OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE IONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Januar Januar Januar Januar January 2014y 2014y 2014y 2014y 2014

SCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOLREPORTREPORTREPORTREPORTREPORT

250 East Tuttle RoadIonia, MI 48846-9698

KinderStart students, under the direction of Teachers Jennica Basler, Lynette Kirby and ShariBentoske, performed many animated songs and poems which delighted the audience at theKinderStart Holiday Program in Watt Auditorium.

Student Director Alexandra Allen conducts the festive IHS Choir in singing Mozart’s Fa-La-Laduring the IHS Vocal Music Holiday Concert at Watt Auditorium. The concert also included holi-day music by Chorale, Vocal Ensemble, numerous soloists, and many alumni.

Video Technology wins $5,000 Grand Prize

IHS Class of 2013 has 6 AP Scholars The Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the CollegeBoard offers AP Scholar Awards to recognize high schoolstudents who have demonstrated college-level achievementthrough AP courses and exams. IHS graduates Michaela Card, Brice Brown, KatherineFelice, Devin Gorby, Jaycob Nemeth, and Nicholas Stilesearned AP Scholar recognition for exceptional performance onadvanced placement tests. The College Board connects students to college successand opportunity. Each year, the College Board helps millionsof students prepare for a successful transition to college throughprograms and services in college readiness and college success,including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program®. Ionia High School offers AP classes to its students in thearea of Biology, English, U.S. History, Psychology, Statistics,Calculus, and Spanish.

The performance of “Celtic Carol” by the IHS Band featuredthe percussion section as well as flutist Kian Bednarz on thepiccolo. See more holiday concert pictures on pages 5, 6 and 8.

Highlights of the December 2013 Board Meeting1. With all board members present, the board approved the following agenda items: — approved the hiring of Victoria Shank as IHS Science Teacher and Jason Little as SocialStudies Teacher at Welch High School. -- approved the IHS Jazz Band’s request for an overnight trip to attend the CMU Jazz Week-end as well as the Varsity Wrestling Team’s request for an overnight trip to attend the GladwinTournament on January 11. -- approved the purchase the Skyward School Management Software System at a first yearcost of $85,933.00, which includes licenses, software, and training.

2. Bulldog Beginnings Teacher Michelle McKee presented the Rather Curriculum Showcasehighlighting Zoophonics with a dozen of her preschool students. The 4-year olds demonstratedletter sounds and motions, alphabetic knowledge and sang the Zoophonics song. Zoophonics isan early literacy skills program.

3. President Balice Gregory commended Michigan One Community Credit Union, representedby CEO Tim Hemenway, as the December Community Partner to IPS. Michigan One presented checks totaling $5,500 to five elementary schools and Welch HighSchool to assist with holiday baskets these schools provide to make the holidays brighter formany families within our schools. In total, Michigan One presented $20,000 to non-profitorganizations in Ionia County for the fifth year.

4. During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Batista outlined her goals for the 2013-14 schoolyear. The four goals include: to assure the Action Plans align with the District Strategic Plan; toincrease student achievement (25% of Dr. Batista’s evaluation is based on the aggregate perfor-mance of teachers); to maintain a healthy fund balance; and to provide communication with allstakeholders

5. Superintendent Batista said she has worked with principals to develop the student growthassessment for teacher evaluations. The Board Facilities/Grounds Committee met ; Aiphonetraining is completed and implementation has begun at the elementaries and Welch. At thistime, major focus for the area of Finance is the Technology Enhancement Millage on February25. Capturing Kids Hearts training for new teachers is being scheduled and the parent emailgroups gathered through the Parent Communication Survey have been shared with all elemen-tary teachers and secretaries.

6. Director of Finance Don Wilcox updated the Section 25E report, noting that 43 studentshave enrolled and 56 have transferred out since Count Day in early October. Mr. Wilcox also noted there is no legislation in Lansing to change the earlier decision toshare funds from the School Aid Fund with colleges and universities. Business Officials do notanticipate repayment of the millions of dollars given to colleges as a “loan”.

Welcome to Victoria Shank, who was hired as an IHS Sci-ence Teacher and to Jason Little, who joined the IPS staff as aSocial Studies Teacher at Welch High School.

