“It was always about moving up,” Sharlee said. “It was a pony,

then a bigger pony, then a horse; and it just grew from there.”

As five-year-olds go, Sharlee Lowe was pretty typical. For her birthday, like many ambitious little ones, she begged her parents for a pony.

You can’t blame a girl for trying.

But, it was on this day she stopped being typical once and for all; on this day her dream came true. Unlike the others, her little pony was real -- and, like her dream, it wasn’t so little.

The Ride

Throughout her years in public school, from tiny Hadley Elementary in the heart of horse country to Murphy Elementary, middle school at Zemmer and on to West High School, Sharlee excelled in and out of the classroom. She was an artist, an athlete and a young lady in a big hurry.

She had horses to tend to.

The academic career of the 17-year-old, now a full-time student at the L a p e e r V i r t u a l Learning Center, has mirrored her evolution first as a lover of horses and then as a compet-itor.

“(From the age of five) it was always about moving up,” Sharlee said. “It was a pony, then a bigger pony, then a horse; and then it just grew from there.”

Her love of horses has grown into an unbridled passion, one that pulls her out of bed and points her to the stable at the crack of dawn every morning. Her

dedication to her stable, now home to four horses, has advanced along with her skills as a rider.

Throughout the year, Sharlee participates in equestrian competitions across the country. The tack room in her stable, formerly home to snow-mobiles and ATVs, is chock-full of trophies and ribbons from many years’ worth of competi-tions. She is blazing a trail similar to the one trod by many great riders before her, one that could ultimately lead to the Olympics.

“I want to go as far as I can,” said Sharlee, whose dream is to one day compete at the highest level. “I’ve had some Olympians tell me that I have the talent

to make it there, and that’s great -- but, there’s a lot involved in that. It’s not just skill and talent. There’s a lot of luck involved ...

and you have to have the right horse.”

In the sport of equestrian, there’s luck in location. Living in Michigan, not known as a state that typically produces world-class riders, makes world-class training hard to find. Further, in order to compete against the best, she must travel to the mid-Atlantic states and as far south as

Florida, where she hopes to train during the winter.

Sharlee is a tremendously successful student in the traditional classroom, a go-getter whose work ethic would bring about success in any environment. What Sharlee needed, as it turned out, was something as important to her sport as to her career as a student: flexibility.

As a full-time virtual student at Lapeer Virtual Learning Center, a program offered through Lapeer Community Schools, Sharlee will be able to finish out her career in the District, graduate with a diploma alongside her classmates, and pursue her Olympic dream.

Sharlee’s mother, Linda Short, said that her and her husband, Bill, do everything they can to support her daughter’s riding.

“Every parent wants to have their child’s dream come true,” said Short, who teaches 5th grade at Turrill

Board Candidates to appear 3Distinguished Alumni 2012 8East Quiz Bowl Team on TV 3LCS Legal Notices 4-7Lynch Walk-A-Thon 3Online Conference Scheduler 3Schickler 5th Graders Hold Court 2Superintendent’s Column 2Zemmer LINKS receives grant 8

continued Pg 3

Check out our LCS blog!You can stay in touch with what’s going on in Lapeer Community Schools all year long by visiting our LCS blog. Just point your browser to LCSblog.com and you will find photos, video, special announcements and feature stories on the great things happening in the District. You will also find a link to our Superintendent’s blog, “Super Scoops.”

‘Unbridled Passion’Lapeer Virtual Learning Center student chases Olympic dream

Sharlee Lowe, full-time student at Lapeer Virtual Learning Center.

Lapeer Community Schools … the District of Choices October 2012

Who to CallLynch Elementary (810) 667-2448Mayfield Elementary (810) 667-2442Murphy Elementary (810) 538-2345Schickler Elementary (810) 667-2440Turrill Elementary (810) 667-2438 Rolland-Warner Middle (810) 538-2334Zemmer Middle (810) 667-2413Lapeer Community High (810) 667-2453Lapeer East High (810) 667-2418Lapeer West High (810) 667-2423

Food Services (810) 538-1648Kids & Company (810) 667-2454Transportation (810) 667-2433Virtual Learning Center (810) 667-2444

This newsletter is published by the Lapeer Community Schools

Board of Education and distributed free to the residents of the

Lapeer Community School District.

Board of Education

Lapeer Community Schools 250 Second Street, Lapeer MI 48446

www.lapeerschools.org

Administration and Services Center(810) 667-2401, hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Suggestions and comments from community residents are always welcome.

