Cailie Johnson, 17, is the daughter of Chuck and Sheryl Johnson and sister to Ivy, 15, Madye, 13, and Mavis, 9.

Cailie is considered a leader at Rockford High School, where she always has a smile on her face and is ready to bring out the best in those around her. This student encourages others with her tireless enthusiasm.

In all she does, Cailie’s leadership abilities are clear. On her volleyball team she keeps fellow student athletes working hard while having fun.

This National Honor Society student is also involved in her church youth group, Student Council, community service programs, and summer camps. She is known as an extremely hardworking person, whether it is on the volleyball court, in student leadership events or in the classroom. This positive and driven young woman wants to be kind to all, but is not afraid to stand up for something she strongly believes in. She has a desire to always improve herself.

Cailie was elected mayor of Student Council by her classmates. She was junior class president and was elected to the homecoming court for her class. She is on the National Honor Society and is a Board of Education student representative.

Cailie is excited to play volleyball at Grand Valley State University next year. Currently she plays volleyball for Rockford and on the prestigious Michigan Volleyball Academy Travel volleyball team. She loves politics and planning school events through student council. Among Cailie’s other pastimes are watching movies and spending time with her family. She also is involved with a weekly small group Bible study.

Staff at Rockford High School are confident that this young woman has a bright future and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those around her.

Breanna Bowen

Founded in 2002-03, this scholarship is provided by the efforts of the Parkside Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). As a long-term goal and in an effort to promote P.R.I.D.E. behavior among students leaving the elementary school environment, the Parkside PTO established the scholarship. An integral part of the application process is for the student to demonstrate how they have utilized the P.R.I.D.E. philosophy and lifeskills during their high school years.

Promoting responsible ideas and deeds everyday is an ongoing effort by Parkside students, staff and parents to improve student behavior and respect for others. This scholarship is to reward Parkside alumni for their contributions to this community and their school, for high school graduation years 2010 through 2019.

Scholarship awards of $550 will be awarded each year to a graduating senior from Rockford Public Schools who had attended Parkside Elementary School. Applicants must have completed at least one academic year at Parkside. The funds from the scholarship will be dispersed according to the established procedure with the scholarship office through Rockford Public Schools’ administrative office. Recipients will receive instruction for disbursement at the RHS honors convocation.

Application criteria included: Demonstration of the Parkside P.R.I.D.E. philosophy utilizing lifeskills, grade-point average, community service, extracurricular involvement, self-help, and personal recommendations. Consideration is given to all applicants regardless of intended post-secondary education. Financial need is not a factor. The selection committee is comprised of the P.R.I.D.E. scholarship committee.

The committee received several outstanding applications from former Parkside students. Bowen was selected because she demonstrated importance of caring, having kindness and taking initiatives in her application. She has served in the local community for God’s Kitchen, Second Harvest Gleaners and North Kent Service Center, to name a few, assisted African refugee families who face monumental barriers in being relocated to another country, started the African Outreach Club at the high school to educate others, and helped others through mission trips to Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, and this summer Africa. The Parkside P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship committee is pleased to have Breanna Bowen as the first recipient of the Parkside P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship.

by MICHAEL S. SHIBLER, Ph.D.
Superintendent, Rockford Public Schools 

With the end of the 2009-10 school year rapidly approaching, I would like to make a few observations. 

Senior Class of 2010

Congratulations to the 625 Rockford High School and River Valley Academy seniors who are receiving a guaranteed diploma from the Rockford Public Schools (RPS). I wish you the very best that life has to offer, and I encourage you to use the skills you have acquired at RPS to further your life-long learning.

Losses

RPS students, staff and community have experienced several heart-wrenching losses this year. Beyond the pain that we have all experienced, I continue to be humbled by the overwhelming outreach, love and support demonstrated by our community for the families and friends of the loved ones who have passed. God bless you! 

More Recognition for RPS

As many of you already know, RPS is one of only a few school districts throughout Michigan that has all of its schools recognized by the state board of education as Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools. Also, all of our schools are accredited by the North Central Association of Schools. Just recently, educators from Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan visited our district and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of our students’ test scores, educational and co-educational programs, preschool through adult education, curricula and staff, and they have recommended that RPS receive the AdvancED accreditation recognition, which is reserved for only a few school districts throughout the Midwest. 

May 2008 Bond Issue Progress

Two years ago, our community voted to renew a one-mill debt retirement levy that was scheduled to be retired. That generous renewal created $45 million for capital improvement projects throughout the school district, including classroom additions to existing buildings, updated district-wide instructional technology, and recreation and athletic fields. To date, all of the projects have been completed on time and within budget.

