Congratulations, Class of 2010!

Graduation Issue!
June 2010
www.livoniapublicschools.org • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 38, No. 4
State Superintendent
Flanagan Impressed by
Livonia Public Schools
Congratulations, Class of 2010!
Graduation is the fitting time to review our graduating seniors’ accomplishments, and we are
pleased to share:
In 2010, LPS graduated 1,527 students from Churchill, Franklin, and Stevenson High Schools.
At press time, our students have been awarded over $6.6 million in scholarships and awards.
From the three schools combined, 143 students graduated with the Summa Cum Laude distinction
(3.95 gpa and above); 94 students with the Magna Cum Laude distinction (3.75-3.94 gpa); and
154 students with the Cum Laude distinction (3.5-3.74 gpa).
The Board of Education
recognized our five
National Merit Finalists
on May 10.
LPS Superintendent Randy Liepa and
State Superintendent Mike Flanagan
pause for a photo during his visit to LPS
schools in March.
State Superintendent Mike Flanagan
visited LPS on March 30 as part of his
annual visits to select school districts
throughout Michigan. His visit included
tours of Webster Elementary, Cooper
Upper Elementary, Franklin High and
the Livonia Career and Technical Center.
Flanagan and guests, including members
of the LPS School Board, LPS administrators and staff, PTSA members, union
leadership and business leaders, enjoyed
lunch prepared by Franklin Culinary Arts
students. Leaders around the table shared
the unique accomplishments throughout our district, including its innovative
programs, supportive stakeholders and
opportunities for students.
In addition to being inspired by the
welcoming atmosphere and the team
unity, Flanagan was especially impressed
by the district’s use of data-driven dialogue
to improve student achievement. He
noted that the district is not afraid of data
and is accomplishing what the Michigan
Department of Education is attempting
to achieve statewide.
Flanagan told attendees at the luncheon,
“You should be so proud. You really
have something special.”
Many graduates have won special honors and awards in the classroom and on the athletic
fields, and students were recognized at each high school’s Honors Night. LPS teachers, staff,
administrators and the Board of Education share in this proud and happy moment in the lives
of our graduates.
Parents and caregivers of graduates, thank you for being our partner in preparing your
children. Congratulations, Class of 2010!
Coming in August -
Back to School iParty
with special guest Jennette McCurdy
who plays Sam on Nickelodeon’s #1 show iCarly!
During the month of July, register for a private meet and greet with
Jennette! Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/livoniapublicschools,
or check our Web site at livoniapublicschools.org for updates.
*Talent availability is subject to change. This is a fully sponsored event for the district.
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 7
From the Superintendent:
Michigan Schools Address
Unprecedented Funding Challenges
Welcome Information
Livonia Public Schools is finishing up the school year in a financial
environment we have never seen before. Many of you are aware
that $7.7 million was unexpectedly cut from our district’s budget by
the State in the middle of this 2009-2010 school year. I would like to share with you two
additional sobering facts about funding for our district.
•
Our foundation allowance, which began at $8,600 at the beginning of this year,
will be reduced to $7,800 under the assumption of the revenue projections at the January Revenue Consensus Conference.
•
If we implement proposed budget reductions, we will be approaching $40 million
in budget cuts since 2002.
The Financial Roller Coaster
All in all, it has been a financial roller coaster like we have never seen. In response
to all of these school-funding cuts, the School Board took unprecedented action by
making mid-year budget reductions and employees made salary concessions. Looking
ahead, winter revenue projections for next year predicted that school districts would
lose another significant amount of money. Overall, the district braced itself to lose $17
million through these reductions and declining enrollment loss over the 2009-2010 and
2010-2011 school years. Preparing for next year, the Board of Education has been
reviewing an additional $11 million of budget reductions for the 2010-2011 school year.
Just recently, the State announced that its revenue projection for schools looks brighter.
We hope to see at least a portion of the lost revenue returned to us, and we wait now
for a final report from the State on next year’s funding.
