Letter from Superintendent 2

Service Award 2

Algonac Elementary 3

Millside Elementary 4

Fair Haven Elementary 5

Pte. Tremble Elementary 6

Algonquin Middle School 7

Algonac High School 8

Hall of Fame Induction 9

Education Enrichment Fund 10

Teacher & Support of the Year 11

Dual Enrollment/Closing Info. 12

Volume 14, Issue 2

A newsletter for the residents of Algonac Community Schools

Reporter

Algonac

October, 2014

Inside this issue

District looks at Proposal for Consolidation Plan

Algonac administrators are in the

process of collecting data related to a

possible consolidation of ACS facilities

toward a two-campus school district.

The district is still in the process of ana-

lyzing data to determine the feasibility of

such a plan. After meeting with several

parent groups, Superintendent John

Strycker said, ―I am very proud of our

school community for their concern and

support looking to the future of our

facilities. There are many positive

advantages to becoming a K-6 and 7-12

two-campus district. In such we would

embrace becoming a

closer school family,‖

Strycker concluded.

PROPOSAL

A Proposed Two-Campus School District

K-6 Millside and Algonquin:

The goal of the K-6 campus would be

to house the K-1 students in Millside

and 2-6 students in Algonquin.

7-12 Algonac H.S. and Pte. Tremble:

The goal of the 7-12 campus would

be to house the 7-12 students and

Central Office primarily in the High

School with Pte. Tremble housing

current programs and ―overflow‖

from the High School as necessary.

Why Transition? Necessity

We are projecting a critically low

ending 2014-2015 fund balance.

Once the fund balance is gone, the

State of Michigan could take over our

school district.

We have a ―structural deficit‖ mean-

ing ―one-time fixes‖ will not solve the

problem. Our structural deficit is

around one million dollars annually

and will compound if nothing ―major‖

is done to alleviate the problem.

Our buildings are estimated at 70%

capacity or less at this time. It would

be hard to justify staff pay reductions

of 8% to 10% with such capacity. We

are working with an architectural/

engineering firm to get a more accu-

rate capacity number.

Following are some figures to illus-

trate the district‘s steady decline in

enrollment.

1980 3200 students

1995 2582

2000 2546

2005 2364

2010 1917

2014 1713 (unofficial count)

Operating Millage Renewal—November 4, 2014 Election

What is the November 4,

2014 Operating Millage

Renewal Proposal?

Currently, the district

has 18 operating mills that

will expire December 31,

2015, This proposal is for

renewal of the 18 operating

mills currently assessed on

all “non homestead” prop-

erty. If approved, this will

simply continue the current

non homestead levy. If the

operating millage is not re-

newed by December 31,

2015, the district would lose

approximately $3,700,000

beginning in 2016.

How would this affect my

property taxes?

This millage does not

apply to a homeowner‘s pri-

mary residence. It applies

only to non homestead prop-

erties (businesses, second

homes, etc.). Homeowners

will see no operating millage

increase in local school taxes

for their primary dwellings if

the proposal is approved.

What difference will this

operating millage make for

ACS Schools?

If voters approve the

operating millage renewal,

ACS will continue to receive

full funding for daily operation

at approximately $3,700,000

per year beginning in 2016.

Key Points

The District‘s per student

funding assumes the full 18

mills is levied. The State of

Michigan will not make up

the $3,700,000 in state as-

sumed school revenue for

2016 and 2017 if the vote

were turned down.

This millage is a renewal

levy for non homestead

properties (businesses, sec-

ond homes, etc).

This millage is not paid on

primary residence property.

Page 2 Reporter

Dear Residents:

Amidst our challenges ahead, I ask each

member of our school community to please

take a moment to read and take to heart the

following passage:

Several times my daughter had

telephoned to say, ―Mother, you must

come to see the daffodils before they are

over.‖ I wanted to go, but it was a two-

hour drive. ―I will come next Tuesday,‖ I

promised a little reluctantly on her third

call. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy.

Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I

drove there. When I finally walked into

Carolyn‘s house I said, ―Forget the

daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in

these clouds and fog, and there is nothing

in the world that I want to see badly

enough to drive another inch!‖ My

daughter smiled calmly and said, ―We

drive in this all the time, Mother. I‘m used

to this. It‘s all right, I promise. You will

never forgive yourself if you miss this

experience.‖ After about twenty minutes,

we turned onto a small gravel road and

there was a small church. On the far side of

the church, there was a hand lettered sign

with an arrow that read, ―Daffodil

Garden.‖ We got out of the car, and I

followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as

we turned a corner, I looked up and

gasped.

Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a

great vat of gold and poured it over the

mountain peak and its surrounding slopes.

The flowers were planted in majestic,

swirling patterns, great ribbons and swath

of deep orange, creamy white, lemon

yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and

butter yellow. Each different colored

variety was planted in large groups so that

it swirled and flowed like its own river

with its own unique hue. There were five

acres of flowers. ―Who did this?‖ I asked

Carolyn. ―Just one women,‖ Carolyn

answered. ―She lives on the property.

That‘s her home.‖ Carolyn pointed to a

well-kept A-frame house, small and

modestly sitting in the midst of all that

glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster.

