May 2015 We Are GR Section B

May 2015 | Section B Summer Fun!

~GRPS News (B1-10) ~Parent Engagement (B11)
~Adult Education (B11) ~Early Childhood (B12)

~Nutrition (B13) ~Athletics (B14) ~Summer Calendar (B15)

Vote May 5: Proposal 1 for Road Funding

By: Teresa Weatherall Neal, M.ED., Superintendent of Schools • Proposal 1 substitutes the sales tax on gasoline with the one-cent increase would represent a larger por-
a funding stream that directs all tax dollars spent at tion of their family income. Proposal 1 restores a
If you’re like most the pump to transportation purposes. reduction in the earned income tax credit to offset
of the people I’ve talked the burden of additional sales taxes families at or
with recently, you’re just • The sales tax on fuel provides more than $630 near the poverty level.
now beginning to start million per year for schools. Proposal 1 replaces As you can see, Proposal 1 is complex because it
thinking about Proposal the money devoted to schools and prohibits the was constructed to make sure schools and municipalities
1 and are wondering legislature from diverting school aid funds to four- do not suffer because taxes paid at the pump would be
why we would increase year universities, which have received $200 million dedicated to repairing and maintaining our roads and
our sales tax to improve or more from the school aid fund each year since bridges.
Michigan’s roads. 2011. There are many resources on the internet published
There are some by groups that both support and oppose Proposal 1.
who say Proposal 1 is • Proposal 1 would also provide additional dollars Take the time to study Proposal 1 and, above all, please
too complex because for schools through the increase in the sales tax, as vote. One of the primary goals of public education is to
it involves Michigan’s most of the sales tax revenues are devoted to public prepare young people for participation in our Democracy
roads, Michigan’s schools, the sales tax, and even earned education. and your involvement in the electoral process provides a
income tax credits for low income families. If you’re wonderful role model for your children.
confused, you’re not alone. I’ve taken the time to study • A part of the sales tax on fuel also goes to revenue
it in detail and I’d like to share with you what I’ve sharing, to help your local municipality pay for
learned. Here’s what it does: police, fire, and other services. Proposal 1 would
• Proposal 1 increases the sales tax from 6 cents per replace those revenues through the sales tax in-
dollar to 7 cents, bringing our state sales tax in line crease.
with the sales taxes paid in Illinois, Indiana, Min-
nesota, New York, and Ohio. • Many people fear low-income families will bear the
brunt of the Proposal 1 sales tax increase because

Secure, Connect, Transform: Bond Proposed for November 3

History in the Making When Phase
The GRPS security, technology, and construc- I was developed,
tion bond is a long time in the making. It is a result of the community
extensive community engagement, long term planning, also recommended
sound fiscal management, and proven results. The pro- that the district
posal was first initiated by the community more than 10 update the Building
years ago. In 2004, the Phase I Building Improvement Improvement Plan
Plan was developed as part of a 6 month process to ad- every 5 years as the
dress dilapidated school facilities and outdated technol- list of needs and
ogy. projects far exceed-
In 2004, 60% of our community voted to approve ed $165 million. In
a $165 million bond. The Phase I Building Improve- 2008, GRPS went
ment Plan was the guidebook for how that money was through another
spent. Thanks to good planning, sound fiscal manage- extensive community Secure Connect Transform
ment, and effective implementation, the projects came
in on time and under budget, which allowed for the engagement process and developed the Phase II Building to address the needs of the district. GRPS constructed
addition of two additional projects. Those projects were Improvement Plan. Due to the economic recession, the two new schools, UPrep and Blandford, without a single
the reconstruction of Cesar E. Chavez Elementary and Board of Education decided the timing wasn’t right and local or state taxpayer dollar. This is a first of its kind
renovation of Houseman Field. did not pursue a bond. in the region and a model that gained GRPS state and
national attention.
Without a bond and desperately in need of new
facilities, the Board of Education looked to other ways ■ SEE SECURE, CONNECT, TRANSFORM / A4-5

