The Comstock
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JUNE/JULY 2021 The Comstock COMSTOCKCommunicator HIGH SCHOOL | COMPASS HIGH SCHOOL & ADULT EDUCATION | COMSTOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL | COMSTOCK ELEMENTARY | STEM ACADEMY | CELA ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS MORE NEWS From the Board Bond District School Sports Comstock Superintendent Briefs Construction Remembers News News Library Turn over to read page 2 page 2 Update Beloved Band pages 7-16 pages 16-17 News Center Point page 4 Director pages 17-18 A newsletter about the Comstock page 6 Community Center 2 The Comstock Communicator June/July 2021 From the Superintendent COMSTOCK PUBLIC SCHOOLS a school district dedicated to kids District Offers Summer Success Camp www.comstockps.org Dr. Jeff Thoenes By Dr. Jeff Thoenes, Superintendent Superintendent Now that we are nearing the end of this most day through Friday beginning June 14, 2021, at unusual school year, it is time to look to the fu- 8:15 a.m and lasting until 11:45 a.m. As an add- BOARD OF EDUCATION ture and plan ahead. As superintendent, I’m ed bonus, the district will be providing breakfast, Pamela Dickinson, President thrilled to let you know that the district soon will lunch, and limited transportation. The program Matthew Schreiner, Vice President be offering Summer Success Camp. will be offering a half day of intense fun, with em- However, due to limited space, this exciting op- bedded reading, math, and STEM instruction. Dori Scholly, Secretary portunity will be by invitation only. With all of Daily attendance will be required to be successful. Paul Lamphear, Treasurer the support we’ve been able to offer throughout Saralyn Brown, Trustee the year, there are some students who, due to the A student may attend either Session 1 or 2, or Karen Howes, Trustee pandemic and its interruption of school routines, both! could have accomplished more academically and • Session 1: June 14 - July 2; July 12 - July 16 Kayleen O’Donnell, Trustee would benefit greatly from additional instruc- • Session 2: July 19 - August 13 Ashley LaVanWay, Appointed Recording Secretary tional opportunities. Michelle Darnell, Appointed Treasurer Children who attend Summer Success Camp The program will have weekly themes includ- will improve their progress in mastering grade ing Sports/Olympics, Summer Safari Outdoor level objectives through a series of innovative Adventure, Mad Scientists, Let’s Get Digital, MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Comstock Public Schools is to serve learning opportunities that include physical Video Games, and Wet and Wild Earth our community by supporting, inspiring, and movement; Science Technology, Engineering, Look for invitation letters coming soon. Be challenging every person within the school district and Mathematics (STEM); and Social Emotional sure to respond quickly due to limited space! to reach his/her full potential through education. Learning. Our goal is to support your children If you have any questions about the Summer throughout the entire year, both in the school Success Camp, feel free to reach out to your VISION STATEMENT year and the summer. child’s principal. The vision of Comstock Public Schools is to be Summer Success Camp sessions will be Mon- an educational community where every person is empowered to reach his/her full potential. QUESTIONS? If you have questions concerning your schools, Board Briefs the answer is only a telephone call away: REGULAR MEETING (Michigan Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities 269-250-8907 March 8, 2021 System). • Reconfirmed the District’s Extended Continuity of STORIES OR INFORMATION The Comstock Communicator Learning Plan. REGULAR MEETING • Approved awarding the bid for CES food service April 26, 2021 is published by Comstock Public Schools. equipment to Stafford-Smith, Inc. • Approved reconfirmation of Extended Continuity Information may be sent to Dr. Jeff Thoenes at • Authorized the sale of bonds designated 2021 of Learning Plan. [email protected] or by fax at 250-8908. School Building and Site Bonds, Series III. • Approved the MCACA Grant. It may also be e-mailed to Phyllis Rose at • Moved into closed session to discuss negoti- [email protected]. REGULAR MEETING (VIRTUAL) ations and conduct the Superintendent’s quarterly March 22, 2021 evaluation. • Approved the authorizing resolution to enter into • Approved contract with Comstock Paraprofes- sional Association. a participant agreement with Michigan CLASS @comstockPS The Comstock Communicator 3 District Updates: Building Status, Condition, and Potential Projects By Dr. Jeff Thoenes, Superintendent As part of our district’s newly revised Strategic Plan CONDITION Comstock STEM Academy (options include but are Summary 2021-25, the Board has established seven With the exception of