Homer Community Schools 403 S. Hillsdale Street Homer, MI 49245 Phone (517) 568-4461 • FAX (517) 568-4468 • www.homerschools.net Facebook: Homer Community Schools Home of the Trojans School Buildings and Administration

Superintendent’s Office 568-4463 Ext. District Programs and Services Ext. FAX (517) 568-4468 Transportation Supervisor Marsha Eldred 4000 Superintendent Robert Wright 1642 Maintenance Dale Cornstubble 1731 Secretary Martha Robinson 1639 Technology Angala Miller 1153 Business Manager Julie Waterbury 1641 Food Service Gerri Craddock 1514 Payroll Kathy Grundemann 1640 Social Worker Wendy Danko 2136 School Nurse Tammie Calhoun 1324 High School 568-4464 Ext. Guidance Counselor JoEllen O’Keefe 1120 FAX (517) 568-7125 Custodian Supervisor Mark Hauler 1731 Principal Tom Salow 1123 Athletic Director Matt Moffett 1622 Secretary Julie Raysin 1116 Assistant Principal/ Director of Inst. Tech. Duane Sitkiewicz 1124 Middle School 568-4456 Ext. Community Unlimited Pre-School Program FAX (517) 568-7125 Julie Dibert (517)741-4656 Principal Scott Salow 1122 Secretary Amanda Hagerman 1114

Elementary School 568-4452 Ext. Board of Education: FAX (517) 568-5651 President Gary Tompkins, Jr. Principal Heather Cahill 1453 Vice President JoAnne Miller Secretary Cindy Kirkbride 1454 Secretary Kimberly Willis Treasurer Catherine Yates Trustee Tamara Winchell Trustee Chad Rocco Trustee Josh McCullough *Extensions may be reached by calling (517) 724-9369.

Homer Community Schools Staff Voicemail Directory

To reach any of the voicemail extensions listed below, please call (517)724-9369. This will automatically connect you to the voicemail system. After the greeting, enter the extension number you wish to leave a message with. This only goes to voicemail. If you need to reach a main office, please call the superintendent’s office at (517)568-4463, the high school office at (517)-568-4464, the middle school office at (517)568-4456, the elementary school office at (517)568-4452, or the Athletic Office at (517) 568-4461. Direct lines to staff are now on the school website.

ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Kindergarten Art 5th Grade Nicole Ball 1144 Tracey Crandall 1333 Rhonda Pebernat 1312 Michelle Britton 2107 Joseph Brya 1130 Michele Sharp 1303 Royce Crandall 2109 Renee’ Cribbins 1152 Tonya Woodworth 1308 Special Education Deb Miller 2108 Libbi Dodd 1143 Darcy Harsch 1316 Charles Finch 1131 1st Grade Michelle Besson 1322 6th Grade Lora Finch 1631 Jennifer Blatter 1429 Donn Anderson 2116 Tom Fleming 1133 Courtney Poe 1434 Title I Megan Davis 2117 Terry McKown 1132 Sarah Smith 1440 Jennifer Johnson 1325 Isabell Nazar 2111 Scott McMeeking 1522 Debbie Winchell 1435 Brenda McClure 1446 Joe Mueller 1149 7th Grade Melissa Parker 1126 2nd Grade Gym Jeremy Ball 2143 Hannah Philson 1142 Jessica Canfield 1444 Kim Turbin 1459 Ali Irish 2138 Randy Shank 1528 Kim Eishen 1441 Tom Orr 2140 Jaimie Tekiele 1145 Jeff Hollister 1423 Media Center Barb Ramirez 2139 Brett Vernon 1719 Nichole Mansfield 1428 Diane Shank 1328 Lyndi Wolfinger 1527 Sue Timmins 1207 8th Grade Ben Woodring 1634 3rd Grade Holly Blashfield 2129 Ellie Avery 1410 Matt Howe 2130 Special Education Bobbie Bouvier 1413 Brad Roth 2132 Sally Sheets 1129 Michelle Failing 1464 Susan Woodliff 2131 Julie Yeider 1127