Community and Staff Provide Valuable Support
Through all of these challenges our community and staff have provided incredible
support. Last fall, our community stepped up and supported our schools by passing
millages by overwhelming margins. In addition, school employees stepped up and
took concessions in the middle of the school year, saving over $1.5 million for this
school year, and over $2 million for 2010-2011.
Our community and staff have also been very involved by providing budget suggestions
over the last seven months. We have received numerous calls and emails, as well as
participation in local forums.
An Uncertain Future, But a Commitment to Students
The future of school funding in Michigan is still up in the air. We continue to do the very
best we can to protect programs for students during these turbulent economic times.
We believe quality educational programs and opportunities for our students are still
available, although it is getting more difficult each year. The Livonia Public Schools
remains a lighthouse district and source of pride to our community. We thank our
community for their involvement, input and support on behalf of all the students to
whom we provide an education.
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.
Summer Registration Information
Middle Schools and High Schools
Throughout the summer months, both middle and
high school students are to register at their home
school, as there is secretarial coverage in these
buildings.
Elementary Schools
Beginning June 30 through August 20, elementary
school students are to register at Central Office,
located at 15125 Farmington Road. Call
734-744-2541 to schedule an appointment. Please
check our Web site for additional information.
Schedule a School Tour This Summer
School tours are available during the month of
August to non-LPS families who are considering
attending Livonia Public Schools. Please contact the
Communications Department at 734-744-2522 to
schedule a school tour.
Sign Up for E-News
Go to www.livoniapublicschools.org
Click on Sign Up for E-News.
www.facebook.com/LivoniaPublicSchools
Randy A. Liepa, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Livonia Public Schools
Purpose • Passion • Pride
District Early Childhood and Childcare Programs
Perrinville Early Childhood Center
28201 Lyndon, Livonia 734-744-2765
Pre-Kindergarten and Parent Education Programs
Early On - Developmental screenings for infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months
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. The Young
Fives program follows the LPS
curriculum, so your child will be
prepared for kindergarten. Before
and after school childcare is also
available on-site. 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. Child must
be five years old on or before
December 1. Contact Jackson
Center at 734-744-2813.
Are You a New Parent?
Educational Programs Begin
at Birth!
Through September 30, from a
Wayne RESA grant, ALL families
with a newborn residing in Wayne
County may receive a free home
visit by contacting the Welcome
Baby program at 313-531-2500
ext. 2110.
Preschool Programs for Children ages 3 to 5 years
Special Education programs and services include classrooms for children with speech and language
delays, cognitive or physical impairments, autism spectrum disorder, and hearing or visual impairments.
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 December 1. Program participation is based on
eligibility. Program is pending legislative action.
Ready, Set, Go! - Learning activities are offered for families and caregivers of young children. Parent-child activities and parent education programs are scheduled
throughout the year.
Jackson Early Childhood Center
LPS Launches
Best of the Best
Writing Curriculum
The start of the 2009-2010 school year
included the launch of new units of
study for teaching writing in
kindergarten through sixth grades.
LPS Developed Customized
Writing Curriculum
A team of elementary teachers, chaired
by the district’s elementary literacy
facilitator, spent several years developing
multiple units of study for each grade
level. They incorporated the “Best of the
Best” in developing a framework that
was used to create each unit.
The committee reviewed:
• research-based effective practices for teaching writing
• the work of several internationally-
recognized and respected experts in the field of teaching writing
• multiple existing instructional programs for teaching writing.
32025 Lyndon, Livonia 734-744-2813
Preschool Enrichment - Developmentally appropriate activity-based program for 3 and 4 year olds
Innovative Writing Curriculum
Focuses on High Standards
Preschool with a Parenting Component (PREP)
While 3 and 4 year old children participate in
classroom activities, parents attend a weekly adult parenting class in a separate room.
Each unit of study for teaching writing
focuses on a single genre, such as poetry,
persuasive essay and nonfiction
research article. At the start of the
school year, each teacher received a
writing resource binder, which included
lesson plans for each unit, a year-long
curricular calendar for the units, copies
of mentor text, copies of professional
resources related to teaching writing and
a grammar continuum for teaching
grammar, usage and mechanics of
writing. These teaching resources
provide a comprehensive and cohesive
guide for teaching writing, so LPS
students become proficient writers and
enjoy writing for sustained periods of time.
