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A New Vision for the Lighthouse District CREATING A STRATEGIC PLAN TO CARRY OUR DISTRICT INTO THE FUTURE AND MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF FUNDING, TECHNOLOGY AND CHANGING EXPECTATIONS. This past summer, the St. Joseph Board of Education directed me to draw up a strategic plan for this district so every member of our community would know what our purpose is; what our values are; and what vision we have for our future. My administrative staff, following the mentorship of Harry Burritt on loan from Whirlpool Corporation, embarked upon meeting this directive. The following are key elements from our plan: Our Purpose: The purpose of SJPS is to prepare students to successfully meet the challenges of the future, and inspire caring compassionate, motivated individuals who will perpetuate the American way of life. Our Values: Excellence, Pride, Teamwork, Diversity, Integrity and Compassion Our Vision: St. Joseph Public Schools will be recognized as “A Lighthouse District”, using research based strategies, leading edge technologies and innovative practices to provide the highest quality learning experiences by • Delivering a curriculum that meets the needs of all learners • Achieving organizational and financial excellence • Forming a community of learners with a continuous improvement culture • Providing facilities designed to meet or exceed requirements. • Using proven methods and equipment Our Strategic Plan is particulary important as we go through these hard economic times. Every decision to spend or cut must be made with our strategic goals in mind. In fact, every decision we make must ultimately bring us closer to our goal of being “A Lighthouse District”! Please feel free to send any comments you have regarding our strategic plan to: [email protected] or directly to 3275 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Allen Skibbe Superintendent What’s Inside: SCHOOL BOARD LEADS STRONG STAFF RECEIVE AWARDS ACADEMIC LETTER AWARDS THANK YOU SJPS FOUNDATION SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD RECEIVED READ ALL ABOUT IT! SPRING TRAINING FINE ARTS IN THE NEWS BATTLE OF THE BOOKS CLASSROOMS OF TODAY ELEMENTARY NEWS GIRLS ON THE RUN FIELDHOUSE PROGRAMS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Board of Education Frank Pastrick, President Amy Porritt-Peirce, Vice President Randy Reimers, Treasurer Denise Reeves, Secretary Bill Schalk, Trustee Dean Ray, Trustee Mary Ann Pater, Trustee St. Joseph PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT SCHOOLS IN A GREAT COMMUNITY WINTER 2009

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staff receiVe awards battle of the books girls on the run spring training sportsmanship award receiVed fine arts in the news read all about it! randy reimers, treasurer denise reeves, secretary our Values: Excellence, Pride, Teamwork, Diversity, Integrity and Compassion dean ray, trustee mary ann pater, trustee amy porritt-peirce, Vice president frank pastrick, president bill schalk, trustee WInTEr 2009 • Using proven methods and equipment Allen Skibbe superintendent

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A New Vision for theLighthouse Districtcreating a strategic plan to carry our district into the future and meeting the challenges of funding, technology and changing expectations.

This past summer, the St. Joseph Board of Education directed me to draw up a strategic plan for this district so every member of our community would know what our purpose is; what our values are; and what vision we have for our future.

My administrative staff, following the mentorship of Harry Burritt on loan from Whirlpool Corporation, embarked upon meeting this directive. The following are key elements from our plan: our purpose:The purpose of SJPS is to prepare students to successfully meet the challenges of the future, and inspire caring compassionate, motivated individuals who will perpetuate the American way of life. our Values:Excellence, Pride, Teamwork, Diversity, Integrity and Compassion

our Vision:St. Joseph Public Schools will be recognized as “A Lighthouse District”, using research based strategies, leading edge technologies and innovative practices to provide the highest quality learning experiences by

• Delivering a curriculum that meets the needs of all learners

• Achieving organizational and financial excellence

• Forming a community of learners with a continuous improvement culture

• Providing facilities designed to meet or exceed requirements.

• Using proven methods and equipment

Our Strategic Plan is particulary important as we go through these hard economic times. Every decision to spend or cut must be made with our strategic goals in mind. In fact, every decision we make must ultimately bring us closer to our goal of being “A Lighthouse District”!

