Breckenridge Community Schools
HUSKIE NEWS
April 2015
Edition
Mission Statement: The Breckenridge Community Schools, in cooperation with students, parents, and the
community, create a foundation of excellence on which to build success for the future.
Breckenridge Competitive Cheer
Division 4 - MHSAA State Champion
The BHS Varsity Competitive Cheer Team ended its season in an outstanding way on
March 7, 2015 at the MHSAA Competitive Cheer State Finals at the Delta Plex in
Grand Rapids.
The team had a very successful regular season. They led the top scoring in division 4
all season in every round, were named the TVC West division champions as well as
being MHSAA District and Regional Champions going into the state final competition.
The team had to qualify at the district and regional level in order to compete at the
finals.
The team performed three solid rounds at state finals against 7 other top teams in the
state to win the title. This is the 8th state title to date that the Breckenridge competitive
cheer program has won. The team’s roster consisted of four freshmen, four sophomores, seven juniors and one senior. The team is coached by Deb Gaines and Jenna
Graham. Congratulations to all!
Learning About Ocean Life
We are studying about ocean animals for reading
month. A marine biologist named Ollie asked us to
help him classify some ocean animals while he was
working in Australia. We worked hard in our Ocean
Life Journal to classify 8 different animals. As a
reward for our hard work, Ollie surprised us with a
gift! Ollie mailed us some seashells from the
ocean. We were super excited to get the seashells.
Mrs. Chovanec and Ms. Nosek's first grade class
Odyssey of the Mind Qualifies for Worlds
The Breckenridge High School Odyssey of the Mind team is headed to
World Finals at Michigan State University May 20-23. The team earned
this honor by placing first in their problem at the State Competition on
March 21 in Middleville, MI.
The team competed in the problem called “Run Away Train.” Their
solution included three team-created vehicles that traveled on tracks to
complete a number of challenges. The challenges included going over
speed bumps, traveling uphill, jumping a gap in the track, stopping and
starting again, and towing something. The team also had to create a skit that explained the journey that the
“train” was traveling.
Over 800 teams from around the world will compete in the 36th Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. The
competition emphasizes creativity and teamwork and has grown into the largest international creative problem
solving competition worldwide. Each problem will have 40 to 60 teams competing for the world
championship for their problem and division. Participants include teams from almost every U.S. state as well
as teams from Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Czech Republic, DoDDS Europe, Germany,
Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Singapore,
Slovakia, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan.
This will be the second World competition for some of the members of this team, and the first for others. Members Mattie Sherman, Chloe Brittain, and Nathan Laurenz went to Worlds in 2011 on an elementary
team. Haley Willman and Joshua Liebrock, along with first-year Odyssey participants Nicole Lenz and
Sydney Mayle, will be competing at Worlds for the first time. The team is coached by Shelly Brittain, and the
Breckenridge Odyssey of the Mind program is coordinated by Dave Briggs.
Odyssey of the Mind is a student-driven program that teaches creativity, teamwork, and perseverance. The
coach is allowed to help organize, but cannot take part in the solving of the problem. Breckenridge has been
participating in this problem solving activity since 1984.
The Breckenridge Educational Foundation invites the community to a benefit dinner on Monday, April
27, at the Breckenridge United Methodist Church. The proceeds from the dinner will be used to offer
grant opportunities to the staff at Breckenridge Community Schools. The foundation is a non-profit
organization designed to provide students with experiences and equipment that the school may not
otherwise be able to provide. The evening will include a container auction, a live auction and door prizes.
The cost is $12.50 per person. Hors D'oeuvres will be served at 6:00 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6:30
p.m. Tickets can be purchased in the superintendent’s office or at the reception desk at Isabella Bank.
THINK! ENERGY
By Calista Goward - Mrs. Graham’s Fourth Grade
Have you ever thought about how you could be more energy efficient? On Wednesday, March 25, 2015
fourth graders learned about energy through a program called “Think Energy,” sponsored by Consumers
Energy. These fourth graders made an electric circuit by making their bodies the conductor. They also
learned about renewable resources, such as sunlight and trees and nonrenewable resources, like coal.
Consumers Energy provided every student with a kit full of energy saving products, such as a shower
head and a two LED lightbulbs. They played bingo energy saving style and found out the steps to make
light.
At the end they took a little test to see how much they learned.
Now we hope you will become more energy efficient too!
