Fall 2011 - Wyoming Public Schools

Fall 2011
School Starts
Tuesday,
September 6
Check out
our handy
Back to School
Guide inside
The District Newsletter for the Wyoming Public Schools Community
Welcome Back! A Message from Superintendent Reeder
I would
like to take this
opportunity to
introduce myself.
My name is Tom
Reeder and it is
with great pride
and respect that on
Superintendent
July 1, I accepted
Tom Reeder
the position of
Superintendent for Wyoming Public
Schools.
The first day of school is
Tuesday, September 6, with a full
day of instruction.The beginning
of a new school year is always
exciting, since it promises new
opportunities and possibilities. I
look forward to working with the
students, families, staff and school
board during the 2011-12 school
year and beyond.
I am very proud of the
academic accomplishments
achieved by our students districtwide this past year. Wyoming Public
Schools received our highest grades
to date on Ed YES! – the State of
Michigan report card. All sites
made Adequate Yearly Progress,
and no school is in improvement
status. Our staff continues to work
tirelessly with each and every child
to assure a great opportunity to
learn in a safe environment each
and every day.
Unfortunately, Wyoming Public
Schools, like so many in our state,
community and possibly yourself,
have had to face difficult financial
situations. Facing a deficit of more
than $6 million, the employees
of your school district sacrificed
almost $5 million in concessions
in each of the next two years. I am
very proud of our staff for their
sacrifices that saved more than 100
jobs!
This does not assure that future
cuts or changes will not occur,
but it does allow for the district
to maintain current educational
Continued on page 2
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Nếu muốn in ra trên giấy, xin ghé đến
khu học chính Wyoming ở số 3575
Gladiola
Wyoming Public Schools
3575 Gladiola Avenue, S.W.
Wyoming, Michigan 49519
(616) 530-7550 • www.wyoming.k12.mi.us
Board of Education 2011-2012
Craig Popma....................................... President
Dennis Bush............................... Vice President
Susan Sheets....................................... Treasurer
Mary VandeWater................................ Secretary
Lisa Manley............................................ Trustee
Tom Mott............................................... Trustee
Amy Payne............................................. Trustee
Board of Education meetings are open to
the public and held at the Administration
Building the 2nd Monday of the month at
7:00 p.m. and the 4th Monday of the month
at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified.
Administration
Dr.Tom Reeder......................... Superintendent
Matt Lewis.......................... Director of Finance
James Nora....................... Technology Director
Don Hebeler..................Director of Operations
Harry Knol.......... Director of Special Education
Mike Slager..................... Food Service Director
Insight is published by the Wyoming Board of
Education as the official newsletter for
residents of the Wyoming School District.
Sharon G. Wolfe, Editor
Items for publication in the Insight should be
sent to the following address:
Wyoming Public Schools
c/o Insight Newsletter
3575 Gladiola SW
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
wolfes@wyoming.k12.mi.us (e-mail)
In compliance withTitle VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975,
the Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act of 1977, and
the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, it is
the policy of Wyoming Public School District
that no person shall, on the basis of race, color,
religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age,
disability, height, weight, or marital status be
excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
during any program, activity, or in employment.
The lack of English skills will not be barrier
to admission or participation in educational
programs. The following people have been
designated to handle inquiries regarding the
nondiscrimination policies. Inquiries related to
discrimination on the basis of race, color, origin,
age, height, weight, sex, or marital status should
be directed to Thomas Reeder, Superintendent,
3575 Gladiola SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, (616)
530-7556. Inquiries related to discrimination
on the basis of disability or religion should be
directed to Harry Knol, Director of Student
Services, 3575 Gladiola, SW, Wyoming, MI,
49509, (616) 530-7525.
Insight design by Lorena Deiters.
Insight printing by Printech, Inc.
Welcome Back
Continued from page 1
and extra-curricular opportunities
for students. We, as a district, will
continue to be good stewards of
your money, but we must also let
our governor and legislators know
that our children deserve more
consideration if we expect to
compete equally and globally in this
new economy.
any of our principals or program
directors. I encourage parents and
community members to meet with
teachers, join one of our building
parent groups, get involved in school
district activities or take your family
to one of the many outstanding
performances off or on the field with
an extracurricular event.