Wendy Byard Trustee

Peggy Bush Trustee

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Michael Keller President

Mission StatementLapeer Community Schools is a dynamic community organization embracing our students with a quality learning environment, developing independent and confident learners for the future.

Gary Oyster Vice President

John NugentSecretary

Michael Nolan Trustee

Denise Becker Trustee

In sports, as in life, very often the follow-through is as important as the initial connection.

Last school year, my first as superintendent of this district, we made a connection. I challenged members of our school community and the community at-large to support a bold strategic planning process that would, ultimately, put LCS on a much stronger financial footing for the future.

The goal of the process is not simply to adapt our district services to new financial reali-ties, however, but to create more innovative programs to produce greater outcomes for students.

W i t h w i d e s p r e a d s u p p o r t , a n d t h e

a p p r o v a l o f o u r Board of Education, the implementation process has begun. This month, our district’s six strategic planning task forces met for the first time to start the first facet of the follow-through.

These task forces , chaired by parents, teachers and admin-istrators , wi l l p lay an integral role in the implementation p ro c e s s . T h e ta s k forces aren’t decision-making bodies, but that certainly does not diminish their impor-tance. These groups will make recommenda-

tions on a broad range of issues tied to the strategic plan including future secondary transi-tions, master facility plans, virtual learning, alternative education and elementary magnet concepts.

Information and recom-mendations made by the task forces, which wil l meet monthly, will be reported to the Central Office Leader-ship Team (COLT) on a semi-regular basis. Those recommenda-tions will inform this ongoing process as it manifests itself over the next several years.

Last month I met with all of the co-chairs for the task forces and laid out a few very specific expectations, including the most important: I want our task force members to be liaisons in this community. I want them to lead the conversation in a proactive way.

As superintendent of Lapeer Community Schools, it’s my job to seek out and defend the best interests of the nearly 6,000 students who attend our schools each day. To do my job well requires the advice and support of a great many people,

including students, staff members and people in our community. It’s not a novelty, it ’s a requirement.

It’s not too late to jump on board. If you are interested in being a member of any of the task forces, you are welcome to sign-up on the district website (LapeerSchools.org). Just c l i ck on “LCS Strategic Planning ” under the “For Parents” tab. There you will also find links to all the strategic planning information compiled over the last year.

I’m looking forward to what 2012-13 has in store for LCS, and I hope you are as excited as I am to play a role in the future of this great school district.

Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh took a turn on the hot seat last month, fielding legal questions for over an hour from an inquisitive rabble of 5th graders at Schickler Elementary. It was his way of making Constitution Week a little more relevant for the students.

After a short opening statement filled with general themes including the duties of a prosecutor, the supremacy of federal law, individual rights and legal jurisdictions, Konschuh opened up the floor to questions. This, of course, is a dangerous proposi-tion for students who are curious about basically everything.

You could tell Konschuch was a little surprised at the familiarity with the law that many students demonstrated, as several of their questions pointed to the tenuous relationship between freedom and order in society.

One student, in his own creative way, asked about how the prosecutors handle cases in which crimes appear to be committed indirectly. He wanted

to know if someone would be liable for the dirty deeds of an “attack dog” that they dropped off on your doorstep. The answer, of course, in legalese for the common man is “yes, but...”

“You can’t put a dog on trial,” Konschuh said, as students took the opportunity to snicker a bit.

Lapeer Community Schools and Schickler Elementary would like to thank Byron Konschuh for giving our students the opportunity to learn about one of the foundations of our great democracy, the rule of law.

Byron Konschuh holds court with 5th graders at Schickler Elementary

Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh took questions for more than an hour from 5th graders at Schickler Elementary in Lapeer on Sept. 18th as part of Constitution Week.

On TaskIt’s not too late to get involved in strategic planning process

“As Superintendent of Lapeer Community Schools, it’s my job to seek out and defend the best interests of the

nearly 6,000 students who attend our schools each day.” — Matt Wandrie

Elementary in Lapeer. “You do what you can to help them find their way.

Going VirtualGoing full-time virtual was one leap that Short said took some time to get comfort-able with. The leaps in her daughter’s life always seem to be accompanied with some bit of trepidation, but this was something completely different.

“She would’ve liked to have done it sooner,” Short said. “I wanted her to get through her junior year, finish her ACT (test) and have all the pieces in place to be ready for college. Once she had done that, we could be a little more flexible.

“And she’s still taking four AP classes, so the rigor is still there.”

