November 2012
Lake Orion Community Schools
Featuring art work by the students of Mr. Brazeau at Scripps Middle School
Self-portrait by Grace S., a 6th grader at Scripps
Message from our Superintendent Dear Parents and Community, Legend has it a dragon made its home in the northern Oakland County village of Lake Orion nearly a century ago. Since those days, families from around the world have made this close‐knit community their own home, too. A cornerstone of the area’s growth over the past two decades has been the exemplary Lake Orion Community Schools. We’re proud of the many accomplishments of our students, not only in academics and the arts, but also in the wide variety of ac vi es and athle cs we offer children of all ages. We recognize each child is unique and so we combine award‐winning teaching exper se and modern, world‐class resources to provide a s mula ng, caring and exci ng learning environment for each of our students. The district’s dedicated, professional staff is supported by the parents and families of our students, as well as by community and business leaders, and other local organiza ons. This assures our young people the best opportuni es possible. Our goal is to prepare them for the future – wherever their journeys may take them. It’s this connec on between our students, their educators and the greater Lake Orion community that breathes fire into learning each day and makes our schools truly unique. Marion Ginopolis Superintendent
Scripps Middle School Student Artwork for Lake Orion Educa on Founda on Auc on
Page 2
Lake Orion Community Schools Is Named a 2012‐2013 AP Achievement District Lake Orion Community Schools is one of 539 school districts in the na on recognized by the College Board with a place on its AP District of the Year Awards: 3rd Annual Honor Roll for opening AP classroom doors to a significantly broader pool of students, while maintaining or improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher. The criteria used for inclusion in the AP Achievement District Honor Roll are:
Examina on of three years of AP data, from 2010 to 2012;
Increase in par cipa on in/access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts and at least 11 percent in small districts;
A steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by African American, Hispanic/La no and American Indian/Alaska Na ve students; and
Performance levels maintained or improved when comparing the percentage of students in 2012 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2010, or the school has already a ained a performance level in which more than 70 percent of the AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.
From the Of ice of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Common Core ‐ Frequently asked questions….. What Is the Common Core State Standards IniƟaƟve? The Common Core State Standards Ini a ve is a state‐led effort to establish a shared set of clear educa onal standards for English language arts and mathema cs that states can voluntarily adopt. The standards have been informed by the best available evidence and the highest state standards across the country and globe. They are designed by a diverse group of teachers, experts, parents, and school administrators, so they reflect both our aspira ons for our children and the reali es of the classroom. These standards are designed to ensure that students gradua ng from high school are prepared to go to college or enter the workforce and that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. The standards are benchmarked to interna onal standards to guarantee that our students are compe ve in the emerging global marketplace.
Why do we need educaƟonal standards? Educa onal standards help ensure that all students, no ma er where they live, are prepared for success in postsecondary educa on and the workforce. Common standards will help ensure that students are receiving a high quality educa on consistently, from school to school and state to state. Common standards will provide a greater opportunity to share experiences and best prac ces within and across states that will improve our ability to best serve the needs of students. Standards do not tell teachers how to teach, but they do help teachers figure out the knowledge and skills their students should have so that teachers can build the best lessons and environments for their classrooms. Standards also help students and parents by se ng clear and realis c goals for success. Standards are a first step — a key building block — in providing our young people with a high‐ quality educa on that will prepare them for success in college and work. Of course, standards are not the only thing that is needed for our children’s success, but they provide an accessible roadmap for our teachers, parents, and students.
Con nued on next page
Page 3
con nued from page 2 What will these Common Core State standards mean for students? The standards will provide more clarity about and consistency in what is expected of student learning across the country. Un l now, every state has had its own set of academic standards, meaning public educa on students at the same grade level in different states have been expected to achieve at different levels. This ini a ve will allow states to share informa on effec vely and help provide all students with an equal opportunity for an educa on that will prepare them to go to college or enter the workforce, regardless of where they live. Common standards will not prevent different levels of achievement among students. Rather, they will ensure more consistent exposure to materials and learning experiences through curriculum, instruc on, and teacher prepara on among other supports for student learning. In a global economy, students must be prepared to compete with not only their American peers in the next state, but with students from around the world. Theses standards will help prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and careers.
