LPS Grads are Career and College Ready

Graduation Issue!
June 2013
www.livoniapublicschools.org • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 41, No. 3
LPS Grateful for
Community Support
The LPS community gave its stamp
of approval to the May 7 bond
proposal for important improvements to our school facilities.
The bond proposal will allow the
school district to improve each classroom throughout
the school district by replacing windows, heating/air
handling systems, lighting, flooring, electrical, p.a. and
phone systems; along with adding new whiteboards,
furniture and technology. With these improvements,
LPS classrooms will be transformed into modern,
21st Century learning environments, where staff and
students have the tools for a high quality education.
In addition, we are excited to improve key common
areas that are 40-60 years old, including Fine Arts
auditoriums and classrooms, cafeterias and entrance
ways. The district is also now positioned to make safety
improvements through entrance ways and equipment.
We are so grateful for the community’s support. This
was a significant request and we recognize the sizable
investment that is being made. We truly believe this will
be a significant boost for our community. Bringing in
$195 million of investment over the next several years
will renew and revitalize our pride in our schools, and
that impacts all of us here within the LPS borders. The
staff is so excited to see the work begin. This will truly
be a point of pride for all of us, as we look to attract
and retain families.
This is the culmination of several years of planning and
effort to live our district’s vision where “we see a school
district with facilities that are updated and well maintained, with cutting edge technology and equipment.”
Again, from a grateful school community, THANK YOU!
Dr. Randy Liepa
In this Issue:
Our Graduates ................................................ 4-8
Student Highlights ...................................... 9-12
Staff/ Volunteer Recognitions ...................... 13-14
LPS Grads are Career and
College Ready
It’s that time of the year! A time to celebrate the many accomplishments
of the graduating students who are ready to take on the challenges life
has to offer in the way of higher education and career choices that are as
diverse as the more than 1,300 high school seniors who are graduating this
month from Livonia Public Schools.
To help honor graduating seniors from Churchill, Franklin and Stevenson
high schools, we’re dedicating a large section of this edition of the Dialog
to their accomplishments. We, as a district, are proud of each and every
one of them, and even more proud that Livonia Public Schools continues
to prepare students to be career and college ready, upon graduation.
As a district and community, we are confident that these young adults have
received a high quality education and well-rounded student experience
during their years in LPS. Families and students should be proud of their
accomplishments and also excited for the future.
This year, the district has 202 students
who are graduating Summa Cum
Laude (3.95 GPA and above); 112
students with Magna Cum Laude
(3.75 – 3.94 GPA) and 128 students
with the Cum Laude distinction
(3.5 – 3.74 GPA).
We hope you enjoy reading about some
of the accomplishments realized by LPS
students in this edition of Dialog.
Congratulations,
Class of 2013!
Tuesday,
August 27, 2013
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Churchill High School
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 3
Welcome Information
Are You New to the LPS Community?
If you are new to the LPS community, welcome to our district!
We would love to introduce you to our schools and programs, so
please contact the Communications Department at (734) 744-2522.
Considering Enrolling Your Child in LPS?
School tours will be offered this year at all of our K-4 schools. Simply
arrive promptly at your child’s school at the following times:
5:30 p.m., Thursday, August 22 or at 10 a.m., Monday, August 26.
For more information about school tours, please call (734) 744-2522.
Centralized Registration
Summer registration information will be coming soon! Watch the Livonia Public
Schools website (www.livoniapublicschools.org) for registration updates.
Have You Registered Your High School Student for
Transportation for the 2012-2013 School Year?
If your high school, parochial, ACAT or MACAT student is eligible for transportation
services, please register him/her online at www.livoniapublicschools.org/busform.
Bus services are currently being scheduled for the upcoming school year. We are
asking all parents of high school, ACAT, MACAT or parochial students to register
their child(ren) again for transportation services even if they received services last
school year. The Transportation Department will mail a letter with students’ bus
assignments in mid-August to all eligible students. Eligible students in grades K-8
will automatically receive a bus assignment. You can reach the Transportation
Department with any questions at (734) 744-2517 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., or you may email lpsbus@livoniapublicschools.org.
Is Your Child Not Quite Ready for Kindergarten?
Consider the Young Fives Program
If you have a child who has a fall birthday and is not quite ready for kindergarten,
consider Young Fives! Young Fives is designed for students who are eligible for
kindergarten yet require the gift of time to further develop their emotional, social,
physical, and cognitive skills.
Preschool and
Childcare Programs
Pre-Kindergarten and Parent
Education Programs
Perrinville Early Childhood Center
28201 Lyndon, Livonia
734-744-2765
www.livonipublicschools.org/perrinville
Early On
Developmental screenings for infants and
toddlers from birth to 36 months
Preschool Programs for Children ages 3 to
5 years Special Education programs and
services
Hearing and Vision Screenings for children
ages 3 to 5 years, by appointment
Kids First, Great Start Readiness Program
Free part-day preschool for children 4 years
of age by November 1, 2013. Program
participation is based on eligibility.
Childcare and Tuition Preschool
Programs
Jackson Early Childhood Center
32025 Lyndon, Livonia
734-744-2813
www.livoniapublicschools.org/jackson
Jackson Childcare
Childcare with a preschool component to
meet the needs of working parents of children
ages one year through 5 years. Childcare is
available five days per week, year round.
This state-funded program is free and is held five days per week in either AM or
PM. Young Fives follows the LPS kindergarten calendar. Your child must be five
years old between July 1 and November 1, 2013 (Children with November birth
dates may sign a waiver for entry.) Before and after school childcare is available
on-site for an additional fee. Please contact the Jackson Early Childhood Center at
(734) 744-2813 for more information.
