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Features Highlighting Districtwide Programs
-- followed by recent news articles about the District --
Forensics & Debate:
A Tradition of Champions
Summer 2007: The Portage School District forensic and debate programs have totally dominated the State of Michigan for more than 15 years. This is a competitive accomplishment that far surpasses any of the District’s proud athletic achievements, racking up 18 state varsity titles, many novice state titles, over 130 individual state champions, and several national winners.
How is such dominance possible? The tradition of forensic and debate championships is the work of the most dedicated and talented coaching staff in the state. A tradition of this magnitude can not be achieved by one person, but rather a network of skilled coaches that mentor and support the “new comers” until they are champion coaches in their own right.
In 1981 Mr. James Menchinger, then forensic and debate coach at Portage Northern, set the bar high with the school’s first of three forensics state championships and two debate state titles. “The coaches that have built the Portage program are an impressive group,” Mr. Menchinger explains. “We have authors of books on the subjects, graduates from great schools, and several are even recipients of coach of the year awards. These teacher coaches are the very best the field has to offer, spending thousands of extra hours with students and they have chosen Portage to be their home; how fortunate for our young people.”
Cooperation between both high schools may surprise some folks. Sure, competition exists between Portage Central and Portage Northern teams, yet they root for each other. “If we can’t win, we sure want our sister school to win,” explains Ms. Theresa Mills, current Portage Central forensic coach. “When I started at Portage Central, I had big shoes to fill. After all, Kathy Mulay and Randy Borden had been very successful former coaches. But Kathy Mulay and Randy Borden, and Laurel Scheidt, Portage Northern’s coach, helped me feel as if I was not alone.”
Ms. Mulay earned an amazing eight consecutive state forensics titles and Scheidt has earned six in a row with no end in sight. “I am supported by the best and now I feel confident that I too can coach future championship teams,” says Ms. Mills. Some of Mills’ students have already become state champions in only two years of coaching.
Ms. Bonnie VanEenenaam, Portage Northern’s debate coach, got her start in debate 36 years ago when VanEenenaam was a student in Mr. Menchinger’s classroom. For the last six years, Northern’s policy debate teams have had dominating success. “Northern had success in the state, but I wanted to take teams to the next level—nationals,” comments Ms. VanEenenaam. Northern’s policy debate teams have qualified for three Tournament of Champions events and they are currently ranked 29 th in the country.
“Winning in policy debate is like a single elimination basketball championship,” says Ms. VanEenenaam. “You must win 7-0 in head to head competitions to be a champion.”
Policy debate is a huge commitment for all those involved. A single topic is assigned for the year at both the state and national levels, and these are complicated topics. For the 2007-2008 school year, students will be debating the validity of a U.S. federal government resolution to substantially increase public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa. Students attend seven week summer camps researching the topic and then coaches and students spend three hours after school each day for nine months preparing to compete at nearly 20 weekend competitions.
These dedicated competitors haul around over 300 pounds of research material in six 40 gallon plastic tubs. Who says this is not an athletic endeavor? Ms. VanEenenaam admits that policy debate is a passion for all those involved: coaches, students and parents. Under VanEenenaam, Northern has won the Tournament of Champions three times and captured its first varsity debate state championship.
Meanwhile, Portage Central is racking up wins in legislative debate. Mr. Randy Borden, Central’s debate coach, has an eight-year coaching reign including championships in policy and now legislative debate. Most recently, Mr. Borden earned a MIFA Varsity State Championship and coached a Novice National Champion. “Legislative debate is like a mock senate experience,” says Mr. Borden.
According to Mr. Borden, students prepare less on specific topics as they do in policy debate, and more on process and technique. “Forensics and debate is truly a competitive event at the highest levels. Students don’t compete with an elite few. Forensic and debate teams complete with hundreds of class A teams around the state and across the nation.” Scouts even come to tournaments to select and attract college scholarship candidates. More Portage students are involved in forensics and debate than even the district’s largest sports programs.