How will these standards impact teachers? The standards will provide important goals for teachers to ensure they are preparing students for success in college and the workforce. They will help teachers develop and implement effec ve strategies for their students by providing benchmarks for skills and knowledge that their students should have by the end of the year. The common core state standards will help colleges and professional development programs be er prepare teachers; provide the opportunity for teachers to be involved in the development of assessments linked to these top‐quality standards; allow states to develop and provide be er assessments that more accurately measure whether or not students have learned what was taught; and guide educators toward curricula and teaching strategies that will give students a deep understanding of the subject and the skills they need to apply their knowledge. Lake Orion is in the process of transi oning to Common Core Standards. Full implementa on will take place in 2014‐2015. We have been preparing for this change which ul mately raises the bar on student expecta ons and performance at each grade level. Common Core is a very important ini a ve in educa on. Addi onal informa on can be found at: h p://www.corestandards.org
From the Of ice of Human Resources LOEA Contract Settled The Lake Orion Board of Educa on approved a two‐year agreement with the Lake Orion Educa on Associa on on October 10 providing for contract stability through June 30, 2014. The par es worked collabora vely and crea vely over many months to develop a plan which will allow for modest but affordable improvements in compensa on, while tending to the long term financial health of the district. While restar ng pay steps, the schedule is extended from 12 to 15. Teachers will also assume a greater share of health care costs. Language changes also align this year’s contract with requirements of the law by elimina ng seniority‐based layoff, recall and other assignments in addi on to required changes in evalua on and disciplinary standards.
Aspiring Principals Leadership Academy Congratula ons to Gretchen Hynes, Carpenter Elementary School teacher and Todd Gordon, Scripps Middle School and elementary music teacher who have been selected as the 2013 Lake Orion par cipants in the Oakland Schools Aspiring Principals Leadership Academy. The program offers par cipants a year‐long, close‐up look at the role of building principal through direct mentoring, job shadowing ac vi es and seminars.
Page 4
From the Of ice of Business and Finance Lake Orion Community Schools Fiscal Year 2011‐12 Audit Summary Informa on: At the October 10, 2012 Board of Educa on mee ng Plante & Moran, the district’s auditors, conducted a public presenta on on the district’s fiscal year 2011‐12 audited financial statements. The Board of Educa on subsequently accepted the fiscal year 2011‐ 12 audited financial statements. The auditors conducted their audit in accordance with the audi ng standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Audi ng Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. It is the opinion of our auditors that the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respec ve financial posi on of the governmental ac vi es, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund informa on of the Lake Orion Community Schools as of June 30, 2012 and the respec ve changes in financial posi on and cash flows, where applicable, for the year then ended, in conformity with accoun ng principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The following is a summary of results for the Lake Orion Community Schools General Fund, Food Service and Community Enrichment opera ons.
Revenues:
Expenditures:
Opera ng Surplus/(Deficit):
General Fund
$77,462,320
Community
Food Service
Enrichment
$2,536,097
$1,935,873
79,245,461
2,427,638
1,926,454
$(1,783,141)
$ 108,459
$ 9,419
Beginning Fund Balance:
$14,250,656
$746,455
$482,335
Ending Fund Balance:
$12,467,515
$854,914
$491,754
In fiscal year 2011‐12 the Board of Educa on authorized a planned spend down of the General Fund’s fund balance for project work. The planned spend down involved $3.0 million of needed facility and technology projects. The resul ng General Fund fund balance represents 15.7% of district’s opera onal expenditures. The fund balance itself is divided into three major categories including non‐spendable (inventories, prepaid, etc.), assigned (known costs expected to occur in a subsequent year), and unassigned. The unassigned por on of the General Fund fund balance is $6.2 million or 7.8% of district’s fiscal year 2011‐12 opera ng coats. The district recognizes and appreciates that to remain fiscally responsible, we must con nue to make opera onal changes to realign our expenditures with our new level of revenue. For 2012‐2013, it is the inten on of the School District to absorb expenditures beyond revenue with fund balance. The Plante & Moran audit presenta on as well as our financial reports can be found on the district’s website in our transparency repor ng sec on.