Short is comforted by the knowledge that many of the disciplines that accompany Sharlee’s sport translate into success in the virtual classroom, where students are free to work at their own pace and on their own schedule. And much like the relationship between horse and rider, there’s an element of trust involved.

“Sharlee is a great example of how virtual learning can be a viable option for many different types of students,” she said. “I’m certain, with her sport, she would have benefitted even more if we had started sooner.”

LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie said the opportunity Sharlee is taking advan-tage of is an example of the District pursuing a goal of its own: becoming a district that empowers families with choices.

“As a district, we must be willing to adapt to the changing landscape in educa-tion,” he said. “Virtual learning is not for everyone, but for students like Sharlee it’s a tremendous opportunity to pursue academic and athletic aspirations. For other students, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of resources that our district is in a unique position to provide.”

Sharlee, who is currently training in Ann Arbor, will pursue a college education following her graduation next spring. She wants to pursue a degree in biology to eventually enter a veterinary science program.

In future competitions, she plans to ride Committed Saint, a 10-year-old thor-oughbred she has had since she was 12, through the two-star level of competi-tions. In her particular equine discipline, called Eventing, there are three separate phases that are completed at every competition: Dressage, Cross Country Jumping and Stadium Jumping. To go farther, she will count on her youngest, Azul Moon, an ex-race horse with Olympic

potential.

Next year, Sharlee plans to compete in the Young-Rider Championships with Committed Saint. In essence, it’s the Junior Olympics for equestrian, the talent pool for future Olympic riders and the opportunity of a lifetime.

“This is my year to go after it,” Sharlee said.

Lapeer Virtual Learning Center offers courses in core subjects as well as a variety of electives. Students can enroll full-time, like Sharlee, or part-time as part of a “blended schedule.” Full-time students are also eligible to participate in sports

By enrolling as a student in Lapeer Community Schools, there is no fee for the virtual courses. Each course has a “teacher on the other end,” as well as mentor support.

The LVLC will be housed at Maple Grove, 2020 Imlay City Rd., in Lapeer in 2012-13 before moving to its permanent home at the Cramton Campus just off I-69 at Lake Nepessing Road. The campus will be able to accommodate students in need of science labs, study areas and resources for physical education.

For more information, visit LapeerSchools.org and click on “Get Virtual.”

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‘Unbridled Passion’ continued from cover Candidates to convene at Oct. 23 public forumThree of the five candidates running for two seats on the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education will come together for a candidate forum October 23, 2012, at Rolland-Warner Middle School, 3145 W. Genesee St., Lapeer.

The forum will begin at 6 p.m. in the school’s cafetorium. Candidates to appear: Wendy Byard, William Gavette and Jon Nugent. Unable to attend: Scot Atyeo and Elaine Gates.

Voters will cast their votes for these seats on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Board members serve six-year terms and are not compensated.

Lynch Elementary scores BIG with annual Walk-A-Thon Elva Lynch Elementary had its annual walk-a-thon on Sept. 27th. Each class participated and walked 1-2 miles. Event pledges raised over $6,300 this year, more than any previous year. Each student that raised over $35 received a t-shirt, water bottle and a paw print prize. Thank you to all our sponsors for making this event a huge success!

LCS launches new parent-teacher conference online schedulerA new system for parents to schedule future parent-teacher conferences was launched on the Lapeer Community Schools website (LapeerSchools.org) earlier this month. The new program will allow parents to choose open conference times that are most convenient to both parties, streamlining the process for everyone involved.

Two parent/guardian families can schedule multiple conferences at the same time (example: Dad can attend one conference at 5 p.m. while Mom is in another for the same child).

This new feature will be found under the respective “parents” tabs on building websites, under quick links and on the main district page.

The Lapeer East High School Quiz Bowl team appeared on the WCMU TV show Quiz Central on October 6th. If you missed it, the show will be featured on WCMU’s website at WCMU.org in the coming weeks.

East Quiz Bowl Team makes appearance on WCMU TV

Left to right bottom row: Miranda Gavette, Ian McHardy, Tony Brown (captain) and Kelly Malone

Left to right top row: Coach Terrie Hazard, Dylan Dahring and Savannah Bracken

Photo courtesy of WCMU

Parents can review instructional materialParents have the right to inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum of the student. The parent will have access to the instructional material within a reasonable period of time after the request is received by the building principal. The term instructional material means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, including printed and representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term does not include academic tests or assessments.

