May – June 2013
The Thrill of Achievement
From Superintendent Charles Glaes
Thank you Vicksburg voters for your overwhelming
support of our Non-Homestead Operating Millage Renewal
ballot question on Tuesday, May 7. The issue passed with
strong support, 958 Yes to 363 No. With more than 72 percent
of voters supporting the renewal, that was the widest margin
of any district in southwest Michigan.
The Yes vote means Vicksburg Community Schools
will be able to continue to receive the State of Michigan’s
full minimum foundation allowance of $6,966 per pupil –
excellent news for the fiscal state of our district.
Unfortunately, the bad news continues to roll in from
Lansing, as the foundation allowance itself has fallen by $350
per pupil, or 4.8 percent, over the last three years. Meanwhile,
Michigan’s mandated retirement rate has increased by more
than 40 percent, from 16.95 percent of payroll to an average
currently of about 25 percent. This budget requirement from
the state has increased our costs nearly $750,000 per year, after
accounting for all state payments, putting a huge squeeze on
the Vicksburg Community Schools budget.
In order to balance our budget, Vicksburg’s Educational
Support Personnel Association (VESPA) has graciously
ratified a contract with the district, accepting cuts in wages
and benefits totaling approximately $160,000. The group,
representing custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, food service,
and maintenance employees, agreed to sacrifice so our District
would not have to privatize custodial work. That sacrifice
should not go unnoticed and is a testament to VESPA’s
continued commitment to the educational quality in our
classrooms. Other cuts and reductions will need to be made
elsewhere throughout the District as we adapt to live within
the means provided by the State.
We appreciate the understanding and support of our
employees, parents, and citizens as we work through these
tough times together. Our task is to maintain a viable
and fiscally sound school district which provides the best
education possible to all our children within the means
provided by the state of Michigan.
As you enjoy this issue of The Red & White, I think you
will see why we are quite proud of the outstanding work and
accomplishments of our staff and students.
Thank you Vicksburg voters
for your overwhelming support
W-A-Y Vicksburg Has FIrst Graduate!
The W-A-Y Vicksburg Program, Vicksburg’s
Alternative High School is proud to announce it’s first
graduate, Jeniffer Rance!
Jeniffer was a VHS student several years ago, but since
has been to other schools before finding the WAY program.
She travels from the Mendon and Fulton areas each week to
visit the lab but has done most of her work on-line through
the program until she earned her diploma.
Rance has been with the program since it started as
an alternative high school in August of 2012. “Getting
your diploma after dropping out of high school can be a
challenge,” according to Rance, “I have a lot to do with a job
and a life, but the WAY program was there to help every
step of the way. I worked when I could at home and got the
help I needed in the lab. Now I am ready to take the next
steps in going to college and starting a career.”
Steve Fryling, Program Director and Team Leader is
pleased with the progress of the program, “We originally set
our sight on having 60 openings last fall, but we were able
Cover Photo By: Main Street Portraits
Look for us on Facebook!
Vicksburg Community Schools
2 / The Red & White / May - June 2013
Jeniffer Rance shows off her VCS diploma with the help of W-A-Y
Team Leaders Steve Fryling and Jen Dombrowski, along with her online mentor Daryl Zartman.
to take on 78 students, mostly from other parts of Kalamazoo
and St. Joseph counties.” The program now reaches out to
students in 10 other school districts outside of Vicksburg.
Questions about the program, call Steve Fryling at 269588-0330 or visit the program webpage at vickbsurgway.net
.
Mother Earth Reigns
Several Vicksburg High School students entered
the 2013 Portage Parks Recycled Art in the Park
Recycled Sculpture Contest and were rewarded for their
amazing efforts. Nikki Callen, Bridgette Jenner, Kendra
Heckman, Gina Seifert, and Abigail Stasik asked for help
in collecting recycled materials from the district and it
really paid off! The girls were able to win the third prize
trophy, $500.00, and the People’s Choice Award with an
additional $250.00 prize.
Students were able to collect Tide and Downy
bottles, milk jugs, yogurt cups and tin cans. With those
materials and donated recycled pig wire, metal rods, and
a found manikin, the girls were able to create a beautiful
sculpture of Mother Earth holding the earth in one hand
and a bird in the other. With recycled vinyl they were
able to cut designs and attach them to the manikin body
as well as write a message to all that view her saying “Be
Gentle With the Earth”.
Mother Earth’s was made from layers of milk jugs
filled with recycled colored fabric and colorful plastic
petals made from different bottles that the girls cut and
drilled holes into . Everything was attached by being
tied on with a white plastic grocery bags or wire. For
strength and stability, the girls thought of filling the
bottom layer of milk jugs with pond water and added
food coloring to add a little bit of color. They thought
the water would create extra weight to ensure Mother
Earth did not tip in heavy winds. The recycled yogurt
cups and tin cans were used as planters for flowers.
