The Harper Woods School District Herald The School District of the City of Harper Woods Fall 2014 20225 Beaconsfield Harper Woods, MI 48225-1395 313/245-3000 The school year begins with student Did you know that... achievement on the rise and new New Beacon Elementary School program helps kindergarteners get off to a good start. New technology brings students more learning opportunities (page 3) Varsity football players serve as mentors for teammates (page 4) Band Boosters host 20th annual Band-ORama (page 5) Varsity soccer team develops new skills (page 6) Specialist helps young students become better readers (page 7) First Unity in the Community program is a success (page 7) Talk to us helps community members get information, ask questions, and stay in touch with the Harper Woods School District (page 8 ) There are a lot of good things happening in the Harper Woods School District (HWSD). Again this year, we are proud to announce that student achievement is on the rise. In fact, on the most recent ACT test (a national test that measures college readiness of high school students) HWSD scores increased almost 3½ times the state average. That’s good news. On other tests we are seeing similar increases in student achievement. Our efforts to make sure all students are succeeding is paying off as we continue to close the achievement gap between our lowest and highest achieving students. What this means is that while our top students continue to achieve and improve, 8th grade students Gregory Stweart, Cinderra Kelly, D’Juan Powell, Lauryn Felton, and Earl Hall take a quick break between classes. students who are struggling are also receiving the help they need to be successful. We have added two new learning opportunities as we continue our commitment to providing HWSD students with the most up-to-date technology and real-world learning experiences. To help prepare students for a career in Digital Media and Production, we have added a new Digital Media class and lab. Equipped with state-of the-art computers and technology, students in the Digital Media class and other high school classes will use the lab to develop advertising materials, design information literature, (Continued on next page) Page 2 Student achievement and create digital programming. Students will also use the lab to design the school yearbook, develop media productions, and produce the student online newspaper. But that’s not all that’s new this year. Students in the Math and Engineering Career focus area will assist the HWSD as we go “green” through the development of a renewable energy project. Installation of a solar panel and small scale windmill power (continued) generating device at the secondary campus is underway. Students in math, science, and engineering classes will collect data, monitor energy savings, and conduct action research projects related to the renewal energy initiative. If you are a community member who does not have children in our schools I invite you to “see for yourself” all the great things that are happening in the Harper Woods School District by attending student music and choir performances and athletic events that are held throughout the year. Check our website at www.hwschools.org for upcoming events. Todd Biederwolf Superintendent New Beacon Elementary School program helps kindergarteners get off to a “good start” Getting off to a good start in school is really important. That’s why Beacon Elementary has implemented a new program designed to assess how kindergartners are doing in the first 45 days of the school year. Called the Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA), it is a tested and proven program for observing students and assessing their progress as they begin kindergarten. “The first few weeks of school are an important time for kindergartners and their teachers,” said Janet Gottsleben, Beacon Elementary School principal. “Early identification of what a student knows and has learned in the first 45 days can help teachers with instructional content and delivery of lessons.” Through the assessment, teachers observe children in the classroom every day. This helps them understand what the new kindergartners know and can do. The assessment results provide teachers and parents with important information about a child’s learning and development in five important areas: mathematics; literacy and language; approaches toward learning; social and emotional development; and, physical wellbeing, muscle development and coordination. Using the information provided by KEA, teachers can individualize instruction and parents learn how they can provide learning opportunities beyond the regular school day. Beacon Elementary School Kindergarten teacher Deborah Bloomhuff records student progress as she conducts the Kindergarten Education Assessment (KEA) with students. Page 3 Technology expansion brings new opportunities Not many other school districts can say that they have a personal computing device (iPad, tablet, or laptop) in every classroom for every child. But in the Harper Woods School District, we can. Again this year, the Harper Woods School District has “rolled out” even more learning devices for students. All classrooms in kindergarten through eight received iPads for each student. In addition, all classrooms in grades eight through 12 received MacBook Airs for individual student use. “Incorporating these new learning devices into classroom instruction has changed the way students learn,” said Andy Hopkins, Harper Woods Instructional Technology Specialist. “For example, in addition to using the devices to work on lettering and number skills, kindergarten students have personalized their devices by creating a “Selfie” and making it the wallpaper on their computer. When they turn on “Incorporating these new learning devices has changed the way students learn. ” -Andy Hopkins their computer, their picture pops up on the screen.” In upper elementary grades, students use the devices to take advantage of learning apps such as Spelling City for vocabulary and Google Earth for geography projects. “Our goal is not just to use apps but to create projects that challenge and engage students through collaboration with others,” said Hopkins. At the middle school, students have iPads and MacBook Airs for individual use. Instructional Technology Specialist, Silas Williams works with teachers and students to use the new technology to support classroom instruction. “Harper Woods teachers are highly motivated to engage students in learning through the use of technology,” said Williams. “For