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2 GRPS News May 2015

Harrison Park Teacher Uses iPads to Enhance Grand Rapids Public Schools
Student Learning
MAY 2015
By Rick Wilson, Courtesy of School News Network
Grand Rapids
can be improved if teachers Gauck said. “Since I’ve already done all Board of Education
are trained to effectively use the work, I wanted to share it with the
and integrate iPads in their other teachers in my district and create 2015-2016
classrooms. a professional development site, which
I’m in the midst of doing right now.” Tony Baker, Ph.D., President
After piloting a test Gauck provided a teaching ex- Maureen Quinn Slade, Vice President
scenario in her special ample: asking students to draw pictures
education resource room on iPads illustrating fractions and then Rev. John Matias, Secretary
using five iPads, Gauck record their verbal explanations. She Monica Randles, M.D., Treasurer
showed remarkable results explained this creates powerful learn-
and earned the support of ing experiences on the front end and Wendy Falb, Ph.D.
administrators who bought meaningful reinforcement later, because Dr. Jose A. Flores
40 more iPads so she could students can refer to an accurate expla- David LaGrand
First grader Alyssa works with teacher Heather Gauck and an iPad expand her efforts. Gauck nation in their own voice and drawings Pastor Nathaniel Moody
says using the technology in their own hand.
lot her has provided the chance to Raynard Ross
individualize learning for This year she’s been pushing into Teresa Weatherall Neal, M.Ed.
As with any technology, a students like never before. second-grade classrooms once or twice
depends on the user. weekly and getting good results while Superintendent of Schools
“Just the fact that you have tech- providing iPads to every student in a
That’s why Heather Gauck, a spe- nology in a classroom does not mean class. She said she’s having success get- Equal Opportunity Institution: Grand Rapids
cial education teacher at Harrison Park that scores are going to go up,” said Public Schools, as an Equal Opportunity
School, has begun organizing a tool for Gauck, a teacher of 21 years. Second-grader Josiah working with an iPad in Institution, complies with federal and state laws
teaching teachers how best to use tech- “Teachers need to have profes- Heather Gauck’s resource room prohibiting discrimination and harassment,
nology to improve student achievement. sional development and be including Title IV and Title VII (with amendments)
She’s had some lofty help. taught how to use them.” ting students to actually show what they of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the
know using this tool. Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504
Gauck was one of 30 other teach- That’s why she’s working of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Veterans
ers nationally invited to bring projects to create a professional develop- “The question everybody Readjustment Act of 1974 as amended 38 USC
they’ve been working on to one of three ment series for other elementary asks is ‘when are we going to 20-12 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of
national Teach to Lead summits in school teachers, a website of- have time to learn this?’ which 1990. It is the policy of the school board that no
Boston in February. After a rigorous fering teachers training on how is why I’m working on the person, on the basis of race, sex, height, weight,
selection process, this select group of best to integrate the technology website,” Gauck said, adding color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age,
teachers was invited to bring to Boston into their classrooms. Gauck she aims to have the website marital status, disability or veteran status shall
pet projects and fine tune them working said she hopes it will save other up and running for use next be discriminated against in educational programs
with experts in various fields. teachers from duplicating her school year. “If this truly is and activities, employment and admission. The
valuable, then people are going District’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer is Larry
Gauck has spent the past four efforts of the past four years. to find time to embed it into Johnson. Mr. Johnson may be contacted at 1331
years working on ways to integrate tech- their classrooms.” Franklin SE, P.O. Box 117, Grand Rapids, MI
nology into her classroom, and made “I just really spent a lot 49501-0117 or (616) 819-2035.
presentations around the state showing of time on my own iPad trying
teachers how to use iPads in this way. to figure out how to push the students’ Title IX Annual Athletics Compliance Report:
Her work shows student achievement higher level thinking skills instead of Grand Rapids Public Schools is committed to
just using an app that does flash cards,” securing athletic equity and provides annual Title
IX reporting to the athletes and parents in an
BREAKING NEWS! effort to bring increased attention and resources
towards ensuring that gender equity as required
Heather Gauck has been by Title IX of the Education Amendments for
named a PBS Digital Innovator. 1972, Grand Rapids Public Schools annual
She is one of just 100 teachers report is available at www.grps.org.
across the country selected for
this honor. To comply with the No Child Left Behind Act
Congratulations! of 2001, Parents Right-To-Know, parents may
request information regarding the professional
qualifications of the student’s classroom
teachers.

Please contact Micky Savage, Director of Human
Resources, in Human Resources via email
[email protected] or at (616) 819-2028.

MAY 2015

is published by
GRPS Communications Office
Grand Rapids Public Schools
1331 Franklin St. SE, P.O. Box 117
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-0117

Phone: (616) 819-2149
Fax: (616) 819-3480

www.grps.org www.WeAreGR.com
John Helmholdt, Executive Director of

Communications & External Affairs
Kalli Zielbauer, Communications Coordinator

Lynn Ritsema, Administrative Assistant

May 2015 GRPS News 3

Best Bang for your Buck:

GRPS Tops List of Efficient

Spenders in Public Education

families, and the percentage of house-
holds that do not speak English as their
first language. The study reviewed 90 of
the most populous U.S. cities.
Personal finance website Wallet Hub “GRPS has been recognized for
has listed Grand Rapids Public Schools years as being fiscally responsible,
at the top of their list “2015’s Cities from positive editorials, to stable bond
with the Most & Least Efficient Spend- ratings. The Wallet Hub report is yet
ing on Public Education”. Grand Rapids another affirmation that Grand Rapids
Public Schools is listed as the 2nd most Public Schools is operating efficiently
efficient city. to ensure academic opportunities for
Efficiency was calculated by Wallet students. It’s very exciting to be able to
Hub by dividing standardized test scores show the taxpayers that they get their
by a district’s total education spending. money’s worth with Grand Rapids Pub-
The data was also normalized based on lic Schools,” said Superintendent Teresa
poverty rate, median household income, Weatherall Neal.
percentage of children in single parent

CA Frost Athletic Director
Named Regional Athletic
Director of the Year

rently in his sixth year in this position.
Matthew Verley, Middle School
Athletics Coordinator for Grand Rapids
Public Schools, praises Covey for his
commitment to the students in the
school district. He said, “Dan’s excep-
tional effort and dedication is exempli-
fied in his commitment to our student
athletes and love for athletics. He has
successfully managed three schools and
15 co-op and combined sports between
each school.”
Covey is dedicated to improving
the athletic program at C.A. Frost. He
recently raised $3,400 to purchase new
volleyball pole systems and floor sleeves
The Michigan Interscholastic for C.A. Frost. Covey also raised money
Athletic Administrators Association for new uniforms, warm-ups, and other
(MIAAA) has selected Dan Covey of equipment for the athletic program.
Grand Rapids Public Schools’ C.A. Frost Covey was previously recognized
Environmental Science Academy as as the Grand Rapids Public Schools
Regional Athletic Director of the Year. Middle School Athletic Director of the
The award was presented to Covey in Year during the 2011-12 school year.
Traverse City on March 22, 2015 at the The MIAAA is a 55 year-old
MIAAA conference. organization with nearly 700 members
Dan is a graduate of Wayland High serving as athletic administrators in
School and Grand Valley State Univer- numerous high school and junior high/
sity. He began his career as a physical middle schools in Michigan. As partners
education, health, and history teacher in with the MHSAA, the MIAAA works
alternative education at Northwest Path- to promote the educational value of
ways in Grand Rapids Public Schools. interscholastic athletics and the role and
Covey then transitioned into his current profession of athletic administrators.
role as a physical education teacher and
athletic director at C.A. Frost. He is cur-