―Answers to the Questions I Know You

Are Asking,‖ was the headline. The first

answer was a simple one. ―50,000 bulbs,‖

it read. The second answer was, ―one at a

School Board member Sharon Stiltner

recognized for 25 years of service

At the Regular Meeting of the

Algonac Board held September 22,

2014, Sharon Stiltner was recognized

for having served 25 consecutive

years as a member of the Algonac

Board of Education.

Mrs. Stiltner was elected in 1989.

She has served as Secretary for 20

years, Vice-President three years, and

President for one year. Throughout

her years as a member of the Board of

Education, Mrs. Stiltner has continued

to expand her knowledge regarding

her role as a board member by

earning CBA credits and attending

educational and legal workshops and

conferences through the Michigan

Association of School Boards.

In 1995, Mrs. Stiltner earned the

MASB Master Board Member

Award. In 2010 she was awarded

MASB‘s highest individual honor—

the President‘s Award of Recognition.

The award recognized her continuing

efforts to improve leadership skills

and become a more effective school

leader by completing MASB Level 7

coursework consisting of 29

advanced level classes and 1,383

education credits.

Congratulations, Sharon Stiltner!

time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain.‖ The third

answer was, ―Began in 1958.‖ For me, that moment was a life-changing

experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, almost

fifty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of

beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planning one bulb at a time,

year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in

which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of

extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her

daffodil garden taught me is one of the greatest principles of life.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a

time—often just one baby-step at a time—and learning to love the doing,

learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of

time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can

accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

―It makes me sad in a way,‖ I admitted to Carolyn. ―What might I have

accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years

ago and had worked away at it ‗one bulb at a time‘ through all those years?

Just think what I might have been able to achieve!‖ My daughter summed

up the message of the day in her usual direct way. ―Start tomorrow,‖ she

said.

-Source Unknown

The words in the above passage sum up my message in a direct way. We

must work together to accomplish great things in the best interest of our

students. We will succeed in becoming the best family friendly, student

centered community one could ever ask for, “one bulb at a time.”

Take care,

John, Superintendent

The Fire Safety Smoke House is pro-

vided by the Algonac Fire Department to

give children within Algonac Elementary

School a general idea of what to expect dur-

ing a fire and how to get out alive. Reinforc-

ing a lesson with hands-on educational ac-

tivities plays an important role in our fire

safety program. Our Safety Trailer, com-

monly referred to as the ―Smoke House‖, is

used as one of these activities. Each student

in the fire safety program receives a demon-

stration within the Safety Trailer during

their fire safety experience. The "house" is

equipped to teach lessons in:

NED Show visits Algonac Elementary

Page 3 Volume 14, Issue 2

Algonac Elementary School

1300 St. Clair Boulevard

Algonac, MI 48001

810 794-4991

Melissa Hanners, Principal

October is Fire Safety Month

On September 10, 2014, The NED show

came to visit the students at Algonac

Elementary. The NED show is an innovative

character education assembly. Using humor,

storytelling, audience participation and

amazing object lessons including yo-yo and

magic tricks, students learn through the

adventures of NED—an acronym for:

Never Give Up, Encourage Others and

Do Your Best.

Fourth grader, Dylan Brabaw stated, ―I

think it is a good path to follow. Being mean

does not get you anywhere and I loved the

cool yo-yo tricks‖.

The NED Program uses a multi-sensory

learning model to motivate, encourage and inspire students to become

Champions at school and in life. ―If you encourage others, you feel happy and

they feel happy too!‖ summed up Alexandra Ward.

Home Escape Plans

Dial 9-1-1

Crawl Low Under

Smoke

Smoke Detectors

The Safety Trailer has been utilized

to teach fire safety skills at Algonac Elemen-

tary School. It provides a safe, real-to-life

experience that helps simulate the dangers

associated with a fire.

Mrs. Flanagan, elementary art

teacher, is excited to announce that the

Detroit Institute of Arts is currently

featuring an original painting by Claude

Monet. In kindergarten, students use

water colors to recreate the ―Japanese

Bridge‖ by Monet, and first grade

students use watercolor to paint tranquil

landscapes, also inspired by Monet.

Students study famous authors during art

class as well.

Please take the time to check out

this special event at the Detroit Institute

Monet comes to town

Shown at left is 3rd grader, Cameron Welchko, as he

helps demonstrate during the NED show:

Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best!

of Arts. Information is

as follows:

The DIA welcomes one of Claude

Monet's most famous paintings as a

"guest of honor." Waterlily Pond, Green

Harmony is on loan to the DIA from the

Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The painting

will be the only work on display in a

gallery adjacent to Rivera Court. The

exhibit is free with museum admission

and will be available for all to see

October 1, 2014 through January 4,

2015.

Shown above are pre-school students

Branden McCullen and Sophia Clark,

proudly displaying their water bottle

after completing the Smoke House visit.

Millside's 4th grade students were able

to experience the engineering process while

learning about the different forms of energy.

During the month of September, Mrs.

Erica Diss, Millside and Fair Haven's STEM

teacher, focused on teaching the students the

difference between potential and kinetic

energy . The fourth graders worked through

the engineering design process to design

and create a rocket that would use one

method of storing energy to launch their

rockets. The methods they could choose

from were: Seltzer tablets and water,

baking soda and vinegar, rubber band

rockets, straw rockets, and stomp-bottle

rockets.