Childcare
Childcare with a preschool component is provided to meet
the needs of working parents of children from infancy
through 5 years of age. Childcare is available five days per
week, year round.
Young Fives Childcare - Provides children with activities
and adult supervision before and after the Young Fives session
School-Age Childcare (SACC) - Provides children with activities and adult supervision before and after the elementary school day
Kindergarten Childcare (KSACC) - Provides children with activities and adult supervision before and after the kindergarten session. For more information, visit us online at www.livoniapublicschools.org under the Program tab.
All programs are currently registering for the Fall.
Neighboring Districts Look to LPS
for Professional Development
The district’s elementary literacy
leadership team is becoming known
outside the district for providing high
quality professional development
Continued on page 10.
3
Churchill High School
Class of 2010
Honors and Highlights
Sports Highlights
Boys Cross Country
City Champs
Girls Cross Country
City Champs
Division Champs
Jesus has performed in numerous
CAPA musicals. He competed in the
District and State Solo & Ensemble
Festival, was a member of the MYE
Chamber Singers through UofM and
was one of two high school students
chosen to be in the Rackham
Symphony Choir this year. Jesus was
the lead in the opera, The Very Last Green Thing, performing with
the Michigan Opera Theatre. He competed as a finalist in New
York in the National Classical Competition.
Livonia Observer 2010 Academic All-Star Team Members
“Churchill is more to me than
just another stepping stone in
my life. It has shown me how
to maintain a positive mental
attitude, and this has made me
a better person through all my
experiences. Thank you Churchill
High. Positive Mental Attitude:
Believe it. Lead it. Live it.”
Holly
– Joey
Boys Soccer
City Champs
Division Champs
Conference Champs
Association Champs
Channel 7 Brightest & Best
Girls Volleyball
U-M Dearborn Inv. Champs
KLAA Inv. Champs
Division Champs
Conference Champs
MHSAA Final Four
Chelsea
Chelsea
James P. Carli Scholarship Winner
Bryce
Boys Tennis
Adrian Inv. Champs
MHSAA State Qualifiers
Girls Golf
Division Champs
Boys Basketball
City Champs
Conference Champs
Association Champs
Rotary Club Student Vocational Leadership Award Winners
Jenna Nick
Competitive Cheerleading
Division Champs
Hockey
Division Champs
Girls Tennis
City Champs
Division Champs
Girls Track & Field
City Champs
Division Champs
Conference Champs
MHSAA Regional Champs
4
Special Recognitions
National Merit Finalists
Holly Chiang Ziwen Deng
Bryce Morgan Cory Townes
Livonia Council PTSA Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
Darcy DeRoo
Melissa Roe
Joey Salloum
Chelsea Wezensky
Nicole Williams
Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete
Adam Bedell
“My four years at Churchill High
School have been shaped
greatly by the inspiring people
I have had the chance to work
with. The responsibilities I held
and the experiences I gained
will always be with me no matter
where my future leads me. I’ll
always keep up the Charger
spirit.”
– Melissa
Franklin High School
Class of 2010
Honors and Highlights
Sports Highlights
Football
City Champions
Playoff Qualifier
Boys Basketball
District Champions
Girls Basketball
City Champions
District Champions
Cheerleading
Conference Champions
Pom Pon
City Champions
Wrestling
City Champions
District Champions
Softball
Salem Invitational Champions
Megan made a goal to end high school
successfully, and she has certainly
done so with a GPA of 4.67 her senior
year. This fall, she will be attending
Washington University in St. Louis
on a full ride scholarship to study
Biomedical Engineering. In addition
to numerous other awards, she
received the Exchange Club’s Youth of the Year Award.