Please feel free to send any comments you have regarding our strategic plan to: [email protected] or directly to 3275 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Allen Skibbe superintendent

What’s Inside:school board leads strong

staff receiVe awards

academic letter awards

thank you sJps foundation

sportsmanship award receiVed

read all about it!

spring training

fine arts in the news

battle of the books

classrooms of today

elementary news

girls on the run

fieldhouse programs

calendar of eVents

Board of Educationfrank pastrick, president

amy porritt-peirce, Vice presidentrandy reimers, treasurerdenise reeves, secretary

bill schalk, trusteedean ray, trustee

mary ann pater, trustee

St. JosephPUBLIC SCHOOLS

grEAT SCHOOLS In A grEAT COMMunITy WInTEr 2009

BOARD of EDUCATION CALENDAR

february 9 - board meetingE.P. Clarke Elementary Media Center

march 2 - study sessionupton Middle School Media Center

march 9 - board meeting

Lincoln Elementary Media Center

april 13 - board meetingupton Middle School Media Center

may 4- study sessionupton Middle School Media Center

may 11 - board meetingHigh School Media Center

June 1 - study session

upton Middle School Media Center

June 8 - board meetingupton Middle School Media Center

School Board Leads Strong!the staff and students of st. Joseph public schools would like to thank the school board for their passion and leadership.

As citizen leaders, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges. They are alternately described as having the most important volunteer jobs in the country and facing the toughest challenge in elected American government. yet school board members are just ordinary citizens with extraordinary dedication to our nation’s public schools.

Public education is the backbone of American society, and local school boards are deeply rooted in u.S. tradition. Their origins can be traced to colonial times when the Massachusetts Law of 1642 empowered town officers to compel parents to teach their children to read. Today local school boards continue to do the most important work of their communities—that of educating our youth.

Their job is to establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community and strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning. yet local trustees sometimes tackle an often thankless job devoid of any glory. Too often we are quick to criticize school board members without really knowing all the details that went into a given decision. now is the time to thank them for their untiring efforts.

Although they wear many hats in the workday world, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business of leading their school districts. Board members must pull together as a team toward a common goal—helping students achieve. Though they may individually disagree on certain issues, their role as a board is to consistently strive toward that goal.

In recognition of their dedicated service, January was designated as School Board recognition Month. The next time you see one of our School Board Members, please take the time to say - THAnK yOu!

back row: randy reimers, bill schalk, frank pastrick, dean rayfront row: denise reeVes, amy porritt-peirce, mary ann pater

Up-Coming School Board ElectionsThe regular School Election will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. There are two board member positions open with four-year terms, Dean ray, Jr. and Bill Schalk. nominating Petitions and an Affidavit of Identity must be filed no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.

nominating petitions may only be submitted at the County Clerk’s Office, Berrien County Courthouse, 811 Port Street, St. Joseph between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applications may be picked up at the Courthouse in St. Joseph.

tom hevelawarded the 2009 kennedy center gold medallion

The gold Medallion is a national honor bestowed by the KCACTF regional Board to those faculty members whose committment to their students set an example for all. The award, given since 1972, is “presented to those in the KCACTF regions who have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theater and to the development and quality of the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival.”

Tom Hevel started his life in theater at 15 years old, working for the local IATSE in South Bend, Indiana.

He then proceeded to work as a television director and production manager for public television. After leaving the TV world, he studied at Indiana State university and became involved with the KCACTF. He then started working as the stage manager for the Irene ryan Acting Scholarship in 1978 and has been doing so since that time. During his involvement with the KCACTF, Tom has stage managed productions, operated sound and lighting for festival productions, and worked as the Auditorium and Facilities Manager at St. Joseph Public Schools for the past 26 years. Tom has directed many productions throughout his career and has been a great influence on many students.

St. Joseph is proud to have such a talented individual call our school district home.

