The 7th annual sprint triathlon returns Tuesday, July 18 at Littlejohn Park. Registration is now underway for the event which helps raise money for the Allegan All-Sports Booster Club to support our Middle School and High School athletic programs while promoting health & fitness! For more information, including sponsorship information please visit: www.triallegan.com ALL SPORTS BOOSTERS: Next meeting for the Allegan All-Sports Boosters will be Monday, April 10 at 7:00 pm - in the Tigers Den near the High School Gym.

Allegan Summer Youth Softball (Grades 3-6)

Practices start the week of June 5 Program runs through July 21

$30 if registered before May 5 ($40 after May 5) Questions? Contact Coach Denise Davis dendavis@alleganps.org

DAWSON ATHLETIC CLUB

New to Dawson Elementary this year is the Dawson Athletic Club, which meets once a week after school. The goal of the Dawson Athletic Club is to give student-athletes exposure to a variety of sports, as well as discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle -- eating right, developing healthy habits, and including daily physical activity. With the student-athletes participation, they are not only practicing and gaining new skills, they are also building positive peer relationships, learning good sportsmanship, and learning about wellness. To date, the DAC has averaged 30+ student-athletes each week. This club is run by Dawson Principal Mr. Orr, teachers Ms. Edwards and Mr. Beauregard, and a parent volunteer, Mr. Letts.

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Michigan Youth in Government (Written By Benjamin Andrews, AHS senior)

The 2017 Allegan delegation to the YMCA’s Michigan Youth in Government program had a great year, both in experiences and in program success. With one bill passed, a National Issues Forum proposal passed, and a Most Outstanding Senator among our accomplishments, we as a delegation were thrilled with the outcome of this year. Returning Senior Max Clark, the Most Outstanding Green Senator, described the year as “inspiring” and “enlightening.” Freshman Jenna Duursma, expressing the group’s more comedic side, remarked that the Model Judiciary Program team worked so hard in the courts and on their case that they ended up “crying for justice.” Despite the differences from previous years, this was an experience we all thoroughly enjoyed, and speaking for the outgoing seniors, we look forward to how this delegation will grow in the future. This year’s delegation included: Benjamin Andrews, Max Clark, Ben Anderson, Thomas Loftus, Gabe Butzke, Nadia Rouleau, Maddy Katsma, Savannah Clark, Jenna Duursma, and their advisor Mr. Munn.

D.A.R. Good Citizen

Allegan High School has selected Kara Bishop as this year’s winner of the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution) Good Citizen award.

Kara is the Senior class president, member of the Pro Youth Team and the N.H.S. and is a PAL. She also participates in soccer and plans to attend Siena Heights University on an athletic scholarship. Her parents are John and Penny Bishop of Allegan.

Tigers in Motion

Tigers in Motion is a new 9-week program that has recently started up in all of the Allegan Elementaries. It is a program for boys and girls in 2nd-5th grades that involves character lessons combined with a running program. Students and coaches are training to run in the AAESA Fit For Life 5K on May 20! All together there are over 130 students signed up!!! Thanks to Honor Credit Union for donating string backpacks and water bottles to all students involved in the program and thanks to Mindy Sturman from “Project Lean” who is helping to furnish healthy snacks at some of our practice sessions. And a BIG THANK YOU to the coaches who are volunteering to help make this program a success--Paula Chalupa and Casey Edwards (Dawson), Becky Corbett (North Ward), Ashley Martin (West Ward), and Shelley Baker (Pine Trails) plus a host of other parent volunteers!!!

Foreign Exchange Students

Host families are needed for foreign exchange students for 201718. Students come with their own spending money and insurance.

The host family provides food, a bed, and love! Please consider this educational experience for your family. Contact Beth Herpst of the ISE (International Student Exchange) at (269) 303-4046.

Technology for Teachers

Students play a game involving future careers.

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15 Allegan teachers attended the MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) Conference in March in Detroit. Several of our APS teachers were even presenters at the conference (Chris Conrad, Brian Ouellette, Rob Patin, and Kyle Shack)! Our teachers are very excited about learning new ways to use technology in the classroom!!!

S.T.E.M. Activities

(Science - Technology - Engineering - Math) Osmo for iPad

Earthquake Technology

At West Ward Elementary, Mrs. Hammon’s Class tested Earthquake Techologies for protecting buildings.

North Ward and Dawson students are loving the Osmo game systems for their iPads. Osmo is an award winning educational software that helps students learn math, reading, coding, art, and logic games. In our elementary MET classes, students have an opportunity to enhance their Math and English/Language Arts curriculum with technology tools such as Osmo.

West Ward students each received a tiny fish charm from the new 3D printer!

3D Printers!

Science Careers

Recently HS science teacher Ms. Swank organized a trip for six AHS girls to visit the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago to participate in the Science Careers in Search of Women (SCSW) conference.

The goal of this conference is to inspire young women to pursue careers in science, bringing them into the laboratory for a day of lectures, tours, career booth exhibits, and mentoring. Future scientist who attended were: (back row) Nicole Galloway, Emerald Dewey, Abigail Mansfield, Ashlynn Clement, and (front row) Arianna Forsman, and Rachel Pokornowski.