Once again, STEM has proven to be a

wonderful addition for students in Algonac.

Engaging students in STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

Page 4 Reporter

Millside Elementary School

1904 Mill Street

Algonac, MI 48001

810 794-8880

Brooklyn Lestage

Principal

October is Fire Safety month. Once

again the Clay Township Fire Department

volunteered their time to spend the day at

Millside. The main focus for this special

visit was the Smoke House trailer. The

trailer is designed to look like a home. Stu-

dents watched a fire safety video, and then

participated in a simulation experience that

had them practice exiting a home engulfed

in smoke. This is a valuable experience for

our students, and we are lucky to have the

Clay Township Fire Department bring this

to us every year.

October is a good time to make sure all

of your smoke detectors are working. If you

haven‘t done so already, discuss with your

children a fire safety plan in your home.

This should include exits and where to meet

once outside.

Fire Department

promotes fire safety

Millside Elementary

School has been awarded Re-

ward School Status for stu-

dent performance during the

2013-2014 school year.

Reward School Status is a

very prestigious ranking. Students should

feel very proud to have earned such recogni-

tion. This is a great way to start off the new

school year! The staff is looking forward to

reaching new goals this year!

Congratulations students and staff!

Millside is a

„Reward School‟

Shown above is Mrs. Diss supervising the

4th graders as they use different methods

of storing energy to launch their rockets.

Fifth grade students at Millside Elementary campaigned for Student Council

electronically this year. Students who were interested in obtaining a board position

created their presentations in a variety of ways. Some students made Power Points,

recorded a speech, video recorded them-

selves making their pitch for office, and

used presentation apps like Flipagram.

The students learned how the election

process worked and applied it to their

student council election. Ballots were

even designed in the same format as

those used in actual Michigan elections.

And we are proud to announce that

voter turnout was an incredible

100%.

Way to go 5th Graders!

Student Council gets creative

At left is Secretary Sloan Johnson, in the center

are Presidents Jaiden Musson and Maria Simpson,

and at right is Vice-President Katy Campolong.

Students at left pose under

the REWARD SCHOOL

banner: Phoebe Brody,

Lilly Danielson, William

Howard, Owen Jacobs,

Rachel Smith

Page 5 Volume 14, Issue 2

Fair Haven Elementary

8361 Broadbridge Road

Box 260670

Fair Haven, MI 48023

586 725-7911

Tamie Rawlings, Principal

Students take summer reading challenge

How does the school help those

students who are missing a specific

skill? Maybe they were sick the

week the class learned about silent

―e‖ or maybe the child just needs

some extra help with adding two digit

numbers.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

is the answer. RTI is a research based

practice that targets individual needs,

focuses on

remediation, and

increases the

student‘s reading

and math

achievement. At

Fair Haven

Andrew Ellul, third grader from Fair

Haven Elementary, has been selected as a

Junior Senator. He will be visiting Lansing

for a tour of the Capitol Building and will

be officially sworn into office on the

Michigan Senate Chamber floor as a Junior

Senator for the day.

Andrew will take part in a committee

hearing about wearing school uniforms.

After hearing pros and cons on the issue,

he will have a chance to ask questions,

give opinions, and vote on the issue.

District 25 Senator Phil Pavlov and his

staff will be hosting Junior Senator Ellul

and his guest for the day.

Mr. Ellul goes to Lansing

Fair Haven welcomes

new teacher

RTI—Response to Intervention

Fair Haven

Elementary recently

welcomed a new reading

teacher. Mrs. Jodie

Bargowski comes to us

with eight years of

teaching experience. She

has a Master‘s Degree in

teaching from Aquinas

College, with a Language Arts and Social

Studies endorsement.

Mrs. Bargowski says she enjoys being at

Fair Haven Elementary and helping children

to improve their reading skills.

Above, RTI parent volunteer, Mrs. Wehby,

helps fifth grade students with their content

based reading project.

Andrew Ellul

Junior Senator for the Day

Pictured here are a few of the

Fantastic Fox Haven Super Summer

Readers. These super students read

for twenty minutes a day all sum-

mer. Pictured are Tyler Gabriel, Clare

Karczewski, Jena Dusenberry, and Cal

Meleski.

Super Summer Readers received a

medal and a certificate recognizing

their hard work and accomplishment.

Congratulations to all!

Elementary we have

devoted the last hour of

the school day to helping

all students develop the

specific skills needed to

succeed. For example,

kindergarteners are

practicing naming and

writing letters in shaving

cream. First graders may

be spelling three letter

words by jumping to the

letters. Plans are

developed by the RTI

team and teachers based on data. Student

progress is reviewed every two weeks and

adjustments are made as needed.

Algonac Childcare has fall fun Pte. Tremble Elementary School

9541 Phelps Road

Algonac, MI 48001

810 794-3022

GSRP Ext. 1617

Childcare 794-8895

Page 6 Reporter

Great Start Readiness

is back

The Great Start Readiness

Program is off to another fantastic

start!