Comstock Elementary not limited to the following:)(Note: Currently the equally important Focus Areas. One of these focal School, all of our schools are over 50 years old. At the school has 16 sections of students and 15 rooms) points is Facilities, Operations, and Technology which time of their construction in the late 1940s, 50s, and • Remodel the current building without any has the specific goal stating thatComstock Public early 60s, these buildings met the quality standards expansion? Schools will maintain and modernize facilities and for that era and were made from materials that were • Remodel the current building and add a middle operations. expected to have a useful life of 30-40 years. The school wing? With this end in mind and as an important step buildings are all far past their life expectancies. • Build a new K-8 building at the current location? in evaluating our district’s infrastructure, I have When the 2016 Bond construction work • Build a new K-8 building at another location? compiled the following information which provides currently underway at Comstock Elementary • Expand the program by adding a STEM option a quick overview of our school buildings’ status, School is completed, the fully renovated school will at Comstock High School? condition, and potential projects. I urge all Comstock be air conditioned. However, none of the other Comstock Compass High School Colt stakeholders to read this information to better buildings, with the exception of their offices, have • Install hallway heaters and classroom thermostats understand the current state of our district’s facilities. air conditioning nor is there sufficient funding in the • Repaint the interior remaining bond funds for the additional installation • Repaint the exterior STATUS of air conditioning. Moreover, since the 1960s, the • New flooring and ceiling for the cafeteria The district currently operates six school buildings: standards for school design and construction have • Resurface the parking lot Comstock Early Learning Academy serves radically changed and improved especially regarding • Extend electricity to the shed our preschool-aged children. This building was safety, energy efficiency, air quality, flooring, constructed in 1950 and is now 71 years old. It was technology, computers, transportation, food service, Comstock High School originally named Green Meadow Elementary School. and serving children with special needs. • Remodel band room including expanding storage, removing the risers, adding bathrooms, Comstock Elementary School serves students in POTENTIAL PROJECTS and installing air conditioning kindergarten through fifth grade. This building was • Remodel the kitchen and food service areas constructed in 1972 and is now 49 years old. CES is Accordingly, given the time of their design and the advancement in construction standards over the past • Replace hallway lockers the district’s newest or “youngest” building, and was • Replace ceiling tiles originally named Northeast Middle School. half century, all of our buildings (with the exception of Comstock Elementary School) have the following • Repair the elevator Comstock Middle School serves students in grades common potential projects: • Install modern lighting sixth through eighth. This building was constructed i. New exterior windows • Repaint the interior in 1957 and is now 64 years old. It was originally ii. New exterior doors • Replace hallway registers named North Elementary School. iii. New carpeting, flooring, and baseboards • Remove and replace obsolete drinking fountains Comstock STEM Academy serves kindergarten iv. Roof repair or replacement • Update the woodshop classroom through eighth grade students. This building was v. HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Comstock Community Auditorium constructed in 1949 and is now 72 years old. The Conditioning) • Install new interior doors and locks STEM Academy “wins” the prize as the district’s Additionally, these schools have the following • Install new flooring for the Colt Center oldest building. It was originally named East individual or unique potential projects (Note: The • Renovate the kitchenette Elementary School. cost of these projects exceeds current resources. • Enlarge the scene shop Comstock Compass High School serves students Consequently, we are in the process of determining Bob Hamet Athletic Complex in ninth through twelfth grades. This building was top priorities within each building as well as across • Install artificial turf constructed in 1956 and is now 65 years old. It was the district): • Remodel the bathrooms originally named Gull Road Elementary School. The Comstock Early Learning Academy • Remodel the stadium entrance district’s superintendent’s office and administration • Install new blinds and window coverings • Repair the track are housed in the back of Compass