Volume XXXII, Issue 4May 2012

In this Issue

Message from the Superintendent .................................... 3 Class of 2012 Top Ten ..............................................2 and 7Spring Sports Schedule ..................................................... 6Summer Hours ................................................................... 6Endowment Fund In Place ............................................... 6Mustangs of the Month ...................................................... 8Employment Opportunity .................................................. 8

Back Row (L-R): Connor Riley, Alyssa Miller, Lauryn Wisner, Gracie Powell, Taylor Decker

Front Row (L-R): Kenny Slayton, Kaylee Clossen, Misha Colburn

MID MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

AWARDED Mid Michigan Community College presents a scholarship for $250 to the 2 top 8th grade students in area schools each year. The scholarships can be used to buy books for MMCC dual enrollment classes while they attend high school or for college courses at MMCC upon graduation. This year Montabella’s two top students are: Nicholas Stratton and Kensington Garvey. On May 8th all students who earned these scholarships, and their parents, have been invited to a special honors luncheon to receive their awards. The luncheon is being held at the MMCC Doan Campus in Mt. Pleasant on May 8th. Congratulations to our two top scholars!

Back Row (L-R): Mason Renne, Zoe Helmer, Lindsey Hoover, Cassie Miller

Front Row (L-R): Kenna Roman, Alex Reed, Carson Dalrymple, Brooke Wright, Adam Chaffee

SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS TAKE PART IN ENERGY STUDY The Sixth Grade classes were involved in an energy study sponsored by Consum-ers Energy and the State Energy Commission of Michigan. Each student was given an energy kit to take home to use. In the kit was 3 CFL light bulbs, a showerhead, a kitch-en aerator, a bathroom sink aerator, and a night light. The students were asked to use these products and then fill out a survey on how effective they found the product. Our students then returned the surveys and filled out a scan card. The cards were mailed to Consumers with the results. Part of this program involves having 2 speakers come in and explain what each piece can do to save the average family the cost of energy. Because our students com-pleted this program and returned the results, we are being awarded 3 $100.00 grants to spend on science/energy equipment and materials. Thank you for letting your student participate in this program. We now know little things we can do to help our family save money by conserving energy and making little changes in our daily lives.

MODERN WOODMEN CIVIC ORATION FINALISTS

Montabella High SchoolValedictorian: Nichole May Myers

Nichole Myers is the daughter of Andy My-ers and Lee & Kris Martin. She currently resides in Blanchard and is graduating 1st in her class. Nichole is the President of the National Honor Society, Secretary and Treasurer for the Student Council Cabinet, a member of the Student Advisory, and is a student representative on the Montabella School Board of Education. She has par-ticipated in Volleyball (1 yr), Basketball (2 yrs), Pom Pons (2 yrs), Marching Band (4 yrs), Concert Band (4 yrs), Pep Band (4 yrs), Honors Band (4 yrs), Quiz Bowl (2 yrs), Technology Team (3 yrs), and Lan-guage Arts Team (1 yr). Nichole currently works as a teller at River Valley Credit

Union and is an afterschool tutor. She was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen of the Year award at her high school. Nichole plans to attend the University of Michigan in the fall to possibly study finance.

Salutatorian: Derrick Lee Moore Derrick Moore is the son of Randall and Carol Moore. He currently re-sides in Six Lakes and is graduating 2nd in his class. Derrick is a member of the National Honor Society. He has participated in Band (4 yrs), Honors Band (4 yrs), District Solo and En-semble (5 yrs), State Solo and En-semble Qualifier (3 yrs), Track (1 yr), Drama (1 yr), and the High School Talent Show (2 yrs). Derrick is a phe-nomenal tuba player and, this year, received the best score possible at State Solo and Ensemble. Derrick currently works at High Lean Pork. He plans to attend Central Michigan Univer-sity in the fall to pursue a career in Music Therapy or Music Education.

