GWINN, MI – The following Gwinn Middle School students were named “Students of the Month” for October: Emily Antolick & Alex Lehtomaki (6th grade); Taylor Jancsi & Zane Anderson (7th grade); and Brenna Bruce & Daniel Nash (8th grade).
Congratulations to Mr. Owen DeVooght who was named Gwinn High School’s “Student of the Month” for October.
The Board heard public comment from the following:
1. Nadeen Laurich – commented on bussing
2. Roberta Jacobson – commented on bussing
3. Dale Throenle – commented on the KIS Alliance
4. David Laurich – commented on bussing
5. Mary Jo Paris – commented on security lighting at Gilbert School and classroom capacity
Claims in the amount of $475,694 were approved for payment.
District News
KI Sawyer Elementary School
• Congratulations to the following “Students of the Month” from each classroom: Harlow Eberle, Blake Tanner, & Beautrix Zelenik (Kdg.); Andrew Hill, Hannah Eagle, Trey Micheau, Aviendha Deveau, & Mikayla Johnson (1st); Emma Cramer, Kyle Bunnell & Luke Abbott (2nd); Olivia Sarasin, Macie Lehigh & Kylie Johnson (3rd),Caitlin Beaudette, Noi Buyea, Gavin Wise (4th); Connor Kirkwood, Kaysa Gollakner & Angel Griggs (5th).
• We enjoyed a visit from members of the West Branch-Skandia Fire Department and Forsyth Fire Department on October 7th. We held a fire drill followed by an assembly on fire safety for students in grades 3-5 and classroom visits for students in grades K-2. Each student also received a sling backpack to promote fire safety. Three students from each 3rd-5th grade class received a cash award for placing in the Fire Safety Poster and Essay Contest sponsored by the West-Branch-Skandia Fire Department.
• We are in the middle of our MEAP testing for this year. Barbie Ward-Thomas and Cindy Beauchamp have been instrumental in ensuring that all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are getting breakfast each testing day.
• Everyone is invited to come and shop at our Scholastic Book Fair, which will be held on November 5, 6, and 7 during Parent Conferences.
• Walmart donated various school supplies to our school last week. Teachers love FREE school supplies!
Gwinn Middle School
• School picture day is scheduled for Monday, October 28th. Order forms are available in the office.
• MEAP testing will be completed this week. Our students have worked very hard during this testing period.
• The GMS PTO will be wrapping up their Little Caesar’s pizza fundraiser this week to raise funds for Great America. Other upcoming fundraisers will include a pasty sale and the sale of Yooper bars.
• The GMS Student Council will be hosting a “Black Out” dance on October 29th after school just before the 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams first tournament games. Paid admission into the dance will also include admission into the basketball game. We are hoping for a strong showing of GMS students to support our basketball teams. Let’s go, GMS!
Gwinn High School
• Fall Homecoming 2013 was a huge success!
• With the help of the lunch room staff, we are hosting a pumpkin carving contest this week.
• Our “Paint the Stands Pink” week in support of cancer awareness was a wonderful success. Players on the football and volleyball teams wore pink jerseys and cheerleaders had pink pompoms. The volleyball team auctioned off their jerseys and raised $655 for Cancer Care of Marquette County.
• The GHS chorus and chorale will participate in “The Big Sing” at Westwood High School on October 16th at 7:00 pm.
• The National Honor Society will sponsor a blood drive on Friday, October 18th.
• School picture day is scheduled for Monday, October 28th. Order forms are available in the office.
• On Monday, November 11th GMS/GHS will host an Anti-Bullying assembly for all students in grades 6-12. The event features a well known martial artist who has presented to many schools and groups. The speaker is being provided to us free of charge, with the help of fundraising efforts by GMS parent Catherine Quayle.
Superintendent Piereson updated the board on various topics including: a memorial that has been moved from the former MS to near the flagpole at GHS; the potential for a special Board meeting on October 21st to tour the Gwinn Teen Clinic construction project; an upcoming Personnel Committee meeting; the completion of the sewer line project at KIS Elementary School; the Affordable Care Act; a recent GEA grievance; and bussing concerns. Superintendent Piereson also presented the Board with minutes from the recent Athletic and Building & Site Committee meetings.
Sheri Davie, MASB Consultant, updated the Board on the progress for the Superintendent Search. Ms. Davie explained the stakeholder input meetings which will take place beginning in late October and the online survey that will be available for District residents in November. The Superintendent position will be posted in February, 2014 with applications due in March, 2014.
The Board took action on the following:
• Authorized Rob Soyring, Athletic Director, to sign the Sideline 2 Sideline contract for athletics.
• Approved to tentatively accept the transfer of the 15 acres of land adjacent to KI Sawyer Elementary School from the Marquette County Land Bank, contingent on the conditions of the transfer, should the Marquette County Land Bank offer the property to the District.
• Approved the “winterization” of Gilbert Elementary School and maintenance of a minimum heat level to prevent freezing through the 2013-14 winter.
• Approved the employment of UP Engineers and Architects to evaluate the GMS/GHS complex in terms of student capacity.
• Approved the employment of the following personnel:
1. Janet Koistenen – part-time guidance counselor, Gwinn Middle School, effective date of hire – 1st day of the 2013-14 contract year
• Approved the Music Boosters trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from February 8-9, 2014, as a Board-sponsored activity
• Accepted, with great appreciation, the following gifts and donations:
1. Donors Choose – various donations as listed below:
a. 30 copies of the young adult novel “Starved” (valued at $421.84) donated to Amy Laitinen’s English classes at GHS
b. art supplies (valued at $511) for the “Fresh Beginnings: Supplies to Spark Creativity and Inquiry” project for Amy Laitinen’s classes at GHS
c. Logitech speaker system (valued at $163.05) for the “Amplify. Inspire. Create: Learning in the Digital Age” project for Amy Laitenen’s classes at GHS
d. $800 towards the purchase of white boards for Suzanne Hindman’s classroom at GHS
e. $600 towards the purchase of non-fiction reading material for Suzanne Hindman’s English classes at GHS
2. Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan – 173 books donated to KI Sawyer Elementary School
3. Walmart – various school supplies (valued at $1,800) donated to KI Sawyer Elementary School
4. Forsyth Township Library Board – $65 cash donation to the Philip & Ruth Spade Scholarship
5. Forsyth Township Library Employees – $50 cash donation to the Philip & Ruth Spade Scholarship
6. Tim & Cindy Beauchamp and Brad & Janet Stried – donated water and Gatorade for the Varsity football team dinners this season
Board Member Comments
1. Joe Boogren – asked about getting some data on students who have left our District, students who have came into the District, and date on our graduation rates
2. Cindy Filizetti – commented on trying to find ways to offer more “life skills” type classes for students
3. Bill Nordeen – commented on the loss of students through Schools of Choice, the upcoming Policy Committee meeting, and the GMS/GHS student handbook
4. Ron Libey – commented on the student handbook policies regarding suspension and expulsion which he feels hold students accountable for their actions and keeps our buildings safe
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