Alanson Public Schools Community Newsletter Spring 2024

ALANSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

A NEW VISION: IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SPORTS COMPLEX

“If you build it, he will come.” The famous line heard by Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, has new meaning in the Village of Alanson. In October 2023, representatives from the Village approached the APS School Board with a new vision for the sports complex on Chicago Street. The Village offered to purchase the complex from Alanson Public Schools for one dollar with the understanding that Village resources would be spent to reconceptualize the property as a sports complex, and a greenspace for Village residents.

Following this initial discussion, the Village engaged Gosling Czubak Engineering Services to provide a site design for a new baseball field, softball field, Little League baseball field, paved track, soccer fields, and walking path. This plan, along with the recently completed five-year recreation plan submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), qualified the Village to apply for up to $400,000 in grant dollars from the MDNR Natural Resources Trust Fund. If successful, grant dollars will be used to re-build existing ballfield infrastructure, build a new concession stand and bathroom, and provide infrastructure compliant with accessibility standards consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project will likely be split into multiple phases. In the first phase, the Village will build the concession stand and improve the existing fields. Field improvements will include complete irrigation of the baseball and softball fields, enclosed batting cages, bullpens, dugout improvements, seating improvements, improved drainage, and a complete field rebuild. In total, the site is slated for more than $1,000,000 in renovations without the burden of additional funding from the taxpayer. If funding is successful, phase one will likely begin after the 2025 baseball and softball seasons. The second phase of construction will include the paved track and soccer fields. Should funds be available, the construction of a Little League field may expand the site in the future.

For more information regarding this partnership, please visit villageofalanson.com.

MI HEARTSAFE SCHOOL

This designation means that our school is prepared in the event of a cardiac emergency.

It is with gratitude and great appreciation that we thank the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation for their generous funding award that has supported the purchase of 2 brand new AED units! Our MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) / CERT (Cardiac Emergency Response Team) which is made up of school staff members that volunteer to be on this Team.

1,000 CAREER POINTS

Christian Silveus, a senior at APS, made his 1,000 point basketball career on February 2, 2024.

APS Alumni, Brooke Nguyen and Brett Williams, also 1,000 point career holders, presented a poster and signed basketball to Christian. Congratulations!

Members of the Alanson Public Schools School Board and Village of Alanson Council Members exchange $1 for the sale of the complex.

An ariel view of the projected plan.

IN MEMORY OF MELISSA (MEL) COSTELLO

Melissa Costello was hired by Alanson Public School in 1994 as a special education teacher for K-8. At the time of her hire, she was certified to teach both K-8 elementary and K-8 special education. As her career progressed, she continued her education to become certified in secondary special education as well. Mrs. Costello worked closely with the students who needed the most from her and she did it with patience, care, and compassion. She was passionate about the success of her students and was proud to teach our Vikings. Some of her students had these things to say.

“Mrs. Costello always made me feel safe in her classroom. She brought things down to an easier level for all of us to learn. She always told us “If you try and fail, you might as well try again because you’ve got nothing to lose.” -Gavin Goldman, Grade 11

“Mrs. Costello always made sure we had what we needed. She set up a good environment for us to learn in. She wanted us to do our schoolwork right, but make time to relax too. I always loved how she would read to us. She made reading more fun in the ways she emphasized the story for us.” -Owen Pressler, Grade 11

“Mrs. Costello always stopped what she was doing to help us. She never let us fall behind. She listened to us and then acted. I told her once that I had never seen The Bee Movie, and shortly after that we watched it in class. It was nice to always feel heard in class.” -Gary Gorney, Grade 12

“Some of the best memories I have of Mrs. Costello is when we would hurry up and focus on work and then we would make cookies or brownies in her class. She always adapted her way of teaching to accommodate her students in a way that they could understand. She helped me get my job I currently have when I graduated high school. Without her help with that, I don’t know where I would be today.” -AJ Hollerback, APS Alumni, Class of 2011

Mel Costello passed away on February 1, 2024 after a years long battle with colon cancer. She was incredibly strong and battled with grace until the end of her fight. It’s safe to say that Mel Costello’s compassion and care for her students have made a lasting impression on generations of Viking students that won’t be soon forgotten.

STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

Ashlee Herrington, an Administrative Assistant at APS, has hosted exchange students for the last three years. “I love being able to expand my family in this way. I enjoy watching these students grow on their own and with their American classmates. European students don't have organized sports within their school or organized dances, and each student I have met through this experience has been excited for prom. All of my students have expressed gratitude for a small school as well. At Alanson, the students get to know everyone and they feel very accepted.”

There are several programs which you can apply to host an exchange student. Ashlee uses ICES USA (International Cultural Exchange Services). They are a non-profit organization, committed to promoting a peaceful world by advancing international, cultural understanding, and awareness.

Claudia, Spain

“I love the bus rides to go to the games. I had so much fun with the team, playing music and singing all the time. It is something I’m going to remember forever.”

What surprised you about life in America? “The snow. In Spain we are not used to having snow, at least where I live, so when winter arrived and I saw all the snow I was really surprised; however, I love the snow days.”

“I feel like I’ve been here all my life. I’m really thankful for all the people I have by my side, they are making this an incredible experience.”

Guglielmo, Italy

What is a positive experience you’d share with future students? “I have been on field trips with the Agriscience class, we went grape picking and it was fun and educational.”