4 GRPS News May 2015

Secure, Connect, Transform

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In 2011, GRPS asked voters to edge neighborhood-school reclamation thanks to a partnership with the Grand from negative to stable but also remain
approve a 5 year Warm, Safe, and Dry project at Congress and Mulick Park; Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley stable for 4 years.
millage as a stop-gap measure to address re-missioning and transforming central State University, Kendall College of Art As a result of the Transformation
basic facility needs, such as roofs, boilers, office to focus on customer service and and Design, the City of Grand Rapids, Plan, the district had the best fall and
windows, heating and cooling, and pipes. supporting schools, instead of the old top Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. and the spring count days in two decades. In the
For more than 20 years, GRPS had down bureaucratic model; reducing the Downtown Development Authority. fall of 2014, GRPS was projected to lose
been in a state of churn and decline. We number of comprehensive high schools Phase II also calls for an International 400 students but lost less than 30. On the
lost more than 8,000 students, closed and varsity athletic teams from 3 to 2; Baccalaureate arts academy. In partner- spring 2015 count day, we actually gained
35 schools, cut $100 million out of the implementing school uniforms district ship with the Grand Rapids Symphony, students! This is practically unheard of in
budget, eliminated 1,000 jobs, and had wide; and overhauling human resources GVSU, Kendall College of Art and an urban public school and is evidence
nuclear style negotiations. to focus on talent retention, recruitment, Design, and other arts organizations, an that stability is being restored to the
In January 2012, Teresa Weatherall and professional development. existing school will be transformed into district. GRPS is now poised to be one
Neal was appointed superintendent and Phase I was successfully implement- the International Baccalaureate program. of the first urban districts in the state and
went on an aggressive listening tour with ed in one school year. This is nothing IB is recognized worldwide and is a nation to grow enrollment.
four basic questions. What is working? short of remarkable and demonstrates proven educational model. The Transformation Plan has earned
What isn’t? What are the barriers? And the caliber and quality of the staff in the Additionally, Phase II calls for the GRPS much praise and recognition. Re-
what are the solutions? More than 1,000 district. For the first time in two decades, transformation of the Central Cam- cently, Wallet Hub put GRPS at the top
individuals participated in small group stability is being restored, we are united as pus. Currently home to Grand Rapids of its list of efficient spenders in educa-
meetings, large community meetings, a district, and operations are firing on all Montessori and Innovation Central, the tion. Superintendent Neal was named
surveys, and more. Superintendent Neal cylinders. Central Campus has been included in regional superintendent of the year and
used the results of the Listening Tour, Following the successful implemen- the downtown master plan in partner- has been called on to present about the
Phase II Building Improvement Plan, tation of Phase I, GRPS is embarking ship with Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. Transformation Plan at the state level.
Cambridge Report, Academic Plan, and on Phase II of the Transformation Plan. Highlights of the plan include demoli- Secure, Connect, Transform
5 Year Strategic Plan to develop a bold, Phase II includes opening and expanding tion of the old City building, making The proposed GRPS bond is about
comprehensive plan aimed at restoring several schools. CA Frost Environmental historic renovations and improvements more than buildings. The future growth
stability and growth to GRPS. The GRPS Science Academy is currently a suc- to the facilities, exploring an urban and success of GRPS is not just an educa-
Transformation Plan received overwhelm- cessful kindergarten through 8th grade farm concept that would introduce the tion issue or a city issue, it’s a regional
ing support from the community and environmental education program. The Erdkinder Montessori model and allow issue! It’s about economic development,
was unanimously approved by the Grand Transformation Plan calls for CA Frost Innovation Central students to enjoy workforce development, and quality of
Rapids Board of Education in December to be expanded to a preschool-12th grade hands-on learning, improving traffic flow life. It’s about retaining and attracting
2012. Since then, it has been the driving program. Beginning in the fall of 2015, and parking, and landscaping and beau- families, job providers, and talent. It’s
force behind the energy, excitement, and CA Frost will serve students in preschool tifying the property. Finally, Phase II calls about investing to make Grand Rapids
momentum growing around GRPS! through 9th grade. An additional grade for continued central office reforms and the number 1 mid-sized city in America.
Stability and Growth will be added each school year. The talent retention and recruitment efforts. GRPS is poised to become a national
The Transformation Plan has three expansion requires more classroom space Success model for how large urban public school
guiding values. First, invest in what’s than the current facility has, so Covell In a short amount of time, the districts can transform for stability,
working. It is important to maintain, will be reopened in the fall of 2016, and Transformation Plan has shown sig- growth, and academic success. Passage of
expand, replicate, and create new schools, the wooded area, stream, park land, and nificant results. Graduation rates have the bond is absolutely key to ensure we
programs, and services that are retaining trail system nearby will be used. Another increased for three consecutive years, in- keep the momentum and success going!
and attracting students and parents and planned expansion is for Zoo School. Zoo cluding double digit increases for African Version 1.0 of the bond plan was
producing academic results. Second, we School is currently a 6th grade program American and Hispanic/Latino students. created based upon the work of the 2008
must invest in talent retention, recruit- but will have room to expand to 6-8th Test scores are trending up across the dis- Building Improvement Plan Phase II
ment, and development. We know the grade under the John Ball Zoo Master trict. Chronic absenteeism has dropped steering committee, the Transformation
key to student success is having the best Plan. Additionally, plans are in develop- 25%. Staff morale is up. And GRPS is Plan, and input from district leaders. Stu-
teachers and school leaders. Finally, we ment to expand Southwest Community one of few urban districts in the state dents, parents, staff, and the community
must create a culture of stability and Campus, a dual immersion school. It that saw its bond rating not only increase
growth. is currently a kindergarten through Transformation Plan Implemented
Phase I of the Transformation Plan 8th grade program, but will become a
called for expanding the number of K-8 preschool through 12th grade program
schools; bringing the talent, innovation, under Phase II.
and resources of four Centers of Innova- In the fall of 2015, a brand new
tion scattered throughout the city to school will be opening. The Grand
one building, Innovation Central High, Rapids Public Museum School will start
where they could co-locate for maximum with 6th grade only and grow one grade
outcomes; reinvesting in theme schools; per year to become 6th-12th. Students
expanding the number of theme schools will actually attend school at the Public
by opening Gerald R. Ford Academic Museum and experience a cutting edge,
Center; reopening Stocking elementary; place based curriculum with an emphasis
partnering with neighborhoods and com- on using the design thinking process to
munity organizations to pilot a cutting learn creative problem solving skills. This
Center of Innovation is made possible