March is Reading Month
What a great time we have had in the Elementary Building reading, researching, and learning about the
Ocean and all of its many wonderful creatures. Kindergarten through Fifth grade focused on one or more
ocean creatures and produced beautiful and creative themed artwork, reports, and posters for all to enjoy. We
are so thankful for our technology that allows for all grade levels to get the most recent and accurate
information available on the web! Students took great pride in their work and in their ability to earn AR
Points to then shop from the AR Cart that came to each classroom on Friday morning. Students then enjoyed
a ‘Beach Day Read In’ toward the end of the day Friday in the Gym. Beach towels were brought to sit on and
all enjoyed time together reading in one place.
When asked what their favorite part of Reading Month was, students commented that making their reading
goals made them feel proud, reaching their goal meant pizza and ice cream parties for some grade levels,
others received books and stuffed animals as prizes from their teacher, and many were looking forward to
shopping on the Friday, AR Cart. Those who reached their goals were featured on our ‘Dive Into Reading
Wall’ wall, and had their photo taken. Congratulations to all those who reached their goal! A special thank
you to parents, teachers, and staff for making this Reading Month a great success!!
Feelin’ Good Mileage Club
Warmer weather is on the way! Please remember to pack
appropriate shoes and clothes each school day as we will be
spending a lot more time outdoors in P.E. class. Also, April
13th we will be starting the Feelin’ Good Mileage Club. We
have 216 students signed up to participate in the mileage
club so far this year. Thank you parents for your help in supporting our students. Any student who decides that they want to participate can still sign up during the late
registration period. If your student is interested please have them talk to Mr. Baldwin as soon as possible.
Thanks again for helping us keep the Mileage Club alive and well at Breckenridge Elementary.
Carnival 2015
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!! To the many volunteers who helped to make our 2015 Carnival
a success. This year games were put together by our Elementary Staff and student responses were very
positive to this change. The Silent Auction was again well attended and baskets were beautiful! High
School Student help was at an all time high and for that we could not be more thankful or proud! It is
always so nice to see familiar faces all grown up returning to help out here in the Elementary.
Donations of Pop and Baked Goods were plentiful and these two events were as always, well
attended. This annual event is used to help fund classroom needs and all profits go right back to the
students! So again, Thank you on behalf of every staff member, we could not do it without the help of
each and every one of you!
M-STEP Information Meeting
The Title One Staff will be hosting a brief, informational meeting Thursday, April 9th, at 3:30 p.m. in the
Elementary Media Center to share information regarding the new M-STEP State Assessment. All 3rd, 4th,
and 5th grade students in our building will be taking this new assessment beginning in April. Information will
be given about what will be tested and when. You will see examples of the on-line assessment. A brief
question and answer period will also take place. Two $25.00 Applebees Gift Cards will be given to two lucky
parents/guardians who attend this meeting! So please join us Thursday, April 9th at 3:30 p.m. in the
Elementary Media Center. Everyone is invited to attend.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
OF THE MONTH FOR
FEBRUARY
HS-Kasey Conn Kasey was
nominated by Mrs.Willman. She is a
great student, she takes part in
volleyball and is a member of the
State Championship Cheer team.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE
MONTH FOR FEBRUARY
6th Grade-Charlie Steinhaus “Charlie is a quiet
young man who takes pride in his work. He is
respectful to students and adults. He shows an
interest in the topics he is learning and often has
information to share as well. The sixth grade
teachers are proud to have him as part of our
school”
7th Grade- Kiaya Withy “Kiaya is a fun, hard working student. She stays on top of her school work and
makes sure Mr. Gilbert does not make any mistakes when it comes to her grades.” Kiaya was nominated by
Mr. Gilbert.
8th Grade -Olivia Mayle Olivia was nominated by Mr. Ciluffo. “Olivia is a great student. She is respectful
and always does great work on her assignments. She is willing to help others as well. She is a great
ambassador for our school.”
AIM STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY
AIM-Santana Trejo Santana got a job and is now participating in co-op, we
have seen a gain in his level of responsibility. He is also doing very well academically. Santana was nominated by Mrs. Giles, Mrs. Brown, and Ms. Hudson.
Breckenridge Young Fours Preschool Program
We are looking for students for the 2015-2016 Young Fours
Preschool Program. Don’t forget that any child that will be 4
years old by September 1, 2015 is eligible to apply. We would
like to have all applications in by MAY 21, 2015. You can apply
online at michiganpreschool.org or contact our program at (989)
331-1022. We will also have information on how to apply
available at Breckenridge Elementary School Office.
