February 2017
5-E
Shamrock Center Marshall and Albion
Michele Morgan, Director
Shamrock Center Child Care, Preschool and Great Start Readiness Programs
Our Albion College Maymester student has been visiting our GSRP classroom, getting
acquainted with our curriculum and students. She is a nice addition to our
programming.
Our Little Shamrock classrooms (tuition preschool classes) are joining the GSRP
classrooms to visit kids and stuff in museum in Albion. This is all thanks to the grant we
received from MSU making the field trip to Albion possible. This field trip is to enhance
learning through hands-on play experiences with farm equipment, healthy foods, and a
allowing play in a grocery store setting, all done in a child friendly environment that
coincides with the educational experiences that are happening in the classroom.
We are beginning to plan activities for Spring break, The Shamrock Center will be
Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Out of the MSU grant a new partnership has developed, I am excited to share that we
are partnering with Lora Finch and the FFA to work together on a planting project with
our preschoolers. We are also planning a visit the High School green house to learn
about how plants grow. I am especially looking forward to working together and hope
that by partnering on this project and through exposure, education and hands-on
relevant experiences, we can have an impact on children that could last and protect
them for a lifetime! We believe students that have had hands on experience are more
likely to try healthy options at home as well as at school. This partnership will reconnect
children to farming through hands on experiences with where foods come from before
it arrives on the table and grow an appreciation of farming at a very early age.
Teachers are preparing for Spring conferences, these will be held in Mid-March.
GSRP teachers are having their second data conference with ISD coaches on this coming
Friday, we are excited to announce children are making great gains. ☺
The first Kindergarten Round-up family night is 2-23-2016. Shamrock staff will join
Kindergarten teachers to support the transition to Kindergarten. We are looking forward
to the upcoming parent nights and continuing to support families in the transition to
Kindergarten.
We celebrated friendship during the week of Valentine’s Day.
Play groups held continuing to be held at our centers in both Albion and Marshall
sponsored by Early Childhood Connections/County Connections are being held on
Friday’s at the centers. Albion playgroups are now beginning to pick up families. Last
week we were up to 10 families!
GORDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
TO:
Dr. Randy Davis
FROM:
Mike Leathead, Gordon Principal
REASON:
Monthly Report to the Board of Education
DATE:
Thursday, February 23rd, 2017
The following is an update in regards to what is happening or has happened at Gordon
Elementary School in late January and February as well as overall academic highlights
from the year.
National History Day
5th graders each created a video documentary or a tri-fold exhibit on this year's topic:
Taking A Stand in History. The top entries in each category will compete at Western
Michigan University on Saturday, March 4. Additionally, former Gordon students who
are now in middle school and high school will join the fifth graders in this competition.
About 25 students are expected to represent Marshall at this highly competitive forum.
Just-for-Fun Robot Competition
Fifth graders created robots out of recycled materials. Some were fairly high tech and
creative. Josh Kase created the winning robot which was a working ATM machine that
dispensed various types of candy when a credit card was inserted.
Chinese New Year
Art classes learned about Chinese New Year and 2nd graders created paper dragons.
Fifth graders made Chinese lanterns and then they learned how to make egg rolls.
Gordon Goes Global
Continues to raise money for international literacy. Money will support mentoring African
students this year. International speakers from Burma spoke in classrooms this month.
Student teachers
Mrs. Robinson has an EMU student in her room, Mrs. Stemaly has an Albion student
and Mrs. Douglass has an Albion Maymester student in her room.
Science buddies
3rd/5th graders continue to combine forces to support their learning in their BIG Zoo and
BIG nature lessons. On Valentine's Day, all 4 classrooms and their teachers spent the
day exploring nature and what winter does to plant and animal habitat. A bright, crisp
day welcomed these young scientists to let nature teach them first hand how they
connect to the natural world around them. Dedicated teachers shaped their lesson plans
not only around nature, but the curriculum requirements for the students. They
incorporated math, science and language arts all into the outdoor experience. The four
classrooms regularly team up for inquiry-based learning and later this spring will visit the
Whitehouse Nature Center at Albion College to continue their studies.
Michael Leathead, Principal
Gordon Elementary School ● 400 N. Gordon Street ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1270 ● Fax: 269-789-3700
GORDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
Everyday Life in Colonial America
5th graders spent three weeks exploring daily life in the American colonies. Students
prepared medicines and lotions in a makeshift apothecary, learned about planting and
harvesting crops, sewing, writing with a quill and ink, playing traditional games, learning
to use colonial musical instruments, preparing traditional foods, making rope, learning
about slavery, indentured servants, and apprentices, and learning about colonial justice
and the importance of dance.
Battle of the Books
About 75% of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are participating on the 20+ Battle of the
Book teams. Gordon's program is modeled after the national Battle of the Books
program and will culminate in a quiz bowl type competition on Cinco de Mayo.
I Matter Campaign
PTO volunteers took photos of each of our 300 kids holding signs about why they
matter. Students wrote things like "I matter because I am a good friend," or "I care about
the Earth," or "I am good to animals," or "I always do my best." Photos of each student
were posted in the school for a powerful display.
Tapping the maple trees
Gordon students will once again tap the maple trees on the sledding hill and the
playground and harvest the sap. Students will predict the sap production and revise
their estimates as they gain experience. Two years ago, students sold $5
gallons of sap as "make-your-own-syrup" kits and made over $700 for Gordon Goes
Global.
