Box HolderBUCKleY MI 49620

PrST STd U.S. PoSTage PaIdCadIllaC MI PerMIT #147Buckley Community Schools

305 S. First St. l Po Box 38Buckley, Mich. 49620

Bear Facts

Seven students were inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) at a

ceremony in the elementary gymnasium on November 12.

The NHS was established in 1921. The hope was to create an organization that would recognize and foster academic achievements while developing other important characteristics. In 1989 the National Honor Society granted Buckley High School with a charter. Mr. Nick Andersen was appointed the first adviser and served through 1998. After Andersen’s retirement Mr. Ronald Spitzer accepted the appointment as adviser in the fall of 1998.

Being a member of the NHS allows students to use their talents, skills, and knowledge for the betterment of others.

The returning members include Jordyn Barley, Ryan Dunn, Hannah Kastenschmidt, Drew McHugh, Kirsten O’Rourke, Lincoln Spitzer, and Isabel Vermilya. The new inductees are Peter Hansen III, Autumn Beeman, Lauren Beeman, Corrie Burgess, Brock Emery, Joe Haysmer, and Alex Welling.

Membership in the Buckley Chapter has been earned by the effective demonstration of the four qualities held in high esteem by the society; leadership, character, service, and scholarship.

n By Kennedie Calvin, Senior

NHS inducts new members

The National Honor Society.

In This EditionNHS inducts members 1Looking Forward 2Holiday celebrations 2Veterans’ Day celebration 3Late Start in February 3Calendar 3Order a yearbook 4School Board recognition 4Seeking alumni 4

Opening Day success 4Way to Grow 5Boosters activities 5Fall Ball 5Day care information 6Cover Your Cough 6Basketball at Buckley 7Shooting Machine Thank You 8

On Halloween, before the lights went out, the Buckley Community Schools staff came together as “superheroes.” Thanks to everyone who participated in good spirits!

Buckley

Community SChoolS

December 2014 | No. 3“Home of the Bears”

305 S. First StreetBuckley, Mich. 49620

Bear FactsWishing You All Happy Holidays

2 Buckley Communi ty Schools / The Bear Facts

Holiday celebrations during busy December

Santa Bag Giveaway slated Buckley Community Schools will begin Christmas Break at the end of the school day on Friday, December 19. Students will have a full day that day, including the annual Christmas Giveaway.

Student Council will be holding a Santa Bag Giveaway for all students in grades 7—12 on December 19. At this time, all secondary students will meet in the small gym and everyone will receive a present. Principal Mr. Todd Kulawiak says he believes that all students deserve a gift for Christmas and now is the time to do it. Everyone at the school hopes you all have a great Christmas

School will resume on Monday, January 5.

n By Sierra OlDS, JuNiOr

Elementary Christmas Concert On Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m., Buckley Elementary School will be hosting its annual Christmas Concert and PTO–sponsored gift basket silent auction.

The concert will feature classic carols sung by kindergarten through sixth grade students, directed by Mrs. Anna Gooden and hosted by Principal Mr. Todd Kulawiak. Be sure to arrive early to place your bid on gift baskets donated by each classroom. All proceeds benefit future field trips.

n By aSHley CarpeNTer, JuNiOr

WebsiteWe continue to update and improve our website every day. You can check things out at http://www.buckleyschools.com. We strive to keep things updated on a regular basis. If you have any questions about the website, please contact the office.

Refunding of bonds The District has selected the option of refunding its bonds from 2005 and 2006. In the process, which will likely happen in the Spring of 2015. Buckley Community Schools stands to save $220,000 over the life of the bonds in interest savings. The District will be working with Thrun Law Firm and Stauder–Barch to go through the process and save money. The actual date of the sale of the refunded bonds will be January 20, 2015, at 11:30 a.m.

Looking Forward

Happy Holidays

The Bear FactsPublished by BCS

Superintendent: Rick Heitmeyer

The Bear Facts is published during the school year

from August–May. If you have any suggestions, or questions, please contact the office at (231) 269–3325 between the hours

of 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

ALL CONTeNT COPYRIGHT © MMIXIV

BY BUCKLeY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

EVERY Child …Buckley Community Schools is constantly trying to improve and meet the needs of our community —but mostly our students. We believe in putting all kids first.