Debate tournaments can be compared to “March Madness” and forensics can be compared to an Olympic track meet. Forensics is a “sport” of acting and speaking. Students compete in 14 different events like story telling and sales presentation. “Each event requires a certain set of practiced techniques yet they all involve life skills that aid students in finding their own voice; a voice to carry them into the adult arena,” says Ms. Laurel Scheidt, Northern’s forensic and drama coach for 12 years.
Ms. Scheidt has led her team to six consecutive state championships and more than 50 individual state champions and even a national finalist. Scheidt explains that winning is a reward but the life skills students gain is the real prize. “Forensics and debate students develop outstanding communication skills, enhanced self confidence, self discipline and time management techniques all under the umbrella of team work. There is no better academic preparation for adult challenges.”
Ms. Scheidt and the other coaches have had students go on to successful careers in law, religion, theater, broadcasting, business and even with NATO, to name only a few. All of the PPS coaches can site examples of the shy student who signs up for debate or forensics and blossoms into a self confident young adult with an exemplary public speaking presence.
Portage Public Schools values the skills gained through forensics and debate. Throughout the district, all high school students must have speech in their English curriculum and forensics and debate classes are coveted elective options. Ms. Kathy Mulay, former and legendary Portage Central forensics coach, explains that speech and communication classes are even more vital today. “Young people can hide in a high tech world filled with email, television, and video games rather than rehearse day to day interpersonal communication skills. Therefore, communication skills perfected in forensics and debate are even more unique and valuable in today’s job markets.”
Ms. Mulay and Mr. Menchinger are proud to have played such an extensive role in establishing the tradition of PPS forensics and debate champions. Mulay’s eight consecutive state forensics titles is still a Michigan record. Mentoring from these “retired” coaches is the reason the district has basked in 15 years of dominance. The so called “retired” Menchinger continues to help coach teams nearly 50 years into his career. Mulay and all of the coaches see their role as passing on the techniques that develop a tradition of champions.
Portage Schools has hundreds of state champions, countless national participants, and even national winners with no end in sight. The tradition of Portage Schools championships will continue due to the unique collegial support among this group of fine and dedicated teacher coaches. -- by Connie Livingston
World Languages:
A Program of Distinction
February 2007: The Portage Public School District’s World Language program is the regional leader in this subject area, offering five years of German, French and Spanish and four years of Latin. All four languages are available at the International Baccalaureate level. In addition, PPS features an impressive group of dedicated, quality instructors, with the entire World Language staff having studied abroad, experiencing and living other cultures.
Ms. Linda Trepanier, Northern’s World Language building chair and International Baccalaureate coordinator, believes “Our District is well positioned to prepare our students for a shrinking world with a global economy.”More than 60 percent of all PPS high school students are enrolled in World Language courses and the benefits to these students are enormous. “World Language students are more empathetic world citizens” says Deb Ross, Central High’s World Language building chair. “Instructors bring the world to their classrooms exposing students to the history and customs of the various countries. World Language students graduate with a more accepting and understanding attitude for the people with which they share the planet.”
Students of World Language are more “marketable” regarding pre and post college careers since fluency in a second language can help secure better employment. World Language students often score higher on standardized tests because reasoning skills taught in World Language courses translate to other areas of study. The state of Michigan has recognized the increased importance of World Language. By the year 2016, all Michigan high school graduates will be required to have earned two credits of World Language—yet a standard still beneath the level many PPS students are currently achieving.
Not too many years ago, World Language instruction focused on reading and writing the language. Today an emphasis is also placed on the spoken language and perfecting the accent is a major component of fluency in a second or third language. “Fluency in the language results in real, improved marketability for students” says Ms. Trepanier. “It is not uncommon to hear of situations where executives rise to a position, in part, due to their fluency in a second language, where the employer has either foreign customers or operations.”
Furthermore, this trend is on the rise. Fluency in a second language is marketable at all job levels. Job promotions and increased employment opportunities can be available for fluent World Language students. PPS is fortunate to have unsurpassed leadership and phenomenal instruction in its World Language program. Ms. Deb Ross has more than 30 years of teaching experience and the enthusiasm she has for her students and teaching defines who she is. She wants the students to be successful.