In our first few weeks of

school, our young learners have

already begun to embrace impor-

tant school readiness skills. We

are making new friends and learn-

ing classroom routines. We are also learning to wait,

take turns, and use important school tools like pencils

and scissors. In addition, our budding scientists are

using a variety of classification skills to explore new

materials and take in all the wonders of fall.

We are pleased to celebrate such fun learning as

our year has only just begun!

Above, GSRP students Havanna

Greene, Chloe Woutkiewicz,

Alysa Champion, and Hayden

Luke work with plastic numbers

and shapes.

October is a busy and fun

month for the Algonac Childcare

Program. During October the chil-

dren are learning about nutrition

from MSU extension

teacher, Carol Bublitz.

Ms. Bublitz has a very

interactive program that

the children love; they get

to color, hear a fun story and make

food with her. They will learn

about the importance of hand

washing, nutrition, and physical

activity!

Also during October the stu-

dents will have a field

trip to the Clay Town-

ship Fire Department

where they will learn

about fire safety. The

children will be able to work the

fire hose with the fire fighters, try

on fire fighter gear and go

through the smoke house. The

smoke house will teach them how

to react in a fire situation and how

to exit the building safely.

And of

course at the

end of October

the students will

dress up in cos-

tumes for their annual Halloween

party. The children will parade to

the high school where they will

go trick-or-treating with the ―Big

Kids‖! They love to visit the high

school, and the high school stu-

dents are always so much fun!

Shown above and below are ABC Preschool and Daycare students as they

learn about washing their hands with Carol Bublitz of the MSU Extension

program, “Cooking with Carol”

Above, this little guy learns

how to make pudding in a

bag in the “Cooking with

Carol” class.

Page 7 Volume 14, Issue 2

Algonquin Middle School

9185 Marsh Road

Algonac, MI 48001

810 794-9317

Abraham Leaver, Principal

AMS welcomes

new staff

Algonquin Middle School welcomes new

staff members for the 2014-2015 school.

Pictured at right from left to right are Brian

Ranger, Social Studies, Tammi Jury, Title I,

Cheryl Steward, Title I Paraprofessional, and

Robert Braun, Science.

New staff members not pictured are Melanie

Bokano, ELA, and Sam Dobbs, Discipline

Officer

We extend a warm welcome to all!

AMS is Cruising with Careers

AMS named 2014

„Reward School‟

As a part of the school

accountability information

released to the public in

August, we are extremely

proud to announce that

Algonquin Middle School has been

designated as a Michigan Department of

Education ‗Reward School‘.

Congratulations to the students, staff and

parents of our Algonquin Middle School

family for their hard work and dedication.

We are proud to be named 2014 Reward

School!

On October 6th & 7th the AMS

Computer Lab was buzzing with con-

versations on careers that could be suit-

able options for students when they

graduate. Students were engaged and

excited about their future and planning

away! State law requires 7th graders in

public schools to begin developing an

EDP, which is a career and college

readiness student profile, and that is

exactly what these days entailed. Both

days were tied together with a state

endorsed program called Career Cruis-

ing. Career Cruising is an Internet-

based career exploration and planning

tool available to students in grades 6-12

to explore career and college options,

connect them with scheduling classes,

and is meant to help students develop

an overall career plan. Career Cruising

is in the form of a user-friendly website

that can be accessed from school,

home, or any Internet available.

At AMS we extend the develop-

ment of EDP‘s by making it mandatory

for 8th graders to revisit their Career

Cruising profiles and update them by

making connections to particular cur-

riculum interests while also thinking

about high school classes that will be

effective in connecting them to real-

world careers. Program oversight by

staff member Stephanie Ford allows

our students to achieve 100% participa-

tion and completion of each EDP. With

Mrs. Ford‘s help, 7th & 8th grade stu-

dents logged into the site and took an

interest inventory

that matched them

up with ―just right‖

careers based on

their likes and dis-

likes. For example, if a student has

creative ideas about designs and likes to

use technical and creative skills of pho-

tography, then an animator could be a

great career fit!

The program brought up excellent

discussions, gave students the opportu-

nity to research and reflect on real-

world careers, and allowed students to

visualize career paths for their future.

Many students commented on how

much detail was included with each

career, also noting how shocked they

were to discover some of their favorite

careers (ex: professional singer & ath-

letes) may need backup plans due to the

salary and/or percentage of people

hired for those positions. The students

really enjoyed Career Cruising and

said it was very easy to use, introduced

a variety of career choices to them, and

included a ton of information and ex-

periences including personal interviews

from people working in those careers

today. It was a fun and informative day

for all!

AHS Marching Band receives “all 1‟s”

Page 8 Reporter

Algonac High School IB World School

5200 Taft Road

Algonac, MI 48001

810 794-4911

Ryan Melrose, Principal

Mitchell Landrum, Athletic Director

Algonac H.S. has

Muskrat of the Day

On Tuesday, October 7th the Algonac

HS Marching Band participated in the

MSBOA District 16 Marching Band

Festival at Memorial Stadium in Port

Huron. Over 900 musicians from 9 bands

participated on this night at this location.