Page 5
“2012 North American Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year” For bus driver Dawn Lemaster, there’s a lot more to school bus driving than just picking up and dropping off students. Lemaster, who earned top placement in the Thomas Built Buses Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year essay contest, has been a bus driver for Lake Orion Community Schools for 15 years. Ten year old Charlo e, a fourth grade student at Carpenter Elementary, nominated Lemaster, saying she was “the most fun, loving caring and AWESOME bus driver I’ve ever had!” Lemaster makes riding the bus fun as well as educa onal, with an on‐bus quiz game, a bus safety program and a portable library that encourages kids to read on the bus. As the 2012 grand prize winner, Lemaster will receive a $1,000 Visa gi card. Charlo e will receive a $1,000 educa on savings bond and a laptop computer. Both also will receive Thomas Built Buses jackets and lunch boxes.
Webber 3rd Annual Road Rally Webber families par cipated in their third annual Road Rally. The beat of the music started outside as families prepared to search the Lake Orion Community for the loca ons described in the clues. Team members really had to work together to figure out the site loca ons from some of the quirky clues they were given. When teams arrived at a loca on they needed to figure out what they had to carry with them to the next loca on. This year’s challenges had teams coun ng down to the event and dropping coins in the meters to hold their spot in the lot. There were prizes for the best poker hand and the family with the best score. Food was provided by dona ons from local businesses. Isabella S. ‐ 7th Grade
Page 6
Carpenter Mystery Reader The Grizz from Oakland University was the surprise mystery reader in Mrs. Orlowsky’s second grade class at Carpenter Elmentary. He came in to share the love of reading with the students. The book he chose to read was called Hello Grizz! He brought other staff members from Oakland University to help out. They did a great job and the students loved him.
Orion Oaks TerraCycle Brigades Orion Oaks is proud to join forces with TerraCycle to help recycle many different items. TerraCycle takes hard to recycle items and either upcycles or recycles those items. Upcycling uses every aspect of the waste item as value. Recycling extracts the materials from the waste item to make a new product . Upcycled
Blanche Sims’ students celebrate Tigers Day Recycled
In their effort to turn trash into cash, Orion Oaks will be collec ng “Lunchable” containers, GoGo Squeez Applesauce pouches, Capri Sun type drink pouches and Energy Bar/Granola Bar wrappers.
Don’t forget Friday Night Family Splash Bash! The 2nd Friday of every month You can pay cash at the door $4.00 children (12 & under) $5.00 for adults.
Splash Bash Dates: 11/9/2012, 12/14/2012. 1/11/2013 The hours are 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Sydney S. ‐ 8th grade
Page 7
AIMSweb AIMSweb is a web‐based assessment and data management system that provides the framework for Repsonse to Interven on (RTI) and mul ‐ ered instruc on. It is designed to specifically and universally screen and progress monitor, student learning. AIMSweb uses brief, valid, and reliable general outcome measures of reading and math performance for grades K‐8 that are aligned with our curriculum. By using the data from AIMSweb, our teachers are able to specifically target and intervene in the academic areas in which students need addi onal or more focused instruc on.
The Paint Creek Community Preschool Program visited Westview Orchard and Pumpkin Patch!
