Midland Public Schools District Vision Statement

Lead with respect, trust and courage. Superintendent Communiqué Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture. March 8, 2021  Volume 8 Edition 31 Enable all to achieve success.

www.midlandps.org  (989) 923-5001  @MidlandPS (Adopted by the MPS Board of Education July 20, 2020)

March is Women’s History Month Eric Albright Receives Dedicated Service Award Congratulations to Midland High Athletic Director, Eric Albright, for being recognized by the Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) at their March

conference with a Dedicated Service Award. Please allow us to begin this Women’s History Month series This Award recognizes years of service to by paying tribute to our wonderful community partner, interscholastic athletics and the young people Midland Center for the Arts (Center)! MPS has partnered in Michigan. The letter our office received in many different ways with the Center through the years. informing the District of Mr. Albright’s award This series of articles is one such very special example. stated, “As you know, being an athletic director is one of the most challenging and time-consuming positions within a school Currently the Center’s website includes, “A Virtual Exhibit district.” Congratulations, Eric Albright, for your leadership and of Seeing HERstory 100 Years of Women’s Rights.” We service to MPS students, staff, families and programs. are using this HERstory Virtual Exhibit as the basis for this series of articles. Here is the link to the Exhibit: THE 2021 GERSTACKER EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING 100 Years of Women's Rights / Virtual Exhibit AWARDS NOMINATION WINDOW IS NOW OPEN! (midlandcenter.org) For nomination information go to www.midlandps.org. The Center’s Exhibit has four main sections  Suffrage (history of women’s right to vote) Nomination form:  Redefining Representation (showcasing 131 women https://forms.gle/mRVpC3MeHPr5cwfd7 now serving in the House & Senate)  Nevertheless (women’s persistence and breaking You may also submit a nomination letter to: barriers) Gerstacker Committee, Midland Public Schools,  Women in Midland (honors the contributions of local Superintendent’s Office, 600 E. Carpenter, Midland 48640 women—meant to be a representation of the strong Don’t miss your chance. women in our community) Nominate a great MPS teacher today! It is the Women in Midland portion of the exhibit that we will highlight in this three-part series (March 8, 15, 22) as The nomination window CLOSES FRIDAY, APRIL 16. Midland Public Schools celebrates Women’s History Month in the Monday Communiques. Due to a Loons Baseball schedule conflict, the

We will begin by highlighting two women in the Exhibit who 2021 Graduation date has been changed. have made a profound difference in the lives of many, many Dow High and Midland High graduation ceremonies are Midland Public Schools students: Cheryl Weeks-Rosten and now scheduled for Thursday, May 27, at Dow Nancy Wolanin. Diamond. More information to follow. (continued on page 2)

MPSConnect is a convenient communications tool for you to connect with me. Every message comes to my desktop. Either I or another MPS staff member will do all we can to reply to your message within the next work day. https://www.midlandps.org/content2/706 — Michael E. Sharrow, Superintendent MPS Superintendent Communique — Volume 8, Edition 31 March 8, 2021 Page 2 of 7

(continued from p. 1) Is Your Family Planning to Travel Over Spring Cheryl Weeks-Rosten Break? Retired High School English Teacher “From teaching English to American students, to Traditionally, many Midland PS families travel during teaching English to International students, to spring break. Below is an excerpt from an MDHHS teaching teachers to teach Ixil and Spanish to flyer entitled, “Travel Safely During COVID-19,” with Guatemalan students, Cheryl Weeks-Rosten important information for families who will be traveling. spreads literacy.” Excerpt from the flyer section entitled,

