In the Loop

Get Connected with Fremont Public Schools

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John Kingsnorth, Superintendent
jkingsnorth@fremont.net

November 19, 2007 In The Loop

  1. S3 teams are meeting
  2. First Aid Training Feedback
  3. Donation Requests
  4. Great News from our Auditor
  5. Fundraiser for L.A. Johnson
  6. Pathfinder Traffic reverts back
  7. Just for fun from Jeff Foxworthy

S3 teams are meeting

All four of our subcommittees have met for the first time. The committees or action planning teams are 1. Facilities, 2. Community Engagement and Connections, 3. Preparing our Students for Success in the 21st Century (World Ready for short) and 4. Technology. We still have room for more members and invite you to help. Please contact me by email or phone 231 924 8261.

First Aid Training Feedback

Below are three comments I received from staff on the benefits of taking the CPR/AED training we provided.

Dear Dr. Kingsnorth, 

-I am writing to let you know that I participated in a first aid class held here at the high school.  I found the class to be very valuable to me as I learned how to give first aid using the new difibulators.  Mark Wynn did an excellent job in presenting.  I want to thank you for making this opportunity possible for me.  I hope the school board will also see the value of this class and allow Mark to come back in 2 years and teach the class again.  You just never know when you could perhaps save the life of some one you know

-I just wanted to let you know how fortunate our district is to have had this training available free of charge, professional dev. hours allowed and pizza.  I, personally, was thankful I had the training.  I needed to use CPR this summer at a family gathering, and while the friend my sister and I performed CPR on did not live, I was thankful I knew what to do in such an emergency situation.

-I just wanted to write a quick note of thanks for providing the First Aid/CPR Training.  I understand that the district doesn’t have extra money but this training was certainly worthwhile and the money was well spent.  Thank you for making safety a priority and caring about the staff/students enough to provide this course.

Donation request for the Endowments of Fremont Public Schools

As the end of the year approaches we wanted to give friends, family and alumni a chance to donate to one of our Endowments. Thank you for considering an end of year donation. Below is the letter we have and will send out.

November 26, 2007 Dear Alumni and Friends:
As a supporter of our students, we want to make you aware of the Endowments of Fremont Public Schools.
As the school district continues to be threatened by limited state funding, the endowments ensure a stable source of funding for its intended purpose. Furthermore, the endowments serve to cultivate excellence in our kids, our community and our future. By donating to one of the endowments, you are ensuring the continuation of the tradition of excellence in the Fremont community. The endowments support many special programs in our school system. The Fremont Area Community Foundation administers these endowments and all donations are eligible for a Michigan tax credit. The endowments include:
1)    The Fremont Public Schools—supports specific needs in the district.
2)    The Athletic Endowment—supports the continuation of the athletic tradition so important to Fremont
3)    The Dale Wheater/Riley Klingel Endowment—provides scholarships to deserving student-athletes
4)    The Music Booster Endowment—serves to support on-going needs in the Music Department
5)    Theatre Endowment—serves to support the award-winning theatre department’s productions
6)    The Yahaba Friendship City Endowment—continues and enhances our international connection to Yahaba, Japan
Your donations are greatly appreciated. The generous support from our donors allows our students to benefit by continuing the excellence we have come to expect in Fremont Public Schools.
As 2007 comes to an end and as you tax plan for 2008, please consider donating to the endowments. Below summarizes the tax benefit from your donation. Simply tear off the slip below, specify the endowment and send the form and check to: Endowments of Fremont Public Schools, 220 W. Pine Street, Fremont, MI 49412.
Again, thank you for your continued support of the students of Fremont Public Schools.
Sincerely,
Jim Featherstone Endowment Fundraiser Chair
JF:mrh
FREMONT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENDOWMENTS
Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift of ____________ . Please apply my donations to the following endowment:
(Please make your check payable to the FACF—FPS Endowments.)
__ The Fremont Public Schools                                                       __ The Music Booster Endowment
__ The Athletic Endowment                                                            __ Theatre Endowment
__ The Dale Wheater/Riley Klingel Endowment                               __ The Yahaba Friendship City Endowment
Name _______________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________
Address ____________________________________________ City ____________________ State _________ Zip __________

Great News from Our Auditor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2007

A YEAR IN REVIEW EARNS FPS PRAISE

FREMONT, MI, NOV 20 – Hendon & Slate recently conducted the district’s annual financial audit in order to determine the financial performance of the district. We were greatly pleased with the results of this audit. Here are just a few highlights…

“The Board and Executive Administration in particular, as well as, all those who have participated in your budgeting and cost control procedures are deserving of praise for the fiscal management of Fremont Public Schools,” noted Daniel R. Slate, CPA.

“We greatly appreciate all those who have helped Fremont Public Schools provide such excellent educational opportunities, while cutting costs and saving where possible,” said Fremont Public Schools Superintendent John Kingsnorth. “Together, we have made the exceptional possible.”

Fundraiser for Coach L.A. Johnson

By Julie Gardenour

Several of us have put our heads together to create a benefit/fund raiser to help assist in the cost of COACH LA'S battle with leukemia.  We want as many folks involved as possible so please pass this info on to others outside of the community.

 
ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME-BOTH MEN AND WOMEN!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

WOMEN 6:00 - 7:30

MEN 7:30 - 9:00

*"OLD" ALUMNI VS. YOUNG ALUMNI*
 
**WE NEED PLAYERS-IF YOU ARE AN ALUMNI OR KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN PLAYING CONTACT TY MILLER FOR THE MEN'S GAME AND JULIE GARDENOUR FOR THE WOMEN'S GAME.


