A Recognition of GivingAt the start of a brand new year we see ourselves living in a real time of change, both in our community and across our country.

We have seen, firsthand, our families, friends, and neighbors struggling in this economic downturn. We are all touched in some way by the changes in the housing market, manufacturing, businesses, and the ongoing banking difficulties. I am thankful for the many services we provide during these challenging times.

As we reflect on the recent holiday season, we remember the countless numbers of wonderful people who came together through our schools to support the community. The collective generosity was overwhelming: student-led canned drives and fund-raisers to help those in need; staff collections for needy families; ongoing counseling and support for students and families dealing with hardships; business partners supporting our families; PTSA-led clothing bank and other support; and neighbors helping neighbors through their school connections. The list goes on and on…

Our schools are certainly not immune to the economic struggles we face. A slower economy also means fewer state revenues available to provide services. These challenges make us focus even harder on our efforts to provide the best educational program we can to prepare our students.

Thank you to our staff and our community for the many gestures of kindness you have exhibited. Your generosity and spirit will lead us to even better times.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Randy A. Liepa, Ph.D.Superintendent

www.livonia.k12.mi.us • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 37, No. 2

January 2009

Long-Term Facility Planning Begins: Focus Groups Gather InputThe school district is in the beginning stages of developing a long-term plan for upgrading, renovating and modernizing its 50 to 60 year-old facilities. Developing a long-term plan will ensure that our schools are excellent educational facilities for our students and a source of pride for our community.

In preparing this plan, the district will address four key questions:1. What projects need to be considered?2. What projects are the highest priority?3. How will the district pay for these projects?4. When will the projects be completed?

One of the ways that data is being collected to identify projects and prioritize them is through focus groups. Five focus groups were held in November and December throughout the district for staff, parents and community members, and students. Ninety-five staff, 154 parents and community members, and 40 high school students attended the focus groups. Participants attended these sessions to provide their opinions on renovations and possible upgrades to our current school buildings.

Participants responded to four questions on district priorities and projects for our buildings:

Question 1 asked for the top two projects that should be a priority district-wide. Projects were listed from which to choose – or other projects could be suggested.

Question 2 asked about how resources should be distributed: to all buildings equally or by highest priority.

Question 3 requested input on the Board’s biggest consideration as they deliberate how best to improve our school buildings.

Question 4 asked for other upgrade or renovation ideas.

Continued on page 6.

Inside this Issue:Energy Management Program Update . . . . . . . . . . 8Teacher of the Year Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6School Closing Information . . 2Incoming 7th and 9th GradeParent Nights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Kindergarten Registration . . . 4Preschool Registration . . . . . .4

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Livonia Public Schools:Teaming together to ensurelearning for all!www.livonia.k12.mi.usServing portions of Livonia & WestlandJanuary 2009 • Vol. 37 No. 2Dialog is an official publication of the Livonia Public Schools. It is published regularly and mailed to residents of the Livonia School District as a public service. We encourage your response. All correspondence should be addressed to: 15125 Farmington Rd., Livonia, MI 48154.

To contact the LPS Communications office please call 734-744-2522 or email klamothe@livonia.k12.mi.us.

Admissions for Gifted/Talented Students OutlinedParents of students not currently enrolled in the Livonia Public School’s gifted and talented program may have their children considered for this program. The elementary Alternative Classrooms for the Academically Talented (ACAT) Program is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year from students currently in kindergarten through grade four. Nomination forms are available in all LPS elementary schools and online at http://www.livonia.k12.mi.us/schools/elementary/webster/index.html. Click on ACAT Nomination Forms. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 27, 2009.

Are You New to the LPS Community?If you are new to the community, welcome! We would like to introduce you to our schools and programs. Please contact the Communications office at 734-744-2522. We will mail you a DVD and an information packet about the district and the community. Also, please check our Web site for information for new families at www.livonia.k12.mi.us.

Register NOW for Community Education ClassesCommunity Education programs and classes begin soon! The Winter 2009 Community Education booklet of programs was sent to all LPS community households in December. To access the booklet or register online, visit www.livonia.k12.mi.us. Click on Programs. Pull down to Community Ed Enrichment. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Education office at 734-744-2602.

Global Education Program Deadline LPS StudentsStudents whose home high school is Churchill or Franklin and wish to be considered for admission into the School of Global Education at Stevenson High School must complete an interest form in the counseling office and submit it to their counselor with their course selection sheet by Friday May 1, 2009.

