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Allegan Public Schools - “Striving for Excellence” www.alleganpublicschools.org March 24, 2012 Please Vote May 8, 2012 (at your local township or city precinct) Ballot will include: renewal of 18 mills on non-homestead tax $18.5 million bond issue (Board of Education elections will now take place in November of even numbered years) School Calendar 2011-12 April 2-6 - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break) April 25, 26 - Parent/Teacher Conf. (HS) April 27 - STAFF ONLY (Professional Dev.) May 22 - Alternative High School Graduation May 24 - Allegan High School Graduation May 28 - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day) May 31 - Last Day for Students Kindergarten Registration Tuesday, April 10 (9:30 am) at each elementary school Alternate session: Thursday, April 12 (5-7 p.m.) at the high school event center What to bring? Questions? Call: > child’s birth certificate Dawson 673-6925 > immunization records North Ward 673-6003 > vision screen results West Ward 673-7000 > proof of residency Pine Trails 673-5379 *Students must be 5 years old by December 1, 2012. D.A.R. Good Citizen Zoe Norr was selected as Allegan High School’s recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen award. This recognition is given to one student from each local high school who best exemplifies the characteristics of de- pendability, service, leadership, and pa- triotism. Zoe is an active senior at AHS, having been cast in various lead roles in school theatre productions throughout high school. She has been involved in cross coun- try and track, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Chamber Choir, and the High School Curriculum Council. Miss Norr is planning to attend Michigan State Univer- sity to study pre-med, and join the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. She is the daughter of Jeff & Deb Norr.

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Page 1: Our Schools News - March 2012

Allegan Public Schools - “Striving for Excellence” www.alleganpublicschools.org

March 24, 2012

Please VoteMay 8, 2012

(at your local township or city precinct)

Ballot will include:√ renewal of 18 mills on non-homestead tax

√ $18.5 million bond issue

(Board of Education elections will now take place in November of even numbered years)

School Calendar2011-12

April 2-6 - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)April 25, 26 - Parent/Teacher Conf. (HS)April 27 - STAFF ONLY (Professional Dev.)May 22 - Alternative High School GraduationMay 24 - Allegan High School GraduationMay 28 - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)May 31 - Last Day for Students

Kindergarten RegistrationTuesday, April 10 (9:30 am)

at each elementary schoolAlternate session: Thursday, April 12 (5-7 p.m.)

at the high school event center

What to bring? Questions? Call:> child’s birth certificate Dawson 673-6925 > immunization records North Ward 673-6003> vision screen results West Ward 673-7000> proof of residency Pine Trails 673-5379

*Students must be 5 years old by December 1, 2012.

D.A.R. Good CitizenZoe Norr was selected as Allegan High School’s recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen award. This recognition is given to one student from each local high school who best exemplifies the characteristics of de-pendability, service, leadership, and pa-triotism. Zoe is an active senior at AHS,

having been cast in various lead roles in school theatre productions throughout high

school. She has been involved in cross coun-try and track, and is a member of the National

Honor Society, Chamber Choir, and the High School Curriculum Council. Miss Norr is planning to attend Michigan State Univer-sity to study pre-med, and join the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. She is the daughter of Jeff & Deb Norr.

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IMPORTANT – KEEP NEAR YOUR PHONE Allegan Public Schools

Telephone Numbers Administration Office ................................... 673-5431 Kevin Harness (superintendent) Bill Hammer (director of operations) Nancy McKown (curriculum and technology) Allegan High School ................................... 673-7002 Jim Mallard, Ron Orr (principals) L.E. White Middle School ............................ 673-2241 George Mohr, James Antoine (principals) Dawson Elementary ...................................... 673-6925 Joe James (principal) North Ward Elementary ................................ 673-6003 Harry Dalm (principal) Pine Trails Elementary .................................. 673-5379 Dave Kanine (principal) West Ward Elementary .................................. 673-7000 Harry Dalm (principal) Allegan Alternative High & Adult Ed ........... 673-5433 Brenda Nyhof (principal) Special Education .......................................... 673-5431 Jodi Zenk (director) Athletic Office ............................................... 673-7002 Gary Ellis (director) Recreation Department ................................. 673-7002 Trevor Horwath (rec.), Andrea Murphy (pool) Maintenance Department .............................. 673-2085 Wally Brennan, George Zeock (supervisors) Transportation Department .......................... 673-2203 Darrell Stoughton (supervisor) School Web page: www.alleganpublicschools.org

The “Our Schools News” is a publication of Allegan Public Schools. It is published at least four times annually and mailed to all residents of the Allegan area. If you know of someone who is not receiving this publication that would benefit from receiving it, please contact Joni VanNieuwenhuyzen, editor, at 673-5431 or email: [email protected]

APS - Board of Education2011-2012 Regular Meeting Schedule

April 9, 2012 (7:00 p.m.)May 14, 2012 (7:00 p.m.)June 11, 2012 (5:30 p.m.)

