St. Joseph PUBLIC SCHOOLS
great schoolS in a great community
NOVeMBER 2009
Each day we seem to be hearing more bad news about the economy in Michigan. Revenues at the state level are still on the downhill slide and funding for schools has been dramatically reduced. While many in this community have been affected by the economic downturn, the generosity of this community toward the schools continues to amaze.
What’s Inside: school funding information students give back food service update showing off at the capital internet safety youth winter clinics holiday book fairs box-a-thon for homeless academic awards national honor society fieldhouse programs alumni mentoring upcoming events
Board of Education
Frank Pastrick, President Amy Porritt-Peirce, Vice President Randy Reimers, Treasurer Denise Reeves, Secretary Dean Ray, Trustee Mary Ann Pater, Trustee Tamara Patrick, Trustee
Two recent gifts to the St. Joseph Schools will serve to improve and upgrade the opportunities for our students and the conditions of our facilities. The St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation, with gifts from Steve and Betsy Upton and the Frederick S. Upton Foundation, has funded a much needed overhaul of one of our district’s gems, the Upton Middle School Planetarium. A new projection unit will allow for I-MAX like quality in the presentations made by planetarium directors Jenna Francis and Jill Hubble. New seating and carpeting as well as fresh paint and lights will make this facility one of this community’s “star” attractions. Grand opening is scheduled for mid January. The Lions Club of St. Joseph has donated $18,000 to upgrade the scoreboard in the competitive gym. The new wireless board will post players numbers, fouls, and points. The local Lions have been very generous in their support of our schools. While these community gifts are wonderful and needed, much remains to be done. It is apparent that the level of support we receive from the state will continue to decline and not provide the revenues to maintain the quality of education this community has come to expect from its schools. We are going to need the support of our community to address the ongoing issues of outdated technology, fifty year old window walls at the high school that continue to deteriorate and waste expensive energy, and student safety. We must pull together to protect the investment we have in our schools and our children as we move into an uncertain future. Great Schools in a Great Community – We are St. Joe!
Allen Skibbe Superintendent
Local School Funding
why aren’t the taxes I already pay enough to fund our schools?
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS It is important in these tough financial times that you let officials in Lansing know how you feel. Please contact your congressmen and tell them your opinion on what is happening to school funding. We have provided some quick access links below for your convenience. Links to Lansing Representative John Proos, 79th District N-1098 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: (517) 373-1403 Toll Free: (888) 656-0079 Email: johnproos@house.mi.gov Senator Ron Jelinek, 21st Senate District House P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536 Phone: (517) 373-6960 Toll Free: 1-866-305-2121 Fax: (517) 373-0897 Email: senrjelinek@senate. michigan.govSenate Other Links of Interest SOS! Save Our Schools www.sosmichigan.org
“Prior to 1994, public schools in Michigan were largely funded through a local property tax millage. Both the operations and infrastructure of a school district were funded when districts went to local voters and asked them for an increase or renewal of a millage. Proposal A, approved by the voters of Michigan, went into effect for the 1994-95 school year and drastically changed the way schools are funded. While many voters still believe Proposal A was largely property tax relief, for schools it was a new funding mechanism that distributes state funds on a per pupil basis to each district – also commonly called the school’s foundation allowance. Under Proposal A, schools still must raise local millage for building projects, but that’s one of the few local options available for schools to raise money since Proposal A. Public schools are now largely funded through a statewide six-mil tax called the State Education Tax (SET), an 18-mil local tax on non-homestead property, and a combination of other taxes comprised of mostly the state income tax and the sales tax. The six-mils are collected directly by the state, while the 18-mil tax is kept locally, but must be levied or districts face a reduction in their foundation allowance. The rough breakdown for school revenues on a statewide basis is 42 percent from sales tax, 24 percent from income tax, 18 percent from SET, and an additional 16 percent made up of other revenue sources including the lottery. These numbers fluctuate each year based on overall tax collections at the state level.” (see chart for 2008-09 School Aid Fund Revenue breakdown)
Source: January 2009 Revenue Estimating Conference - House Fiscal Agency http://www.michigan.gov/documents/SAF_REV_FY08_Chart_263684_7.pdf
“The foundation allowance for each school comprises approximately 90 percent of school district’s general fund revenue. The remainder is from other state and federal programs and some local revenue related to interest earned, tuition and fund transfers.” (MASB Headlines, June 1, 2009) St. Joseph Public Schools collect approximately $20 million annually from the per-pupil allowance as defined above - $5.65 million locally (18 mils on non-homestead property) and $14.35 million from the State of Michigan (see chart for sources).