Preschool Enrichment
www.livoniapublicschools.org
All programs are currently
registering for the fall.
Serving portions of Livonia & Westland
June 2013 • Vol. 41 No. 3
Dialog is an official publication of the Livonia Public Schools. It is published regularly and mailed to
residents of the Livonia School District as a public service. We encourage your response. All
correspondence should be addressed to: 15125 Farmington Rd., Livonia, MI 48154.
To contact the LPS Communications office, please call (734) 744-2522, or email Katie Patterson at
kpatters@livoniapublicschools.org.
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School-Age Childcare (SACC)
Provides children with activities
and adult supervision before
and after the elementary
school day.
Community Supports Bond Proposal for LPS
Improvements
LPS Exceeds $4 Million in Energy Savings
Livonia Public Schools was presented, earlier this year, with the
Energy Excellence Award, a national recognition for achieving
significant success in implementing energy efficient practices
throughout the school district.
Cenergistic, an energy conservation company, presented the award
after the district had achieved more than $4 million in cost savings.
Livonia Public Schools partnered with Cenergistic on this initiative,
which involves hundreds of people throughout the district.
(L-R): LPS Board of Education members Tammy Bonifield and Colleen
Burton track bond election results on election night.
Voters in the Livonia Public Schools school district supported a
$195 million bond on May 7, paving the way for significant
improvements at the district’s aging school buildings. The bond will
fund a significant amount of classroom and facility renovations at
28 school buildings, which are currently 40 to 60 years old.
The projects include a rebuild of classrooms to achieve optimal
efficiency, safety, comfort, and energy cost savings; technology
upgrades such as mobile learning devices, a wireless network,
document cameras, and multimedia projectors; the renovation of
high school auditoriums and improvements to fine arts classrooms;
musical instrument replacement; restroom, cafeteria and locker room
renovations; new lockers, furniture, buses and equipment.
Energy savings continue through the efforts of many LPS staff
members, parent volunteers and students, doing simple things
such as turning off lights, powering down computers when they’re
not being used; and placing our buildings in “shut down” mode
when school is not in session.
The district has achieved this milestone through the cooperation
and diligence of the maintenance, custodial and teaching staff, with
support from the principals, district administration and the Board
of Education. It’s truly been a district-wide effort.
Livonia Public Schools joins a growing number of school districts
across the country that are saving on energy costs and redirecting
those funds to educating students.
Security upgrades include additional cameras and card access
points; reconfigured school entrances, where needed; and upgrades
to alarm and communications systems.
Work has already begun on selling the bonds to secure the first
rounds of funds; selection of the architects and construction
managers; construction time lines and more. The goal is to have all of
the planned improvements completed within five years, and to do
some level of improvements at every school within the first two years.
For specific project information, and updates, visit
www.livoniapublicschools.org often.
(L-R): Ray Raymond, LPS Administrator of Operations; Trustee Julie
Robinson; Trustee Tammy Bonifield; Mike Bitar, regional president of
Cenergistic.
LPS Receives Top Rating in Financial Audit
The Livonia Public Schools Board of Education received good news during the annual financial audit
presentation by the district’s auditing firm, Plante Moran, for the 2011-2012 school year.
LPS earned an “unqualified” opinion, which is the highest level of assessment an auditing firm can
award. The same findings held true on an audit of federal programs, according to Teresa Pollock, a
partner at Plante Moran, who presented the audit report to the board.
She said despite continued funding cuts by the state and increases in mandatory contributions to the retirement system, LPS continued
to budget wisely and accurately, hitting budget within 1 percent on the revenue side and the expenditure side.
The complete financial audit can be viewed at www.livoniapublicschools.org
3
Churchill High School
Class of 2013
Honors and Highlights
Sports Highlights
Team Highlights
WXYZ-TV Channel 7
Brightest and Best Representative
Mayuresh
Girls Cross Country
City Champs
Jefferson Inv. Champs
Division Champs
Livonia Observer 2013 Academic
All-Star Team Members:
Joseph
Mayuresh
Boys Tennis
City Champs
Special Recognitions
Boys Cross Country
City Champs
Division Champs
National Merit Finalists
Mayuresh
Mayuresh Joseph
Ward
Franklin
Edward
Joseph
Wrestling
Mott Inv. Champs
Ward
Franklin
Edward
Cheerleading
Division Champs
Livonia PTSA Council Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
Girls Volleyball
Grand Haven Inv. Champs
Division Champs
Outstanding MSC Seniors:
Joe, Rujuta and Edward.
Football
Division Champs
Conference Champs
MHSAA State Qualifiers
Gymnastics
MHSAA Regional & State
Qualifiers
7th Place MHSAA
Bailey
Girls Track & Field
City Champs
Patriot Relays Champs
Groves Inv. Champs
Division Champs
Regional Champs
MHSAA State Qualifiers
Girls Softball
Chelsea Inv. Champs
Athletic department information
for fall tryouts:
www.livoniapublicschools.org/
churchill.cfm
Click on Athletics.
4
Churchill students honored were - (L-R): Kerigan, Rachel, Ben,
Michelle and Sydney.
Students Entering the Military
Alysha Blakley
Aerica Pollard
Caps in the air!
Franklin High School
Class of 2013
Honors and Highlights
Sports Highlights
WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Brightest and Best Representative
Afton
Team Highlights
James P. Carli Scholarship
Andrew Pom Pon
Division II Champs
Benjamin Franklin Key Award
Wrestling
MHSAA District Champs
City Champs
Wayne County Champs
Franklin Invitational Champs
Andrew
Afton
Richard
Softball
New Boston Huron Inv. Champs
Gymnastics
MHSAA 7th Place
Athletic department information
for fall tryouts:
www.livoniapublicschools.org/
franklin.cfm
Click on Athletics.