Non-LPS High School StudentsNon-LPS students may obtain the School of Global Education interest form online at www.livonia.k12.mi.us/schools/high/stevenson/index.html. Click on Global Education Interest Form. For those without online access, you may obtain an interest form from the Academic Services Department located on the second floor of the Administration Building on Farmington Road. The deadline for non-LPS students to submit an interest form is Friday, May 1, 2009. A random draw will be held to determine who enters if the interest is greater than the number of seats available.

If you have any questions, please contact Judy Bergeski at the Global Education Office at 734-744-2660 x 48130.

School Transfer Forms are Available OnlineIf your son or daughter is changing grade levels next year (i.e. going into 5th, 7th, or 9th grade), you may request a transfer from the school your child is designated to attend. Simply obtain a School Transfer Form online at www.livonia.k12.mi.us. Click on For Parents. Under District Information, click on Student Transfers to print the form.

Decisions will be made based upon spaces available and are dependent upon student enrollment per grade level at the designated school. The district is currently accepting forms for next year; however, school assignments will not be made until enrollment numbers for each grade level are clear in late May or June. If you have questions about this process, you may contact the office of Human Resources at 734-744-2568 or email Laura New at lnew@livonia.k12.mi.us.

School Closing InformationIf an LPS school is closed for any reason, school closure information will be posted:

Online: www.livonia.k12.mi.us.

On LPS Cable TV Channels: Channel 15 (Brighthouse and WOW) and 19 (Comcast).On Detroit TV Stations: WDIV, WJBK, and WXYZOn AM Radio Stations: WWJ-950 and WJR-760

All school activities and sporting events will be canceled in the event that a school is closed.

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Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night Middle Schools will host their Incoming 7th Grade Parent Nights for parents of current 6th graders. Students attending parochial and private schools are also invited to attend.

Emerson Middle School 734-744-2665Thursday, February 19th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Frost Middle School 734-744-2670Thursday, February 19th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Holmes Middle School 734-744-2675Thursday, February 19th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Incoming 9th Grade Orientation/Preview Night Livonia Public Schools’ three high schools will each be hosting orientations for all current 8th grade students and their parents. Private and parochial school students are also invited to attend.

Churchill, Franklin and Stevenson High Schools’ staff will discuss their academic programs, elective offerings, and scheduling options. In addition, information about high school magnet programs will also be available. These programs include: Global Education; the Creative and Performing Arts Program (CAPA); the Math, Science and Computer Program (MSC); the International Baccalaureate Program (IB); the Culinary Arts Program; Career Intern Program and the Career Tech Center.

Parents and 8th graders will have the opportunity to meet athletics coaches, current students and staff members.

Please note: All students in attendance must be with a parent or guardian.

Churchill High School’s Orientation NightLocation: Churchill High School auditoriumDate: Thursday, January 29, 2009 Time: 7:00 p.m.For more information, call: Churchill High School 734-744-2650 x46106

Franklin High School’s Preview NightLocation: Franklin High School auditorium and cafeteriaDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009 Time: 7:00 p.m. Private and parochial students and their parents are also invited to attend a pre-preview meeting at 6:15 p.m. in the library.For more information, call: Franklin Guidance Department 734-744-2655 x47150

Stevenson High School’s Orientation NightLocation: Stevenson High School auditoriumDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009 Time: 7:00 p.m.For more information, call: Stevenson High School 734-744-2660 x48106

Career Tech Center Open HouseDate: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.For more information, call 734-744-2816

Prominent International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Begins in Fall 2009In the 2009-10 school year, Franklin High School will implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program when its first cohort of students will begin the program. LPS is the first public school in Wayne County to offer this prestigious diploma in addition to a standard high school diploma. The IB curriculum is recognized for its academic rigor, its “international mindedness” exposure, and its assessment of students using international standards.

For more information, contact Molly David at 734-744-2655 x 70453 or by email at mdavid3@livonia.k12.mi.us. You can also find information online at http://www.livonia.k12.mi.us/schools/high/franklin/index.html. Under News and Events, click on FHS International Baccalaureate Information.

How to Enroll in the IB Program

Students who are interested in applying for the program can return the commitment form found at the Web site listed above.

Interested 9th and 10th grade students at Churchill and Stevenson may transfer to Franklin before their junior year to participate in the IB Course of Studies and to receive an IB Diploma.

Eighth grade students can enroll at Franklin for the program, so they can begin their studies at Franklin in the ninth grade.

CHS Students’ Cans Runneth OverCanned Food Drive Results Surpass 46,000 Cans

The CHS community collected over 46,000 cans to donate to the Livonia Goodfellows this holiday season. As one of their main community events, the entire staff and student body participates in the effort. The junior class brought in 15,231 cans, the highest total. Community members also made contributions at local businesses, including: Mike’s Market, Senate Coney Island, 7/11 and Rocky’s Rotisserie.