The sculpture was on display at the Celery Flats
from May 3- May 11. A panel of artists voted on the
sculptures and awarded the prizes on Saturday May 4th.
The celebration was exciting with a live Jazz Band, tents
with recycled information, art projects for students to
make out of recycled materials and grilled hamburgers
and hotdogs.
Additional online voting to select the People’s
Choice Award took place all week long. Thanks again to
the support of our Vicksburg Community, the students
were able to win that title and bring home an additional
trophy and $250.00.
Another Community Tailgate is Scheduled
Vicksburg Community
Schools has scheduled
the Tailgate Celebration
for Friday, September
6th from 4:30 to
6:30 p.m. before the
Vicksburg vs. Comstock
football game. A
community tent city
with local vendors, live
entertainment, free food
and drink, plus a lot of
fun and fellowship. If
you missed last year’s celebration, you do not want to miss
this one. Get it on the calendar now, Friday September 6th!
May - June 2013 / The Red & White / 3
Vicksburg High School
VHS Announces Top Academic Students
The Vicksburg High School Academic Awards were held at the
Performing Arts Center on Thursday, April 25th. 329 students were
honored for achieving at least a 3.50 grade point average for the first
three marking periods of the school year. “I am extremely proud
of these students and their accomplishments” said Keevin O’Neill,
Principal of VHS.
In addition, the top ten from the VHS Class of 2013 were
recognized at the April VCS Board Meeting held in the Performing
Arts Center. Among those were Meg McGuire who will be
the VHS Class of 2013 Valedictorian. Meg plans on attending
Washington University in St. Louis to study neuroscience and
also to play basketball. Joshua Ayres was recognized as the Class
of 2013 Salutatorian. Josh will be attending Western Michigan
University this fall to prepare for a career as a nurse anesthetist.
Rounding out the top ten from the VHS class of 2013 are:
Claudia Ramsey, Molly Ouvry, Tina Bednarz, Tara Gloystein,
L to R First row: Tina Bednarz, Kuirsten Preston,
Reagan Soekarmoen, Trisha Ramsdell, Anthony (Joey) Fici, and
Amanda Bowersox, Claudia Ramsey
Kuirsten Preston.
Second row: Tara Gloystein, Molly Ouvry, Meg
VHS Principal Keevin O’Neill honored Logan Piper as the
McGuire, Trisha Ramsdell
recipient of this year’s Principal Leadership Award. Logan’s
Third row: Mitchell Bingaman, Josh Ayres, Logan
leadership and accomplishments within the VHS fine arts
Piper, Reagan Soekarmoen, Joey Fici
department were cited by O’Neill as reasons for selecting Logan.
This year’s Daughter of the American Revolution Award was
presented to Molly Ouvry for her outstanding citizenship and demeanor. The DAR award is given to a deserving student
who promotes patriotism, citizenship, and leadership. Molly was selected to receive this award by her fellow classmates
and the VHS staff. “Molly is well deserving of this honor. Her leadership and commitment to making VHS a better place
are evident on a daily basis”, said O’Neill.
The YWCA Women of Achievement Award for VHS was presented to Amanda Bowersox for her commitment and
dedication to service at VHS. “Amanda is a positive force for VHS. She always has a smile on her face and enjoys helping
others”, said O’Neill. Amanda will be honored at the Kalamazoo County YWCA Banquet in May.
Congratulations to the VHS graduating class of 2013. May your future be blessed with additional honors and success.
Character, Scholarship, Leadership, Service
L to R - Secretary Meggan Wells-Schmidt, President Torey
Tibbets, Treasurer Kristen Jones, Vice-President Hanna Ouvry
4 / The Red & White / May - June 2013
On Wednesday, April 24th, Vicksburg High School held its
annual induction of new members to the Orra Bishop Chapter
of the National Honor Society. 85 junior and senior students
took the pledge to uphold character, scholarship, leadership, and
service to VHS. Every year the VHS National Honor Society
provides countless hours of volunteerism to the Vicksburg community. The following students were elected as NHS officers for
the 2013 2014 school year: President – Torey Tibbetts, Vice President: Hanna Ouvry, Treasurer: Kristen Jones, Secretary: Meggan Wells-Schmidt.
The Vicksburg High School National Honor Society is coadvised by VHS staff members Jennifer Teall and Eric Teall.
Vicksburg Middle School
Strong Ratings for the Choirs
Congratulations to our 6, 7 and 8th grade choirs for rating so well at the
MSVMA Choir Festival! Hard work and dedication paid off for our 6th grade
choir especially, with a very strong rating, only missing a Superior rating by
one point. VMS would also like to give all of our band ensembles a shout-out
for their outstanding performances with Eighth Grade Band earning a 1st
division rating at the MSBOA Band Festival. Picture includes some of our fine
sixth grade choir members.