May 2015 GRPS News 5

Proposed Bond Projects

VERSION 1.0 Square Footage SF Modified Type of Construction SF Cost Probable Cost
Innovation Central HS $100 $22,000,000
are encouraged to share their feedback GR Montessori - Fountain 235,350 221,350 $50 $1,700,000
about this list. Just like the Transforma- 110 College Bldg. $500,000
tion Plan was open for public comment City HS/MS/Economicology 35,420 35,420 $75 $17,000,000
and morphed from version 1.0 to version Ottawa Hills HS $75 $15,000,000
3.0 before being adopted, the list of Union HS 53,655 Demolition $100 $26,000,000
proposed bond projects will undergo a SWCC HS $200 $20,000,000
similar process. If the bond passes, GRPS Riverside MS 302,725 225,000 $50 $4,500,000
plans to invest in every school in the Westwood MS $50 $4,500,000
district through technology, security, or Museum 339,710 200,000 $100 $2,000,000
construction. Zoo $200 $2,000,000
The average home in Grand Rapids Brookside 266,430 266,430 $50 $2,000,000
is valued at $100,000. A homeowner Buchanan $200 $15,000,000
with a home at that value would pay just Campus 100,000 New $50 $1,400,000
$8.33 per month or $99.96 per year. Coit $100 $1,000,000
There are a series of community Congress 88,380 88,830 $50 $1,700,000
meetings taking place throughout the East Leonard $50 $1,700,000
city where parents, students, staff, and CA Frost / Covell 89,180 89,180 $50 $1,500,000
community have an opportunity to share CA Frost HS @ Covell $150 $7,000,000
their feedback about the proposed bond North Park Montessori 85,000 $50 $2,000,000
projects. Please mark your calendar to Shawmut Hills $50 $2,000,000
attend one of these meetings and share Sherwood Park 50,000 New $50 $2,000,000
your input. Also, please be sure to mark $10,000,000
your calendar for Election Day, which is Misc. Buildings 38,200 38,200 $10,000,000
November 3. Aberdeen $2,500,000
Beckwith 47,660 60,000 New
Community Meetings (6:00-7:30pm) Ken-O-Sha $175,000,000
Thursday, April 30, 2015 Mulick Park 27,770 27,770
KEC Oakleigh
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School Wellerwood 77,550 77,550
Gymnasium Lincoln
Franklin Campus Admin. 33,665 33,665
1205 Grandville Ave SW Alger
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Blandford 33,985 33,985
Burton
Chavez 58,676 30,000
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 Dickinson
City High Middle School Auditorium GR Ford 37,380 37,380
Harrison Park
1720 Plainfield Ave NE Kent Hills 43,444 43,444
Grand Rapids, MI 49505 MLK
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 Palmer 40,650 40,650
Gerald R. Ford Academic Center Sibley
SWCC 57,000 57,000
Gymnasium Stocking
851 Madison Ave SE Center-based special education sites Technology
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Alternative education programs
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Security
Union High School Auditorium
1800 Tremont Blvd NW Technology/Security
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Thursday, May 14, 2015 Technology/Security
Innovation Central High School
Technology/Security
Cafeteria
421 Fountain St NE Technology/Security
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

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Technology/Security

Technology/Security

Technology/Security

6 GRPS News May 2015

Innovation Central Academic All America Swimmers
Celebrates Student
Achievement Ottawa Hills High School swim team seniors Rob-
ert Pall and Michael Pall have earned NISCA Academic
All America and MISCA All State honors.
Michael Pall (left) is a 4 year varsity swimmer who
qualified for the Division 2 state meet for the last 2
years in both individual and relay events. Michael also
holds a Rainbow Conference record in the 100 Fly and
200 Free Relay. He maintained a 3.86 GPA at City
High.
Robert Pall (right) is a 4 year varsity swimmer who
qualified for the state meet all 4 years of his swimming
career in both individual and relay events. He holds 2
Ottawa Hills High School records and 4 Rainbow Con-
ference records. Robert maintained 3.95 GPA while at
City High.

The Innovation Central PAC club (passing all Innovation Central Student Named
classes) celebration was held on Friday, Feb. 28th after “Youth of the Year”
school. Approximately 400 students passed all their
classes and were given pizza, pop, a certificate and a T- Chelsea Flemings, sophomore at Innovation Cen-
shirt. A raffle was also held with prizes. Congratulations tral High School, was named the 2015 Boys and Girls
students! Club of Grand Rapids Youth of the Year on Thursday,
February 26. As the local winner, Chelsea will go on to
Ottawa Hills compete at the state level.
Winter Sports Union High School freshman Timothy Morton
All-Conference was also recognized as a finalist in the competition.
Congratulations Chelsea and Tim!

