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Winter 2011 Volume 2 Issue 2

A publication of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency

. . . and much more!

The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency provides innovative and responsive educational services to educators and learners through leadership, collaboration and support.

Spackman receivesstatewide award

KEEP supportsPromise grads

Kudos! See who’sdoing a great job!

Great Start programsfeatured on PMN

YOU participantearns award

EFE students usetraining to save a life

YAP students attendSam’s Club event

YAP hosts Australian educator

Focus: A publication of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency | Winter 2011 | Volume 2 Issue 2

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Kalamazoo RESA’s Young Adult Program enjoyed a visit in October from Carmel Cooper, an educator from Australia who was in the United States on a fel-lowship program to visit several universities. Adam Danapilis, Kalamazoo RESA’s transition coordina-tor, arranged for Cooper to visit some of YAP’s work experience sites to learn more about vocational instruction methods.

One group of students at Meijer works alongside employees in the shipping and receiving depart-ment, learning how to use a coding system to

From left: Jezreel J., Carmel Cooper, Landon S., Tammy Kling (Meijer Com-mon Team Leader), Matt D., Tyler T., and Larry Evans (Meijer P/I Team Leader)

systematically off-load stock from freight trucks. Cooper said she was impressed at how employ-ees are involved with teaching students, the fast pace of the environment, and the complicated sorting system students have learned. Stu-dents are also learning important transferrable customer service skills that are a very important part of Meijer’s corporate culture. These stu-dents are supervised by YAP job coach Jennifer Dunlap and Connie Laurinat, YAP work coordina-tor and special education teacher.

Young Adult Program hosts educator from Australia KEEP supports Kalama-zoo Promise graduatesA new initiative operated by Kalamazoo RESA’s Youth Opportunities Unlimited program aims to support Kalamazoo Promise graduates in their freshman year at Western Michigan University or Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

The Kalamazoo Education Employment Partnership, or KEEP, started in fall 2011 with funding through a grant from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. It is a two-year pilot program estimated to serve 60 participants. The program has already met its enroll-ment goal for this year.

KEEP seeks to improve college success through training and mentorship support, as well as working with local employers to create part-time employment opportunities for students. Students participate in academic support activities and a curriculum of employability skills training material.

The idea for KEEP emerged from discussions among business leaders on how area employers could support Kalamazoo Promise recipients in achieving college success.

“The program is designed to assist college freshmen in the transition to post-secondary education and help to build a network of academic and employ-ment supports that enhance the learning opportuni-ties and provide entry-level employment,” said YOU Director Karen Carlisle. “It will also connect future talent with the area business community.”

Focus: A publication of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency | Winter 2011 | Volume 2 Issue 2 Focus: A publication of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency | Winter 2011 | Volume 2 Issue 2

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Great Start programs featured on Public Media Network’s show

Kristi Carambula, administrator of Kalamazoo RESA’s Great Start programs, discussed the importance of early childhood education on the October edition of Public Media Network’s Connect: Community in Focus.

Connect is a monthly magazine-style show that highlights various events and government-related items throughout Ka-lamazoo County.

Kalamazoo RESA staff members presented the results of their 2011 Employee Enrichment Grants during the 18th annual Kalamazoo RESA Foundation/Kalamazoo RESA Board of Educa-tion joint meeting on Oct. 13.

The joint meeting presenters received grants to-taling $4,225 in March of this year. The Kalama-zoo RESA Foundation and the Kalamazoo RESA Board of Education fund the annual grants. A total of 195 Kalamazoo RESA employees have received grants since 1993.

The Kalamazoo RESA Foundation, a nonprofit organization, works to support Kalamazoo RESA initiatives that enhance excellence for regular education, at-risk, special need, vocational, and fine and performing arts students throughout Kalamazoo County.

The foundation makes a positive impact on the lives of more than 34,000 students and educators each year through scholarships, grants and other innova-tive efforts. The Kalamazoo RESA Foundation Board of Trustees includes representatives from communities and orga-nizations throughout Kalamazoo County.

Kalamazoo RESA, one of 57 intermediate school districts in the state of Michigan, provides innovative and responsive educational services to educators and learners through leadership, collaboration and support.

Click here for a list of grant recipients.

Kalamazoo RESA Foundation awards grants

Two students from Kalamazoo RESA’s Education for Employ-ment EMT program saved the life of a man who suffered a heart attack at Gull Meadow Farms.

Logan Connell and Jimmy Brand, both of whom are certified in CPR, came to the man’s aid while they were working at Gull Meadow Farms. They performed CPR until EMTs arrived and took over.

Connell, a Gull Lake High School student, participated in EFE Fundamentals of Health Science during 2010-11 and is currently enrolled in the EMT program. Brand, a Comstock High School student, is enrolled in the EMT program. The teens’ lifesaving efforts were featured in the Ka-lamazoo Gazette and on WWMT.

EFE students use EMT training to save man’s life

Ted Yoakum, Kalamazoo Gazette

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Kathy Spackman, secretary and transportation coordinator with Kalamazoo RESA’s Education for Employment program, recently received the 2011 Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM) Crystal Award. The honor recognizes and cel-

ebrates the outstanding performance, achieve-ments, and contributions of individuals who work in support staff positions within Michigan school districts.

The nomination pointed to Spackman’s success in helping coordinate a shared transportation system for the hundreds of students who re-quire transportation to off-campus EFE and EFA classes throughout Kalamazoo County.

“The students are able to take a variety of courses that would not necessarily be open to them without the transportation system in place,” the nomination reads. “Concerned par-ents can get the information and reassurances they need to feel good about their student’s participation in our programs, and school staff, especially at the largest transportation center, knows that our nominee will attend to their challenges in a friendly and expedient manner keeping the system on track.”

