Inside PPS March 2014
What’s Inside: • Project Lead the Way • Countywide Millage Renewal • Spring Sports Highlights • Much more!
PPS in Pictures The Haverhill Hornets raised over $500 for both the Portage Community Outreach Center, and for new playground soccer goals! Each dollar raised and brought in, earned the student a strip of duct tape to help stick Principal Zonts to the wall. Congratulations to our Hornets on a very successful (and sticky) fundraiser!
Students at Haverhill Elementary celebrate March as National Reading Month during an all school read-in. The Central Stampede READ NOW
The Spitfire READ NOW
The Northern Light READ NOW
Superintendent Bielang is briefed on the computer-aided design program used by Project Lead the Way students at Central Middle School. Story on p. 4. • Inside PPS is published monthly and is edited by Information Coordinator Greg Hill: 269.323.5165 ghill@portageps.org
On the Cover portageps.org
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Cover Story
Manufacturers Appreciation Day highlights local Project Lead The Way classrooms
F
ebruary 25th marked Kalamazoo RESA’s first annual Manufacturers Appreciation Day. Local business leaders and sponsors of Project Lead The Way stopped by Central Middle School to check out the PLTW classroom and experience some of the projects the students have been working on. The students gave a tour of the classroom and their projects that ranged from air skimmers which they designed using computer design programs, and then built and tested, to wind powered electric generating motors. Coordinated through Kalamazoo RESA’s Education for Employment program, Project Lead The Way engages students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses utilizing hands-on methods. “Through this world-class curriculum and the partnership of area business leaders, students of today will become the higher-level thinkers and problem-solvers needed for the workforce of tomorrow” said Jason Luke, PLTW coordinator. Project Lead The Way is the nation’s leading STEM solution for over 5,000 schools across the U.S. It is estimated that STEM classes will grow 17 percent by 2018, and that by 2018, the U.S. will have an estimated 1.2 million unfilled STEM jobs due to a lack of qualified workers to fill them. The PLTW curriculum, combined with engaged educators and community partners helps drive the development of necessary skills for the ever changing global economy. To find out more about Project Lead The Way, go to www.pltw.org.
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Countywide Millage
Countywide Regional Millage Renewal on May 6 Ballot
V
oters throughout Kalamazoo County and the
ballot.
nine school districts will see a school funding renewal question on the upcoming May 6th
This millage brings approximately $3 million a year to Portage Schools, or about $325 per student. In our District, these funds support instructional needs programs and services provided to our students. The ballot question is for a three-year renewal of the existing 1.5 mill property tax. Taxpayers will be paying the same rate for this millage as in the past.
“The Portage community has a tradition of supporting the schools,” said Superintendent Mark Bielang. Without this millage renewal, we cannot avoid cutting staff, services and programs. We encourage all of our parents and residents to vote this May. First passed in 2005, the millage was established in response to State cuts to per-pupil funding, with Kalamazoo County becoming the first county in the State to have a countywide school millage to support general operations. The millage was renewed by voters in 2008 and 2011. Each year the support for the millage has increased. Operations spending, which supports instructional programs, is separate from funds raised through bonds for construction and renovation of facilities. Absentee ballots are now available at the City Clerk’s office and the deadline to register to vote is April 7.
A Countywide Focus on Education This millage question is placed on the countywide ballot by the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (Kalamazoo RESA), which provides countywide educational services to the nine area school districts. Kalamazoo RESA does not retain the enhancement millage revenues. State law dictates that all of those funds go to local school districts distributed on a per-student basis throughout the nine public school districts. Over the past three election cycles (2005, 2008 and 2011) the voter support has increased to 71%. A recent survey conducted by Kalamazoo RESA showed that approximately two-thirds of county voters support renewal of the millage.
Please Vote It is important to exercise your right to vote. Learn more about the ballot, where to vote and how to register to vote on our frequently asked question page at www.portageps.org.
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District News
Central Elementary Students get a double dose of wildlife
M
rs. Braat’s Young 5’s class at Central Elementary recently received a double dose of wildlife to spice up an otherwise dreary winter. Utilizing the Portage Public School’s Technology department, the class was able to remotely visit Binder Park Zoo through the use of a Google Hangout (a virtual connection to another class, instructor, or presenter – anywhere in the world). Alongside two other classrooms, the Young 5’s were able to visit with a zookeeper from Binder Park on the classroom video monitor. They heard about and saw many different types of animals, including a chinchilla, a turtle, and a snake. The students learned about each of the animals and asked many questions in this interactive environment. Different from a standard video lesson, this method of learning was highly interactive as the students could see and speak directly to the zookeeper. In essence this method of learning is much akin to an electronic field trip. (For more information on how PPS is utilizing Google Hangouts to enrich curriculum and enhance student learning through these types of digital experiences visit the PPS Technology page at www.portageps.org) The fun did not stop with the computer screen however, and Binder Park took the experience one step further when they brought live animals into Central Elementary for the students to see up close. The guests of honor included Glacier – a white chinchilla, Uno - a one eyed owl, a baby tortoise and a tarantula. While the students weren’t able to physically touch and interact with a few of the animals, they each were able to see, hear and ask questions about their other specie friends. You could visually see the excitement on the children’s faces as they listened to the owl “hoot” right in front of them, the excitement and anxiety as the zookeeper introduced the tarantula, and the pure joy as they received an opportunity to pet the chinchilla and experience its incredibly soft fur at the end of the assembly. Many of our young students have never been to the zoo so instead the zoo came to the school. With the help of technology and a partnership with Binder Park, Central El students learned more about animals. Left: Mrs. Braat’s Young 5’s class durring their Google Hangout with Binder Park Zoo. Opposite: The Young 5’s in-person visit with the Zookeeper and animals
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District News
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District News
A+, 100%, Perfect Score
C
ongratulations to our transportation department
And thank you. This has been a difficult winter for all
for a perfect 2014 safety record. According to the Michigan State Police safety inspectors, our drivers and mechanics have kept our school buses in excellent condition. This year, the inspection was even more rigorous than in the past. We are very proud of each and every transportation employee!