S
anta’s Helpers
students at st. joseph schools learn the value of giving The holidays have arrived early at the St. Jospeh schools this year. Students, teachers, staff and parents have been busy collecting food, clothing, stuffing bags full of goodies and in general spreading the spirit of giving. From young to old, everyone has been having a great time getting ready for the holidays and spreading a little cheer as well. Great job to everyone involved!
E.P. CLARKE SCHOOL Students are collecting items for stuff-a-truck and competing in a turkey feather competition. The 2 winning classrooms will compete in a fun round of turkey bowling.
BROWN SCHOOL Young Fives students are collecting warm hats, gloves, mittens and scarves to build a mitten tree. These will be donated to a local charity.
UPTON MS The sewing classes made bags and filled them with school supplies to send to Literacy Schools in Cambodia and more bags were made and filled with items for middle school patients at Motts Children’s Hospital.
HIGH SCHOOL AP Biology classes are working with the LNK program to collect paper and plastic for recycling. In one week they recycled over 30 garbage bags full of plastic bottles.
HIGH SCHOOL Students collected enough items for this year’s StuffA-Truck drive to beat their previous record of 20,960 items.
LINCOLN SCHOOL K-2 students meet monthly with their older grade level buddies to make a tray favor for the holiday of the month that we then donate to Lakeland Hospital and local retirement facilities.
LINCOLN SCHOOL The Student Council is sponsoring this year’s Stuffa-Truck campaign. Last year Lincoln donated over 1600 items.
UPTON MS Students are collecting items for Toys for Tots as well as Consequential Minds - A drive to collect hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, underwear, and socks for the less fortunate
HIGH SCHOOL The Student Senate raised money for the Child’s Fund by having money jars out at lunch time so the student body could vote for their favorite teachers for Staff Homecoming King and Queen.
DIGITAL LEARNING: Taking Students To The Future
SJ Students Show Off at the State Capital
Brown School Students, Maddie, Blaine, Max, Carson, and Josh represented St. Joseph this October at the 9th annual Michigan Student Technology Showcase held at the State Capitol Building in Lansing. Over 50 schools took part in this exciting annual event. These students presented their digital stories to elected members of the Michigan State Senate and the House of Representatives. The students would like to thank Representative John Proos for welcoming them at the door. He took the time to ask questions about St. Joseph Schools technology, introduced the students to all of the other Michigan Representatives who were in session at the time, and patiently answered their many questions. Chaperone and instructor, Kelly Lee said “It was an amazing experience, and we are extremely proud of our Brown School students!”
students LEARN TO BE SAFE
in the Virtual World of the Internet!
“PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM PREDATORS IS MY TOP PRIORITY”
Attorney General, Mike Cox
Predators today typically use the Internet to befriend, seduce,
and ultimately harm children.
In 2003 the Michigan State Attorney’s office organized a
Child and Public Protection Unit and to date has arrested more
than
240
Internet
predators who were seeking
to harm Michigan children. This program is designed to proactively combat the problem
by educating children and
adults.
aware of this serious issue.
educational tool to give our
Initiative (Michigan CSI) is
more connected to the virtual
need to be safe.
program
customized
important for them to know the
through eighth-grade students
the benefits they can find there.