Mr. John Pickett Looks to Retirement and back
on a Career Spanning over Two Decades
After teaching 25 years, 23 of them right here in
Vicksburg, Mr. John Pickett has decided to start his days off
at the golf course, in his new woodshop, or working on his
’73 Opel GT car. “I love to tinker,” states Mr. Pickett. Some
other projects include volunteering and building a sailboat
from wood and fiberglass to sail with his grandchildren.
Mr. Pickett is also looking forward to traveling with his wife
Brenda. They have plans to revisit the Gulf Shores, Maui and
new traveling adventures to the New England states in the fall.
Mr. Pickett makes no secret that his favorite teaching
memories comes from working in Pods. “The closeness and
teamwork made us very effective in dealing with student
concerns.” Another favorite memory was when he had a
student who would write so small, it took a microscope
to read. “One day I printed a test for him on a ¼ sheet of
paper. That got the loudest laugh ever from the class, and the
student insisted that he take the test on that sheet. He even
completed the essay in the space allowed. I wish I had saved that.”
Missing the staff and administration is due to his deep
appreciation for them and adds that VMS and VCS is a
special place to work. “Everyone is so supportive of one
another that it makes this a very unique and special place. We
should all take note of that often and cherish the people we
work with and see every day. It is the people, not the building
that makes this place so wonderful. I have been blessed to
work with the most dedicated professionals I can imagine.
I would hope that I would be remembered for what little I
could contribute to that.”
But most of all, Mr. Pickett will miss the kids and
classroom time. “Being around young people reminds me of
just how goofy I was when I was a young kid, and this gave
me an outlet to be goofy again.” What is most important to
John is teaching all the students throughout the years, “I hope
that students found my classes enjoyable. If they remember
me and some of the things I have taught them, then I’ve
done my job. I truly enjoyed the time I was here. I hope I left
everyone with at least one happy memory.”
VMS staff and students would like to wish John Pickett and Jane Crist
the very best in their retirement years. We will miss you both!
Ms. Jane Crist Trades in Early Mornings
for an AARP Card
Aside from “Popcorn Friday’s”, the halls of VMS are kept to
perfection. Here at the Middle School, custodial team members
take pride in their building and it shows. For one of its fine
members, Head Custodian Ms. Jane Crist will walk the halls for the
last time in late June. Ms. Crist has been waxing floors and tending
to students unable to open a jammed locker for 15 years. Trading
in her 4:00 a.m start-time for a relaxing life of fishing, sleeping-in,
gardening and spending time with the grandkids, Jane also plans to
get involved in community volunteering.
Being connected to Vicksburg Community Schools in various
job positions for 34 years, she has had many special memories. “My
best memory at VMS is when I was injured and unable to do much
physical work for a couple of days. Upon walking into the building,
I actually heard a teacher vacuuming their own classroom and
doing my job in their room. They told me all of my teachers
had cleaned their own rooms and did so for two days.” Another
remembrance is “teaching all the young custodians the real way to
twist like they did back the 60’s.”
Ms. Crist would like to thank the staff for the many fond
memories and states, “I will miss working with many great people.
I wish all my co-workers the best and hope that I have impacted
their lives half as much as they have impacted mine. I will take
tons of great memories with me.”
May - June 2013 / The Red & White / 5
Tobey Elementary
Tobey Winding Down A Big Year
a great program that stresses self confidence and positive
thinking in young girls across America!
Finally, to wind out the year; Tobey had a new
principal….Well, at least for one day. Charlie Wester held
the title of Tobey School Principal for a day. He made
morning announcements, kept the school organized, and
Mr. Barwegen assisted Charlie in the day-to-day running of
the building. A great job was done by “Mr. Wester.”
It is hard to believe that another school year has come
and gone. The time seems to go by fast and it is always
impressive to take a look back at what is accomplished in
one year!
As the school year winds down it is always fun to take a
look back and see all that has been accomplished. This year
it sure has been an enjoyable and exciting one.
Student groups and organizations have been very
helpful to the Tobey community. Student council got
the year started off by sponsoring the annual food drive.
Thanks to their hard work we were able to donate over 12
large boxes of canned foods to South County Community
Services. Student council members also held a fund raiser
with the Leukemia Society. Through the generosity and
dedication of all of the Tobey students, we were able
to donate a little over $500.00 for cancer research.
That is an AMAZING amount of money!
Another great student organization at Tobey
has been our safety patrol. This is a group of 5th
grade students that help Tobey be the safest place
that it can be. These students are in charge of the
hallways, both before and after school, helping
the kindergarten teachers with daily tasks such as
putting on boots, hats and coats for their students,
and finally making sure that everyone is safe on the
bus ramp.
