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Weather productive year at CM presents at CMPS
Information
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 BY RICK HEITMEYER, SHERIDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
School cancellation year and look at our accomplishments and trials. We have
information is been challenged by our budget and are only receiving sketchy Education is about student learning. Families should be
released to the details from the state. At this point, we have no planned staff guaranteed that their students will learn.
media as soon as cuts or non–core classes (art, band, choir, physical education
possible. The best For many years, education was about teaching. Today,
or technology, etc.) that will be cut. We are very proud to still research shows vividly that education must be about student
way to get school
closing information be able to offer a variety of classes
learning.
is by checking The school year will kick off on September 8, 2009 with In fact, a school district’s curriculum should be aligned
our Web site or new start times and single bus runs. While we are sure there
watching TV. with the state’s curriculum and the Grade Level Content
will be some adjustments needed once school starts, we are
Expectations or High School Content Expectations.
excited with this new venture. Please watch your mail for
Please check with If a quality curriculum is in place — and teachers are teaching
postcards on bus times. All day, every, day kindergarten will
the school district that curriculum with research–based methodology and best
Web site at http:// start this fall also. It is great that these 5– and 6–year olds will
get an extra 90 days of education. The high school will also practice instruction, student learning should occur. (And state
www.qualityschool.
org/schoolclosing/ start a new schedule in the fall. It appears that high school standardized test scores should take care of themselves!)
index.shtml students will have a seven class period day with two of the
classes being shorter in length. For many years, education was about
Television and Election day is now done. Thank you for your support in teaching. Today, research shows vividly that
Web sites education must be about student learning.
maintaining our bond. We would not be able to continue the
 WOOD–8 current curriculum without this bond. Community support
 WZZM–13 means everything for the School District. Central Montcalm Public School is working toward
 http://www. We are also saying good bye to Mark Christensen, who integrating 21st Century tools into its daily educational program
woodtv.com — click
on School and Event decided not to re–run for School Board. Thanks goes to Mark at all levels from pre–kindergarten to adult education. 21st
Closings for all the time he has invested in this board over the last Century learning is not necessarily about technology — it’s
 http://www. 12 years. We also want to thank Mark’s wife, Evon, and his
wzzm13.com/ — click about collaboration and higher order thinking, as well as
on Event Cancella-
children, Emily and Hanna, for their understanding in his learning to be lifelong learners.
tions time spent away from the family for School Board meetings Regardless of any current initiative or the latest and greatest
and functions.
“program,” curriculum and instruction are the backbone of any
At this time we would like to welcome Mike Barnwell to our school district. On April 1, several Central Montcalm educators
School Board. Mike and his wife, Mindy, have two children,
participated in an interactive presentation by educator and
Mya and Mason. We look forward to working with you and
author Dr. Mike Schmoker.
continuing to move our district forward to a 21st Century
According to Schmoker, a school must present a guaranteed,
School.
viable curriculum that is taught using best practice instruction.
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“The curriculum needs to be separated into quarters,”
Schmoker said. “Every teacher who teaches any subject or
Submitted on behalf of the Board,
grade level must know exactly what is taught, and when. A
Roxanne Switzer common and coherent quality curriculum that focuses on
essential standards and effective lessons will result in student
Board Secretary achievement.”
Schmoker advocates for clear, essential power standards,
SCHOOL TIMES a scaffolded instructional approach, frequent checking for
Upper Elementary
7:30 a.m.–2:40 p.m. See Schmoker, Page 2

Middle School ƒ Board of Education

7:30 a.m.–2:25 p.m. Central (989) 831–2000

Montcalm ƒ Community Education

(989) 831–7902
High School
7:30 a.m.–2:25 p.m.
Board of
and Supervision

ƒ Food Service
Administration

Education (989) 831–2312 3XEOLVKHGE\&036

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Sheridan Elementary ƒ High School
8:55–4:05 p.m. Membership 2008–09 (989) 831–2100
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President—Doug Bowen The Central IssueLVSXEOLVKHGVL[WLPHVGXULQJWKHVFKRRO\HDU

ƒ Middle School
Vice–President—Bill Simpson (989) 831–2200 IURP$XJXVW±0D\,I\RXKDYHDQ\VXJJHVWLRQVRUTXHVWLRQV
Stanton Elementary Secretary— Roxanne Switzer
8:55–4:05 p.m.
Treasurer—Joe Kohn
Trustee—Mark Christensen
Trustee—Mike Williams
Trustee—Chris Wetherington
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(989) 831–2400 CENTRAL MONTCALM PUBLIC SCHOOL.
ƒ Transportation WEB SITE: HTTP://WWW.QUALITYSCHOOL.ORG
(989) 831–2240
ƒ Upper Elementary
(989) 831–2300