3rd: Travis Mitchell DunnTravis Dunn is the son of Pete and Suzi Dunn. He currently resides in Six Lakes and is graduating 3rd in his class. Tra-vis is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Student Representa-tive on the Montabella School Board of Education. He has participated in Foot-ball (4 yrs – earning 2 Varsity Letters, Honorable Mention All-State, 1st Team All Conference, Honorable Mention All-Conference), Baseball (4 yrs – earning 3 varsity letters, two-time Honorable Mention All-Conference, Academic All-District), Basketball (4 yrs – earning 2 varsity letters, 2nd Team All-Confer-

ence), Model UN (1 yr), Band (4 yrs), Teen Summit, Adopt-A-Class-room, and Character Counts (4 yrs). Travis has spent the last four summers working for Pioneer in corn detasseling. He plans to attend Alma College in the fall to pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant.

4th: Emily Mae Malina Emily Malina is the daughter of Pame-la & Kenneth Malina. She currently resides in Edmore and is graduating 4th in her class. Emily is a member of the National Honor Society and is Se-nior Class President. She has partici-pated in Cross-Country (4 yrs), Track (4 yrs), Basketball (2 yrs), Model UN (3 yrs), Forensics (2 yrs), Language Arts Team (2 yrs) and Adopt-A-Class-room. Emily has earned highest hon-ors in the classroom for four years and organized a 5k “Alma Run For Life” for her senior project. Although a lot of her time is spent in the class-room and studying, she enjoys play-

ing the piano and traveling and she is a Student Representative on the Edmore City Council. Emily plans to attend Syracuse Uni-versity in the fall to pursue a career in International Relations.

Congrats class of ‘12

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SUPERINTENDENTMr. Ronald Farrell, Superintendent of Schools

Not unlike the beginning of the school year the conclusion of the school year provides for much by way of excitement. Such is the time for both students and staff to cel-ebrate, often by way of demonstrations, displays, programs and presentations, the accolades and accomplishments of the past year. And to be sure the culminating event simultaneously marking both ending and beginning is that of high school gradua-tion ceremoniously celebrated by way of display, demonstration and ultimately pre-sentation of the high school diploma. As Superintendent I always feel very proud and extremely privileged to be a part of this celebration. I know that is true of all

of us who represent our school by way of faculty, staff and administration. I know as well that this is exceedingly true for parents and partners, family and friends of graduating seniors.

The end of the school year does in another very significant way involve mat-ters simultaneously dealing with ending and beginning. As such I refer to the matters of closing out the current year as relates to budgetary align-ment (how well were we able to operate within the budget?) and planning for the coming year in terms of projecting a budget based on both what we do know and what we do not know. Our administrative team is currently heavily involved with that process with hope of providing the best and the most that we can with the resources we expect to have. With regard to resources I have been in close contact with legislators as they are currently generating such numbers as will ultimately represent a final bill defining financial appropriation to public schools. As I write this message to you I have just left a third meeting in this week with state legislators who have finalized bills in both The House and The Senate. Those bills will now go to opposite chambers, to committee, and finally in a unified form to Governor Snyder. And while we do not at this time have a final bill, I feel safe in telling you there will be very little if any increase when the bottom line is determined. I also feel safe in telling you that the legislators with whom I have spent time and who represent both parties are quite concerned and therefore quite determined that what comes to be the final budget bill to be passed will express dollar amounts that can and will be payable to school districts and will not be overstated so as to require pro-ration at a later time. In other words they do not want to over promise and under deliver as has in some past years been the case. And while I wish after so many years of having cut both people and programs to protect our financial integrity and thus the district’s solvency, that our appropriation for the coming year were to be better, I do respect our legislators for their attention to detail in the matter of certainty.

