June 2012 School Report - Ionia Public Schools

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Highlights of the Board’s May 2012 Meeting 1. With four members present, the Board approved the following actions: -- approved the June 2011-2012 School Year Calendar. -- tabled consideration of Support for the Ionia ISD Budget Resolution; the Ionia ISD Budget Resolution was approved at a Special Board Meeting on May 30. -- approved the Camp Jack student trip -- approved a new 6th Grade Teaching Position for 2012-2013 -- approved the Reproductive Health Video and Pamphlet for the IHS Health Class as recommended by the IPS Reproductive Health Advisory Board and DSICC. -- approved the second reading of Board Policy 5517.01 - Bullying and Other Aggressive Behavior Toward Students. -- approved the second reading of Policy 3120 Post-Issuance Tax Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt Obligations and Tax Credit Bonds -- following a presentation by the IPS Scholarship Fund Board, approved the establishment of a scholarship program, under the guidelines of the Scholarship Committee, to benefit Welch High School graduates going on to college. 2. IHS Teacher Scott Pischea, pictured on left, presented on the real life experience IHS Government students have when they participate in Teen Court at the Ionia County Courthouse with Probate Judge Robert Sykes. Mr. Pischea noted Teen Court is a real trial where students determine punishment, students take roles as jurors, bailiff, clerk and jury foreperson; and the student jury deliberates and announces the punishment. Teen Court, which is a National Program which all Ionia County schools participate in, addresses many Government standards. Cost of busing for all 3 Trimesters is covered by fundraiser in the Fall. IHS Teacher Scott Pischea 3. Board Vice President Dave O’Mara, who is also a member of the IPS Scholarship Fund Board, gave an update on membership, fund balances, goals, and events and activities designed to create awareness and give recognition. 4. Welch Principal Jack Manciu shared information on the American Academy’s No Dropouts Program as a potential resource for Welch High School. The goal of partnering with an organization like the American Academy would be to provide one more way to prevent students from dropping out before they achieve graduation. Representative Janice Barnes shared details on how the program works, including staff, technology support, and costs. She noted 20 districts in Michigan utilize services of the American Academy. 5. Director of Finance Don Wilcox noted his expectations that the State would pass a State Aid Bill by the end of May and encouraged residents to express their concerns to our representatives on a timely basis. At the time, Mr. Wilcox expressed his concern about whether the State would restore the $470 cut from the 2011- 2012 per pupil funding in light of the good news that state revenues exceeded projections by $100 million. He also discussed concerns about current debate about changes to the Retirement System, the School Bond Loan Program, and the Personal Property Tax. Negotiations Update As of June 2012, Ionia Public Schools has not reached contract agreement for 2011-2012 with the IEA (teachers). On June 12, the Negotiation Teams for the Board of Education and the IEA will meet with a Mediator. A hearing on the Unfair Labor Practice charges originally scheduled for June 5 in Lansing has been postponed at the request of the IEA’s MEA attorney. Ionia Public Schools is awaiting a new date for the hearing. Based on the new legislation and advice from the District’s legal counsel, the Board of Education passed a resolution on March 19 to initiate unfair labor practice charges against the IEA. These charges maintain that the IEA has not bargained in good faith by insisting that illegal or “prohibited” matters be included within the contract now being negotiated. The unfair labor practice charges will be heard by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, the agency that administers the Public Employment Relations Act. Ionia VFW is Community Partner for May Representatives of the Ionia VFW and Auxiliary received a standing ovation at the Ionia Public Schools Board of Education when the organization was honored as the May Community Partner. Pictured are from left, Board Vice President Dave O’Mara who presented the certificate, Commander Shane Houghton, Service Officer Jim Huver, Senior Vice Commander David Richardson, Auxiliary Guard Mary Richmond, Trustee Dave Richmond, Jr. Vice President, Auxiliary Madolyn Richardson, Guard Frank Slagel, Ellis King, Jr. Vice Commander Kevin Defrates, and Chaplain Russ Roberts. Among the many activities, the VFW is well known for posting the colors and raising and lowering the flag at many school events as well as educating young students on the significance of the stars and stripes and each fold of the flag.