LO‐AM is Awarded Grant Congratula ons to the LOHS television and video facility for receiving a $135,000 grant from the Orion Community Cable Communica ons Commission! This grant was used to replace outdated TV studio and control room equipment that was originally purchased in the mid‐ 1990’s. The new equipment, installed this past August at LOHS, included 3 studio cameras and a new control room switcher and interface system (called a “Tricaster”). The equipment has greatly improved the ability of students in LOHS broadcast and video classes to create quality programming including their daily live newscast, “LO‐AM.” You can watch their programs online at www.vimeo.com/ watchLOAM. Student produc ons also air most weeknight evenings on the Educa on Channel found on Comcast channel 22 or AT&T U‐Verse channel 99.
Page 8
Keyboarding More of a Focus in Second Grade Mastery of keyboarding skills has been in the 6th grade for LO students. With all of the latest technology and students having access at a much younger age, key‐ boarding skills need to be taught earlier. Our second grade teachers received training last year for a program called Type to Learn. This program is being used to teach students keyboarding skills. Media specialists will also support teachers and students with this program throughout elementary.
LO Early Childhood Addi onal Great Start Readiness Program funding The Early Childhood Department has been awarded addi onal funding from the state. This funding is allocated to the depart‐ ment through the Great Start Readiness Preschool Program. The funding, is allowing them to provide preschool for 16 high risk students from Lake Orion. These 16 students join the already established classroom of 32 (16 am/16pm) students, for a total service to 48 Lake Orion 4 year olds! The funding allows children to come to school free of tui on and supports family need.
Tiernan M. 7th Grade
Brennan Flanigan, recently completed his first Iron Man Race, held at Cedar Point in Ohio. He was one of the youngest par cipants in the field and completed the race which consisted of a 2.4 mile swim, then a 112 mile bike ride and finishing with a 26.2 mile run.
Dictionaries for 3rd Graders Sco Ockerman and Key Club members from the high school presented 3rd graders around the district with dic onaries provided by the Orion Oxford Kiwanis Club.
Page 9
“Tornado” Hits Oakview Middle School Oakview Middle School was the site for the filming of the movie “Black Sky. This ac on flick is about a town that is hit by a series of devasta ng tornadoes, including one that occurs during a high school gradua on ‐ ‐ enter Oak view Middle School, transformed into the fic onal Silverton High School. Film crews and cast arrived the week of August 6th and turned our beloved Oakview into a disaster scene. We look forward to the release of the film some me next year.
LOHS Students and Teacher selected to Michigan Thespian Board Three students: senior Alannah harper‐Brecht, sophomore Margaret Pote, and junior Clair McIntyre, along with Thespian director, Leann Lowe, are now on the state Thespian Board. They will be traveling all over the state to a end 9 mee ngs in which they will decide rules for compe on, plan the annual Thespian fes val a ended by over 600 high school students from all over the state, and represent Lake Orion Community Schools at the state level.
Page 10
Girls on the Run Girls on the Run® is a posi ve youth development program which combines an interac ve curriculum and running to inspire self‐respect and healthy lifestyles in pre‐teen girls. The core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emo onal, mental and social well‐being. Fi een girls (13 from Webber Elementary and two from Paint Creek Elementary), grades three through five, have been mee ng every Monday and Wednesday since September 17, 2012 with Coaches Manzo and Burks. They learn lessons that provide girls with the tools to make posi ve decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors. As a part of these lessons, the girls and coaches also run during each mee ng. The program concludes on November 18, 2012 with the girls running a celebratory 5K at Kensington Metro Park. Way to go ladies!
LOEF 7th Annual Evening for Education The Lake Orion Educa on Founda on's Seventh Annual Evening for Educa on was held at King's Court Castle Saturday, October 27, 2012. The proceeds from this event will provide educa onal grants to classrooms in the Lake Orion Community Schools. The support and generosity from the Lake Orion Community Schools, local leaders, business owners and community members was tremendous! To learn more about the Lake Orion Educa on Founda on go to www.lakeorioneduca onfounda on.org Shelbie Norris, Kayla Jones, and Sidnee Brinkerhoff performed "You Are the New Day" and “The Star Spangled Banner” at the event.
