'FCSVBSZ*TTVFt'FOOWJMMF1VCMJD4DIPPMTt tXXXGFOOWJMMFPSHtXXXGBDFCPPLDPNGFOOWJMMFTDIPPMT High Tech and Hands On! FHS Launches Robotics Team See article on Technology Updates page 9! Across the District See articles on pages 5 & 7! CENTRAL OFFICE HOURS: HORARIO DE LA OFICINA DEL SUPERINTENDIENTE 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Lunes a Viernes 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Office will be closed if there are extreme weather conditions. Esta oficina estara cerrada si las condiciones del tiempo son muy severas. 2 CENTRAL OFFICE Central Office: Superintendent Note from the Superintendent 5 Memorial Drive Dirk Weeldreyer (269) 561-7331 Dear Parents and District Residents: Fax (269) 561-5792 What a winter this has been! The piles of snow are large, but our students and staff Fennville Elementary: are excited about learning! 8 Memorial Drive Principal, Albert Lombard (269) 561-7236 As this issue of the Pride demonstrates, great things are happening every day at Fax (269) 561-7271 Fennville Public Schools! In partnership with our community, students receive the best in education opportunities within a caring, supportive environment so that Middle School: Principal, Kim Zdybel they will be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. 1 Memorial Drive (269) 561-7341 Fax (269) 561-2143 We continue to improve our instructional program with innovative programming, High School: Principal, Jim Greydanus layered strategies of individualized support for each student, and the latest in 4 Memorial Drive (269) 561-7241 technological tools. As articles throughout this issue of the Pride demonstrate, Fax (269) 561-6901 students receive a rich, vibrant education with hands-on learning opportunities at every level. Special Education: Director, Wendy Dubuisson 5 Memorial Drive (269) 561-7331 You will also note the continued improvement to our facilities and infrastructure. Fax (269) 561-5792 Over the past two years, the district has invested in significant network and tech- nology improvements, including a completely rebuilt network infrastructure, ma- Migrant/Bilingual: Secretary, Alice Rodriguez jor enhancements of wireless network capabilities, and the addition of new com- 5 Memorial Drive (269) 561-7331 puter labs and devices at all buildings. There is no substitute for the relationship Fax (269) 561-5792 staff members build with students—however, technology is another tool in the Adult Ed/Alt. Ed: (269) 561-7331 “toolbox” to help bring learning deeper. 5 Memorial Drive Fax (269) 561-8630 We are also deeply grateful for the trust shown in the district by the passage of the Food Service: Director, George Siedis sinking fund last spring. The initial projects being paid for with this money have 8 North Street (269) 561-7231 been completed, with more in the planning and discussion stages. Please check Fax (269) 561-2356 out the article describing these improvements. Facilities: Director, Jon Carr As we move into spring, there are many activities coming up! We hope you will 5 Memorial Drive (269) 561-4832 come out and join us for a performance, competition, or other event! Fax (269) 561-5792 As always, our door is open if you have any questions or concerns. Please be sure Transportation: Director, John Schlack to come by often and see the great things going on in Fennville Public Schools! 3 Memorial Drive (269) 561-8131 Fax (269) 561-5636 Dirk Weeldreyer Superintendent Athletics Director, Travis Spaman (269) 561-7241 Fax (269) 561-6901 Community Travis Spaman Athletic Center: (269) 561-2708 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS - 2014 (269) 561-6901 President: ...........Loren Barnes Trustee: .............John Raak Website: www.fennville.org Vice President: ......David Johnson Trustee: .............Tina Westenbroek Follow us on face book Secretary: ...........Dana Rosema Trustee: .............Julio Almanza www.facebook.com/fennvillepublicschools Treasurer: ...........Mark Ludwig FENNVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS FOR 2014 The Board of Education does not discriminate on the Dates, Times, and Locations of Board Meetings basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability Monday, February 17, 2014 Monday, August 18, 2014 or age in its program, activities or employment. Further, Monday, March 17, 2014 Monday, September 15, 2014 it is the policy of this District to provide an equal Monday, April 21, 2014 Monday, October 20, 2014 opportunity for all students, regardless of race, color, Monday, May 19, 2014 Monday, November 17, 2014 creed, age, disability, religion, gender, ancestry, national Monday, June 16, 2014* Monday, December 15, 2014 origin, place of residence within the boundaries of the Monday, July 21, 2014 District, or social or economic background, to learn *Budget Hearing to precede Board meeting at 6:00 p.m. through the curriculum offered in this District. All regular meetings to be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room unless otherwise Direct questions to Civil Rights Officer, posted. Special meetings and work sessions will be