The Michigan Cyber Safety
As students become more and
an Internet safety education
world of the Internet it is just as
presentations for kindergarten
rules and cautions as well as
and a community seminar.
This program is a valuable
Students
with
K-8
at
the
St.
Joseph Public Schools will be
participating in this program during the month of November.
This is the third year for this program in the St. Joseph schools.
We encourage parents and the community to become more
students the knowledge they For more
information about this program please
visit:
http://www.
michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7164-17334_48889-188321-,00.html.
Youth Clinics
Baseball...Basketball...Poms...and more!
The winter snow won’t stop students from having a great time playing some of their favorite sports. From High School to Elementary School there are lots of opportunities for students to get active during this cold and snowy season. LITTLE BEARS & BIDDY BEARS BASKETBALL Register now! Visit www.sjschools.org, then click on Athletic Elementary for more information or contact Gary Etter at getter@ sjschools.org. Deadline is Dec. 5th. HONEY BEARS POM CLINIC Saturday, January 30th. To register visit www.sjschools.org/poms or email cwaterhouse@sjschools.org. INDOOR BASEBALL TRAINING CLINICS A variety of clinics run December through February for students grades 1-6, visit the web site or contact the Athletic office at 926-3220 for more. MYWAY WRESTLING CLUB For grades 1-6. Register Dec. 1st 6:30 pm at Upton Middle School or contact Coach Eric Robinson at 923-4542 or coachrobinson@ stjoefootball.com For more information on any of the clinics listed above or for other opportunities, please visit www.sjschools.org.
BOX-A-THON
MAKE G S K O R BO G EAT
St. Joseph & LMC Students Partner to Bring Awareness to Homelessness St. Joseph High School’s Key Club hosted a Box-a-thon on the
IFTS!
High School football practice field Saturday, October 17, from 7pm to 7am. St. Joseph High School and Lake Michigan Catholic Key Club members slept in cardboard boxes on the practice field to raise
awareness for homelessness. 40 students participated raising over
$1600 that will be split between Gleaners Foodbank and Habitat for Humanity. Adult chaperones were Lauri Berry (St. Joseph Key Club
Advisor), Laura Jasper (Lake Michigan Catholic Key Club Advisor),
and Brianne Bloom (Youth Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity).
UPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK FAIR Nov 30 - Dec 11 7:30-3:30 and Thurs Dec10th from 6:30-8:30 PM All of the schools in the District will be holding book fairs during the months of November and December. Please check out your school’s calendar for specifc times. This money typically goes towards future media pruchases. Thank you for your support.
Special thanks to the Lake Michigan College flag football players who helped move and set up boxes, Quality Express and Whirlpool for donating and delivering boxes, Domino’s
pizza on Niles Ave, and the St.Joseph High School for the use of the stadium grounds.
ACADEMICS: SUCCESS IS REWARDED!
2009 Academic awards presented The 2009 group was the largest in recent history with over 97 awards given. That means that almost 10% of the St. Joseph student body has acheived a 3.80 or higher for both semesters of the previous school year. Mayor Bob Judd gave an inspirational talk that focused on the world beyond our sandy beaches, called “The World is Flat”. The Principal’s Perseverance Award was also presented. This year the award went to Cindy Lupiya. Cindy’s story is quite a remarkable story of overcoming many obstacles to be the “Best she can be”. It was a very inspirational evening for all students, parents and staff that attended.
CLASS OF 2012 Front Row: Stephen Brennan, Seth McKisson, Ryan Everett, Gordon Davis Middle Row: Sean Carpenter, Erin Hart, Kelly Battistone, Haley Hodder, Jacob Kirschner, Back Row: Ben Gerken, Zach Halfhill, Ryan Hamilton, Evan Hampton, Nick Kolettis, Forest Burczak, Not Pictured: Fernando Lopes, Zack Matejczyk, Thomas McIlwaine, Ian Nieh, Nathanial Pastrick, Austin Steffen, Meesum Syed.