Afton
Andrew
Kenneth B. McClain Scholarship
Matthew
– Jordan
Livonia Observer Academic All Star,
Honorable Mention
Matthew
Students Entering
the Military
Tyler Albers
Taylor Furda
David Norin
Bret Thrushman
Richard
“After attending LPS for 13
years, I am proud to say that I
come from a high-achieving and
extremely welcoming community.
Every student is given the
opportunity and the necessary
skills they need to achieve
greatness in college and beyond.
LPS does an excellent job
preparing its students for what they
will encounter in the real world.”
Matthew
Special Recognitions
Livonia PTSA Council Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
“LPS has completely changed
my way of thinking. They create
critical thinkers, problem solvers
and well rounded students. I
feel prepared for my higher level
education because of the strong
foundation LPS has provided me.”
– Casey
Franklin students honored were: (L-R): Asa, Lauren, Afton, Mackenzie and Andrew.
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Stevenson High School
Class of 2012
Honors and Highlights
WXYZ-TV Channel 7
Brightest and Best Representative
Megan
Sports Highlights
Livonia Observer 2013 Academic
All-Star Team Members
Team Highlights
Football - Division Co-Champs,
State Qualifiers
Girls Golf - City Champs
Girls Swim & Dive - City Champs
Boys Cross Country - State
Qualifiers
Megan
Jacob
David
Special Recognitions
National Merit Finalists
Boys Tennis - City Champs,
Regional Champs, State Qualifiers
Volleyball - District Champs
Hockey - City Champs, Regional
Champs, Division II State Champs
Competitive Cheer - Division
Champs, Conf. Champs, Regional
Qualifiers
Jacob David Jonathon
Kenneth B. McClain Scholarship
Pom Pon - State Qualifiers
“My experiences in my four
years at Stevenson allowed my
growth academically, athletically
and socially to reach new heights.
It has been a once-in-a-lifetime
experience and all of the
dedication and hard work does
show its benefits. I will always
remember my time at Stevenson
High School.”
– Joseph
Johnson
Girls Basketball - City Champs,
District Champs
Boys Basketball - City Champs
Boys Swim & Dive - City Champs,
Division Champs, Conf. Champs,
Final Four - 3rd in State
Gymnastics - Regional Qualifiers
Livonia PTSA Council Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
Boys Golf - County Champs, City
Champs, Regional Qualifiers
Girls Tennis - City Champs, Regional
Co-Champs, State Qualifiers
Baseball - Division Champs, District
Champs, Regional Qualifiers
Boys Track & Field - City
Champs, Division Champs
Individual Highlights
James Brieske Award Recipients:
Brenna F. Gabrielson
Joseph M. Mims
Gabe Award Recipient:
Jacob F. Colley
Boys Swim State Champion:
Nicholas M. Arakelian
6
Stevenson students honored were: (L-R): Joseph, Ben, Emily,
Rachel and David.
Students Entering the Military
Jose Benavidez
Justin Bumgardner
Alex Chase
Andre Jackson
Trever Morgan
Franklin Puckett
Jacob Saliba
Taylor Steele
Joseph Webberly
“Stevenson has been the ideal
place to spend my four years
of high school. Every day, I am
inspired and motivated by my
peers and teachers alike. I leave
Stevenson confident that I will
excel in college because I know
I am prepared for anything that
will be thrown my way, in large
part due to SHS’s unmatched
teachers who genuinely care
about their students.”
– Rachel
Program Recognitions
IB Program Graduates
Creative and Performing
Arts (CAPA) Program
(L-R) Andre, Lauren, Kevin, Tyler, Natalie, Aaron, Meaghan, Mackenzie.
Franklin High School has the distinct honor of being the only school in Wayne County to offer
the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. In 2009, we were awarded IB
World School status and began recruiting students who would take up the challenge of a
college preparatory curriculum that would emphasize the skills of inquiry and international
awareness. IB courses provide students with the opportunity to do college level work that is
measured against an international standard.
The eight-member class of 2013 was offered more than $1 million in scholarships and grants
to further their education. They will be attending the following universities: Wayne State
University, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, University of Nebraska,
Howard University, Mary Baldwin College.
Anyone interested in more information about the IB program should contact Molly David at
mdavid3@livoniapublicschools.org
Math/Science/Computer (MSC) Program
The Math/Science/Computer (MSC) program was founded at Churchill High School in 1984
and is celebrating the conclusion of its 29th year. The MSC program is open to students from
all three LPS high schools, who have a high level of interest and achievement in math and
science. Students in the MSC program take a minimum of 22 credit hours of coursework in
mathematics, science and computer science. Students qualify for this advanced academic
program at the end of their 8th grade year, based on academic test scores, an application
process and teacher recommendations.
MSC Graduating
Class of 2013
Ward, Sheryl Ann, Jessica,
Jonathan, Michael, Mayuresh ,
Josh, Kelsey, Emmi, Joseph,
Rujuta, Sneha, Franklin,
Anthony, Jacqueline, Kylie,
Edward, Samuel.
The CAPA program builds the skills,
passion, creativity and supportive
artistic community that performers
need in order to continue their formal
education in the creative arts. CAPA
provides a safe, imaginative and
caring place for young people to land
and learn. The program includes
intense studies in the areas of acting,
dance and vocal music. For any
questions or to set up an audition
for the program, please contact
Ms. Hillman, Director of CAPA at
ahillman@livoniapublicschools.org.