4th Grade Special Education Attendance/Athletic Clerk Katelyn Evans 1405 Amy Cupp 2118 Karen Sprague 1115 Nancy Lemmon 1414 Genevieve Huntley 2106 Jim Smith 1467 Lynne Wood 2128 Homer Community Schools’ Vision “The Destination for Excellence” for the Education of Students in the 21st Century

Homer Community Schools’ Mission Statement

It is the mission of Homer Community Schools to create an environment that engages students in learning that results in a high level of achievement. All students are expected to master our challenging curriculum with the support of our school community working collaboratively with colleagues, students, parents and the community to achieve this shared purpose.

Adopted by the Board of Education on May 20, 2013

Things to Be Proud of at Homer Community Schools

>Early Intervention Preschool >Active FFA program >Curriculum enhancing annual field trips: >Counselor developed parent guides to college >Spanish instruction -Mackinac Island – 4th grade applications and a full course offering booklet >Academic service learning -Chicago/ Wash. D.C./Toronto/NY – >Big 8 Athletic Conference >K-6 Reading & Writing Program H.S. band >Two annual Drama Club productions >Band Booster Club -Capitol Building in Lansing – 4th grade >Fully renovated elementary building >Trojan Athletic Club -6th grade campout >School nurse on staff/school based health clinic >Award winning concert bands, M.S. & H.S. -Cedar Point – 8th grade >Counselor and social worker serving all buildings >Jazz band -Greenfield Village – 3rd grade >YAC, youth division of the Community Foundation >Marching and pep bands >Middle School CHAMP Club >GAP, a grant program for after school and summer >Dance/flag core team >Summer recreation program recreation/educational offerings >Vocal music K-12 >Strong parental involvement >New teacher induction and mentoring program >Grade level teaming at the M.S. >Community Preschool >Josh Collmenter – Arizona Diamondbacks >Career Center for 11th & 12th >Safe, secure district >High School Honors Courses >Student-run greenhouse >2008 state runner-Up Division IV >2006 State Champion Div IV baseball team >National Honor Society softball team >National baseball coach of the year 2006 >4 fully equipped computer labs >Band participation in the Michigan >2005 Nat’l record 75 consecutive baseball victories >Scripps National Spelling Bee participant Music Conference >New middle school/high school building ›Chicago Trip – 7th grade ›2009 Title I Distinguished School Award for ›Academic Booster Club Middle School

HOMER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS QUICK FACTS :

 Homer Community Schools are located in Homer, Michigan and have a current student population of 1,075 students. The schools are located on approximately 17 acres of land and are composed of the Lillian Fletcher Elementary School and the new Homer Middle School/Homer High School complex.

 We participate in the Big-8 Athletic Conference; over 300 students per year compete in a wide range of middle school and high school athletic activities. Our athletic program receives a great deal of help from a very active and supportive Trojan Athletic Club.

• Over 100,000 meals per year are served to our K-12 students. Breakfast costs are $1.30, lunch costs are $2.15 per elementary child and $2.35 per middle school/high school student.

 The school district has a very modern, clean, and well-maintained physical environment. The 1987 addition, the renovations in the elementary and new building structure in 2004, and the opening of the new high school/middle school building in January of 2013 have made our K-12 facility one of the best in the area. Our fleet of 13 state-inspected buses travel over 100,000 miles per year under the care and responsibility of our 9 state approved drivers.

 Homer Community Schools continues to update facilities with the completion of our new high school/middle school classroom structure in January, 2013.