July 9, 2012 (5:30 p.m.) Organizational Meeting

-- Regular meetings scheduled for the 2nd Monday of each month.-- Regular meetings during school year begin at 7 pm.-- Regular meetings during summer (June, July, Aug) begin 5:30 pm-- All meetings to be held at the Allegan Public Schools’ Admin Building, 550 Fifth Street, Allegan MI 49010.

Interested citizens are invited to attend meetings. There is an opportu-nity for public comments of a general nature at the beginning of every board meeting. Persons with disabilities who need special accommoda-tions should contact the Superintendent at 673-5431, or at 550 Fifth Street, Allegan, MI 49010, ten days prior to the meeting.

Harry Dalm -- “Educational Professional of the Year”

Harry Dalm, principal at both West Ward and North Ward El-ementaries, was named “Educa-tional Professional of the Year” by the 2012 Allegan Chamber of Commerce. This well-deserved honor comes after 35 years of dedicated service to Allegan Public Schools! Mr. Dalm was recently recognized at a board meeting for having received this honor, and he was thanked for taking on the dual-principalship role this year!

Harry Dalm and Superintendent Harness

Jeff Grabber -- “Teacher of the Year”

Allegan High School Special Education Teacher Jeff Grabber was recently awarded the Dr. Wil-liam Morse Award (essentially “Teacher of the Year”) by the Council for Exceptional Children. This award is given annually to one outstand-ing teacher in Michigan in the field of special education. Grabber’s teaching career spans 35

years (with 22 years at APS) and he has been organizing and promoting Special Olympics in Allegan County for over 29 years! He was also in-strumental in developing new Power Standards for the special education curriculum throughout Allegan County. Congratulations on this special, state-wide award!

Jeff Grabber

Board member Mary Kasprzyk recently earned the Level I cer-tification of the MASB Boards-manship Program. To earn this award, she took 30 credit hours of classroom and online courses in the areas of school law, policy, and community relations, to name just a few! Mary was recognized at a recent board meeting for setting a positive example for the students of APS because of her commitment to continue to learn and grow in her position as a board member. Mary currently serves as Treasurer of the board and serves on the board committees for Personnel, Policy, and Budget/Finance. She is also the APS district representative on the Allegan County School Boards Association.

Mary Kasprzyk

Mary Kasprzyk earns CBA award

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“Harness”

. . . the POWER of EducationKevin HarnessSuperintendent

(A message from the superintendent of schools)

“Moving Forward .... for our kids and our community!”A recently formed committee, made up of parents and other community members from our school district, selected this title as their slogan to be used in a campaign to inform the voting public about the ballot issue being placed before voters on May 8. I can’t think of a better way to describe what your Board of Education hopes to accomplish at Allegan Public Schools. “Moving Forward” means constantly striving to improve our children’s education--their learning environment and facilities; their learning tools, including tech-nology and teaching aides; and most importantly, their attitudes toward learning.

2012 looks to be an exciting and promising year for Allegan Public Schools! Please look over the proposal outlined in the center insert of this publication. It decribes how our district can continue “moving forward” WITHOUT a millage increase! Our last bond proposal was in June of 2000, when our community generously supported the construction of our wonderful Pool/Aquatic Center and Performing Arts Center, which have become points of pride for our residents. Believe it or not, it has been 16 years (1996 bond) since our community was asked to support a construction bond for improvement of school buildings and classrooms. Not one of our present 2700 students was in school when these improvements were made at our elementary, middle school and alternative education facilities. With the support of our community, Allegan Public Schools is ready to move forward! Please contact me if you have any questions about the bond proposal, or the non-homestead millage renewal. And please don’t forget to vote May 8!