CMHS student Josh Wills
visits Washington, D.C.
 ARTICLE BY LYNN LUND AND PAUL JOSEPH
Josh Wills, the son of David and Jill
Wills of Stanton, attended the week–long
National Young Leaders Conference in
Washington, D.C., during the week of
March 30 to April 4, 2009.
The National Young Leaders Conference
allows students to become familiar with
the three branches of government: administration, judicial, and
legislative.
Wills, a senior, participated in a variety of activities including
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“If I Were President.” Wills and other students from around
the country were either role–playing a real–life advisor to the
president or assuming the role of the President.
Students also tackled foreign policy simulations centered on a
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leaders had to resolve. Students also participated in real judicial
topics which were ”testing the Constitution of the United States
of America.”
Wills debated whether the constitution and case law favored
a car passenger’s Fourth Amendment right to privacy or
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simulation allowed attendees to assume the role of Supreme
Court Justices, attorneys for the petitioner or the respondent’s
attorney. The details of this simulation were plucked from a
real–life case.
Wills also was able to question members of congress and their
staffers and attend a variety of workshops headed by community
leaders on varied themes including social entrepreneurship,
public speaking strategies, human rights and international
volunteerism.
Wills visited many of Washington, D. C.’s most honored
and moving memorials, including the World War II Memorial,
Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the House of Representatives,
Capitol Hill, the Washington Memorial and the White House.
MESSAGE TO CENTRAL MONTCALM SENIOR ATHLETES
“I hope that you take
with you more than
winning or losing
records. I hope that
you are taking life
experiences, lessons
and relationships
that will be deeply
ingrained into your
life. Think about the
new goals that need
to be established
for this next chapter
in your life. Find
your life’s passion,
something bigger
than yourself, and pursue it with eagerness.”
— Lynne James, former Division I athlete and current CMPS employee
Val/Sal from Page 1
become a doctor.
Congratulations to both Fredrickson and Hazekamp for their
accomplishments. We wish you the best in the future!
3
2008–09
School Year
Support the Hornet Key Dates
academics and athletics
 BY JOHN KEARNEY, PRINCIPAL  May 22—We Love
American Parade, 11
High School — Forensics All League Honorable Mention:
a.m. at the high school
Celeste Camp, Alexandra Johnson, Nicole Kazmerski and IRRWEDOO¿HOG
Mindy Parkin. Model UN All League: 1st Team – Matt
.DYD4XL]%RZO/HDJXH&KDPSLRQVDQGTXDOL¿HGIRU  May 25—No
State Finals in April. school due to
Memorial Day
observation
Athletics — Senior Athletic Salute was held on Sunday,
May 3. Forty senior athletes were recognized,and
 May 29—Last
approximately 80 parents, athletes, coaches and student day
administrators attended the event held at Holland Lake Golf
Course. We want to thank the CM Sports Boosters in their  Sept. 8—First day
support of this banquet. of school for 2009–10
school year
Spring Sports MHSAA Tournament Schedule — Baseball
and softball Districts at Alma High School in a Pre–District
game on Tuesday, May 26, Remainder of district games
will be played on Saturday, May 3o. Boys golf at Shelby
on Thursday May 21, featuring a shotgun start that begins
at 10 a.m. Boys and girls track at Clare on Friday, May 15,
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Park.
Schmoker, from Page 2
understanding, and a focus on student engagement.
“The curriculum must be inspected regularly by administrators
and other school leaders,” he said. “You can’t expect what you
don’t inspect.”
Furthermore, he discussed the importance of Professional
Learning Communities (PLCs) where professional educators work
Hornet
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priorities, set measurable goals, and work together in teams to
produce short–term assessment results — all anchored by the
guaranteed and viable curriculum.
“For every course you teach, you have to make sure that everyone
knows exactly what they need to teach — what must be taught,”
he reiterated. “We must include common assessments, because
without them, the curriculum may not actually be taught.”
Schmoker also suggested that many schools do not include
enough reading and writing in their daily practice. He cited
information from author Katie Haycock that suggests that “ …
kids are given more coloring assignments than mathematic and
writing assignments …”
“We must teach kids to read and teach them to write,” he added.
“Writing is rarely assigned, but even more rarely taught.”
Central Montcalm Superintendent Jake Helms said, “What
we heard today makes total sense. It’s not something that can
happen overnight, but I would challenge the folks who heard Mr.
Schmoker today to take this information back to their schools and
share it.”
Schmoker, a former administrator, English teacher and
football coach, has written four books and dozens of articles for
educational journals, newspapers and for TIME magazine.
His most recent book is Results Now: How We Can Achieve
Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning.
Pride
4