All of the students in 2nd through 5th grade
participate in an annual school program. This
year the 4th and 5th graders performed the play
“Pirates.” This was a very exciting performance
and many parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles
Principal for a day Mr. Charlie Wester
and friends attended this special event at the PAC
this past April. Other events that Tobey students
were able to be a part of this year were the Fine Arts
festival, also held at the PAC. For this special event
many students sung in a choir made up of students
from the Vicksburg schools and another group of
students had their art selected to be on display at
this festival. A small group of students even had
the opportunity to perform with a larger choir in
Muskegon.
The Girls on the Run Program has had another
successful year. This is a program that grows larger
and larger at Tobey. In fact, this year we had two
teams. One team had 22 girls on it with 4 coaches
and the other team had 15 girls and two coaches.
The culmination of this organization is a 5 K run
Pirates from left to right: Tyler Buddemeier, Dylan Richards, Jacob VanDerBor,
on May 23, through downtown Kalamazoo. This is Austin Ziegler
6 / The Red & White / May - June 2013
Sunset Lake Elementary
Raves and Recognitions for Sunsetters
Throughout the 2012-2013 school year, Sunset Lake students and
staff members have achieved many notable accomplishments –
academically, artistically, athletically and more. Following are
just a few highlights:
Third grader Jenessa Sehy’s painting “Lion in the Jungle”
was selected as one of the 2013 top elementary works by the
Michigan Art Education Association. Her artwork was displayed
along with the other winning pieces at the Michigan Historical
Museum in April.
Second graders Brenden Hoffman and Bryce Smith
achieved the level of “Math Master” by passing all Fact Fluency
assessments for addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division!
The following students won the chance to be Bulldog of the
Month through their exemplary sportsmanship in gym classes:
Bella Pence, Collin Klinger, Maya Peters, Grace Breitenbach,
David Benedict, Toby Stock, Maya Hossink, Colby Leach,
Ben Willoughby. Each student received a treasure from Mrs.
Getsinger’s treasure box and had their photos – posed with
our school mascot (Bently the Baby Bulldog)– displayed in the
hallway.
Fifth grade students participated in the Fair Housing Poster
Contest again this year. Congratulations to finalists Rhiannon
Choker-Torok, Megan Bresnahan, Kelcey Cook, Drake Haase,
Maya Hossink, Krysta Howerton, Taigen Copeland, Jaden
Lemacks, Katie Wells-Schmidt, Garrett Kirchner, Jennifer
Converse, Maisy Crawford, Ariana Haywood, Chase Stenger
and Brianne Klimek One of these lucky students will have their
artwork included in the 2014 16-month calendar created by the
Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors.
Several staff members were awarded grants for educational
projects and activities. Second grade teacher Jessica Moughton
and fourth grade teacher Laura Wilson received both an
Excellence in Education and a Bardeen Grant to attend a trip to
the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in
Denver, Colorado. The teachers will share with their colleagues
the information and insight they gained on how students
use reasoning in problematic math solving. Sabrina Graham
and her special education colleagues received funding for the
purchase of four IPads and survivor cases along with two wifi
hubs. Jamie Masco, Mary Hess-Quinones, and Becky Sloniker
will visit Schaumburg Consolidated School District with their
grant monies where they will be examining the elementary
curriculum focusing on integrating phonics and Title I
intervention program. Kindergarten teachers Sarah King, Betsy
Breitenbach, Kelly Christiansen and Leslie Trayers will travel to
Lansing to learn more about differentiation at the 2013 Michigan
Conference for Kindergarten Teachers thanks to another
Bardeen Grant.
Sunset Lake’s Student Council was recognized by UNICEF,
Southwest Michigan Community Services and the ASPCA for
their philanthropic projects to assist each of these worthy causes.
Art contest winner Jenessa Sehy and art teacher Beth Foster
Sportsmanship award winners Grace Breitenbach and David Small
with school mascot, Bently the Baby Bulldog.
Student Council members led the Trick-or-Treat for UNCEF
campaign, collected canned and boxed goods for the holiday
food drive and sponsored a “Make a Change for Animals” coin
fundraiser. This year’s Student Council members are: Ellie
Haase, Max Vander Mei, Paige Abnet, Ethan Cox, Sarah Hewitt,
Payton Johnson, Nicholas Simmons, Anna Christiansen, Alaina
Wurfel, Levi Shephard, Jackson Hambright, Nathaniel Dury,
Drake Haase, Kelcey Cook, Jared Gorsline, Kelsey Diekman,
Ariana Haywood and Chase Stenger.
Sunset Lake School is proud of these individuals who are
shining examples of our school’s motto: “Enter to Learn, Depart
to Contribute.”