Millionaire's Club
In February, two fourth grade and three fifth grade students celebrated becoming
members of the Millionaire's Club, in recognition of reading and passing AR tests on
more than ONE MILLION WORDS. (To put this in perspective, the first Harry Potter
book has about 76,000 words. Many more students are close to becoming "reading
millionaires."
Court Kids
Our third grade classrooms participate in court kids every year. This year they took a
trip to see the Marshall Police Station and Dispatch, as well as had Gordon parent
speakers in their classrooms who serve as a Defense Attorney, a Prosecuting Attorney,
a teacher from the Juvenile Home as well as a Corrections Officer to explain their jobs
within the court system. They will finish up this process with a trip to the Battle Creek
Court House and hold their very own court hearing.
Black History Month
Fifth graders watched a student-made imovie outlining the events of the Crosswhite
family.
Michael Leathead, Principal
Gordon Elementary School ● 400 N. Gordon Street ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1270 ● Fax: 269-789-3700
GORDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
Big Zoo Lesson
This took place at Binder Park Zoo in October. Even with a group of 60 rambunctious,
excited, energetic fifth graders (including some from Harrington) we were repeatedly
complimented by zoo staff on how well behaved and attentive our group was! The kids
learned so much - some of them wrote more than 100 pages in five days! All of them
stretched and grew as observers and researchers. We ended up with 100 people
accompanying us throughout the week.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Our conferences were the week of February 13th. Our Gordon Elementary PTO
provided a meal for our staff during conferences.
Child Study
Our Child Study Team, comprised of our School Social Worker, School Psychologist,
Counselor, Special Education Teacher, Reading Specialist, General Education Teacher,
and building Principal, continues to meet monthly this year to discuss ways in which we
can further support students struggling academically, emotionally, and behaviorally.
Walk to School Days
Gordon is promoting healthy living with our monthly walk to school days that happen on
the first Wednesday of the month.
Jumprope For Heart
To further our focus on giving and healthy living, this month students have been
receiving donations for Jumprope for Heart. This event is to help raise money to go to
the American Heart Association. We had a kick-off assembly on Friday, February 10th.
Donations are due on March 1st and the big event will be on March 3rd during PE
classes.
Science Resources
We are excited to be ordering the Kindergarten NGSS Library (30 science books). These
books will provide additional reading and will coordinate with the Kindergarten science
units: My Earth, Motion Pushes and Pulls and Is it Living? We are thankful for Betsy
Tucker and State Farm Insurance for the grant that provided us the opportunity to
purchase the science library.
Veteran’s Day
Mrs. Stemaly (2nd), Mr. Weaver (2nd) and Ms. Wights (4th) classrooms attended the
Veterans Day Ceremony at the fountain circle. To honor our veterans, they gave them
thank you cards as a token of our appreciation.
LEGO Club
This is our fourth year of Lego club for grades 1 - 5 that is run by parent volunteers.
Each grade level meets twice a month after school and works on different activities using
Lego’s.
Michael Leathead, Principal
Gordon Elementary School ● 400 N. Gordon Street ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1270 ● Fax: 269-789-3700
Marshall Public Schools
Harrington Elementary
100 S Clark St
Albion, MI 49224
269-629-9166
Mrs. Sandy Kingston, Principal
[email protected]
Date:
To:
From:
Ref:
February 23, 2017
Dr. Randy Davis, Superintendent
Sandy Kingston, Harrington Principal
February Report to Board of Education
P.B.I.S.
The students pictured to the left are
photographed with our Parent Liaison,
Mrs. Amos. They are our Students of the
Week winners for PBIS. They are
standing in front of the government
section of our black history photo
gallery.
Our bee mascot is held by students in the front as a reminder to all of our
students to Bee you Harrington B.E.S.T.
We have a special end of the month event coming up soon for students who
have been their Harrington BEST for the month of February. This event
will be split between morning for K-2 and afternoon for 3-5 and will be
held at the Opportunity High School. Children will be able to choose
between swimming, crafts or watching a movie. We are hoping to do this
in the first week or so of March.
Black History Month
Special Guests:
We had many special guests at Harrington in the last few weeks to help our
children celebrate Black History Month. Guests did crafts, read books and
told stories to our students. Guests included former teachers and principals
of Harrington Elementary. Mrs. Eddie Williams is seen below reading to
one of our third grade classes.
Trips:
Harrington 4th and 5th grade students went on a very long bus ride to
Detroit, Michigan in order to go to the Charles H. Wright Museum of
African American History this month. Students were able to explore the
Enjoying the rotunda at the museum
Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 enjoyed a
movie at Albion’s Bohm Theatre. We
were welcomed there for a special
showing of the movie “Hidden Figures”.
The children came back to school with a
better understanding of the racism and
sexism that these important Americans
faced while NASA was developing their
first space missions.
museum in small groups supervised by teachers,
paraprofessionals and family members. The children enjoyed
looking through a gallery of African-American entertainers,
seeing films about what life in Africa is like today, and walked
through a chilling exhibit of a replica slaver ship filled with cast
bodies of men, women and children as they would have suffered
through the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. It was an
incredible real-world opportunity for our students to experience
what our ancestors experienced during that bleak time of
American history.