CLASS OF 2012 Front Row: Emilie Milnikel, Paige Ottmar, Helena Petlick, Lindsay Peirce, Amanda Nowak, Back Row: Kathleen Regovich, Noah Sawyer, Christine Server, Kevin Schellito, Nora Slavin, Katie Smith, Bryan Tagudar, Chelsea Vanderzwaag, Sarah Wirth, Kevin, Wu, Not Pictured: Kathryn Albee, Linnea Bergman, Hannah Brandenberg, Tim Brash, Tyler Covert, Erik Donarski, Amy Erickson, Jacob Fratzke, Michael Huynh.
CLASS OF 2011 Front Row: Maddie Kovarik, Noreen Walls, Sumanpreet Toor, Alana Hart, Emily Reay, Jocelyn Weberg, Back Row: Aushja Syed, Maggie Van Winkle, Alex Willer, Steven Ross, Melanie Schweir, Jacob Zylema, David Reimers. Not Pictured: Brian Carrick, Bryce Jones, Megan McNitt and Peter Xie.
CLASS OF 2010 Front Row: David Burkard, Bridget Valenti, Bryan VanAntwerp, Michael Herman, Becca Merchant, Kristen Gregory, Sarah Bevier, Andrew Hamilton, Middle Row: Claire Knebl, Olivia Postelli, Erin Reddaway, Karen Hawley, Sepideh Ashrafzadeh, Cindy Lupiya, Back Row: Krista Erickson, Collin Ludwig, Vishal Arora, David Huynh, Tim Pow, Jeff Chen, Sam Kodis, Nate Gerken, Greg St. Amand, Taylor Crow, Not Pictured: Jason Grambrell, Valerie Greer, Sara Khatri, Janel Snipes, Curtis Punches, Paul Villa.
SELECTION PROCESS Students are eligible if they have a GPA of 3.4 or higher. Students are required to fill out a Student Activity Information Form. Students are then rated by teachers using a scale of 1-4 (4 being the highest and representing the top 10% of students at SJHS) on leadership and character. A score for service will be assigned based on the information submitted on the activity information form. GPA will be representative of scholarship. The scores are then presented to the faculty council. The faculty council typically looks at a cut off of 3.7 for character and leadership. It is important to emphasize, that one must be exemplary in character and leadership to be considered for induction.
MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES After induction, to maintain membership, students must adhere to the following:
nati o nal h o n o r s o c iet y I N D U C T I O N
The EP Clarke Chapter of the National Honor Society at St. Joseph High School recognizes students who are exemplary in scholarship, leadership, character and service.
Back Row: Alexander Willer, Jeremy Pastroff, Bryce Jones, Steven Ross, Daniel Reimers, Brandon Rock, Brian Carrick. Front Row: Christopher Pfahler, Margaret Van Winkle, Payton McFall, Megan McNitt, Elizabeth Strach, Madeline Kovarik
Back Row: Vartika Singh, Alana Hart, Samantha Helsley, Erin Virgil, Rebecca Merchant, Melanie Schweir, Bridget Valenti. Front Row: Karis Kang, Jessica Lucker, Noreen Walls, Amanda Cayo, Kaley Kitron, Sumanpreet Toor
GPA at 3.4 or above
Consistently represent the ideals of NHS Attend monthly meetings
Volunteer for after-school tutoring at least twice a semester
Participate in one fund raiser
Complete an additional 6 hours of NHS sponsored service each year.
During graduation, members are
identified by wearing white cords.