“Cheryl Weeks-Rosten taught English and Humanities for 30 years at Dow “Precautions for educational settings (K-12 High. Then, during her first eleven years of “retirement,” she taught English schools, colleges or universities)” as a Second Language to International students. Joining a medical mission “Students traveling across Michigan, to other states, group to Guatamala, she asked a life-altering question: “Does this organization, HELPS International, do anything with education?” Fifteen or to a vacation destination in another country over years and fifty trips later, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” The Santa school breaks risk bringing COVID-19 home with Avelina school is one-of-a-kind, where best teaching practices meet them. This in turn may fuel outbreaks within their respect for local language and culture. Cheryl leads teams of US teachers, households and the communities they visit, and helping local teachers better engage students and teach in more interactive reintroducing COVID-19 to their home communities ways. She also helps promote the Cotzal-Ixil Emergent Reading Book- when they return. • Students should consider staying making Project, through which indigenous elementary teachers have written at home after traveling to ensure a safe return to in- (in the native language) and illustrated 60 culturally appropriate books for person learning. The following options allow for safe young readers.” return to school after travel: a) Students should get

tested with a viral test 3-5 days after the trip and stay Nancy Wolanin home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, Retired Chestnut Hill Kindergarten Teacher even if the test is negative. If the student does not get “You never forget your kindergarten teacher — tested after returning from travel, stay home and self- especially one whose greatest love is helping kids quarantine for 10 days after afterwards.” The moral of one of Nancy Wolanin’s favorite stories is a metaphor for her own modus operandi: while nobody can Here is the link to the 2-page Travel Safely During save every stranded starfish, helping just one makes a COVID-19 flyer for those interested: difference.” https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/

Accessible_- “Nancy Wolanin was a dedicated teacher. So dedicated that, 50 years later, she is still in touch with some of her first students, as well as many of those _Safe_Holiday_Travel_Guidance_2222021_FINAL_71 who came later. When, due to her diagnosis with leukemia (currently in 7620_7.pdf remission), Nancy had to retire, she turned her attention to a different group of children — those in foster care. Their need was urgent: many children new to the foster care system are removed from their homes quite abruptly, with none of their belongings. Nancy, known for her wholehearted commitment, worked with the Midland Area Interfaith Community to open the Midland County Foster Closet. She has led the 501(c)3 for three years, serving 302 children (10/2019). She also serves as an Imerman Angels mentor for newly diagnosed leukemia patients nationwide. “

The Saginaw Valley League Teacher of the Year Award was established to recognize excellence in teaching. This award is presented annually to one teacher from each of the Saginaw Valley member high schools. Any teacher who has taught for at least five years and whose current teaching assignment is full or part time in grades 9-12 is eligible to receive this award. Click on the links below to nominate a Dow or Midland High teacher. NOMINATION WINDOW CLOSES THIS FRIDAY (3/12)!!! Dow HS: https://www.midlandps.org/docs/district/SVL/2021/2021SVLNominationFormDHS.pdf Midland HS: https://www.midlandps.org/docs/district/SVL/2021/SVLMHSNomform2021.pdf MPS Superintendent Communique — Volume 8, Edition 31 March 8, 2021 Page 3 of 7

Wait…dozing off in class could be an important part of the learning process? Don’t start conjuring up your excuses for drifting out of consciousness during a lecture just yet! Students in the MHS Human Body Systems class did learn, however, about the importance of sleep for the brain and learning processes. This topic was one of many shared by Dr. Yannick Marchalant, Interim Director of the Neuroscience Program and Associate Professor of Psychology/Neuroscience at Central Michigan University. Mrs. McDonald’s two classes were fortunate to have the visitor join them and share information on how he started his education in Normandy and eventually came to his current role at CMU. Dr. Marchalant also informed students about STEM careers, education pathways, and the Alzheimer’s research he and his team(s) have conducted. Students were very appreciative to have this opportunity to ask questions they have had about the brain, college, laboratories, and career tips from an established scientist and researcher. We are hoping to continue this partnership with CMU and Dr. Marchalant to provide this experience for more MPS students! PROTECTING and ENHANCING POLLINATOR HABITATS The population of bees, butterflies, and numerous other pollinators have been declining at an alarming rate over the past few years, and the Dow High GO GREEN Club decided to be a part of the effort to promote the recovery of these vital pollinators! Through a generous grant from the Educational Committee of Keep Michigan Beautiful, GO GREEN began planning for their Pollinator Garden Project in the spring of 2020. Thanks to numerous volunteers, as well as additional support and expert advice from our community partners at the Chippewa Nature Center, Nature Niche, and the City of Midland, the pollinator garden was completed in October. The garden, which is located on the south and west sides of the Dow High greenhouse, currently has over twenty varieties of native Michigan plants. In addition, GO GREEN recently received a very generous gift from the Midland County Master Gardeners Association for the purpose of “maintaining or creating local school gardens to educate our next generation about gardening and the stewardship of nature,” so future projects will be in the works soon! The GO GREEN Club, which strives to promote positive environmental practices in our schools and in our communities, is extremely appreciative for all the community support! The club would also like to encourage anyone who has even a few feet of lawn or garden space to protect our pollinators, as well as our food supply, by planting native Michigan plants and refraining from using harmful pesticides. Follow GO GREEN on Facebook @ gogreendhs and on Instagram@gogreendowhigh