Getting ready for the movie to begin
Poster and Photo Gallery:
Harrington students were able to explore our photo and poster gallery that was set up for the month of February
to highlight famous black people who have worked in government, science, the civil rights movement, the
military, and entertainment. Our students of the week posed in front of some of our gallery exhibits for their
photos to celebrate their recognition for using their Harrington BEST behavior.
Child Study
Our child study team is still meeting every other week in order to help teachers implement and
monitor appropriate interventions for our students who were found to be behind academically or
struggling with behaviors that are keeping them from being successful in school. As there had not
been a formal child study process in place for several years, we are finding that we are identifying
students who need special education services who had not been previously identified. Our hope is
that all students who need specific interventions and services will be able to have those things in
place by the end of this year or early on in the 2017/2018 school year.
March Madness Event
More information is still to come, but please set aside the evening of March 16th to visit Harrington
for our March Madness Event. The event is still being planned, but we are expecting to have…
- Taco Bell Dinner
- Title I Parent Information Meeting
-
Scholastic Book Fair
A room set up by Albion College Bio-Chemistry Club for hands-on science projects
A table set up by a group of parents who are trying to start up a Parent/Teacher Organization
at Harrington to get parents who are interested to sign up
A table set up by the Marshall Area Credit Union to promote the CU in school program
Behavior Data
There are many rumors going around about behavior issues at Harrington that are not based on facts.
Our 31A Coordinator, Mr. Mike Culliver and I are in the process of preparing a report for Dr. Davis
that will provide specific information on referrals and other relevant information.
Academic Data
Last year, the Albion School ranked in the bottom 10% on Michigan’s Top-to-Bottom list. We have
put many things in place to get the students ranked comparably to other MPS elementary schools in
the next several years. At this time, we have fall and winter achievement data from local
assessments, and we are seeing promising growth already.
Support for our New Staff
The Harrington staff is working hard to learn the MPS curriculum materials while teaching them to
our students – building the airplane while it’s in flight. There is a learning curve that we are
experiencing and as the staff becomes more comfortable with the materials, programs, professional
expectations, pacing and assessment calendar we anticipate even more growth to come. We have had
MUCH support from mentor and buddy teachers at the other MPS schools who have come over to
help our new staff to learn the MPS way of doing things and who have opened their classrooms to our
teachers after school. Their support and positivity has been very helpful and the hard work and
dedication of the Harrington staff is outstanding.
Change
Change is never easy but we are committed to making a positive transition for all of our students and
families who are new to MPS. We knew at the beginning of this journey that this was going to be a
3-5 year change process. Please remember, we are only in month 6 of year #1. We are off to a good
start despite what the naysayers would have you believe. Know that the struggles we are facing now
will make the successes we will see that much more sweet.
HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
TO:
Dr. Randy Davis
FROM:
Matt Lefebvre, Hughes Principal
REASON:
Monthly Report to the Board of Education
DATE:
Thursday, February 23rd, 2017
The following is an update in regards to will be happening at Hughes Elementary School
in March.
Author Visit
The elementary buildings, Grade 1-5, will have the opportunity to take part in an
assembly featuring popular children’s author Jonathan Rand on Monday, March 13th.
Rand has penned the American Chillers and Michigan Chillers books, which are a
series of horror novels for children. The series started in February 2000 as a Michiganonly series and expanded to a national focus in December 2001 with Michigan MegaMonsters. Currently, there are 40 American Chillers and 17 Michigan Chillers books
available to the public.
The assembly will take place in the Middle School Auditorium with Gordon and
Harrington going from 9:45-10:45 AM and Walters and Hughes going from 1:00-2:00
PM
Special thanks to our media specialist, Cheryl Pratley, for organizing this visit. Cheryl
has risen over $2,000 in grants to make the assembly free of cost for all the buildings.
Title I Reading Night
Our 4th Annual Title I sponsored reading night will be held on Tuesday, March 14th.
Title I identified students and their families will be invited for an evening on the subjects
of reading, technology, and literacy within their home. Dinner will be provided. Parents
will have opportunities to read, play games, and participate in activities.
Our special night at Hughes Elementary will provide parents the opportunity to gather
together and involve themselves in a variety of strategies for assisting their children
within their home setting.
Matthew Lefebvre, Principal
Hughes Elementary School ● 103 West Hughes Street ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1275 ● Fax: 269-789-3704
HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
Book Fair
The event that connects with the other two events is our Spring Book Fair which runs
from March 14-16. Students that attend our Title I Reading Night can purchase books
with their families on that night. We also expect to sell a lot of Jonathan Rand books this
year!
Upcoming Events @ Hughes
02/2803/0303/1303/1403/14-03/16-
Science Fair (6:30 PM)
Fab 4 Assembly (3:00 PM)
Author Visit
Title I Parent Night (6:00 PM)
Book Fair
Matthew Lefebvre, Principal
Hughes Elementary School ● 103 West Hughes Street ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1275 ● Fax: 269-789-3704
WALTERS ELEMENTARY
MARSHALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
TO:
Dr. Randy Davis
FROM:
Paul Holbrook, Walters Principal
REASON:
Monthly Report to Board of Education
DATE:
Thursday, February 23, 2017
The following is an update in regards to what is happening or has happened at Walters
School in the month of February.