Immunization forms must be completeThe Board of Education requires that all students be properly immunized pursuant to the provisions of the State Health Department regulations. Pursuant to the Lapeer County Health Department, students who do not meet the immunization requirements on the opening day of school shall not be admitted. Transfer students shall not be admitted without proof of immunization. Please contact your child’s building secretary to submit or update your child’s immunization record as soon as possible.

Military recruiting representativesHigh school students and their parent/guardians may prevent disclosure of a student’s name, address, and telephone number to military recruiting representatives by submitting a signed written request to that effect to the high school principal.

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Board Vision StatementExcellence in all we do for our students, our schools and our community through:

; Continuous improvement

; Diligent effort and

; Innovative design

Bus stops: Vehicles must stop no less than 20 feet from a bus displaying flashing red lights and wait until the lights are turned off to proceed – unless the bus is stopped on a divided roadway and the motorist is headed in the opposite direction. The penalty is $185, three points on a person’s driving record, and up to 100 hours of community service at a school. Tickets can be issued to the owner of a vehicle if a bus driver reports the license plate number to police.

MI school safety laws for motorists

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 of the United States Congress specifically states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educat iona l program or activity receiving federal financial assistance with certain exceptions.”

It shall be the policy of the Lapeer Community School District to fully comply with Title IX under guidelines adopted by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and approved by the President of the United States and the United States Congress.

The Board of Education, the administration, and the staff of Lapeer Community Schools will seek to take whatever policy and procedure steps necessary to e l iminate discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs, curricular and extracurricular activities, and employment practices which come under the regulations of Title IX. All

students shall have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all academic and extracurricular activities and services. It is a violation of policy for the district, Board, administration, teachers, or other staff to discriminate against students on the basis of sex or marital or parental status including pregnancy in terms of disciplinary actions, entitlement and provisions of services, selection of courses or programs, counseling services, physical education and athletics.

Likewise, no assistance, such as administrative or staff cooperation, faculty sponsor-ship, use of school facilities and school time shall be provided to any non-school organization or individual which discriminates on the basis of sex.

All employment decisions will be made in a nondiscrimina-tory manner in relationship to recruitment, hiring, assign-ment, promotion, transfer, layoff, termination, reinstate-ment, job clar i f icat ion, salary and fringe benefits. In addition to compliance

with Title IX, all such employ-ment decisions shall be made in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Further, individuals with disabilities may request accommodation(s) needed to successfully complete the employment applica-tion process or essential job functions.

In order to facilitate the e v a l u a t i o n o f c u r r e n t practices, to investigate compla ints , to answer inquires , and to gu ide the implementat ion of compliance efforts, Kim Seifferly has been appointed t h e l o c a l C i v i l R i g h t s Compliance Coordinator. All questions, requests for information, or complaints relating to discrimination should be directed to Kim Seifferly at the following address:

Lapeer Community Schools250 Second StreetLapeer, MI 48446Phone: (810) 667-2401

Inquiries concerning the nondiscrimination policy may also be directed to:

U.S. Dept. of EducationOffice for Civil Rights, Customer Service Team330 C Street, SWWashington, D.C. 20202Fax: 202-205-9862 Email: OCR@ed.gov

and/or

DirectorU.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission1801 L Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20507

The local Coordinator, on request, will provide a copy of the district’s grievance procedure and is responsible for the investigation of all complaints in accordance with the procedure.

Copies of the Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the regulations on which this notice is based may be found in the Office of the Superintendent, Lapeer Community Schools, 250 Second Street, Lapeer, MI 48446.

Notice of non-discriminatory policy

Lapeer Community Schools - Legal Notices October 2012

School zones:In marked school zones, vehicles must slow to the posted speed limit 30 minutes before and after school. Penalties for speeding in a school zone are more severe than elsewhere. They are $145 and two points for up to 10 mph over the speed limit, $155 and three points for 11-15 mph over, and $190 and four points for 16-25 mph over.

Child car and booster seats: Until children are 8 years old or 4-feet-9 inches they must use either a proper-fitting child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed.

In addition to the booster seat, a child must use both a lap and shoulder belt under the law that went into effect on July 1, 2008. For more information on child seat laws go to: www.MichiganSafeKids.org.

The Michigan Department of Education has announced the household income guidelines established by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for free and reduced price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs. The rates published below will remain in effect through June 30, 2013.

Contact your school, school district, child care center, or family child care home, to find out whether it participates in these programs.