The bands presented their halftime

shows for a panel of three judges. They

were judged in the areas of Music,

Marching, and General Effect (which is a

measure of how effective the show is at

entertaining the audience.) Each judge

gives letter grades in various sub-

categories, which are converted to a

Roman numeral for the final rating from

each judge. The three Roman numeral

ratings are averaged to produce an overall

Final Rating from 1 to 5, with 1 being the

highest ranking possible.

Once again the Algonac Marching

Band received a final rating of 1 for the

9th consecutive year, earning the band a

Students help with

native wild flower

seed collection

On Sunday, September 28, 2014,

AHS Biology students participated in a

Volunteer Work Day at Algonac State

Park. The students helped collect native

wild flower seeds to help restore and

preserve our rare Lake Plain Prairie

habitat in the state park.

plaque and each member a blue ribbon

medal. The band presented their halftime

show, music from the movie ―Grease‖, to

an audience of over 2,000 people.

Leaders in the band this year include

Nick Todino, senior drum major; Yvonne

Tirakian, junior drum major; Ciera

Gennette, color guard captain; Jayson

Turner, drumline section leader; Julia

Heim, flute soloist and section leader;

Bess Girtman and Kelsie Fett, clarinet

section leaders; Trevor Burgett, alto

saxophone soloist and section leader;

Kaitlyn Fuhrman, tenor/baritone

saxophone section leader; Tina Ponessa,

trumpet section leader; Kayla Hopkins,

horn section leader; Joshua Pace, baritone

section leader; and Jake Puskar, tuba

section leader.

This year the band has 89 members

as follows: 15 seniors, 18 juniors, 21

sophomores, and 35 freshmen.

Staff members and students are be-

ing recognized on a daily basis for going

above and beyond to support our school

and all the people in it. Anyone can sub-

mit a name for Muskrat of Day. That

person is then recognized during daily

announcements, their picture is placed

on the Kiosk in the hallway, and their

name and actions are tweeted out for all

to see.

Most days we have multiple people

in the positive spotlight. It just goes to

show what great students and staff we

have here at AHS.

Go Muskrats!

The AHS Math Department is

offering open tutoring/homework help

sessions Monday through Thursday after

school. If your student‘s math teacher is

unavailable after school due to coaching

or other duties, students can bring notes

and other materials to the teachers listed

below to get some help after school

until 3:20.

Mondays: Ms. Burns (room 150)

Tuesdays: Mr. Zimmerman (room

146)

Wednesdays: Mr. Kiehler (room

140) or Mr. Koch (room 144)

Thursdays: Mr. Lucka (room 145)

HS to Offer

Math Tutoring

Page 9 Volume 14, Issue 2

Hall of Fame has induction September 19

On September 19th, three individuals and two teams were

inducted into the ACS Hall of Fame. Dr. John Berryman, Class

of 1953, was a member of football, basketball, baseball and

track teams. He moved to Algonac from Lincoln Park and in his

two years here, he won eight letters and was a member of five

championship teams in football, basketball and baseball. He

received All County and All State honors. He went on to play

football and baseball at Western Michigan University. He spent

most of his career in suburban Chicago as a teacher, coach,

counselor, Director of Guidance and Student Affairs, Principal,

and for 22 years Assistant Superintendent. He shared this mem-

ory of Coach Pippel: ―Trueman Pippel and Jack Greenstein were

the head coaches for all the sports. They were tireless workers. I

remain, today, grateful to Coach Pippel, who personally drove

me to WMU, assisted in my enroll-

ment, introduced me to the Director

of Athletics and helped secure finan-

cial aid for me. Having spent my life

working in schools, I know this dedi-

cation is not always typical.‖

Raquel Tuma Demeter, Class of

1989 was a standout in Track, Bas-

ketball and Volleyball. She was the

first freshman to qualify for the state

meet in track and placed 8th in the

long jump. She continued to excel

and set school records including

placing 3rd in the state in the 100

hurdles her sophomore year. During her junior year, her family

moved to Montana. There she set school records in track and

was 2nd leading scorer in basketball in Western Montana. She

returned to AHS her senior year and set school records in the

100m hurdles, 400m and 800m relays. She also set a SCAL re-

cord in the 100 hurdles. She qualified for the state meet in four

events: 100 and 300 hurdles, 400 and 800 relays. She placed

second in the state in 100 hurdles. Each year she was All SCAL,

All Area and All State. She had scholarships to play basketball

and track in college and chose to run track at the University of

Montana. Track coach, Dan Shafer, said: ―She became the cor-

nerstone of our success. During the three years Raquel ran for

us, the team won 24 meets, two SCAL championships, a Re-

gional title and numerous Invitationals. She still holds the record

in the 100m high hurdles at the Blue Water Meet of Champions.

Her 15.01 seconds has withstood numerous challenges for the

past quarter century, which arguably makes her the greatest hur-

dler this area has ever seen.‖ Raquel is married to Michael De-

meter, lives in California and has two sons, Eric and Ethan.