May - June 2013 / The Red & White / 7
Indian Lake Elementary
Tristin Decker Selected
As Delegate To Juvenile
Diabetes Children’s
Congress:
Tristin Decker, a fourth grader in
Miss Wilson’s class, was selected as a
delegate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Children’s
Congress 2013 to be held in July 2013 in
Washington, D.C. Out of nearly 1,500
applicants, Tristin’s powerful and wellwritten application led to him being
chosen as one of only 150 delegates. As
a Delegate to the Children’s Congress,
he will be representing not only all that
are living with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
in his home state, but also all who live
or are impacted by T1D in our nation,
letting the leaders of our country know
why their support is so critical in curing, treating, and preventing diabetes.
In Washington, Tristin will have the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and
help them put a face on diabetes and the
need for a cure.
Being selected as a Children’s Congress delegate is a great honor and along
with it brings a great deal of responsibility. Over the next several months
leading up to the gather in Washington,
Tristin will be asked to create a personal
scrapbook to share with his Representative and Senators, make public appearances and do media events in his area.
He will also be asked to recruit more advocates for JDRF Government Relations,
and participate in the JDRF Promise to
Remember Me Campaign beginning in
August 2013. This event started in 1999
and is only held every two years. Tristin
is extremely excited about this once in a
lifetime opportunity!
Girls On The Run®
Thanks to Indian Lake teachers/
coaches, Mrs. Renae Cummings, Miss
Krista Wilson, and Mrs. Marie Law,
as well as Volunteer Parent Coaches,
Heather Deal, Anne Howard,
and Jeanine Klopfenstein, our
Indian Lake 3rd – 5th grade
girls will again participate in the
Girls on the Run program this
year. Beginning in March with
weekly practices, and ending
with the 5K Run at Waldo Stadium 23rd, Girls on the Run®
is a life-changing, character
development program for girls
in 3rd through 8th grade. The
mission is to inspire girls to be
joyful, healthy and confident
using a fun, experience-based
curriculum which creatively
integrates running. Coaches use
the power of running to provide
girls with the tools to celebrate
their bodies, honor their voices,
recognize their gifts, and activate their personal power.
2012-2013 Bardeen
Grant Recipients:
Principal Mrs. Hook and Tristin Decker
8 / The Red & White / May - June 2013
The three elementary
Special Education teachers; Sheri
Blough at Indian Lake, Sabrina
Graham at Sunset Lake, and
Amy Stauffer at Tobey Elementary, and Social Worker Molly
Beardsley, are excited about
receiving the Bardeen Grant.
They will be purchasing iPads
to use with the students. Their
focus will be to support the general education math curriculum
through apps on the iPad and
use them as a work incentive.
Sarah Prince reports the third
grades at Indian Lake are very excited
for the new technology that will be entering their classrooms. We are thankful
to the Bardeen Grant awarding us the
funds to purchase the 2know! Classroom Response System from Renaissance. These new clickers will allow the
children to experience a fun exciting
way to check understanding of new and
old topics in the room.
Donna Nimmo Nominated
For The Star Award:
Donna Nimmo was recently recognized by the STAR Volunteer Program
for Kalamazoo County. Donna was
nominated by Diana Haring and Ruth
Hook for her commitment in training
students at Indian Lake to become leaders here in our community.
She has created and instructed
leadership lessons for students at Indian
Lake Elementary for the past 3 years.
The cornerstone for the development of
Donna’s lessons comes from the book
The Leader in Me by Stephen R. Covey.
All of the lessons foster the development
of strong positive character in youngsters.
Donna’s passion for training kids to
Indian Lake Elementary
take leadership roles is evident to those
that have witnessed her interaction with
students. Students are drawn to her
because she has a kind heart and gentle
ways that encourage them to treat others in the same manner. We, here
at Indian Lake, are very fortunate to
have Donna Nimmo working along side
us to help develop strong and caring
people in our school, community and
world!
2013 4th & 5th Grade Speech Contest
Once again, our Indian Lake students shine! Thanks to our many judges that
participated in this event, and congratulations to our students:
Congratulations to our 2013 Winners!
4th Grade
5th Grade
1st Place: Sawyer Barton,
1st Place: Lindsay Fleck,
2nd Place: Emily Corsaut,
2nd Place: Alex Thole,
3rd Place: Haley Town
3rd Place: Jacob Baird;
Runners-ups: Bailey Derrick &
Runner-ups: Anessa Laske &
Payton Lewis
Elijah Lewis
Community Education
Important Enrollment Information
– Registration information may be
downloaded or viewed from our
website, too. Please visit www.
vicksburgcommunityschools.org,
click on After School Programs
and Services, and scroll down to
the desired programs(s) of interest.
Complete the registration process by
including your name, address, phone,
and desired class(es) along with
your payment (payable to Vicksburg
Schools) by mail or in person at the
Vicksburg Community Education
office located at 301 S. Kalamazoo
Ave., PO Box 158, Vicksburg,
MI 49097. Payment must be
received before your registration is
guaranteed. Minimum enrollments
are necessary to cover expenses. No
classes during holiday vacations or
when schools are closed due to bad
weather. You will only be notified if a
class is cancelled or already filled. No
refunds after the second class has been
held.