Dawson Elementary Outstanding Students5th graders Ashlyn Clement and Alex Powers were named this year’s co-recipients of Dawson Elementary School’s “Outstanding Students of the Year.” To receive this award, a student must distinguish him/herself by having high academ-ic standards, eager involvement in school activi-ties, and showing daily examples of outstanding citizenship. Both students were honored at the February Board of Education meeting, where their teacher, Mr. Ouellette, praised them for their hard work and positive attitudes.

Michigan Youth In Government

Students from Allegan High School once again participated in Michigan Youth in Government. This is a program for high school students to learn fi rst-hand how our government works. Each of the students wrote a bill which they pre-sented before the Michigan House of Representatives. Travis Hunziker’s bill was revised from last year and required all passengers in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, even in the back seat. Casey Dunn, who also participated last year, wrote a bill that would require any couple applying for a marriage license to have a criminal background check as well as an STD/HIV test. Elyssa Do-bias’ bill mandated a physical fi tness requirement into each school day; and Samantha Ellis’ bill would require a year-round schedule for all public schools. Their adviser, AHS teacher Nichole Dykstra, said she was impressed with the students’ efforts and highly recommends this experience for any high school student who is interested in the law.

MYIG 2012 participants (left to right): Travis Hunziker, Samantha Ellis, Elyssa Dobias, and Casey Dunn.

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March is Reading Month!March Reading Month was kicked off in great style at all all schools. Arrgh! Pirates of Pine Trails, includ-ing Captain Hook (played by Ms. Morgan at right), Long John Silver, Captain Jack Rackham, and First Mate Smee, taught students that books can take them on ad-ventures and they can find “treasures” that will last a lifetime!

Dawson Young Fives student Maddison Burke dons her “Elephant Ears” after reading Horton Hears a Who” on Dr. Seuss’ birthday!

2nd grader Ryan Brink from Ms. Tibbitts’ class at Dawson reads to Zayne Allen in Mrs. Phillips’ Young 5’s room.

The Allegan Ukulele Ensem-

ble helped to kick off March Reading Month

by performing a lively concert at each elementary

school!

The Allegan Rotary Club once again sponsored “The Dictionary Project” for all 3rd graders in the school district. Students are all provided with a dictionary that they can use for ther own personal use in 3rd grade, because that is theo-retically when most students have basically “learned to read” and now they are ready to “read to learn”! The dictionaries are also filled with fun facts, such as information about our solar system, the presidents, and sign language. Much thanks to Debra Newman, who personalized each dictionary with the child’s name in calligraphy!

High Schoolers Donna Liebelt and Breanna Merritts created several reading posters in honor of March Reading Month. These were funded by a TAG grant that they wrote last year!

The Dictionary Project

Pictured are 3rd graders from North Ward Elementary. (Left to right: Sean Dewey, Superintendent/Rotarian Kevin Harness, Ana Allen, Principal Harry Dalm, Jaden Roberts, Allyson Wall, Rotarian Dr. David Ohmart, Ally Sinkler, and Tatiana Adams)

Allegan Ukulele Ensemble

Left to right: Mary Kasprzyk, Ann Perrigo, Dr. Pat Seiler, and Musical Director Martha Meek

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West Ward sCIeNCe NIGHt

Logan Carns, 3rd grader from Mrs. Hammon’s class, demonstrates a volcano eruption.

Liana Waite, 2nd grader in Ms. Hurst’s class, presented her tornado model.

Matthew Duron, 3rd grader from Ms. Cochran’s class, re-searched the possible effect of the sense of smell on tasting.

Luke Ellis (kindergartner from Ms. Rogers’ class) and Drew Ellis (1st grader in Mrs. Brower’s class) are testing their puffmobiles using personal wind power!

In the SwimAll 3rd grade students enjoyed two weeks of swimming lessons at the Allegan Aquatic Center, where they learned basic swimming strokes, as well as water safety.

Getting ready to practice their strokes from Ms. Morgan’s class are (top left to bottom right): Haylee Thompson, Nate Davis,

Kyra Dutkiewicz, and Emma Franklin.

“Kitty Litter Love”

Ms. Sheibels’ 5th grade class at Pine Trails Elementary de-cided to opt out of exchanging Christmas presents this year. Instead, they wanted to help out some of the animals in need at the Allegan County Animal Shelter. Enough money was donated by the students to buy five, 25-pound bags of kitty litter! Their feline friends at the Shelter were very apprecia-tive of this gesture!