Secretary Cathy Hoppough presented a certificate of appre-ciation to Tim Hemenway, CEO of Michigan One CommunityCredit Union. Michigan One was honored as the DecemberCommunity Partner for its generosity to the five elementaryschools and Welch High School as these schools prepared holi-day baskets for many local families.

January isSchool Board

Recognition Month

Security/Technology Millage Election setfor February 25, 2014

Superintendent: Dr. Patricia BatistaEditor: Maureen Meade

Website: www.Dawggle.net

Ionia Public Schools Board of EducationPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Balice-GregoryVice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger HullSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cathy HoppoughTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheri ScheurerTrustees . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sandra Townsend

Walter Downes, Dave O’Mara Ionia Public Schools will be part of countywide millageelection dedicated to Security and Technology on February25, 2014 through the Ionia County ISD. Funds raised by the proposed 1 mill levy for 5 years arededicated to assist each of the K-12 school districts in IoniaCounty to move forward with needed technology and schoolsafety measures. Additional information will be available soon.

Equal Opportunity Message: It has always been the policy of Ionia Public Schools to be an equal opportunity institution. Wedo not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, ethnic origin, physical or mental handicap, height, weight, or maritalstatus in any of our educational programs or activities including enrollment, placement, and employment. It is also the policy of the Board of Education to maintain an education and work environment that is free from all forms ofunlawful harassment, including sexual harassment. Any person wishing to inquire regarding these policies, or to file a complaint should contact: Ben Kirby or Maureen Reeder, 250 E. Tuttle Road, Ionia, MI 48846.

The January Revenue Consensus Meeting will provide dataif the State’s anticipated revenue projections are on target.

Thanking a Valued Community Partner

Welcoming New Teachers

Schools receive checks for holiday projects from Michigan One Tim Hemenway, CEO of Michigan One, on left, and Renee Hampton, Director of Member Ser-vices and Operations, on right, received big thanks from representatives of Ionia Public Schoolsfor M1's support at the holiday time. Pictured are, Mr. Hemenway, Welch Principal Beth Davis,Jefferson Principal Matt Vogel, Rather Principal Darin Magley, Superintendent Dr. Patricia Batista,Emerson Principal Mitch Mercer, Twin Rivers Teachers Leila McDonald and Jordan Rodgers, andMs. Hampton. Unable to be present was Boyce Principal Stacey Bovee.

Boyce students support Homeless Veterans Project All the students in Boyce Teacher Patrice Phelps' third grade class participated in a read-a-thon to raise money to support The Homeless Veterans Project. The class decided to do a littlething to make a BIG difference for Homeless Veterans during the Holiday Season. The HomelessVeterans Project is an organization that works hard to hold a Christmas party for homeless veter-ans and to honor their wish list of needed items.

Photo by Chris Sharpe

Dr. Patricia L. BatistaSuperintendent

Data is helping IPS focus on higherstudent achievement for all

By Dr. Patricia L. Batista, Superintendent

Cyber Safety Initiative Community Meeting planned forJanuary 14 at 7 p.m. at Watt Auditorium. All Welcome.

Senior CitizenLunch is Jan. 10

Senior citizens are invitedto enjoy the monthly luncheonhosted by Ionia Public Schoolson Friday, January 10. City Manager Jason Epplerwill share updates on “What’sHappening in the City of Ionia!” Please make your reserva-tions and report January birth-days and anniversaries by call-ing Central Office at 527-9280.

In this January SchoolReport, you will read aboutexceptional student talent andextraordinary acts of generos-ity that occurred at Ionia Pub-lic Schools in December. Attendance at elementary,vocal music and band con-certs gave audience after au-dience a splendid holidayspirit! Parents and staff memberslent their talent and humor tothese wonderful productions. Students, staff, boosterorganizations, and studentcouncils reached out to helpbrighten the holidays forschool families and to supportefforts like Toys for Tots andOperation Christmas Child. Six students from theClass of 2013 earned statusas AP Scholars. And thenames and pictures of moreand more seniors are going upon the Wall of Acceptance intoCollege. I am proud of our students,staff, and school family! Helping all students achievetheir fullest potential is a pri-mary mission at IPS. Withthe data now available to helpteachers assess specific stu-dent needs, our staff membersare tailoring individualized in-struction to meet studentneeds. They review and ad-just this “Just Right Instruc-tion” on a regular basis. This focus on data drivendecision making, togetherwith curriculum alignment, isenabling Ionia Public Schools’teachers and staff to raise thebar on student learning for allstudents. At the same time, all IPSschools are working to fill inthe gaps between the highest