SLICE OF SUMMER CAMPS
Come to one or all!
• Campers must be in 1st – 5th
grades in the Fall 2013
• All camps are held at Sunset Lake
Elementary
• All campers receive a T-shirt to be
worn on all field trips.
• Daily sack lunch and drink is req.
• First-come, first serve with paid
registration
• Space is limited, so enroll early.
HOOKED
Join the reel fun as we have a boatload of
experiences to make for great fish stories.
A bass fisherman will share his secrets of
catching the big one. We may troll for
lunkers over at Sunset Lake and flip-flop
our way to Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery.
Don’t let this one get away!
**July 8, 9, 10 $70 **date correction from
Summer Times brochure
INTO THE WILD
Take a walk on the wild side and explore
nature. Lace up your hiking boots as
we trek along the trail at the Vicksburg
Recreation Park to enjoy local flora and
fauna. Nothing’s better than camp art and
songs to create new childhood memories.
July 15, 16, 17 $62
SPLISH SPLASH
Grab your sunscreen and hit the H₂O
with us. All things wet will happen this
week! Plan on sunshine, sandcastles, and
the back stroke at Ramona beach. This
will be the best wave of the summer!
July 22, 23, 24 $68
ART ATTACK
This camp will get your heart pumping,
your blood boiling, and your creative
juices flowing! Your inner Monet is surely
to come out. From tie-dye to pottery
you will not be bored. This artist colony
will venture down to the Kalamazoo Art
Institute to see what is happening in the
rest of the art world.
July 29, 30, 31 $68
May - June 2013 / The Red & White / 9
Community Education
FUNTASTIC
Nothing but play all day - enjoy game,
after game, after game! Not for the
serious minded as you hop, skip, run, and
relay from event to event. Not enough
room to tell all the secrets of this funfilled week.
August 5, 6, 7 $65
BULLDOG FOOTBALL CAMP (1st –
6th grades in Fall 2013) Huddle up with
the varsity team and work on individual
offensive and defensive skill building in the
morning, games in the afternoon. Monday
through Thursday, July 29 – August 1,
$100, two shirts included with fee.
BULLDOG BASKETBALL SHOOTING
AND OFFENSIVE SKILLS CAMPS
Boys (3rd and 4th grades $48. 5th and 6th
$58) June 10-14
Girls (3rd through 8th grades $58)
June 17-21
Held at Vicksburg High School gym, and
coached by Varsity staff. Registration
includes a shirt.
KINGDOM SOCCER CAMP (2 to 13
years) June 17-21. All camps are staffed
by Kingdom coaches and players, held
at the Vicksburg Soccer Complex. All
participants should bring a soccer ball,
water bottle, and sun block. Skill Builders
will also need shin guards and soccer
cleats. Kingdom t-shirt included with
paid registration.
SUMMER TENNIS (8 – 18 years)
Former Varsity Coach Scott Wills will
instruct players on Monday through
Friday, June 10-28 and/or July 8-26 at
the Vicksburg High School tennis courts.
Please bring a can of balls on first day.
$43, shirt included with paid fee.
VOLLEYBALL CAMP (5th through 8th
grades $43. 9th through 12th $58) VHS
staff will coach you on June 24-28 at the
Vicksburg High School gym. Registration
includes a shirt.
DAWGHOUSE WRESTLING CAMP
(1st – 8th grade in Fall 2013) The Varsity
Wrestling staff will be focusing on skill
building and sportsmanship. The last day
of camp will showcase grappler talent at a
special tournament. June 17-21, Middle
School gym, $50 fee includes shirt.
LACROSSE CAMPS (2nd – 8th grade
Fall 2013) – Junior, Intermediate, and
Advanced. Instructional for first two
levels will learn basic lacrosse concepts
and skills through a series of drills and
fun activities. Advanced level will focus
on position specific concepts and skills,
with a scrimmage each night. T-shirts
given to every registered participant. July
8-11 $75 includes a camp shirt.
MAD SCIENCE CAMPS – Will be held
at Sunset Lake Science Lab, grades K-5th
in Fall 2013. Wacky Science July 16th or
August 14th $54.
ART-RAGEOUS Art Camps – held at
Ruthie’s Paint Shop, 104 S. Main St. Color
Your World June 10-13, and Put Your
Name On It, August 12-15. $55
10 / The Red & White / May - June 2013
SANCHIN RYU KARATE (a Parent
and Child program for all ages) Set in
a fun, non-competitive and informative
atomosphere, this program allows parents
to learn alongside their children. Size and
stature not an issue! Mondays, June 25th
– August 27th (not July 2nd), $30
Zumba combines Latin rhythms and
easy-to-follow moves to create an exciting
fitness program. Join us at the Vicksburg
Administration Building from 6 – 7 p.m.,
Monday and Wednesday. Session I: June
10 – July 17 (no classes week of July 4th),
Session II: July 22 – August 21, $50 for
both nights each session or $25 for one
night each session.