Left to right: Collin Childs, Elizabeth Hill, Lauren Storey, Josh Mohler from the County Animal

Shelter, Nikki Walker-Powell, Shekinah Huitron, Samantha Pettee. Missing from photo: Jack Hitt, Jr.

(and....at right “Nigel” enjoying a fresh break! )

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SUMMER 2012 Laker Writers CampGVSU is offering summer camps for students who are

interested in writing! Young writers will explore various writing styles and methods of self-

expression. Our own Bethany Burnett from Dawson Elementary will be teaching the

Allegan session - July 9-12. The camp is for students who will be in grades 4-6

in the fall. The cost of the camp is $100 per child, but scholarships are available. Contact any of our elementary schools.

FREE Preschool Playgroup

(sponsored by Great Parents/Great Start/AAESA)

Dawson ElementaryApril 19

(5:30-6:30 pm)

Free Family Fun Night at the

Children’s Museum of Fennville

202 E. Main StFennville

MARCH 30, 2012(5-8 p.m.)

Check out our trains, giant bubbles, wigwam, and

medical alert! Lots of fun and hands-on learning...

5th grade music stu-dents at West Ward and Pine Trails Elementa-ries have proudly com-pleted their “Recorder Karate” unit. This highly motivational music method expands students’ performance skills as they play in-creasingly more diffi-cult selections in order to earn mini “karate belts.” Music teacher Jayne Seymour guided students through nine levels, from white belt (“Hot Cross Buns”) to black belt (“Ode to Joy”).

“Recorder Karate”

Alesandra Garcia and Johann Rodriguez from Mr. Bierlein’s class!

West Ward 5th graders CJ Chenard, Jeffrey Maskell, and Anthony Barnes with their recorders

Students in Mrs. Norland’s kindergarten class learned the importance of giving to others by heading up a class service project. Instead of having a classroom gift exchange for Christmas presents, they brought in gifts for kids that were in Bronson Hospital dur-ing the holidays. Several other Dawson students, parents, and staff members donated gifts as well!

Pamida Stores in Allegan recently donated $755.72 to Allegan Public Schools. This was a result of their

holiday campaign “Round Up”.

Nora Spreitzer, Campbell Brooks, Matthew Ritter, and Gavin Clark with some of the gifts they sent to the hospital.

Giving is the best gift of all!

Store employees

Gerald Armourilla,

Lynda Ferris, Leona

McKee, and APS Director of Operations Bill Hammer.

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Allegan Post Prom/Grad Bash Committee is having an indoor garage sale May 12 (9-3) at Al-legan High School. Household

items, crafts, clothes, and SO MUCH MORE! Admission is free!

We are looking for people to rent space and sell their gently used items, artwork, antiques, crafts, baked goods,

etc.! Spaces are 10x16 for $25 and include a table. For more info call:

Jodi (269) 217-4942 or Tammy (616) 886-1646.

Writers Win Accolades!Congratulations to Ashley Doolittle, who was a fi nalist in the Gerald R. Ford Essay Challenge. Her essay, written in response to the prompt, “What does Leadership mean to you?” was selected out of nearly 400 submissions!

Hannah Kasprzyk, Zoe Norr, and Kyle LaGattuta swept the competition, taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively, in the FRA

“Importance of Freedom of Speech” regional essay contest. Each author earned a

monetary prize and Hannah’s essay is now being evaluated at the State level! Ashley Doolittle

Hannah Kasprzyk, Kyle LaGattuta, and Zoe Norr

Authors Find “Authentic Audience”Students from Laura Feffer’s Children’s Literature class at Allegan Alternative High School traveled to read their original children’s books to Ed Spicer’s 1st graders at North Ward Elementary. Partnering with the younger students provided the authors with an authentic audience for their pieces, as the students chose themes to write about that their younger audience could relate to, including losing your fi rst tooth, adjusting to a new sibling, etc. Authors who read included: Becky Fletcher (Stanley the Stink), Megan Goodrich (My Hero Doesn’t Wear a Cape, He Wears Camo), Maegan Gregg (No I Won’t!), Jacob Morse (It’s Gone! My Tooth! It’s Gone!), Codie Norton (Bossy Ted), Kourtney Radke (Tommie and the Striped Cat), Bridget Warner (Bobby the Lost Bunny), and Devon Youtzy (The Three Little Children).

Bridgett Warner reads her book to 1st graders!