“I belong in the classroom energizing the students about other cultures,” Ms. Ross explains. “As the students enter the World Language hallway it is like entering another world. Different languages can be heard coming from the open doors as the students are being transported from Portage, Michigan to another land—even if it is just for a moment.”
Ms. Linda Trepanier is the glue that holds the World Language program together, as the District’s department team leader. Her unique dedication and professionalism is respected across the area and she is responsible for shaping the 28 World Language instructors of the District, into a cohesive family. With 37 years of teaching experience behind her, she chooses to keep working. “The students are the reason I am so passionate about my work,” says Ms. Trepanier. “There exists an element of trust between me and my students. We are together on a mission of discovery and I want to continue to captain the journey.”
The Latin program is unique and the most complete in the region. Instructor Jeanne Friedman has taken Latin from “dead” to dynamic. Some people might think that a woman possessing a vocabulary as deep as a dictionary might be boring, but this teacher is full of excitement. Ms. Friedman is fueled by gallons of coffee and a love affair with Latin, and tells her students, “If you’re taking Latin to improve your standardized test scores then you are in the right place.” Latin courses are filled to the brim with serious students looking to learn this language in order to better master many other languages. -- By Connie Livingston
Other District News Articles
Huskies Compete at Business Professionals of America
March 24, 2008: Students from Northern showcased their business skills earlier this month at the 36 th annual Business Professionals of America state conference at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids.
The students placed at the Regional Leadership Conference in January and proved to be the highest-ranked business students in the region.
Doug Kester and Mike Eby made it in the top 10 for Financial Analyst Team, preparing a balance sheet for a business with great accuracy. Mike was called to the final round with his Extemporaneous Speech, entitled, “Body Language & First Impressions.”
Katie Schultz developed a complete business plan, “Katie's Katering,” and showcased her skills in plan development and a multimedia presentation.
Gabby Smith created a magazine cover, business card, and stationary in the Desktop Publishing event with amazing creativity.
Sara Missias delivered a stellar speech regarding distractions in the workplace and suggested ways to overcome these distractions.
Erica Ilcyn represented the state of Michigan as the BPA State Historian for 2007-2008 and addressed an audience of more than 3,000 throughout the conference.
“All the students should be very proud of their accomplishments,” says faculty adviser Amy Meyer. “Attending the State conference is a tremendous honor.”
Challenge Day Inspires Students at Northern
By Danielle Beer
Imagine a world where every child feels safe, loved and celebrated. Challenge Day was created to do just that, one student at a time. On March 3, 4, and 5, six Challenge Day representatives will facilitate Challenge Day at Portage Northern.
Challenge Day is made up of games and activities that teach students about each other. These activities provide a safe and comforting environment while allowing students to step out of their comfort zone
"Challenge Day is really about showing kids they’re more alike than different," said PN guidance counselor Shari Swinehart. Challenge Day is being brought to PN to stop harassment, bullying and the feeling of separation. Its purpose is to unite, celebrate and welcome each student.
The school will be separated by grades, and students from each grade will participate in the program beginning with the seniors on March 3rd. Each grade will then be split into three groups assigned to the Dog House, Igloo and auditorium. The program will last an entire school day, and lunch will be provided for those who participate. Student participation in the Challenge Day activities is not mandatory but strongly encouraged.
Close to 800 students recently participated in The Challenge Day program at Portage Central. "I’m hoping to get the same result that they had," said Swinehart. Swinehart believes that teasing and bullying have really decreased because student participants have realized that they are more similar than they think.
Swinehart also believes that PN students may have a negative attitude about the program because of things they have heard. "They might have heard it’s silly and all you do is cry, but I think once they experience it, they’re going to have a different attitude. It really did make a difference in the students at PC and, overall, they had a really good experience," she said.