FIGURES:

Total Enrollment...... 1,093 CHANGES AT HOMER SCHOOLS: Teachers …………………… ...... 62 Counselor and social worker ...... 2  New asphalt on high school parking lot. School nurse ...... 1  Playground renovations. Data processing...... 1  Upgrades to secure all entrances for Food services ...... 11 student safety. Secretaries ...... 6  Continually updating latest technology. Maintenance ...... 2  Homer Community Schools will be Custodial ...... 5 applying pest control on Fridays during the Administrators ...... 5 school year as necessary. Bus drivers ...... 9 Paraprofessionals ...... 16 Total Staff ...... 120

Homer Community School District

2015-2016 Homer Community School District Goals Adopted 05/18/15 1. Learning environment: Provide a safe, innovative, quality learning environment to prepare students for college and career readiness. 2. Student achievement: Exceed standards for individual, classroom, district and state assessments and meet/exceed requirements for graduation. 3. Communication: Strengthen internal and external communication and implement a purposeful program to celebrate the successes of the district. 4. Financial stability: Maintain a secure financial standing. 5. Professional development: Ensure that the district professional development plans are specific, intentional, and that ALL staff use data resources and instructional technology to support student achievement and curriculum alignment. 6. Curriculum alignment: Continue to align and update common core/state standards vertically K-12 and horizontally within each grade. Curriculum decisions are data- driven. Assessments for learning and of learning will be used for curriculum decisions and classroom instruction. 7. School improvement: Continue to develop and empower teacher-led school improvement teams to increase student achievement and advance the culture of high expectations. We will continue to support professional learning teams as part of the culture to sustain progress and use data to identify and focus on areas for continuous improvement.

DISTRICT OUTCOMES: Academic  Develop in each student, to the best of his/her ability, the skills needed to communicate and comprehend ideas through reading, writing, speaking and listening.  Develop the skills needed by each student to perform and compute mathematical operations and concepts in accordance with his/her ability.  Develop within each student personal values, goals and an approach to living that is enriched by experiences in the natural and social sciences, humanities and creative arts.  Develop each student’s ability to practice and understand the ideas of physical and mental well-being through proper health and safety habits. Self Awareness

 Assist students in acquiring information about their personal characteristics (both positive and negative) as well as those of others.

 Assist each student to realize that self development (self-worth, self-respect, pride in himself/herself and his/her work) is a life-long process.

 Develop student’s decision making skills.  Provide experiences that will lead to the student being able to assume increasing responsibility for their own learning (present and future).  Develop in each student the knowledge and respect necessary for the appreciation, maintenance, protection, preservation and improvement of his/her physical environment. Vocational-Avocational  Assist each student in identifying, and exploring a variety of occupational roles and settings in accordance with his/her abilities, characteristics and interests.  Create an opportunity for each student to develop an employable or saleable skill, which will meet both present and future needs and changes.  Assist each student in recognizing and obtaining a desire for various educational alternatives and to aid his/her ability and interests.  Develop in students a basic understanding of the life roles of man (vocational, leisure time, citizen and family living). Social  Develop student understanding of the value system, cultures, customs, and histories of their own heritage as well as of others…to gain an appreciation for the past and present cultures and for the beauty throughout the world.  Develop the student’s ability to apply rational, intellectual understanding to the identification, consideration, and solution of problems and changes that take place in the world.  Assist students to develop respect and understanding of the rights of peoples of all races, religions and cultures whom may think, dress and act differently.  Develop the student’s ability to act in a responsible manner in current and social issues, and to participate in society and government while seeking to improve them.  Develop the student’s ability to understand the aspects of and practice proper individual and group behavior in order to get along with people with whom they work and live.

Lillian Fletcher Elementary School 291 W. Fulton Street, Homer, MI 49245 (517) 568-4452