and lowestachievingstudents. I thankthe stafffor lookingm o r edeeply atindividuals t u d e n tneeds andworking hard to fill in the gaps. Student achievement is amajor goal of our 3 to 5 YearStrategic Plan and certainlyone of my goals as Superin-tendent as outlined on Page 2under Board Highlights. Technology is critical todata driven decisions whichare helping to design differen-tiated instruction according tostudent need. We have the opportunity toprovide needed upgrades totechnology at IPS through anupcoming countywide millageelection dedicated to technol-ogy and school safety. That election is plannedfor Feb. 25; IPS will launch awebsite and facebook page onthis millage election soon. These sites will include in-formation about the proposalas well as answers to fre-quently asked questions.

In the event of inclement weather, verifyschool/ athletic schedules by checkingwww.Dawggle.net or IPS Facebook

Sign up for eNotify to be the First To Knowabout all cancellations!

Zoophonics is fun way to learn letters and sounds!

Gift given to IPS Scholarship Fund Linda Downes, treasurer of the inactive CON-NECT parent organization, presented a check for$443 to the IPS Scholarship Fund. Dave O'Mara, board representative to theScholarship Fund Board, accepted the gift at theDecember Board meeting. CONNECT will be acknowledged with a leaf onthe Donor Recognition Tree displayed in the IHSCommons.

IHS Student Council’s “Operation Christmas”is a wonderful experience for “bigs and littles”! Operation Christmas is an annual tradition that brightens thelives of many young people and their families. High School Stu-dent Council students are paired with students from Boyce,Emerson, Jefferson, Rather and Twin Rivers for a day of thought-ful shopping at Meijer in Ionia to buy Christmas presents for eachmember of the family. Following shopping, the students enjoy pizza and cookies, playgames, wrap presents, do crafts, and watch a movie, all at IoniaHigh School. This year, with the held of Heartlands’ Culinary Class,the students, pictured below, made muffins to take home. The experience is made possible by donations from the com-munity and through fundraising efforts by IHS Student Council.

Bulldog Beginnings Preschool students taught byTeacher Michelle McKee demonstratedZoophonics skills for the Board of Education and all attending the January Board meeting.

For children entering Kindergarten in September 2014 Child must be 5 years of age by October 1, 2014

Ionia Public Schools’Kindergarten Registration

Registration: By AppointmentSign up now for April 23 (9 to 7 pm) or April 24 (4-7 p.m.); March dates TBALocation: MCC Room 304, Ionia Education CenterTo assist us in planning, please call Jackie at 616.527.9280 or complete the followingand mail to "Kindergarten Registration", Ionia Public Schools, 250 E. Tuttle Rd.,Ionia, MI 48846, Attn: Jackie VanDyne

Parents' Names __________________________________________

Child's Name ____________________________________________

Birthdate _________Sex _____Phone________________________

Address _______________________________________________

Rotary Pasta Dinner is Friday, Jan.24Ticket includes dinner and admission to basketball

games; event supports IHS Scholarships!4 to 8 p.m. in IHS Commons outside IHS Gym

Kindergarten/Kinderstart/PreschoolParent Information MeetingFebruary 24 MCC Room 304 7 p.m.

Young People’sTheatre to present“Little Mermaid”

Auditions for YoungPeople’s Theatre will be Mon-day, Tuesday and Wednesday,Jan.13, 14 and 15 at Watt Au-ditorium at Ionia MiddleSchool from 2:45 to 5:00. Students in grades 1 - 8may sign up for chorus or tryout for speaking parts. Littleones, ages 4-7, may sign up atthis time. Mary Cusack returns to di-rect the 2014 show, Disney’s“Little Mermaid”. Perfor-mances are planned for March21, 22, 28, 29 at 7 p.m. andSunday, March 30 at 2 p.m.

Rather First Graders present series of plays Students in Teacher Suzanne Rosenburg’s first grade per-formed a series of fairy tales and nursery rhymes in a programtitled, “What’s Inside the Paper Wrap?”. Pictured above stu-dents enact “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”.