Union Winter Sports All-Conference

The following students earned All-Conference
recognition:

Swimming

• Ian Wesolowski (12th)

• Sithivas Tanphaibul (11th)

The following students earned All-Conference Girls’ Basketball
recognition for their participation in winter sports.
Swimming • Tyra Williams (12th)
• Jack Culp (12th)
• AJ Oliver (10th) Boys’ Basketball
• Michael Pall (12th)
• Robert Pall (12th) • Dequaveon Stuckey (12th)
Basketball
• Ojani Echevarria (11th) Hockey
• Anthony McIntosh (11th)
• Lance Clanton-Windom (12th) • Quentin Gerke (12th) Tyra Williams

• Alex Monteith (9th)

• Ian Sorge (12th)

Competitive Cheer Sithivas Tanphaibul
• Rebeca Barajas (9th)

• Zoe Bultman (9th)

May 2015 GRPS News 7

GRPS Students Place in Top 3 in State Innovation
Debate Tournament Central Raises
Awareness about
Two students from City High Middle School took Along with high school debate, City High Middle Multiple Sclerosis
top honors in the state-wide debate tournament, held School offers middle school debate, as well as forensics
Saturday, January 10 at Saginaw Valley State University. at both the middle school and high school levels, and a March 2nd-6th was Multiple Sclerosis (MS) aware-
Competing in legislative (or congressional) debate, high school Model UN program. ness week at Innovation Central High School. The PBIS
junior Henry Atkins took first in the varsity division. committee put on a MS awareness and wheelchair bas-
Teammate Abby Choffel, also a junior, took third in the ketball assembly. Players from the Mary Free Bed Grand
novice division. Rapids Pacers wheelchair basketball team came and told
Atkins and Choffel are part of a seven-student team the students their stories. Some of the students gained
at City High School. firsthand experience being in a sports wheelchair during
Competitors were split into two divisions: varsity a game against a few of the Pacers.
and novice for first year participants. Each division had
60 students competing. Vocal Music
City High Middle School was one of twelve schools Students Medal at
participating in this year’s tournament. Solo and Ensemble
The legislative debate tournament was one of three
state tournaments hosted by the Michigan Interscho- Congratulations goes to all of the vocal music
lastic Forensics Association (MIFA). Other events were students who participated in the high school vocal solo
varsity level policy debate and public forum debate. & ensemble festival on February 7.
Receiving a red medal were soloists Grace Bartle-
North Park Raises Money for Jump Rope son, Brian Domanski, Lucy Freeman, and Lydia
for Heart Reynolds.
Receiving a blue medal, or excellent, were soloists
North Park Montessori held their annual Jump Rope for Anamaria Lopez and Josh Music; a duet made up of
Heart Fundraiser. PE teacher Ms. Kellie Kieren led the fun- Cierra Barrera and Chadsiti Davis; and a quartet made
draising campaign and provided fundraising incentives for up of Grace Bartleson, Ellie Lancaster, Conner Melinn,
the students. Students raised a total of $6441.09, exceeding and Josh Music.
what they raised last year! As a result, they earned no uniform Receiving gold medals, which are an excellent with
Fridays for the remainder of the year and Ms. Kieren taught distinction, were soloists Kobe Brown and Rebecca
class in a princess dress for a week. North Park is ranked DeBoer; and the men’s ensemble made up of Kobe
11th in the region, which extends all the way up to Leelanau Brown, Rowan Corcoran, Jack Culp, Jake Dabkowski,
County, in total fundraising. Congratulations to top fund- Brian Domanski, Chase Murphy, and Larenz Rivero.
raisers Joshua Walker and Erin Waldron (pictured with Ms. Ten out of the 11 events moved on to the state
Kieren), and to all the students who raised money! solo & ensemble competition. Congratulations!

Hockey Team Earns Recognition

Two GRPS students on the Grand Rapids Flames co-op team earned recognition for their performance this
year. City High senior Amanda Pittman earned the Jim Devellano scholarship. Noah Goethal, a City High School
freshman, was named OK Conference Tier III Honorable Mention.

8 GRPS News May 2015

Library and Media Services Celebrates “March is Reading

Month”

Grand Rapids Public Library and the One Book, One
City program. These students, over a three-month pe-
riod, read the book, blogged daily, and created artwork
connected to the story. Students were so absorbed in
this story that they are now moving on to the second
story in the series, P.S. Be Eleven. To follow the student
bloggers, visit onecrazysummer5.blogspot.com and
psbeeleven.blogspot.com. You can also view the cel-
ebration video here https://youtu.be/oIrximKttxg.
Library Media Services celebrated “March Is
Reading Month” district-wide with numerous guest
readers, special activities, contests, door decorations,
bingo for books, and much more. Check out their
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/grpsreads, as they
posted many of these celebrations honoring their love
of reading and literacy.
They are also excited to share that circulation in
the GRPS Overdrive digital eLibrary has reached an
all-time high of 2,255 books checked out in March
alone. You can find the digital library at http://grps.
lib.overdrive.com. Log in using your current student or
staff username and password (Novell credentials).
On March 2nd and 3rd, the Library Media Ser-
vices department kicked off “March Is Reading Month”
with a celebratory event featuring Rita Williams-Garcia,
author of One Crazy Summer. Leading up to this event,
all students in the 5th grade throughout Grand Rapids
Public Schools received a copy of the book courtesy of

Native American Education
Program Students Performed
at Symphony

The Native American Education Program’s students and staff performed for the
sold out Grand Rapids Symphony event featuring the Native American Composer
Brent Michael Davids.

The students and staff rehearsed many hours to prepare for the big event. The
youth drum group was asked to perform a song along with the orchestra while
students danced to the music.

The Native American Education Program would like to thank David Locking-
ton and the Grand Rapids Symphony staff for this life changing event that their
students and community will remember and cherish forever. They would also like to
say “Miigwech” to Gathering Thunder Foundation for purchasing tickets for some
of the students’ family members.

May 2015 GRPS News 9

LOOP at Coit is Sweet!

