GWINN AREA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS – GWINN, MICHIGAN 49841
BOARD MEETING SUMMARY – JANUARY 20, 2014
Congratulations to the following Gwinn Middle School “Students of the Month”: Cheyenne Meier & Kaden Watt (6th grade); Amanda Anderson & Jacob Wainio (7th grade); and Claire Hohman & Dakota Dupras (8th grade).
Congratulations to Ms. Haylee Lakenen, Gwinn High School’s “Student of the Month” for January.
The Board heard public comment from the following:
1. Peggy Noha – commented on the property adjacent to KI Sawyer Elementary School
2. Dale Throenle – updated the Board on the Sawyer Alliance
Claims in the amount of $791,664 were approved for payment.
District News
KI Sawyer Elementary School
Congratulations to the following “Students of the Month”: Kailan McGeshick, Dane Micheau, Logan Latta & Marissa Strohm (Kdg.); Aubrey Paquin, Andi Roberts, Caleb Sherman, Jered Hinkhouse & Dane Wixtrom (1st); Leif Lowed, Harmony Griggs & Adrian Roberts (2nd); Elijah Heidtman, Emma Clairmont & Ashlyn Flourre (3rd); Zamir Curtis, Blaze Houle & Steven Mulari (4th); Amanda Dougherty, Ashton Rearick & James Harnick (5th).
Abigail Cramer is the winner of the recent 5th grade building spelling bee.
Competing in the upcoming 5th grade district spelling bee are: Abigail Cramer, Hunter Figgins, Tia Nordeen, Dawson Dolby, Hunter Uhlbeck, David Duvall, Autumn Duer, and Blake Winquist. The Bee will be held on Thursday, February 6th, at 9:30 a.m.
The first “Word to the Mic” for this year was held on Wednesday, January 15th. Fourth and fifth grade students shared original writing with an audience during the lunch hour. The next event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12th. Everyone is welcome.
We are hosting the K.I. Sawyer Elementary School Winter Olympics starting with our Opening Ceremony on Thursday, February 6th, at 2:00 p.m. Each class will represent a participating country in this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi. We will also have two Olympians from the USOEC with us for our event. Everyone is welcome.
Our first session of Countdown to Kindergarten is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th. All families of incoming kindergarten students for the 2014-2015 school year are invited to attend.
Gwinn Middle School
GMS will host the Regional Spelling Bee on February 26th and will include 5th-8th grade students from Gwinn, Ishpeming, Negaunee, Marquette and Westwood. Winners will advance to the UP Spelling Bee in March.
GMS will host a dance for all students on Thursday, January 23rd from 3:00-5:30 pm. A big thank you goes out to SIR Credit Union for sponsoring the dance so that all students can attend free of charge. Immediately following the dance we will cheer on our GMS boys basketball teams as they play Ishpeming. Tipoff for the 7th grade game is at 6:00 pm, the 8th grade game will follow.
The GMS/GHS Drama club will be holding auditions for “Little Shop of Horrors” this week.
Report cards and our GMS quarterly newsletter will be going home with students on Tuesday, January 21st.
Gwinn High School
Students are enjoying homecoming activities this week with a girl’s basketball game on Tuesday evening (vs. Westwood), and boy’s basketball games on Wednesday (vs. Ishpeming) and Friday (vs. Munising). Let’s go Modeltowners!
GHS Quiz Bowl team continues with their season and will compete again on February 7th at NMU.
Superintendent Piereson gave a brief update on various topics including: the recent Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, summer academic programs for elementary and middle school students, an MASB class to be held at MARESA, two cases before the Michigan Tax Tribunal, Board Member Recognition Month, a proposed ballot proposal for a sinking fund millage and/or bond proposal for busses and technology, and two potential solutions to the heating issues at KI Sawyer Elementary School. Dr. Piereson also updated the Board on the 2013-14 Excellence in Education Week activities and a recent meeting of the Board Policy Committee.
Ms. Meghan McLeod and several of her students gave the Board a brief overview of their Peer to Peer program at GMS/GHS. Peer to Peer is a general education elective class in which general education students in work directly with special education students to help and support them with academic and social needs. The class includes readings, discussions, and presentations to help students develop as peer mentors and includes information on different disabilities, accommodations, problem solving, and building a greater understanding of those with unique needs.
The Board took action on the following:
Elected Board Officers for 2014 as follows: President – Gloria Bigelow; Vice President – Ronald Libey; Secretary – Cynthia Filizetti; Treasurer – Ron Lauren.
Board Meetings for the coming year will be held on the following dates: February 17, March 17, April 28, May 19, June 23, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15, 2014 and January 19, 2015. All meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Gwinn High School Library.
Bill Nordeen was appointed to serve as the Board’s representative to the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency.
Cynthia Filizetti was appointed to serve as the Board’s representative to the Marquette-Alger Association of School Board Members.
Approved financial depositories in which district funds will be placed.
Designated those authorized to sign checks, sign contracts and agreements, use the safety deposit box, and use District credit cards.
Passed a resolution to amend the District’s Cafeteria Plan to reinstate the Health Savings Account Benefit.
Approved changes to the GMS/GHS student handbook.
Authorized the Superintendent to work with UPEA to develop a full “to scale” plan for use of space at GMS/GHS, including meetings with staff on grade locations and space, and a color coded plan for display, at a cost not to exceed $2,000.
Accepted, with great appreciation, the following gifts/donations:
1. South County Fund Committee – $688 donated to the cheerleading program for the purchase of stunt and tumble mats
2. Exxon Mobil/Modeltown Express – $500 donation to KI Sawyer Elementary School to be used for math or science
3. Easy Storage – cash donation for the “Girls on the Move” program for 5th grade girls at KI Sawyer Elementary School
Board Member Comments
1. Bill Nordeen – stated he would try and attend the February 3rd meeting of the Sawyer Alliance
2. Cindy Filizetti – commented on the recent open house at the Gwinn Teen Clinic
3. Gloria Bigelow – commented on the recent open house at the Gwinn Teen Clinic
4. Joe Boogren – applauded those who were instrumental in the recent purchase of used busses
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