Allegan students at West Ward Elementary and L.E.White Middle School now have 3D printers to help them exercise hands-on learning of technology! Through private donations through “Donors Choose” and funds from West Ward PTO and Middle School Student Council, printers were purchased and incorporated into the technology classes.

High School Robotics

Allegan High School’s Robotics team had a successful season, traveling to several competitions in this, their 2nd year. Challenges this year included gear delivery, ball shooting, and rope climbing. This year’s team members included: Andrew Teachout, Austin Nicholson, Bryan Andrews, Caitlynn Thomson, Hunter Mead, Jacob Bush, Jared Jaster, Trevor Jaster, Jasmine Cook, Kohl Tourangeau, Kyrel Hall, Thomas Langschied, Luke Kaylor, Michael Otto, Taylor Price, and Tyston VandeVooren. Coaches were Mr. Jim Mallard and Mrs. Karen Jalbert, along with other volunteers. Sponsors included: Ted’s Auto Body, Rapa Electric, Allegan Public Schools, Subway, PJ Printing, Shopko, AHS Orange Krate, Elsie Jones, B&G Custom Works, Bond Fluidaire, Johnson Controls, Haworth, and Gentex.

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Makerspace Club

The Makerspace Club at North Ward Elementary learned how to solder, connect circuits, and wire LED lights with the Lakeshore Makerspace group.

Science Labs

Allegan High School students Logan Huggins and Kaylana Terpstra in Ms. Swank’s Anatomy and Physiology Class dissecting sheep brains.

In this elective class at AHS, students interested in medical sciences are introduced to the human body systems in a variety of ways including building 3-D structures as well as dissection of various animal specimens.

Science Olympiad Teams from Allegan HS and L.E. White MS competed in the Regional Science Olympiad at WMU on February 25. Science Olympiad involves students in months of after-school work, studying a variety of science, engineering, and technology projects. During the competition, students answer questions and solve problems on the topics they have prepared for and utilize the various devices and projects they have built to accomplish specific tasks. The MS team earned recognition in 18 events, and was ranked 4th place overall. The HS team earned recognition in 12 events, achieving 6th place overall. Go Tiger Science!

This year’s team coaches/helpers were: Drew Isola, Vicki Isola, Lana Cameruci, Cindy Eichbauer, Jennifer Swank, Jennifer Ward, Ed Garvin, Karen Jalbert, Chuck Stroh, Amy Hansen, Chriss Festerling, and thanks to Karen & Frank Andrews for organizing team food.

1st place Eli Festerling & Conrad Eichbauer - Bottle Rockets Josh & Jeremy Hansen - Wright Stuff (model planes) Max Clark & Ben Andrews – Write It/Do It 2nd place Josh & Jeremy Hansen - Food Science Jack & Drew Ellis - Meteorology Jack Ellis & Jeremy Hansen - Scrambler Car Gabe Francisco & Mason Hooker - Hydrogeology

Wonder League Robotics Competition

Students design solutions to real-world science and technology challenges online in this league. The after-school Robotics Club raised over $1700 in a Donor’s Choose challenge to purchase DASH robots with the help of their teacher-advisor Brian Price. The two teams from North Ward included the Purple Flamingos (Aly Aldrich, Hannah Corbett, Amara Peters, Kya Holdeman, and Ragan Meeter) and the Flame Masters (Jesse Strickler, Nateacia Allen, Lilly Riley, Brayden Schafer, Madisynn Jefferson, and Treah Hopson.

Lego EV3 Robotics

Allegan Elementary computer teachers Mr. Price and Mrs. Eckwielen, along with 3rd grade teacher Geoff Nash, are working with twelve 5th grade students from all four elementaries to learn about programming robots.

Their sessions culminated with the EV3 Lego Robotics Challenge and Coding Showcase sponsored

by AAESA on March 30 at the Allegan Fieldhouse.

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3rd place Conrad Eichbauer & Josh Hansen - Invasive Species Stephen & Cameron Pierce – Optics Drew Ellis & Conrad Eichbauer – Hovercraft Max Clark & Ben Andrews – Microbe Mission Max Clark, Mason Hooker, Maddy Waite – Experimental Design Noah Festerling & Walker Michaels - Helicopters 4th place Spencer Koch, Stephen & Cameron Pierce - Experimental Design Spencer Koch & Baillie Morton - Dynamic Planet Eli Festerling & Drew Ellis – Towers Noe Badillo & Brandon Nicholson Dynamic Planet 5th place Spencer Koch & Eda Mendel - Reach for the Stars Conrad Eichbauer & Baillie Morton - Rocks & Minerals Stephen Pierce & Matt Duron - Wind Power Sam Hunt & Mason Hooker – Disease Detectives Dan Andrews & Sam Hunt – Astronomy Brandon Nicholson & Drew VerHoeven – Robot Arm 6th place Eda Mendel & Alexa Porterfield - Anatomy/Physiology Eli Festerling & Conrad Eichbauer - Fast Facts Eli Festerling & Jeremy Hansen - Microbe Mission Eda Mendel & Stephen Pierce - Write It, Do It Noe Badillo & Gabe Francisco – Electric Vehicle Noah Festerling & Gabe Francisco – Hovercraft Jazper Mclaughlin & Drew VerHoeven – Game On (computer game design)

Allegan Adult Education A Pathway to Success

Currently Enrolling Students 19 and up!