The Coit Creative Arts Academy
Camp Fire LOOP hosted a mock bakery for
students. The staff challenged students to
make decorated cookies with items in their
basket. They had to be a team, manage their
time, and create a jingle. They even deco-
rated bakery hats and designed their bakery
names! The event was held during confer-
ences to share the fun with parents and staff.
Special thanks to Cornerstone University
volunteers, who helped students with their
ideas.

Reading Now Symposium

Coit was invited to participate in the Reading Now Symposium hosted by the
Michigan Association of School Administrators and the Kent Intermediate School
District. Principal Jason McGhee, Crystal Smith, Lisa Herman, and David Dublis
spoke in a panel discussion in front of 300+ teachers, administrators, and superin-
tendents from the region. They were invited due to their recent success in 3rd grade
reading MEAP scores. The team was interviewed and people from the ISD researched
their building and data before asking them to speak at the symposium about their
success story. Great job Coit!

Sibley Students Make Quilt

Ms. Mandee Allen’s 5th
graders at Sibley Elemen-
tary created a quilt to donate to
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. The
students created the quilt as a
way to “pay it forward” for the
volunteers who work with the
students. The students created
the design themselves.

Conference Champions

The Ottawa Hills boys’ varsity basketball
team was the OK Gold conference cham-
pions and made a semi-final appearance in
the regional tournament. Congratulations
Bengals!

10 GRPS News May 2015

North Park Student Named
Among Winners of State
Writing Contest

Elle Waldron, 13, a student at North Park Montessori, is among the
winners of a state-wide writing competition.
Kent District Library, Schuler Books & Music, and Herrick District
Library announced the winners of the third annual Write Michigan Short
Story Contest. More than 700 writers from across the state entered the con-
test: 215 adults, 426 teens and 104 in the youth category.
“We’ve had another successful year,” said KDL Assistant Director Mi-
chelle Boisvenue-Fox. “We are always excited to see and read so much great
talent in Michigan. We are supported by 155 volunteer reviewers—librar-
ians, booksellers, and Friends of the Library—with over half of them return-
ing from last year’s contest. Many people find this a fun way to support
aspiring writers.”
Winners were chosen by public voting at www.writemichigan.org for the
$250 Readers’ Choice award, and by a panel of judges for the $250 Judges’
Choice and $100 Judges’ Choice Runner-up awards. They were honored at
an awards ceremony on March 21 at Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St.
SE, Grand Rapids. Susan Dennard, author of the young adult series, “Some-
thing Strange and Deadly”, presented the keynote and wrote the foreword
for the “2015 Write Michigan Anthology”, to be published by Chapbook
Press.

Greener Grads

Graduation is a time to celebrate accomplishments with an eye toward
the future. In that same respect, GRPS students are choosing to celebrate
while lessening their impact on the environment and future generations. In
partnership with Greener Grads, a local venture that recovers, reuses, and
repurposes graduation gowns, graduates will have the option to donate their
gowns after they are done wearing them.
Alongside graduates from coast to coast, GRPS graduates will contrib-
ute to Greener Grads’ goal of collecting one million gowns by the end of
2015. This will not only save one million gowns from the landfill, but the
reuse of these gowns in future ceremonies will avoid using 588,235 gallons
of oil to produce new gowns.
By donating their gowns, GRPS graduates are helping to build a stock-
pile of gowns that can be rented to future graduates, which will impact not
only the planet, but also the bottom line.
After each graduation, the gown is steam cleaned and pressed, ready to
rent to the next graduate. Each gown is rented 12 to 15 times before it is
recycled or repurposed into fill material. Renting reused gowns tends to be
less expensive than purchasing new gowns, lessening the financial toll that
graduation can have on families.
Graduates will be able to donate their gown immediately after the
ceremony by placing them in the collection bins. In addition, donation bins
will be placed at each high school in the weeks following graduation, allow-
ing for students who want to temporarily keep their gowns for photos and
other ceremonies.
More information can be found at www.greenergrads.org or by contact-
ing Kristen Trovillion, GRPS Green Schools Fellow, at 616-819-1032.

May 2015 Parent Engagement/Adult Education 11

Stay Connected to the Office of Parent Adult Education
Engagement International
Potluck
In keeping up with the growing trend of social as resources for parents and educators on great educa-
media being a great source of information, the Grand tional and family events around the city. The monthly The Beckwith Adult Education ESL classes cel-
Rapids Public Schools Office of Parent Engagement parent engagement newsletters are also available under ebrated spring with an international potluck. Students
launched a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ the news tab. They highlight the work of the parent brought typical dishes from their home countries to
grpsparents. The page is updated frequently with engagement office at GRPS and give recognition to share with classmates. Many wore traditional garb, as
information about Parent University classes, including schools who are offering outstanding parent events and well. Students traded recipes and cooking tips from
upcoming classes and any time or location changes. who have improved their attendance numbers. Great their homeland while enjoying an international buffet.
The page also features notices about other great parent parent engagement activities are happening throughout
engagement events at schools or in the community that GRPS and the blog is a great opportunity for you to Adult Education
the team thinks are beneficial for parents. You will also learn more about them and join in! Holds College Fair
find great parenting tips, especially about attendance. Finally, if you haven’t registered to become a Power
Check the page out today and like it on Facebook. Parent, the Office of Parent Engagement encourages Adult
Believe 2 Become and LINC also have great Facebook you to do so today! Registration is available at parents. Education
accounts where additional district activities and parent grps.org and is quick and easy. Short, informative on- instructor,
engagement events are shared. line classes are available on the website and will give you Jeff Czyzyk,
Updates have also been made to the Parent a great start towards becoming a Power Parent. The goal organized a
Engagement website at parents.grps.org. The website is to have 100 Power Parents before May 14. Will your spectacular
now has a “news” tab, which is home to a new parent school have the most Power Parents? Register today and college &
engagement blog. The blog has posts about parent start the Power Parent track. career fair for
engagement events from the around the district, as well our students.
Many col-
leges were
represented:

Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State
University, Empire Beauty School, ITT Technical Uni-
versity, Davenport University, Aquinas College, and the
Art Institute.
Students enjoyed a “Getting into College” pre-
sentation by Francisco Ramirez of GRCC. A one
minute introduction of all college/career reps followed.
Students were then encouraged to visit with the college
representatives.
The gym was filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, ner-
vousness, delight, and wonder as students took in all of
the information. To add to the excitement, a drawing
was held for door prizes, and a light meal followed.
Making the transition from high school to college
isn’t only difficult for high school seniors; it can be
overwhelming for adult education students, especially
those who do not speak English.
The college fair was all about helping students
knock down barriers and make an educational plan for
their future.