Perhaps the most touching display of support came during the last two hours of the event. Going into sixth hour on the last day, they were approximately 6,000 cans away from their goal of 42,009. Cans were still coming in slowly, but a number of students went around to classes with cash boxes, and were overwhelmed by the support the students showed. At the end of the day, they were counting five, ten, and even twenty dollar bills with the spare change that students contributed.

We are proud of our young people who pulled together to provide assistance to so many in our community.

CHS students surpassed their canned food goal by collecting 46,606 cans for the Livonia Goodfellows. Photo courtesy of Observer News.

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Kindergarten Registration Begins February 2nd!Kindergarten registration begins Monday, February 2nd at all elementary schools. Please contact your child’s future school for more information. Kindergarteners must be five years old by or before December 1, 2009. Kindergarten roundup dates are set for late April and early May. Contact your child’s school for the exact date, or check online at www.livonia.k12.mi.us. Click on Schools. Pull down to K-4 Elementary.

What registration documents are required?For a complete description of required registration documents, visit the Web site at www.livonia.k12.mi.us. Click on For Parents tab. Under District Information, click on Kindergarten Regis-tration. If you do not have Internet access, contact your child’s school directly.

Uncertain which school your child will attend?If you are uncertain which school your child will attend, please contact the Communications office at 734-744-2522.

Congratulations to State Fair “You Be the Chemist” Regional Champion!In September, seven students from across Michigan show-cased their chemistry knowledge as they competed to become champion of the Michigan State Fair’s You Be the Chemist Regional Challenge chemistry competition. The competition is hosted by the Chemical Edu-cational Foundation (CEF) and PVS-Nolwood Chemicals, Inc.

After seven grueling rounds, Brendan Vande Kieft, a fifth grade Webster student, earned the 2008 Michigan State Fair YBTC Regional Challenge Champion title! As the top student from the state of Michigan, Brendan will advance to the State Finals to be held this spring in Midland. Congratulations!

Regional Champion Brendan Vande Kieft is a fifth grader at Webster.

Perrinville Early Childhood CenterKids First is a Great Start Readiness Program for children who will be 4, but less than 5 years old as of Dec. 1 of the school year. Children attend part-day, morning or afternoon, four days a week. Eligible children must reside in the LPS school district. There is no cost to attend. Call 734-744-2765 for application and enrollment information.

Jackson Early Childhood CenterPreschool Enrichment3 and 4 year olds - 32 weeks (September-May) Your child has to be 3 or 4 by December 1, 2009.Registration begins Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. at Jackson Center for the 2009-2010 school year. Due at registration: nonrefundable registration fee and first tuition installment. Registration in person only. For information, call 734-744-2813 X 22103

Preschool / Prep Open House for Parents New to Jackson Center: Thursday, February 26, 2009: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Young 5sYour child must be 5 on or before December 1, 2009.Parent Information Meeting: Monday, March 9, 2009, 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Jackson Center Gym.Registration for the 2009-2010 school year is ongoing beginning Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. at Jackson Center. Registration in person only. For information, call 734-744-2813 X 22102.

PREPDevelopmental Preschool Program with a Parenting Component3 and 4 year olds - 30 weeks - Your child must be 3 or 4 by December 1, 2009. Registration for the 2009-2010 school year begins Monday, March 2, 2009 in Room 17.For information, call 734-744-2812 X 22114.

Jackson Child Care CenterAges 3 months - 5 yearsContracted childcare program with an educational component to meet the needs of all children and working parents. Full-time and part-time care available from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 734-744-2813 X 22112.

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The Digital Imaging and Design program at the Livonia Career Technical Center participated in its first state-wide design competition. Students in the program learned how to create a poster design for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Nick Storms, a senior at Stevenson High School, won the State Farm Award, worth one thousand dollars. The sixteen awards offered this year ranged from one hundred to one thousand dollars. Nick is the recipient of one of the top two awards, and his poster will be showcased at the public viewing of the Auto Show in Detroit from January 17-25, 2009. Great Job, Nick!

Nick Storms, Career Technical Center Digital Imaging and Design Program student and senior at Stevenson High School, won the NAIAS Poster Design Contest.

Kristi Jasin Named “Educator of the Year”The Michigan Competing Bands Association recently named Kristi Jasin “Educator of the Year.” This recognition is a tribute to her musical leadership and her commitment to provide FHS students the best in musical and marching instruction.

Kristi Jasin, Franklin High School Band Director, was named “Educator of the Year.”

