Summary from the GACS Board of Education meetings held in February 2020

GWINN AREA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

GWINN, MICHIGAN 49841

SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY

FEBRUARY 6, 2020

The Board took action on the following:

• Appointed TJ Derwin to the vacant Board position through December 31, 2020.

REGULAR BOARD MEETING SUMMARY

FEBRUARY 17, 2020

Congratulations to the following Gwinn Middle/High School students were named “Students of the Month”: Ashton Ketola (6^th grade), Seth Phillips (7^th grade); Chase Harteau (8^th grade); Ashlyn Flourre (9^th grade); Madalyn Brady (10^th grade); Mastin Love (11^th grade) and Zaida Pearson (12^th grade).

District News

Gwinn Elementary Schools

• Congratulations to the following “Employees of the Week”: Danielle Delmont, Angie Sharkey, Krista McCormick, Heather Sullivan, Jeff Taylor, Shannon Ball, Connie Sather, Lori Jancsi, Greg Sandell, Rhonda Jarrett, Shane Ruokkala and Amber Ostlund.

• Congratulations to the following “Students of the Month” for Gilbert: Jase Couture, Beau St. Andre, Ruby Derwin, Silas Anderson, Juniper Platt, Rylee Brower, Elizabeth Johnson, Jayna Newsom, Cali Valima, Alayna Soyring, Brooklyn Sorenson, Joanna Grage and Sawyer:  Annwyn Syers, Zayden Myers, Ava Houle, Ava Wikstrom, William Yeager, Zoey Lakenen, Madelin Gauthier, Mason Durocher, Ryan Juhola, Logan Vaughn, Miller Lemmond.

• Mrs. Wagner’s & Mrs. Degler’s 3^rd graders are again collaborating with this semester’s NMU future teachers.  On January 28^th, 54 NMU students visited KI Sawyer where students were paired up with a buddy for an interview and played games.  Our 3^rd grade students led the NMU group on a tour of our elementary building. On February 4, we visited them at NMU.  Students rotated through stations, ate lunch and enjoyed a tour of NMU’s campus. We will be pen pals with them for the remainder of the school year!

• Both elementary schools enjoyed collaborating and setting reading goals during our January PD day.  It was fun to see the teachers work together on how they will continue their reading work with Bookworms and also how we can work as a team to motivate our elementary readers.

• Both elementary schools enjoyed watching the magician Alan Kazam present, “Buddies Not Bullies.”  He had the audience wrapped around his finger as he presented magic tricks while also teaching the importance of being kind and a good friend to all.

• Mrs. Paulsen did her first “Facebook Live Read with a Student!” Carter Belongia read while she videotaped it.  The book they read was about being kind and being you. Check it out on the Gwinn Elementary Facebook pages. It has over 860 views as of 1/20/2020!

• Teachers are trying out a new program called “P2 the Positivity Project”. P2 equips schools with the resources, training and strategies to teach positive psychologies, 24 character strengths and empower their students to build positive relationships. Once a school becomes a partner school, they unlock access to the positivity project resources, training and strategy including access to 32 weeks of grade level differentiated slide presentations for daily 15 minute lessons. So far teachers report that they are loving what they are seeing with this program!

• Lansing based ukulele instructor, Ben Hassenger, will be in the area again in mid-March and will present a one hour lesson to each 3^rd grade class.

Gwinn Middle/High School

• The next HS Bowl tournament at NMU is planned for Saturday, April 25^th.

• The GHS College and Life Prep and Intro to Life classes participated in the Wellness Fair Chili Cook-off. Students learned about various ingredients through mindful tasting, researched recipes, and worked in teams to create and cook their own recipes. 

Superintendent Petrovich gave a brief update on various topics including: the recent school bus inspection; proposed changes for the Michigan Merit curriculum; Governor Whitmer’s proposed 2020-21 budget; and recent Health & Wellness Fair. The Board also received an update on the Sinking Fund, Strategic Plan and Excellence in Education Week activities.

The Board took action on the following:

• Approved the monthly check register in the amount of $681,741.71.

• Approved the District’s amended 2019-20 General Fund budget, which shows a $314,728 fund balance as of June 30, 2020.

• Approved the District’s amended 2019-20 Food Service budget, which shows a $150,215 fund balance as of June 30, 2020.

• Approved the District’s amended 2019-20 School/Student Activity Fund budget, which shows a $120,974 fund balance as of June 30, 2020.

• Approved a contract between GACS and Wells Township Schools for reimbursement to Wells Township for transportation costs for Wells Township high school students attending GMS/GHS.

• Voted for MASB Board of Directors Region 1 candidate Kurt Perron.

• Accepted the resignation of the following personnel:

• • 1. 1. • 1. Laura Spade – PIC/breakfast/lunch server, KIS Elementary School, effective date of resignation – February 6, 2020

            2. William Walimaki – custodian, Gilbert Elementary School, effective date of resignation – February 21, 2020

• Approved the employment of the following personnel:

  • 1. 1. Monica Nordeen – school social worker, effective date of hire – February 17, 2020

1. • Accepted, with great appreciation, the following gifts and donations:

     1. 1. 1. Jamie Gollakner – use of his Gwinn Modeltowners “dedication, tradition, success” logo

           2. Grace Lutheran Church – $267.39 donation to purchase a book for each student at KIS Elementary School student for March is Reading Month

           3. Donor’s Choose – “Speed Dating a Book,” (valued at $193.38) and “A ComforTABLE Classroom, Part III,” (valued at $349.19) donated to Mrs. Hollands’ classroom at GMS/GHS

Public Comment

1. Mary Jo Paris-Johns – asked if the carpet in need of repair across the district would be replaced with carpet or tile

Board Member Comments

1. Brad Johnson – thanked Neil Spring and his crew for an excellent bus inspection

2. Avis Meyers-Ketola – commended the custodial staff for keeping our buildings looking great and thanked the College and Life Prep classes for their entries into yesterday’s chili cook off

3. Brian Heath – welcomed TJ Derwin to the Board

4. John Waldo – thanked the staff members who helped to man the sinking fund table at yesterday’s wellness fair

5. Dawn Andrews – welcomed TJ Derwin to the Board

Click To Submit Press Releases, News, Calendar Items, and Community Events to mediaBrew radio stations WFXD, WKQS, WRUP, GTO, Fox Sport Marquette, and 106.1 The Sound

Marquette, Michigan Calendar; Ishpeming Calendar; Negaunee Calendar; Gwinn Calendar; Negaunee Calendar and Events; Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events; Escanaba Events and Calendar