Schools and child care centers will provide a form for applying for free or reduced price meals. Only one application is required per household. Most participating centers and all participating family child care homes provide meals to all enrolled participants without any separate charge.

Children who are recipients of Michigan’s Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations households, or enrolled in Head Start, Even Start, an At-Risk afterschool center, or an emergency shelter, automatically qualify for free meals. Households with incomes less than or equal to the following guidelines qualify for free or reduced price meals or free milk.

Scale for Free Meals or Free Milk Scale for Reduced Price Meals

Total Family Size Annual Monthly Annual Monthly

1 $14,521 $1,211 $20,665 $1,723

2 $19,669 $1,640 $27,991 $2,333

3 $24,817 $2,069 $35,317 $2,944

4 $29,965 $2,498 $42,643 $3,554

5 $35,113 $2,927 $49,696 $4,165

6 $40,261 $3,356 $57,295 $4,775

7 $45,409 $3,785 $64,621 $5,386

8 $50,557 $4,214 $71,947 $5,996

For each additional family member add:

$5,148 $429 $7,326 $611

An application to a school or child care center can be approved if it contains complete documentation of household income, or documentation of current participation in Michigan’s Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Foster children usually qualify for free meals or free milk without regard to the foster parents’ income. Information supplied on an application for free or reduced price meals may be verified at any time. An appeal procedure is available for households where applications are denied.

Participating schools and centers accept applications for free or reduced price meals at any time during the year. A household may qualify for free or reduced price meals due to a temporary loss of income, such as a period of unemployment.

If a doctor has determined that a child has a disability, and the disability would prevent the child from eating the regular school or child care meal, the school or child care facility will make any substitution prescribed by a doctor at no charge. The doctor’s statement, including prescribed diet and/or substitution, must be submitted to the food service department of the school or child care facility.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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LCS 2012-2013 school meal information: Income Guidelines for National Free and Reduced Priced Meals for Schools, and Child and Adult Care Programs are Annouced

Medication ReminderStudents in grades K-8LCS does not allow students in grades K-8 to possess medication -- even over-the-counter medications -- on school premises. Students are not permitted to self-medicate; school personnel must administer all medicines except as provided below. The following are required in order for school personnel to supervise the administration of medication on school time:

1. Physician’s prescription2. Parent’s consent in writing3. Medicine must be brought to school by parents

(not sent with the child in lunch boxes, etc.) in the pharmacy bottle with the child’s name, name of medication, dosage, and times to be given. We prefer a two-week supply, if appropriate.

4. Inhalers -- many children with Asthma are taught to carry their own inhalers and are able to self-medicate. Students may be allowed to carry and self-medicate with an inhaler ONLY with a doctor’s written prescription, written parental permission, and the principal’s authorization.

Students in grades 9-12 A student in grades 9-12 may be allowed to possess and self-administer an over-the-counter medication upon the written authorization of the parent. The parent must complete Form 5330-FLA - Authorization for Non-prescribed Medication and Treatment and submit it to the school office for filing in the student’s records.

Hygienic ManagementIn order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students, staff, and the community, the school district has implemented the following Administrative Guidelines:

• Fur and feathers in classrooms: No animals with fur or feathers are allowed in school buildings. Service animals are permitted when attending to owner who has a disability requiring said animal.

• Animal assemblies: Animal assemblies are permitted only with at least one-week advance notice being provided to parents that animals with fur and/or feathers will be in the building.

• Show and Tell: Animals with fur and/or feathers are not allowed in school buildings for “Show and Tell.”

Lapeer Community Schools - Legal Notices October 2012

Annual pesticide notificationLapeer Community Schools has adopted an Integrated Pest Management program. Inherent with this are the District’s efforts to reduce pesticide use as much as possible. While it may occasionally be necessary to apply a pesticide, these will only be used as a last resort. This program does not rely on routine pesticide applications to resolve problems. We use various techniques such as habitat alteration, sanitation, mechanical means, exclusion, etc. to prevent pests from becoming a problem.

You will receive advanced notice of the application of a pesticide, other than bait or gel formulations, at your child’s school. This advanced notice of the application will be given 48 hours before the application. The law requires us to do this notification by using two methods. The first method required by the law is the posting at the primary entrances to your child’s school. The entrances that will be posted are those entrances that have a sidewalk that leads directly to a parking lot. The second method we are going to use is the posting in a common area located by the main office of the school. Parents are also entitled to receive this notice by first-class United States mail postmarked at least three (3) days before the application. If you would like to be notified by mail, please contact the Operations Department by calling (810) 538-1622 or sending an email to dbetz@lapeerschools.org. Please provide your name, mailing address, and what school your child attends.