However, according to the Challenge Day Website, www.challengeday.com, Challenge Day is more than a one day program. It is the spark that ignites a movement of compassion and positive change called "Be the Change" movement. After Challenge Day, participants are encouraged to be the change they wish to see in the world. The possibilities are endless.
[reprinted by permission of the "The Northern Light," from the Feb. 1 issue]
WKZO Fundraiser Raises Thousands for Portage Schools
Three remote broadcasts for two hours at each site resulted in a donation of $5,525 by WKZO to Portage Schools. Morning show host Lori Moore donated all the proceeds from the sale of the 2007 edition of her famous annual cookbook during these three events granting a variety of wishes for our elementary, middle, and high schools.
The cookbook, “Potluck Paledictorians,” sells for $5 and Lori’s listeners were encouraged to visit the broadcast sites to purchase the cookbooks, which Lori was signing for each customer. WKZO did the same for other area school districts over the last several weeks. The final event, however, was held at Loaves & Fishes to benefit that charity.
Hardings Market on South Westnedge: Cookbook sales from this location, totaling $1,900 were devoted to various projects at Central and Northern High Schools. Each school received $450 toward their Challenge Day events and each school had one organization drawn at random for $500 each: Northern’s Drama and Central’s Interact Club. Corporate sponsors for this fundraiser were Chris and Tim Housler of Main Street Pub, Main Street Grill, and University Roadhouse.
Powers Bath Systems on Portage Road: This location hosted the broadcast granting wishes to the three middle schools totaling $1,825. North Middle School received $450 to help with expenses with their after-school tutoring programs and $275 to support field trip scholarships. Tour wishes for $275 each were also dedicated to Central Middle’s Character Counts initiative and CMS teacher materials and at West Middle wishes were granted to purchase materials for at-risk readers and for WMS student supplies and instrument rentals. Corporate sponsor for this fundraiser was Sheila Powers.
Don’s Card Hut at Southland: Customers at this site purchased $1,920 in cookbooks. Wishes of $100 each went for the outdoor education experience conducted by seven of the schools and for the Greenfield Village trip by one of the schools and wishes of $140 per school were devoted for clothes closets for those students who may be without essential clothing or proper winter garments. Corporate sponsor for this fundraiser was James Fulton & Sons Excavating.
Message from the Superintendent
Dear WKZO,
On behalf of all of our students and staff, it is my pleasure to thank Lori and the rest of the WKZO crew for your efforts in granting wishes for schools throughout the area.
The $5,525 in cookbook sales you donated for our students is very much appreciated. As one of our alums, and an active member of the community, Lori realizes the significance in granting these wishes to our schools.
Our PTOs, booster groups, and many other school organizations -- not to mention our education and athletic foundations -- are active throughout the year raising money for expenses not covered by the District. Your donation has already made a difference, but more importantly, this generosity is an inspiration to us all.
Thank you and your loyal listeners who came out during these three remote broadcasts to support our schools and get a great cookbook at the same time.
Kind Regards,
Marsha A. Wells, Superintendent
November Bond Election Results:
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Community Members,
On November 6, our community decided one of the most important school elections in years. The official results were:
- Proposal 1: Central High and Northern High improvements,
K-12 technology, and new buses ($89.9 million):
Yes: 58% No: 42%
- Proposal 2: two new elementary schools ($29.7 million):
Yes: 56% No: 44%
Total number of voters: 13,515
Portage Schools are at a critical place, one we have not seen in decades. We are grateful to our voters for supporting these requests, especially in light of the financial challenges many people face. We value the trust being placed in us to be good stewards of the community.
Student academic achievement is and continues to be our highest priority. These vital improvements will address the District’s most critical needs: academic issues connected to classroom quality, safety & security concerns, and the replacement of aging technology and buses. In doing so, we will be able to continue to provide our students with the academic edge they need and deserve. Planning will be underway shortly. Project timelines will be posted on our District website in January.
We’re a district that has been doing everything right:
- we work within our means,
- we make the painful, tough cuts,
- and we find creative ways to channel more funds into the classroom.