example, HWMS math teacher David Perry uses two specialized math apps, IXL Math and Wowzers to provide additional learning support for his students. Mr. Perry follows classroom instruction with time for students to practice what they’ve learned by using the two math apps.” At the high school, the expanded technology roll out brought MacBook Airs for student use. “Many teachers are using the new devices to incorporate the use of a learning management system to help students communicate and to create and store data electronically,” said Williams. “Students are responsible for creating documents and projects, Silas Williams, HWSD Technology Specialist (right) demonstrates a new learning app for HWHS student Deshawn Wafer. storing them in the cloud, and when completed, turning in their assignments to their teachers through an electronic dropbox. Since most colleges require the use of a learning management system, it makes sense for Harper Woods High School to follow suit.” In high school social studies classes teachers are using Socrative.com to create digital assessments. Students use the app to take quizzes via their MacBook Airs. Students receive immediate testing results and teachers can quickly gauge the current level of understanding of the entire class. Both Hopkins and Williams agree that it’s a great time to be a student and a teacher in the Harper Woods School District and have the ability to experience all of today’s instructional technology on a daily basis.” Page 4 Veteran Varsity football players serve as mentors for new teammates There’s more to being a Harper Woods High School (HWHS) student athlete than practicing and participating in competitions. “While winning is wonderful, our varsity football team seniors are learning how to teach, encourage, inspire, and motivate a young group of student athletes who are playing varsity football for the first time,” said HWHS Varsity Football Coach Jimmy Henry. “Our senior players (Ronald Robertson, Stanley May, Deshawn Williams, Naylan Johnson, Charles Holt, Brandon Gainer II, and Jeremy Holmes) are committed to leading by example. They are working with our inexperienced players both on and off the field.” Many of the Pioneers are playing varsity football for the first time. They are learning and developing their talents every day. Because so many team members Quarterback (senior) Naylan Johnson and defensive end (senior) Charles Holt work with HWSD Varsity Football Coach Jimmy Henry at an after school team study session. are inexperienced, some of the veteran team members have been playing a different position than they are used to playing. As an example, the team has an experienced 6’4", 180-pound wide receiver playing offensive guard, a position usually filled by players who can be 240-280 pounds. But, the veteran wide receiver has stepped up to the challenge because that is where the team needs him most. According to Henry, the entire team is made up of talented, polite, and hard-working young men. “They are willing to give their all to help the team succeed,” he said. The day for a varsity football player is long. After attending school all day, these student athletes participate in after-school study sessions, practice sessions, strength exercises in the weight room, and, of course, weekly competitions. Varsity Football team seniors Charles Holt, Naylan Johnson, Stanley May, Ronald Robertson, and Jeremy Holmes prepare for an upcoming game. “I am so proud of the entire team,” said Henry. “They have youth, energy, and enthusiasm. They challenge each other to be the best, and, they challenge me to do my best, too.” Page 5 A dress rehearsal for competition Harper Woods Band Boosters host 20th annual Band-O-Rama event To help area bands get ready for the upcoming Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association competitions, the Harper Woods Band Boosters hosted Band-O-Rama 2014. This year marks the 20th year the Harper Woods Band Boosters have hosted the day-long event. The purpose of the event is to provide area bands with a “dress rehearsal” for upcoming competitions. “What is unique about the event is that students don’t compete against each other,” said Shannon Rogers, Harper Woods School District Band Director. “Each band performs its entire halftime show before a panel of judges. The judges critique each performance HW Marching Band earns Division I rating The Harper Woods Pioneer Marching Band earned a Division I Rating of Superior at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) Marching Band Festival held at Warren Mott High School on October 8th. This is the highest rating possible. The band performed their halftime show for a panel of three judges, grading the band in marching, music, and general effect. Congratulations to HW band director Shannon Rogers and the HW marching band. The Harper Woods High School Marching Band completes their halftime show for Band-O-Rama judges. and each band is given an overall performance evaluation, suggestions for improvement, and a video of their performance.” Thirty-three Harper Woods band members participated in this year’s Band-O-Rama. Band members from 14 other southeast Michigan school districts also participated. Band-O-Rama is just one of the many fundraising activities sponsored by the Harper Woods Band Boosters. This hard-working volunteer organization meets throughout the school year and conducts a variety of fundraisers to provide student scholarships and grants for the purchase of instruments and music -- all of which support the Harper Woods School District band program. Stay in touch with the HWSD through Facebook and Twitter All parents, students, To learn moremembers, about alumni, community andthe otherprograms interested parties andare invited to “like” Harper Woods services offered by Schools on Facebook and to “follow” @HWSchools on the Harper Woods Twitter. School District Use these links: for visit our website Facebook, www.facebook.com/ (www.hwschools.org) hwschools and for Twitter, www.twitter.com/hwschools or @hwschools. Page 6 New sport is popular Varsity Soccer team develops game skills Harper Woods High School students are developing an appreciation for the game of soccer. Most Harper Woods students have had little exposure to soccer. However, many students are finding that they enjoy it, especially when they can see their own skills improving over the course of just one season. The HWHS team lacks playing experience, so their win-loss record isn’t what the team would like it to be. Coach Rob Cummings said, “We play