In an emergency (for example, bees nest), pesticides may be applied without prior notice, but you will be provided notice following any such application. You may review our Integrated Pest Management program or pesticide application records for your child’s school by calling or e-mailing Mark Misener, the District’s Supervisor of Facilities and Grounds at phone number (810) 538-1622 or (810) 538-1629 or e-mail address mmisener@lapeerschools.org. This number or e-mail may also be used when school is not in regular session.

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Computer UsageAt Lapeer Schools, we believe that the use of technology and Internet on-line services is a privilege extended to students and staff to enhance learning and information exchange. It is for this reason that all students at Lapeer Schools will have Internet access unless a parent or guardian fills out a Parent Waiver Form for Non-Internet Use, which can be obtained in the office or library.

It is a general policy that all computers and other technology are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner.

Lapeer Community Schools declares irresponsible, inappropriate, unethical, obscene, or illegal behavior, or support of such activities, as unacceptable behavior and as just cause for taking disciplinary action, revoking information network access privileges, and/or initiating legal action.

The Acceptable Use Policy guidelines are listed below:

1. Use of the School District’s network must be consistent with the School, and the School District’s primary goals.

2. The School District network will not be used for inappropriate or illegal purposes of any kind, nor for activities that could be dangerous to myself or to others.

3. The School District network will not be used to send or receive threatening, obscene, or harassing materials. The District will not be held responsible if the user participates in such activities.

4. The School District network will not be used to interfere with, disrupt, or cause damage to network users, services, software, equipment, or files that do not belong to the student.

5. Users of the School District network will respect copyright and fair use practices as is appropriate, legal and ethical. The user will not use the network for

financial or commercial gain without written consent from Lapeer Community Schools.

6. Students will not access multi-user talk sites (chat rooms) and Internet games, except those designated as permissible.

7. Students are prohibited from gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to resources or data.

8. Students are prohibited from posting anonymous messages including using the District technology to send messages to other District computers. Students are also prohibited from using the identification or name of another to access another person’s account, programs or files.

9. Students are prohibited from distributing personal information without consent of that individual.

10. Students are not to tamper with technology equipment except when authorized.

11. Students are not to use District Technology or the District network without adult supervision or permission.

Lapeer Community Schools reserves the right to review any material stored in files to which users have access and remove any material which the District, in its sole discretion, believes may be unlawful, indecent, obscene, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise objectionable. The use of technology is a privilege, which may be revoked by LCS.

Policy for acceptable use of computers and other technology

Lapeer Community Schools - Legal Notices October 2012

Dur ing the spr ing of 1989, Lapeer Community Schools filed its asbestos containing building materials management plan with the Michigan Department of Public Health. Prior to that time, all Lapeer Community School District buildings were inspected by an accredited inspector of Clayton Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Since that initial inspection, the Lapeer Community School District has done extensive projects, periodic inspections, and an in-depth three-year re-inspection

in accordance with standards established by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).

The District’s management plan specifies areas where asbestos has been and will be handled. All school district maintenance and custodial staff have been trained in the special operations and maintenance involved with managing asbestos containing materials.

Current inspections indicated that some asbestos-containing building materials are located in the

following buildings: Administration Building, Cramton, Lynch, Maple Grove, Mayfield, Schickler, Turrill, Lapeer East, Lapeer West, Rolland-Warner and Zemmer.

A copy of the individual building management plan, the district management plan, and the three-year re-inspection report are available in the main office of every school building and the Lapeer Community Schools’ Administration and Services Center, 250 Second Street, Lapeer, MI 48446.

Annual asbestos notification

The educational records of any student enrolled in the Lapeer Community Schools District are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

A parent or eligible student (one who has attained the age of 18 or is in a post-secondary educational institution) may, and is encouraged to, read the records. The review may be done by calling the school or the Administration and Services Center and arranging for an appointment. A member of the staff will accompany the reviewer to provide explanation and interpretation as required. If the parent or eligible student feels some portion of the record is inadequate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of privacy or other rights of the student, he/she may ask that the record be amended. If satisfaction is not achieved at the building or department level, a hearing will be held on the matter upon request. Following the decision of the hearing officer, if satisfaction is not achieved, a written explanation of the rationale for challenging that record may be added to the record. Copies of educational records will be provided to parents or eligible students upon request. A charge may be made to cover the cost of the copies.