CAPA Program Award
Recipients 2013
CAPA Acting Award:
Jack Cowper
CAPA Vocal Award:
Heather Hill
CAPA Dance Award:
Rachel Szopko
Western Wayne Skill Center
The mission of the Western Wayne
Skill Center, an adult special education
center, is to provide instruction in the
Universal Life Skills curriculum,
which includes instruction in the
Adult Life Roles of Citizenship, Family
Member, Recreation Consumer and
Worker. The school’s goal is to prepare
students to make choices leading to
a healthy, productive and satisfying
lifestyle. Congratulations to all
graduates!
Congratulations to All
WWSC Graduates!
Kevin Allore, Julianne Baughman,
Corey Belanger, Brittany Boylston,
Nicole Brey, Shannon Darga, Nakeya
Davis, Marcus Dennis, George
Etheridge, Emily Fogarty, Mohamed
Hachem, Mary Hokett, Brittany
Jerden, Anna Laura Konarz, Andrew
Kowalski, Robert Martin, Michelle
Moskal, Ami Patel, Andrew Patierno,
Kori Porter, Danielle Ranta, Matthew
Rogers, Anthony Smith, Danielle
Walker, Larry Wilson.
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Career Technical Center Technology
Education Awards
The Livonia Career Technical Center offers career and technical
training in five of the six career pathways established by the
Michigan Department of Career Development. LCTC honorees
were selected based on their academic achievement in their LCTC
program; their responsibility as it relates to attendance and
completing all assignments with exceptional ability; their
leadership skills as they relate to working with peers; and their
interest in pursuing a career in the field they have selected.
The following students have been honored in the 2012-2013
school year:
Churchill:
Sydney A. Anderson – Sports Medicine
Christine M. Calleja – Digital Imaging
Jesse R. Chambers – Residential Construction – Rotary
Christina R. Irvin – Architecture Technology – Rotary
Franklin: Cory P. Blevings – Website Design & Administration – Rotary
Mikayla C. Caldwell – Criminal Justice
Elizabeth G. Chapa – Fashion Merchandising II – Rotary
Michaela C. Coutts – Medical Occupations
Damon J. Currier – Hospitality Management 2
Stevenson:
Erik T. Aitken – Website Design& Administration – Rotary
Morgan N.Collins – Medical Assisting
Idris E. Hatem – Medical Assisting – Rotary
Rachel L. Pastor – Fashion Merchandising II
DECA Students Excel at State and Beyond
Stevenson High School students’
professionalism was displayed to the
highest caliber at the Michigan DECA
State Conference held in Grand Rapids.
DECA is a high school and college
marketing organization that introduces
marketing, management, and other professional business career
activities to students. Thirty-two Stevenson students qualified to
compete based on their previous performance at the DECA District
5 level, where they were named overall finalists.
Stevenson had multiple overall finalists and three students qualified
for the International competition. The team of Jacob Cox and
Kyle Cronin qualified in the Sports and Entertainment Promotion
Plan event, along with Adam Gomulka in the individual Business
Finance event. This year, the International Career Development
Conference will be held in Anaheim, California. Rachel Zuckerman
and Matt Kielian were named Overall State Finalists in their
events, Apparel & Accessories Marketing and Food Marketing,
respectively.
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Students Get Message of Online Safety
The message isn’t for kids to stay off the Internet – that would be
impractical and unrealistic.
The message, according to Michigan State Police Corporal Erin
Diamond, of the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task
Force, is to teach and remind kids how to be smart and safe online.
Diamond, along with MICAC Agent Lenny Attar, spoke to LPS
students this school year about the inherent dangers of online
activity, particularly social media.
‘Remember these stories’
Diamond, a Stevenson grad, said his task force caught an online
predator during a sting that culminated on the athletic track, after
hours, at Holmes Middle School. Other predators have been
apprehended in Livonia and neighboring communities.
“Predators are here,” Diamond said. “And, they live for it.”
He told the true story of a local teen, who chatted with “a 27-year-old
guy” who claimed he was a student at a university in Toledo. He
suggested that he pick her up and show her his dorm and the campus.
Although the girl quickly realized, when she met him on her street,
that he was not who he said he was, she went anyway.
Diamond said he investigated, obtained the teen’s Facebook password
from a family member, and quickly discovered her intention to
travel with the stranger to Ohio. The man was soon apprehended
and the teen was safe – despite the fact that the suspect, age 52, had
just been released from prison for killing two kids. Police found
camping gear, an axe and a large amount of lye, a substance that
can be used to decompose bodies, in his truck. The man admitted
to police that the girl he picked up probably wouldn’t have made it
back home.
Article continued on page 10.
Corporal Erin Diamond, left, and Agent Lenny Attar speak to eighth
grade students at Holmes Middle School about staying safe online.
LPS Students Make a Difference
A Hair Affair
Riley Raises Money in Relay for Life Field Day
Students, staff and community
members came together at
Holmes Middle School this
spring, for an event to benefit
the nonprofit organization
Children With Hair Loss,
which provides human
hairpieces to children who
have medically-based hair
loss. Their mission is to
ensure that no child has to
pay for a hairpiece. Since its
start in September of 2000,
CWHL has provided more
than 300 children per year
with hairpieces at no charge.
Students at Riley Upper
Elementary School raised $4,694
for the American Cancer Society
when they combined their
annual Field Day with a special
fund-raising Relay for Life event.
They decorated luminary bags
in honor of loved ones affected
by cancer and they took turns
walking laps around the track
during Field Day.
Alexis cut her hair to donate to
Children With Hair Loss.
Luminary bags that were decorated
by students lined the Relay track.
Stylists from Thomas Blondi
Salon in Ypsilanti provided
their services at the event,
which was organized by
Holmes teacher Joan Haber.
The event raised $3,500 for
CWHL, in addition to the 17
ponytails that were donated.
Andrea and Erin participated in
the hair design competition.