The only project which will require more work than originally anticipated is the renovation of the infrastructure of the North Rockford Middle School pool. Following a thorough evaluation of the facility, engineers determined more work was required, setting back the completion date to at least January 2011.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the past two years, as we have efficiently used your tax dollars from the bond issue to upgrade all of our facilities. 

State Financial Crisis

I am sure that it comes as no surprise that the funding of Michigan’s public schools has reached a crisis. Our funding per child is less today than it was two years ago, and if reasonable solutions are not created by our state lawmakers soon, significant cuts to education will continue throughout Michigan.

Rather than hosting one or two district-wide public forums, as most school districts have done this spring, we have held over 35 meetings for staff and community members to inform and ask for feedback. We have also provided current legislative updates as they become available on the district’s webpage at www.rockfordschools.org.

As we progress through late spring, summer and early fall, the status of public school funding will continue to be a “moving target,” with changes occurring as late as October 1. There exist several appropriate solutions for our legislators to consider, including cost containment initiatives, as well as revenue enhancement opportunities. If our elected officials do nothing to repair the structural deficit which currently exists in the School Aid Fund, then Michigan’s schools will be in serious trouble. I urge you to contact your state representative, senator and the governor. Stay tuned!

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns. Have a great summer!

Drew Harrier, 11, is the son of Brian and Christy Harrier and brother to Dean and Wade. Teachers describe Drew as honest and trustworthy, and say he defines the role of a model citizen through his leadership abilities. Drew always puts others first.

“Drew is selfless on the playground and in the classroom,” staff at Lakes Elementary state. He is also known as a hard worker who loves challenges and pushing himself to do his personal best. Drew showcases positive behavior that students around him see on a daily basis.

Drew has an uncanny ability to make others feel good about themselves. He is occasionally a rambunctious student, but also has a calm demeanor. He is respectful of other people’s feelings and property. When Drew was volunteering as a school Safety, another student had an accident. Rather than drawing attention to the problem, Drew handled it discreetly and stayed with the student until the situation was taken care of. The next time he saw the student, he made sure she was okay.

A giving person, Drew helps his mother with younger kids in daycare. He is always willing to lend a hand and is flexible to accommodate any situation. Other students look up to him and enjoy being around him.

Drew is motivated to do what his right because of who he is. His family and how he was raised have instilled in him the virtues of character and integrity.

An avid soccer player and downhill skier, Drew and his brother Dean also collect monarch caterpillars. They love to watch as the caterpillars change into chrysalises and hatch into butterflies. Drew is a true scientist who loves exploring new things. He is also involved in his church youth group and has just started in the junior high youth group. This is a wonderful example of Drew’s ability to fit in with any age group.

Ryan Romain

Rockford’s top graduating student and valedictorian for the RHS class of 2010 is Ryan Romain, son of Mike and Sheryl and brother to Rachael and Kylie. His graduating GPA is 4.620. Romain said his favorite class is English.

Romain is Social Studies Student of the Month, National Honor Society member, and National Jack London Short Story Competition honorable mention. He participated in track and field for four years, cross country one year and bowling two years. He was cross country Athlete of the Month, most improved track athlete his junior year, All-State 4×400-meter relay, and senior All-Conference track athlete. He was in marching band for three years with 1st Division State Solo and Ensemble rating for a saxophone solo his sophomore and junior years.

Inspired by other people who set high goals, and either achieve them or exhaust every effort in trying to achieve them, Romain’s advice to freshmen is to “develop strong relationships with your teachers. The teachers at Rockford are amazing, and will do anything they can to help you.” His favorite memory is “during the track and field regional meet last year, our 4×400-meter relay surprised all the competition by dropping several seconds off our previous best time, which qualified us for the state meet—the first 4×400-meter relay team to do so in several years.”

Next year, Romain will attend Harvard because “it is an amazing school with limitless opportunities,” where he will major in English and minor in either government or history, and eventually become an attorney.

Brian Ginebaugh

Rockford’s second-highest graduate in academic achievement is Brian Ginebaugh, son of Charles and Sarah and brother to Scott. He graduates with a GPA of 4.58. Among his favorite classes are anything math and science related.

Ginebaugh is a four-year academic letter winner, a member of the National Honor Society, and this year’s salutatorian. He is a four-time conference champion, two-time All-Conference, two-time All-State, All-American, and team co-captain.

Inspired by seeing himself progress throughout the year, Ginebaugh’s advice to freshmen is to work hard starting now, because it pays off in scholarships later. His favorite memory is winning the conference swim meet individually twice, on a relay twice, and as a team twice, all two years in a row.