Mee ngs are open to anyone interested in the Founda on, and are held on the first Monday of every month (excep on: holidays/snow days) at Pine Tree Elementary at 7:00 PM.
Carpenter 4th Graders Visit Lansing As part of the 4th grade curriculum, students went to Lansing and enjoyed a tour of the Legisla ve, Judicial and Execu ve Branches of Michigan’s government. One class got a wonderful surprise, Governor Snyder stepped out of his office to take a picture with the class.
Page 11
Of icial Pumpkin Investigators Blanche Sims’ 1st graders set out to do some pumpkin inves ga ng. The students learned about the life cycle of the pumpkin. Then they took the seeds out of the pumpkin, sorted them into piles of ten to count how many seeds were inside the pumpkin. There were 488 seeds inside!
Homecoming 2012 Homecoming week took place the week of September 23rd – September 29th. To kick the week off, the Homecoming parade took place in downtown Lake Orion on Sunday a ernoon. The rest of the week included several events at Lake Orion High School. These events included ‐ Skit night, which featured homecoming court skits, as well as the extremely popular hypno st performance, which had a record a endance and filled the auditorium. The pep assembly was held on Friday, and served to create lots of energy that carried in to the homecoming game where the football team was victorious with a 42‐7 victory over Rochester High School. Homecoming week wrapped up on Saturday with a Harry Po er themed Homecoming Dance.
Webber Visiting Authors Author Julie Llewellyn visited Webber Elementary on October 11, 2012. Mrs. Llewellyn is the author of I’m Not A Wimp And I’ll Prove It. She spoke to students in first and second grade about the wri ng process and having determina on to follow through and work hard at a task. Students were able to purchase her book and receive a personal autograph! Author Bryan Chick is visi ng Webber Elementary on November 15, 2012. Mr. Chick is known around the world for The Secret Zoo series. Each classroom in grades three through five have read through the first fi y pages of the first book and are anxiously an cipa ng his arrival. He is visi ng Webber for free, offering students discounts on his books, and even personally autographing them!
Page 12
Olweus Bully Prevention Program This year the staff and students at Scripps are proud to be implemen ng the Olweus Bully Preven on Program! This program is different from many other an ‐bullying programs out there because rather than focusing on “the bully,” it focuses instead on empowering the bystanders! Through weekly class mee ngs in STAR, students will learn to recognize bullying when it occurs, and be equipped with strategies to stop it and help prevent it from occurring in the future. With every one person that steps forward and takes a stand, bullying is lessened. To show their commitment to the program and to get the kids pumped, Scripps got together with FOX 2 News and the Detroit Pistons to kick the year off right with a school‐wide Olweus An ‐ Bullying Assembly at the high school! Guest speakers at the event included Pistons assistant coach Aaron Smith, re red NBA player Dee Brown, and FOX 2 News anchor Deena Centofan . Guest appearances were also made by DJ Prevue and D‐Town, the Piston’s break dancing crew. A recorded video message to the students from the Pistons players was also a part of the event! Check it out at: h p://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/19587334/ an‐an ‐bullying‐message‐gets‐an‐extra‐bounce‐from‐the‐pistons Oakview, Waldon, Pine Tree and Lake Orion High School also currently implement the Olweus Bully Preven on Program. By 2015 all Lake Orion Schools are expected to fully implement the program as well. For more informa on on the Olweus Program and how you can help, visit h p://www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us/Community/Olweus.pdf
Lake Orion Schools’ Parent Organizations hosted fun runs throughout the district to raise funds for school educational programs
Page 13
Enterprise City Polish those shoes and firm up that handshake! Webber fifth grade students are going to Enterprise City. Each student had to develop a resume and go through the entire interview process in order to get a job at Enterprise City. The fifth grade mass elected a judge and a mayor and then had to complete three different interviews for the day of running a city. Some of the job choices were Disc Jockey, City Financial Manager, Store Owner, Police Officer, and Bank Teller. They practiced working on writing checks, using ATM cards, and utilizing their break time. On November 8, 2012, the fifth grade classes at Webber traveled to Taylor, Michigan and ran Enterprise City for the day. What a wonderful learning opportunity for these students.