Back Row: Paul Villa, Daniel Krokker, Janel Snipes, Carli Witt, Cindy Lupiya, David Pozivilko, Paul Perrin. Front Row: Ashley Moyer, Colleen Cook, Rachael Hurst, Mary Donley, Ashley Machacek, Yunshang Chen
OFFICERS 2009-2010 PRESIDENT: David Burkard VICE PRES: Drew Hamilton SECRETARY: Erin Reddaway TREASURER: Vishal Arora
Back Row: Kristopher Klassen, Ryan Zavacky, Jason Gambrell, Aushja Syed, David Reimers, Thomas Ryberg. Front Row: Bailey Smith, Beth Larsen, Danielle Moit, Jacob Zylema, Emily Reay, Jocelyn Weberg Not Pictured: Corey Erny
on-line
PARENT web site registration
Parents, in order to provide the best communication between our district, teachers, and your household, we are requesting that you register on our web site. It is an easy and quick process and will allow you to receive E-Alerts from your student’s teachers, update emergency information, view custom calendars and access common forms and more.
www.sjschools.org STEP 1: Register by visiting the school web site and filling out the on-line form. STEP 2: After you receive confirmation of your registration you MUST THEN subscribe to the areas you want to receive e-alerts from by logging in to the site and clicking on the MY INFO link.
St. joe bears alumni MENTORING NETWORK!
What university did you go to? What do you do? Would you do these things again? If you would be willing to answer these questions - join our new alumni mentoring network! Connect with current high school students to help them answer the many questions they have about college and career. Visit www.sjschools.org/alumni for details.
3275 lincoln avenue, st. joseph, mi 49085 www.sjschools.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upton Holiday Concert Dec. 8 7:00 pm LMC Mendel Center Women’s & Men’s Home Basketball Games Dec. 11 beginning at 5:45 pm SJHS 41st Annual Holiday Concert Dec. 14 7:00 pm LMC Mendel Center MS & HS Holiday Band Concert Dec. 15 7:00 pm SJHS Auditorium Winter Break Dec 19 - Jan 3 ...more inside
Fieldhouse Public Fitness Program Starts in early November and runs through March. All St. Joseph residents are welcome. Walking/Jogging Adult Basketball Weight Room Sunday Family Swim/Gym Ultimate Frisbee Parent w/Child Basketball For more information about times, costs, etc... please visit www.sjschools.org/publicfitness.
Women’s Varsity Basketball
Men’s Varsity Swim Swim
Men’s Varsity Basketball
Tues 12/01/09 Coldwater* 7:15PM
Boys Varsity/JV
Tues 12/08/09 Buchanan 7:15PM
Fri 12/04/09 Loy Norrix* 7:15PM
Sat 12/05/09 Cereal Bowl Relays 10:00AM
Fri 12/11/09 Niles* 7:15PM
TueS 12/08/09 Edwardsburg 7:30PM
Tues 12/08/09 SB Clay* 6:00PM
Fri 12/18/09 Kzoo Central 7:15PM
Fri 12/11/09 Niles* 5:45PM
Tues 12/15/09 East G.Rapids 6:00PM
Tues 12/22/09 SB Clay 7:30PM
Fri 12/18/09 Kzoo Central 5:45PM
Thurs 01/07/10 BC CentraL* 6:00PM
Sat 01/02/10 SB St. Joseph’s* 7:15PM
Tues 01/05/10 Sturgis* 7:15PM
Sat 01/09/10 Holland Christian TBA
Tues 01/05/10 Sturgis 7:15PM
Fri 01/08/10 Benton Harbor* 5:45PM