Next year Ginebaugh will attend Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J., because “it is a very strong engineering program, has co-op opportunities, and I can swim there.” He plans to major in engineering.

Bennett Riddering

Rockford High School’s third-ranked 2010 graduating student is Bennet Riddering, son of George and Ann and brother to Camille, Thomas, Claire and Charles. Riddering graduated with a grade-point average of 4.57 and counted calculus and world conflicts as among his favorite courses at RHS. Riddering played freshman and junior varsity basketball and junior varsity golf. He belonged to the BBA.

Riddering is inspired by his family. His advice to freshmen is make good friends and keep them close. His favorite high school memory is Dudo in Mr. Reusch’s class.

Next year, Riddering will attend Hope College, where he will major in chemistry and minor in Spanish or math. Science and math are both strengths of his, and knowing a second language is very important in the work world.

Jennifer Wallsteadt

Graduating fourth in her class is Jennifer Wallsteadt, daughter of Susan and Russell and sister to Bradley. Wallsteadt graduates with a GPA of 4.529. She said her favorite class is psychology.

Wallsteadt’s academic accomplishments are the Rockford Board of Education Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement ACT score, academic letter for 2007/2008/2009/2010, junior Honor Guard, student of the month in social studies in March 2009, Midwest Academic Talent Search Recognition Award in 2004/2005/2006/2007, and in the National Honor Society. She also was a YMCA lifeguard and swim instructor, in the Debate Club four years, has had four years of private flute lessons, was a member of the Ultimate Frisbee Club and a volunteer for the Rockford Humane Society.

Wallsteadt’s advice for freshmen is that Rockford has countless clubs and sports. Take advantage of these experiences and do more than just study. Her RHS memory is playing Frisbee with friends in the Ultimate Frisbee Club.

Next year Wallsteadt will attend Michigan State University and hopes to enter the graduate neuroscience program because she is interested in being a part of research in this field and loves to find the answers to problems. She chose MSU because “they have an amazing honors program that allows its students to explore all of their interests.” She plans a career in teaching neuroscience at a large university.

Olivia Kacsits

Graduating fifth in her class this year is Olivia Kacsits, daughter of Susan and John and sister to Andrea and Victoria. She counted all of her classes as favorites. She was a Youth Initiative member, in the Harry Potter Club, minister (briefly) and National Honor Society, a Harvard Book Award winner, a four-year academic letter recipient, and a former Example in Excellence. She is the current rowing team captain, three-time qualifier for nationals in the varsity four and will be rowing at Notre Dame next year.

Kacsits is inspired by great books, unique and new experiences, and observing special moments, particularly kindness between strangers. Her advice to freshmen is to “be uncool!” Her favorite memories are crawling out of Mr. Folcik’s window and getting stuck, Mr. Eppink’s bog walk and Mr. Modderman’s “Lord of the Fires” day and playing Winter Olympics Badminton on the upstairs auditorium entrance. She loves coffee, peanut butter, Scrabble, Harry Potter, Spiderman, being outside, hammocking and Notre Dame.

Kacsits plans to attend Notre Dame, majoring in biology and pre-professional medicine. She loves the science and challenge of finding solutions to problems. Her minor will be anthropology or philosophy. She hopes to go into the medical field, pediatrics, cardiology and/or neurology because of all the potential options.

Mackenzie Young

Ranked number six in her class this year with a GPA of 4.49 is Mackenzie Young, daughter of Michael and Melissa and sister to Michaela and Jake. Mackenzie participated in the Youth Initiative program, was on the varsity tennis team, and received Academic All-State honors for tennis. Her favorite class is calculus.

Young loves to see people do outstanding things for the world. Her advice for the Rockford freshman class is to take advantage of every opportunity Rockford High School offers and have fun. Her favorite high school memory is winning regionals and going to the state finals for tennis.

Young plans to attend Northwestern University, because it has a good location and offers everything she wants. She is currently undecided in her major.

Kyle Peterson

Ranked number seven in academic achievement for his graduating class is Kyle Peterson, daughter of Gordy and Sandi and brother to Eric and Cory. Peterson graduates with a GPA of 4.49. His favorite class is telecommunications. He was also active in Youth Initiative and National Honor Society. In water polo he was team captain, received his three-year varsity letter, was third-team All-State and helped the team to a state championship. In swimming he was team captain and received his two-year varsity letter. He also was an Eagle Scout.

Peterson’s advice to freshmen is to “take your education seriously, but still make sure to enjoy yourself.” His favorite high school memory is winning the state championship in water polo in 2009.