Thank You!The students and staff of the St. Joseph School District would like to extend a very big thank you to the entire Foundation Board and all the volunteers and donors who have worked tirelessly this last year, giving of their time, talents and resources.

Their passion for our school system has helped to fund some exciting projects including the new Community Sign, five Classrooms of Today and some very important programs, that would otherwise not exist.

We are pleased to announce that we have just received word that the Foundation has committed to funding the following projects, due to a successful End-of-year giving Campaign.

A.C.T. Prep Course

Digital Cameras

5th grade Choir

reading Counts

guided reading

upton Math Tutor Program

craig hubbleCraig Hubble is the principal of Brown school and has been with the St. Joseph Public Schools for the past 10 years. During that time he has worked as principal and curriculum director. Prior to coming to St. Joseph he lived in the Kalamazoo area and worked as a teacher and administrator in a few public school districts. He also spent 3 years working as a research center director at Western Michigan university.

He has just recently been named the president of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal Association. The Michigan Elementary & Middle

School Principals Association is a professional organization serving elementary and middle level principals. MEMSPA is dedicated to supporting principals in the delivery of quality educational experiences to the students of the State of Michigan by providing

leadership, legislative advocacy and guidance.

St. Joseph Schools would like to congratulate Mr. Hubble on his appointment and is proud to have Craig as a member of our Administrative team.

named president of the michigan elementary and middle school principals association

30th ANNuAL AcADemic Letter AwArDS

1st principals perseverance award

2008 academic letter winners- class of 2011

Pictured from left to right:(front row): Madeline Kovarik, Christopher Pfahler, Jessica Lucker, Megan Mcnitt, Kaley Kitron, Emily reay, Esha Patel (2nd row): Brian Carrick, Will Carter, Melanie Schweir, Steven ross, Alexander Lucy, David reimers, Jacob Zylema, Alexander Willer, Jocelyn Weberg, Sumanpreet Toor (Back row-standing): Haley Miller, Vartika Singh Not Pictured: Corey Erny, Dana getz, Theodore getz, Bryce Jones, Karis Kang, Jeremy rush, Margaret Van Winkle, noreen Walls, David Wegscheid, Peter Xie

2008 academic letter winners- class of 2009

Pictured from left to right:(front row): nathan Matejczyk, nathan Beaty, nathaniel Kelly, Jeffrey Hanley, Matthew Herman, Erin Etter, Sarah Kurtz (2nd row): Olivia Matz, natalie Paulson, Eeshan Khanpara, Scott Fowler, nichole Enriquez, Katie Trumbley, Michael Smiy, nicholas Kirkpatrick, Kathryn Borre, Kirsten Kortebein (3rd row): Andrew Haumersen, David Valensi Not pictured: Archana Bharadwaj, Devora gleiber, Matthew Jewell, Sara Kolettis, Brittany Lalley, Sharon Lee, Cameron Luther, Brian Mejeur, Alexander Milnikel, Christina nieh, Eric robbins, Laura Smith, Molly Zebell, Celia Zhang

2008 academic letter winners- class of 2010

Pictured from left to right:(front row): Vishal Arora, nathan gerken, Kristopher Klassen, Michael Herman, Emily Engler, Erin reddaway (2nd row): Karen Hawley, Daniel reimers, Collin Ludwig, Jeff Chen, Timothy Pow, David Huynh, David Burkard, Brian VanAntwerp, Samantha Sukupchak, Krista Erickson Not pictured: Sepideh Ashrafzadeh, Andrew Brown, Andrew Hamilton, Jessica Keigley, Andrew Keppeler, Sara Khatri, rebecca Merchant, Olivia Postelli, Curtis Punches, Janel Snipes, Bridget Valenti

Junior daniel reimers, was the recipient of the first principals perseverance award. this recognition will be awarded annually to one student who perseveres to overcome obstacles in their life to excel academically.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!freshmen students “book a conVersation” Students read a novel of their choice from a list of 30 selections and then had conversations with the teachers sponsoring the selected novels. Ten of the 30 sponsors reported 100% participation by their groups and the first 2 groups to report at 100% were treated to a pizza party. We had 75% participation - that is 181 out of 242 freshmen participated in this project during the first semester. Surveyed responses were positive and we will continue this project next year with incoming freshmen as well as sophomores.