Frost Students Get to the ‘Sole’ of Recycling
Riley students were excited about the Relay for Life and Field Day event.
Riley created a luminary bag in
honor of her aunt, Christie
Thomason, who recently lost her
battle with cancer.
During a month-long shoe
collection event, students in
the Environmental Club at
Frost Middle School asked
members of the community
to clean out their closets and
donate their gently used
shoes in observance of
America Recycles Day.
The shoe drive helped to
recycle an estimated 1,000
pairs of footwear, totaling
770 lbs. The shoes and boots
were delivered to the IICD of
Michigan Clothes Collection
Warehouse, a non-profit
organization that sends
clothing and shoes for refurbishing to benefit people in
need around the world.
Relay for Life logos were all around
the event.
9
High School ArtFeatured in New Gallery
The following high school art students were selected to represent
their school’s art department by having their work on display in
the Board of Education meeting room, in a new exhibit called the
Student Art Gallery.
The new program was implemented by school board member
Julie Robinson, who plans to expand it to include all grade levels
next school year.
Stevenson High School artists, from left: SHS teacher Heidi Posh,
Ty, Heather, Claire, Robyn, Ivan, SHS teacher Brooke Brewster
and SHS Principal Jim Gibbons.
Online Safety article continued from page 8.
Churchill High School artists, from left: Amy, Adriane and Sara
were joined by CHS art teacher Janet Stack.
Franklin High School artists, from left: Meghan, Hannah, Keri,
Mariam and Husayn.
Reconsider your ‘friends’
He told a group of Holmes
eighth graders that he “friended”
40 students earlier that day on
Facebook. He uses different
identities and swipes photos
from other pages to demonstrate
that people really do not know
exactly who they are communicating with online.
“I have at least 40 profiles going,”
he said. “Sometimes I’m a girl, a
boy, I’m black, I’m Asian. I have
at least 40 (Facebook) ‘friends’
who are in this room right now,
and you do not know who I am.”
Diamond urged students to “start weeding out” their Facebook
“friends” and only keep those they truly know.
“Social media is great, but it can get you into a lot of trouble,” he
said, adding that six out of 100 admissions at Michigan State
University are pulled back, due to findings on social media sites
such as Facebook.
He said sending inappropriate photos is particularly dangerous
because the sender never knows what happens to that photo after he
or she hits “send.” He mentioned the 3,000 photos of cheerleaders
that police found in the home of a Canton man recently.
LCTC artists, from left: Brook, Christine, Shelby and John.
10
Sending nude photos can land the sender on the Sex Offender List.
“It’s the wrong thing to do,” said Diamond. “I believe in you as
students. I believe in you as your peer.”
Spotlight on Achievements
SHS Swimmer Breaks Records
Stevenson High School swimmer
Nick, a junior, achieved the 2013
Michigan High School Athletic
Association 500-Yard Freestyle
Swimming State Championship,
breaking the Division I record.
His accomplishments include
six school records and four-time
All State and All American
designations. Nick is pictured
with his swim coach Jeff
Shoemaker.
Frost Orchestra and Band Score High at State
Festival
Frost Middle School 8th Grade Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic
Band scored an overall rating of a 1 at this year’s 2013 Michigan
School Band Orchestra Association Festival.
The festival, which took place at Churchill High School on March 1,
attracted schools from throughout the state. The rating system is
based on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being an A. Both ensembles perform
in the highest classification for middle school.
Comprised of 70 students and 29 students respectively, the Symphonic
Band and Chamber Orchestra are extremely active in the community
and travel to different locations throughout the area to perform,
under the direction of Michael Rais and Elizabeth Hering.
Students Excel in Japanese Language Contests
Stevenson High School Japanese language students showed off their
skills and turned heads at competitions this school year.
Christian Juncaj, a junior, was recognized at the Japanese Language
Speech Contest as one of 12 high school finalists. Juncaj was one of
only three students from a public school Japanese language program
to receive this distinguished honor.
Jimmy Alessandrini and Shelby McMillen earned top spots in the
2012 Michigan Japanese Quiz Bowl and were named champions for
Division 3. Shelby McMillen is also the 2013 High School Artistic
Nengajou winner for the State of Michigan.
Nengajous are Japanese New Year’s cards, and all of the Nengajous
entered in the contest were displayed at the Festival of the Arts in
Farmington Hills in April.
Melisia Taylor, Stevenson’s Japanese teacher, was formerly the
president and secretary of the Japanese Teachers Association of
Michigan. Taylor recently attended a workshop at Eastern Michigan
University, presented by Yo Azawa, 2012 National Foreign Language
Teacher of the Year, to enhance her skills in the Japanese language.
SHS Hockey Scores State Champ Title
The Stevenson High School Hockey Team achieved the 2013
Michigan High School Athletic Association State Championship
in Division II. It’s the first state championship title in the SHS
hockey program’s 43-year history.
You Be the Chemist
Aakanksha Pattanaik, a sixth grader at Webster Elementary, is
not only the first female qualifier from Webster for the You Be the
Chemist competition, she won at the regional level and placed
second in the state competition. The state contest was set up like a
real game show, with TV meteorologist Chris Edwards emceeing
the event that included competitors from 28 counties around the
state. When asked how she felt about her win, she stated
confidently, “Next year is mine!”
Young Authors Celebrate Writing Success
Cass Elementary first grade
teachers Jen Wilson and Courtney
Younan want to be sure their
students have the love of writing
down pat, at an early age.
The teachers have focused on
developing the students’ writing
skills, and have encouraged them
to do their personal best to express
themselves on paper. To celebrate
their writing success this school Cass teacher Jen Wilson sits with
year, the teachers hosted a Writing first-grade student Kaitlyn.