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8th grader Foster Karmen was the winner of this year’s essay con-test sponsored by the Allegan and Paw Paw Elks Lodge. “Ameri-canism” was the theme and Foster’s essay will now be entered into the Elks Lodge State Essay Contest. Both Foster and his teacher, Mr. Sieg, each won a cash prize of $75. Erin Isola, 8th grader, finished 3rd in the contest and received a $25 prize.

Erin Isola (left) and Foster Karman (right)

Middle School Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee winner

Abigail Knuckles

and Runner-Up Max Clark

The best spellers at L.E.White Middle School participated in the school championship on January 26. The last spell-er standing was Abigail Knuckles, who narrowly beat out Max Clark for 1st place. Abbie and Max advanced to the Regional Spelling Bee in Wayland on February 15.

Spelling Bee Team 2012 included: (Left to right, back row) William Conley, Max Clark, Joe McClelland, Jasille Rivas, Karmind Nordblom, MaryJane Kiraly, Hunter Wilson. (Middle row): Alexus Khennavong, Tom Delor, Abigail Knuckles, Liz Moelker, Ezekiel Butcher. (Front row): Tyler Davis, Karleigh Strickfaden, Amanda Anderson, Christian McCartny.

“Americanism” Essay Winners

MS Club de Español

After a trip to Fennville to dine and shop at Su Casa

Restaurante and Tienda, the Middle School Spanish Club

was inspired to try their hand at making and eating

some authentic food of their own. Students created (with

help from their adviser, Mrs. Sara Mallard) salsa

verde from tomatillos, pico de gallo, and gallo pinto--a

Costa Rican dish with black beans and rice.

Clockwise, from left: Maya Gieselhart, Allison Englesman,

Miller Johnson, Amanda Ander-son, Thomas Loftus.

L.E.White Middle School Production of:

Friday, April 20

(7:00 p.m.)

Allegan P.A.C.All tickets $2

(buy one, get one free with

coupon)

“Sleeping Beauty Kids” April 20

COUPON GOOD FOR:

One Free Admission(with one paid admission)

Cut out this coupon and bring it to the performance!

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Allegan Band “Notes”

MSVMA DISTRICT CHORAL FESTIVALOn Wednesday, February 22 both Treble and Chamber Choirs attended District Choral Festival in Holland. Both choirs received “excellent” ratings in both performance and sight read-ing, qualifying them for State Choral Festival in May.

MSVMA DISTRICT SOLO & ENSEMBLECongratulations to the following soloists & duets who performed at district Solo & Ensemble on February 4 at GVSU and qualified for state: Morgan Breon, Beth Fifield, Ashley Greenbey, McKennah Heckman, Mekenzi Huitron, Gary Jones, Hannah Kasprzyk, Kaitlyn Noorman, Zoe Norr, Kate Stanlowski, & Calvin Woodard.

Special congrats to the Women of Chamber Choir on their qualification to state, Members include: Carrie Campbell, Adarae Davidhizar, Abigail Dekkinga, Marina Georgopulos, Ashley Greenbey, Holly Hagerty, McKennah Heckman, Mek-enzi Huitron, Hannah Kasprzyk, Kaitlyn Noorman, Zoe Norr, Frederike Poser, & Mackenzie Sturman.

Tim Kooy, Kayleigh Gratz, and David McKeever auditioned and were selected to participate in the GVSU Honor Band on Feb. 17.

David Baskin and Michael Cur-tis are two of the 6th graders who performed for the 5th graders to promote participation in band!

Upcoming Band Dates:

Apr 10 - Beginning Band Rental Night (MS band room) 6-8 pmApr 14 - MS Solo & EnsembleApr 24 - Pre-Festival ConcertApr 25-27 - State Festival DatesMay 7 - Spring concert (8th/HS)May 8 - Spring Concert (6th/7th)May 24 - GraduationMay 28 - Memorial Day Parade

Band Fundraisers: THANK YOU to all who helped make recent fundraisers such a success. The Family Bowling Day earned $480, and the pig raffle was also successful. Please continue to spread the word about signing up for Meijer Com-munity Awards, and ordering from Market Day.