Walters Elementary is offering Girls on the Run to our 3rd to 5th grade girls for the
seventh year. This program educates girls in self-respect and healthy living. This is done
through 20 lessons that encourage independent thinkers, problem solvers, and healthy
decision makers all while training for a 5K running event. We have two teams with 43
girls participating. This program will begin in March.
Our Spring Book Fair will be held Wednesday, March 8 – Saturday, March 11. Students
and parents will have an opportunity to come and purchase books while supporting our
PCO and school library.
Our seventh annual Battle of the Books competition will take place on Saturday, March
11th. We have 13 teams competing this year. Parent volunteers coach all of our teams.
Students from third, fourth and fifth grade have been busy reading a collection of 13
books from many different genres to prepare for the quiz bowl. Teams work in
cooperative groups to answer a variety of questions about the books. Books this year
range from 2nd to 6th grade reading level. We have books from many different genres (a
number of them are award winning). This year’s titles include:
Mystery – Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Informational – UFOs by Emily O’Keefe
Realistic Fiction – Crash by Jerry Spinelli
Fantasy (Award Winning) – The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Nonfiction/Historical – What Was the Hindenburg by Janet Pascal
Graphic Novel (Award Winning) – El Deafo by Cece Bell
Historical Fiction (Award Winning) – Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
Fairy Tale – Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
Adventure – Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Picture Book (Award Winning) – A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead
Fantasy – Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
Adventure – The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordian
Fantasy – 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
Paul Holbrook, Principal
Walters Elementary School ● 705 N Marshall ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1280 ● Fax: 269-789-3703
WALTERS ELEMENTARY
MARSHALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A Rich Tradition of Excellence
Parent/Teacher Conferences were held this month. The focus during each conference was
to discuss each student’s present level of performance, how much growth they have made
and what our goals will be for the remainder of the year. We had an excellent turnout
from our families. We also did our annual parent survey during this time. We made
computers available for parents to use while they were waiting and gave hard copies for
those that wanted to take them home to complete. We received almost 200 responses.
This is up significantly from last year when we did the survey in May.
March is Reading month is just around the corner. We have a number of activities
planned that I will share with you next month. With that said, one of the activities we
would like to do is invite people from the community into our school to read a picture
book to our students. The Walters Staff would like to invite our board members to come
in some time during the month. Reading a book should take around 10 or 15 minutes.
There are opportunities to read to a single classroom, a whole grade level, or even larger
groups depending on your level of comfort with this activity. Also, we can preselect
books for you or you can select a favorite book you would like to share and bring it. If
you have any interest in participating please contact me at Walters.
Paul Holbrook, Principal
Walters Elementary School ● 705 N Marshall ● Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-781-1280 ● Fax: 269-789-3703
MMS WEEKLY UPDATE … 2.20.17 TO 2.26.17
CALENDAR ITEMS:
A WEEK
Monday, 2.20.17
Tuesday, 2.21.17
Wednesday, 2.22.17
NO SCHOOL
7th G-BB practice
(2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
7th G-BB vs. Hastings
(4:30 p.m. - home)
8th G-BB practice
(2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
8th G-BB @ Hastings
(4:30 p.m. - away)
Wrestling vs Harper & Western
(4:30 p.m. - home)
Wrestling Practice
(2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)
8th Hour
2:35 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
8th Grade Parent Night @ MHS
(6:30 p.m.) HS Auditorium
Thursday, 2.23.17
Friday, 2.24.17
Saturday, 2.25.17
Future Fair - All Grades
7th G-BB @ Lakeview
(4:30 p.m. - away)
7th G-BB practice
(2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
8th G-BB vs Lakeview
(4:30 p.m. - home)
8th G-BB practice
(2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Wrestling Practice
(2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)
Wrestling Practice
(2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)
Wrestling @ Jackson
(9:00 a.m. - away)
8th Hour
2:35 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Robotics Club meeting
(2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
7th/8th Grade Band and
Orchestra S&E Festival
(5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
STUDENT LEADERSHIP MEALS OF HOPE FUNDRAISER
Student Leadership will run a coin drive to support Meals of Hope. The drive will run from Tuesday, February
22 to March 1. Please help support our local families in need with any spare change. Thank you.
MATH OLYMPIAD
The next Math Olympiad is Wednesday, March 1st in Mrs. Rebenstorf's room.
8TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT @ MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL
Students and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on February 22nd @ 6:30 in the MHS
auditorium. There will be representatives from MHS, Marshall Alternative High School, Eastern Calhoun Early
College and Michigan Youth Challenge Academy to answer questions. There will also be an opportunity to
explore the high school building prior to the start of the school year. We hope to see all 8th graders and
supportive adults there!
We will make the PowerPoint presentation available to all parents on Thursday, 2.23.17.
BOX TOPS STANDINGS
Our Winter Box Tops for Education contest is almost over… Let’s check the standings…
Rank
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Homeroom
Totals
Tobias
Peters & Rebenstorf
Morrick
Hagelgans
Demorest
J.Parks
Banfield
Barroso
Blasius
30
51
121
153
219
226
250
251
298
The contest ends on Friday February 16th… So check your cabinets, call your grandma and bring those Box
Tops in!
SKI CLUB
Due to the warm weather, the next ski club trip will be Wednesday, March 2nd (in hopes it gets colder so
Bittersweet can make snow). Sign up forms will go out Thursday, February 23rd and need to be returned by
Monday, February 27th.
