by LION MIKE WESTGATE
Assistant Principal
Rockford Freshman Center

Lions Clubs International is the world’s premier community service organization, with over 1.3 million members around the world dedicated to helping people in need. Leo clubs are part of the Lions international network with over 5,500 Leo clubs in more than 130 nations. The Rockford Lions Club is proud to sponsor our new Leo club.

On February 29, 2012, over 100 students from North and East Rockford middle schools, the Rockford Freshman Center and high school were officially inducted at a ceremony in the Rockford High School auditorium. It was an impressive ceremony with esteemed speakers including Dr. Mike Shibler, superintendent of Rockford Public Schools, Lion Rock Wood, the vice district governor, Lion Ken Frary, the district governor, and Lion Dr. Gary Anderson, the Lions Club International director. It is the largest Leo club ever chartered in the state of Michigan.

The Rockford Leo club will be a service-minded organization that will provide assistance to the Rockford schools and community and give its members a global identity. The Leo club motto, “Leadership, Experience, Opportunity,” says it all. Leos develop skills as project organizers, time managers and team leaders. They discover how teamwork and cooperation can bring exciting changes to the community. And most importantly, Leos make friends and feel the rewards of community service.

Several Rockford Public Schools administrators are Lions and serve as advisors and mentors to the Leo club students in their buildings. The Leos have already been involved with many positive service projects such as:

•            planted over 200 trees on school grounds;

•            volunteered with seniors at Bishop Hills Elder Care;

•            donations/toy drive for Toys for Tots;

•            raised funds for Thirsting to Serve and Kids Food Basket;

•            volunteered in third-grade classrooms at Meadow Ridge;

•            cleaning up Rockford’s oldest cemetery, Pioneer Cemetery.

Future community projects include working at the Start of Summer Celebration, the Farmer’s Market and helping to reclaim the old Rum Creek Mill Pond skating rink.

If you or your teenager are interested in getting involved in an outstanding organization, please contact your building assistant principal.

by SHARON WELLS
Principal, Meadow Ridge Elementary School

What happens when you take 185 developmental kindergarten students and all of their teachers and put them in one school for the first time? Amazing collaboration and magical results! The 2011-2012 school year was the maiden voyage for having all of our youngest learners come together at Meadow Ridge Elementary School in the newly formed Early Childhood Center.

Our year was filled with exciting opportunities for our developmental kindergarten (DK) students. All of them participated in our school walk-a-thon last fall and our mileage club this May, focusing on being healthy in the process. We had monthly whole group celebrations around academic themes such as the study of penguins, Dr. Seuss and his wonderful rhyming books, the “Polar Express,” and learning about water filtering systems used in undeveloped countries. Speakers were brought in to talk to the classes and special assemblies were held for the interest of our DK students.

The DK teachers had the gift of being able to collaborate with each other in one building for the first time as well. Previously being in seven separate buildings, it was difficult to get together and share ideas and provide each other with support. The teachers met in monthly Professional Learning Community meetings, often ate lunch together to brainstorm new ideas, and had curriculum planning meetings throughout the year to develop and create an inspirational and effective program to best prepare their students for kindergarten.

A new program doesn’t go without the need for problem solving. A critical part of our new journey was the transportation of students from all Rockford elementary schools to and from Meadow Ridge. Special identification tags were used to identify students in the DK program and buses were labeled with animals that coordinated with the tags. Paraprofessionals worked at each school to help transfer students to appropriate buses. Special thanks to the Rockford Transportation Department for the creativity, patience and coordination efforts for this to all happen with safety as a top priority.