all school read

This project has been moved back to 2nd semester of the 2009-10 school year. We have selected Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom as the book we will read. Look for information on how you can help fund this project by accessing the SJHS webpage.

march is reading month - share your loVe of reading with a student

During March, guest speakers from many walks of life will share with students how reading is important to their work and what they read for recreation. If you are interested in participating, please contact SJHS. you might want to look at our Teacher Web pages to see teachers’ favorite books.

The Walt Lange Memorial Sportsmanship Award is given annually to a middle school and high school in Southwest Michigan whose scholar athletes, coaches, and fans have exhibited exceptional sportsmanship. All area schools are eligible for the honor, voted on at the spring general meeting by association members. This award is given in memory of long-time Fruitbelt member Walt Lange. The Fruitbelt Officials Association is proud to announce the 2007-08 school upon whom this honor was bestowed: St. Joseph High School

walt langememorial sportsmanship award

spring training!“hello again, eVerybody. it’s a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball.”

- harry caray

For more information about these clinics and St. Joseph Baseball, visit: www.sjbearsbaseball.com

hitting clinicsgrades: 1st – 6thDays: SundaysDates: Jan. 25 – March 8Times: 1st/2nd grade 1 PM – 2 PM 3rd/4th grade 2 PM – 3 PM 5th/6th grade 3 PM – 4 PMPlace: SJHS Field HouseCost: $100Players will work on the mechanics of hitting. - Stance / grip- Balance / Head Position- Proper Swing

pitching clinicsgrades: 1st – 6thDays: SaturdaysDates: February 14th & 28thTime: 4 PM – 5:30 PMPlace: SJHS Field HouseCost: $30Players will work on the mechanics of pitching. - Ball grip / Arm Position- Balance / Finish- Proper Throwing Motion

catching clinicsgrades: 1st – 6thDays: SaturdaysDates: February 7th & 21stTime: 4 PM – 5:30 PMPlace: SJHS Field HouseCost: $30Players will work on the mechanics of catching. - Proper Set up- Catching / Framing- Blocking and Throwing

season opener clinicSaturday & Sunday March 28th & 29thMore information coming soon!

Please Send registration to:SJHS, c/o Eric Danapilis2521 Stadium DriveSt. Joseph MI 49085 For More Information Call: SJHS Athletics @ 926-3220

Limited Spots Available So Sign-Up Now!

“This special invitation is a huge honor for us, especially considering all the terrific groups from around the state that could have been asked to perform. We’re proud to be representatives of what’s happening musically in Southwest Michigan.”

- steve reed,director of orchestras

fine arts chairman

“This special invitation is a huge honor for us, especially considering all the terrific groups from around the state that could have been asked to perform. We’re proud to be representatives of what’s happening musically in Southwest Michigan.”

- steve reed,director of orchestras

fine arts chairman

ST. JOSEPH HIgH SCHOOL CHAmBER ORCHESTRAperforming at the 75th anniVsary celebration

The St Joseph High School Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Steven L. reed, has been invited to perform at a special Celebration Ceremony marking the 75th Anniversary of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). The Celebration Ceremony was held on Friday, January 23rd, 2009, at the Amway grand Plaza Hotel in grand rapids, and was part of the annual Michigan Music Conference (MMC): an In-Service Conference for Music Educators.

The Celebration Ceremony began immediately following the Friday evening concert at the MMC which featured performing groups from Oakland university, Central Michigan university and grand Valley State university. MSBOA invited former managing secretaries, executive directors and past presidents to reminisce about how far MSBOA has come in 75

years. Ed Downing, former MSBOA president and past president of the Interlochen Arts Academy, gave the keynote address. Advertised performances for the evening included the Boston Brass and the St. Joseph High School Chamber Orchestra.