This issue of the Insight provides
registration and other important
back-to-school information. If
you have any questions about
the beginning of the school year,
any of our programs or how you
can become involved, please call
I would also like to congratulate
Lisa Manley on her election this past
May to serve on the school board.
I look forward to a great 201112 school year! If you have any
questions, please feel free to call me
at 530-7555.
Insight Notification
Sent by E-mail
Would you like to be notified by e-mail when the
Insight Newsletter is available to view on-line?
If so, please send your e-mail address to Sharon Wolfe at
wolfes@wyoming.k12.mi.us
The Insight is published three times a year. August is mailed to everyone in the
district and available on-line, January is available on-line only, and May is available
on-line only.
Book Fair Raises
Funds for Leader
in Me Program
by Jennifer Debski
On May 7, Oriole Park had its
first Barnes and Noble Book Fair
at the River Town Crossings Mall.
We decided to bring a luau to the
store! Our wonderful parent and
teacher volunteers dressed the part
by wearing fun tropical shirts and
flowers in their hair.
Our goal was to raise money
to support our continued
implementation of Leader in Me. We
were successful at raising $200!
During our book fair, children
could listen to mystery guest readers
in Pooh’s Corner, make a Mother’s
Day card, complete a word scramble
or get their faces painted.
Thank you to those who
supported our book fair by donating
your time planning the event,
volunteering at the store or making a
purchase!
Top: Mrs. Meredith & Ms. Swanson enjoy the luau. Above: Mrs. Mucha paints the face of a young
customer.
Enroll Now for 2011-12 Preschool
Applications for the 2011-2012 Preschool Programs are now available at Wyoming Public Schools
Student Services office and elementary school offices. For more information, call Paula at 530-5671.
Traditional
Program
(Tuition-Based Program)
Huntington Woods
Early Childhood Center
• 3 & 4 year olds
• Two or three half-day programs
• Tuition is $675 - $965/full year
Great Start Readiness Program
(Free Program)
GSRP is a State of Michigan funded preschool program available free to
qualifying residents in the Wyoming Public Schools district.
Children must be four years old by December 1, 2011, and meet income
guidelines and/or qualifying factors. Examples of factors: absence of parent,
sibling issues, teen parents, homeless or developmental delays.
Children enrolled in this program will attend school
four half-days at the Huntington Woods Early Childhood Center.
The WEA “stands up” for students
by Linda Healy
Do you sometimes find yourself
swinging your foot, jiggling your
legs or rocking in your seat when
you are tired or bored and have to
continue to pay attention? We all
use our bodies in various ways, both
consciously and subconsciously, to
help us concentrate.Teachers know
that most students like to move.
Brain research confirms that physical
activity actually promotes brain
growth, stimulates memory, enhances
learning and impacts our ability to
focus.
Students often have a difficult
time recognizing their need to
move.They often express this need
through inappropriate school
behaviors – lying on their desk,
jumping out of their seat, wandering
around the class room, rocking…
While it is not functional to have
students move as desired during
instruction time, perhaps by adapting
the environment, we can facilitate
learning by our students.
Thanks to the Wyoming
Education Association (WEA),
environmental adaptations are being
explored at West Elementary through
the use of an AlphaBetter Desk and
stool.The AlphaBetter desk allows
students to stand while learning and
utilizes an attached swinging foot rest
for balance and/or a stool, for seating.
The desk is adjustable and designed
to fit students in grades 3-12.
The WEA recognizes that not
all students are alike. It is hoped
that this innovation, combining
movement with learning, will result
Ben Lummen shows how the new AlphaBetter
Desk and stool works.
in increased focus on tasks and thus,
more learning.
Thank you, WEA, for assisting
teachers in our mutual quest to
enhance student performance!
WPS “Sole Mates” Raise $540 for Students in Need
by Heidi Workman
Jan Fox, Jenn Debski, Stephanie
Smith, Lisa Tesch and Heidi Workman
joined nearly 20,000 runners, walkers
and rollers at the Fifth Third River
Bank Run on May 14, 2011, to run
either a 5K, 10K or 25K race to raise
support for In the Image.
In the Image has raised funds
to reach out to at-risk students in
Wyoming, Kentwood and Grand
Rapids Public School districts and
give children a brand new pair of
“back to school” shoes. It is In the
Image’s goal for 2011 to purchase
12,000 pairs of shoes to provide this
service to ALL at-risk students as they
begin their school year in 2011.