Now, as most of you know, I could resign to taking comfort in thinking that I no longer have to worry about our district’s budget. That would be nice but I can not in all honesty resign myself to that level of comfort. I shall always be concerned about Montabella’s well being as relates to many matters of which the budget is certainly one. That is to somehow say that while I am taking myself out of Montabella I do not expect to take Montabella out of me. My care and concern for Montabella has been, is, and ever shall be and I state that proudly. In fact, I share these thoughts as to issues of which I believe our district must in the coming years be mindful and address.

(1) As technology continues to become a greater and greater part of all phases of our operation, we must at some point identify support and main-tain a funding stream dedicated to that. I am not certain if this should be via a special millage or if it might become a portion of an existing millage. Were we able to use a portion of our sinking fund millage for technology that would be great and for the present time that would in all likelihood be sufficient. However, by law we are not allowed to do so. I strongly urge all of us to keep pressure on our lawmakers to change the legislation in order that the use of sinking fund monies might be expanded to provide for both technology and transportation. It might also be that when our sinking fund millage is subject to renewal, the current one and one half mills be split

allowing a portion for technology and/or transportation. And, I say to you as voters, I know paying property tax is not popular, but please do not fail to keep our sinking fund millage in place. It has been a life saver in the years we have had it. To lose it would be disastrous to our district and the students it serves.

(2) Acquire and maintain within the general budget such fund balance as would minimize and hopefully eliminate the need for borrowing for opera-tional purposes. While many districts to include Montabella borrow monies to sustain necessary cash flow, there are some districts which do not. Those which do not gain in two very important ways: not having to pay interest on borrowed sums and being able to collect interest on balances maintained. Both represent a better bottom line which enables district monies to be used for the educational welfare of students rather than to support finan-cial institutions.

(3) Do all possible to maintain and, when possible add to, our current ros-ter of academics, athletics, the arts and services. Do so for the benefit and well being of our students. Do so, as well, in remembering that we must compete for students and thus it is important to provide on a par with our neighboring districts. This is not about “keeping up with the Joneses”; it is about providing for our students who will become somebody else’s if we do not. And, why would we want our Montabella students to have less by way of offering and preparation than students in districts surrounding us? Remember, our students will be our social security checks. Prepare them well that they may care for us well.

(4) Increase the number of days within the academic year. A few years ago one hundred eighty days was the standard. Within the John Engler admin-istration a plan was put in place to increase the required number of days to two hundred if state per pupil funding would increase incrementally on an annual basis. This did not happen. Many schools in our state have contin-ued to operate close to or at one hundred eighty days. Prior to my admin-istration, and for reasons I fully understand, our school days were reduced to one hundred sixty-seven. For schools operating one hundred eighty days this means our students receive thirteen fewer days of instruction each year. As such, given the thirteen years from kindergarten through and in-cluding grade twelve, our students have one hundred sixty-nine fewer days. That comes to represent the equivalent of the loss of one full academic year. This is not fair to our students who must compete with those having the more lengthy school year. It is true that an increase in days must come about at the bargaining table, but this definitely needs to happen. We will be increasing our instructional days to one hundred seventy next year. We must as a district and a community continue to increase that number. Fail-ure to do so is to serve our students in unfair and unequal fashion.

(5) Expect much of your administrators, teachers and coaches. But, in so doing, be sure you provide them much by way of support. And, expect much of your own children. And, in so doing, be sure you provide them much by way of love, support and good modeling. May you ever and always be proud of your children and may they ever and always be proud of you.

(6) Invest yourself in our Montabella Community Schools and the great people therein represented. Remember, you are among those great people because you are part of The Montabella Community. Good, better, best—never let it rest, ‘til the good is better and the better is best. Keep that in mind when being an important part of all that Montabella is and can be.

(7) Acknowledge and accept that there will always be challenges. Face them as the needs require. Address them in such ways and by such means as are possible. Our district has been through more than its fair share. Often we have become the stronger, the wiser, and the better therefore. Determina-tion is important as is patience, persistence and perseverance. With those in place, most often we will prevail. But if not, be mindful of this: For every problem under the sun There is a solution or there is none. If there is one, find it If there is none, never mind it.