If you have questions, see Mrs. Weaver in the Counseling Office.
RUNNING CLUB
Are you interested in running this winter? Join the middle and high school running club! We will run OUTSIDE
on Mondays right after school. Please meet in the LRC!
ROBOTICS CLUB
The next Robotics Club Meetings will be:
● Thursday, 2/23 (2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
DISC GOLF
Marshall Schools is looking into starting up a Disc Golf Club. Please sign up in the office if you are interested
in receiving more information about this.
SCIENCE FAIR
MMS Science Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Set up will be in the
MMS gym on Tuesday, March 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Science teachers will discuss procedures and
entry form information with their students. If you have any questions or would like to help out in any way,
please contact your child’s science teacher or Jenn Russell ([email protected] or 269-753-4016).
REUBEN RACE
Type the below information in the internet search bar to register and obtain more information:
runsignup.com/27120
MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL
Improving Tomorrow by Inspiring Today!
Over 100 Years Accredited by the North Central Association
701 N. Marshall Ave. Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-1252 / Fax: (269) 781-5304
http://www.marshall.k12.mi.us/MHS
SCOTT HUTCHINS, Principal
GREGORY T. TATROW, Assistant Principal
DANIEL A. CODDENS, Athletic Director
FEBRUARY 2017 MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL BOARD REPORT
The following MHS students were selected as Students of the Month for January:
● Freshmen: Katie Foster and Carl Bates
● Sophomores: Kei'Asianique Hill and Ricky Nye
● Juniors: Cailtlyn Warren and Morgan Hautau
● Seniors: Nikki Tucker and Marco Lang
MHS Choir Updates
MHS will be hosting the District 11 Choral Festival on March 6-8, we are excited to show off our beautiful
facility. The Choirs are also excited about traveling to New York City March 16-20 and would like to formally
thank all board members for approving this trip. Andrew Warriner and Jack Merucci made it into the All-State
Honors Choir; they are two of 120 students from across the entire state of Michigan to make it. This is
Andrew's 4th consecutive year of making it into the All-State Honors Choir.
Our final NHS American Red Cross blood drive of the year is scheduled for Friday, March 3. We need 62 units
of blood to earn a $1000 scholarship for our students, please contact MHS teacher Jill Caro for information on
donating.
Shelly Densmore is using a new program this semester called Seesaw. The program is like a portfolio and
Shelly’s Culinary students take pictures of each recipe and send it to Seesaw and she approves the pictures for
her calendar and then posts the best recipe pictures to a blog site. Please visit
https://blog.seesaw.me/marshallhighschool and enter password CulinaryDensmore for more information.
Our iPad Powerschool Kiosk went live the week of 2/13 and several students have already logged in to check
their academic progress.
Starting in March, MHS Announcements will be shared with students on video two days a week instead of
over the PA system. MH Students Asher Wertheimer, senior, and Wade Foster, junior, will be “anchoring”
our new and improved system to communicate with students about what’s happening at MHS.
Kelly Fitzpatrick nominated MHS for a For Our Schools grant from the Meemic Foundation and we were one
of 300 schools to be awarded. With our winning nomination, we will have access to $500 to use online at
Office Depot Inc. for school supplies.
Since before Christmas, Marshall FFA members have been practicing and competing in Leadership Contests.
28 members competed at Districts with 16 qualifying for Regionals. Unfortunately, at Regionals we earned
two 3rd places and two 4th places with no one qualifying for state because only 1st and 2nd place finishers
move on. Contests included Parliamentary Procedure, Greenhand and Junior High Conduct of Meetings, Job
Interview, Prepared and Greenhand Public speaking, as well as Demonstration.
The week of 2/20 was National FFA week and we celebrated with a staff appreciation breakfast, an FFA trivia
activity, and thanks to the unseasonably nice weather, “drive your tractor to school day!” Community
members can help by posting on Facebook and spreading the good news and fond memories of FFA.
Saturday, March 4th at 10am, Marshall FFA, along with Marshall Public Schools, will be hosting a meal packing
event called Meals of Hope. We have reached our goal of $12,500, enough to purchase supplies for 50,000
meals for families struggling with food insecurities. We are still looking for volunteers, for more information
visit marshallffamealsofhope.kintera.org, contact Scott Hutchins, or email Lora Finch at
[email protected].
We have four students from our Cognitively Impaired program involved in work-based learning experiences in
the community this semester: Michael Patrick at Marshall District Library, Ray Hansel at Speedy Chick,
Tommy Lons at the Law Enforcement Center, and Jordon Olin at Doggie Spa and Play Care.
The MHS library collaborated with Marshall District and Albion District libraries to host a library card drive for
all MHS students. The 9th grade English classes all came to the library for a presentation on the benefits of
having a public library card and various programs each library offers teens. We also opened the opportunity
to all students during Seminar. A preliminary survey of our freshman students indicated that 52% (98) already
have a public library card and 22% (41) were interested in getting a public library card. After the library card
drive, we had 37% (15) of those students who wanted a card register with their home district library. Overall,
we felt the library card drive was a successful event in signing up students for library cards, sharing the
invaluable resources available to students, and collaborating with our district libraries.
Chrissy Davis and 7 MHS students went on a Close-Up educational trip to Hawaii 2/18-2/25.