Peterson plans attend the University of Wisconsin–Stout, where he will major in computer science and computer engineering.

Ali VanBelkum

Ali VanBelkum is the eighth-ranked RHS class of 2010 graduate with a GPA of 4.478 and the daughter of Todd and Pam VanBelkum and sister to Dallas and Marshall. Among VanBelkum’s favorite subject are math and science.

VanBelkum was vice president of the National Honor Society, was in Gymnastics Club, and participated in varsity track and varsity gymnastics. She was an All-Conference gymnast for two years, athlete of the month in gymnastics two times, and team captain in gymnastics. She is inspired by anything creative and artistic. Her advice to freshmen is to “stay involved in as many activities as you can and don’t spend too much time on one thing.” Her Rockford High School memory is qualifying for state with her gymnastics team this year.

VanBelkum plans to attend the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

Megan Kelley

Graduating ninth in her class is Megan Kelley, daughter of Michael and Amy and sister to Shannon, Jacob and Joseph. Kelley graduates with a GPA of 4.429. Her favorite class is calculus BC.

Kelley participated in basketball all four years and is a three-year varsity letter winner. She was in track and field three years. She was named All-Conference, All-Area honorable mention, Athlete of the Month, and team MVP for basketball her senior year. She is a member of the OLC youth group and peer ministry team.

Inspired by always aiming high to reach her full potential, Kelley’s advice to freshmen is to work hard but don’t stress over the little things. Her favorite RHS memory is winning the regionals for the first time in girls basketball history of Rockford.

Kelley is planning on attending Hope College because “I feel the size and campus atmosphere is a good fit for me and I have an opportunity to play college basketball there.” She plans to major in math secondary education.

Margaret Smiley

Margaret Smiley is the tenth-ranked student in the 2010 Rockford High School graduating class, with a GPA of 4.0. She is the daughter of Colette and Chris Smiley and sister to Elizabeth. She is in the National Honor Society, an Example in Excellence and Student of the Month. She participated in track and field, cross country and junior varsity basketball. She was named All-Conference, All-State and was a four-time varsity letter recipient in track. She plays Susuki violin and cello, and participated in school musicals. Her favorite classes are math and music.

Smiley is inspired by music. Her advice to freshmen is to take advantage of every opportunity Rockford High School gives them. Her high school memory is “going straight from the state track meet where our team was runner-up, to my junior prom with my best friends in the same night.”

Smiley plans on attending New York University. She has always dreamed of living in New York City. She has not yet chosen a major and her career choice is currently undecided.

by DAN WARREN
Principal, East Rockford Middle School

Certainly, many baby boomers can remember the days at school when you could convince that certain teacher to spend nearly an entire class period talking about any topic of interest other than the subject matter. Go ahead and admit it—you had at least one or maybe two of these teachers.

My favorite was an eighth-grade history teacher who served on a Navy ship during WWII. He was a good citizen and great guy, but certainly his memory was questionable, as he prefaced his stories with, “Did I ever tell you about this time back in the Navy?”

Of course, being the budding leader that I was back in those days, I made sure all my classmates never admitted we had already heard him tell the story several times. We learned a lot about life on a Navy ship from a very caring and interesting educator, but we probably could not have been successful on a state social studies curriculum assessment similar to what is required of secondary students today.

Some 40 years later, I fondly remember the Navy stories with much more detail than, let’s say, the political causes of the Civil War. Although I have many wonderful memories of my eighth-grade history teacher, I’ve grown to realize that he would have struggled in today’s classroom.

Current classroom teachers, unlike my eighth-grade history teacher years ago, have many more responsibilities sitting on their teaching plate. We can start with the existence of state curriculum standards. In Michigan, just like most states, grade-level content standards exist for all core teaching areas. Teachers spend many hours working collaboratively with their colleagues to map their subject area curriculum, ensuring these content standards are present and taught. Often this is similar to throwing a dart at a moving target, as the state continues to change and modify these standards. Nevertheless, it is imperative that every teacher teach the standards, and we are mandated to give our students state assessments over these very standards. These state mandated assessments are given each year at identified grade levels and at identified times of the year. Since we have multiple buildings in our district that include many teachers teaching the same subject area, it is absolutely necessary that we are consistent with curriculum delivery. Thus, teachers have to pace their instruction to meet both curriculum content coverage and state assessment timelines.