Our vision is EVERY child is our FIRST priority. We believe it is of utmost importance to focus on your children.

I f you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the office at (231) 269–3325.

reminder: no School for students

from dec. 20 through Jan. 5

BuCKley Community Schools

305 South First StreetBuckley, Michigan 49620

T (231) 269–3325 F (231) 269–3833

rick Heitmeyer, Superintendentrheitmeyer@buckleyschools.com

Todd Kulawiak, principaltkulawiak@buckleyschools.com

Kile Charnes, Dean of Studentskcharnes@buckleyschools.com

Chris Nuckels, Technology Directorcnuckels@buckleyschools.com

Mr. Matt SimonPresident

Mrs. Hollianne McHughVice President

Mrs. Sara Snider Secretary

Mr. Matt BreithauptTreasurer

Mr. Brian WarrenTrustee

Mrs. Michele BeemanTrustee

Mrs. Jessica Harrand Trustee

The Bear Facts / Buckley Communi ty Schools 3

Honoring those who served the country

Veterans’ Day events at the schoolBuckley Community Schools’ student council honored our local military veterans with a celebration on Veterans’ Day, Tuesday, November 11. The school honored the veterans and shared a special breakfast with those individuals. The whole school participated in “The Pledge of Allegiance” in the hallway to begin the festivities at 9 a.m.

This event will become a regular annual event at BCS. The response was great and the veterans were able to spend time together visiting. On behalf of everyone at Buckley Community Schools, thank you to all who attended. Thank you also to Mrs. Heather Ensor who helped to coordinate the event.

Late starts in February, April While we have a total of four “late starts” throughout the school year, we only have two of them left. The late starts will allow teachers to meet from 7:30–9 a.m. in structured and uninterrupted professional development (PD).

Teachers participate in PD throughout the school year to work on best practices to use in their classrooms.

Buses will pick up students one hour later than normal on those days. The next dates will be Tuesday, February 10, 2015, and Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

If you have any questions, please contact the office at (231) 269–3325.

Calendar reminders, updates for 2015 • Friday, december 19 — deadline to buy yearbooks

for $40; they will be $50 beginning in May.

• Saturday, december 20 – Sunday, Jan. 4 — Christmas Break.

• Monday, January 5 — School resumes.

• Friday, February 6 — Homecoming Game against the Benzie Central Huskies in the Big Gym.

• Tuesday, February 10 — Late Start.

• Friday February 13 – Monday, February 16 — Mid –winter Break. Please note that it is only two school days.

• Tuesday, February 17 — School resumes.

• Saturday, March 30 – Monday, April 6 — Spring Break. Please note that Spring Break continues through Monday.

• Tuesday, april 7 —School resumes.

• Friday, april 10 — Kindergarten Round–up

• Tuesday, april 14 — Late Start.

• Saturday, May 2 — Prom at Crystal Mountain.

• Wednesday, May 13 — Awards Night.

• Saturday, May 23 —Alumni Banquet

• Monday, May 25 — No School, Memorial Day

• Sunday, May 31 — Graduation at 2 p.m.

• Thursday, June 4 — Last scheduled day of school. Brianna Bogart contributed to this information.

The Veterans’ Day celebration and breakfast at BCS on Tuesday, November 11, was a wonderful event that brought together several important people!

4 Buckley Communi ty Schools / The Bear Facts

January is MASB school board appreciation month As citizen leaders, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges. They are alternately described as having the most important volunteer jobs in the country and facing the toughest challenge in elected American government. Yet school board members are just ordinary citizens with extraordinary dedication to our nation’s public schools. All Michigan citizens should recognize the vital contributions of these men and women and the crucial role they play in the education of our children.

Their job is to establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to

the community and strongly advocate for continuous improvement in student learning. The job of a school board member is tough, the hours long and the thanks few and far between. Now’s the time to thank them for their untiring efforts.

The month of January marks the annual observance of School Board Recognition Month. This is a time to show our appreciation and begin to better understand how local trustees work together to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders. In January, join with others from throughout our district and state to salute the men and women who provide grassroots governance of public schools.

Remember, it’s time to order your yearbook

YEARBOOKS, YEARBOOKS, YEARBOOKS...

If you didn’t get your yearbook for $30, yearbooks will be $40 for the rest of the year. Buy a yearbook to remember the great memories from the year. You can buy your yearbook in Mrs. Lori Heitmeyer’s classroom.