scheduled as necessary, typically Wendy Dubuisson on the first Monday of a month. DISTRICT 3 Clifford Paine Non-Homestead Millage Renewal Election Volunteerism Award May 6, 2014 The Board of Education of the Fen- What is the ballot proposal? How does Headlee work? nville Public Schools, in its desire to provide a lasting recognition to Clif- A “Yes” vote restores the millage to the rate When Michigan voters approved Proposal A ford E. Paine, Jr. for his nineteen years of 18 mills as annually voted by the Fennville in 1994, they changed the way that our public of dedicated service to the school dis- residents. This is a one-year renewal of the 18 schools receive their funding. Because property trict, established the Clifford E. Paine mills on business/vacation property only. FPS values have increased greater than inflation, Volunteerism award in 1989. is required by law to seek this renewal in order our millage is reduced annually without this The purpose of this award is to pro- to avoid a detrimental loss of revenue. vote. The district has lost as much as $100 per mote the concept of community student in the past by not renewing the 18 mills Does the 18 mills apply to the taxes on my volunteerism by the students of the on business and vacation properties. district, and to provide special recog- home? nition for others who may volunteer Does every Michigan school need to ask The 18 mills does NOT affect the property their time and talents toward the im- for this 18 mills? provement of educational opportuni- taxes homeowners pay on their own residence ties in the district. or any agriculture property. It only applies Yes, if they wish to receive full funding. to vacation property, second homes and Without it, a district would face a reduction This is an annual award and will be pre- businesses. from the State in the student foundation grant. sented to a member of the Fennville community who has distinguished Why the 18-Mill Renewal? What happens if the proposal fails? himself or herself through community volunteerism and/or toward the im- In 1995, Fennville residents first approved the Fennville Public Schools would lose over provement of educational opportuni- 18-mill levy on non-homestead property as was $2.0 million in operating revenue. This would ties for students in the District. required by Proposal A. Last year, Fennville result in drastic programming cuts for students. Since the award was established in residents again approved an operating millage 1989, these community members of 18 mills for one year. Most surrounding have been recognized for their ser- school districts also renew the 18 mills on an vices: 1990 – Samuel F. Morehead; annual basis. 1991 – Donna Earl; 1992 – Martin “Bo” Mason; 1993 – Willis Mullen; 1994 – The 18-Mill Renewal Results In No Tax Robert Hutchinson; 1995 – Margaret Sessions; 1996 – Mark and Martha Increase for Local Residents Schrock; 1997 – Betty Barnes; 1998 – Frances and Vincent Carver; 1999 – Ron Schipper; 2000 – Jan Landry and Kathy Morrow; 2001 – Al Lashell; 2002 Outstanding People for Education Award 2014 – Rebecca Crane; 2003 – Linda Sten- The Allegan County School Boards Association made an impact on the quality of an individual nett; 2004 – Sally Bell; 2005 – Cassan- presents the sixth annual “Outstanding People for student’s educational experience by demonstrating dra Garpow; 2006 - Margaret Sessions; Education Award.” The purpose of the award is to sensitivity to the needs of individual students and 2007 - Kelly Korman and Ray Diffen- recognize and honor people in education who are provide service that is “above and beyond” their derffer; 2008 - Leslie Obbink; 2009 - excelling in their field and/or are making an impact job description. Larry Morse; 2010 – Sarah Clark; 2011 in the quality of education in Allegan County. The – Sandy Busscher; 2012 - Carol Josefo- Allegan County Schools Communication Team Nominations can come from anyone (students, wicz; and 2013 – Darlene Hollander. coordinated the award. Examples of individuals parents, school staff and community members) to nominate could include the following: and will be kept anonymous. Each school district Any person may submit the names(s) in Allegan County is participating in this award. of a candidate for this award. Nomi- r5FBDIFS DMBTTSPPNBJEF BENJOJTUSBUPS TFDSFUBSZ Recipients will be honored at the Allegan County nation forms are available in the of- board member, volunteer, bus driver, custodial, School Board Association Recognition Banquet in fice of the Superintendent of Schools food service, support staff, social worker, therapist, June. They will each be presented with an award from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or on the consultant, community member or anyone designed by students. district website at www.fennville.org. supporting education. Completed forms must be returned to Any person may submit the names(s) of a candidate the Superintendent’s office by April 1, r1FSTPOTXIPIBWFNBEFBEJGGFSFODFJOUIF for this award. Nomination forms are available in overall quality of education by demonstrating 2014.