The Michigan Music Conference was be held January 22-24, 2009 in grand rapids, at DeVos Place, Amway grand Plaza Hotel, and JW Marriott. It’s an annual collaborative venture of the Michigan Music Education Association, MSBOA, Michigan School Vocal Association and the Michigan American String Teachers Association. The MMC represents nearly 5,000 teachers who work every day to make music a rigorous part of a comprehensive education. The annual conference offered dozens

of student and professional performances, the All State Honors Concerts, and hundreds of clinics and music education sessions for teachers. Over 200 exhibitors show music education materials, supplies, equipment, and school services for music programs.

The St. Joseph High School Chamber Orchestra has performed at the MMC four times previously, along with the SJHS Symphony Orchestra. All of these previous performances were in Ann Arbor at the university of Michigan where the conference was held until 2006. This special invitation to perform at the 75th Anniversary Celebration is in recognition of the St. Joseph High School Chamber Orchestra’s significant accomplishments in past MSBOA festivals and competitions.

all state honors

The results are finally in! According to the Chairperson of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) All-State Bands and Orchestra, a record number of auditions took place state-wide on nov. 1 & 2 for All-State.

Out of those selected, eight upton Middle School Orchestra members and five St. Joseph High School members have been chosen to be a part of the 2009 All-State Orchestras. These students performed for the Michigan Music Conference on Saturday, January 24, 2009 in grand rapids. Congratulations on a job well done!

state honors orchestraJenna Solomon (8th) violinTage Heyn (8th) violinChris Pow (7th) violaEdward nieh (7th) cellogigi gastevich (7th) celloChris Klusendorf (7th) celloryan MacDonald (7th) string bassDaniel Michaels (7th) string bass

Sharon Lee (12th) violaKevin Wu (9th) violinChristine Server (9th) violinColleen Cook (11th) violinChristina nieh (12th) violin

state honors choirJoshua Scheid (11th)Alex Milnikel (12th)

do the performing arts affect educational success?

A report outlining the successes of the many students involved in the St. Joseph Performing Arts program was recently presented to the Board of Education from the Band & Orchestra Parents’ Assocation. The results were very impressive. To view the entire report, please log on to the school website at www.sjschools.org

42% of Academic Letter Winners

43% of National Honor Students

30% of SJHS Student Population

2007/08 School YearPopulation

% of student populationcurrently inolved in

performing arts program

Hear ye, Hear ye! The 21st annual Battle of the Books is underway in the media center at upton Middle School. Battle of the Books is a reading program with a medieval times theme. Seventh grade students have been grouped into teams of five or six students and are reading books from an assigned list. Each week students visit the media center with their English classes to participate in team meetings, mini-battles over the books, author trivia, and medieval activities.

The reading program ends on February 27th at 9:00 AM when the entire seventh grade will march into the media center to show off their book knowledge and reading spirit in the Final Battle!

battle ofthe books!21st annual upton competition

thursday, february 26 at 7:00 p.m. at lincoln elementary

For parents (only) of students who will be 5 years of age on or before December 1, 2009.

If you cannot attend, or have questions please call Mike Wagner at 926-3700.

Have you had an opportunity to stop by one of the Classrooms of Today to check out their progress? Mrs. Lee at Brown, Mrs. Durflinger at Clarke, Mr. Huber at Lincoln, Mr. rommel at upton, and Mrs. Morris at the High School are all very busy learning to integrate a whole variety of technology tools in their transformed learning environments. Thanks to several very generous donors, the COT students are also finding that learning with 21st Century Tools is very rewarding.

If you have not seen any of the rooms and would like to, you can contact any one of the teachers above, any of the building principals, or Director of Technology, ren Baldwin at 926-3245.

CLASSROOmS OF TODAYBring 21st Century Learning and Teachingto St. Joseph Schools

Kindergarten Round Up!

helping hands!

Brown students helped Animal Aid and the Humane Society in november by collecting dog food, paper towels, bleach, and other goods for the organizations. The students also collected over $300.00 in cash.