Emerson Future Engineers Pictured in Online MagazineEmerson seventh-graders Alejandro Castillo and Ryan Pace were recently photographed for an online magazine called Automotive Engineering International Online. They were pictured testing the wheel-rim force on their team’s toy car using a spring scale. Middle school student teams from around the world participated in the Student Automotive Design Challenge (SADC) where they designed, tested, and built an electric gear-driven toy car.

You can learn more about the challenge and see our Emerson student participants at the following published online article: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers by Kami Buchholz, Automotive Engineering International Online at http://www.sae.org/mags/aei/4665.

Stevenson Students to Perform in State Honors ChoirTen SHS students recently participated in an all day rehearsal and performance of the Regional Honors Choir. Mallory Leckta, Lauren Mallie, Joseph Canty, Corey Snyder, Sara Hanna and Erick McCormick were selected to take part in the State Honors Choir. These students will be rehearsing and performing with vocal students from across the entire state of Michigan in January.

FHS Student Sent Marching in San AntonioFHS baritone player Brian Haw, was selected to perform for the second annual U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. He was one of 97 marching musicians performing at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl halftime show Jan. 3 in San Antonio, Texas. Congratulations!

Career Tech Student Wins Big at the Auto Show

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TeachersoftheYear NominationForm2009-2010

Livonia Public Schools is searching for its 2009-2010 Teachers of the Year at both the elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) levels. A committee of teachers, administrators, and residents has formed to select the designees to be announced in June.

Nominees must possess exemplary personal qualifications, professional skills, and records of school/community service. In addition, they should spend at least half of their time teaching in a regular classroom and have tenure status.

Teacher name: ________________________________________________________________________ School:__________________________________________________________________________ Grade or subject: _______________________________________________________________________ In narrative form, briefly give examples of:

• Personal characteristics of the nominee (integrity, persistence, caring, etc.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

• Excellence in and commitment to the teaching profession (events, quotes, innovations, successes, good personal relationship with students and teachers, etc.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

• Related professional experience (participation in efforts to improve the education and social conditions of the community, etc.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Your name: (PRINT) ______________________________ Phone number: _______________________ Relation to nominee: ___________________________________________________________________

The deadline to nominate is Friday, February 27, 2009. To nominate a teacher, complete form and return: Linda Tymczak, Communications Office, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154. Attach additional sheets if necessary. You may also complete the application online and send it as an attachment or download the application at www.livonia.k12.mi.us.

Help Us Find Our 2009-2010 Teachers of the Year! Focus Groups Gather InputContinued from page 1

A Comment Board was also available in each focus group for any additional thoughts or ideas that participants wanted to share with the Board.

Volunteer staff and parents were trained to facilitate and record the focus group sessions in every session using an identical process.

Feedback from the focus groups will be available on the district Web site in two ways. First, all of the comments will be displayed exactly as written in the sessions. Second, a summary of the input will be created for the Board and also posted on the Web site. Please check our district Web site for the new Facilities Planning link at www.livonia.k12.mi.us. The link will also include updates on the Board’s planning process, including Board meeting dates that will discuss facilities planning on the agenda.

Focus group participants provided thoughtful, detailed, and constructive comments that will provide the Board and district with a great foundation early in the planning process. A special thank you goes to all of the staff, parents, community members and students who contributed their time and input at our focus groups!

Special Thanks to Our Newest LPS Foundation Founding Partners: • Bill Brown Ford • Camp Mirage • Madonna University • Masri Orthodontics • Michigan Education Savings Program

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TipsforSuccessFoster a Love of Writing in Young ChildrenI am always excited to see children develop a love of writing, and I smile when they call themselves writers. It is great to see them pick up a pencil and write because they want to and not because they have to. Exposing children to a variety of materials and giving them many opportunities to express themselves makes writing fun and something they look forward to doing.

The first signs of writing can be seen in young children at an early age. They start out with scribbles, random letters and designs. Drawings can also be seen as an expression of children’s thoughts and ideas. As they grow, they begin to learn about the alphabet. They make letters in sand, shaving cream or with dough to discover what their very own name looks like. Next, their writing might include both upper and lower case letters, which are intermixed and vary in both size and shape. Soon, they learn how to use lines, spaces and correct letter formations, so others can read their work.

At this time, children are also beginning to develop an awareness of spelling. They begin to see that letters make up words, and words are spelled in consistent ways. They begin by using random letters to represent a word or words. Beginning and ending consonants are then used, and vowel sounds are gradually added. Children then begin to spell with a close match between letters and sounds (or like I tell my students) like the way they would see it in a book. Children pass through these stages, each at their own pace, while learning a bit more each day about this new thing they’ve discovered called writing.