As our first year wraps up, we are looking forward to yet another opportunity for positive change and success when next fall our DK program moves to an all-day, everyday schedule (this change is pending Board of Education approval). We will be giving our youngest learners even greater learning opportunities. The staff of the Early Childhood Center will be developing a daily schedule that will include more time to elaborate on skills, individualize instruction, provide purposeful exploration and play, and meets the needs of our students in an unhurried setting. We are so grateful for the successes of our first year and look forward to meeting the newest members of our Early Childhood Center in a few short months.

by CINDY KITZROW
Principal, Cannonsburg Elementary School
Director of Library and Media Services Rockford Public Schools

March is designated as National Reading Month. Each year the library services staff of Rockford Public Schools offers a fantastic reading program to encourage reading with our PreK through eighth-grade students. This year, for our 15th annual reading celebration, we were pleased to announce our theme was “Reading is a Treat.”

During the month, we invite students and parents to become involved in reading thousands of hours or a million pages. The students keep track of the time they read (or parents read to them). As the students read their allotted amount of time, they bring the reading slips to their library staff. The staff then records the hours and promotes the times throughout the building.

Each library had a number of exciting events going on throughout the month in all of our buildings. We have several quest readers from the community to share their love of reading with our students. Dr. Michael Shibler, our superintendent, as well as Peter MacGregor, our state representative, read their favorite books to a number of students.

Each building principal adds their encouragement for reading with many different reading incentives. For one building the class that read the most had an ice cream sundae party. One of the  principals and cooks dressed up as Fiona and Shrek when the students met their reading goal. The students loved spending the morning with them. Another principal became an ice cream sundae. The students draped him with all their favorite toppings. Each building met and surpassed their building goal. Lakes Elementary set a huge challenge for their students to read one million pages. They read over a million pages—what an AWESOME accomplishment.

On March 2, our buildings celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss. As part of the national program “Read Across America,” we joined the nation’s biggest reading party ever. We gave parties and read our favorite Seuss books. The movie the “Lorax” came out on Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Thanks to Cannonsburg’s PTC we were able to take the whole school to a special viewing of the movie. It was an exciting event for all of our students.

We have much to celebrate when we encourage reading to our students and the Rockford community. As the former First Lady, Laura Bush, gave the “call to all Americans—parents, educators, business leaders and policymakers—to focus on the importance of reading and literacy. Your efforts will help ensure that all children can learn to love books and make reading a lifetime passion.” We in the Rockford Public Schools Library Services Department encourage your children to love books and know that “Reading is a Treat!”

by KELLY AMSHEY, Assistant Principal
East Rockford Middle School

East Rockford Middle School held the second annual Accept and Respect Week in March. The purpose of the theme week is to encourage students and staff to come together and promote a positive environment in the building.

This year’s week was planned by a committee of staff and parents. Student suggestions were also important to the planning process. Each day had a theme and a challenge for students and staff. The week was kicked off with the help of students, who, along with the entire staff, wore shirts with the phrase “Be nice.” Those students also filled the halls with posters, and some handed out suckers to their classmates to build excitement.

Wednesday was another highlight of the week, with the theme Celebrate Diversity. Sixth- and seventh-grade students were treated to popcorn and a movie, watching “Remember the Titans” in the gym. Students also played diversity bingo and engaged in discussion about the movie and other issues related to acceptance and respect for one another.

During lunches, students and staff were invited to show their commitment to respect one another by signing a large banner, which now hangs proudly in the halls of East Rockford Middle School. Students and staff that signed the banner also received a silicone bracelet that reads “No Place for Hate,” to show the alignment with the school’s initiative to become a No Place for Hate school, where acceptance and tolerance are promoted and celebrated throughout the year.

Feedback from students and staff suggest that the week was successful and will remain part of the framework for encouraging a positive culture in the school so that all students can feel accepted and appreciated.

by JIM VANDERKOLK
Director of Operations
Rockford Public Schools

Springtime is here and the demands that come with outdoor activities bring a sense of urgency to the Rockford Public Schools’ grounds and maintenance departments. Falling behind is not an option as teams hit the fields as soon as the snow melts away.

One of the sure signs of spring is the letter, phone call, or e-mail I will receive from local Scout troop leaders asking, “How can we help?” This outstanding program assists in spring clean-up for areas of the district that often are passed up for a later date when we are forced to prioritize.

Looking back, I don’t want to take for granted the efforts to improve our community by the local Scout troops.