12 Early Childhood May 2015

Looking for help to keep your
child’s math and reading skills
up for the summer?

The Grand Rapids Academic Sum- and certificates for their efforts. World Class Enrolling in
mer Program (GRASP) is a nine week You may enroll your child at their Preschool Kindergarten
summer correspondence program in school through May 1, 2015. If you
reading and math that seeks to help miss the May 1 deadline, you may enroll The Grand Rapids Public Schools Children who will be age 5 by
students retain skills learned during the in person from June 3-5 at the GRASP operates the Great Start Readiness Pro- September 1, 2015, are eligible to start
year. The program is for students in kin- office. The GRASP office is located gram, which teaches in ways that match kindergarten in the fall. There are two
dergarten through 8th grade. Students behind City High Middle School in the how children develop and learn. GRPS types of kindergarten programs available
complete one lesson a week and mail it City IA building at 1720 Plainfield Ave early childhood professionals make deci- through Grand Rapids Public Schools:
in to the GRASP scoring center. Expe- NE. sions based on the following informa- Neighborhood Schools
rienced staff members grade and record If you have questions, please call the tion: Neighborhood schools offer a
the lessons and return the results to the GRASP office at 616-819-2548. traditional education. They are located
students. GRASP students earn medals • NAEYC child development recom- throughout the city and are open to all
mendations of how children learn students within their attendance area.
Exciting pilot programs are underway
• Individual strengths and interests of to strengthen the connection between
each child neighborhood schools and neighbor-
hood residents. Visit your neighborhood
• Incorporating the children’s inter- school or www.grps.org/enrolltoday to
ests, families, and community into enroll your child.
the classroom Theme Schools
Theme schools offer the core cur-
The Great Start Readiness Program, riculum through a unique lens, includ-
or GSRP, is a state-funded four-year-old ing environmental science, arts and
preschool readiness program for children music, global studies, leadership, and
who will be four years old by September more. In many theme schools, students
1, 2015. GSRP eligibility is primarily have the opportunity for place based
based on income. To explore if you are education and exciting extracurricular
eligible for this free preschool oppor- programming to enhance their learn-
tunity, you can call the Kent County ing. Applications are required for theme
Preschool Intake hotline at 447-2409. schools and space is limited. Visit apply.
If you are interested in GSRP and grps.org or any GRPS school to fill out a
live within the Grand Rapids Public theme school application.
Schools district, you are invited to visit
your neighborhood school preschool
classroom on May 8, 2015. The pre-
school staff would be happy to give you
a tour and help with the application and
intake process. For information about
your neighborhood school, please call
the GRPS Early Childhood office at
819-2111.

May 2015 Nutrition 13

Meet Up and Eat Up

“Meet up and Eat Up” offers free • Dickinson Academy, 448 Dickin- • University Prep Academy, 512 S.
summer meals for children 18 years of son St SE Division Ave
age or younger. All sites are open to the
public, and there is no registration. • Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, The following summer meals sites
The following summer meal sites 851 Madison Ave SE will be offering lunch and a snack, start-
will be offering breakfast and hot lunch, ing on June 15. Lunch will be served
Monday through Thursday. Break- • Harrison Park, 1440 Davis Ave Monday-Friday from 12:00-12:30pm.
fast will be served from 8:00-8:30am NW Snack times are to be determined. All
and lunch will be served from 12:00- dates and times are subject to change.
12:30pm. Meal times may vary. • Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership
Academy, 645 Logan St SE • Boys and Girls Club Seidman Club,
• Alger Middle, 921 Alger St SE 139 Crofton St SE
• Mulick Park Elementary, 1761
Rosewood Ave SE • Boys and Girls Club Steil Club, 235
Straight Ave NW
• Buchanan Elementary, 1775 Bu- • Palmer Elementary, 309 Palmer St • United Methodist Community
chanan Ave SW NE • Boys and Girls Club Paul I. Phillips House, 904 Sheldon Ave SE
Club, 726 Madison Ave SE
• Burton Elementary and Middle, • Shawmut Hills, 2550 Burritt St If you have questions regard-
2133 Buchanan Ave SW NW • Child Discovery Center, 409 Lafay- ing summer meals, please call GRPS
ette Ave SE Nutrition Services 819-2135 or e mail
• Cesar E. Chavez Elementary, 1205 • Sibley Elementary, 943 Sibley St [email protected].
Grandville Ave SW NW • New Faith Temple Church of God
in Christ, 1701 Kalamazoo Ave SE
• Coit Creative Arts Academy, 617 • Southwest Community Campus,
Coit Ave NE 801 Oakland Ave SW