Free Meal Schedule During Spring Break Week

Midland Public Schools will be providing the Free Summer Meals Program for all community children age 0-18 during Spring Break. Meals will be available for pick up at the following schools: Central Park Elementary & Midland High School. No need to fill out a pre order form at this time. A request signature of confirmation of meal pick up will be provided at each location. Saturday, March 27th (3 meals) 9:00 am-11:00 am AND Tuesday, March 30th (7 meals) 11:00 am-12:30 pm MPS Superintendent Communique — Volume 8, Edition 31 March 8, 2021 Page 4 of 7 MPS 2021-22 enrollment Congratulations to Arial Zhang, Sahiba Kaur and Elisa Costeux from Jefferson Middle School who is now happening for ... excelled at the 2021 MathCounts Chapter  4-year-old Preschool Invitational Competition on February 25.  Ariel Zhang won the Chapter Invitational  Development  Sahiba Kaur took 2nd place Kindergarten (DK)  Elisa Costeux took 3rd place.

 Traditional Kindergarten Because of their success at the Invitational, these impressive Huskies have advanced to the 2021 State Competition later in March This is especially noteworthy Space is limited because only the top five students in the Invitational in Pre-school qualify for state competition.

and DK! We send our sincerest best wishes with Ariel, Sahiba and Elisa on the next leg of their 2021 MathCounts journey! Register NOW to ensure your child’s space 2021-22 Midland PS Schools of Choice application window is now open for for 2021-22. In-District & Out-of-District students.

For information, If you would like more information, go to our call 989-923-5001 Midland PS website: www.midlandps.org or go to www.midlandps.org Community Schools of Choice

FIRST Robotics Woodie Flower’s Award Nominees Friday, March 26, Half Day School Dismissal Times

Adams ES: 11:51 am Jefferson MS: 11:05 am* Congratulations to the MPS FIRST Chestnut Hill ES: 11:51 am Northeast MS:11:15 am* Robotics Teams’ 2021 Central Park ES: 11:51 am HH Dow HS: 10:50 am* Award nominees – Annette Murray for Dow Plymouth ES: 12:06 pm Midland HS: 10:50 am* High Team 2619 (The Charge) and Travis Siebert ES: 12:06 pm Miller for Midland High Team 5509 * On 3/26, secondary schools are following Woodcrest ES: 12:06 pm 4th-6th hour schedules. HS students: 7th (Like a Boss). Carpenter PPC: 12:11 pm hour classes will meet 10:55-11:50 am. The FIRST Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in FIRST Robotics Dean’s List Award Semi-Finalists the art and science of engineering & Congratulations to the Midland PS FIRST Robotics Teams’ 2021 Dean’s design and recognizes mentors who List Award semi- finalists – James Mowry and T.J. Neuenfeldt for Dow lead, inspire and empower using excellent High Team 2619 (The Charge) and Adeline Doyle for Midland High communication skills. Annette has been volunteering as Team 5509 (Like a Boss). The FIRST Dean’s List Award celebrates a lead mentor for The Charge for more than 10 years. outstanding student leaders who have led their teams and communities Annette also volunteers as President of FIRST of the to increased awareness for FIRST and its mission while achieving Great Lakes Bay Region (FIRST-GLBR), which is a personal technical expertise non-profit organization that supports more than 140 and accomplishment. James, FIRST Robotics teams in our region. Travis has been T.J., and Adeline will find out volunteering as a lead mentor for ‘Like a Boss’ for 4 during the upcoming virtual years. Annette and Travis will find out during the season if they will advance as upcoming virtual season if they will advance as finalists finalists for this award. for this award. James Mowry TJ Neuenfeldt Adeline Doyle MPS Superintendent Communique — Volume 8, Edition 31 March 8, 2021 Page 5 of 7