For the past 6 months, the school board has listened very carefully to community feedback about how to address urgent safety, technology, and other facility needs during tough economic times.
It has been said that, "Nothing worthwhile comes easily.” Clearly, the passage of both Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 is due to the hundreds of staff, parents, business and community members who carried the message to our greater community about the urgency of the needs. On behalf of our students, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.
Best regards,
Marsha A. Wells
Superintendent
IB Schools of Michigan Organize
July 2007: International Baccalaureate Schools of Michigan, a regional association of 17 school districts with IB-accredited (or applicant) schools, recently held its first meeting in Kalamazoo.
IBSOM was formed in January to support those Michigan schools with IB and those adding IB through the application process, through sharing expertise, and through creating an environment conductive to the continued growth of relevant and rigorous curriculum. There are approximately 20 such regional associations throughout North America and the Caribbean.
“Portage Schools is excited to be involved with the creation of this association,” said Assistant Superintendent Richard Perry, who led the initiative to establish the association. “The IB curriculum is proven to prepare students for the rigors of college and beyond, and we’re looking forward to the benefits of this association as IB continues to grow.” Portage Northern and Portage Central were the first two public high schools in West Michigan authorized to offer IB, with classes beginning in the 1998-199 school year.
Colleges recognize IB as a quality college-prep experience. High school students may take individual IB classes, test for a certificate in one subject area, or receive an IB diploma in addition to their high school diploma by achieving a certain score on tests in multiple areas.
IBSOM, established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a donation by the Portage Education Foundation, will work to improve university recognition, spur legislative action in support of school district’s work with students, serve as a liaison with the state Department of Education, and offer symposia and information sessions on a variety of topics concerning the Primary Years Program (K-5), the Middle Years Program (6-10), as well as the Diploma Program (11-12).
Newly elected officers of the IBSOM executive board include President Richard Perry, Portage Public Schools; Vice President Lynne Nagy, International Academic, Bloomfield Hills; Diploma Program VP Nancy Pederson, Portage Central High School; Middle Years Program VP Jason Rubel, Andover High School, Bloomfield Hills; Primary Years Program VP Jean Ramseyer, Lone Pine Elementary, West Bloomfield; Secretary Susan Wooden, Owosso; Treasurer Denise Bresson, Portage Public Schools; At-Large Member Suzy O'Hara, Troy School District; and At-Large Member Sally Dunlop, Fenton Area Public Schools.
Central Alums Earn National Award
July 2, 2007: Portage Central 2006 alums Nicholas Lobel, Jim Monette, and Andrew Harshini have just been honored with “Kids for CureSearch National Leadership Awards” for their efforts while students at Central. The awards are made each year to students nationwide who have demonstrated leadership in fighting childhood cancer by the Bethesda, Maryland-based CureSearch.
The award recognizes students whose efforts have encouraged fellow classmates and the community-at-large to help raise public awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. The three alumni organized a rock opera that drew support from the student body with $800 in proceeds going to the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. The show was written and directed by the three men and was performed at the school. Visit www.CureSearch.org for more information about this organization.
National Forensic League National Finals
June 28, 2007: From June 18-23, eight students from Northern and one student from Central High traveled to Wichita, Kan., for the National Forensic Leagues National Finals where more than 6,000 students convened to compete in debate, speech events, and student congress.
With over 220 contestants in each event, the Portage students achieved great success, with five contestants breaking to the first elimination round of 60, and two of those continuing on to the top 30, or quarterfinals. Additionally, many Northern students competed in supplemental events after they were eliminated from their main events, all succeeding in making an elimination round. One Northern student, Max Wardlaw, finished 7 th out of 280 contestants in the event of Poetry.
Results are as follows: DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION: Nich Mueller – top 60, Octafinalist and Max Wardlaw – top 60, Octafinalist; HUMEROUS INTERPRETATION: Evan Adams – top 30, Quarterfinalist and Matilda Shaw – top 60, Octafinalist; UNITED STATES EXTEMP: Aakash Gupta – top 30, Quarterfinalist; PROSE: Jenna Wyatt – Octafinalist; POETRY: Max Wardlaw – Semifinalist, 7 th in the nation. The Northern forensics team is coached by Laurel Scheidt and Central is coached by Theresa Mills.