Spackman wins statewide award

Kalamazoo RESA provides diverse special education services throughout Kalamazoo County that serve students from infancy, and if necessary, continuing to age 26.

YOU participant earns alumni awardRyan Dickerson, a participant in the WIA Adult Pro-gram operated by Kalamazoo RESA’s Youth Opportunities Unlimited program, recently received recognition as a 2012 Michigan Works! Alumni Award winner.

Dickerson will represent the Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works! region at the 2012 annual Alumni Awards on Jan. 24 in Lansing.

When Ryan Dickerson initially came to Michigan Works! he was working for DTI Computers making $10 an hour and was laid off. Lacking experience and educational credentials, he struggled to find suitable work. After meeting with Michigan Works! he was enrolled in the ITS-2 training program at New Horizons in Kalamazoo. He earned an A+ certifica-tion in February 2010.

Dickerson opened his own business at www.rtech-guys.net. As President of R-Tech Guys, he landed his first contracts in June 2010 with Samsung and Hewlett Packard. His business started slow -- only netting 15-20 hours per week making $25 per hour. His business quickly began to grow and he is now extremely busy working full time. Dickerson credits his training for teaching him to “stand out” from competitors. He has plans to establish a nonprofit organization that focuses on training youth on the values of technology.

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Two graduates of Kalamazoo RESA’s Education for Employment Machine Tool program recently received scholarships to support their higher education endeavors in the field.

The Richard and Thelma Hall Foundation awarded full-tuition and books scholarships to Tim Ballard, a 2010 graduate of Vicksburg High School, and Seth VanOrnam, a 2011 graduate of Vicksburg High School.

Ballard is a sophomore at Kalamazoo Valley Community College majoring in Machine Tool Technology. He was employed at Flowserve Corporation as a co-op student during his junior and senior years in high school and continues his employment there as a college intern. He is the son of Michelle and Lonnie Ballard.

VanOrnam is also majoring in Machine Tool Technol-ogy at KVCC and is planning a career path in this area. He is the son of Kerry and Rick VanOrnam.The Richard and Thelma Hall Foundation plans to continue to be a generous sponsor for Kalamazoo County students who are interested in pursuing ca-reers in the metal working industry or computerized manufacturing and engineering technologies.

Richard D. Hall is the son of Charles C. Hall. Charles Hall was one of the co-founders of Kalamazoo’s Durametallic Corporation, which is now Flowserve. Durametallic started in the 1920s and was first granted a patent for metal-lic foil packaging material. Later Durametallic became a well-known supplier of machinery

EFE machine tool students receive scholarships

YAP students participate in event at Sam’s Club

Students from Kalamazoo RESA’s Young Adult Program attended an Annual Mentoring Day sponsored by Sam’s Club in Portage on Oct. 19, 2011. Students and teacher Connie Laurinat met employees and worked with them to learn about jobs in the automotive, produce, bakery, and fashions departments as well as in the café area. Students commented that it was a positive and valuable experience.

“It was really fun and I learned a lot!” YAP student Justin S. said about his opportunity to learn to change a tire in the automotive department.

packing and sealant material.

Tom Huff, a local attorney and owner of Peregrine Realty LLC, oversees the foundation and has a pas-sion for helping to further the education of students interested in pursuing careers in machining and technology.

From left: Rachel J., Ravyn C., Coty P., Nora Moss (Portage Sam’s Club HR manager), India W., Dennis M., Stefanie P., Justin S.

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Leilani Higa (Instructional Center) was asked by Mr. Fuller to handle all the details in hosting a free training he was giving for 40 teachers, administra-tors, and support staff from area districts for 3 days. This training was administered by a company in Texas who had a long list of requirements to meet their professional expectations. Leilani went out of her way to accommodate the trainers, at-tendees, district administrators, etc. She ordered food, tracked down room measurements, arranged space at West Campus, sent numerous reminders, handled a drop/add list better that a whole college admissions office and did this all with a big smile. Her attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond made Kalamazoo RESA look super to those we served on those days. Thank you Leilani!

Deb VliekSuperintendent’s Office

I was sitting in a meeting today with another off-site teacher and she mentioned how she had called the technology department because of some technology issue and went on to say how she really appreciated the quick response she got. Also, Gabe Shockley (Technology Services) came out and worked on my student computer recently. He had to swap a wireless card out for me and update a few things. I was surprised at how fast he got everything done. With all I have to do and my slipping knowledge of computers, his help was very much appreciated.Keep up the good work!

Mark BoothbyWoodsEdge Learning Center

Who knew we had such experts in positive behavior supports right on our own Kalamazoo RESA staff? Ethan Alexander (Instructional Center) and Nancy Lindahl (Instructional Cen-ter) put together a training for our PBIS Leader-ship Team at WoodsEdge in October, tailoring it to our needs, visiting another school to see how PBIS works in schools like ours (Blossomland!!)and incorporating a lot of fun while we spent the day learning. Thanks so much for getting our team started on the right foot this year!

Angela TelferWoodsEdge Learning Center

What a great job Karey Watson (Human Re-sources) did in researching and finding our or-ganization a great alternative to our self-funded health plan that gets us under the state-imposed cap and puts money back in our paychecks. Kudos for wonderful work.

Ron FullerSuperintendent’s Office

Gabe Shockley (Technology Services) and Bill Robertson (Technology Services) have been our saviors numerous times when our mobile wi-fi laptops and printers have caused us great confusion. We (and our families) really appreciate all that they do.

Betty McNinch and Gail MillsGreat Start

Mark Spackman (Technology Services) has been wonderful! He has given up his own time to set up the video feed for the sign language interpret-ers. I am so grateful for everything that he has done for us! We couldn’t do it without you Mark.

Johanna WymanHI Department