BrowN SchooL: STUDENTS AT WORK!

on the road!

Brown 4th graders joined Ms. Mac, music teacher, at the Morton House in Benton Harbor for their open house. The kids sang two songs and toured this historical building.

get smart!

This is the Knowledge Masters team at Brown School. These dedicated kiddos stay for club meetings on Fridays from 4-5 to prepare for a competition to take place in January.

maiZe & blue goes green!Brown Elementary students are doing their part to reduce, reuse and recycle! Jamie Huber, fourth grade teacher, has received a recycling grant through the Berrien County resource recovery Program for $730.00. The School is using this grant to purchase classroom and hallway recycling containers for the whole building. The school will also receive several 50 gallon containers to organize the building recyclables.

mr. huber wins grant from maculMr. Huber applied for, and was awarded the Michigan Association for Computer users in Learning (MACuL) MI-Champions grant.

This grant is to develop the expertise of teachers to use technology to improve student academic achievement. The purpose of the grant is to design and deliver a statewide model for professional development that will create the skill set necessary for building based “Technology Integration Champions” at the local level.

The project addresses this purpose by: Providing funding for teachers to attend MACuL

Conference held in Detroit in March 2009 and in grand rapids in 2010 where training will be provided. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend conference sessions and exhibits. Conference registration, MACuL membership, one night’s lodging and reimbursement for substitute teachers are provided.

Providing intense, two day integration training in the summer of 2009, including universal Design for Learning, for all teachers and coaches: trainers, materials, and teacher stipends are provided. Training sessions will be scheduled in various regions in the state.

Providing two days of coaching for each school during the 2009-10 school year.

Providing registration, 1 night’s lodging, and reimbursement for substitute teachers for the 2010 MACuL conference.

Lincoln’s MI Champions Team members are Mr. Huber, Mrs. Alsbro, Mrs. Watts, Mrs. Wiesemes, and Mr. Wagner.

mrs. warsaw wins grant from picturing americaMrs. Warsow applied for and was awarded the Picturing America grant, a free education resource of the national Endowment for the Humanities (nEH), distributed in cooperation with the American Library Association.

Picturing America award

materials include forty images mounted on twenty double-sided, laminated posters for display and classroom use and a teacher’s resource book.

Many thanks to Mr. Huber and Mrs. Warsow for their efforts in securing these grants that will benefit the students and staff of Lincoln School.

City Points theWay to BetterReading

LINCOLN SCHOOLWINS TWO gRANTS!

The District’s Elementary Media Centers have new signs!

Thanks to Frank Walsh and the City of St. Joseph, the students at our elementaries will now find it easier to find their way around the Media Centers. Each elementary received seven street signs, complete with the lighthouse logo, designating the different areas of the Media Centers. The signs identify the Fiction, nonfiction, reference, Periodicals, Check-Out, Everybody and Biography sections.

The addition of these signs complements the use of street signs already displayed within our schools to help with our postal system. Please feel free to stop in and see our new signage.

Thank you to Frank Walsh and the City Commissioners for continuing to help make our schools great!

meDiA ceNterS: gOT IT gOINg ON!

for more Visitwww.girlsontherun.com

girls on the run© is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Their curricula address all aspects of girls’ development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

girls on the run International (gOTrI) is the parent organization of more than 150 girls on the run councils across the united States and Canada. gOTrI establishes, trains and supports a network of community-level councils with local volunteers. The volunteers serve as role models to the girls through coaching the 12-week, 24 lesson curricula. The curriculum is delivered in these areas through after-school programs, recreation centers and other non-profit settings.

girls on the run of Berrien County will identify and select a dynamic group of coaches age 18 and above to lead of our teams

of 8-15 girls. Coaching is one of the most rewarding ways to be involved in our program. Parents, teachers, school administrators, and people who are committed to developing and celebrating our youth make great coaches. Coaches do not have to be runners, just women interested in “preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living!”