Parent/Teacher Conferences forGrades 6-12 planned for January

Ionia Public Schools will offer Parent/Teacher Conferencesfor parents of Ionia Middle and Ionia High School students inmid-January as the second trimester progresses. Conferences for IMS students will be Monday, January 20and Thursday, January 23 from 4:45 to 8:30 p.m. Confer-ences for IHS students are one night only, Wednesday, Janu-ary 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. Parent/Teacher conferences are an important communica-tion channel. Please make plans to visit your child’s teacher(s). No Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for GradesK-5 in January; the next elementary conferences are scheduledfor March 11 and 13.

2014 CommunityDinner is April 1

Please mark your calendarsfor Ionia Public Schools’ 29thAnnual Community Dinnerplanned for Tuesday, April 1.

Financial Aid Information Nightfor Parents of Seniors is Feb. 5

Ionia High School seniors and their parents are invited toan important financial aid information night to learn how tocomplete the FAFSA (financial aid form for college). IHS College Advisor Kylie Horrocks has arranged a spe-cialist from the Admissions Office of Montcalm CommunityCollege to lead the program, which includes a question andanswer session. The program is planned for February 5from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in MCC Rm 304.

Public Meeting to review proposedReproductive Health Curriculum

The Ionia Public Schools' Reproductive Health AdvisoryBoard has set the dates and times for parents, students, andcommunity members to review a short YouTube video thatsummarizes the middle school reproductive health unit.

The second reviewopportunity is Wednesday,January 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. inthe Central Office BoardRoom. Those unable to make the

preview time may call TwinRivers Principal Dayna Ellis,co-chair of the ReproductiveHealth Advisory Board, at(989) 855-3333 to makearrangements to reviewmaterials at their convenience.

Ionia Co. Daddy-Daughter Dance NightSaturday, Feb. 5 at the IHS Gym

Information on www.dawggle.net

IMS 7th and 8th Grade Combined Choir performed at Watt Vocal Music Teacher Rose Scheller directs the talented 7th and 8th grade combined choir inPeppermint Winter, Something About December, Under Winter Moon, and What Christmas Meansto Me!

The IHS choirs and many choir alumni joined forces to present “Fruitcake” as the fnale to the Holiday Concert!

Every Little Wish Boyce Interventionist Dawn Peterson accompanied the K-2students from Boyce and Rather on the French Horn for thesong, “Every Little Wish” at their Holiday Programs.

Tradition!

IHS Band performsHoliday Concert at

Watt The Brass Quartet of MattWinwright, Glen Heglin, JustinLeak, and Tim Mayer per-formed “Angel Song” as partof the IHS Instrumental MusicHoliday Concert. The bands are directed byTeachers Scott Beyer and TomBrill.

More scenes from the Elementary Music Programs Clockwise from bottom left, Twin Rivers Hand Bell Choir play “Every Little Wish”, Twin Riversstudents hula to “Mele Kalikimaka”, Rather students perform “The Dreidel”, Emerson studentsplay the hand bells, while above Rather students are joined by parent Timothy Peterson for“Eight Days of Hanukkah”, and below, Boyce K-2 students portray “The Friendly Beasts”.

Kudos to the IHS FootballTeam on a great 2013 season!Thank you, Firstbank, for host-ing these fine athletes on yourfloat in the Ionia Parade!

Thank you, Carole Sanocki,for knitting hats to keep ourstudents warm on cold, snowydays. Pictured with KinderStartstudents in Teacher LynetteKirby's class, this is the fifthyear Mrs. Sanocki has knit 100hats to donate to IPS.

FridayTuesday Wednesday Sat./SundayThursdayMonday

Band Boosters, 7 p.m.

Senior Citizen Luncheon, 12 NoonCSI Assembly, Emerson

K-12 Math Committee MeetingIMS Fun Night, 7-9 p.m.