Graduates Plan Futures
June 15, 2007: A total of 93 percent of Portage School graduates plan to continue their education immediately, according to a survey of 600 of the District’s newest alumni who graduated last month. Sixty percent reported enrolling at four-year colleges, while 30 percent plan to study at community colleges, and 3 percent at trade schools. Three percent have signed-up for service in the Armed Forces, 2 percent plan to go full-time into the workforce, and 3 percent were undecided about their plans.
The survey showed that 72 percent of those who are college-bound will attend Michigan schools, with the greatest number attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University, followed by Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Grand Valley State University.
Out-of-state schools with the largest concentration of new alums are Columbia College in Chicago, DePaul, DePauw, Illinois Institute of Technology, Indiana, and Purdue. A sample of other schools includes Cornell, Denison, Georgetown University, New York University, Marquette, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, Virginia, University of Chicago, Wisconsin, Wellesley, and Yale.
Business Office Earns Government Finance Award
June 11, 2007: The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded for the second year in a row to the District’s Business Office by the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. This distinction is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Meanwhile, an award of Financial Reporting Achievement was awarded to Business Manager Karla Colestock for her role in preparing comprehensive annual financial report.
Education Foundation Awards Glen Leadley DECA Grant
June 11, 2007: The Portage Education Foundation recently made its first grant from the Glen Leadley DECA Endowment Fund to support Northern’s participation in the DECA Nationals. A grant of $1,110 helped sponsor eight students at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Fla., April 26 - May 2. The Glen Leadley DECA grant, one of seven restricted endowments of the PEF, was named in memory of a Northern alumnus with a passion for DECA.
Husky projects included: E-Commerce Business Plan (Tyler Davis and Phil Scott), Quick Service Restaurant Management (Dannika Wooster), International Business Plan (Brandon Hubbard, Bryan Noonan, and Dominic Haury), and School Based Enterprise Project (Zach Stewart and Kevin Campbell).
According to Mr. Jim Swinehart, DECA adviser, each of these events had occupational testing and role playing except the School Based Enterprise which had presentations and interviewing. “The experience of seeing how a conference of this magnitude was run really gives a great perspective to each student on the size of this organization and the power it has in the business world,” says Mr. Swinehart. Companies from all over the United States sponsor this organization and each of the students was exposed to those businesses.
Parents Satisfied with Communications & Customer Service
May 25, 2007: The majority of parents from Portage Public Schools responding to a recent Parent Communications & Customer Service Survey say they receive sufficient information from the District, they have the contacts they need to obtain information, and that school or District responses are timely and helpful.
A total of 70% said they “often” had sufficient information from the District, 26% said “sometimes” and 4% said “rarely.” Meanwhile, 92% reported they had the information they needed for contacting someone at Portage Schools, with 7% responding in the negative. Commenting on timely and helpful responses from staff, 74% said this occurred “often,” 24% said “sometimes,” and 2% said “rarely.”
When asked for the two most important sources of school information, parents listed school newsletters and the web site (with counts of 140 and 79 respectively) followed by the Kalamazoo/Portage Gazette and “other” (including teacher and school information sent home from school, and word-of-mouth by their children) with counts of 46 and 30 respectively.
A total of 800 surveys were sent out mid-April with a 20% return rate (400 surveys were sent home with staggered grade levels at all eight elementary schools and 400 were mailed to randomly-selected homes of middle school and high school parents).
Results were slightly higher than the 2006 survey. Last year’s survey, conducted in February, found that 64% believed they “often” received sufficient information (27% reporting “sometimes”), while 91% reported receiving timely and helpful information when contacting offices throughout the District. In 2005, 70% “often” received sufficient information (24% “sometimes”), while 94% reported receiving timely and helpful information when making contact.