600 plus par cipated in A Mothers Wish 10K run and 5k walk/ run raising more than $23,000.
Stadium Drive 5th graders perform Treasure Island The 5th graders at Stadium Drive Elementary School of the Arts performed their produc on, Treasure Island, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s original story by Kathryn Schultz Miller. The students showed off their talents and hard work to a large audience of family and friends.
Languages in Lake Orion Schools There are over 37 different languages spoken by our Lake Orion families this school year who are in our English Language Program.
Trunk or Treat events were sca ered across the district. Volunteers “tricked out their trunks” to provide a safe and fun atmosphere to trick or treat.
Some of the languages are: German, Spanish, Albanian, Armenian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, Farsi, Filipino, Finnish, French, Romanian, Russian, Thai, Telugu, Urdu, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Ilocano, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Macedonian, Polish and Korean.
Page 14
English Language Program for Limited English Students The English Language Program has earned all AMAO’s for last school year. (Annual Measurable Achievement Objec ves) AMAO 1—Progress: For 2011‐2012, the district must demonstrate that 79% of its students have made progress on the English Language Proficiency Assessment. Lake Orion met this objec ve with 81% progressing.
Buster the Bus and Lake Orion bus drivers visit the elementary schools to help teach students about bus safety. (Buster the Bus and Blanche Sims students)
State Honor Choir
AMAO 2—Proficiency: For 2011‐2012, the district must demonstrate that 16% of its students have achieved proficiency based on the student scores on ELPA. Lake Orion met this objec ve with 59% proficient. AMAO 3—Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for Limited English Proficient Subgroup. The district must demonstrate that it achieved AYP for the LEP subgroup on the statewide assessment program. Lake Orion met this objec ve.
Congratula ons to our 9th Grade Trio....Lindsey Eveland, Hannah Albright, and Maryanne Roughton....who successfully audi oned into the MSVMA State Honor Choir while they a ended the Regional Honor Choir in Monroe. The girls will travel to Birch Run, Allendale, and Ypsilan for Saturday rehearsals over the next two months before singing the final concert in Grand Rapids on January 17th at 7:00 p.m. in DeVos Symphony Hall. The State Honor Choir Director is our own LOHS Choir Director, Deborah Fristad! Stephanie C. ‐ 8th Grade
Firefighters brought fire safety to many of our schools.
Waldon 6th grade ‐ 5 Themes of Geography projects from Mrs. Stringer’s classes.
Page 15
Congratulations Dragon Marching Band The Dragon Marching Band competed in the Bands of America Pon ac Regional at the Silverdome as one of 18 bands from 7 different states. In the preliminary performance, the band's score put them in second place in their class, and third place overall. The band also won the "Best General Effect" trophy for their class in the prelims.
Lizzy Milne’s (2012 LOHS graduate) art work has been selected to be on display in Washington, DC at the Department of Educa on and the offices of the President's Commi ee on the Arts and the Humani es.
With the top 10 bands performing in the finals on Saturday night, the Dragons stepped up their game and moved into second place overall, tying for the overall "Best Music" award, and missing out on the "Best Marching" award by .05 points.
Photography Awards Three of our high school students placed in the top 100 out of over 1200 photographs submi ed from around the world. The photo compe on that they par cipated in is sponsored by the American Associa on of Physics Teachers. This project was a collabora on between the photography and physics classes. The students who placed are Madison Steele (Stop Ac on), Caitlyn Diroff (Refrac on) and recently graduated Kris n Watkoske (Reflec on). Refrac on by Caityly Diroff
Reflec on by Kris n Watkoske (recently graduated)
Stop Ac on by Madison Steele
Page 16
Finish the GED Now Star ng in 2014, there will be a new GED test. The current version of the GED test is expiring at the end of 2013 and scores will expire too if not finished and passed by then. With a high school creden al or GED more doors open – to a be er job and college. Need help? Contact Lake Orion Adult Educa on at 248‐693‐5436 #2. We are a State authorized GED tes ng site.