In closing I thank our Montabella Community for the support you have given me the past forty-one years. May such support continue to follow those who will follow me in serving our great district.

God Bless Montabella!

Athletic Schedules are subject to change, es-pecially in spring due to the weather. Please

check our website (www.montabella.com) for updated schedules.

SUMMER HOURSThe Elementary and Jr/Sr High offices will be open from 8:00-3:00 through June 22. Summer hours will then take effect the following week. Summer hours are Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm throughout the summer. Please call 989-427-5149 and follow the prompts to speak with

the appropriate office to enroll new students. Central Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day during the summer. Watch our webpage and/or Facebooks posts for back-to-school hours.

2011-2012 SPRING SPORTS SCHEDULEMontabella MustangsHIGH SCHOOL TRACKWed. 04/11 CentralMontcalm A 4:00Wed. 04/25 MSACJamboree H 4:00Fri. 04/27 HarrisonInvite AFri. 05/04 LakeviewInvite A 3:30Wed. 05/09 MSACJamboree@Vestaburg 4:00Wed. 05/23 MSACLeague@Coleman 4:00

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACKWed. 04/18 MSACJamboree@SacredHeart 4:00Tues. 04/24 MSACJamboree@Montabella 4:00Fri. 04/27 Evart 3:30Tues. 05/01 MSACJamboree@Coleman 4:00Fri. 05/11 FarwellInvite 4:00Tues. 05/15 LeagueMeet@Montabella 4:00BOYS GOLFThur. 04/19 St.Ives A 9:00Wed. 04/25 Fulton A 3:30Fri. 04/27 HuskieInviteatNorthStar9:00Mon. 04/30 @LinksofEdmore H 4:00Wed. 05/02 @LinksofEdmore H 4:00Wed. 05/09 @LinksofEdmore H 4:00Fri. 05/11 Ithaca A 9:00amThur. 05/17 Farwell A 4:00Wed. 05/23 @LinksofEdmore H 4:00

VARSITY SOFTBALL/BASEBALLThur. 04/19 Farwell H 4:00Sat. 04/21 FultonInvite A 10:00amMon. 04/23 Coleman A 4:00Thur. 04/26 SacredHeart H 4:00Mon. 04/30 Ashley A 4:00Thur. 05/03 Vestaburg H 4:00Sat. 05/05 TriCounty(BB) A 9:30am ReedCity(SB) AThur. 05/10 Coleman H 4:00Mon. 05/14 CentralMontcalm H 4:00Thur. 05/17 SacredHeart A 4:00Mon. 05/21 Fulton (BB) H 4:00Wed. 05/23 Saranac A 4:00Tue. 05/29 Evart A 4:00

ENDOWMENT FUND IN PLACE A fund to provide for future teaching and learning enhancement for Montabella Schools has been established. The official name of the en-dowment fund is Montabella Community Schools Education Fund and was founded by Ron and Sharron Farrell who provided ten thousand dollars to officially originate the fund. The fund is housed and managed by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation which manages over two hun-dred funds to include several for area schools. Such funds generally make distribution approved by a governing board and based on the fund’s investment earnings. Typically the princi-pal is never distributed and is always maintained. Distributions would be made to the school to be used in a variety of ways which could vary from year to year and could be in the form of a scholarship. The fund however is not specifically a scholarship fund. It must also be understood that distributions can never directly benefit the foundation’s original donors. In other words, were a distribution be made in the form of a scholarship, the children of Ron and Sharron Farrell would not be eligible for that scholarship. To establish a Montabella Community School Foundation has been a goal of Superintendent Farrell for a long time. He and Sharron wanted to establish a financial source that would serve Montabella Schools over many years to come. It is their hope that people will, when able and interested, contribute to the fund or that benefit events might from time to time take place to provide for the fund. Contributions to such funds are often done by way of gifts to commemorate particular events or in memory or honor of particular organizations or individuals. Anyone wishing to make a gift to the Montabella Community Schools Foundation such contributions should go to:

Montabella Community Schools Foundation 306 S University St

PO Box 1283Mt Pleasant MI 48804-1283

JV SOFTBALL/BASEBALLThur. 04/19 Farwell A 4:00Mon. 04/23 Coleman H 4:00Thur. 04/26 SacredHeart A 4:00Thur. 05/03 Vestaburg(SB) A 4:00Sat. 05/05 Breckenridge(BB) AThur. 05/10 Coleman A 4:00Mon. 05/14 CentralMont(BB) A 4:00Thur. 05/17 SacredHeart H 4:00Mon. 05/21 Fulton (BB) A 4:00Wed. 05/23 Saranac H 4:00Tue. 05/29 Evart (BB) H 4:00

M

2012 Top Ten8th: Je’Mikal Jerome Papendick

Je’Mikal Papendick is the son of Jason & Toni Papendick. He currently re-sides in Vestaburg and is graduating 8th in his class. Je’Mikal is a member of the National Honor Society. He has participated in Football (4 yrs -earn-ing 3 varsity letters, 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-Conference three-times), Basketball (4 yrs - earning 3 varsity letters, 1st Team All-Conference, 2nd Team All-Conference), Track (1 yr -1st Team All-Conference), Model UN (1 yr), Character Counts (4 yrs), Adopt-A-Classroom, and Teen Summit. Je’Mikal has worked his summers at youth bas-

ketball clinics. He plans to attend either Wayne State University or Ferris State University in the fall to pursue a career in Pharmacy.

7th: Cora Annette OkkemaCora Okkema is the daughter of Tjerk & Ramona Okkema. She currently resides in Blanchard and is graduating 7th in her class. Cora is a member of the National Honor Society and President of the Student Council. She has participated in Volleyball (3 yrs), Basketball (4 yrs - recipient of 2012 Coaches’ Award), Track (4 yrs - Team Cap-tain, 2-time MSAC 1st Team All-Conference for Shot Put & Discus and 3rd Place in Dis-cus for Division IV State Finals), March-ing Band (4 yrs), Concert Band (4 yrs), Pep Band (4 yrs), Honors Band (3 yrs), Model UN (3 yrs), Science Olympiad (1 yr), Foren-sics (1 yr), Super Fan Society, SADD, Teen

Summit, and Character Counts (4 yrs). Cora has attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar and has earned the National I Dare You Award. She is also actively involved with 4-H as a volunteer camp counselor and has won the Michigan 4-H Youth Development State Award for Citizenship and Community Service. She is a member of the East County Line 4-H Club, Paws & Claws 4-H Club and the Me-costa County Teen Club. Cora is a member of New Beginnings Church and Endeavor Youth Group. She plans to attend Dordt College in the fall to pursue a career in Biology and Dutch as a foreign language.

9th: Sarah Kathryn BelsonSarah Belson is the daughter of Den-nis Belson and Holly McCormick. She currently resides in Edmore and is graduating 9th in her class. Sarah is a member of the National Honor Soci-ety. She has participated in Cheerlead-ing (4 yrs), Pom Pons (2 yrs), Track & Field (3 yrs – 1st Team All-Confer-ence in Pole Vault, 4 x 100 Relay, & 4 x 200 Relay, 2-time State Qualifier for 4 x 200 Relay and 1 time for 4 x 100 Relay), Cross Country (1 yr – All-Con-ference Honorable Mention), Band (4 yrs), Honors Band (4 yrs), Model UN (2 yrs), Forensics (4 yrs – 1st place

for Duo Interpretation), Science Olympiad (1 yr), SADD, Charac-ter Counts (3 yrs) and Teen Summit. Sarah plans to attend Mont-calm Community College in the fall, transferring to Mid-Michigan Community College, and then to Ferris State University to pursue a career in Phlebotomy, and later become a Certified Paramedic.