The principal of each building or the

department supervisor is charged with the responsibility of maintaining and safeguarding the educational records. Employees of the distr ict in the areas of instruction, special services, administration, research/evaluation and student records are authorized to have access to records in the educational interest of the student. This would include the student’s academic, physical, social, and vocational decisions. Any other person, except those agencies specified, must have the signed consent of the parent or eligible student to gain access to the educational records. The district will release educational records to another school where the student seeks to enroll, upon request. Parents of eligible students are encouraged to review records prior to them being released. The following educational records of students are maintained:

• Student Cumulative Records contain directory information, medical , educational, psychological , and attendance information. They are maintained at the building in which the student is enrolled.

• Transportation directions, which contain home addresses, alternate addresses, and current details about

handling of the child, are maintained by the bus driver at the school attended by the student.

• Emergency cards, which contain information on how to reach parents, are maintained at the building in which the student is enrolled.

• Accident reports, which contain information of any accident that occurs, are maintained at the building in which the student is enrolled.

• Central registry which contains directory information, type of handicap, date of referral, the service rendered, including dates of initiation and termination, the name, address, and telephone number of the parent and the district of residence (this is not a part of the educational record) is maintained by the office of the Director of Special Education, Lapeer County Intermediate School District.

Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act office, United States Department of Education, Switzer Building, Room 4512, 330 C. Street SW., Washington DC, 20202, telephone (202) 245-0233, concerning an alleged failure of the school district to comply with the requirements of the Act.

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Annual notification of rights Annual education informationPlease visit our district website, www.lapeerschools.org, and click on the link to the individual school page. From the school page, click the “Annual Education Report” link under the “News” tab. Select from the list to view a building or district Annual Education Report for 2011-2012. A hard copy of the district report and individual building report may be obtained from any school building within the Lapeer Community Schools District or Administration and Services Center. If you have any questions regarding any information contained within the Annual Education Report, call (810) 538-1644.

LCS property is Smoke FreeLapeer Community Schools’ buildings and grounds are smoke and tobacco free at ALL times.

This means the use of any form of tobacco product by anyone on school property is prohibited at all times. The “at all times” prohibition went into effect on April 1, 1995.

Directory InformationThe following personally identifiable information is declared to be Directory Information: student’s name, address, phone number, photograph/video, sex, participation in official school activities, weight and height if in athletics, dates of attendance, diplomas and honors received, and latest school attended. This information will be released at the discretion of the superintendent or designee without consent of the parent or eligible students unless the district receives a signed directive. A form for this purpose is available.

An amendment to the Freedom of Information Act that took effect on August 1, 2002 provides for the district to take steps to ensure that Directory Information is not used for surveys, marketing, or solicitation.

Lapeer Community Schools - Legal Notices October 2012

L a p e e r C o m m u n i t y Schools is making accident insurance coverage available to reimburse families for medical expenses for injuries that their student may suffer while at school district facilities. Depending upon your family’s circumstances, this may be something worth seriously considering.

Athletic injuries to students at our schools requiring

medical treatment have been relatively infrequent. However, they could result in financial hardship for families who either have no insurance or have large co-pays and deductibles.

The district insurance program provides liability coverage but not voluntary medical payments. This means that unless the district is liable for a student’s injury, that the

district’s insurance would not provide coverage to injured students. (Under Michigan Law the liability of schools and other public entities is limited by governmental immunity.)

The available choices include 24-hour-a-day coverage or at-school coverage (both with or without sports). There are options for grades 9-12 football and extended dental.

The accident insurance being offered operates irrespective of liability; so your family may find the relatively small cost of this coverage provides a preferable approach by which to handle the risk. If you are interested in this insurance, contact your school building secretary for more information and forms.

Accident insurance available

Holiday Depot still taking applications for holiday helpHoliday Depot of Lapeer County, celebrating its 18th year providing help to local families in need, is still taking applications for the 2012 holiday season. The application deadline is October 31st. Holiday Depot is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide Christmas for low-income families. This may include gifts of clothing, toys, books, and or personal items as well as food for the family.

Potential recipients apply in-person at participating agencies and centers throughout the county. Those who meet the requirements of low income, residency in Lapeer County and custody of the children are provided with gifts for children and food for the family. For more information, click the Holiday Dept link at LapeerSchools.org.