Joe M. ‐ 7th Grade
PAES Lab (Prac cal Assessment Explora on System)
Webber friends sharing laughs and snacks.
We now have a PAES® Lab that mimics a real work environment to give students the so and hard skills related to maintaining employment. The simulated work day requires students to clock in, put their belongings away, find a file with work procedures related to job assignments, go to a work sta on and perform the task independently. Students in special educa on programs at the high school and post‐ high explore and are evaluated on 264 jobs in five different work areas including: • Business/Marke ng • Consumer/Service • Construc on/Industrial • Processing/Produc on • Computer/Technology
English Language Adult Program The adult educa on English Language learners had fun learning about American cultures and customs by dressing up and enjoying a Halloween party.
Allexa O. ‐ 8th Grade
Page 17
Eggcellent Responsibility Students in Scripps’ 6th grade Life Management wrapped up their "Eggcellent Responsibility" project last week. They demonstrated responsibility by taking care of their "friend" (hard‐boiled egg) for one school week in and outside of class, with the goal of bringing them back successfully in one piece. Students were required to decorate and build a home for their friend, write a one page biography sheet, create a driver's license and graph final results of the challenge. At the end of the week they had a send off of their friend to the local garbage can!
Respect Circle Assembly! Blanche Sims has just had their second Respect Circle Assembly! The en re school community takes me to sing the Blanche Sims song, celebrate birthdays, celebrate behavior stars of the month, touch base on school behavior trends, and go over upcoming events. Behavior Star necklaces that have the new Blanche Sims log are given to students that have been chosen for the week. This is a great way to celebrate all the great students at Blanche Sims.
Webber’s Fall Ball Webber was the recent site for an evening of fall enchantment. There was a live DJ with dancing in the gym, family photos and popcorn and water.
Beware of Flying Pancakes! Chris Cakes, the World's fastest flippers came to the Orion Oaks Cafe on Monday, November 5th! Families gathered for a night off of cooking and some pre‐Elec on day fun! This was a Dine to Donate event , with all funds raised going to the Playground fund!
Page 18
Digging Dinosaurs! During the week of October 29th, Carpenter Elementary students got “prehistoric” with their friends and teachers during the “We Dig Dinosaurs” Intersession. The children were encouraged to “dig around” like an Archeologist and uncover the mysteries of the great dinosaurs that once roamed the earth just like a Paleontologist. In fact, Paleo‐Joe, a Paleontologist and children’s author, visited Carpenter and brought along actual fossils as well as a replica of a T‐Rex bone for everyone to marvel over. A trip to Cranbrook Ins tute of Science was next on the list, where the children were able to put their new found prehistoric knowledge to the test with actual hands on experiments and explora on. Whether the children were par cipa ng in the “dinosaur stomp”, crea ng one of a kind various dinosaur era cra s, or delving into the mysteries of what once roamed the earth, this prehistoric week was ac on‐packed fun for everyone!
Page 19
Scripps Middle School 8th Grade Students Create Art for LOEF Auction
Page 20
Lake Orion Community Schools Administrators Marion Ginopolis - Superintendent Heidi Kast - Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment John Fitzgerald - Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Larry Lobert - Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education Mary Jo Burchart - President Birgit McQuiston - Vice President Deborah Porter - Secretary Jim Weidman - Treasurer Steven Drakos - Trustee Connie Meech - Trustee Melissa Miller - Trustee
District Vision: Educating our students for the challenges of tomorrow District Mission: Providing an exemplary education for all learners
Lake Orion Community Schools Administration Building 315 N. Lapeer Street Lake Orion, MI 48362 248-693-5400
Allexa O. - 8th Grade