of us given such difficult weather conditions. As a community, our families, students, neighbors and staff have worked hard to keep our students safe by driving slower, clearing sidewalks and being alert around snow banks. Thank you for making student safety a shared priority.
10th Annual Matt Thrasher Memorial Lacrosse Tournament
P
ortage Central and Northern High Schools will host the 10th annual Matt Thrasher Memorial Lacrosse Challenge on Saturday, May 3rd at McCamley Field. A perpetual trophy is presented and held by the Portage boys’ varsity team that is victorious in this annual challenge game that began in 2005 in remembrance of JV goal tender Matt Thrasher, who was tragically killed in a 2004 boating accident. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students (6th-12th grades). Athletic season passes and student I.D. cards will also be honored for the event. Proceeds from the tournament go to a scholarship in Matt’s name.
Spring Sports Highlights Girls Varsity Tennis - PC vs. PN April 28 4:00pm @ PNHS Matt Thrasher LAX Tournament May 3rd @ McCamley Field
portageps.org
Co-Ed Varsity Track & Field - PC vs. PN May 10th @ PNHS Varsity Baseball - PC vs. PN May 14 @ PCHS * A full listing of spring sporting events can be found at www.portageps.org
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District News
PC 10th Grader wins Young Composers Competition, has arrangement performed by Symphony Orchestra
E
ach year, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra hosts a Young Composers in Concert competition. The KSO invites students from grades 6 – 12 to submit a composition. Each piece submitted receives constructive feedback from local composers, but for two lucky entries, their composition receives a complete arrangement and performance by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. For the 2014 competition, one of the winning entries was composed by Caleb Taylor, a 10th grade student in Portage Central’s Chamber Orchestra. Caleb’s original work entitled “The Silver Storm” was orchestrated by Harrison Orr, a composer and arranger, and performed by the KSO at the annual Youth Concerts held March 3rd through the 7th.
“I wrote this piece just to explore
composing, and just mainly for fun.”
Caleb wrote The Silver Storm “… to explore composing, and just mainly for fun.” The compositions were required to be a single, instrumental work up to 4 minutes in length that demonstrated an understanding of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic structure. The piece was then written out and submitted with an accompanying recording of the piece to the KSO. For Caleb this experience has earned him valuable experience and acclaim to accompany his interest in a musical career. For more information on the Young Composers Competition, or the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.
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April
2014
Spring Sports Schedule Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
5
9
10
11
12
17
18
Boys Varsity Baseball @ PNHS Portage Northern v. Kalamazoo Central 4:00
6
7
8
13
14
15
16 Boys Varsity Golf @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern 3:30
20
21 Girls Varsity Tennis @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
27
22
24
Boys Varsity Baseball @ PCHS Portage Central v. Benton Harbor 4:00/6:00
28 Girls Varsity Tennis @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern 4:00
23
25 Girls Varsity Track and Field @ Loy Norrix HS Portage Central v. Loy Norrix 10:30 AM
29
19 Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
Co-Ed Junior Varsity Track and Field @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
26 Boys Varsity Baseball @ PNHS Portage Northern v. West Ottawa 9:00 AM
30
Boys Varsity Baseball @ PCHS Portage Central v. Kalamazoo Central 4:00/6:00
May
2014
Spring Sports Schedule Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1
Saturday 2
Girls Junior Varsity Tennis @ PCHS Portage Central v. TBA 4:00
4
5
6
7
Boys Varsity Golf @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
11
12 Boys Varsity Lacrosse @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
18
19
8 Boys Varsity Baseball @ PCHS Portage Central v. Vicksburg 4:00/6:00
13 Boys Junior Varsity Baseball @ PNHS Portage Northern v. Portage Central 4:00
20
14 Swing Spring Tournament @ Grand Rapids Portage Community High TBA
21 Co-Ed Junior Varsity Track and Field @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
15
9 Relay for Life (5K)
3 Girls Junior Varsity Softball @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
10 Co-Ed Varsity Track and Field @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
16
17
23
24
Girls Varsity Tennis @ PNHS Portage Central v. Portage Northern TBA
22