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Dozens of students from Rolland-Warner Middle School’s Bee Club participated in a honey harvest earlier this month at the bee hives near the woods adjacent to the school. With help from a couple local beekeepers, Ken Frantz and Dave Peasley, students extracted what they hope will be a huge haul, even larger than last year’s 150 pounds.

S p e c i a l E d u c a t i o n teacher Mike Wiltse said the range for honey

extraction varies wildly, from approximately 200 pounds to as much as 600 from the six hives. After the honey is extracted, it will be bottled and marketed for sale. Last year the students’ honey raised more than $1,000. This year, that number could easily double.

Doris Rolland, one of the namesakes of the school, was on hand to see the students at work. Ironically, Rolland was involved in a similar program for students in

Flint in the 1950s. They didn’t have fancy white suits back then, though. When asked what her suit looked like in those days, she responded: “You’re looking at it.”

Once again special thanks go out to members of the PTC and the Lapeer C o u n t y C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n fo r a l l their help starting and maintaining this great learning opportunity for students.

Zemmer Middle School LINKS Program receives generous grant The Board of Trustees of the Lapeer County Community Foundation recently approved a grant to benefit the LINKS Program at Zemmer Middle School in Lapeer. The grant, in the amount of $1,000, will support the successful peer-to-peer program for the 2012-13 school year. The funds are made possible through the Foundation’s Lapeer County Youth Initiative Fund.

Mitchell Segel, a speech and language pathologist at Zemmer, said the funds will be used to provide real-life social opportunities in and out of school, as well for educational training to implement evidence-based strategies for students and staff.

“We are focused on facilitating increased tolerance and sensitivity toward fellow classmates leading to greater community acceptance and opportunities for growth,” Segel said.

The Lapeer Community Schools LINKS program is a peer-to-peer support system designed to aid students who struggle with social interaction, including students with autism.

“The LINKS Program is truly one of the District’s crown jewels,” said LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie. “Thanks to the generous support of the Lapeer County Community Foundation, we can continue to improve upon a highly-successful program that is making breakthroughs with students at all levels.”

The Lapeer County Community Foundation provides grants that enhance the quality of life in Lapeer County. The Foundation manages endowments at almost $8 million in 58 funds for a wide range of charitable purposes.

Alive at the hiveRolland-Warner students participate in honey harvest

Lapeer Community Schools and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association are proud to announce inductees for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor:

Jay Wildfong (LHS, 1944), Barb Sweeney (LHS, 1952), Deb Barber (LWHS, 1980) and Katie Kirkpatrick-Godwin (LEHS, 2001).

Al l of these inductees have dist inguished themselves as tremendous stewards of the education and training they received from Lapeer Community Schools; they are role models for all students.

Wildfong, who lives in Wisconsin, was an accomplished student-athlete at Lapeer High School. After graduation, he was a U.S. Navy gunner, businessman, coach and volunteer. He is also President of the Wisconsin/Illinois U.S. Navy Armed Guard World War II Veterans.

Sweeney, a Metamora resident, i s a l o n g t i m e m e m b e r a n d supporter of the Lapeer High School Alumni Association and has been instrumental in the planning of class reunions. Sweeney spent 25 years in law enforcement, is an active

member of St. Louise Chapel in Metamora, has been a volunteer for 4-H and was on the Board of Directors at Lapeer Community Credit Union.

Barber, a tremendous supporter and volunteer in several LCS music programs, is an award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter. She spent 16 years in Las Vegas, where she wrote and recorded two albums, one of which earned her several Grammy nominations including Best New Album. Barber now lives in Lapeer.

Finally, Katie Kirkpatrick-Godwin will be inducted posthumously. K i r k p a t r i c k- G o d w i n , a c o -valedictorian, homecoming queen and stellar student-athlete at East, died after a heroic three-year battle with cancer. In 2005 the 21-year-old inspired people across the country as she raised nearly $30,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help people with cancer even as she was fighting her own battle with it.

The Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor program is cooperatively sponsored by Lapeer Community Schools and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association. The award was created to recognize and honor the accomplishments of

the outstanding men and women who graduated from our schools. By celebrating these role models, we inspire today’s students to move forward in their own pursuit of excellence.

A ceremony will be held in their honor at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in the Irwin Board Room at the Administration and Services Center, 250 Second St., in Lapeer. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

2012 Distinguished Alumni to be honored this month

Several hundred pounds of harvested honey will be extracted, bottled and marketed for sale in the community. Last year the product, with labels designed by students, sold out.