Elementary Staff – 2015-2016 www.homerschools.net Principal – Heather Cahill

TEACHERS: Ellie Avery Student Achievement Michelle Besson Jennifer Blatter In June 2014, the Michigan Legislature required the Michigan Department of Education Bobbie Bouvier Jessica Canfield (MDE) to develop a new test for spring 2015, creating a need to reduce a normal three-year Tracey Crandall test development process to nine months. We have been working hard to accomplish this and Kim Eishen are excited to announce our new assessment system called the Michigan Student Test of Katelyn Evans Educational Progress, or M-STEP. Michelle Failing Darcy Harsch The M-STEP will include our summative assessments designed to measure student growth Jeff Hollister Nancy Lemmon effectively for today’s students. English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in Brenda McClure grades 3–8, science in grades 4 and 7, and social studies in grades 5 and 8. It also includes the Melissa Parker Michigan Merit Examination in 11th grade, which consists of a college entrance exam, work Rhonda Pebernat skills assessment, and M-STEP summative assessments in English language arts, Courtney Poe mathematics, science, and social studies. Michele Sharp Jim Smith Sarah Smith www.michigan.gov Debbie Winchell Tonya Woodworth All students were administered this assessment in April-June 2015. We are expecting those % Highly Qualified – 100% results in the Fall of 2015.

Wendy Danko – Social Worker

SUPPORT STAFF: Cindy Kirkbride – Secretary 6 Classroom Tutors/Teacher Aides Student Body: 3 Special Ed Aides 2 Title I Aides (shared) Enrollment 2014-2015 11 Kitchen Staff (shared) Kindergarten……..... 93 2 Maintenance (shared) 1st ...... 90 AVG. DAILY ATTENDANCE – 96 % 5 Custodial (shared) 2nd ...... 83 3rd ...... 88 Parent-Teacher Conference Attendance: 4th ...... 84 Fall – 97 % Total ...... 438 Spring – 96%

Exciting Events at Lillian Fletcher Elementary

 Art, Music, PE, and Library Specials  Universal Breakfast, free for everyone  Awesome field trips including Mackinaw Island and Greenfield Village  Technology! Computer lab time each week, and iPads and Chromebook carts  Tons of family activities including family movie night and a carnival  Open communication between the school and family  Parent Resource Room where you can check out materials to help your child at home  Summer GAP and lunch programs

TITLE I NEWS

2014-2015 was the second year as school-wide Title I Schools for both the Elementary and Middle school. The Supplemental Intervention Team (SIT), which consisted of a Title I Teacher, Title I Facilitator, and para- professionals provided interventions to over 100 students in grades K-8. Homecoming 2011 At the Elementary School, students received a variety of interventions, such as intensive focus on word work, reading and math facts.

At the Middle School level, selected students received

the intervention as well as an Academic Literacy Class. The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) met several times throughout the school year. You can find agendas and minutes of these meetings on the Homer Website under the “Title I” tab.

Homer Middle School 403 S. Hillsdale Street Homer, MI 49245 (517) 568-4456 www.homerschools.net

Middle School Staff – 2015-2016 Principal – Scott Salow An average of 362 students attended Homer Middle School during the 2014 - 2015 school year.

TEACHERS: 2014-2015 Student Count by Grade: Average Daily Attendance: Donn Anderson Jeremy Ball 5th ...... 85 5th…………………95% Holly Blashfield Michelle Britton 6th ...... 89 6th…………………94% Royce Crandall Amy Cupp 7th ...... 91 7th…………………96% Megan Davis Matt Howe 8th ...... 97 8th…………………94% Genevieve Huntley Ali Irish Deb Miller Isabell Nazar Parent-Teacher Conferences: Tom Orr Barb Ramirez During the fall conferences there were 195 verified parental contacts. Spring conferences saw Brad Roth Kim Turbin 175 parents in attendance. Lynne Wood Sue Woodliff

Wendy Danko – Social Worker Rebecca Pinard – Student Support Specialist

% Highly Qualified – 100%

SUPPORT STAFF: Amanda Croad - Secretary 3 Teacher Aides 11 Kitchen Staff (shared) 2 Maintenance (shared) 5 Custodial (shared)