Heidi Workman, Oriole Park Elementary social worker; Jenn Debski, Oriole Park Principal;
Stephanie Smith, Oriole Park resource room teacher; Jan Fox, Wyoming Park High School social
worker; and Lisa Tesch, Parkview Elementary speech pathologist, took steps to raise funds for
“back to school” shoes for at-risk students.
The donations collected from
team “Sole mates” were able to help
In the Image purchase 54 pairs of
new shoes to reach their goal.
Local Eateries
Encourage
Reading,
Make It Fun
March was Reading Month
– a reminder to read with your
children and make them aware of
the possibilities and imagination
that reading offers!
Activities took place
throughout the City of Wyoming
to acknowledge this event. Local
restaurants, including Frankie
V’s, welcomed students, parents
and staff to their businesses for a
night of reading, door prizes and
refreshments. Top left: Student Andi Hale plays a pintsize version of The Cat in the Hat to Julie
Merrill’s Thing 2.
Top right: West Elementary teachers
Lani Dykhouse, Sarah Lichti and Julie
Merrill portray Thing 1, The Cat in the
Hat and Thing 2.
Center: The Kogler family colors while
waiting for their food.
Bottom: Grace Merrill as Dorothy from
The Wizard of Oz reads a pop-up book
with The Cat in the Hat, Andi Hale.
Field Trip to
Kids Food Basket
by Mari Comer
A great group of young ladies from
Newhall, (Brenna Oddy, Jasmine ComerCage, Vanessa Cage, Kailey Burgess and
Olivia Hamilton), myself and Mr. Baumbach
participated in this year’s Kids Food Basket
event, which was held at their location on
Oak Industrial Dr., NE.
We traveled by WPS bus (cost donated
by Mr. Baumbach’s church) on Saturday, April
30, for a tour and insight to what the project
is about, who helps and how the project is
funded and supported.
Catrina Harvey was our facilitator and
took us on a tour of the facility along with
the “fridge door” and “wall” that has been
signed by people who have helped over the
years. Volunteers help fill and decorate bags.
Participation helps our community grow
and develop relationships to maintain a
clear direction in keeping kids in their home
community.This is where it starts and here is
where the youth will be able to set a stable
foundation for their future.
Newhall student Brenna Oddy helps fill bags.
Wyoming Park Grads Join
Davenport University Dance Team
Head Dance Coach Loren Huggett is proud to announce the signing of
Skyler TerMors and Shelby Poch to the Davenport University Dance Team
for the 2011-2012 school year. Congratulations to these two Wyoming Park
alumni, and good luck!
Above: Jeremy Schnotala (Dr. Seuss), Cooper Skillman (Cat in the Hat), Olivia Kornoelje (Suzy)
and Mary Francois (Sally). Right: A drawing from one of the elementary students.
Park’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’
Entertains Elementary Students
by Sherrie Davis
This season, the Wyoming Park Theater Company developed a special
children’s performance. Under the direction of Jeremy Schnotala, students
developed a script, characters, costumes and dances relating to The Cat and
the Hat and Mr. Brown Can Moo, by Dr. Seuss.
The culmination of this exciting season was that the student theater
troupe performed the play at each of the elementary schools giving K-4
students in the district an opportunity to see a live theatrical show.
Theater Company members capped off their fine performances by giving
each elementary school principal a number of buttons to distribute for special
events.
Students from the Wyoming Park Theater Company were thrilled to be
able to perform for their very excited elementary audiences. Some elementary
students even wrote kind words and drew pictures of thanks to the high
school theater students.
Theater Company students are now anxiously awaiting the announcement
for what the fall season will include!