International Baccalaureate Celebrates 10th Anniversary
This presentation was made to the Board of Education at its April 23 meeting.
Marsha Wells Appointed as Next Superintendent
March 28, 2007: The Portage Schools Board of Education unanimously appointed Grand Ledge Public Schools Superintendent Marsha Wells as the 8th superintendent for Portage Schools tonight in a special meeting. She will begin her duties on July 1 when Dr. Pete McFarlane retires. He has been superintendent since 2002.
Wells, who served as director of instruction for Portage Schools from 1987-1992, has been superintendent of Grand Ledge Public Schools since 2001. Prior to that she served as superintendent of Delton Kellogg Schools since 1997 and associate superintendent for instruction in Charlotte Public Schools since 1993. Her education career began as an elementary teacher at Grand Ledge in 1974, followed by duties in Hartland ( Mich.) Consolidated Schools as a middle school teacher, Title 1 consultant, principal at the middle and elementary levels, and as director of Student & Community Services. During her tenure at Hartland she was awarded the Outstanding Young Educator Award. She later served as director of Instructional Services at Caledonia ( Mich.) Community Schools.
She earned her BA from Michigan State University (1974), MA in Reading Instruction from Michigan State, and completed course work in the doctoral program at Michigan State in Educational Administration & Labor Relations in 1992. She has given presentations at Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) conferences, MASA and Michigan Association of School Boards joint conference, Calhoun Intermediate School District Principals Leadership Academy, State School Improvement conference, and at the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators conference.
Wells has served on the MASA board of directors and as state conference planning chair, Capital Area United Way board of directors, and Portage Athletic Foundation board of directors, and currently serves on the Grand Ledge Education Foundation board of directors and is a member of the Grand Ledge Area Rotary Club.
The Board of Education has been working on the superintendent search with the Michigan Leadership Institute since October. McFarlane announced last summer that he would be retiring at the end of this school year. Wells will be the second woman superintendent for Portage Schools. Cleora Skinner, the District's first superintendent, served from 1922-1939.
Community High Succeeds in 'Challenge Day'
April 13, 2007: The past three days were very special days here at Community High School, and will have a great impact on the community as a result. Imagine…a world where every child feels safe, loved, and celebrated. Realize…you can be the change you wish to see in the world. Get inspired. Get involved. Get in touch. This was the spirit that drove the students, faculty, and staff of Community High School in conducting the first “Challenge Day” event to be held in the District.
With the assistance of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation with planning and funding, Community High offered a unique three-day experience for their student body, and for students from other area high schools. Community High spent months planning this event that used parent and community volunteers who received special training prior to the workshop.
“We were thrilled to be the first school to bring Challenge Day to our District,” said Dawn Gregory, who said how much the students and staff gained from this emotional event. “We have all been very excited about this opportunity.”
Challenge Day is centered around these norms: Be inclusive, No put-downs or teasing, Compliments and love encouraged, Listen with your ears and heart, Be open-minded, Drop the waterline/get real, Be the change you wish to see in the world.
The idea of Challenge Day recently attracted national attention when the Ophra Winfrey show featured how Challenge Day is making a big difference in schools and communities throughout the nation. During the three-day intensive workshops, students (working with adult volunteers) gained knowledge, leadership skills, and personal growth experiences needed to keep the spirit of the event alive in their homes, schools, and community.
This event is designed to wake people up, since day after day young people are dealing with the consequences of negative judgments, teasing, loneliness, separation, and sometimes violence. So, the experience hopes to wake students up to how people are treating one another and encouraging them to choose to be students and choose the pursuit of their dreams. Meanwhile, both Northern and Central High Schools are planning a “Challenge Day” event for next school year. For more information visit www.challengeday.org.
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan. 12, 2007: Students at Amberly Elementary School are asked to simulate an exercise about discrimination based on brown or blue eyes. First graders throughout the district diagram responsible decisions that they have made and those made by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. High school students at Community High have discussed how some current hip-hop music lyrics might de-value women and the law. These are just a few examples of how Portage Schools continues to teach the importance of respecting diversity. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is celebrated year-round in classrooms throughout the District, as well as during the school day on Jan. 15.