THEME FOR THE EVENING

"DON'T STOP BELEVING!"  JOURNEY . . . FOR LA JOHNSON

COST:  $5.00

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE JOHNSON FAMILY TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF HIS STAY IN ANN ARBOR.

WE WILL ALSO BE SELLING TITLE WAVE BANDANAS AND T-SHIRTS. 

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND

CONTACT EITHER JULIE GARDENOUR OR PETER ZERFAS IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.


Pathfinder traffic plan reverts back
By Bob Cassiday

“The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry.”

No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it. The saying is adapted from a line written in the 1785 poem “To a Mouse”, by Scottish poet Robert Burns. It could very well pertain to my attempt at improving the traffic situation here at Pathfinder. That most everyone involved in this great attempt very charitably mentioned an appreciation for the effort, if not the implementation, is heartwarming and I thank you. The positive nature of the phone calls and conversations, as well as the emails, were evidence of parents and families who are really involved with their children’s environment. By far the often most spoken phrase I heard was, “It looked good on paper but…”.

So, going forward from here, families arriving and departing Pathfinder continue to be my concern. It’s part of my job. I’ve heard many suggestions, but as of yet neither a larger parking lot nor another driveway are in the plans for the immediate future. What is in the plans though is what would have been the final phase of the new traffic plan. Since winter is swiftly descending upon us, and very soon icy winds and swirling snows will chill bones and glaze sidewalks the need for redirecting the kids (and parents) has arisen.

Combined with a return to the original traffic pattern of entering Pathfinder from 44th Street to drop-off or pick-up before exiting onto Osborn Road, I’d like to have the teachers bring all the Green and Blue Pod kids out the front entrance of the building and all of the Purple and Red Pod kids follow their teachers out the back doors near the cafeteria and onto the sidewalk next to the Parent Parking Lot. Parents would then receive their kids at these locations.

Chatting with parents in the parking lots these past few days I’ve learned that most would just as soon relax in their cars waiting for a son or daughter so they can just easily drive away. That’s reasonable and I agree it’s doable. So what I’m proposing is that at the end of the school day Green and Blue Pod parents use the 44th Street entrance in front of the school while Red and Purple Pod parents use the Osborn Road entrance to pick-up your children. The teachers are already bringing out your kids so this way you’ll know everyday from which way she or he will exit from the building and you can plan your arrival and departure accordingly.

Also, by now you should have noticed the new bright red No Parking signs standing next to the sidewalk in front of the school. This area will probably affect Blue and Green Pod parents the most because during the times listed on the signs, 7:45-8:30 and 3:00-3:45, they establish a No Parking Zone that will be in effect. If you’re using this area and would like to remain in your car waiting for your child that will be alright, he or she will be brought to you. But if you have to leave your car in order to enter the building you will be asked to move your car into the Parent Parking Lot in order to keep traffic moving in front of the building. Think of the drive-through lane at McDonalds or Burger King. How frustrating would it be to be stuck behind the person who had to get out of their car or who couldn’t make-up their mind?

I’ve also given some thought to the few families who have kids in different pods as well as those kids who get off the bus at Pathfinder. For the multiple pod families my suggestion is to park in the Parent Parking Lot and let your child and their teachers know this is where you’ll be. This is a predictable plan and easily remembered. For those families having to wait for kids arriving with the busses my suggestion is, if you’re comfortable with your child being directed to the Parent Parking Lot by teachers who are outside, and this is where you have to be, then allow your child to come to you. Your other option appears to be to wait in line in front of the school with the Blue and Green Pod parents and depart when your child joins you. Looking at this critically, either way you choose, one of these options should work well for you and your family and you’ll be able to safely, and calmly, drive away. Given the large volume of traffic entering and exiting Pathfinder in a short amount of time each day, that’s probably the best either one of us can hope for.


Just for fun – from Jeff Foxworthy 

Maybe this has already been around but I had not seen it.  Hilarious and so true!  Enjoy. 

Are you aware that Jeff Foxworthy is now picking on Michigan? Read on (pretty funny and accurate).

1. If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Michigan.
2. If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because Pellston is the coldest spot in the nation, you might live in Michigan.
3. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Michigan.
4. If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Michigan.
5. If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Michigan.
6. If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Michigan.
7. If you have worn shorts and a coat at the same time, you might live in Michigan.
8. If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Michigan.
9. If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Michigan.

Part 2 - You know you're a true MICHIGANDER when . . .

1. "Vacation" means going up north on I-75
2. You measure distance in hours.
3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
4. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
5. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching.
6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
7. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
8. You carry jumper cables in your car - and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
9. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
10. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
11.  You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
12. You can identify a southern or eastern accent.
13. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.
14. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age.
15. Down South to you means Ohio.
16. A brat is something you eat.
17. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole barn.
18. You go out to fish fry every Friday.
19. Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.
20. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
21. You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."
22.  You drink pop and bake with soda.
23. Your doctor tells you to  drink Vernors and you know it's not medicine.
24. You can actually drink Vernors without coughing.
25. You know what a Yooper is.
26. You think owning a Honda is Un-American.
27. You know that UP is a place, not a direction.
28. You know it's possible to live in a thumb.
29. You understand that when visiting Detroit, the best thing to wear is a Kevlar vest.
30. You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Michigan friends.

 

In the Loop

Get Connected with Fremont Public Schools

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