This year, MHS will bring back the tradition of providing students with Academic Letters if they achieve a 3.5
GPA or higher during the school year. After students receive their initial academic letter, they will receive a
medal for subsequent years if so deserving. Letters will be given out retroactively to any students in the
building that are deserving.
In honor of Black History Month, students and staff were encouraged to participate in a trivia contest during
our daily announcements. Think you know a lot about Black History? Answers to the questions below can be
found at the end of this report, no cheating!
1. Where was the first "sit-in" at a segregated lunch counter?
Atlanta, GA
Charleston, SC
Greensboro, NC
Jackson, MS
2. Who was the first African American Major League baseball player?
Jackie Robinson
Larry Doby
Ernie Banks
Sachel Paige
3. Where was Malcomb X killed?
Downtown Boston Audubon Ballroom Manhattan Massachusetts State Prison
His house,
Queens.
4. At its height, what was the slave population in the U.S.?
About 1 Million
About 500,000
About 4 million
About 2 Million
5. Who was the first African American Nobel Peace Prize winner?
Ralph Bunche
Martin Luther King Jr.
Nelson Mandela
Albert John Lutul
6. Who was the first African American to serve as a U.S. Senator?
Edward Brooke
Hiram Revels
Carol Mosley Braun
Blanche K. Bruce
7. Who was the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice?
William Henry Hastie
Thurgood Marshall Charles Hamilton Houston Clarence
Thomas
8. Who was the first African American to win an Academy Award?
Halle Berry
Dorothy Dandridge
Hattie McDaniel
Sidney Poitier
9. Who was the first African American to perform at the White House?
B.B. King
Aretha Franklin
Louis Armstrong
“Blind Tom” Wiggins
10. What year was the Thirteenth Amendment ratified, abolishing slavery?
1865
1872
1867
1862
11. Who signed the Emancipation Act?
Andrew Johnson
James Buchanan
Abraham Lincoln
Ulysses
S. Grant
12. With the 15th Amendment ratification in 1870, what did African Americans gain in the U.S.?
Freedom from Slavery
Voting Rights
Right to Sit Anywhere
Right to
Citizenship
13. Who shot Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968?
Lee Harvey Oswald
John Wilkes Booth
James Earl Ray
Gavrilo Princip
14. Who became the first African American to graduate from Harvard University?
Thurgood Marshall
Charles Hamilton Houston Richard Theodore Greener W.E.B. Du Bois
Trivia Answers:
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. D
10. A
11. C
12. B
13. C
14. C
Marshall Opportunity High School
An Educational Alternative
225 E. Watson St.
Albion, MI 49224
Phone (517)629-9421
Ben Wallace- Program Director
23 February 2017
To: Dr. Davis
Re: Board Report for January/February
From: Ben Wallace
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Marshall Opportunity High School
The MOHS basketball team squared off against the Jackson Alt. B team and played an
impressive game given their limited preparation. Both teams played a great game but MOHS fell
short by eight points.
MOHS and the Albion Recreation Department collaborated to host the first ever Mid-Winter
Mixer school dance. MOHS students had the opportunity to cut a rug and enjoy some appropriate
dance music by DJ…..The dance was a huge success enjoyed by students and staff alike.
MOHS students celebrated DR. Martin Luther King day with a viewing of SELMA. SELMA is
the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of
violent opposition. Following the movie staff and students engaged in meaningful conversations
about the civil rights movement and the impact Dr. King had on modern history.
Calling all rappers, poets, and writers…MOHS, The Franke Center For the Arts, and the Albion
Recreation Department are teaming up to bring acclaimer Poet Roger Bonair-Agard to MOHS
for a writing workshop and open mic night 15-19 May. Updates will be provided as they become
availabe.
The first STEM Geekend of 2017 had over 60 students registered, and 47 participate in 6 STEMcentric activities. Students documented their experiences using Go-Pro cameras provided by
CrossBraining. Activities included: Drone Piloting (and crashing), Sphero Programing, SCUBA
diving, 3D Modeling and Printing, and Super Hero Zip-Line. Reviews from participants were
enthusiastically positive especially for SCUBA diving. You can watch a brief video with the
attached link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkWhuLGuhp4
The next Geekend is scheduled for May 20th, and will take place in downtown Albion. The
Opportunity School is partnering with Albion College’s Ludington Center and Commercial
Kitchen, Kids-N-Stuff, Books & More, and the Bohm Theatre.
We plan on having the following events: Drone Piloting & Racing (Dominos Pizza) Ludington
Center, Lego Robotics Challenge (J. Westphal), Mask Making and Mini Theatre (Kids-N-Stuff),
Water Quality Evaluation (Dr. Lyons-Sobaski), Video Editing* (CrossBraining), Hydraulics
Problems Solving (Consumers Power).
We plan to actively market the event to neighboring districts for a target goal of 120 participants.
Teen Positive Peer Coaches will soon be assisting Harrington elementary using their Coaching
skills with 5th graders. Positive Peer Coaches, guide and encourage students to their greatness.
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MOHS enjoys opportunities to appreciate our students weekly. Student’s names are randomly
chosen for a coupon for a free food item donated by Albion's McDonald's and they receive an
award.
Eastern Calhoun Early College
Jan. 20 Bill DeSmet hosted an amazing afternoon of learning for our early college students.