Sam Dobbs, Class of 1999, was a 3-sport athlete competing

in Football, Basketball and Track. He earned nine Varsity letters

and was named to the All State Academic team as a senior with

a 3.7 GPA. Sam‘s football coach, Mark Simms, said, ―Sam was

the best kind of leader. He was a leader by example. His hard

work and dedication inspired his teammates.‖ In basketball, he

scored 10+ points per game, was an outstanding rebounder and

earned All League and All Area awards. In track, he competed

in the 110m high hurdles, 400m and 800m relays

and pole vault. He held school records, regional

championships and was All State in the 110m high

hurdles. His track coach, Mike Taylor, said: ―In 28 years of

coaching, you were the most talented sprinter and field events

competitor I ever coached.‖ Sam is married to Sandy

(Harrington) and they have two daughters, Jenna and Kylie.

The 2000 Varsity Girls Basketball team was an outstanding

team. They were League Champions, District Champions and

Regional Finalists. In addition, team member Rachael Petre was

named All State player and coach Al Latosz was Class B Coach

of the Year (Associated Press) and Times Herald Coach of the

Year. Coach Al Latosz

said: ―This team

achieved all of the

goals they set out to

accomplish for the

season. They won the

league, the district and

went to the regional

finals. Most impor-

tantly, they were the

foundation for a pro-

gram that has gone on

to flourish since they

graduated. Simply

stated, they put

Algonac Girls Basketball back on the map.‖ Rachael Petre

shared this: ―The best memory for us is winning districts. It was

really something surreal. Everything had been set up for the

perfect match up; the perfect story: a Friday night final against

St. Clair, the game going into overtime, winning on our home

court, and the amazing crowd. It was the first time in 25 years

that the Algonac Muskrats had won a district championship and

lifting that trophy on our home court was absolutely the most

amazing feeling in the entire world.‖

The 2004 Varsity Football Team was the first team to ad-

vance to state playoffs. Not only did they advance, they won

their first game against New Haven 35 – 7. New Haven domi-

nated the league. Every Times Herald writer but one predicted

New Haven would win. However, that late October game played

in the fog showed the Muskrat strength. This team united the

community. Throughout the season, the team played strong and

put the Muskrats on the football map. Coach Jamie Thiede said:

―All that changed in 2004. No more would Algonac be the

laughing stock of the area. No more would Algonac play as indi-

viduals. No more would losing be the only tradition Algonac

would know for 30 years. They played with passion and most

importantly they came together as a team. They were the first

team to make the playoffs in the history of Algonac High

School.‖ The team‘s record was 8 – 3. In addition, team mem-

bers Sam Bishop, Zac Idzikowski, John Vance and Dan Schroe-

der were All Blue Water Area First Team. Jesse Barnes was

Honorable Mention and Jamie Thiede was Blue Water Area

Coach of the Year. The team set a single season rushing record

with over 2,900 yards.

Shown at left is Raquel Tuma

Demeter, and Dr. John

Berryman at right.

Education Enrichment Fund 2015

raffle tickets are available

Tickets are now available and

selling fast for the 2015 series of

Algonac‘s Education Enrichment

Fund travel raffle.

The first drawing in the new

series will take place on January 13,

2015, when a trip

to Punta Cana

valued at $3,100

will be given

away. Tickets are

$100 each and

entitle the

purchaser to be eligible in 12 monthly

drawings. Many new and exciting

trips are being offered this year—

Puerto Vallarta, Traverse City,

Caribbean Cruise, Las Vegas, and

New York City to name a few. Second

prize each month is $125 in cash, and

third prize is dinner for four at Johnnie

Lega‘s Restaurant and Tavern valued

at $100. Don‘t forget, only 300 of

these tickets for the

2015 travel series

will be sold. Be

sure to call soon

while they are still

available! Call the

Board of Education

office at 810 794-9364 to get your

ticket now or contact any building

principal.

Remember, all proceeds go to

the Education Enrichment Fund to

support teacher grants for

educational opportunities not

normally available through regular

general fund expenditures.

As always, thank you for your

support!

Even though the opening-of-

school breakfast festivities planned

for August 27 were modified by an

unexpected power outage at the high

school, staff members congregated

in the auditorium at Algonquin Middle School

to hear a welcoming address from the new

superintendent, John Strycker. Dr. Strycker

introduced board members in attendance,

Sharon Stiltner and Andrew Goulet. Newly

appointed administrators were introduced:

Ryan Melrose, Algonac H.S. Principal, Mitch

Landrum, H.S. Assistant Principal/Athletic

Director, Brooklyn Lestage, Millside

Elementary Principal, Melissa Hanners

District Curriculum Director (along with

current duties as Algonac Elementary

Principal), and Eugene Osieczonek,

Maintenance Supervisor. Building Principals

then introduced all new staff members in their

buildings.

To honor perfect attendance for 2013-

2014 staff members Amanda Gibson, Karen

Rochon, Deanna Welch, and board

members Beth Engel and Andy

Goulet received $25 Barnes & Noble

gift certificates.

Opening of school

festivities move to AMS

Page 10 Reporter

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

(FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of

age (―eligible students‖) certain rights with respect to the

student‘s education records. They are:

1) The right to inspect and review the student‘s educa-

tion records within 45 days of the day the Algonac

Community School District (the ―District‖) receives a

request for access. Parents or eligible students should

submit to the school principal a written request that

identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The

principal will make arrangements for access and

notify the parent or eligible student of the time and

place where the records may be inspected.