Channel 7 Brightest & Best Megan
James P. Carli Scholarship
Shannon (at right)
Benjamin Franklin Key Award
Shannon
Mayra (at far right)
Livonia Observer 2010 Academic
All-Star Team Members
Kyle (at right)
Megan
“High school has taught me to
encounter every situation with a
positive attitude. Livonia’s
commitment to my education
has set me up for success in my
future endeavors, and I know I
couldn’t be better prepared. I’ll
miss high school very much and
would do it over again the same
way given the chance.”
– Tommy
Volleyball
KLAA Challenge Inv. Champions
Students Going to
Military
Brittany Dilley USAF
Charles Foster USMC
Kevin Frear USMC
Charles Krappitz Army
Nicholas McElroy Navy
Cynthia Peters USMC
Kalvaughn Richardson Navy
Hezikiah Streifel USMC
Patrick Tacoma USMC
Tiffany Van Orden USAF
Rotary Club Student Vocational Leadership Award Winners
Alison Cynthia
Special Recognitions
Livonia Council PTSA Outstanding Youth Senior Honorees
John Chinavare
Shannon Niznik
Erin Roulier
Thomas Morrison II
Jennifer Rellingerr
Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete
Emily Quint
“Opportunity to go above all
standards and norms has been
the biggest contribution by Livonia
Public Schools to my education
and future. Opportunities to
have teachers that deeply care,
extra-curricular activities for all
types of preferences, community
involvement and high standards
for the alumni were always given.
– Mayra
5
Stevenson High School
Class of 2010
Honors and Highlights
Sports Highlights
Girls Soccer
City Champions
Football
MHSAA State Playoff Qualifiers
Conference Champions
Division Champions
Boys Basketball
Division Champions
Dan, senior at Stevenson, won the
Outstanding Interpretation Award for the
National PTA. This award is presented
to only one entry of each art category
for Reflections. The contest is international in scope, as it includes students
in American schools overseas and
military-based students in addition
to all 50 states. A Michigan student has not won an award at the
national level in twenty years. (See related article on page 9.)
Channel 7 Brightest & Best
Angela
James P. Carli Scholarship
Emily
Hockey
MHSAA Regional Finalist
Association Champions
Conference Champions
Division Champions
City Champions
Boys Swimming and Diving
Division Champions
City Champions
Livonia Observer 2010 Academic All-Star Team Members
Laura Hanlin (at far right)
– Hanlin
Baseball
Ranked 5th in the State
Broke School record with most wins
Division Champions
City Champions
Softball
City Champions
Boys Track and Field
City Champions
Rotary Club Student Vocational Leadership Award Winners
Danielle
Neil
Boys Golf
MHSAA Regional Qualifiers
City Champions
Girls Swimming and Diving
City Champions
Detroit Free Press Scholar
Athlete
Claire LeBlanc
Special Recognitions
Jay W. Formsma Award Winners
Rita Lee
Hanlin Yang
National Merit Finalist
Calum Galt
Livonia Council PTSA Outstanding Youth Honorees
Angela Gasser
Adam Kleven
Henry Weyand
Emily Whittico
Hanlin Yang
6
“Graduating now is a bittersweet
moment… bitter because there
is so much I have enjoyed doing
and so many people who have
helped me to achieve what I’ve
had that I am leaving behind;
sweet because I can finally see
the end result of the cumulative
effort of the past four years. I
can’t wait to see where all that
I have gained from Stevenson
will carry me in life.”
“Some of the greatest,
challenging and bizarre things
happened while at Stevenson,
but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
– Rita
Program Recognitions
Math/Science/Computer (MSC) Program
Western Wayne Skill Center
The Mathematics/Science/Computer (MSC) Program at
Churchill High School was founded in 1984 and is celebrating
the conclusion of its 26th year. The MSC program is comprised
of students from all three Livonia high schools who have a
high level of interest and achievement in math and 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.
Since September 2002, WWSC has been accredited with the North
Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School
Improvement.
Recipients of Outstanding MSC Senior Award:
Holly Chiang
Bryce Morgan
Chelsea Wezensky
Congratulations, Megan, Bobby and
Edward for perfect attendance!
Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Program
Founded in 1986, the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
Program offers an in-depth study of drama, dance, music and
the visual arts. The curriculum is designed to teach classical
and contemporary art forms. Guest artists are on campus to
instruct and critique students in workshops/seminars and
masters classes.