What surprised you about life in America? “I was surprised by the amount of hours in a day of school, and by the lunch and breakfast inside the school.”

“The Agriscience Class is something new for me, so everything I learn there is very interesting.”

Chayaphon, Thailand

“I love how there are so many activities & events for students to attend. All the students are so kind and welcoming. I was able to adapt to a different culture and enhance my English. There is no bullying here.”

What surprised you about life in America?

“I was surprised that in America time is a strict thing.You cannot be late for school or classes.”

“Learning to live a lifestyle different from my home country has been extremely interesting for me.”

Ashlee, her daughter, and exchange student Claudia.

THE NEED OF THIS BOND

•Increase safety structures of building by removing deteriorating canopies over elementary wing

•Replace steel doors on the elementary and middle school wing

FINANCIAL INFORMATION BOND PROPOSAL

•Flooring replacements include: Carpet in Elementary/Middle School Classrooms, Library, and High School Corridor

•Locker room renovations

•Restroom upgrades, including partitions

•Bus garage improvements to include heat to help with the longevity of our busses in the winter months.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To review the bond and sinking fund proposal, please visit our District website alansonvikings.net

If you have further questions, contact Rachelle Cook, Superintendent at (231) 548-2261 or at rcook@alansonvikings.net

If approved, the district would issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $2.2 million to be be repaid over a 10-year term. The first year millage levy for the bonds is estimated to be 0.82 mill. For a home with a market value of $100,000, the bond proposal would cost the taxpayer an additional approx. $71 per year.

SINKING FUND

A renewal of the sinking fund would generate approx. $154,000 per year for five years. The sinking fund is the district’s “rainy day” fund for unexpected repairs and can also be used to proactively address issues like school security, and other purposes as permitted by law. The current sinking fund rate of 0.7258 mill would be renewed.

CLUBS AT ALANSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

This school year, we have numerous clubs that are offered to students of APS. Joining a club can enrich a students academic, social, and personal development. We are pleased to offer the following:

Experiment Club - Gina Bennett

Game/Craft Club - Gina Bennett

Boys Volleyball Club - Kylie Hicks

4th - 7th Grade CoEd Volleyball Club - Kylie Hicks

Cooking Club - MaryBeth Southwell

Cheer Club (Year-Round) - Cheri Stahl-Cheer Club

Art Club (Year-Round) - Amanda Wolter

Strings Club - Dorothy Gerber Strings Program

Rock Band - Big Water Creative Arts

If you are interested in joining, please reach out to the head of the club to get involved we’d love to have you join!

FIRST SEMESTER HONOR ROLL

All A Honor Roll

Natalie Babcock (5th)

Hunter Barnes (6th)

Benjamin Custshall (6th)

Ryker Greenier (6th)

Henry Larson (6th)

Ella Mae Loomis (6th)

Tavian MacLachlan (6th)

Koralyn Rood (6th)

Keslii Rota (6th)

Naomi Servello (6th)

Bryce Vila (7th)

Hazel Bowman (9th)

Aubree Johnson (9th)

Remi Wiertalla (9th)

Isaac Bowman (10th)

Alexander Plastino (10th)

Claudia Almagro Gracia (11th)

Lorelei Henderson (11th)

Owen Pressler (11th)

Danica Sumner (11th)

Troy Johnson (12th)

SAVE THE DATE

Spring Concert

High School Gymnasium

Wednesday, May 15th, 2 pm

Enjoy musical entertainment by our Elementary Students.

All A & B Honor Roll

Reagan Anderson (5th)

Kayley Lewis (5th)

Kaezyr MacLachlan (5th)

Adam Midyett (5th)

Jacob Pressler (5th)

Jacob Sherwood (5th)

William Vila (5th)

Harper Baxter (6th)

Lukas Bowman (6th)

Faith Lutzke (6th)

Evelyn Manker (7th)

Liam McGarey (7th)

Havana Previch (7th)

Nevaeh Servello (7th)

APS Graduation High School Gymnasium

Friday, May 31st, 6 pm

Kindergarten Round-Up Library

Wednesday, April 24th, 5:30 pm

*This newsletter is an informational piece only and not intended for recruitment.

Emmett Tath (7th)

Ryan Laura (8th)

Makayla Turbin (8th)

Rylee Armock (9th)

June Habitz (9th)

Royce Jacobs (9th)

Valerie Reinfelder (9th)

Danyin Rota (9th)

Vanessa Silveus (9th)

Kassandra Temple (9th)

Logan Barnett (10th)

Tristen Barnett (10th)

Douglas McFarland (10th)

Matthew Peters (10th)

Kylee Volz (10th)

Corbin Cousineau (11th)

Owyne Greenier (11th)

Donovon Honeysette (11th)

Keyana Kilpatrick (11th)

Joseph Laura (11th)

Haiden Luna (11th)

McKenzie Clark (12th)

Jadynne Corey (12th)

Mskomgizi Lucier (12th)

Christian Silveus (12th)

Zoe Stocking (12th)

Mason Weidenhamer (12th)

Safe, Respectful, Achievers!

Each month, we hold a Viking of the Month Assembly.

Students are selected two waysa ticket from their class bucket or selected by their teacher. Students are rewarded with an extra recess, treat or open gym time.

Congratulations to our Viking Achievers! Through hardwork and dedication, these Middle School and High School