10th: Tori Kathryn PatchTori Patch is the daughter of Lewis & Chris Patch. She currently resides in Lakeview and is graduating 10th in her class. Tori is a member of the National Honor Society and on Student Advi-sory. She has participated in Pom Pons (1 yr), Cheerleading (1 yr), Model UN (2 yrs), Forensics (1 yr), Teen Summit, and Adopt-A-Classroom. Tori currently works two jobs. She has worked at Pit Stop Ice Cream for 4 years and started working at McDonalds this past December. She plans to attend Adrian College in the fall.

6th: Rebekah Leigh IraniRebekah Irani is the daughter of Mark and Janet Irani. She currently resides in Blanchard and is graduating 6th in her class. Rebekah is a member of the Na-tional Honor Society, and Senior Class Vice-President. She has participated in Volleyball (3 yrs), Basketball (4 yrs), Track & Field (4 yrs – Regional Cham-pion 2011 Discus), Band (4 yrs), Honors Band (4 yrs), SADD, Yearbook, Charac-ter Counts (4 yrs), and C.A.S.. Rebekah currently works on her family’s farm, is a member of Chipewa Hills Baptist Church and has had the privilege of go-ing on two mission trips. She plans to

attend Alma College in the fall to pursue a career in Health Sciences.

5th: Jordan Christopher BakerJordan Baker is the son of James and Deb-orah Baker. He currently resides near Mc-Bride and is graduating 5th in his class. Jordan is a member of the National Honor Society. He has participated in Track & Field his senior year. He has been enrolled in dual-enrollment classes for his junior and senior years and will graduate high school with over 30 college credits. He also attended a motorcycle endorsement course and received his endorsement. Jordan is enlisted in the United States Navy and has been accepted to the Nuclear Power Program. He will leave for Recruit Train-ing at Great Lakes, Illinois in November.

MUSTANG OF THE MONTH

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Jann LaPointe PresidentTim Eldred, Vice-President

Emily Longnecker, SecretarySherri Miel, Treasurer

Mike Rasmussen, Trustee Ivan Renne, Trustee

Dennis Stratton, Trustee

302 West Main Street | Edmore, MI 48829 | 989-427-5148 (p) | 989-427-3828 (f)

www.montabella.com

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage PAIDEdmore, MI 48829

PERMIT No. 1

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Jonny DurhamSophomore Wrestler

Jonny qualified for the state finals. He has a record of 45-6. He is only the 5th sophomore to accomplish this. Coach Balhorn said “Jonny has worked very hard this season and has been a true team player. I am very proud of him.”

Madison Cutler7th Grade Girls Basketball

Madison was the leading scorer for the year for the 7th Grade Basketball Team. She was also their best ball handler and defender. She worked hard in practice and always displayed a positive attitude.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY

MONTABELLA GRADUATION Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012

Time: 7:00 p.m.Place: Montabella Elementary Gymnasium

Class Colors: Navy Blue and WhiteClass Flower: Peruvian Lily

Class Song: “I Can See Clearly Now” by Jimmy CliffClass Motto:

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” Anatole France

Montabella Baccalaureate: Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Montabella Jr/Sr HighGymnasium

Thank you to Sons of the American Legion in Blanchard for donating the flags that fly at our buildings. They have been buying our flags since 2006 and continue to honor our na-tion by making sure we have flags to fly.

Congratulations to the Montabella High School Concert Band for their

great performance at State Band and Orchestra Festival. The band traveled

to Perry High School on Saturday, April 28 to perform. They earned an overall

rating of II.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Become a professional school bus driver! We are currently

accepting applications for our school bus driver training program. Bus driving may be the ideal career for you if you have an excellent driving record, enjoy working with kids, and are interested in part-time employment. For more information and a brief telephone interview, please contact

Montabella Transportation at (989) 427-5024. EOE