2011 Teachers,
Support Staff and
Volunteer of the
Year Winners
Teacher of the Year
Winners
Huntington Woods Early
Childhood Center
Mary Courville Gladiola Elementary
Deborah Kooistra
Oriole Park Elementary
Sheryl Adams
Parkview Elementary
Linda Anderson
West Elementary
Lori Brillowsky
Jackson Park Middle School
Katherine Westcott
Newhall Middle School
Julie Worth
Rogers High School
Kari Smith
Wyoming Park High School
Karen Potter
Support Staff Member
of the Year
Binh Nguyen,
Bilingual Paraeducator
Volunteer of the Year
Al VerHoef,“Mr.Al”
Wyoming Public
Schools District
Teacher of the Year
Mary Courville
Student Champion of Diversity
Shares Lessons Learned
by LaShone Williams,
Rogers High School student
When I look at the word
“diversity,” two other words come to
mind:“unity” and “different.” So, to me,
diversity is having a group of different
people working together to build
unity.As a champion of diversity, I
have been striving to do this.
In 2010, I and five other students
from different school districts
received the exciting news that we
would become the “Champions of
Diversity”. Our mission was to work
with the mayor of Grand Rapids and
come up with ways that we could
spread the news of diversity in our
schools and communities.
Over the course of the year, we
had various meetings and intense
conversations.We teamed up with
Tamber Moore, the manager of
Diversity Development Services at
the Woodrick Diversity Learning
Center, and Christina Arnold, director
of the Diversity Learning Center of
Grand Rapids Community College.
In addition, as a group we
partnered with students from
Northview High School, who helped
to guide us through the planning and
facilitation process of trainings. From
this experience, we decided that in
order to inform others, we should
teach trainings in hopes to make an
impact and a change.
Through these experiences, I
have had the opportunity to learn and
grow in the area of diversity, enjoy
great food together and make new
friends that will last a lifetime.
Our plans will take action at the
diversity summit where I will be
leading a training on stereotypes to
my peers.
West Students
Provide Food
for Far Away
Friends
by Ann Jones
Due to drought in northern
Kenya, food supply to the Anajali
School, along with many other
schools in Kenya, has been cut
off.The one-time meal-a-day that
is no longer funded by the World
Food Bank is now dependent on
contributions to sustain feeding
children of the Anajali School.
Thanks to the West School
Community, $651.35 was raised to
help continue feeding our Kenyan
friends.
During lunch time in June,
West Elementary students who
participated in pen-pals with the
Anajali School organized a “Food for
Far Away Friends” candy sale to help
raise money for food for their “far
away” friends.
A big thank you goes to student
volunteers for helping at the candy
sale.These students volunteered
during their lunch and recess times.
Participating pen-pal classrooms
were 2nd grade, Mrs. Jones & Mrs.
Brizzolara, 3rd grade, Mrs. Hackett,
and 4th grade were Mrs. Hendges
and Mrs. Rudolph’s classrooms.
A heart-warming thank you goes
to our parent volunteers, Mandy
Lyon, Michelle Mangum, Cindy
Wicker, Luna Fort and Amy Lamange
for dedicating their time to sit at our
candy sales each week and on Field
Day.
Top: Micah from Mrs. Rudolph’s room reads his pen-pal letter from his Anajali
School friend.
Center: Sales crew, Alicia Bonk and Jaylyne Acevedo with parent Mandy Lyon.
Bottom: Anajali students depend on donations of food to replace the once-a-day
meals no longer provided by the World Food Bank.
WPS Welcomes New School Board Member
by Sharon Wolfe
advocate for the families of our district.
New School Board
Member Lisa Manley has lived
in the Wyoming district for 18
years, 12 of those years spent
volunteering or working in the
district.
“This is a difficult time for schools, and I
am honored to be a part of a team that will do
everything we can to see our district continue
to move forward in a positive direction so all of
our students get the education they deserve.”
“I love getting to know the
kids and their families,” Lisa
Lisa Manley
says.“I have two children of
my own, Dylan, who just graduated, and Mikala,
who will be a junior at Wyoming Park this fall.
Being elected to the board has just bumped
that number to a couple thousand more, which
is very exciting (and a little bit scary)!”
Lisa has been a stay-at-home mom most of
the time, working part-time along the way.
“My heart and passion is with the schools,
so that is where I always return,” she says.“I
decided to take the leap and run for the board
because I have been talking about it for years,
and the time was right to step up and be an
What would she like to accomplish while
serving on the Board?
“While I serve my term, I would love to
see a program set in place that prepares our
kids to be college ready by the time they
graduate. Students should know how to study
and prepare for tests effectively. Programs
are needed for the struggling student who
needs additional help with their school work.