The yearbook theme is “We Are.” The yearbook staff includes Editor Emma Cassey, Jordyn Barley, Lucas Bensinger, Kennedie Calvin, Ashley Carpenter, Steven Dresnek, Hannah Kastenschmidt, Stephanie Kinere, Dominique Kroskie, Malte Mallwitz, Emily O’Connor–Runyon, and Sierra Olds. Heitmeyer is the class’s adviser.

On Friday, December 12, the staff met with the yearbook representative from Walsworth Publishing Anthony Perez to work on upcoming deadlines.

n By DOmiNique KrOSKie, JuNiOr

Opening Day success in NovemberSince November 15 fell on a Saturday, it made it easier for some of our staff and students to venture out to begin the 2014 rifle season for whitetail deer.

The frigid weather was a deterrent to some, but not these hardy hunters! A lucky few were able to down a deer or two bright and early. Our Dean of Students Mr. Charnes got an 8–point buck and a doe, senior Emily Runyon, and sophomore Hunter Way also bagged nice 8–point bucks.

n By emily ruNyON, SeNiOr

We would like to put our alumni in the “spotlight.” If you know of alumni who have a story to share, please get in touch with us. We are proud of our Buckley graduates and look forward to creating a “spotlight” in each edition of The Bear Facts.

Alumni Photo Here The photos above show some of BCS’s student and staff success on Opening Day, November 15. Congratulations to everyone for their successes.

We areThe 2015 yearbook will feature an interactive cover that can be activated by using an application on a smart phone. it will show highlights from Homecoming 2015!

We Want You

The Bear Facts / Buckley Communi ty Schools 5

Fall Ball celebrated by Buckley students at November danceThe annual Fall Ball was held at the elementary gym on Saturday, November 8. The student council, led by Mrs. Jennifer Wildfong, organized the event for the 7–12 student body. The annual fall ball

dance has been at Buckley for several years. It’s a great way to bring the students together for a night of celebration. Students enjoy the dancing as well as the decorations.

Corrie Burgess, junior, said, “Fall Ball was really fun. The decorations were awesome!”

The next major dance of the school year for the students will be the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, February 7, 2015.

Boosters are selling seats

more Buckley swag available

The Buckley Athletic Boosters are in the process of selling stadium seat cushions for use at basketball games. They can be purchased at the concession stand.

The cushions are Royal (Buckley) Blue and contain a bear logo. The booster group aims to support Buckley athletes at all levels and has provided a great deal of swag for the community including tee–shirts, sweatshirts, and other items during the past several years.

“The boosters aim is to support the success of students and coaches involved in the Buckley athletic programs. Funds raised from booster activities will be utilized to purchase items for the athletic program,” said Vice President Mrs. Jennifer Wildfong.

Membership in the Buckley Athletic Boosters is voluntary; however, parent involvement is an essential component for success. The executive board includes Lori Matthews, president; Wildfong, vice president; Tara Burt, secretary; Kim Fairchild, treasurer; and Sara Sladek, trustee.

The Homecoming Game will be Friday, February 6. The Boosters are looking for volunteers to work one–hour shifts from 6 – 9:30 p.m. If you are interested and available, please contact Wildfong at (231) 633-0378.

Scenes from the Fall Ball. Students enjoyed the festivities in November at the annual Student Council–sponsored dance.

6 Buckley Communi ty Schools / The Bear Facts

Open 6am-6pm Mon-Fri.

231-590-2848

Infant & Toddler Pre-School$29 Full Day(more than 5 hours) $23 Full Day(more than 5 hours)$23 Half Day(less than 5 hours) $15 Half Day(less than 5 hours)

Drop In Care Drop In Care$5 Per Hour (less than 5 hours) $4 Per Hour (less than 5 hours)

School’s Out Daily Rate: Full Day $20 Half Day $14Before/After School Care: $2.75 per hour (1 hour min./12 & under)

Hours: 6:00am - 6:00pmOpen even when school is not!

