Community Connection
March, 2014
From Superintendent Timmerman
Last May voters passed four different ballot proposals to support the Saugatuck Public Schools and Saugatuck Community Recreation. The bond funds provide technology for our students, new buses, and instruments for our growing band program. The community recreation renewal allows programming for both children and adult community members. And, finally, the building site sinking fund allows us to maintain our facilities without taking additional money away from our core mission, educating our students. On behalf of the Saugatuck Public Schools, our teachers and support staff, and especially the students and families you resoundingly supported last May, THANK YOU! Our academic programming continues to be the foundation of our comprehensive PreK-12 student experience. All 3000+ school buildings in Michigan are ranked according to academic achievement on the MEAP, MME, and ACT tests. The Beating the Odds ranking looks at predicted performance based on factors like enrollment, grade levels served, economic/racial diversity, and percentage of special education students and then compares that predicted performance to actual results. We consider the Beating the Odds ranking to be the best apples to apples indicator of our students’ academic achievement on standardized tests. To the right is a chart showing our predicted and actual rankings during the past two years. The percentiles are based on student outcomes in all Michigan school buildings. These results say a great deal about our staff, students, parents, and community – it certainly is a group effort! Beyond our assessment results, the staff takes a great deal of pride in the wide-variety of field trips and extra-curricular experiences offered to students at all levels. As you read through this edition of the Community Connection, please take note of all the meaningful opportunities the students at Douglas Elementary, Saugatuck Middle School, and Saugatuck High School are provided to reinforce and expand learning beyond the physical classroom. It is through these experiences that greater depth of knowledge occurs and memories are made that last a lifetime. With your support we continue to strive to be THE Best Small School District in Michigan. SAUGATUCK SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION Recognizing the financial challenges our students face when they embark on their post-secondary education, the Saugatuck Scholarship Foundation is addressing the needs of our students beyond their freshman year in college. New this year, two Saugatuck High School seniors will be awarded scholarships that are renewable for up to three additional years. Historically we have awarded several scholarships primarily for those entering their freshman year in college. By incorporating renewable scholarships, college students have a greater likelihood of graduating with less debt. The SSF Board is committed to growing the scholarship funds in an effort to impact more students during the course of their post-secondary education. We are achieving our vision, to “Empower the Next Generation”, one student at a time.