CAPA Program Award Recipients 2010:
Victoria Knieriem – Outstanding Student in Theatre
Jesus Murillo – Outstanding Student in Vocal
Madelyn Prebola – Outstanding Student in Dance
Career Technical Center Technology
Education Awards
The Livonia Career Technical Center (LCTC) offers career and
technical training in five of the six career pathways established by
the Michigan Department of Career Development. The following
students have been honored for their efforts in the 2009-10 school
year:
Churchill
Kevin Inglis – Residential Construction
Annette Perkowski – Website Design & Interactive Media
Nicholas Promo – Arch Eng (Rotary)
Jenna Stauch – Sports Medicine (Rotary)
Franklin
Alison Armstrong – Fashion (Rotary)
Drew Dood – Criminal Justice
Cynthia Cooke – Medical Occupations (Rotary)
Steven Turner – Auto
The mission of the Western Wayne Skill Center (WWSC) is to
provide instruction in the life roles of citizen, family member,
recreation participant and worker. The goal is to prepare students to
make choices leading to a healthy, productive and satisfying lifestyle.
Congratulations to all Graduates!!
Michael Adams, Samantha Amore,
William Ardt, Kaitlin Baiocchi, Jeffrey
Benson, Autumn Boards, Emily Breen,
Megan Campbell, Dominique Connor,
Kevin Cislo, Brian Coskie-Acevedo,
Danielle Donaldson, William Evans,
DeAndre Hadden, Mohamad Harake,
Allante Hollis, Bobby Hubbard,
Breeyana Johnson, DeAndre Johnson,
Nathaniel Jones, Nathan Kunze, Lavonte
Lucas, Jerre Mabry, Lindsey Martin,
Tyler Martin, Erika Massie, Brianne
Milliner, Michael Neal, Edward
Nicholson, Steven Psaila, Rebecca Reid,
Jaron Robinson, Thomas Schermerhorn,
Wesley Schermerhorn, Carly Smith, Kelsey
Terry, Veronica Thomas, Malcolm Tyms,
Russell Vincent, Al Wells, Michael
Young and Scott Zimmerman.
Adult and Continuing Education
Adult & Continuing Education Program enrollments for the 20092010 school year included 110 GED/ABE students, 63 alternative
education students, 95 adult secondary/enrichment students,
125 workplace literacy students and over 700 English as a Second
Language (ESL) students. Also, more than 250 high school credit
recovery students received diplomas, certifications, achievement and
completion credentials and academic awards.
Adult and Continuing Education also successfully piloted the on-line
Web-based content delivery program in which many students from
each of the educational programs participated.
Stevenson
Danielle Aliseo – Medical Occupations (Rotary)
Neil Betham – Cisco (Rotary)
Samantha DeLuca – Digital Imaging
Maxwell Petrie – Management & Business Admin
7
Spotlight on Achievements
Have You Seen School
News on the Web?
Legislative Forum Clarifies State Funding Issues
School News has been
implemented on the district
Web site to share with you
some of our school and student
accomplishments. A few of the
numerous examples of school
and student achievements that
are posted online and updated
throughout the school year
can be found at
www.livoniapublicschools.org.
Rosedale Third Grader
Wins Michigan Earth
Day Poster Contest
LPS legislators from left to right: Representative John Walsh, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon,
Representative Richard LeBlanc and Senator Glenn Anderson welcomed the opportunity to attend a
Legislative Forum to discuss the state of school funding in Michigan.
On January 25, the District Communications Team sponsored a Legislative Forum at Stevenson High
School. Representative John Walsh, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, Representative Richard
LeBlanc and Senator Glenn Anderson answered tough questions regarding Michigan’s school aid
budget crisis. Over 200 parents, staff and community members attended this special event.
“The Legislative Forum was very informative, and also provided direct access to the legislators for
parents to voice their concerns about public school funding,” stated Patty O’Brien, a district parent
attending the forum. The legislators were impressed by the community’s engagement and commitment
to understanding the challenging State budget issues.
