In the Loop

Get Connected with Fremont Public Schools

You and I are busy people. We have no real opportunity to get together for a chat. Yet we do have new ways we can “talk.” That’s the point of In the Loop: a format for sharing with you regular insights of life at Fremont Public Schools.

Please share In the Loop with your friends.

John Kingsnorth, Superintendent
jkingsnorth@fremont.net

January 11, 2008 In The Loop


In This Issue;


WE NEED YOUR HELP!

As part of our S3 district planning process, the Facilities sub committee requests your input on our High School building.

We need input from parents, citizens, students and employees. We would love to have all your friends and neighbors participate so please forward this link to them as well.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at the link below. It will take less that 3 minutes.

Click on this link: http://blog.ncresa.org/sites/cms/Lists/Facilities%20Survey/overview.aspx


ICE CAMPAIGN "In Case of Emergency"

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?

Hence this " ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE".

Please forward this. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this . It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest . For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. Be sure it's in your kid's cell phones also..... A great idea that will make a difference! Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today !  


18 MILL NON HOMESTEAD MILLAGE VOTE IN MAY

Every 5 years Fremont Public School taxpayers must vote on a 18 mill non homestead millage renewal. This requirement was set in place in 1994 with the passage of Proposal A. The awkward thing about this millage vote is that homeowners have to vote on a tax that is not applied to them but to businesses and second homes. This quirk is the state law is necessary if school districts like Fremont are to get all the operating money it should receive from the state. If a school district’s voters do not support this for some reason, the state does not make it up – it is “assumed” by the state as part of Proposal A.

Fortunately, the voters in Fremont have always understood this quirk in the law and have consequently supported the millage renewal. The difficulty for us is to make sure all citizens understand that the 18 mill renewal is a tax that is applied to businesses and second homes and not to their own home. Since this vote only happens once every 5 years, we need to re-educate people to help them remember what this is all about.

I will be repeating this information many times over the next few months so please excuse the repetition.

You can help by passing on the facts of the 18 mill renewal and if you need my help to explain it to your friends and neighbors I would be glad to meet with them, just email me or call 924 8261.

Thanks in advance for your help!


High School Principal Scott Sherman’s thoughts on students from his Principal notes 1/3/08

I just spent about 20 minutes in Ms. Tarala’s room participating in the class discussion surrounding the topics of empathy and respect. The discussion formed a double edged sword in my mind. I listened to the majority of students talk about how they felt the high school and specifically, their classes were big families. In their minds, they could say anything to each other and not offend/hurt each other. That is a great feeling and I am very happy that so many vocal students feel that way. That is exactly the way I felt growing up here in Fremont. The flip side to that is what about the kids who don’t feel that way? As a class, the kids discussed this idea but also how the disassociated students feel.

From pedagogical studies, we know that high school age students are still forming their personalities as they relate to empathy. It was amazing to see the students try to look through the eyes of the dissociated students. Empathy is a powerful tool for parents and educators. A few new studies have shed light on empathy development. One of the abstracts can be found here:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFDD1730F931A25754C0A966958260

I was surprised to see that the amount of time a father spends with their young children was a much stronger predictor than how warm parents were towards their children.


May 6 Election Filing Deadline Approaching

From the Michigan Association of School Boards

Under the Michigan Election Law, nominating petitions or a nonrefundable fee of $100 must be filed with the school district filing official (county clerk) before 4 p.m. on the 12th Tuesday before the election. In 2008, the 12th Tuesday prior to the May 6 election falls on Tuesday, Feb. 12, which is Abraham Lincoln's Birthday. Because a county clerk's office may be closed on Feb. 12 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday, the secretary of state's office is permitting a filing deadline of before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13. If you have any questions, please contact Brad Banasik, bbanasik@masb.org, 517.327.5929.

To assist candidates in knowing the legal procedure and requirements for seeking a seat on the board of education, MASB has developed A Candidates Guide to School Board Elections. The guide also includes information about the roles and responsibilities of a school board trustee. The Candidates Guide will be available within the next week, and two complimentary copies will be mailed to each district. Additionally copies can be purchased through the MASB Bookstore.
For copies of the Candidates Guide, contact Stacy Washington, swashington@masb.org, 517.327.5936, or visit the Bookstore, www.masb.org.


January is School Board Recognition Month

Across the state of Michigan and around the nation school board members are leading their districts to success. Throughout the month of January school districts and communities are recognizing board members for their commitment and hard work. Fremont Public Schools would like to thank each of its board members for their dedication to improving public education in our district. Thanks to:

Anita Osterman

Karla Gilliland

Phil Harmon

Jim Featherstone

Ed Wosinski

Linda Blais

Matt Hendrie

As you drive around the state this month, keep an eye out for billboards proclaiming our gratitude for the work that board members do, and listen to the radio for public service announcements sponsored by MASB.

Thank you school board members for leading our students to success.


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In the Loop

Get Connected with Fremont Public Schools

John D. Kingsnorth
Superintendent
Fremont Public Schools
(231) 924-2350
jkingsnorth@fremont.net