(231)269-3065www.littlebearchildcarebuckley.com

littlebearcdc@gmail.com

Accepting DHS Assistance

$27- Full Day

$20- Half Day (less than 5 hours)

$15- per dayMonday/Wednesday

4 year olds

Tuesday/Thursday3 year olds

$3.50 per hour (minimum $3.50)

Daycare Preschool8:30-11:30

Before/AfterSchool

Turn your handwriting into a font with a few “easy” stepsWhat I have learned in Computers III is how to make my handwriting into a font on the computer, cool Photoshop tools like how to make letters/font into Old English Leather Letters, and how to create a website.

Other things that other students are doing are stop-motion videos with Post-It notes, funny music videos, other fun Photoshop projects, and even paper origami! As for what different things I have learned, I learned how to use a graphics tablet and pen, (it is way harder than it looks!), how to use the website maker Weebly more, and how to navigate Photoshop independently compared to last year.

One project I will go into detail of is my

Leather Letters project that I am currently working on. At present I am following a tutorial online for this project, and so far I am a little bit over half way done. It’s

pretty time consuming, but it has been a lot of fun doing this project, from finding out how to create shapes on the letters to make them 3-D and how to make the letters gold and leathery. I started by making my

background, which the tutorial provides, then you use a courgette font which you can download, or do what I did and use a different but similar font. Next, you follow the rest of the steps, {which there are many small steps}, to create the cool effects of gold leather letters that look straight off an old varsity jacket.

n By LAuReN BeeMAN, JuNioR

Buckley Community Schools(231) 269–3325

Call now to set up a meeting and find out why so many kids make Buckley

“their choice.”

http://www.buckleyschools.com

You can make Buckley Community Schools Your school of choice.

EvEry student is our first priorityBuilDiNg a SHeD

Volunteers worked together to build a new shed to store great Start readiness program supplies on Saturday, December 13. Thanks for all of the help!

Beeman is currently working on the above leather letters project. each tutorial in Computers iii is complex and requires patience to complete.

The Bear Facts / Buckley Communi ty Schools 7

There’s nothing like basketball night in Buckley

There is nothing quite like a Friday night basketball game to bring the Buckley

community together. Both the girls and boys varsity teams are off to good starts in 2014–15.

The Buckley basketball teams are up and running. The varsity girls and boys teams as well as the junior high boys team are underway. The girls junior high season will start in January.

The teams have played a few games already and have both played well. The varsity girls are coached by Mr. Dan Harris and the JV girls are coached by Ms. Sara Papineau. The varsity boys are coached by Mr. Blair Moss and the JV is coached by Mr. Matt Reed. The JH is coached by Mr. Scott Welling. The JH girls team will be coached by Mrs. Darcey White.

In March Buckley will host the girls Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Regional Basketball Tournament and the boys MHSAA District Basketball Tournament. Both tournaments will be held the week of March 16.

For those of you planning, the Homecoming Game will be against the Benzie Central Huskies on February 6, 2015. The Homecoming Dance will be the following night in the elementary school gymnasium.

all of the photos on this page are varsity basketball action during the 2014–14 season. Thank you to the yearbook staff for providing the photos.

THANK YOU

Buckley Basketball Supporters

Because of your generosity we now have a Shooting Machine and are continuing to build the programs by updating more equipment!!

GOLD

Southside Hideout (plus sponsor)

Buckley PTO

Dan & Lisa Harris Family

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids

Buckley General Store

BRONZE

J. Schichtel & Son Construction (plus sponsor)

Story Roofing (plus sponsor)

Edward Jones—Greg Williams (plus sponsor)

SILVER

Grandpa’s Garage

Patty Cakes & Craig Kellogg

Midwest Tractor

Michigan CAT—Kalkaska

Beeman’s Maintenance, LLC

Broad Rentals

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTERS

Leo & Janet Rivett

American Die & Mold

Doug Harris

Steven’s Propane

In Memory of John & Mildred Runyon

Kevin & Marcia Matthews

Darcey, Nick & Kendal White

Marcus & Christina Matthews

Francisco’s Market

TC Wireless—Verizon

Lauren, Brock, Ridge & Trent Beeman

Beeman’s Trucking & Bulldozing

Buckley Auto Tech & Express Lube

Eric O’Dell Trucking

Lily’s Cleaning

Terri Schichtel

Frank’s Buckley Bar

Haines Masonry

Jeff Elliott

Double W Oil Field Service

Albrecht Custom Welding

Bridge Tool & Die

Jaft Construction

Paul & Bernie Lezon

Prime Grinding

The Hartzell Family