Emerson Student Wins Second Place in
International Photo Contest
Rosedale Principal Tammy
Spangler Timm and teacher
Carolyn Jackson attended the
Board of Education meeting to
congratulate Bailie on her
accomplishment.
Bailie, a third grader at
Rosedale, won first place in her
grade category in the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources
and the Environment Earth
Day Poster Contest. Over 4,000
students submitted entries,
so this is quite an accomplishment.
She was recognized at
Constitution Hall on Earth
Day, April 22, and her poster
will hang in the art gallery
at Constitution Hall.
8
Cassidy, an 8th grader at Emerson, won second place in an
International Photography Contest for Earth Science Week. The
focus of the contest was capturing earth science exploration around
the world, and Cassidy’s entry did an excellent job of capturing
her brother studying the pond water in their grandparent’s backyard! Cassidy’s photo will be featured on the International Year
of Planet Earth and Earth Science Week Web sites!
FHS Students Travel to DC for Winter Congress
Franklin High School’s Junior State of America Chapter traveled to
Washington, D.C. for the Winter Congress March 12-14. Students
prepared, debated and passed bills and amendments during the
mock-Congress simulation. While in Washington, students met with
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter and John Schall, former White
House aide and current Deputy CEO at the Parkinson’s Action
Group. Students gained first-hand experience of the federal
government and an inside look into Washington’s inner circle.
LPS Sponsors Healthy Activity Day with the
YMCA and St. Mary Mercy Hospital
LPS Students Win Statewide Reflections Awards
In a collaborative sponsorship with
the YMCA and St. Mary Mercy
Hospital, the Livonia Public Schools
hosted Healthy Activity Day on
Saturday, April 17.
Over 165 students and approximately
66 families took part in the Healthy
Activity Day. Families learned
healthy daily living and nutrition
tips for young and old alike. The
Healthy Activity Day was made
possible with funding from the
district’s Carol M. White Physical
Education Program (PEP) grant.
LPS was the ONLY public school
district in Michigan to receive this
three-year funding, beginning with
the 2009-2010 school year.
LCTC Receives Excellence in Practice Award
Of 140 students across the State that competed in the PTSA
Reflections contest, fourteen LPS students won an award.
Pictured above, with some of their award winning entries in the
background, are: Dan, Elise, Kelsie, Gabriel, Kacey, Elayna, Evan.
Award winners not pictured: Lyndsay Jones, Lisa Johns, Emily
Crombez, Chad Gabon, Tatiana Smyk, Mary McLain, Tarra
Dempsey.
SHS Student’s
National Award
Winning Artwork
The Livonia Career Technical Center received the Michigan
Department of Education’s 2010 Excellence in Practice Award. This
top honor from the State was given for the academic integration
of Algebra II into the CTE programs at the Career Center. Patty
Cantu, State Director, Office of Career and Technical Education,
stated, “LCTC’s academic integration program exemplifies the
highest standards in preparing Michigan students for higher
education and careers.”
The National PTA’s 2010
Reflections Outstanding
Interpretation Award winners
were chosen from more than
500,000 submissions from
students across the nation.
Dan won the National Outstanding Interpretation Visual
Art Award. The theme was
Beauty is, and his entry is
Beauty is Hilarious.
Congratulations to Our Newest Green Schools
Frost Middle School and Cleveland,
Grant, Kennedy and Rosedale
Elementary Schools have joined
Buchanan Elementary School in
their commitment to go green. These
four schools have received the
Michigan Green School designation,
and the Board of Education formally
recognized the schools for this
accomplishment in June.
9
Staff and Volunteer News
FHS Teacher Takes
Home VFW Award
Mary Helen Diegel, FHS Social
Studies teacher, was awarded
the VFW District Four Teacher
of the Year award.
Teacher Publishes First Children’s Book
Colleen Murray Fisher, teacher at Hayes
Elementary, recently published a children’s
book, The One and Only Bernadette P.
McMullen!