Band Camp 2012 July 23, 24, 26, 27,

30, 31; Aug 2, 3 (9 am-3:30 pm)

HS Solo & Ensemble Results:Flute Solo (Cortnie Cook) IBb Clarinet Solo (Michelle VandenBoss) IBb Clarinet Duet (Rose Bazan,Michelle VandenBoss IAlto Sax Trio (Derek Storey, Katie Anderson, Kylie DeKryger) IBaritone Sax Solo (Devan Ackerman) IITrumpet Solo (Megan Locatis) I ; Trumpet Solo (Tyler Miles) ITrumpet Solo (Karlie Wells) I ; French Horn Solo (Julie Isola) IFrench Horn Solo (Nicole Capello) I ; French Horn Solo (Blake Moe) I ; Trombone Solo (Kayleigh Gratz) ITrombone Trio (Kayleigh Gratz, Siera Ruffer, Gonzalo Gascon) IIBaritone Solo (Jared Hollister) II ; Tuba Solo (David McKeever) IITuba Duet (David McKeever,Jared Hollister) IISnare Solo (Colton Fairbanks) II; Snare Solo (Tim Kooy) IIMarimba Duet (Nicole Capello, Tim Kooy IMarimba Solo (Tim Kooy) IPiano Solo (Nicole Capello) I ; Piano Solo (Bloake Moe) IPiano Solo (Siera Ruffer) IIWoodwind Trio (Rose Bazan, Katie Anderson ,Derek Storey) IBrass Quintet (Kayleigh Gratz, Megan Locatis, Frank Locatis, David McKeever, Nate Giles ) IPercussion Duet (Joey Hughes, Charlie Ferraro) IIPercussion Duet (Joey Hughes, Colton Fairbanks) II

“STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE”Allegan High School & Middle School Choirs delivered over 100 singing telegrams on February 14. Students were ser-enaded with”Stop in the Name of Love” and “Lollipop”.

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Allegan, that week will be around the 4th if July. Watch for more details. Hopefully that by knowing this in advance, it will help you and your child be able to better schedule activities during those wonderful days of summer.

SPRING DATES THAT RATEMarch 12 – High School Spring Sports BeganMarch 21 – Opening day for baseball and softball (vs. B-dale)March 24 – Early Bird Invitationals – Track and Girls TennisMarch 26 – Middle Schools Spring Sports BeginMarch 27 – Girls Soccer Home Opener (vs. Thornapple-Kellogg)April 12 – 1st Boys Golf Conference Jamboree @ Paw PawApril 21 – Allegan Tennis Inv. featuring state-ranked teamsMay 7 – Allegan Middle School Track RelaysMay 11 – Allegan Track Invitational May 19 – Hall of Fame and Senior Awards BanquetMay ??? – 2012-13 Sports Physicals (watch for details)

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Winter Sports Highlights:

The wrestling team reaching the state semifinal• Taylor Simaz being crowned State Champion in his division • in wrestlingThe boys swim co-op with Hopkins and, in spite of moving up • a division, still having qualifiers to the state meetThe boys bowling team winning the conference Baker tourna-• ment and Connor McLaughlin qualifying for the state meet, only the second Allegan boy to do so since the sport began hereAndrew Kelley being selected as just one of four boys in • Class B to receive the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award and the scholarship that goes with itAnd the growth and development of our athletes as young • men and women during the course of the season

Sports Schedules:The most up-to-date spring sports schedules can be found on the school district’s website (www.alleganpublicschools.org) by click-ing on “Programs” and then going to “Athletics”. There you can click on “Weekly Schedules”. From the you can select the sport and team you are looking for. If you have any questions on the Athletic Department website, please contact me at the Athletic Of-fice (673-7002, ext. 5520).

LOOKING AHEAD:

THE WOLVERINE CONFERENCE – As you may be aware, there are many changes that will be going into effect next year as the Wolverine Conference expands from nine to twelve schools. With that comes some excitement, some new opportunities and some challenges. The league will be divided up into two divisions – the East (Allegan, Comstock, Otsego, Paw Paw, Plainwell, and Vicksburg) and the West (Berrien Springs, Coloma, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, South Haven and Three Rivers). Most of our league scheduling will be against East Division schools, along with some crossover contests. Conference tournaments will be expanded and new ones developed. All-in-all some interesting things ahead.

SPORTS PHYSICALS - A current physical (done after April 15) is required by the MHSAA to participate in school athletics. Any physical exam done before April 15 will NOT be valid for the 2012-13 school year. Watch for further details about physical exams offered here at the high school on the athletic website, in the Principal’s Newsletter and in the mail.