Several of them are interested in health careers, so Bill arranged for a tour and presentations
from staff in careers that students might not initially think about in hospital, such as the materials
handling department, an occupational therapist, CFO, nursing supervisor, and a tour of the
pharmacy and all the levels of education represented in the staff there. The students loved talking
with the nurse anesthetist, too, and were most surprised to find out the $80,000 cost of a CAT
scan machine! Thanks, Bill, for lunch too. This was the perfect culmination of our College and
Career Readiness Class.
Feb. 1 was our Winter Student Parent Information Night at KCC EAC, where we hosted dinner
and 28 new folks interested in the early college program, with special presentations by student,
Mariah VanZandt, and Vivian Davis, on college academic advising.
Feb. 3 we attended a state wide workshop for early colleges on preparing for our presentation to
Michigan Department of Education next fall on the progress of Eastern Calhoun Early College.
This is a requirement with an extensive rubric, process and data, for all early colleges in the state
who have been in existence for 2 year.
Feb. 10 Patrick Casey, head of Career and Employment Services at KCC, conducted a workshop
on writing scholarships, resumes, cover letters, and other job and career skills.
Michigan Job Challenege Program
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MJCP has a total of 38 on actively participating on site with 4 working remotely. 26 MJCP
students are enrolled in MOHS and are making great progress thanks in part to Mr. Steve
Delong.
Two associates finished welding in approximately two weeks and will move on to more
advanced training.
One of the associates is in IT, and does welding on the weekends through Baker college and will
start welding at RMTC as well.
The Program Manager, Mr. Jones reportd that this is the best class he has ever seen.
One associate has enlisted in the Michigan National Guard.
Michigan Youth Challenege Academy
Cadet count is 126.
65% of cadets made rank in first wave promotions. Privates.
CACC has 2 added classes available for cadets: Cyber Tech and Machining.
Lt. Col. Connell was awarded Director of the Year in Washington, DC this past week. He was
selected out of the 40 programs throughout the USA.
A female cadet from MYCA and a female associate from MJCP attended the National Guard
Youth Foundation Recognition Reception in Washington, DC as well as the banquet to watch
presentation of the Director of the Year.
Marshall High School Athletics
Board Report February 23, 2017
Some notes as we wind down the Winter Season:
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Our Varsity Girls’ Basketball will compete in Districts starting 3/1 at 7:30 at Comstock
High School against Comstock or Parchment. The girls are currently 17-2 and ranked 6th
in the state.
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The Boys’ Varsity Basketball will travel to Parchment for Districts this year starting on
3/8. Marshall will play the winner of Harper Creek vs. Parchment that night at 6:00.
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The Wrestling team is sending Owen Miller to the MHSAA State Finals at the Palace on
March 2nd-4th.
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The Boys’ Swimming and Diving team competes in the League Meet at Harper Creek
High School on 2/24 and 2/25. Several boys have qualified for the State Meet.
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Our Bowling team will be competing in the Regionals the same weekend in Vicksburg on
February 25th.
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Spring sports will begin at the high school on March 13th.
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The month of February has been highlighted by the following events at home basketball
games.
Winterfest 2017
A Game for Kari Jolink and $5,000 presented to the Scholarship in her name by
the Girls Basketball Program.
The Dazzlers Dance Team
The MHS Pep Band
MYCA Cadets in attendance
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The Marshall Athletic Boosters hosted a very successful cash draw at Conrwell’s
Turkeyville on Saturday February 4th.
Remember to follow the Redhawks on gomarshallredhawks.com and on Twitter @MHSRedhawks
Submitted by:
Dan Coddens
Athletic Director Marshall Public Schools
To:
From:
Re:
Date:
Dr. Randy Davis, Superintendent
Linda Bennink, Office of Curriculum and Instruction
February Board Report
February 22, 2017
The following information summarizes the work taking place within the Office of Curriculum
and Instruction…
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Within the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, we are continuing to focus on
Harrington Elementary School as we align our curriculum expectations into each
classroom. We are providing after school learning sessions (teachers receive a stipend
for their attendance) as our new-to-Marshall teachers learn more about our literacy and
math expectations. In addition, elementary curriculum alignment coaches (teachers
from Gordon, Hughes, and Walters) have been meeting one-on-one, with the
Harrington teaching staff. The conversations are around curriculum offerings, classroom
instructional processes, materials, support resources, and potential needs and
alignment. This work will go on throughout the school year.
Our office has continued to be involved with the hiring of needed staff, particularly at
Harrington Elementary School, the implementation of our current curriculum and
supporting materials, and the professional learning that has taken place during the
Back-to-School, New Teacher Orientations, Early-Release afternoon sessions, and our
MLK Day in-service.
As our Curriculum Director, I am representing the Marshall Public Schools at a variety of
meetings within the CISD. I serve on the LEA Implementation Committee, the Instruction
and Curriculum Council, the DnA Key Contact Committee, and the District School
Improvement sessions and the Homeless/Foster Care Liaison (along with Kimberly Van
Wormer). Several of these meetings are held on a monthly basis.
Much of my time has been focused on the implementation of the Early Literacy
interventions that we have put into place at Harrington Elementary School. We have
two interventionists and an instructional coordinator to focus on the literacy needs of
our youngest students (Kindergarten). In addition, our instructional coordinator
oversees the literacy instruction and planning that takes place within the first and
second grades. Her focus is on writing and the implementation of the Lucy Calkins
Writing process.