Celebration, in which about 100
children and adults gathered to celebrate the students’ writing projects.
Each student was paired with an adult, who listened intently as the
student read his or her non-fiction report about an animal; their book
about their own uniqueness; and a “how to” writing piece. They
capped off the special celebration with treats.
“If they start out loving it, early, they will love it for a lifetime,”
Wilson said.
11
School of Global Education Shines at Model
United Nations Conference
Stevenson’s School of Global Education received the Best Prepared
School – Second Honors award at this year’s Mid American
Model United Nations conference (MAMUN).
Global Education, a magnet program for Livonia’s three high
schools, uses an interdisciplinary approach to promote better
understanding of past and present world issues.
Out of the 47 members of the School of Global Education who
attended the four-day conference, 23 received individual awards
based on their preparation, participation and diplomacy. Representing
the nations of Chile, Cameroon, Egypt, Japan and the United
Kingdom, the students debated dozens of topics from the agenda
of the United Nations and attempted to find solutions to those
issues, as well as several crisis situations. Examples of agenda
topics included External Debt Sustainability, the Middle East, and
Promotion of New and Renewable Sources of Energy.
Rotary Honors LPS Student Leaders
Math Olympiad
Zach, a ninth-grader in the
Math, Science and Computers
program, has qualified for
the USA Junior Mathematical
Olympiad, based on his score
on the recent American Invitational Mathematics Exam.
This is a significant honor.
Approximately 230 students
across the US qualify at this
level, and this year there are only four students
across the state of Michigan who qualified.
Zach gained recognition while competing in a 9-hour mathematics
exam over two days for the next level of award. He attempted to
qualify for the International Mathematics Olympiad, which will
be held in July in Santa Marta, Colombia.
Leadership Day a Success at Cooper
The Rotary Club of Livonia recently recognized Elizabeth Chapa
and Cory Blevings from Franklin High School; Erik Aitken and
Idris Hatem from Stevenson High School; and Christina Irvin and
Jesse Chambers from Churchill High School as recipients of the
Rotary Vocational Leadership award. The Rotary Student
Vocational Service Award is given to Livonia high school students
who have made a commitment to learning vocational job placement
skills while completing their academic education. It is for students
who demonstrate honesty in work, life and school; have the ability
to lead and be a part of a work team; and who practice the concepts
of the Rotary Four Way Test in their daily lives.
Robotics Team Member Earns Scholarship
12
Leadership Day was attended by hundreds.
Patrick, a member of the
Livonia Warriors robotics team
and a senior at Stevenson High
School, was awarded a $22,500
scholarship that was offered to
participants of FIRST Robotics,
to be used over 4.5 years of
study at Kettering University.
Cooper’s Leader in Me program continues to be very effective.
Cooper’s second annual Leadership Day in April demonstrated
student and staff success, when more than double the staff and
community members participated than in the previous year. The
fifth and sixth grade students at Cooper led the attendees through
performances, tours and projects that reflected their school environment, based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of
Highly Effective People.
“I was humbled to be honored
with the FIRST scholarship. It
will give me the opportunity to
attend Kettering and continue
my dream of becoming a biomedical engineer,” said Patrick,
the son of Jeff and Norma.
Assistant Principal Sarah Aherne couldn’t say enough about the
positive impact the Leader in Me program is having at Cooper.
“People always say that this building is so calm for a fifth- and
sixth-grade school. The students know the habits, and they know
the vocabulary. With help from our amazing staff, the students
have come to see themselves as leaders.”
Visit our website for up-to-date information:
www.livoniapublicschools.org
Staff and Volunteer News
Elizabeth Hering Named Top Band Teacher
Special Ed Teacher Saves Student’s Life at
School Picnic
There’s no better way to describe the bond between teacher Tara
Muchow and student Mercedes than to see the tears in their eyes when
they thought about how a school picnic could have ended.
The Livonia Public Schools’ Western Wayne Skill Center special
education teacher was near Mercedes during an outdoor end-ofthe-school-year picnic when she heard a fellow staff member ask,
“Mercedes, are you okay? Mercedes, can you hear me?”
Without thinking twice, Muchow’s split-second decision to
administer the Heimlich Maneuver on Mercedes, who was, in
fact, choking on a brownie, saved her life.
Churchill High School Band Director Elizabeth Hering has been
named the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association’s
2013 District 12 Band Teacher of the Year.
A music teacher in Livonia Public Schools since 1999, Hering has
served as the band director at Churchill since 2000. She helped
Churchill achieve high accolades, including being named a Grammy
Foundation Signature School semi-finalist and one of the top 100
schools in the nation for music education. This is not the first time
she has been named a Teacher of the Year in her profession. In 2005
and 2009, she was the MSBOA District 12 Orchestra Teacher of the
Year; has been an Eastern Michigan University Exceptional Educator
nominee; and has been included in the Who’s Who in Music
Education on several occasions. Hering has implemented innovative
programs, including the Partnerships in the Music Classroom
Project, the Livonia All-City Chamber Ensembles, All-City Brass
Choir, the Flute Choir and the Clarinet Choir.
Cass Receives Healthy Schools Grant
Staff and students at Cass
Elementary will start off next
school year on healthy note,
thanks to a $50,000 Building
Healthy Communities grant
offered by Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Michigan, the Center
for School Health at Wayne
State University, the Michigan
Fitness Foundation and the
United Dairy Industry of Michigan. The grant was sought by
Cass physical education teacher Caryl Dazer, who is happy to
announce the funds will be used for healthy initiatives such as
physical education and recess equipment, curriculum materials,
activities for classrooms, books for the library and after-school
healthy activities. Cass Elementary Principal Bridget Regan was
supportive of the grant application, and said she is truly thrilled
the school was selected to be a part of this initiative.