DEAD WEEK – Each summer schools around the state set aside one week, called the “Dead Week” where there can be no athletic activity at school facilities nor organized school activities off cam-pus (baseball and softball are exempt from this MHSAA rule). For

AlleganAthletics

BOOSTER CLUB NEWS

Booster Club Membership - It’s still not too late to join the Allegan All-Sports Booster Club for this year and support the organization that is doing so much to support our athletes. Membership is only $10 for an individual and $15 for a couple. And as a BONUS, if you join this spring your membership will remain in effect for the 2012-13 season. Membership forms are available on-line (go to the athletic department’s website and click on “Booster Club”) and at the athletic office in the high school. TRI Allegan …”Train Hard…TRI Harder”The first annual TRI Allegan (triathlon) was a huge success, so it’s back again, Tuesday, July 24th at Littlejohn Lake Park. Check it all out at www.triallegan.com. Early registration is now open with advance registration fee set at $35 (plus USAT fees). Register now and save. “TRI Allegan” proving that Fit-ness and Fun do go together.Booster Club Scholarship FundThe Booster Club Scholarship Fund continues to grow and grow thanks to the generosity of many in the community and across the country. Thanks to a former Allegan grad, the fund doubles with each donation. Your $10 becomes $20. Your $50 becomes $100. All donations go to fund scholarships for Allegan athletes. For more information contact the athletic of-fice. Any contribution is greatly (times 2) appreciated.

Donation helpspurchase AED

Tom and Phyllis Drozd were recently recognized at a home basketball game for their dona-tion of $1200 to help purchase a portable AED (automatic defib-rilator) for the Athletic Depart-ment. The Drozd family has always been actively support-ive of athletics and academic programs at APS. This most recent generous donation has the potential to be a life-saver!

Superintendent Kevin Harness, Phyllis & Tom Drozd

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Trevor Horwath- Rec. Director (ext 5506)Andrea Murphy - Aquatic Director (ext 5507)

Pool Information: 673-7002 ext. 5541email: [email protected]

Allegan Recreation & Aquatic Center 2012 Spring Programs

Trevor Horwath- Rec. Director (ext 5506)Andrea Murphy - Aquatic Director (ext 5507)

Pool Information: 673-7002 ext. 5541email: [email protected]

Allegan Recreation & Aquatic Center 2012 Spring Programs

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FROM:Allegan Public Schools550 Fifth StreetAllegan, MI 49010

ECRWSTO: Current Resident Allegan, MI 49010

Non-Profi tOrg.

U.S. PostagePAID

PERMIT#192

The Allegan Public School District complies with all federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, marital status, political belief, or physical or mental handicap or disability--in all of its programs and in employment. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, 550 Fifth Street, Allegan, MI (phone 269-673-5431).

Congratulations to Andrew Kelley, who was selected as an MHSAA Scholar-Athlete and scholar-ship winner! This

award is based on academics, athletics, and service to the community, as well as an essay contest. It is award-ed to only 32 athletes statewide (4 boys and 4 girls in Class B). Andrew is an Allegan High School sports standout in wrestling, baseball, and football. His par-ents are Rick and Michelle Kelley. His future plans in-clude study of Criminal Justice, possibly at KVCC or Cornerstone University, where he is looking into base-ball options.

Gilmore for Kids - Coming to Allegan April 23 Students from Allegan Elementary schools will experience a mu-sical and theatrical experience titled “Pianimal” which will feature piano repertoire inspired by animals. Students will be treated during the school day to music by the piano duo of Elizabeth and Sonya Schumann; then a FREE concert for the public will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Mark your calendar now -- You won’t want to miss this one!

“Outstanding People For Education”

It’s not too late to nominate someone for this award, sponsored by the Allegan County

School Boards Asosociation

nomination form is available at • our district website (www.alle-ganps.org)nominations are due April 1•

M.H.S.A.A. Scholar Athlete

Andrew Kelley

Spring Art Show

Spring is in bloom at Allegan Public Schools! Mark your calendars now for the annual Spring Art Show Open House at the Performing Arts Center, where students from elementary, middle school, and high school will show off their artistic skills in a variety of mediums. Then settle in to the P.A.C. auditorium for a spring choral concert, beginning at 7 p.m.

May 15 (Open House for art displays 5:30-7:00 pm)

(Choir Concert at 7:00 p.m.)

Emily Grabill, 4th grader in Mrs. Hilsbos’ art class at

Dawson Elementary, is prepar-ing a weaving project that will be on display at the Art Show.