Engadine Consolidated Schools
HOME OF THE EAGLES•KNOWLEDGE LETS YOU SOAR
by Stu Hobbs Superintendent

Happy holidays. School will be out of session from December 24 through January 4. All classes will resume January 7, 2008, with the first semester coming to an end January 18, when school will be in session for the morning only.

Engadine Consolidated Schools' staff participated in a joint one-day professional development in-service with our fellow teachers from Paradise and Newberry Schools.

The focus was on reviewing how to manage and instruct effectively in the classroom, using best practices identified by Dr. Robert Marzano.

Teachers were provided a range of management techniques that are research-proven to create and maintain a conducive learning environment.

Given the academic content that all schools are expected to cover, especially in the core areas of English/language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science, as mandated by state and federal expectations, establishing a positive learning environment is paramount.

Another Marzano session is tentatively scheduled for mid-March to further address effective instruction and assessment practices. Understandably, our classroom efforts are increasingly assessment driven.

We will send a team to attend this session. We appreciate the Newberry Schools and the EUPISD for this needed opportunity.

Students from Engadine Schools have made it to the finals for Lego robotics. The eighth grade students competing are Jeffery Dishaw, Cody Flatt, Lester Livermore III, Nathanael Miller, Michael Ramelis, and Joshua Townley.

The coach is Melissa Baldini. Adult helpers include Paula Ramelis, Lester Livermore II, and Angel Dishaw. We will take on other teams from around the state to compete for final honors.

This has been an industrious and dedicated group of kids. Whether in academics or sports, Engadine students continue to shine!

Speaking of sports, varsity and junior varsity boys and girls basketball teams have begun their season with considerable promise and some hard-fought victories.

Notably, our Eagles boys defeated Newberry and Bay de Noc and the girls laid a decisive defeat on Menominee, a strong Class B district.

Coaches and fans feel positive that the athletes will continue this strong showing.

Junior high girls basketball has come to an end and boys will begin playing shortly.

We, as a school, are making a concerted effort to meet and exceed state learning standards. Part of this effort is to provide students and their parents with regular updates on their grades.

Academic progress reports are provided to students every Tuesday, formal grade reports go out every third and sixth week of every quarter quarter, and Parent Connect, at our district Web site, is up and running for most teachers.

If parents want to know a student's current academic status or what assignments have been turned in, or even a teacher's particular grading system they may log in to our Web site, go to the technology header, then to Parent Connect.

Next, type in your password and you can view all of your student's grades and other important information. Phone calls or a personal visit with teachers are available if you have a question or concern not answered through the resources we provide.

After-school tutoring continues to be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays and parents are encouraged to have students attend this program.

Participation in this program does not negatively effect a student's athletic involvement. Some thought has been given to creating a "Study Club" for grades seven through 12 Wednesdays after school because of the number of students needing this additional study time.

Details will be announced when available.

A reminder to all parents, teaching your student is a cooperative venture among you, your student, and us.

Effective learning and parentschool communication is imperative if we are to create successful life-time learners and citizens.

Like sports and life in general, we are all in this together.

With the passage of the millage this fall, we are in the process of soliciting bids from engineering firms that specialize in school construction, repair, and renovation.

Our school buildings will require considerable attention to make them more energy efficient, if not more user-friendly.

The district will prioritize local companies when seeking bids on various projects.

We appreciate the community's commitment to the district and to our most important investment, Engadine kids.

Have a great holiday season.