“She wasn’t able to tell me what was happening,” she said. “I did
what I needed to do.”
Muchow reviews safety videos
each school year and is certified
in CPR. She said her adrenaline
kicked in and it hit her later
how serious the situation was.
“It kills me to think of what
may have happened,” she said.
Mercedes, who recovered just
fine, realizes that her favorite
teacher, her guardian angel,
saved her life.
“I thought I was going to die,”
she said, tears welling in her
eyes. “If Ms. Muchow wasn’t
around, I thought I was going
to pass out and die.”
Teacher Tara Muchow and
Mercedes, a student at Livonia
Public Schools’ Western Wayne
Skill Center.
Turning to Muchow, she tearfully said, “Thank you.”
Her tearful teacher responded, “Anything for you.”
Mercedes, age 20, who has special needs, said she looks forward
to coming to school every day, to see Ms. Muchow.
“She’s always happy,” she said.
Mercedes, who is in her first year at the school, received the Student of the Year Award.
“This is her year,” said Muchow. “And, she deserves it.”
She also felt that she deserved the special honor of receiving a
grant from the Livonia-based Emily Ann Griffin Foundation,
which raises money for Livonia students with special needs.
Muchow received a $500 grant to donate to a student in need. She
chose Mercedes.
13
Golden Apple Awards
Dr. Taiariol Honored by RESA
The Golden Apple Award recognizes the outstanding contribution of time, talent and effort in the support of students, parents
and staff of the Livonia Public Schools.
Dr. Jennifer Tairiol, Coordinator for Student Services, was recognized
by Wayne RESA intermediate school district, for her contributions
to students with disabilities. She is one of the coaches of the MORC
Stars hockey team and was instrumental in establishing the Livonia
Transitions Program for students 18-26 with disabilities who are
transitioning into the work world. Taiariol and the MORC Stars
were nominated by the Wayne RESA Parent Advisory Committee,
which also recently honored LPS staffers Ann Marie Tracy, Amy
Rand and the entire Frost Center Program staff.
Anna McGuire
Anna McGuire is a media
specialist at Emerson Middle
School. She was nominated by
colleague Elaine Kramer.
Special Delivery Appreciated by Emerson
Students
Polly Rothermel
Polly Rothermel, right, is an
early childhood special
education teacher at Perrinville
Early Childhood Center. She
was nominated by a parent,
Melissa Morton, and is pictured
with Perrinville Coordinator
Carol Carignan.
Emerson Middle School was the latest recipient of generosity
from Bro. Al Mascia and the Song and Spirit Institute for Peace.
Best known for starting a Bicycle Cart Ministry on the streets of
Detroit, to assist in feeding the hungry, the inter-faith organization
decided to branch into the suburbs. This year, they piloted a
program at Emerson Middle School that entails the delivery of
nutritious snacks for students.
Packaged in paper lunch bags, decorated with cheerful drawings
and positive messages, the snacks included a fruit drink, a fruit
cup and a cereal bar.
Principal Ann Owen said students commented that the snacks
helped them concentrate during school and many of them enjoyed the messages and decorations on the bags.
Donna Beardslee
Donna Beardslee is a retired
teacher who continues to
work with students at Garfield
Elementary by offering oneon-one reading support. She
was nominated by Garfield
Principal William Green, left,
and staff member Mary Ann
Ingram.
It’s all part of the Song and Spirit’s inter-faith project to provide
people in Southeast Michigan with the means and the opportunity to promote peace at a grassroots level through the arts, music,
study, organic gardening and community service.
Owen said she hopes the partnership will continue at Emerson in
the future.
“In summary – a resounding excellent!” she said.
Lee-Ann Riffe
Lee-Ann Riffe, right, is a
parent volunteer at Coolidge
Elementary. She was
nominated by Coolidge
Principal Ann Kalec, on left.
14
On left, Bro. Al Mascia and volunteers offer bags of snacks to
Emerson Principal Ann Owen, to distribute to students as a healthy
and delicious snack.
LPS Foundation News
New Grant Program Debuts this Fall
Livonia Public Schools is fortunate to have the support of the LPS
Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing
financial assistance for innovative programs and services.
The Foundation begins a new grant program this year, to provide
financial support to teachers and students for educational activities
in school. This program will empower LPS principals and teachers
to apply for a grant to help enhance learning in the classroom.
“It is our commitment to help provide the resources for the ‘over
and above’ that can make all the difference for the learning needs
of the students,” said Diane Policelli, Foundation board president.
The annual grant application process will begin in the fall. Funding
will be provided through generous donations by LPS staff members to the Foundation, an annual donation from the Foundation.
“The goal of the Foundation’s new grant program is to provide
dollars to schools right now to support their important work,”
said Policelli. “We look forward to showcasing the first group of
grant recipients this fall.”
Competitive Edge
The Competitive Edge College Savings Program is another
Foundation program. Celebrating its sixth year, the Competitive
Edge program has enrolled several hundred students in a 529
educational trust account, set up by the Foundation.
Each year, families of kindergarteners are invited to enroll. The
Foundation contributes $100 on behalf of each student, thanks to
the generosity of corporate donors, LPS employees, PTAs, PTSAs
and local residents.
This one-of-a-kind program is intended to give the children of the
district a “competitive edge” in the future, by helping families
pay for college. The LPS Foundation also provides families with
information about the value of college savings.
Bounce Back to School
What better way to start the new 2013-14 school year than to
“Bounce Back to School!” This popular event will be held
5-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 27 at Churchill High School,
8900 Newburgh Rd. Join us for bouncers and family fun!
Admission is $5 per school-aged child. All proceeds from this
event benefit the Foundation.