2) The right to request the amendment of student‘s

education records that the parent or eligible student

believes are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of

the student‘s rights of privacy. Parents or eligible

students should write the school principal, clearly

identify the part of the record they want changed, and

specify why it is inaccurate, misleading or a violation

of their privacy rights. If the District decides not to

amend the record as requested by the parent or eligi-

ble student, the District will notify the parent or

eligible student of the decision and advise them of

their right to a hearing regarding the request for

amendment. Additional information regarding the

hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or

eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally

identifiable information contained in the student‘s

education records, except to the extent the law author-

Annual Notification of Rights

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

izes disclosure without consent.

The District will disclose personally identifiable

information contained in education records without

consent as permitted or required by law, including

under the following circumstances:

(a) To school officials with legitimate educational

interests. A school official is a person employed

by the District as an administrator, supervisor,

instructor, or support staff member (including

health or medical staff and law enforcement per-

sonnel); a person serving on the School Board; a

person or company with whom the District has

contracted to perform a special task (such as an

attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist);

or a parent or student serving on an official com-

mittee, such as a disciplinary or grievance commit-

tee, or assisting a school official in performing his

or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate

educational interest if the official needs to review

an educational record in order to fulfill his or her

professional responsibility.

(b) Upon request by the parent or eligible student, to

officials of another educational agency or institu-

tion in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

(c) Directory information will be disclosed unless a

parent or eligible student notified the school princi-

pal in writing within 10 days from the date of this

notice that he/she wishes to exercise his/her right

to refuse to let the District designate any or all

information about the student as directory informa-

tion. Directory information is defined as informa-

tion which would not generally be considered harm-

ful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, and in-

cludes, but is not limited to the student‘s name,

address, telephone listing, electronic mail address,

photograph, date and place of birth, major field of

study, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment

status, participation in officially recognized activities

and sports, weight and height of members of athletic

teams, degrees, awards and honors received, the

most recent previous educational agency or institu-

tion attended and other information that is generally

found in directories, yearbooks and athletic pro-

grams.

(d) Names addresses and telephone numbers of high

school students will be made available to recruiting

representatives of the armed forces and service

academies of the United States to be used to inform

students of educational and employment opportuni-

ties unless a parent or eligible student notifies the

school principal in writing he/she does not want this

information to be accessible to such recruiting

representatives.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department

of Education concerning alleged failures by the Dis-

trict to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The

name and address of the Office that administers

FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.,

Washington, DC 20202-4605.

At the opening of school gathering

at Algonquin Middle School on August

27, Superintendent John Strycker,

assisted by School Board President

Andrew Goulet, introduced nominees

for Teacher of the Year and Support

Person of the Year for 2014.

Nominated for Teacher of the Year

were Laurie Agosta, Amanda Gibson

and Mary Ruhlman. Receiving the

honors as Teacher of the Year was

Amanda Gibson of Algonquin Middle

School.

The Teacher of the Year program

honors outstanding educators who have

exhibited creativity, enthusiasm, and a

genuine desire to make a difference in

the lives of their students.

Nominees for Support Person of the

Year were Vanessa Rice, Sherry Stone

and Cathy Wenz. Receiving the honors

as Support Person of the Year was

Sherry Stone, Kitchen Helper at Fair

Haven Elementary and Latchkey

Caregiver for Algonac Childcare.

Page 11 Volume 14, Issue 2

Annual Notification of Rights

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our

conduct of surveys, collection and use of information

for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams.

These include the right to:

Consent before students are required to submit to a

survey that concerns one or more of the following

protected areas (―protected information survey‖) if the

survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the

U.S. Department of Education (ED) –

1) Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or

student‘s parent;

2) Mental or psychological problems of the student

or student‘s family;

3) Sex behavior or attitudes;

4) Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demean-

ing behavior;

5) Critical appraisals of others with whom respon-

dents have close family relationships;

6) Legally recognized privileged relationships, such

as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

7) Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the

student or parents; or

8) Income, other than as required by law to deter-

mine program eligibility.

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out

of –

1) Any other protected information survey, regard-

less of funding;

2) Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or

screening required as a condition of attendance,

administered by the school or its agent, and not

necessary to protect the immediate health and safety

of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis

screenings, or any physical exam or screening

permitted or required under State law; and

3) Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of

personal information obtained from students for

marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the

information to others;

Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

1) Protected information surveys of students;

2) Instruments used to collect personal information

from students for any of the above marketing, sales,

or other distribution purposes; and

3) Instructional material used as part of the educa-

tional curriculum.

These rights transfer from the parents to a student

who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State

law.

Algonac Community Schools developed and

adopted policies in 2005, in consultation with parents,

regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect

student privacy in the administration of protected informa-

tion surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of

personal information for marketing, sales, or other distri-

bution purposes. Algonac Community Schools will

directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at

the start of each school year and after any substantive

changes. Algonac Community Schools will also directly

notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents of

students who are scheduled to participate in the

specific activities or surveys noted below and will

provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or

her child out of participation of the specific activity

or survey. Algonac Community Schools will make

this notification to parents at the beginning of the

school year if the District has identified the specific

or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at

that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after

the school year starts, parents will be provided

reasonable notification of the planned activities and

surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity

to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list

of the specific activities and surveys covered under

this requirement:

Collection, disclosure, or use of personal

information for marketing, sales or other

distribution.