As a teacher, I have found that children can easily become frustrated or are afraid to take a risk, if the environment around them is not supportive of their attempts. Quite often, students like to be told how to spell a word rather than attempt to spell it themselves. When this happens, I tell them to stretch out the word by thinking about a rubber band. As a rubber band gets bigger, it stretches out just like you are spelling a word. First you hear the beginning sound, then the middle, and then the ending sound. It is important to always accept their attempts and to praise their efforts for trying. When there is a level of comfort and support, children are more willing to write.

Lori Charochak is a first grade teacher at Hoover Elementary School. She also taught at Taylor Elementary School for eighteen years. This is Lori’s 20th year of teaching for LPS. Lori feels fortunate to be able to touch the lives of so many students and could not think of a more rewarding profession. Lori Charochak is the Elementary School teacher of the year for 2008-2009.

Throughout your home each day, there are many opportunities to promote writing, meanwhile spending some quality time with your child. I hope some of these ideas will help to foster a love of writing with the children in your home:

Greeting Cards:Have your child make special birthday cards for friends and family members. What a great way to express themselves while being creative, too.

Grocery Shopping:On your next trip to the store, have your child make the grocery list. He/she can then check off the items as you shop.

Write to an Author:Pick a favorite book, and write to the author. Your child will be delighted with a response. Receiving letters in the mail is also a nice surprise.

Vacation Time:The next time you take a vacation, pull out the maps and have your child help with the planning. Make certain he/she sends a postcard to someone while traveling.

Planning a Menu:When its dinner time, help your child plan the special menu like in a restaurant.

Journal Writing: Help your child develop their imagination by keeping a daily journal. Journals can help to build your child’s self esteem, because their journal is their very own personal thoughts.

When working with your child, remember to:

W Write everyday R Reinforce your child’s attempts I Interest shown by you motivates your child to write even more T Talk with your child about what they can write E Expose your child to different types of writing

When your child sees you write, he/she sees it is important. If the bond between home and school both place a strong emphasis on writing, it can help make our children more confident successful writers.

Nonprofit OrganizationUS Postage Paid

Livonia, MichiganPermit No. 36

ECRWSSResidential CustomerLivonia Public Schools

Energy Program is Paying OffEnergy Management Program is Laying the Foundation for Long-Term SavingsAt the December 8th Board of Education Building Site Committee Meeting, Energy Manager Joe Harvey presented an update on the dramatic impact that energy saving measures has had on the district. Mr. Harvey especially acknowledged staff for their diligence in reducing consumption of energy.

The Energy Management ProcessEnergy management includes establishing a baseline year of data for each school using comparison data from 2006, 2007 and 2008. The data includes all utility bills; weather data; and consideration of new equipment, such as computers. This data is used to help measure the savings efforts implemented.

There are numerous measures to be implemented through the program, and they are monitored by the energy manager who visits schools each day with a specific checklist and goals to check. He also reports back to the staff at each building on what he has observed.

One Component of the Energy Program: Cost Savings During ShutdownShutdowns occur over the Thanksgiving recess, winter break, midwinter break, spring break and Memorial Day holiday. All buildings are shut down by all staff members who individually receive a checklist of items to implement.

The Energy Manager conducts audits during the breaks at each building throughout the district utilizing a master checklist of 40 to 60 items. All computers are shutdown. Appliances are unplugged. Temperatures in the cold months are set at 55 degrees throughout the break. Following the break, staff at each building is given the results and also a building grade. The staff also receives a comparison to the other buildings’ results.

Energy Education, the energy program consultants, has notified Livonia Public Schools that the district is off to a great start, performing among the top 5% of their clients when comparing the start of the program to others.

Since the energy management program began only five months

ago, the district has reduced energy

consumption by 17%, or 787,590 Kilowatts. This data is based on comparisons of July

through October 2007 with July through

October 2008.

You Gotta Have Art! High Schools Sponsor Art with the Community The week of November 10th marked the 2nd annual Art with the Community Week event. Art teachers and students donated their time to promote the visual arts and to give community members the opportunity to explore and experience a high school art class. Over 300 people participated in one of the three sessions, which occurred over three days at each of the high schools.

The classes were taught by trained student members of the nationally accredited National Art Honor Society. Participants included students, parents, grandparents, and LPS teachers. A variety of art classes were available from which to choose, including drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, clay, jewelry, and photography.

2008-2009 Board of EducationCynthia Markarian, PresidentGregory Oke, Vice PresidentRobert Freeman, SecretaryLynda Scheel, TrusteeDaniel Lessard, TrusteeSteve King, TrusteePatrice Mang, Trustee

Dr. Randy A. Liepa, Superintendent