Volunteers are needed now to make Berrien County girls on the run a success! If you are interested in participating, opportunities are available for one-day activities, committee positions, and the extremely rewarding position of female Mentor Coach. requirements for involvement are simply enthusiasm and commitment to the healthy development of young girls!

The program for the girls (grades 3-5) will begin in February of 2009 and run until May 21st. Participating girls will meet twice

a week with two adult female coaches for 90-minute sessions that incorporate important life-skill lessons, fun and active

games, and exercise.

The fee for this program is $85, and includes 24 sessions, a new pair of new Balance running shoes, program t-shirts, and registration (with t-shirt) for the all-county 5k Fun run that ends the program.

Please consider encouraging your daughter to participate in this award-winning program. We also ask that you consider volunteering for this effort. Many volunteers are needed – most urgent at this time is the

role of a Team Coach. Coaching is a volunteer position that requires a strong commitment, but is extremely beneficial to those who do it.

For more information on Berrien County girls on the run, please visit the united Way’s girls on the run website at www.uwsm.org, or contact Joann McMahon, Community Impact Director at (269) 925-7772, extension 21, or [email protected].

mAKe A DiFFereNce iN A GirL’S LiFe

“Girls on the Run is a lot more than a running program. It will, I believe, create an entire generation of girls who can live peacefully and happily outside of the Girl Box.”

- founder, molly barker

looking for your memoriesst. Joseph schools is deVeloping a formal history of the schools and would like your input!

St. Joseph Publc Schools boasts a list of 3 alumni in 1873 and since has enjoyed a rich history of academics, athletics and the arts. In doing research for an alumni project, it has come to our attention that there is no true historical record that has been kept of the school’s past. We are asking alumni, community members and anyone out there that has old photos, documents or vivid memories, to share those with us.

Some items may be included in a book, set to publish next fall, or if possible, kept in an official archives that will hopefully go on display within the school.

To learn more about this project, please contact Christine Waterhouse, Communications Director at 926-3252 or via email [email protected].

eLemeNtAry GrADeS 3-5: gIRLS ON THE RUN!

Fieldhouse PublicFitness Program

Starts Nov 2nd and runs through March. All SJ residents are welcome.

walking/JoggingSun-Thurs 6:30-9 pm

free to residentsweds family walk night

(kids with parent)

adult basketballSun 6:30-8:30 pm

Thurs 7-9 pm$1 residents/$2 non-residents

weight roomSun, Tues, Thurs 6:30-8 pm$2 residents or $30/30 visits

personal trainer $50/10 sessions

sunday family swim/gymFeb 22, 4-6 pm$5.00 per family

No Children will be allowed without parent. Lifeguard will be on duty.

ultimate frisbeeTues 7:30-9:30 pm

$5.00

parent w/child basketball

Thurs 7-8 pm $1 residents only

parent web site registrationParents, in order to provide the best communication between our district, teachers, and your household, we are requesting that you register on our web site. It is an easy and quick process and will allow you to receive E-Alerts from your student’s teachers, update emergency information, view custom calendars and access common forms and more.

STEP 1: register by visiting the school web site and filling out the on-line form.

STEP 2: After you receive confirmation of your registration you MuST THEn subscribe to the areas you want to receive e-alerts from by logging in to the site and clicking on the My InFO link.

www.sJschools.org

liVe united: sJps wins most improVed campaign!The St. Joseph Public Schools was awarded the “Most Improved Campaign” Award for 2008 from the united Way with numbers up 154% from last year.

on-line

3275 lincoln aVenue, st. Joseph, mi 49085www.sJschools.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

elementary parent/teacher conferencesFeb. 12th and 13th No School

hs Variety showFeb. 20 and 21 7:30 pm HS Auditorium

kindergarten round up!Feb. 26th 7:00 pm Lincoln Elementary battle of the books - the final battleFeb. 27th MS Media Center

string spectacularMarch 12th 7:00 pm HS Auditorium

elementary/middle school in-serviceMarch 19th 7:30 No School

spring breakApril 3rd - 10th No School