Michigan Dance Educator of the Year
Mary Murphy, dance teacher for
Churchill’s Creative and Performing Arts
program, received an award as the 2010
Michigan Dance Educator of the Year.
Joe Anderson Presented
Citizen Award
Karen Ling Receives Award
Karen Ling, a LPS Shared Time teacher assigned to Plymouth
Christian Academy, was honored with the “E & J Award” given
by their senior class naming her the most inspiring and influential
teacher over their four years at the school. This vote was unanimous
and is impressive given that she is the first non Plymouth Christian
Academy staff member to receive the award.
Writing Curriculum continued from page 3.
The US Marines presented Joe
Anderson, CHS principal, with
an Outstanding Citizen Award.
10
The Livonia PTSA Council
(LPTSAC) was selected to
receive two awards at its
Michigan PTSA Council
Convention. Our PTSA
Council received the Newsletter
Award for the outstanding
publication that Liz Jarvis
creates and distributes
electronically and received a
Website Award thanks to the
creative and technical talents
of Heather Broos, who also
does a fantastic job.
NOTICE for Fall 2010:
Elementary School
Class Lists Will NOT
Be Posted Publicly
In past years, elementary
schools had participated in the
practice of publicly posting
class lists prior to school
starting. Last year, we were
advised this practice is not
compliant with FERPA law.
Therefore, class lists are no
longer posted.
To comply with the guidelines of FERPA:
Coach of the Year
The Observer named James
Solak from Churchill High
School the Basketball Coach of
the Year.
LPTSAC Earns Awards
at State Convention
K-4 schools will mail home
a letter with information
regarding your child’s teacher
and classroom assignment
prior to Labor Day.
on teaching writing. Birmingham Public Schools and WayneWestland Community Schools have contracted with LPS to have
our talented trainers bring their knowledge, skill and expertise to
their districts’ teachers for multiple training sessions on effective,
best practices for teaching writing.
Exceptional academics are a beacon of excellence
The district is proud of the new units of study for teaching writing.
These new rigorous writing units are bringing revitalization to
teaching writing in our elementary schools and new engagement
and enthusiasm to student writing.
Upper Elementary schools will
provide classroom assignments
with their orientation packets,
as they have done for the past
four years.
Students will have their
information available regarding
class placement before the
first day of school.
LPS Celebrates Second Year of the Competitive Edge
The Livonia Public Schools Foundation has completed its
second year of implementing the Competitive Edge College
Savings Program. Again this year, the Foundation provided
an opportunity to all first grade families to have a college
savings plan account set up on behalf of their student, and the
Foundation provided seed money to the account as a gift from
the community. The LPS Foundation also helps inform families
about the value of college savings. This one-of-a-kind
program is unique to Livonia Public Schools and is intended
to give the children of the district a “competitive edge” in
the future by helping families pay for college.
Looking ahead, the LPS Foundation is excited to offer this
college savings program once again for our 2010-2011 first
grade students. We would like to thank the Corporate
Partners of the Competitive Edge program:
Corporate Partners:
Past Partners:
Alpha Stamping
Livonia Chamber of Commerce
Bill Brown Ford
Madonna University
Bright House Networks Masri Orthodontics
Camp Mirage
Parkside Credit Union
dfcu Financial
Davenport University
Kopmeyer & Talty, P.C.
Livonia Public Schools PTA/PTSAs
Livonia Public Schools Employees
Michigan Educational Credit Union
Michigan Education Savings Program
Northwood University
Observer & Eccentric Newspapers
Schoolcraft College
St. Mary Mercy Hospital
TRW Automotive
To learn more about the LPS Foundation, visit us online at
www.lpsfoundation.org.
LPS Board of Education Serves You
Livonia Public Schools’ 2010-2011 Board of Education
members are: Lynda Scheel, Gregory Oke, Robert
Freeman, Colleen Burton, Daniel Lessard, Patrice Mang
and Mark Johnson.
Mark Johnson was elected this year
for a four-year term which begins
July 1, 2010.
Regular Board of Education
meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. in the
Board of Education Office located at
15125 Farmington Rd.,
Livonia, MI.