Congratulations to Jefferson Teacher Karen Adgate, who was awarded the Frederic Chappell Special Educator Award for 2012. Karen, who has been teaching at IPS for 26 years, is a very special person as well as an exceptional teacher. As an individual, Karen goes above and beyond to provide the very best in all she does. This valuable trait carries into her dedication to teaching. She truly has a strong and natural love for all children and is a master teacher. IHS Teachers Rachel Shattuck, left, and Jessica Golombisky, right, earned Ionia County Youth Advisory Council grants. Jessica received an award of $625 for a Special Education Banquet Congressional to recognize Medal the academic of Merit achievements recipient students with special needs, especially seniors, during their school career. Rachel, SADD Advisor, was awarded $760 for an expanded Peer Resistance Program not only for 5th graders but also for 8th graders. IHS junior Macky Lynn, center, also a YAC representative, presented the grants. The May Boyce Breakfast Buddies, which served 344, also served as a Young Authors Celebration. Fred Hearld had the opportunity to read his granddaughter’s book. Writing is a major focus at Boyce Elementary and throughout Ionia Public Schools; the Young Authors Celebration is an opportunity to showcase the work of each student. Class of 2012 set its own mark! Celebrating Success at Ionia Public Schools Graduations and Class Nights are good reminders of the hard work and success we love to celebrate. In a year everyone has worked diligently to teach and to learn subject matter more rigorous than ever, I want to thank the staff, students, parents and board members who made good things happen. In a year when reduced financial resources have challenged our ability to maintain a full range of classes, athletics and extracurriculars, I am grateful to the students, staff, parents, board and community for supporting the needs of our district. I believe our ability to offer the vast variety of courses, projects, programs, and sports allows all IPS students to shine! The IHS Class of 2012 is a prime example of “shining stars”. Thirty-seven achieved Senior Scholar status for high academic performance. Fourteen students graduated with grade point averages above 4.0 and many more achieved very close to that high mark of excellence. These seniors, now graduates, led our bands, choirs, sports and academic teams, NHS, SADD, Student Council, FFA and more to superior achievement. The Class of 2012 set and achieved goals; these students serve as examples for all of us! In this June edition of the School Report, pictures of honors and rewards for those honors (scholarships!) abound. My congratulations to the Class of 2012, their parents, and their teachers. by Superintendent Dr. Patricia L. Batista Your Class has made its Bulldog imprint at IHS and will be missed. I wish all of you the best as you take the next steps in your life journeys! Be wise, be safe, be happy, and be sure to use all your talents to the best Dr. Patricia L. Batista Superintendent of your abilities. I acknowledge, too, the critical role our staff members play in the success each and every graduating class achieves. Our students shine year after year because of the dedication of our staff, the support of our administrators, and the leadership of our board members. Great things are going on at IPS in the area of curriculum development and professional training. Great things are taking place at the Board level in the areas of policy, board training, and strategic planning. Great things are happening in the classrooms because of the support of community partners and organizations that provide grants. With the positive changes, I believe our school district is on the edge of bigger and better things; I believe fantastic new opportunities will provide even greater impact on student success at IPS. I believe that working together we will continue to provide all the building blocks our students need to reach their full potential. This IS the mission of Ionia Public Schools: To educate all students in an environment that fosters their preparation as responsible citizens. With the approach of summer, let’s take time to get reenergized and ready for the difficult work we have ahead as educators. I wish everyone a wonderful vacation filled with sunshine, relaxation and fun with family and friends. Officer Pickens teaches 5th graders to D.A.R.E. Fifth grader speakers had many positive messages they learned in D.A.R.E. Using the D.A.R.E. decision making model, Officer Craig Pickens teaches these young students to Define, Assess, Respond, Evaluate! Fifth grade teachers and students appreciate D.A.R.E. as very valuable lessons for making healthy decisions, learning to deal with peer pressure, facts about drugs and alcohol, and the foundations of friendship.
Page 1: 250 East Tuttle Road Ionia, MI 4884
Page 5 and 6: Memorial Gift to FFA The Ionia FFA
Page 7 and 8: M.I.T.E.S. awards earned by IHS stu

June 2012 School Report - Ionia Public Schools

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