In Rockford, as in many districts, we have high performance expectations for our students. The classroom teacher is expected to prepare students to not only be successful on state curriculum assessments, but also build their learning skills to successfully take on the challenges of the 21st century. Teachers must differentiate their instruction to meet the learning needs of each student. The time when the classroom teacher simply delivered content and a student simply learned it or not has passed. The teaching and learning process is more challenging and more complicated than what existed for my eighth-grade history teacher. Today’s teacher must be skillful at understanding brain research and align his or her teaching practices to maximize the learning capacities of each child.

It’s not uncommon in today’s classroom for a teacher to have many students on individual learning plans, some highly structured for gifted students and others with a modified curriculum to meet the needs of challenged learners. This challenge is combined with the expectations of our teachers to build positive connections with their students, motivate students to be excited about learning, instill positive lifelong character traits, manage student behavior, and build citizenship skills. I am amazed at how successful teachers are at creating and maintaining such healthy learning environments, considering the demands associated with their profession.

Recent trends in education and school accreditation models have the classroom teacher actively involved in data-driven decision-making regarding student achievement and curriculum design. Teachers must have a strong understanding of formative assessment construction and knowledge regarding existing or potential summative assessments to employ. Now more than ever, assessments are used to improve student learning and enhance classroom instruction.

In Rockford, teachers work in subject area or grade level teams to review and navigate through the results of multiple assessments to determine what actions need to be taken to ensure all students are successful. Teachers train in technology that helps them sort and analyze assessment data concerning individual students, groups of identified students, or all students in a school building. Most importantly, teachers use this data, in collaboration with colleagues, to make important decisions to immediately take action toward assisting a single student or groups of students. Student assessment has moved beyond just what’s posted in the teacher’s grade book. It demands that teachers now become more actively involved with taking a holistic approach toward determining individual student achievement.

In closing, I hope classroom teachers also find the time to share their life experiences with their students. Teaching and learning will always be enhanced through a good life story told by the teacher every now and then.

Brandi T. Barresi

Christopher J. Barrentine

Ronald J. Brow

Ryan R. Card

Britney C. Combs

Timothy J. Daly

Casey R. Elston

Alisa J. Felty

Andrew C. Johnson

Stephen A. Johnson

Stephanie M. Kilmer

Tyler M. Ly

Daniel K. McGovern

Keller M. McInerney

Nicholas A. Miles

Chelsea E. Newman

Cheyanne C. Prominski

Amanda L. Rinvelt

David T. Schmidt

Jordan L. Sherwin

Jayna C. Smith

Sas M. Sova

Jeremy D. Stevens

Gianna M. Swanson

Jeffery R. Turner

Nicholas H. VanBlooys

• • •

Time is running out to nominate an outstanding Rockford graduate for the new Rockford Public Schools Hall of Fame. Nominations are being accepted for the inaugural class of the Hall of Fame through June 15 using forms available at www.rockfordschools.org.

The Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Rockford Public Schools (RPS) and Rockford Education Foundation (REF), will recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their chosen field or who have made significant contributions to RPS or the Rockford community.

Rockford alumni who graduated in the year 2000 or earlier will be honored for achievements in categories for Cultural/Performing Arts, Academic/Career Accomplishments, and Service to RPS/Community. In addition, the Hall of Fame will include a category for honorary achievement and contribution to RPS. The honorary achievement award may be given to a non-Rockford graduate. The Hall of Fame honorees will be selected by an advisory committee composed of school, community and business leaders.

Those selected for the Hall of Fame will be honored at a special induction ceremony and dinner on October 2, and their names will be engraved on a permanent monument that will be installed on the grounds of Rockford High School.

“Our goal is to inspire today’s students with vision and encouragement from the examples set by the inductees,” said Lisa Jacobs, executive director of community services for RPS. “We plan to have the inductees meet with our students so they can learn from the examples of these role models.”

The Hall of Fame dinner will also serve as a fundraiser for the REF, which awards grants that enrich the educational experience in Rockford public and private schools. Event chairs are Jon and Carol Muth and Pete and Amy Kruer. Information about the event and tickets will be available at www.rockfordschools.org/ref.

“The Hall of Fame is a celebration of the exceptional educational opportunities we have in Rockford schools,” said Jill Ericksen, a trustee of the REF. “We’re not only honoring the outstanding achievements of our inductees, but also the rich educational experiences created for every student in our community.”

• Cannonsburg Elementary: second place

• North Rockford Middle School: second place

• Roguewood Elementary: fourth place (honorable mention)

• Rockford High School: fifth place (honorable mention)

• Parkside Elementary: seventh place

• North Rockford Middle School:

10th place.

Jillian Haverkate

The prize, awarded each semester to the author of the paper selected as the best submitted in the first-year writing course, is given to encourage young writers.