a lot of larger schools with teams that have a bigger pool of talent to draw from and teams that have much more playing experience. Because of this, we are focusing on improving personally at each position, and as a team, we always practice good sportsmanship.” focusing “... weon are improving Captain, Zachary Skerritt and goalie Hassan Johnson enjoy playing soccer and are learning the skills it takes to be successful at the sport. acquiring and one that will certainly prove even more valuable in their future academic endeavors and careers,” he said. personally at each position and as a team .... The boys’ soccer team is led by seniors Kyle Boyer and Zachary Skerritt. The assistant captain is junior Justin Wentland. Cummings says that team members have learned that you can play a really great game and still come out on the losing end. “So, learning how to win and lose with grace is a skill everyone is Cummings says there are many great leaders on the team and everyone plays an important role. There are eleven positions on the field and the person playing each position faces a different challenge in each game. That’s why communication on ” and off the field is key to developing and maintaining a cohesive team. According to Cummings, one big attraction of soccer is that it is a sport people can play at any level, from beginner to expert, from toddler to retirement age. It is certainly a sport that our HWHS students are learning to enjoy. Page 7 Specialist helps students improve reading skills We all know that reading is an important skill. It helps us become life-long learners. For young children, learning how to read helps develop language skills. It also helps them learn how to listen, and is the key to their academic achievement. To make sure Harper Woods youngsters get the reading help they need, students are now receiving support from a reading interventionist. “We are excited about this new position and how it will help students,” said Cheryl Puzdrakiewicz, Tyrone Elementary Principal. “Students are now receiving the individualized reading guidance they need during the regular school day and in small group settings.” Leticia Kelly is the new reading interventionist at Tryone Elementary School She works daily with students to develop their fluency, phonics, and vocabulary skills. “In order to become strong readers students need to fully comprehend what they are reading,” said Kelly. “Everyday we work on vocabulary, understanding the context of what is being read, and improving fluency skills while reading aloud and silently.” According to Kelly, fluency is important for motivation. Children who do not read passages smoothly are often frustrated and don’t enjoy reading. As a child progresses through school reading demands increase. A child who doesn’t have a strong reading background will find it more difficult to achieve accademically in later grades. Tyrone Elementary School Reading Intervention Specialist Leticia Kelly prepares lessons for her upcoming reading session with students. “In the Harper Woods School District, we want all students to succeed,” said Puzdrakiewicz. “Giving students the extra help they need to be successful readers will help them in all of their academic studies.” First “Unity in the Community” program is a success Over 100 community members attended the first annual Unity in the Community Resource Fair held at Harper Woods High School on Saturday Oct 4th. The free program, sponsored by the HWSD, area agencies, and local businesses featured 20minute roundtable presentations on a variety of topics, including Family Safety and Health, Services for Senior Citizens, Home Improvement and Crime Prevention, and many more. Local business people and city officials also had an opportunity to talk with one another about common challenges and initiatives. “Participants enjoyed meeting representatives from area businesses, community agencies, and the Harper Woods City offices,” said Deborah Whitlow, Harper Woods School District Parent and Community Engagement Specialist. “I think most participants were surprised to learn about the wide variety of community resources that are available to the citizens of Harper Woods.” Bill Warters from Wayne State University and Deborah Whitelow, Parent and Community Engagement Specialist for Harper Woods Schools enjoyed meeting and greeting event participants. Page 8 The School District of the City of Harper Woods NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792 20225 Beaconsfield Harper Woods, MI 48225-1395 ECRWSS Residential Customer Do you have a suggestion or an idea you would like to share? The Harper Woods School District has a new feature on its website. Called Talk to us, it is a way anyone can ask a question, report a problem, check out a rumor, or share an idea. Simply go to www.hwschools.org and click on Talk to us. You can share what’s on your mind anonymously or you can request a response to what you have written. Visit Talk to us and tell us what is on your mind. The School District of the City of Harper Woods www.hwschools.org 313/245-3000 Administrative Directory Todd Biederwolf, Superintendent [email protected] 313/245-3016 James Dennis, Business Manager [email protected] 313/245-3016 Specialized Services [email protected] 313/245-3028 Cheryl Puzdrakiewicz, Kente’ Rosser, Interim Secondary Campus Principal [email protected] 313/2245-3084 Karen Bell, Administrator of Tyrone Principal [email protected] 313/245-5379 Janet Gottsleben, Beacon Principal [email protected] David Rabbideau, Director of 313/245-5343 Academic Accountability and Student Services [email protected] 313/245-3029 Heath Filber, Middle School Principal [email protected] 313/245-3084 Board of Education Brian Selburn............................................................................President Jill Quarker.......................................................................Vice President Dave Kien.................................................................................. Secretary Regina Williams...................................................................... Treasurer Gene L. Hall, II............................................................................ Trustee Tabithia Mahone......................................................................... Trustee Joan Mannino............................................................................... Trustee Regular meetings of the Board of Education are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm.
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