Earning a High School Diploma or GED changes a person’s life and positively impacts families and communities. If you know anyone 19 and older who needs a High School Diploma or GED, please send them our way today!

FREE Classes * Flexible Hours * FREE GED Testing Open Hours: Monday-Thursday (8:30am - 7:00pm) Friday (8:30am - 12:00 noon) Allegan Adult Education Lower Level APS Admin Building 550 Fifth Street * Allegan, MI 49010

269-673-5431

Brenda Nyhof, Director x3022 bnyhof@alleganps.org Sue Chappell x3054 schappell@alleganps.org

Allegan Alternative High School

SUMMER BUDDIES Summer Buddies is a program for elementary students that has the feel of a day-camp, but also keeps young minds active during the summer months, helping to avoid “summer slide” that many students experience.

Directors Sara Phillips and Susan Busfield use thematic lessons to provide enhanced learning opportunities for students during the summer months. This year’s session begins on Tuesday, June 27 and runs through August 17, 2017.

Classes are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 8 am to noon. Again this year, Summer Buddies will be housed at the Alternative High School/Administration Building (550 Fifth Street).

The cost for the program is $40 per week and scholarships are available! Please check the APS website for registration form, or contact Sara for more information at 673-5379 (ext.3135).

“Spirit of Allegan” Award

The Allegan Chamber of Commerce presented the Allegan Alternative High School with its “Spirit of Allegan” award this year, in the category of Community Pride, Beautification, and Promotion. They were nominated primarily for their work with the community garden, as well as other service projects. Students and staff were recognized at the annual Chamber Dinner at the Silo. At a recent school board meeting,Principal Laura Feffer also gave special kudos to staffer Aaron Rogers who goes “above and beyond” to help students find opportunities to interact outside of their school setting, hopefully helping to improve the community’s perception of this school’s unique student population.

Bowling Champs

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AAHS bowling teams had a very successful season, with the women’s team taking FIRST PLACE at the State Tournament in Owosso and the men’s team finishing in SECOND place!

Big thank you to coaches Mark Horn and Karen Cochran and to Sunset Lanes for all their help and support!

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

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

ECRWS TO: Current Resident

Allegan, MI 49010

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).

FREE PRESCHOOL

2017-18 Headstart and Great Start Readiness Programs

enrolling now for fall!

Contact AAESA to find out if you qualify:

673-2161

BUS DRIVERS NEEDED

Sponsored

by APS and staffed by highly qualified and experienced early educational specialist.

3 year olds (T & Th) 4 year olds (M,W,F) Call Judi McCall at 673-7002(ext.3148) for info

who have not yet signed up for “REMIND” it is a very simple process.

Simply text this: @alleganp to this number: 81010 And you will start receiving texts directly from the Superintendent of Schools whenever there is an important message such as a school delay or emergency.

FREE Playgroups

(for kids 0-5 and their parents)

April 11 (6-7 pm) at Pine Trails May 9 (6-7 pm) at West Ward

SUBS NEEDED: (teaching and non-teaching positions available)

√Earn $12.44/hr. to start √Flexible schedule √Subs needed now! √Enjoy summers off, winter and spring breaks √Paid training to earn your CDL √Ideal for people who work well with children.

NEW RATE for Sub Teachers: The daily rate for substitute teachers has increased to $80 for a full day, $45 for half day.

Bonus incentives offered for those who sub more than 10 days per month!

To become a sub any Apply in person or contact : Allegan Public Schools Trans- where in Allegan County, portation Department please visit: c/o Darrell Stoughton 1521 - 34th Street, Allegan (269) 673-2203

TEXT ALERTS: For parents, staff, and community members

Tiger’s Den Preschool

www.EDUStaff.org

EARLY COLLEGE - ALLEGAN COUNTY

Congratulations to these 11 Allegan High School Sophomores who were selected to be part of the EARLY COLLEGE-ALLEGAN COUNTY program at the Allegan County Area Technical Education Center for 2017-18. This program, which is sponsored by AAESA and Lake Michigan College, and is funded by local school districts, offers students a chance to complete a 2-year Associate’s Degree while earning their high school diploma. This group is part of the 3rd cohort of students enrolled in this program. Pictured are (back row L-R): Robin Sterk (Mentor/Dean ECAC), Daycyan Burnett, Lukas Vliestra, Ashlyn Clement, Brandon Nicholson, Alexander Letts, Mason Hooker, James Mallard (AHS Principal) and (front row L-R) Stephanie Klinkhammer, Camden Hoover, Caylie Riess, Megan Collins, and Agenda Domsitz.