Homer Middle School

Extra-Curricular Activities & Programs

Football 5th Grade Trip to Battle Creek Bombers Game Harvest Fest Athletic Fan Section Boys/Girls Basketball 6th Grade Campout Recycling Program Open House Kick-Off Cheerleading 7th Grade Trip to Chicago FFA ABC Honors Night Boys/Girls Track 8th Grade Trip to Cedar Point Positive Parent Contact Roller Skating Cross Country Fall Activity Night Pep Assemblies Monthly school-wide trips Wrestling 5th-8th Grade Spelling Bee Movie Nights K-Wings Hockey Game Volleyball Science Fair School Picnic Walk-A-Thon Quiz Bowl/Quiz Busters March is Reading Month Christmas Shape Match GAP Program Bowling Trip Homecoming/Sno-Coming Can Drive 7th/8th Grade Dances Helpful Homer CHAMP Parent Club Pizza Parties Downhill Ski Trip Executive Council Penny Pinch

Homecoming Student Achievement

In June 2014, the Michigan Legislature required the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop a new test for spring 2015, creating a need to reduce a normal three-year test development process to nine months. We have been working hard to accomplish this and are excited to

announce our new assessment system called the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP.

The M-STEP will include our summative assessments designed to measure student growth effectively for today’s students. English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3–8, science in grades 4 and 7, and social studies in grades 5 and 8. It also includes the Michigan Merit Examination in 11th grade, which consists of a college entrance exam, work skills assessment, and M-STEP summative assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

www.michigan.gov

All students were administered this assessment in April-June 2015. We are expecting those results in the Fall of 2015.

Homer High School 403 S. Hillsdale Street Homer, MI 49245 (517) 568-4464 FAX (517) 568-7125

High School Staff- 2015-2016 2014-2015 Student Count by Grade Tom Salow - Principal

TEACHERS: 9th 85 Nicole Ball 10th 75 Joseph Brya 11th 58 Renee’ Cribbins 12th 75 Libbi Dodd Total 293 Chuck Finch Lora Finch Average Daily Attendance – 95% Tom Fleming Parent/Teacher Conference Attendance: Terry McKown Fall – 32% Spring – 26% Scott McMeeking Matt Moffett Joe Mueller Melissa Parker Hannah Philson Sally Sheets Jaimie Tekiele Brett Vernon Lyndi Wolfinger Ben Woodring

Julie Yeider

Wendy Danko – Social Worker JoEllen O’Keefe – Guidance Counselor

% Highly Qualified – 100% SUPPORT STAFF: Julie Raysin – Secretary 2 Teacher Aides 11 Kitchen Staff (shared)

2 Maintenance (shared) 5 Custodial (shared) Homer High School

High School Activities

•Homecoming Pep Rally, Parade and Activities •National Honor Society •Golf •Pep, Marching, Jazz and Concert Band •Quiz Bowl/Quiz Busters •Volleyball •Vocal Music •Spanish Club •Baseball •Dance/Flag Core •Youth in Government •Track •School Yearbook •Student Council •Wrestling •Drama Club •Football Buddies •Football •Sno-Coming Activities •FFA •Softball •Cheerleading •Basketball •Cross Country

Dual Enrollment . . . . .

Effective April 1, 1996, Public Act 160 created the School Closings Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act which directs The announcement of school delays and closings due to hazardous school districts to assist students in paying tuition and fees conditions will be made beginning at 6 am on: for courses at Michigan public or private colleges or universities if certain conditions are met. This is called WUFN (96.5 FM) WQLR (106.5 FM) th th “Dual Enrollment.” Students in 9 – 12 grade are eligible WLNA (TV 6) WKFR (103.1 FM) if they mee t the criteria for dual enrolling. This is a great WOOD (TV 8) Q106 (106 FM) way for students to get a jump start on earning college WNWN (98.5 FM) WWMT (TV 3) credits! For more information on this program, please see WLAJ (TV 53) WSAE (106.9) the high school counseling office. WILX (TV 10) FOX 47 (TV 47)

*Homer Schools uses SchoolMessenger. This system uses your phone to alert you of delays and closures. Please Do Not Call The School.

Be Homer Strong to All Parts of the World by Hosting an International Exchange Student!

Open you heart, your mind, and your home to an International High School Student for one semester or a full school year. This opportunity is a great way to support Homer Community Schools, give a student a unique educational experience, and learn about a new culture at the same time! All you need to provide is a bed, three meals a day, and a willingness to welcome the student into your family! The student is responsible for their own spending money, school expenses, toiletries, etc. as well as their own health insurance.