Community Education
Kids Klub Child Care Programs
Calling all Four-Year-Olds
The Kids Klub Before and After School Child Care program Get your child on board for an exciting preschool
began open enrollment for the 2013-14 school year on April
experience! Vicksburg Community Schools offers a unique
29th. Child Care will be available at all three elementary schools
program specifically designed for children who will be four years
and the cost for this program is only $5.50 per session or $55 per
old by November 1, 2013. The B4K preschool is entirely FREE to
week, for full time care. Program times are from 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. families that qualify. The program focuses on socialization and
and 3:35 to 6:00 p.m. each day. The program emphasizes a warm, school readiness skills. Class size is limited to sixteen participants.
safe, and comfortable atmosphere with lots of quality activities
Applications are available at all three elementary buildings, the
for participants. Space is limited. For more information, please
Vicksburg Library, and the Administration Building. For more
call your school’s coordinator: Sunset Lake 321-1514, Indian Lake information, please contact Alyssa Thompson at 321-1404.
321-1422, Tobey 321-1605.
earthworms and roly-poly pillbugs for you
Vicksburg District Library library’s basement as we serve up some
snacks and show an underground-related
to see, pet, and learn about.
649-1648
movie for kids!
www.vicksburglibrary.org
End of Summer Reading Party
Treasure
Hunt
in
the
Park
Thursday, August 1 2:00 – 3:00
Vicksburg District Library is open Monday
Monday,
July
8
11:00
–
12:00
Come celebrate the end of our summer
through Thursday from 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Friday
Are you good at finding things? Do you
and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday
reading program – and all the hard work
from 1 to 5 p.m. September through May.
want practice at being a treasure-hunter?
and reading you did over the summer – at
Meet at the library at 11:00 when Ms.
the Vicksburg District Library. We will
Summer Reading 2013
Kristy will lead a treasure hunt down at
be featuring a carnival theme – complete
the nearby park.
with games, prizes, food, and more!
Programs for Children Ages 5 – 11 DIG
INTO READING – June 10 – July 27, 2013 Pinch Pot Craft
Programs for Teens and Tweens
*Registration Required for All Events!
Wednesday, July 10 2:00 – 3:00
Ages 12 – 18 BENEATH THE SURFACE
Registration begins on Monday, June 10!*
Bring your creativity and your green
June 10 – July 27, 2013
thumb for this craft with Ms. Kristy.
*Pre-Registration Required for All Events*
Binder Park ZooMobile
Students will be making their own flower
Wednesday, June 12 2:00 – 3:00
Monday, June 10: KICKOFF AND
pots using the “pinching method.”
Let the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek
REGISTRATION 10:00am-4:00pm
come to you! The ZooMobile will be
Fossils
Tuesday, June 11: Teens Zombie Prom
coming to the library with a variety of
Tuesday, July 16 11:00 – 12:00
6-8:00pm
animals to see, pet, and learn about.
Let us bring out your inner-archaeologist
as you make your own fossils and dig for
Thursday, June 20: Magic 8 Ball Craft
Reading is Magic!
other fossils! What will you discover?
3:00-4:00pm
Monday, June 17 11:00 – 12:00
Magician Alan Kazam will make you laugh Art Underground
Monday, June 24: Fruit Ninjas 1:00-2:00pm
and love to read even more as he performs
Thursday, July 18 2:00 – 3:00
magic tricks that will truly amaze you.
Bring your creativity and your art
Monday, July 1: Warm Bodies Movie
skills for this art project with Ms.
3:00-5:00pm
Treasure Stories and Songs!
Kristy. Students will make their own
Tuesday, June 25 2:00 – 3:00
“underground” art using a variety of
Thursday, July 11: Photo Scavenger
Come to have fun and learn about mining materials.
Hunt 11:00-1:00pm
for gold by listening to stories and songs
by musician and story-teller Robin Knott.
Food Dig-In
Monday, July 15: Writers’ Workshop
Monday, July 22 11:00 – 12:00
2:00-3:00pm
Terrarium Craft
Learn how to make healthy, delicious
Thursday, June 27 2:00 – 3:00
snacks – all from things that grow in the
Tuesday, July 23: Mythbusters 2:00-3:00pm
A terrarium is a small container that
ground!
copies a small habitat. Come make your
Saturday, July 27: SUMMER READING
own home for an animal at this craft for
Kalamazoo Nature Center
CONTEST ENDS
younger children.