In past years, the Eagle Scout projects completed for the school district and community are too numerous to give individual mention and recognition. These groups of outstanding individuals do not offer their assistance for the recognition, but rather for the opportunity to be productive members of the community. The individual perseverance and commitment to acquiring the signatures, materials, donations and approval to fulfill the mandatory requirements is commendable.

In this day and age when Facebook, Twitter and video games dominate adolescent culture, it is refreshing to have a group of young people committed to hard work and traditional values. These individuals are not afraid to get outdoors, work hard, and provide a valuable service to their community.

“The Boy Scouts of America believes—and, through over a century of experience, knows—that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society (see www.scouting.org). Rockford Public Schools is proud to partner with organizations like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America that share these core values.

As a department, we are proud to share in an opportunity for young people to develop valuable skills, a sense of accomplishment, and ultimately a connection to their community. We truly appreciate all that they do, and hope to continue this valuable partnership for many more years to come. Thanks, Scouts!

Cell Phones: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly!

by PRINCIPAL DAN ZANG
Rockford High School

Technology has afforded us the ability to do many wondrous and creative activities in education today. Our teachers and students have enhanced and enriched educational experiences to new levels. The immediacy of information and the countless ways to express and communicate are fascinating. Many of our students at Rockford High School are using their cell devices in a very positive, pro-educational way.

Sadly there is great evidence that demonstrates there is also a downside to possessing the devices. Our high school, much like many in the U.S., addresses the issue of distracted driving. A recent study noted that more than 33% of teens 16-17 years of age have texted while driving on a regular basis; 50% of the same teens say they have been in a car while the driver was texting. Distracted driving at any age is a risk behavior; younger inexperienced drivers are at an even greater risk. Parents, please talk to your sons and daughters about distracted driving!

To be very honest I did not see the next issue coming: sex and technology. Sexting is sending sexually explicit text or photographs via mobile devices. Teens will share the photographs voluntarily or at times be coerced to share. Once the photos are sent, some kids use them to bully, harass, intimidate or embarrass victims online or via mobile devices.

Here are five things to consider before pressing send:

1. Don’t assume anything you send or post is going to remain private. Your message or images will get passed around at some point.

2. There is no changing your mind in cyberspace—anything you send or post will never truly go away. Potential employers, college recruiters, teachers, coaches, parents, friends, enemies, strangers, and others may all be able to find posts, even after you delete them.

3. Don’t give in to the pressure to do something that makes you uncomfortable, even in cyberspace. More than 40% of teens and young adults say “pressure from guys” is a reason girls and women send and post sexual images and messages.

4. Consider the recipient’s reaction. Just because a message is meant to be fun doesn’t mean the person who gets it will see it that way. It is easier to be more provocative and outgoing online, but whatever you write, post or send does contribute to the real life impression you are making.

5. Nothing is truly anonymous. It is important to remember that even if someone only knows you by screen name, online profile, phone number or e-mail address, they can probably find you if they try hard enough.

I came across the following statement a while ago that seems fitting to close: “We seem to forget that our kids can be as tech savvy as Bill Gates but as gullible as Bambi… parents need to remind their teens that a dumb moment can last a lifetime in cyberspace.”

Be the Change

by PRINCIPAL LARRY WATTERS
Parkside Elementary School

In the past few months as many adults were struggling with sticking to their New Year’s resolutions, a group of Rockford fourth-grade students were presented the opportunity to resolve themselves to making a difference in the world. Their task was to take two dollars and use it in some way to change the world.

Students were to create an action plan, independently or with a group of other students, and share it with their parents as to who they were going to use their money to change the world. Students brought their plans back to school to share with the class. Over the next few weeks they enacted their plan to reach their goal.

Within their plans students were to identify a charity to which their efforts would benefit. Local organizations like North Kent Community Services, Crash’s Landing, and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital were beneficiaries of the students’ generosity. Other beneficiaries include national charities like the American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House. Some students decided to act more locally and contributed to a child’s double lung transplant.

