ARENAC EASTERN SCHOOL DISTRICT

ANNUAL REPORT

2002-2003

Submitted By:

Dr. Linda Olson,
Superintendent

Mr. Dale Farrell,
Elementary Principal

Mr. Rick Green,
MS/HS Principal

Mr. Allen Pauly,
Counselor

It is the mission of the Arenac Eastern School District to assist students in their quest to demonstrate proficiency in life skills by providing a balanced curriculum that includes instruction in academic, emotional, social, physical, and thinking skills.

All students who graduate from the Arenac Eastern School District will:

~                   continually strive to maintain a high self-esteem.

~                   be academically and psychologically prepared for life-long learning.

~                   possess the process skills of thinking, problem solving, communicating and goal setting.

~                   possess the ability to interact with others successfully and meaningfully.

~                   be responsible for themselves.

~                   be productive and contributing citizens of community, country, and world.

The Arenac Eastern School District offers students a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare them for life after their compulsory school experience.  This curriculum includes math, science, social studies, communication arts (reading, writing and communication skills), and computer technology.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
 

 FEBRUARY

The Bay-Arenac Career Center provides occupational programs to youths and adults who reside in seven public school districts within the two counties.  Job placement, employment, career counseling, occupational testing, and other services are provided.  Application is made through the local high school.

 Arenac Eastern had 32 students attend the Career Center during the 2002-2003 school year.  Our students participated in the following programs:

Center programs are designed to accommodate students with more challenging needs.  Placement is implemented through the local district.  The purpose of the Center programs is to provide training in academics, independent living, vocational skills, and recreational activities.

Six students residing in the Arenac Eastern School District were enrolled for special education services with the Bay-Arenac Special Education programs during the 2002-2003 school year.

The Arenac Eastern School District provides staff members with many opportunities for professional development. This year the focus was on implementing the math curriculum, the development and implementation in the sciences, as well as integrating the use of technology into the classrooms.

Arenac Eastern personnel participated in the following conferences, workshops and training sessions including, but not limited to: Blood Pathogens Training, Student Assistance and PAL Training, New Teacher Training, Science and Math Strategies, Positive Behavior Reinforcement, MLPP , Digital Camera, Front Page, Access, Excel, Power Point, Special Education Workshops, Career Preparation, Michigan Health Model, Bullying and Non-Violent Crisis

Intervention, Character Development, Legal Seminars, Curriculum Development, MEAP Test Results, GradeQuick, GroupWise, Character Development, No Child Left Behind, Child Abuse, Middle School Concept, Sci-Ma-Tech, Education Yes, Filamentality, Sensory Integration, Cooperative Learning, Technology Integration, Iowa Basic Skills Testing, and Educational Web Links.  In addition, a few staff members have been working to expand their certifications and have completed several courses to meet their individual goals.

Valedictorian:         Brian Thomas

Salutatorian:            Stacey Card

Honor Graduates:  Brian Thomas, Stacey Card, Danielle Reeves, Mark Machulis, Amanda Neilson, Kristy Berry, Jill Killingbeck, Deanne Chmura, Shirley Nickell, Devin Blata, Rachel Grusecki, Christine Corey

Number of Graduates:     30

MEAP Endorsements in all areas:           12

MEAP Endorsements in one, two, three or four areas:           14

Parental Excusals:  3 student exempted MEAP in one or more subjects

No endorsements:  4

Michigan Merit Scholarship Recipients:           8

Note: 2003 data is not yet available, additional students may have earned endorsements or Merit Scholarships after retesting.

Four Arenac Eastern students were Dual Enrolled at Delta College during the course of the 2002-2003 school year for a total of fourteen semester courses.  Arenac Eastern did not offer any college level equivalent courses during the 2002-2003 school year.

Ten students took Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and completed the A.P. test in May.  One student scored at a level three which is qualified, four at level two, and five at level one.  Level one is accepted at the student’s institution and level two may be at the institution’s discretion.

Five students were involved in the School-to-Work program during the 2002-2003 school year.  Four students were seniors and one student was a junior.  Students attended two to six classes at Arenac Eastern, and then went to a job site for the remainder of the school day.  The hours on the job and job performance evaluations were monitored by high school counselor, Allen Pauly.

The Arenac Eastern Elementary School (K-5) had a retention rate of 2.2% for the 2002-2003 school year. The Middle and High School (6-12) had a retention rate of less than one percent.  Five high school students dropped out of the Arenac Eastern School District without enrolling at another school during the 2002-2003 school year.

Throughout the school year administration and staff members make a serious effort to keep parents informed of the progress of their children.  This is done by having two scheduled parent/teacher conference days.  Over 130 parents of middle and high school students and over 140 parents of elementary students attended conferences in September.  In February, over 125 parents of middle and high school students and over 120 parents of elementary students attended.  Additionally, progress reports, home visits, IEPC'S, after school meetings and many telephone conversations took place.  The installation of telephones in each classroom last year has also continued to improve communication.  It is estimated that over 90% of parents had some kind of personal contact with school staff during the school year.  The District’s Newsletter, The Eagle Express, was also mailed out to parents five times during the school year.

Community groups that used the facility this year included 4-H, Sterling Area Health Center, Twining T-Ball/Coach Pitch/Pony League/Minor League, Cub Scouts, Family Independence Agency, Michigan Works, Community Softball, Twining Village Meetings, and S.A.M. Youth Football.

Arenac Eastern Elementary held its 47^th Annual Kindergarten Graduation ceremony in the gymnasium on May 28, 2003.  Twenty-six kindergartners, dressed in caps and gowns, were escorted by the high school seniors into the gym.  The students then entertained approximately 200 guests with songs and a story they learned from Mr. Rajewski and Mrs. Rittenberg.

This year the Arenac Eastern School District was classified as a School Wide Title I building.  Additionally, an on-site review was conducted by the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of State and Federal Programs.  An Extended Day program was developed and conducted after school on Mondays and Wednesdays for a period of one hour.  Over forty-five students participated in the Extended Day program.

The district is in interium status for accreditation.

Monthly assemblies were held in the elementary to honor students of the month, honor roll recipients, contest winners, and provide behavior incentives.  Each month different elementary classrooms provided entertainment for their fellow students and parents.  Other assemblies for elementary students included Dr. Mike Thomson, Magic Show, Ronald McDonald, Animals and Our Environment, and a Starlab Planetarium.

Two evening assemblies were held for the middle and high school students at the end of the school year:  one for academic honors and the other for behavior rewards.  Secondary assemblies included Grim Reaper, Three Men and a Tenor, Dr. Mike Thomson, performance by the Tawas PRIDE Team, several evening music/band performances and athletic awards nights following each athletic season.

The existing five-year school improvement plan is established, through the year 2007 (see attachment).  Arenac Eastern will continue to work on goals which include improving reading of informational text, improving science, math concepts, and career preparation.

Throughout the year, our K-12 teachers worked with Mr. Jerry Krzyczkowski, curriculum consultant from Bay Arenac ISD.  Monthly work sessions included developing and planning for curriculum implementation in the areas of science, math, social studies, and analyzing MEAP results.