Please visit www.livoniapublicschools.org for dates of
Board of Education meetings. Click on School Board, and
Select Board Meeting Dates.
Jim Cambridge, President of the LPS Foundation (far right) acknowledged its
newest Corporate Partners at the Board of Education meeting. From left: Diane
Policelli, LPS Foundation member; Brendan Robinson, Northwood University;
Janice Newsome, Alpha Stamping; and Bob McCann, Bright House Networks.
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
Tennyson Chevrolet
Livonia, MI 48150
32570 Plymouth Road
(734) 421-7000
Livonia, MI 48150
New Vehicles -
(734) 425-6500
32222 Plymouth Road
Used Vehicles 35000 or 30400 Plymouth Road
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.
www.livoniapublicschools.org
Serving portions of Livonia & Westland
June 2010 • Vol. 38 No. 4
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
Karin LaMothe at klamothe@livoniapublicschools.org.
11
From the Teacher of the Year, Amy Rozman
It is easy for us as individuals to become so focused on ourselves that we overlook what is happening
to those outside of our own lives. We ask, “What will this do for me?” What will I get out of it?”
“Why should I care?” There is a sense of entitlement, a belief that we deserve everything and owe
nothing. The tendency is to want more and to take for granted all of the positive things life has to
offer. I feel one of the most important lessons we can teach young people today is empathy, which
is learning to understand and care about others.
In my sixteen years of teaching, I am most proud of the opportunities I have had to teach my students
empathy, which happened to come from my students themselves. In 2007, two of my students
brought to my attention a documentary made about kids in Uganda. The film was called Invisible
Children: The Rough Cut, and it exposed the atrocities occurring as a result of a decades-old war.
The leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army was abducting children. These innocent children were
beaten, tortured, raped and forced to kill. Listening to the accounts of the children, I couldn’t
believe that this was going on and that the rest of the world was standing by and doing nothing.
My students wanted to organize school assemblies to provide an opportunity to share this story with
their classmates. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be. After all, these “invisible”
kids lived in Africa, where there seems to be an acceptance and almost an expectation that things
there are nothing like life here, and I worried that many of the kids just wouldn’t relate or care. I
could not have been more wrong. We introduced the film by asking how many of the students felt
that they were “spoiled.” A few hands went up. After the viewing, he asked the same question.
Every hand went up. They got it.
So many students wanted to get involved and help. We sold bracelets and t-shirts and took donations
all week. We partnered with a war torn school in Uganda that
would benefit from our donations. The next year, the Invisible
Children club was formed. We participated in a book drive for
schools in Uganda, and we collected over 18,000 books!
Amy Rozman has been teaching at
Stevenson High School for sixteen
years. She has a BA in English from
Michigan State University and an
MA in Secondary Education from
Eastern Michigan University. Amy’s
colleagues describe her as one who
mentors, promotes and encourages
students to make a difference in the
world. Her enthusiasm is contagious,
and everyone is inspired by her
commitment to excellence. Amy
Rozman is the Secondary Teacher
of the Year for 2009-2010.
Finally this year, we were able to meet one of the abducted child
soldiers who had escaped. We first met Boni in the original film.
Now nineteen, he was traveling to schools with other Invisible
Children, sharing his experience. When Boni took the stage, this
small, soft-spoken Ugandan, you could have heard a pin drop.
In today’s world, it is so easy to get caught up in our lives and
problems so that we disregard what is going on around us. I
cannot express how fortunate I am to have been able to share
the Invisible Children experiences with Stevenson High School
students. Invisible Children taught us to sincerely care and think
about others. I can’t think of a more important life lesson that
one can learn.
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage Paid
Livonia, Michigan
Permit No. 36
2009-2010
Board of Education
Lynda Scheel, President
Gregory Oke, Vice President
Robert Freeman, Secretary
Colleen Burton, Trustee
Steve King, Trustee
Daniel Lessard, Trustee
Patrice Mang, Trustee
Dr. Randy A. Liepa,
Superintendent
ECRWSS
Residential Customer
Livonia Public Schools