Sat 01/16/10 Bridgman Invite 9:00AM
Fri 01/08/10 Benton Harbor* 7:15PM
Fri 01/15/10 Lakeshore* 5:45PM
Thurs 01/21/10 Mattawan* 6:00PM
Fri 01/15/10 Lakeshore* 7:15PM
Tues 01/19/10 Harper Creek* 7:15PM
Thurs 01/28/10 Portage C. 6:00PM
Tues 01/19/10 Harper Creek 7:15PM
Fri 01/22/10 Mattawan 5:45PM
Thurs 02/04/10 Lakeshore* 6:00PM
Fri 01/22/10 Mattawan 7:15PM
Tues 01/26/10 Buchanan 7:30PM
Tues 02/09/10 SB John Adams 6:00PM
Fri 01/29/10 Benton Harbor 7:15PM
Fri 01/29/10 Benton Harbor 5:45PM
Thurs 02/11/10 Portage N. 6:00PM
Tues 02/02/10 Portage N.* 7:15PM
Tues 02/02/10 Portage N. 7:15PM
Thurs 02/18/10 Kzoo Central* 6:00PM
Fri 02/05/10 Mattawan* 7:15PM
Fri 02/05/10 Mattawan* 5:45PM
WINTER ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
Fri 02/12/10 Portage C. 7:15PM
Mon 02/08/10 LMC 7:30PM Fri 02/12/10 Portage C.* 5:45PM Tues 02/16/10 BC Lakeview* 7:15PM Fri 02/19/10 Lakeshore 5:45PM Tues 02/23/10 Bridgman 7:30PM Fri 02/26/10 Niles 5:45PM
Competitive Cheer
Mon 01/04/10 Cheer by the Pier I* 6:00PM
Join us for an exciting evening of basketball with women and men playing back-to-back on Friday nights! See schedule. For the most up-to-date information, additional game details, jv & freshmen schedules, directions, ticket information, and youth clinics please visit www.sjschools.org * indicates home game
Tues 02/16/10 BC Lakeview 7:15PM Fri 02/19/10 Lakeshore 7:15PM Tues 02/23/10 Berrien Springs* 7:15PM Fri 02/26/10 Niles 7:15PM Tues 03/02/10 Coldwater* 7:15PM Thurs 03/04/10 Loy Norrix* 7:15PM
Men’s Wrestling
Wed 12/02/09 Zeeland West* 7:00PM Wed 12/09/09 Quad* 6:00PM Sat 12/12/09 S. Haven Inv. 9:00AM
Mon 01/11/10 Coloma Invite 6:00PM
Sat 12/12/09 Howell InV. 9:00AM
Wed 01/13/10 All Div@PC 6:00PM
Wed 12/16/09 Lakeshore 7:00PM
Wed 01/27/10 Mattawan Away 6:00PM
Sat 12/19/09 Plainwell Inv. 9:00AM
Sat 01/30/10 Otsego Inv. 9:00AM
Sat 01/02/10 League@Kellogg TBA
Thurs 02/04/10 Gull Lake Inv. TBA
Wed 01/06/10 Mattawan 7:00PM
Wed 02/10/10 BC Lakeview 5:00PM
Sat 01/09/10 Berrien Inv.* 10:00AM
Mon 02/15/10 Cheer by the Pier II * 6:00PM
Wed 01/13/10 Benton Harbor 7:00PM Sat 01/16/10 W.Catholic Inv. 10:00AM Wed 01/20/10 Niles* 7:00PM Sat 01/23/10 Sparta Inv. 10:00AM
www.sjschools.org
Wed 01/27/10 Vicksburg Quad 5:30PM Sat 01/30/10 SWMI Inv.@LSHS 11:00AM Wed 02/03/10 Mattawan Quad 5:30PM
concerts holiday
PEACE
LOVE
41st Annual HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY CONCERT Monday, December 14th 7:00 pm LMC Mendel Center Mainstage Admission: FREE/DONATIONS Featuring: Show Choir Freshman Choir Chorale Concert Choir Philharmonia Strings Chamber Orchestra Symphony Orchestra
JOY
UPTON HOLIDAY CONCERT Tuesday, December 8th 7:00 pm LMC Mendel Center Mainstage
Admission: $5.00 adults, $3.00 students & senior citizens Featuring: 6th Grade Orchestra 7th Grade Orchestra 8th Grade Orchestra Uptones
MS & HS BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT Tuesday, December 15th 7:00 pm St. Joseph High School Auditorium
GIVING