Palmer Students Featured in Calendar Farm to Pizza Ingredients
with new toppings to try and the other • Whole wheat English muffins or
Farm to Pizza at Home one can be the way they like it. They whole wheat pita bread
You can do the farm to pizza project at will have to try both pizzas. • Pizza sauce
home! 6. Eat the pizza! You can choose to • Shredded mozzarella cheese
1. Prepare a clean workspace for your eat it cold or cook it (approximately 8 • Pizza toppings purchased from a
child. minutes). Either way, it’s delicious and local farmer or farmer’s market. Be
2. Have your child wash their hands. a great way to get some extra fruits and creative! Ideas include:
3. Show your child the vegetables vegetables into your diet! o Whole spinach leaves
and/or fruits that you will be using for o Basil leaves
your pizza. Identify each one and talk o Feta cheese
about where it comes from. o Roma or cherry tomatoes
o Red or white onion
4. Demonstrate how to o Green, red, yellow, or orange
Students from Palmer Elementary properly cut the produce with pepper
are featured in the Michigan School a knife. Help your child safely o Black olives
Nutrition Association calendar that was cut their toppings. o Michigan black beans
provided to lawmakers in Washington, 5. Assemble the pizza. Have o Shiitake mushrooms
DC. The students are pictured on the your child spread sauce on the o Marinated artichokes
December page taking part in a “farm to crust, and top with cheese and o Roasted red peppers
pizza” lesson. toppings. Encourage them
Michigan State University dietetic to try new things and talk
interns, Emily Vong and Kathleen Re- about what they liked. Ask
vard, presented the farm to pizza lesson them to put as many colors
to Palmer 2nd graders. Each student on their pizza as they can
learned how to safely cut their own and tell them there should be
vegetables and assemble their English green on their pizza. You can
muffin pizzas. tell your child that they can
make one half of the muffin

Employment Opportunities

We are always looking for motivated and enthusiastic adults to work for the Nutrition Services Department. If you enjoy working with kids and are looking for part-time work
during the school day at one of our school buildings, we have positions available for cafeteria aides and substitute cooks. For more information, call our office at 819-2135 or go
to www.grps.org for an online application.

14 Athletics May 2015

Contact Information

Ottawa Hills Athletics – 616.819.2879
Union Athletics – 616.819.3168

Middle School Athletics – 616.819.3243

Come enjoy great games while supporting our student athletes as they finish out the spring sports season and high schools
prepare for their post season tournaments.

GRPS ATHLETICS Spring Sports Middle School Sports
Physicals
High School Baseball
Softball All student athletes must have a
Baseball Soccer - Girls physical dated on or after April 15th,
Softball Track and Field 2014 to be able to participate in athlet-
Golf- Boys ics for the 2014-15 school year.
Soccer- Girls Elementary
Tennis- Girls
Track & Field Track (2nd -5th Grades)

Spring Sports Dates Calling All
Volunteers
(for up-to-date spring sports schedules go to www.grps.org/athletics/schedules/)
Ottawa Hills’ Mickey Stanley Baseball Tournament – May 16, 2015, 9:00 am Any parents, family, or commu-
nity member interested in volunteering
Ottawa Hills’ Marti Beckering Tournament – May 16, 2015, 9:00 am your time to support student athletes
Middle school baseball/softball – May 16, 2015, 9:00am of GRPS, please contact the volunteer
office at 819-2131 or go to http://grps.
Middle school track championship – May 28, 2015, 5:00pm org/volunteer for the volunteer applica-
Middle school girls’ soccer championship – May 28, 2015, 5:00pm tion.
We are currently looking for:
Elementary track at Houseman Field
Group 1 meet dates: May 12, May 20, May 26, and June 2 • Elementary coaches for cross
Group 2 meet dates: May 13, May 21, May 27, and June 3 country, soccer, basketball, and
track
Join us at Next Year’s Special
Events • Turkey Trot volunteers
Please be aware you will need to fill
Football Season Opener – August 28, 2015 at Houseman Field out our volunteer application and be
1st Game: Union vs Lee at 4:30pm cleared and approved before assisting any
programs.
2nd Game: Ottawa Hills vs Zeeland Eastern at 7:00pm
Turkey Trot presented by Blue Care Network of Michigan – Thanksgiving Morning Sportsmanship
Corner
at Van Andel Arena
Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament – December 2015 As a spectator of interscholastic
athletics please consider the time and
4th Annual Floyd Mayweather Classic – January 2016 effort that each of these young partici-
2nd Annual Red Hawk Showcase – February 2016 pants have put forth to represent his/her
school. The purpose of all athletic activi-
PRESENTED BY: ties is to provide positive learning experi-
ences and opportunities for personal
growth for the participants, coaches,
officials, and spectators. Everyone who
attends can – and is expected to – as-
sist in the promotion and achievement
of good sportsmanship ideals by taking
personal responsibility for keeping this
contest at a high level of fair, clean and
wholesome competition. Remember….
SPORTSMANSHIP COUNTS!

May 2015 GRPS Calendar 15

SPRING/SUMMER CALENDAR
April - June 2015

April 25, 2015 Collaborative Youth Fair, City High Middle School,
9:30am-1:30pm
April 27-May 15, 2015
May 8-26, 2015 MAP Testing
Citywide Art Show, WMU Conference Center,

May 16, 2015 M-F 8am-9pm, Sat. 8am-5pm, Sun. closed,
May 22, 2015 free admission
May 25, 2015 State of our Schools, Ottawa Hills High School, 9:00am
May 29, 2015 Half Day for Students (AM)
June 3-5, 2015 DISTRICT CLOSED, Memorial Day
LOOP After-School Program Ends
June 4, 2015 Half Day for Elementary Students (AM)
June 5, 2015 Half Day for Secondary Students- Exams (AM)
June 5, 2015 City High School Graduation, 6:00 pm
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
June 6, 2015 Special Education Recognition Ceremony, 4:30 pm
Adult Education Graduation, 7:00 pm
Ottawa Hills High School Graduation, 11:00 am
Union High School Graduation, 2:00 pm
Innovation Central and Grand Rapids Montessori
Graduation, 4:30 pm
Grand Rapids University Prep Graduation, 7:00 pm

16 May 2015