Administration of any protected information

survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

Any non-emergency invasive physical exami-

nation or screening as described above.

Parents who believe their rights have been violated

may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office

US. Department of Education

400 Maryland Ave. SW

Washington, D.C. 20202-5901

Teacher of the Year and

Support Person of the Year Named

Shown above L-R are Board President

Andrew Goulet, Teacher of the Year

nominees Mary Ruhlman, Amanda Gibson,

and Laurie Agosta, and Superintendent

John Strycker.

Above L-R are Andrew Goulet,

Teacher of the Year Amanda Gibson,

and Superintendent John Strycker.

The Support Person of the Year

program honors outstanding support

personnel for the job they do every day to

make our school district a better place for

everyone—students, staff, and the public

we serve.

We congratulate all our finalists and

thank them for their dedication and

professionalism!

Shown above is Support Person of the Year,

Sherry Stone, with Fair Haven Latchkey kids

Natalie, Hadley and Camden.

Information regarding emergency

school closings is available every day

on the homepage of the district website

or by calling the School Closing Hot-

line at 810 794-8882.

All major television and radio sta-

tions will also broadcast information

regarding emergency school closings.

Announcements usually start at 6:30

a.m. In the event weather conditions

are questionable, please do not call your

child‘s school, but use the Website or

Telephone Hotline:

www.algonac.k12.mi.us

School Closing Hotline

810 794-8882

Algonac Community School District

1216 St. Clair Blvd.

Algonac, MI 48001

Algonac Community Schools

Board of Education

Andrew Goulet ............ President

Tim Idzikowski . Vice-President

Sharon Stiltner ............ Secretary

Michael Baranowski ... Treasurer

Charles Busuttil ............. Trustee

Beth Engel ..................... Trustee

Susan Trebilcock ........... Trustee

John D. Strycker

Superintendent of Schools

Phone: 810 794-9364

FAX: 810 794-0040

Website: www.algonac.k12.mi.us

School Closing Hotline 794-8882

Athletic Hotline ............ 794-4913

Transportation .............. 794-3555

Food Service ................. 794-8875

Special Education ......... 794-9337

Childcare/Latchkey ..... 794-8895

Postal Patron

Algonac Community School District

Local

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Algonac Community School District

does not discriminate on the basis of race,

color, national origin, sex, age, religion,

height, weight, marital status, political affilia-

tion or belief, or disability in its programs

and activities. All inquiries regarding nondis-

crimination should be directed to Alan Latosz,

Assistant Superintendent, 1216 St. Clair

Boulevard, Algonac, Michigan 48001 (810 794

-9364).

Non Profit Organization BULK RATE

U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 38

Algonac, MI 48001

This edition of the Algonac Reporter

was published by the Algonac Community

School District, communicating important

information of concern to all citizens in our

community. For additional information,

please call 810 794-9364, extension 1006.

Historically, school districts have allowed students to attend courses at local colleges or universities

in addition to their own high school in an effort to meet students‘ needs and interests. This is called dual

enrollment. The Michigan Postsecondary Act (P.A. 160 of 1996) and its amendments provide for local school

district assistance to students covering tuition and fees for courses at Michigan public or private colleges or

universities. Students are required to meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify. To be eligible, students must:

Be enrolled in a high school class in a school district in this state

Be in at least 11th Grade or, if in a lower grade, be approved by the district Have taken and achieved a qualifying score in:

o All subject areas of the Michigan Merit Exam or other state approved readiness assess-

ments, OR

o In the subject area of the eligible course a student would like to take

Not be enrolled in high school for more than 4 school years. Under the law, adult education

students are not eligible.

Eligible students may take courses in subjects for which there are no endorsements such as history, political science, psychology, computer science or foreign language, as long as they have taken all sections

of the MME, ACT PLAN, or College Board PSAT. State endorsement is not required in any specific area

for this participation.

Approved assessments and qualifying scores are:

Michigan Merit Exam – students who score at levels 1 or 2 (Exceeded the Standard or Met the Standard) in Mathematics, Reading, Writing or Science

ACT & PLAN Assessments

o Mathematics 18

o Reading 17

o Science 19

o English 21

PSAT Assessment

o Critical Reading 44

o Writing Skills 49

o Math 45

Eligible dual enrollment courses include:

A course offered by an eligible postsecondary institution that is not offered by the school dis-

trict including Advance Placement and online courses A course offered by the school district but determined to be unavailable to the eligible student

because of a scheduling conflict beyond the eligible student‘s control

Courses that are a hobby, craft, recreational or a course that is in the areas of physical education, theology, divinity, or religious education are not eligible for tuition support.

For further information regarding dual enrollment, please contact your high school counselor.

Sincerely,

John D. Strycker

Superintendent of Schools

Dual Enrollment information—

For all parents of students grades 8-12

Emergency School

Closing Information

Remember, roads are driven and assessed by school

personnel as early as 4 a.m. and a decision to close must be

made by 6 a.m. Please understand that our decision is made

with the best interests and safety of all students in mind.