BIG things at CMMS On April 17, students from the CMMS seventh and eighth grade
choirs ventured to East Lansing, Michigan to see the Broadway
musical The Lion King, performed by a national touring theater
 BY ANGELA BREESE, COUNSELOR company. The show took place at the Wharton Center for the
Performing Arts, located on the campus of Michigan State
Teachers and staff are creating new and exciting exploratory University.
offerings for middle school students for next year. Students will be
Students appreciated the talented actors, singers, and musicians,
able to take classes like Word Play, Drama, Creative Writing, and
as well as the colorful costumes, wonderful lighting/special effects,
Sports Statistics to name just a few! Students will be choosing these
and the humor of the production. Everyone had a great time and
classes before the end of the year with the help of counselors and their
Please take a we hope to attend more theater events such as this in the future.
parents’ input.
moment to register Seventh and eighth grade peer coaches visited the upper elementary
May 11 to talk to the upcoming sixth and seventh graders about life in
in the Edvantage the middle school. The peer coaches did a great job and received more
Program by questions than they ever have before. Upper elementary students
heard about the middle school from a student’s perspective and all
following the simple received welcome postcards from current students.
All eighth grade students participated in Career Day May 12.
instruction below.
They experienced the seven career pathways in a hands–on way at
Your involvement, the Montcalm Area Career Center, followed by a college information
quiz show at Montcalm Community College. The students were very
coupled with engaged and got to see everything up close, from the inside of a semi–
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fellow members,
station. Students will continue to explore careers through the 12th
could generate a grade year.
Middle School Honors Night was a huge success with a
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fantastic turnout! We are so proud of our students and all of their
of additional support accomplishments. We have some excellent leaders graduating
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for our school. leadership as we bring new students into life in the middle next year.
So tell alumni or

individuals about

this Edvantage and

help the athletic

program.

Go to http://www.

EdvantageProgram.

com/MIAAA/

CentralMontcalm

On the bottom left

of your screen, click:

“Click here to access

the registration

form>”

Once on the

registration

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out the required

information. Should
Above — The first annual instrument “petting (Two above and top right) The Reading Counts program at the UE is very popular especially now that the
you be required to school has access to every Reading Counts test. Every marking period, Principal Susan Koster treats
zoo” was held at CMUE and the 5th graders had
fun (so did Principal Susan Koster) trying out the the students who have earned one hundred points with an ice cream treat. This marking period, 101
enter an “Access students have earned ice cream! Last marking period there were 60 students! “I ask students to write
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These instruments allowed the professionals to see down their goals in their student planners at the beginning of each year,” says Koster, “and many make
Code,” please use a Reading Counts goal, an attendance goal, or an academic goal. I have really seen an increase of point
which students had an easy time with pursing their
lips for a particular instrument, and for students accumulation in reading and testing in RC this year.”
the following:
to just see if they could produce a sound from
these very different instruments. High school band (Right above two pictures) The 8th annual UE spelling Bee was held Thursday, March 20. The 21
CentralMontcalm. contestants were narrowed to two contestants in 27 rounds! The winner of the Bee was fourth grader,
instructor Matt Reed made this event possible with
the professional help of Hansen’s Music store. Devin Fike and the runner–up was 6th grader, Santiago Alvarado.
 5

NHS’s Cough–a–palooza
successful, fun for all
 BY APRIL HOLMAN, NHS ADVISOR

On March 21, 2009, the CMHS National Honor Society sponsored

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Fibrosis Foundation.
The event was rescheduled due to snow, but the turn out was great.
Tickets sold for $5 a piece and were sold at high school events and at
Leppinks in Stanton. Donations were also collected. In all, the event raised
$950 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
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Jordan Wise, who played some rock ‘n roll. Next, Phil Kava treated the
crowd to some oldies and some original songs. Matt Lenneman joined in
for a very nice original song.
Following Kava, the duet of Kristina Guyott and Nicole Kazmerski sang
a couple of songs. During an intermission, an impromptu blues session
was led by Cory Wise and included his brothers, Josh and Jordan, as well
as drummer Josh Wills. Also during the intermission, Alice Snively played
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of Wills, Ethan Anna, Adam Wills, and Chris Edwards. They played for
about 45 minutes and were met with a standing ovation.
Thank you to all who helped out and to everyone who came and
supported the event.