I would also like to see drug testing for all
athletes. Our athletes represent who we are as
a whole and they should meet or exceed the
schools philosophy on character, values and
morals.”
She also says,“I would like to thank
everyone for their support, and I look forward
to serving our district for the next four years.”
Park Varsity Softball Enjoys
Winning Season
byTroy Mast
The Wyoming Park Varsity Softball team completed a successful
2011 season.The team ended with an overall record of 24-7 and 13-1 in
conference play in route to the OK Green Conference championship.
Six players were named as first team all-conference players.They were
seniors Megan Galganski and Mara Vasquez, juniors Alexis Popma and Tayler
Graver, sophomore Caitlin Willey and freshmen Amanda Carver. In addition,
sophomore Jaime Krasean earned honorable mention all-conference.
The team was also named an Academic All-State team by the Michigan
High School Softball Coaches Association with overall team GPA of 3.26.
The team consisted of Megan Galganski, Mara Vasquez, Shandi Elam, Jaclyn
Miller, Alexis Popma,Tayler Graver, Alexis Jacobus, Staci Anderson, Laura
Petree, Caitlin Willey, Jaime Krasean and Amanda Carver.
10
Faye VanDoren, Rebecca Thibodeaux and Shannon Jirous enjoy their field trip to the GRAM.
Oriole Park, Parkview Students Visit the GRAM
by Jean Mucha
All 3rd grade students from
Parkview Elementary and all 3rd and
4th graders from Oriole Park took an
amazing tour of the Grand Rapids Art
Museum last May.
Students were treated to this
field trip courtesy of The Michigan
Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
as well as Farmer’s Insurance. We
wish to thank both organizations for
their generous contribution to our
students.
“I loved the new art museum!”
“The paintings by Audubon
were cool.”
“I liked the workshop we had in
the studio, located in the basement.”
These are just a few of the
comments from our students
regarding their experience at the
GRAM.
We were able to view various
works of art. We saw paintings
by Andy Warhol and John James
Audubon, as well as sculptures from
Frederick Remington.
What else did we see? We viewed
“Cavalry, American Officers 1921” by
Grand Rapids native, Chris LaPorte.
“Cavalry” was the winner of the 2010
ArtPrize competition held in Grand
Rapids. It is currently on display
at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Did you know approximately 850
pencils were used to create this
detailed work of art? Our students
were mesmerized by the 63 soldiers
represented in this outstanding work
of art.
From a mobile by Alexander
Calder to the landscape oil painting
of the Grand Canyon, we learned
more about our country’s history
through art.
The Art Museum taught us
a lot about taking care of our
environment, too.The carpet is made
of recycled plastic soda bottles.
Rainwater is collected and used to
flush toilets. Many windows allow for
more natural light, and that means
less use of electricity. As you can tell,
we had a wonderful, educational
experience.
Thank you to the GRAM, Farmer’s
Insurance and the Michigan Council
for Arts and Cultural Affairs! We
appreciate your generousity!!!
11
Wyoming Public
Schools
Back to
School
Guide
Inside!
GUIDE
2011-1
2 Stude
nt Enrol
NEw St
lment &
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tS/Fam
Registra
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School Communications Contest
2001 Award Winner
Wyoming Park and Rogers Give a Reason To Hope
by Lisa Manley
Mark your calendars for Friday,
October 21, as Wyoming Park and
Rogers will come together to face off
against Alzheimer’s!
It’s our 2nd annual charity football
game benefiting Alzheimer’s, and we
are going purple!! This is a horrific
disease that affects many, and we are
coming together to raise awareness
and advocate for those who have lost
themselves to this horrible disease.
Imagine everything you hold dear,
your knowledge and gifts you bring to
this world... Now imagine it all ripped
away, leaving nothing but darkness and
fear.That, my friend, is what it does; it
takes over your mind, body and spirit.
You cannot beat Alzheimer’s.The only
survivors are those left behind, so
we are advocating and speaking out
and showing support to all of those
affected.
Please join us on this very special
night as we reach out, give back
and show support to all of those
who so desperately need it. Buy our
purple shirt, come to the game, raise
awareness. One person cannot do
it alone, but, together, we can do
anything!
Mark your calendars! Show
your support for the fight against
Alzheimer’s October 21, 2011.