GET VALUABLE INFORMATION ON OUR
SCHOOL WEBSITE
www.breckhuskies.org
School Calendar, Course Schedule, Lunch Menus, School Events, School MasterPlan,
Free and Reduced Lunch Form plus lots more. Check it out!
Monthly School Board Meeting
The monthly school
board meeting will
be held on Monday,
April 20th at 7 p.m.
in the Media Center.
These meetings are
scheduled for the
third Monday of each month unless
otherwise announced.
Board of
Education
Members
SCHOOL CLOSING
INFORMATION
In the event of unscheduled school closings or delays,
we will issue a Power School announcement to the
entire district, and the following news media stations
will be notified by 7 a.m. in order to provide
information to the public concerning such closings.
Please tune into one of the listed stations for complete
school closing information.
Television Stations:
WNEM-TV Channel 5 or www.wnem.com
WJRT-TV Channel 12 or www.abc12.com
WEYI-TV Channel 25 or www.minbcnews.com
WOODTV 8
WOTV 4
WXSP
President:
Royce Humm
Vice-President:
Lisa Christensen
Secretary:
Marcia VetterCollins
Treasurer:
Bridget Suhr
Trustees:
Lori Cross
Steve Gulick
Al Sanger
ADMINISTRATION STAFF
(989) 842-3182
Dean Havelka, Superintendent ext. 5
Sheila Pilmore, Middle/High School Principal ext. 400
Kim Thompson, Elementary Principal ext. 200
Ryan Sklener, Dean of Students/Athletic Director ext. 403
Ray Myers, Transportation Director ext. 440
Michele Collins, Food Services Director ext. 432
APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Monday, April 6th:
NHS Induction in the H.S. Cafeteria at 6:00 pm
Tuesday, April 7th:
JV Baseball/Softball @ Sacred Heart at 4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball Softball vs. Sacred Heart (home) at
4:00 pm
Wednesday, April 8th:
7th Grade Family Night in the H.S. Media Center at
6:30 pm
Thursday, April 9th:
JV Baseball/Softball vs. Beaverton (home) at 4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball @ Beaverton at 4:00 pm
Drama Play “Selfie” in the H.S. Cafeteria at 7:00 pm
Friday, April 10th:
Drama Play “Selfie” in the H.S. Cafeteria at 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 11th:
Varsity Track @ St. Louis Relays at 9:00 am
Wednesday, April 15th:
Varsity Baseball/Softball vs. Vestaburg (home) at
4:00 pm
Varsity Golf TVC Jamboree (home) at 4:00 pm
Varsity Track @ Valley Lutheran at 4:00 pm
Friday, April 17th:
Middle School Fun Friday in the M.S. Gym, 3:15-5:00 pm
JV Baseball/Softball vs. Essexville-Garber (home) at
4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball @ Essexville-Garber at 4:00 pm
Varsity Golf @ Hemlock at 4:00 pm
Varsity Track @ Ithaca Blue & Gold Invite at 4:00 pm
Saturday, April 18th:
Varsity Softball @ Beaverton Invite at 8:00 am
Varsity Huskie Baseball Invite (home) at 9:00 am
Monday, April 20th:
School Board Meeting in the H.S. Media Center at
7:00 pm
Tuesday, April 21st:
JV Baseball/Softball @ Alma at 4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball vs. Alma (home) at 4:00 pm
Wednesday, April 22nd:
Varsity Golf TVC Jamboree @ Valley Lutheran at
4:00 pm
Varsity Track vs. Carrollton (home) at 4:00 pm
Thursday, April 23rd:
JV Baseball/Softball vs. Ithaca (home) at 4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball @ Ithaca at 4:00 pm
Friday, April 24th:
Varsity Huskie Golf Invite (home) at 10:00 am
Varsity Track @ Clare Invite at 3:00 pm
Saturday, April 25th:
Prom @ Buck’s Run in Mt. Pleasant at 6:00 pm
Monday, April 27th:
JV Baseball/Softball vs. St. Louis (home) at 4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball @ St. Louis at 4:00 pm
Wednesday, April 29th:
Varsity Golf TVC Jamboree @ Ithaca at 4:00 pm
Varsity Track vs. Ithaca (home) at 4:00 pm
Thursday, April 30th:
JV Baseball/Softball @ MLS at 4:00 pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball vs. MLS (home) at 4:00 pm
Upcoming Events
AIM Graduation, 5/15 7:00 pm
H.S. Graduation, 5/21 6:00 pm
No School, 5/22 & 5/25
Last Day of School (1/2 Day), 6/5