School ResumesBoyce Gold Slip Assembly

Jefferson School Improv., 3:45TR School Improvement., 3:45

TR FSO Meeting, 6:00Jefferson PTG, 6

Burrito

Rather PFCU Student Branch, 9:35Emerson Yearbook Candids

Cyber Safety Initiative (CSI)Assembly, IMS

K-12 Math Coherence CommitteTR Math-a-thon Kickoff

Rather Coffee w/the Principal, 7:35

Chef’s Salad

Dippin Chicken Nuggets

Dippin Chicken Nuggets

Dippin Chicken Nuggets

Chili Con Carne

CSI Assembly, TRTR Dentists-R-Us

Boyce Lunch w/the PrincipalGrades 4-5 Math Professional

DevelopmentYPT Auditions, 2:45 - 5, Watt Aud

IMS Meet the Team, 6 p.m.

Meat Sauce onSpaghetti Mtn.

Turkey/Dressing

Sloppy G.I. Joe andG.I. Jane

Hot Diggity Dog

Hot Dog/Bun

CSI Assemblies, RatherBoyce Family AR Night, 6

Emerson PTG Mtg., 6Rather PFCU Student Branch, 9:35

Hot Diggity Dog

Up periscope, ItalianSub

Cheeseburger on a bunis fun!

Chicken Quesadillas

Cheese filledbreadsticks

CSI Assembly, BoyceBoyce PTG, 6 p.m.

Boyce Math-a-Thon KickoffElementary Grade Level Mtgs, 4

K-1 Math Professional Dev.Rather PTG Mtg., 5:30

YPT Auditions, 2:45-5, WattIAAB Mtg., 6:15 pm, IHS Library

Grades 9-12 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences, 5-8

Welch School Improvement, 2:45

Grades 6-8 Student/Parent/TeacherConferences, 4:45-8:30

Rather PFCU Student Branch, 9:35Emerson Family Night, 6

Emerson Family Night, 6 p.m.

Burrito

Board of Education,MCC 304, 7 p.m.

Grades 6-8 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:45-8:30

Boyce School Improvement, 7:25Rather School Improvement, 2:40

Jefferson School Improv., 3:45TR School Improvement, 3:45

Bulldog Salad

Boyce Grade Level Meeting, 7:25Superintendent's Advisory, 12Jefferson School Improv., 3:45

TR Grade Level Mtgs, 3:45Rather Family AR Night, 6:30

.

Specials Teachers Curriculum Mtg.NHS Wacky Skating

Rather Lunch w/Principal, 11:20ELA Common ore/Hair on Fire

2nd Trimester Progress Reportsgo home with elementary students

TR FSO Family Fitness Night,6-7:30 p.m.

Rather Title I Family Math Night, 6Rotary Pasta Supper, 5 - 7

Rather PFCU Student Branch, 9:35Math Common Core/Hair on Fire

Dippin Chicken Nuggets

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CSI Assembly JeffersonCyber Safety Initiative (CSI)

Community Meeting, 7 p.m., WattGrades 2-3 Math Professional

DevelopmentYPT Auditions, 2:45 - 5, Watt Aud

IMS Boosters, 4:30

AP Biology Lab Day, 8 a.m.

Cheese filledbreadsticks

NHS Wacky Skating

January 2014

Ionia County Daddy-DaughterDance Night, 6-8, IHS Gym

Feb. 1

Pizza, taco, hamburger and grilled chicken patty are the four main choices available every day. Fifth choice offerings are listed above. In addition to the main dish, the following items will be available: Lettuce,Cheese, Croutons, Salad Dressings, plus one vegetable, one fruit and bread and butter. A 1/2 pint of regular or 2% milk is included with lunch. Prices: Elementary Students, $2.00; Middle School Students (buffetline), $2.25; High School Students (buffet line), $2.25; Staff and Adults, $3.00. Program prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any person who believes he/shehas been discriminated against should write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equalopportunity provider and employer.”

Festive ElementaryPrograms delight

audiences at Theatre

Photo by Chris Sharpe

Photo by Anne Swinehart

Wonderful vocal music pro-grams by the five elementaryschools elevated the joy of theholidays for thousands of IoniaPublic Schools families. Directors Sari Mercer andPhil Sawyer earned applausewhen their students sang fa-vorite holiday songs.” Clock-wise from top right, Jeffersonstudent Ryann Lower sings“The First Noel”, Emerson stu-dents perform “Pinata”,Rather K-2 students “RingLittle Bells”, and TR studentJacob Doty plays the role ofGrinch!

Boyce students ended their “Peppermint Winter” Holiday Program with “Sleigh Ride”, which featured many “ring-a-ling singers and jingle bell players!