Throughout the elementary schools, students learn songs that honor Dr. King in music class, while art teachers dedicate time to discuss many cultures and their influence on art including African masks and African-American Freedom quilts. In high school, ninth grade students study the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in history class and language arts classes discuss language changes that resulted from an increased awareness of what is offensive. Meanwhile, some 11 th grade students study Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” in tandem with King’s “A Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” For web information about Dr. King, a good starting point is The King Center at Stanford University at www.stanford.edu/group/King.
Donna Emerson Earns National Certification
Jan. 5, 2007: Donna Emerson, an art teacher at Angling Road and Woodland Elementary, earned the teaching profession’s top credential by achieving National Board Certification in 2006, according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). She has been a teacher for 10 years and holds degrees in Art Education and Printmaking. The Board of Education will recognize her achievement at their January 8 meeting.
Ms. Emerson, one of only 7,700 teachers nationwide who achieved National Board Certification this year, joins two other PPS faculty members with National Board Certification: John Dunlop from Central Middle School and Janet Lavasseur from Central High School. “The single most important school related factor in raising student achievement is the quality of the teacher in the classroom," says Roy E. Barnes, chair of the NBPTS Board of Directors and former governor of Georgia. "National Board Certification strengthens and reaffirms quality teaching strategies, adds credibility to the teaching profession, represents the profession’s highest standards, and has a positive impact on student learning."
A voluntary process established by the NBPTS, National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes more than a year to complete and measures what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Teachers who earn this advanced teaching credential are among the best qualified in the nation to improve instruction, raise student achievement, and improve teaching practices in their classrooms, schools and districts. “National Board Certified Teachers are instructional leaders in their schools and communities,” said Rebecca A. Palacios, vice chair of the NBPTS Board of Directors and an NBCT in Corpus Christi, Texas. “It’s important to realize that they help their fellow teachers understand and promote high-quality teaching and learning which is making a positive difference in increasing student achievement.”
NBPTS continues to be the most thoroughly grounded, in research terms, of any assessment program in the teaching profession and has subjected itself to a higher standard of research and validation than any other professional board in the United States.
Transportation Manager Receives Top State Award
Dec. 4, 2006: The Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation recently presented its “Transportation Supervisor of the Year” award to PPS Transportation Manager Louk Markham, CDT. Board of Education President Shirley Johnson read the Board’s letter of congratulations to Mr. Markham at the Nov. 28 Board meeting, as Mr. Darryl Hofstra (center) looks on, who is manager of Transportation at Forest Hills Public Schools and MAPT Chair of the “Supervisor of the Year” Committee and the Three Year Director of MAPT.
The award was presented at the fall conference of the MAPT. Selection criteria included involvement in safety activities for students, employees and community, active member of the state association, and strong management skills. Mr. Markham was nominated by Portage Schools and selected by a group of his peers for this prestigious award. Speaking at the Board meeting, Mr. Markham recognized the entire Transportation Department staff for their excellence. Mr. Markham was also awarded the “Presidents Award” by outgoing MAPT President Sarah McClure for his dedication and support of the state association during the past year. Mr. Markham, as a Past President of the Association, is the first member to receive to receive both awards in the same year.
Community Education Center Takes Top State Award
Nov. 13, 2006: Portage Schools Community Education Center was awarded the “2006 School District of the Year” honor last month by the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education. This is the second time our Community Education Center has earned this title, the first being in 1988.
The facility operates four programs: Curious Kids (Day Care, Pre-School, Students-On-Campus Care, and Summer Academies), Community High School (which also includes adult education and GEDs), Enriched for Life classes, and English as a Second Language. Curious Kids holds the distinction of being the largest single-site day care program in Michigan. Community Education is located on West Milham, across from the Post Office, in what was originally Milham Elementary. For more information about the facility and it’s programs visit www.portageps.org (see the “Community Programs” link).
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