Please help us make a difference in the world! Contact the high school guidance office today at 517-568-4461 for further information! Homer Community Schools

Parent Involvement:

»Band Boosters »Homer Trojan Athletic Club »Academic Booster Club-ABC »Advisory to FFA The Calhoun Area Career Center, located in »FFA Alumni Battle Creek, Michigan, services approximately »Alumni Association 25 junior and senior Homer High School students

»Parent/Teacher Conferences on a yearly basis. The center has 17 instructional programs that provide students with access to transferable and job specific skills.

Special Education Homer GAP Program The Homer GAP Program, under Over one hundred special needs students are served the direction of Holly Blashfield, in seven classrooms- one in the elementary, three in is totally grant funded by the middle school, and two in the high school area, Community Foundation Alliance uniquely designed to meet individual academic and of Calhoun County. This fantastic social needs. The students are placed in programs program, geared for kids ages 5 following professional screening and a team meeting (Individual Educational2009 Planning-2010 Big Committee) Brothers/Big which Sisters Program Participants and up, offers some of the coolest includes the school psychologist, school social activities around. The “Popcorn worker, classroom teacher, special needs teacher, Theater” at the Tibbits Opera parents, and principal. Student goals and objectives House is always a great time! are reviewed annually as part of the I.E.P.C. process. Other events include cooking Using tests, task analysis, and observation (both camps, Tiger and Lugnuts formal and informal) parents and educators work baseball games, Impression 5 together to maximize the learning opportunities for Hands On Museum, the Air Zoo each child. Our speech and language pathologist in Kalamazoo, as well as had an average of 50 students on her caseload. Our school social worker provided service to 25 special swimming, the IMAX Theater education students and their families. and much, much more! There are also programs during the school Homer school transported 22 students to centers in year that kids can take part in. Albion,Tekonsha, Marshall and the greater Battle Creek area for services to meet their physical needs.

Homer Community Schools

Homer Athletic Event From The Counseling Office. . . Prices Once students are in high school, preparation for their future is upon them. Everything from grades, school

involvement, volunteering, to career awareness will help guide students. So please make sure to talk to your

At-The-Door student about the following topics:

Students/Adults  When your student graduates, he/she will have three choices: college, military, or work. College

HS $5.00 includes 2 & 4-year colleges and technical schools. Military includes a 2-6 year commitment. Work

includes a lower paycheck if you only have a high school diploma.

Adult Punch Pass  When students have plans/hopes to attend college, it is very important to understand they need to apply

$30.00 to college and be accepted. Colleges require certain GPA’s (grade point averages) from high school in order to be accepted. Student Punch Pass  For this generation, the U.S. Department of Labor is advising students to pursue jobs in healthcare, $20.00 computers, science, math, and technology. Also, in Michigan, there is a shortage of workers in the manufacturing sector. Middle School  The Michigan WorkForce Development Team indicates critical skills to teach students: social At-The-Door intelligence, when things are hard….work harder, reliability, respect, pride in one’s work, $4.00 motivation/taking initiative, good attendance, passing a drug test, and most importantly – the ability to get along with others! Fall - All Sports Students need to practice employment skills now. School is their work. Believe it or not, preparing for the world of work begins their Freshman year! Please have conversations with your child about how important their $30.00 preparation today will affect their lives five years from now. Winter - All Sports JoEllen O’Keefe Guidance Counselor, Homer High School $40.00

Spring – All Sports $40.00

Family Pass $150.00

Passes can be purchased at any sports event or in the HS/MS Office.

Parents – be proactive with your children by keeping track of their grades and attendance through the INTERNET! Just go to the Homer Community Schools’ website: www.homerschools.net and click on the Resources tab from the menu at the top. Then click Parent Resources from the options listed. When signing in to use Parent Viewer, the username and password are your child’s eight-digit school I.D. number that begins with 2050. …Stay Informed!