FIRST Robotics Competition 2021 Virtual It is always such an honor to celebrate MPS Alumni who Season for High School Teams! have earned a Dow or Midland High Diploma and have

The 2021 FIRST Robotics gone on to make the world a better place. Competition Season for our high school Today we celebrate and honor 2003 teams has been underway since January 2021. Both Midland High Team 5509 Midland High School Alumni (Like a Boss) and Dow High Team 2619 Daniel Burje Chonde, MD-PhD (The Charge) are competing in unique virtual Challenges. Prior to the 2021 Resident Physician, Radiology season, a new, challenging game was Executive Director, the Peoples' introduced each January at an event heART (health equity x art) known as “Kickoff.” Due to the 2020 Massachusetts General Hospital season being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harvard Medical School 2021 Kickoff presented a modified version of the 2020 game, . Daniel “Dan” Burje Chonde, MD, PhD is a radiology resident at the Massachusetts General The 2021 season includes a series of three Hospital (MGH) who is interested in reimagining clinical spaces so they new challenges in which teams can engage from “home” better support equitable care for patients. A physicist by training, Dan and virtually compete with teams from around the world. graduated from MIT with his SB in physics and a minor in theater arts, 1. INFINITE RECHARGE at Home with his thesis research focusing on astroparticle physics. Looking for a invites teams to engage in two ways: more human element in his research he subsequently pursued his PhD in compete for judged awards using Biophysics through The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences their 2020/2021 robot and compete in with a joint degree from MIT in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics a Skills Competition—a series of where he worked on new imaging technology which combined magnetic video recorded challenges for teams resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). who have access to their robot. During his studies, he developed a deep affinity for patient care 2. The Game Design Challenge invites teams to design and went on to attend Harvard Medical School earning his medical a FIRST Robotics Competition game and compete for doctorate. He spent his intern year of clinical work at Signature judged awards and an opportunity to share their design Healthcare Brockton Hospital and is a current resident in the MGH with FIRST Robotics Competition game designers. Radiology Department. 3. The FIRST Innovation Challenge presented by He formerly served on the MGH Radiology Diversity, Equity, and Qualcomm invites teams to identify a real-world global Inclusion (DEI) Committee as the education subcommittee co-chair where issue and develop an innovative solution. he launched Rad Boot Camp, a collaboration with Vanderbilt Medical Both the Dow and the Midland High robotics Center and Emory Healthcare aimed at providing multidimensional, teams are participating in the longitudinal support to medical students from groups underrepresented in INFINITE RECHARGE at medicine with the goal of diversifying the pool of students applying for Home Challenge with their careers in radiology. In that role, he also focused on expanding the 2020 robots and in the Game departmental DEI efforts to include patients and launched a collaboration Design Challenge. The Dow with the MGH innovation center, the MESH incubator, aimed at High team is also participating developing practical technology-based solutions that could be used to in the FIRST Innovation support health equity. Through this ‘diversityxMESH’ initiative, he helped Challenge in collaboration with develop RadTranslate (www.radtranslate.com), a tool to help hospital staff Team 10309, TechnoHuskies, communicate with patients with limited English proficiency, as well as plan from Jefferson Middle School. for the first hospital-based, community-centered hackathon focused on Each team has submitted their addressing health disparities. entries for these Challenges He most recently launched a healthcare-community collaborative and the next steps will be project, The Peoples’ heART, which aims to integrate visual and virtual presentations and performance art into our clinical spaces to help support health equity. interviews with judges over the next month to determine Additionally, he currently serves as the DEI chair for the American if they qualify for awards and if they advance to the next Roentgen Ray Society and as the Diversity Strategist for the MESH stage of competition. incubator. MPS Superintendent Communique — Volume 8, Edition 31 March 8, 2021 Page 6 of 7

Midland High School Student Council sponsored a grief awareness week during the week of March 1-5.

The goals of the week were to create an environment where grief & grieving are recognized and normalized. Also, to recognize that grief looks different for everyone.