Some students promoted “change wars,” others sold homemade candies, yet others asked friends and relatives for donations to add to theirs. One group of boys pooled their money and purchased colored string, which they fashioned into “friendship bracelets” that they sold to friends at church and sporting events. They raised over three hundred dollars to donate to the Special Education Advisory Council to benefit their efforts in our community.

While the fundraising efforts were impressive, the real impact was not monetary. It was the lesson learned in conducting such an endeavor. This is simply expressed by one student’s efforts to use the two dollars along with his allowance to save up to buy a shovel to help the elderly neighbors with their driveways.

A very involved grandparent approached me the other day to thank me for the work of the fourth grade that chose to take on this project. He was not only impressed with the lessons that were learned in the planning and enacting a plan to benefit charity, but the lessons in making a difference and learning that there are worthy causes helping others less fortunate than ourselves.

So if you have reached your goal from your New Year’s resolutions or have just given up, our fourth graders have a challenge for you: “If you had an extra two dollars today, how would you change the world?”

MEAP results set to be released with new cut scores

by DOUG VANDERJAGT
District Assessment Coordinator
Rockford Freshman Center Principal

Within the next few weeks, detailed MEAP results with adjusted cut scores are scheduled to be released to districts as they brace for this highly anticipated event. For years, these results would arrive over the summer, as parents and students relish in three quiet months away from the school system. Now, in the cool winter months, the results are on the brink of full disclosure in the same year in which the tests were administered.

The MEAP is our annual assessment that is used to gauge how our students are performing on state-approved content standards. This test helps us define what students should know and be able to do in English, writing, math, science, and social studies in grades kindergarten through 12.

In the previous years, we would obtain our district scores and relish in the fact that our students score near the top in every area across the board. This will continue to be the case, although the scores may look different for each individual student. New higher cut scores have been set for the MEAP, as well as the MME that is administered to our 11th-graders in the spring. With these new cut scores, proficiency now means that students are progressing appropriately toward college readiness. This could likely change how the public views the performance of districts, schools and students throughout the state.

Cut scores represent a judgment about the percentage of questions that a student needs to answer correctly to meet some type of performance standard. While the cut scores have changed, the actual test has not, thus students’ actual raw scores are not affected.

In the past, cut score levels were set for a manufacturing-based economy. With more students heading to college after high school, and with new national tests on the horizon, state education officials felt that it was the time to revisit what levels of performance would be needed to be “proficient.”

The new cut scores reflect a determination about the point a student will be successful in the next grade or in college. It is important to understand that the “proficiency” label from the MEAP is simply one piece of information attached to a student’s score that should be considered along with other school performance data.

Rockford Public Schools will soon begin to pour over the data and use these recalibrated cut scores to help support higher levels of learning for all students. We will continue to identify the state benchmarks that were met and what standards need to be reinforced. Not only will district benchmark issues be addressed, but also now individual student data will be available to help current classroom teachers identify strengths and weaknesses of students that they have worked with for nearly six months.

The information that districts will be privy to will be invaluable to the school improvement process. Our district will continue to use state test results to help gauge the effectiveness of our curriculum and instruction as we strive for continuous improvement in efforts to increase student learning and performance.

Rockford Public Schools will use the new cut scores as we continue to prepare our students for success in school, college and beyond.

The Gift that keeps on Giving

by DAVID KELLER
Rockford School Board Trustee

David M. Keller

It was Winston Churchill that once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

While I didn’t realize it at the time, the act of “giving back” was instilled in me at a young age with the help of my parents. With eight children, my parents didn’t exactly have the money to give back financially, but they were able to give back with their time. We always volunteered for the Sunday chicken dinner at church and various other activities as a family. My dad coached several of us in sports throughout grade school.

It seems that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. From the inspiration of my dad and my children’s passion for sports, it was about 10 years ago that I began coaching them and other children in our community.