To learn more about the LPS Foundation, call (734) 744-2510 or
visit www.lpsfoundation.org or find us on Facebook at facebook.
com/lpsfoundation.
Visit our website for up-to-date information:
www.livoniapublicschools.org
(L to R): Ernie Natalini, LPS Foundation board treasurer; Diane Policelli,
board president and Steve Sciatto, board member and corporate donor.
Corporate Donors
Alpha Delta Kappa – Tau Chapter
Alpha Group
Bill Brown Ford, Inc.
Bright House Networks, LLC
Cheryl Bowker Agency – Allstate Insurance
Davenport University
DFCU Financial
Kopmeyer & Talty, P.C.
LPS Employees
LPS PTA’s/PTSA’s
Michigan Educational Credit Union
Michigan Educational Savings Plan – TIAA-CREF
Observer and Eccentric Newspapers
The Orthodontics Office of Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane
Parkside Credit Union
Ralph Thayer Automotive
Roush Industries
St. Mary Mercy Hospital – Livonia
St. Mary’s Cultural and Banquet Center
TRW Automotive
Westland Shopping Center
Help the LPS Foundation Help Others Through
the Competitive Edge College Savings Program
Buy or lease a vehicle, and $200 will be donated to the LPS Foundation.
Bill Brown Ford (734) 421-7000
Livonia, MI 48150
New Vehicles - 32222 Plymouth Road
Used Vehicles - 35000 or 30400 Plymouth Road
Tennyson Chevrolet (734) 425-6500
32570 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
Clip this coupon and bring it to Tennyson Chevrolet or Bill Brown Ford
when purchasing or leasing a new or used car or truck. Not only will you
get a great deal on your next vehicle, but you will also be helping the LPS
Foundation help our families. Does not include prior sales. Coupon must be
presented at time of purchase. For more information, contact the LPS
Foundation at (734) 744-2510, or visit us online at www.lpsfoundation.org.
From the Teacher of the Year, Dave Bjorklund
Take a Real-World, Positive Approach to Math
Whenever I meet someone for the first time, something interesting often
happens. As soon as I tell the person what I do for a living, I am amazed
at how often they tell me they are “terrible at math” or “always struggled
with math.” It seems, for some reason, that mathematics has a stigma as
this difficult subject that is socially acceptable to struggle with. I mean,
you really do not hear many people freely tell you they have difficulty
with reading. And yes, I do run into people who are engineers, CPAs,
or work in other mathematics-related fields that do not say these things.
But it still floors me how often I hear people tell me math is “not their
thing” or something to that effect.
The “math-phobic” comments are often followed up by some sort of
statement to the fact that, “Well, the math teacher I had in high school
was 100 years old and very cranky and I just couldn’t learn from him or
her.” Or “I’m sure if you were my math teacher it would have made
sense.” While I appreciate the vote of confidence, I still find it troubling
that so many view mathematics as a difficult subject that only a select
few can master. After all, I think most people would find that they use
more mathematics in their life and career than they realize.
There are, of course, the obvious things we all encounter on a routine basis.
The monthly bills, finding the best deals on items we purchase, or figuring
out how many square feet of tile you need to redo the kitchen. But even
if you are not in a mathematical field, I would argue there is some form of
mathematics you use in your career, even if you feel it is very trivial. To me,
this is what your student needs to hear about, especially if they struggle.
While I am fortunate to teach some very bright students, I also see a lot of
students who struggle with mathematics. Many tell me they have struggled
with math their entire lives. I feel a lot of them lack confidence in mathematics, and do not see enough examples of mathematics in the world
around them. While we, as teachers, continue to provide as many real-world
examples and applications as possible, this is not enough. The more
parents emphasize the mathematics they use in their career, as well as in
their daily lives, the more students will see the relevance. The mathematics
does not have to be anything extreme or high level like calculus, logarithmic
functions or polar coordinates. Simply reinforcing the idea that numbers
are all around us will foster number sense in students.
2012-2013
Board of Education
Tammy Bonifield
Colleen Burton
Mark Johnson
Dianne Laura
Eileen McDonnell
Julie Robinson
Randy Roulier
Dr. Randy A. Liepa,
Superintendent
For young children, planting the
seeds of mathematical understanding
can be done through simple things.
Just talking about counting skills
as we encounter them in our daily
lives will go a long way toward
giving them a sense of numbers.
As they get older, things like
Dave Bjorklund is a mathematics
figuring out the tip at a restaurant
teacher at Franklin High School. He
or scrutinizing facts and figures
was selected as the Livonia Public
reported in the media can further
this development. I would be remiss Schools High School Teacher of the
if I did not mention an obvious
Year for the 2012-13 school year.
motivator for some students:
sports statistics. Most importantly, as your student begins to study algebra,
emphasize the numbers that you utilize at work.
Of course, as a high school mathematics teacher, one of the things I hear
most often is “We are never going to use this.” I have several answers that
I often go to when faced with comments like this. I can tell students how
we are behind other countries, and will need mathematics to compete
in a global economy. Or I can tell them that mathematics is how we
exercise our brain with numbers to develop higher order thinking skills.
These comments are of course met with the usual eye rolls you can imagine
teenagers are so capable of. While it may be true that not all students
will utilize polynomial functions in their careers, the skills developed by
studying mathematics help students learn to follow and apply a set of
rules, as well as pay attention to detail, precision, and accuracy.
I truly believe that the more students see the role models in their lives
talking about how they use mathematics, the more confident they will
become. So maybe one day when I become that math teacher who is 100
years old and meet someone new, they will surprise me and tell me how
much they love mathematics.
“One should study mathematics simply because it helps to arrange
one’s ideas.” – M. W. Lomonossow
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