Wednesday, July 24 1:30 – 2:30
Join us as the Kalamazoo Nature Center
Movie and a Snack
returns with their presentation “Our Earth: Tuesday, July 30: Summer Reading
Wrap-Up Party 3:00-4:00pm
Tuesday, July 2 3:00 – 5:00
Can You Dig It?” They will be bringing a
Beat the heat and stay in the shade in the
variety of underground creatures such as
May - June 2013 / The Red & White / 11
The Back Page
Vicksburg Old Car Festival
The 33rd Annual Vicksburg
Old Car Festival will roll into town
June 7th and 8th! Friday will kick
off with Cruise Night! On Saturday,
don’t miss all the exciting events and
the juried Arts and Crafts Show, at
Clark Park, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. There will be something for the
whole family! For more information,
e-mail [email protected] or visit our
website at www.vicksburgoldcarfestival.com .
Duck Derby
The Annual Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation Duck Derby
will be held on June 8th in Clark Park
at 1:00 p.m. during the Old Car Festival. This year there will be a special
race for Vicksburg’s elementary school
children at noon with a chance for
them to win prizes and an ice cream
party at their school! Raffle tickets for
both races are on sale now. Please contact the Foundation office at 321-1006
for more information.
Calendar of Events
5/20
Vicksburg Strings Performance
7-8pm – PAC
5/21
VMS Band Concert 7-9pm –PAC
5/22
SL 1st Grade Program 10:30-11am
5/22
VHS Film/Video Show 7-9:30pm
–PAC
5/23
Kindergarten Graduation
1:30-3:30pm –IL Gym
5/23
High School Senior Honors
6-9pm - VHS Cafeteria
5/24
Tobey Talent Show 2-3pm TY Gym
5/24
Grandparents-Special Persons Day
2:15-3:30pm – IL Gym
5/27
Memorial Day - No Students or Staff
5/27
8th Grade Band - Memorial Day
Parade - 11:30-2pm
5/28
VHS Band Concert 7-9pm - PAC
5/29
VHS Baccalaureate 7-9pm - PAC
5/30
3rd-5th gr Field Day 9-3:30pm - IL
5/31
K - 2 Field Day 9-12pm - IL
5/31
SL 5th Grade Graduation 9:05-10am
5/31
SL BK/K Graduation Program
2:15-3:15 - SL
5/31
6th Grade Activity Party
2:45-4:45 - MS Gym
5/31
7th and 8th Grade Dance 6-8pm
VMS Gym
5/31
Tobey Field Day - 9:30-2:30
VHS Stadium
6/2
VHS Graduation 2-4pm VHS Stadium
6/3
VHS Lacrosse Meeting - 6-7pm
VHS Library
6/3
Sports Awards 7-9pm - PAC
6/3
VHS Athletic Boosters Meeting
7-9pm - VHS Library
6/4
SL Dr.Seuss Day- grades 1&2
6/4
SL Track & Field Day
6/4
Yearbook Signing Party 2:45-4pm
– VMS Gym
6/4
PTSO Meetings 6:30-8pm – IL
6/4
VMS Choir Concert 7-9pm- PAC
6/5
Tobey 5th Grade Graduation
10-11am
6/5
5th gr Graduation Rehearsal
2:15-3:30pm – IL
6/5
ECSE End of Year Party 6-8pm
6/5
VCS Foundation Meeting
7:30-9pm - Admin Bld
6/6
5th Gr Graduation 2:15-3:30-IL
6/6
VHS Band Awards Banquet
6-9pm - VHS
6/6
VMS Talent Show - 7:30-9:30 pm
– PAC
6/7
Last Day of School Year Half Day for Students
6/7
Megan Grimm Piano Recital
7-8:45pm – VHS
6/10
Tennis Camp - Beginners First Session 9-10am
6/10
Art Camp - Color Your World
10-11:30am
6/10
Tennis Camp - Intermediate First Session 10-11am
6/10
Tennis Camp - Advanced First Session 10-12pm
6/10
Boys Youth Basketball Camp for
5th and 6th Graders 12-3pm
6/10
Board Meeting 7-10pm - Admin
6/11
8th Grade Cedar Point Trip
5:30-11:45pm
HS - High School • MS - Middle School
SL - Sunset Lake • IL - Indian Lake
PAC - Performing Arts Center • TY - Tobey
Need A Diploma?
Do you know someone who has dropped out of high school, or is danger of not
graduating? The Vicksburg WAY program provides a way to get a Vicksburg diploma
from home, online. We provide the computer and internet. Call or text Steve at
269-588-0330 or go to www.vicksburgway.net. We also offer a traditional adult high
school completion program. Call 321-1022 to enroll.
Vicksburg Community Schools
301 S. Kalamazoo Ave. • P.O. Box 158
Vicksburg, MI 49097
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
ECRWSS
Postal Customer
CAR-RT SORT
Permit No. 81
Vicksburg, MI