My first experience was in baseball and then many years in basketball. It certainly took time away from other things I could have been doing, but heck, I was with my children and I was sharing my talents and developing skills of so many great young kids. It was an unbelievable experience to see them build their self-esteem and confidence during their improvement from the start to the end of the season.

As my coaching career is winding down, I know that the time I spent as a volunteer coach had a positive effect on all of my players. I made a difference in their lives as they did in mine. What a gift, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.

About six years ago, I chose to become more involved in our community and was fortunate to garner enough votes to be elected a member of the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education.

In addition to our careers, the seven board members of the Rockford Public Schools each put in hundreds of hours of work every year to guide and support our district. Each year we are offered compensation for our services and each year we decline this offer. It’s one way we are all able to “give back” to our community with our time, knowledge and services. To see the success and accomplishments of our school district and to shake the hands of our graduates and a few occasional hugs as they come across the stage every year is reward enough.

Let’s look at our community: Relay for Life, festivals, Mitchell’s Run, youth sports, church activities, community cleanup, food drives, can drives, car washes, construction projects, childcare giving, elderly care giving—hundreds of volunteers are needed to make it happen, and for all of you who have volunteered, a big thanks for your efforts. In addition, I can’t say enough about the many individuals who volunteer their time for school activities, boosters, PTO, OM, RAMS volunteers—the list is endless—your help goes a long way and is truly appreciated. Rockford would not be the great community that it is without all of your efforts.

Growing up, I never could have imagined doing what I do today. I always seemed to be too busy to give that little extra, but at some point in my life, something clicked—maybe it was Winston Churchill’s words that struck a chord with me.

If you’re one of those individuals on the fence, volunteering offers many benefits in appreciation for a gift of your time and expertise. There are many organizations that need your help and we definitely need that next generation of givers to keep this community inspired. You have the ability to make a difference in our community, and you certainly will make a life by what you give. Thanks again for all that you do.

by ADAM BURKHOLDER
Assistant Principal
Rockford High School

Quite often, when working with both parents and students, you hear and perhaps you have experienced, “I studied for two hours and still didn’t perform well on the test!” The question that should then be posed is how did they study?

Students more times than not are quick to own up to and identify the fact that they did not study when poor results are yielded on an assessment. A student’s frustration does not stem from having not studied, but rather having spent time and energy on something and not experiencing success.

Although not always the case, when I ask students how they studied, the response tends to be, “I read my notes and the materials over and over, thought I knew the information, and still struggled on the test.”

Read, then reread habits may work in some cases, but as curriculum becomes more rigorous, students lose the ability to relate to the material on a personal level and retention becomes more of a process. In research that has been conducted by neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and educational psychologists, there is insight that can make studying more productive for students.

Spaced repetition is the first technique for a stronger relationship between a learner and the information being studied. Rather than sitting down for an extended period of time, research shows that students will recall information better if they study in smaller increments of time. My suggestion for students has been to study for 15 to 25 minutes and then get up, move around, do something that they want to do for 5 to 10 minutes, and then go back to studying.

In a recent article published in The New York Times, studies have shown that students who used this technique had double the retention rate compared to those peers who simply studied in large segments of time. Spaced repetition may still take as much time as studying in large increments, but it is more effective.

Above and beyond spaced repetition, students need to do something with the information at hand. Simply reading the notes/pages of the text is not the best approach to studying. Every time a memory is retrieved, it fortifies that specific thought and commits it to memory for improved retrieval at a later time. Rewriting information, creating flashcards, and quizzing yourself on information just covered are all avenues of better retaining information. As a student, the harder you work and the more you do to understand information, the better you will be able to retrieve that information. This extra effort indicates to the brain that the information is worth keeping.

Learning is a process and, as the content of curriculum in school grows more demanding, students will have to work harder to commit information to memory. Every learner is different as to which techniques will work best for studying information, but spaced repetition and doing something with the information above and beyond reading it are simple tips that any student can implement.

With a simple Internet search of “study tips” or “study techniques,” countless resources and ideas will be at your fingertips. Take the time, spread out your time allocated to studying, and find a technique that will work best for you.