This office is now in the process of preparing for our Onsite Review (Michigan
Department of Education Audit) for all of our current Title I and Title II Programs. This
will be a two-day process that will take place on April 27th and 28th.
We are continuing to prepare for the upcoming state assessments that will be
administered in April and May of this spring term. Our students are starting to take
practice tests that are available online.
This month and into early March, I will be supporting our building principals as we
prepare to submit our Education YES! Reports (School Systems Review) and then turnaround and prepare our District Systems Review for submission by April 21st.
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I continue to chair the following District-Level committees that meet on a regular or as
needed basis…
PBIS (Positive Behavior Instructional Support)
Science
English Language Arts
Curriculum Council
Reproductive Health (now completed until fall of 2017)
Title I Reading and Reading Recovery
Professional Development
Social Studies
M-STEP, PSAT, Work keys, and SAT testing
DnA Illuminate
Special Education
Marshall Public Schools
Technology Department
February 23rd, 2017
RE: Board Report
Over the course of the past month, we have continued to resolve technology issues
across the organization. I have listed a few of our current projects and challenges.
With M-STEP testing right around the corner, we have ensured all servers, desktops,
laptops and Chromebooks are updated for the testing window. By having the most
recent updates applied to the devices, students can begin running through the pre-test
scenario. This allows the students to become more comfortable with the process, prior to
the testing window opening.
As I mentioned last month, one of our virtual hosts (servers) failed. We have secured a
new server that was budgeted for last year. We will be working to rebuild our entire
virtual environment (14 servers) over the next few months. In the summer, we will then
migrate everything to the new server configuration. This addition to our Data Center will
provide us with some peace of mind over the next few years.
We have been exploring STEM opportunities at the elementary level. Our goal is to assist
students with exposure to new types of technology in hopes that they will pursue these
types of classes within MS and HS. One thing we are currently exploring is a video
production station that can moved from room to room, while not requiring a lot of space.
This would provide students with an opportunity to record and share their learning
experiences within the classroom, or even outdoors. As the technology department, we
would be there to assist the teachers and demonstrate these types of opportunities
within the classroom.
We have also been working to create a technology needs assessment for our
organization. The assessment will both provide the organization with our current state of
technology needs, but also a plan to replace and replenish the technology. Currently,
there isn’t an established purchasing cycle for technology devices or software. Ever since
I was hired in the fall of 2015, I have taken note of organizational needs. I believe this
assessment will create a plan, that if followed, will ensure we stay relevant to the
constant advancements of technology, and the lifespan of devices and software.
Lastly, we are continuing to address Service Desk tickets and general requests for
assistance. Even though staff can still contact us through other forms of communication,
more and more are beginning to use the Service Desk portal. Below is a report of the
logged incidents from the portal.
As always, if you have questions or concerns as a result of this report, feel free to reach
out.
Sincerely,
Terron Erwin | Director of Technology Operations
E: [email protected] | V: 269.781.1295
FOOD SERVICE BOARD REPORT
Month
January
SCHOOL
Serving Days
HIGH SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
GORDON
HARRINGTON
HUGHES
WALTERS
MAS
Total
Month
Lunch
15-16
Count
18
4678
3412
2368
2516
2557
752
16283
Breakfast
16-17
Count
18
4728
4276
2337
3783
2417
2864
877
21282
January
SCHOOL
15-16
Count
16-17
Count
Serving Days
18
1539
1484
631
1272
854
508
18
1411
1600
668
2938
1018
1011
595
6288
9241
HIGH SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
GORDON
HARRINGTON
HUGHES
WALTERS
MAS
Total
Increase / Free & Red
(Decrease)
Percent
50
33
864
47
(31)
30
3,783
85
(99)
45
307
34
125
CEO
4,999
Increase /
(Decrease)
(128)
116
37
2,938
(254)
157
87
2,953
Ala-Carte
Sales
Vending
Sales
7239
3896
113
0
189
112
0
702
165
11549
867
Federal
Reimbursement
$51,778.02
Accomplishments in Food Service:
1. Michigan Department of Education audited
the Child Adult Care Feeding Program(cacfp).
There were only two corrective actions
required:
A. We offer several selections in each
category required by USDA. The analyst
wanted a Written Breakdown as a Visual for
the Student.
B. The form that I use to evaluate the
program was incorrect. I used a more in depth
form that the state uses.
No other actions were needed.
2. The Health Department completed their
second inspections for all schools.
THIS IS THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH
NO FINDINGS FOR MARSHALL. (GO STAFF!!!)
3. Michigan Department of Education audited
the school meals program. There were no
corrective actions needed. A big thanks to my
staff and Cheryl Marengo in helping to get all
the documents needed for this two day audit.
February 2017 Facilities Report
from Tim Wise
• Doing work order's.
• Getting a science room cleaned and operational at the opportunity
high school for KCC's use.
• Dealing with heating issues as they arise. The heating issues at the
Albion buildings have slowed down tremendously; but we have some
motors, shafts and bearings that will need to be replaced in those
buildings.
• Getting ready to seek lawn care bids.
• Working on getting pricing for the replacement of the north six tennis
courts.
• Thankfull for the warmer weather. We have been able to shut some
boiler's down because of the temperatures.
• Dealing with issues as they arise.