These are the various activities and emphasized points of each day.  Day 1: The five stages of grief explained through a video.

 Day 2: Grieving in a healthy way. Students participated in a slideshow that offered the opportunity to consider if statements were myths or facts regarding grieving.

 Day 3: We understood that grief and loss are experienced in many ways besides death. Students and staff had an opportunity to journal about their personal losses. They were also given a white luminary bag to decorate and display their loss.

 Day 4: The focus of the day was to bring awareness to the valuable resources provided by the Children's Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region. We learned about this by viewing a video created by this incredible organization.

 Day 5: The focus was on helping those around us grieve. Students received a "business card" that included how we can help others grieve by providing examples of statements to avoid and statements to use when talking to someone who has recently experienced loss. The card also provided resources for where to find more information, including the number to the Children's Grief Center.

On Saturday, March 6, 2021, the council hosted "A Walk to Remember" at Stratford Woods Park from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The bags created by the Chemic family were lit with electric votives to serve as luminaries and the bags were displayed around the lake for people to view. It was a cold and windy evening but the event was rewarding and impactful. Thank you to all who attended!

A special thank you to the Children's Grief Center for sponsoring the luminary walk and provided resources and knowledge for the week. The collaboration was appreciated and highly valuable! March 8, 2021 Page 7 of 7

MPS District Vision Lead with respect, trust and courage. JOIN OUR MPS TEAM — Current Open Positions Ensure an equitable, collaborative MPS Employment Opportunities Link: and inclusive culture. https://www.midlandps.org/Content/Employment%20Opportunities Enable all to achieve success.

Position Location MPS Website: www.midlandps.org Administrative Assistant Adams ES Twitter: Administrative Assistant Midland HS @MichaelSharrow2 Building Manager Jefferson MS @MidlandPS Bus Driver, Substitute MPS Transportation Coach, Head, Track, Girls’ HH Dow HS YouTube Channel: Coach, Assistant, Football HH Dow HS https://www.youtube.com/user/ Coach, Assistant, Tennis, Girls’ Midland HS MidlandPublicSchools

Director of Bands (after school/evening) Midland HS Student Flyers: National Honor Society Advisor Midland HS https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/ Paraprofessional, Special Education (8 positions) District-wide studentflyers/ Paraprofessional, Substitute District Community Flyers: Teacher, Business Education District https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/ Teacher, Elementary District communityflyers Teacher, Music District Administration 923-5001 Teacher, Secondary Science District Adams Elementary 923-6037 Teacher, Special Education District Carpenter Pre-Primary 923-6411 SHINING STARS … If you would like to nominate a deserving MPS team Central Park Elem. 923-6836 member, please complete and submit the Shining Star nomination form. MPS Chestnut Hill Elem. 923-6634 SS Plymouth Elementary 923-7616 https://www.midlandps.org/Content2/shining-star-nomination-form Siebert Elementary 923-7835 CHARTWELLS, Midland PS Woodcrest Elementary 923-7940 Jefferson Middle 923-5873 food service provider, Northeast Middle 923-5772 IS NOW HIRING! H. H. Dow High 923-5382 Midland High 923-5181 Chartwells Food Service is looking for Workers/Cashiers MPS Board of Education Members: in MPS buildings. Scott McFarland, President No Nights, Weekends, Phil Rausch, Vice President or Holidays! Pam Singer, Secretary Flexible schedules available. Jon Lauderbach, Treasurer 4-5 hours daily, Monday-Friday. Lynn Baker, Trustee Brad Blasy, Trustee GO TO: www.compassgroupcareers.com and insert job number 457063 John Hatfield, Trustee

Midland PS Food Service remote free meal pick-up Email: [email protected] Tuesdays & Thursdays: Meals may be picked up 11 to 12:30 at Adams, Central Park, Chestnut Hill, Plymouth, Siebert, Woodcrest and MHS. Wise words to ponder … Saturdays: Meals are available for pick up from 9-11 am at two “I never feel lonely if I’ve got a book— locations— Central Park Elementary & Midland High. they’re like old friends.”

Thank You, Chartwells Team! — Emilia Fox