CMMS students
named Great
Lakes Scholars
 BY AMY TASKER, TEACHER

Central Montcalm Middle School is proud

to announce the following students have been
recognized as Great Lakes Scholars: Austin
Edwards, Christa DePue, Robert Wyatt, Trevin
Nemeth, John Hufford, Scott Schalow, Brooke
Hollenbeck, Jacob Hagen, Brandon Frost, Joe
Velchansky, and Amber Husted. Students
have been nominated for their academic
accomplishments as well as citizenship and
school–community involvement.
These students will be recognized prior to a
Major League Baseball game in Detroit and their
name will be published in the 2009 Great Lakes
Scholars Book.
This is a tremendous honor and our students
join hundreds from all over the Midwest.
Congratulations to these students, and we wish
them luck and continued success.
6

Hornet Changes summarized at CMPS

Show
Stingers The State of Michigan has already In order to generate revenue, the
your announced funding cuts for the 2009–10 district will also move to a summer tax
MACC preschool school year. Part of the funding shortfall collection beginning in 2010.
Hornet has openings ($58 per student) will be filled by American
Recovery and Reinvention Act (ARRA) in
More information will be forthcoming
The Central Issue.
Montcalm Area Career Center Preschool has Stimulus funds in Michigan; however,
Pride! running from 8:15 to 10:00, Tuesday,Wednesday schools are facing additional shortages as Schedule B Programs,
openings in our morning preschool session

and Thursday. Age appropriate activities and

snack provided for children ages 2–½ to 5 years.
The cost is $25 per month. For an enrollment
packet or more information call Dorothy or Lu
at (616)–225–5720.
Summer food
Central Montcalm food service staff is once
again providing a summer feeding program.
This year it will be held from 10:45 a.m.–12:45
p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Dates are June
1 through September 3, and will run Monday
through Friday.
Nutritious lunches are free to all children up
to age 18. You do not need to sign up, just show
up to eat. If you have any questions, please
contact Dianne Mitchell, food service director,
at (989) 831–2235.
Stanton 1st Care
we prepare for next year. Positions Affected
Central Montcalm Public School board,
• Building Integration and support
administration, and staff are working
specialists
together to balance the budget for 2009–
• SADD Advisor
10.
The Board has already approved the
addition of all day, every day kindergarten,
• Flag Corp Director
• Science Olympiad Coach
the transfer of third grade students to the • Assistant Music Director
upper elementary school, and the transfer • One 7th grade boys’ basketball team
of sixth grade students to the middle • One 7th grade girls’ basketball team
school. • One 8th grade boys’ basketball team
Other budget reduction decisions include • One 8th grade girls’ basketball team
reassigning teachers to fill vacant positions,
• One middle school cross country
a reduction in substitute teacher costs coaching position
by holding District School Improvement
• One 7th grade volleyball coaching team
Meetings after school, reduction in overall
• One 8th grade volleyball coaching team
substitute teacher costs, natural gas cost
reduction, moving non–staff coaches to
• The high school activities coordinator

Offers Physicals
Stanton 1st Care will hold free sports
physicals on May 27 from 2:30–6:30 p.m. No
appointments are necessary, but parents need
to accompany their child, if the child is under
18.
position
a third–party contractor (PESG), and
• JV boys’ golf
the elimination of several Schedule B
• Fall cheerleading
positions. Schedule B positions are “extra
duty” positions within the school district, • Winter varsity cheerleading
such as advising student extracurricular • Mileage for JV golf
programming or coaching athletic teams. • Freshmen boys’ basketball

Community Furthermore, the district will eliminate

one building secretary and move some
• Freshmen girls’ basketball
• Freshmen football
Foundation administrative extra duties to the federal • Freshmen volleyball
program coordinator.
The Central Montcalm Community
Foundation (CMCF) is interested in updating
alumni of Central Montcalm Public Schools
on their scholarships, grants and endowment
funds. If you are having a reunion in 2009 and
provide us with a mailing list, we would be
happy to mail information to your class.
If you are not having a reunion this year but
are interested in these services, we can also
provide you with information. Please contact
the CMCF at (989) 289–2312.

Classes of 1978,
‘79 plan reunions
A combined reunion will be held for Central
Show Montcalm classes of 1978 and 1979 on Saturday,
August 22, 2009, at Maxfield’s in Wyman, Mich.
For more information regarding activities
your planned for this 30th and 31st class reunion,
please contact Jane or Tim Hemenway at (616)
527–0996 or by email at themenway@cmsinter.
Hornet net.

Pride! Hornet
Stingers Sheridan Elementary School’s Parent Group sponsored Perfection on Wheels, a BMX assembly. The
focus of the assembly was on character, and the students enjoyed the spectacular show.
 7

School begins on September 8

Your Hornet Pride

Always Show
Watch for the
Central Issue
Packed with back–to–school
information, The Central Issue should
arrive in mid–August

“It’s that time once again to start getting ready for summer basketball and the
14th Annual Hornet Basketball Camp. My goal is to get 80 elementary kids to
camp this summer. Summer is the time to improve on fundamental skills and
become a better player. The camp will focus on fundamentals such as shooting,
defense, dribbling, and passing.” — Coach Shad Morgan