Last week, I took a small group of students to a rally in Lansing for the Save Our Schools, Students and State (SOS) movement. We marched to the Capitol to bring our message to the legislators. The message was “do the job you were elected to do, and do it now!” The students and I then met with our U.P. representatives and asked them to fix the budget now. Schools begin the fiscal year in July. The state budget is not finalized until October. The budget needs to be determined in a timely manner so schools can make appropriate hiring decisions.

The 2009 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test results have been released. Overall, I’m pleased with how our students did on this standardized assessment. The staff will examine the results to make decisions about what is working in their classroom, and what areas of the curriculum need more attention. Results can be viewed at the Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability (OEAA) department at www.michigan.gov Web site.

Congratulations to both our boys and girls basketball teams. They both had good seasons. The coaches and the players put forth their best efforts in representing Engadine High School. Track and golf begin this week. Elementary boys basketball begins next week.

Spring is definitely in the air. The end of the third marking period is March 26. Please make sure your student is prepared for quarter examinations Wednesday through Friday. We’ll celebrate the end of the marking period with the Gong Show in the high school and the end of Reading Month with a talent show in the elementary school. Spring Break begins March 27 with classes resuming April 6.

Bryers, Bawol, Nelson Are

Students of the Week

Erica Bryers, David Bawol, and Asher Nelson are named students of the week at Engadine Consolidated Schools for the week of March 8.

Erica Bryers is a quiet young lady in class, and a cheerleader at games. She is preparing herself for the future by taking classes like anatomy, physiology, and psychology, which will help her as she pursues a career in the health care field. She participates in volleyball and cheerleading during the school year. She is a kind young lady who is always there for her friends, her teachers say, and she is ready to help when requested. She is the daughter of Tom and Hope Ocko from Engadine and Kevin Bryers from McMillian.

Junior high student David Bawol is son of Phillip and Deborah Bawol. He is known for his good sense of humor and he is sociable. He likes mathematics and has a unique writing style, teachers report. His reading tastes tend toward the classics of literature.

Asher Nelson is in Laura Flatt’s kindergarten class. He is the son of Eric and Rachel Nelson of Engadine. He is always kind and helpful to others, his teachers say, and he has a wonderful sense of humor. He loves to learn and help those around him learn, too. When he grows up he would like to be a policeman.

Palo, Zimmerman, Deace Are

Students of the Week

Chelsea Palo, Brianna Zimmerman, and Mickaela Deace are named students of the week at Engadine Consolidated Schools for the week of March 15.

Chelsea Palo, daughter of Tom and Loretta Palo, is an extraordinary student at Engadine High School, her teachers report, who works hard in her classes to receive high marks for all subjects. Miss Palo is a flute player in the band and is involved in EHS Cheerleading. She has a willing attitude to be the first student to volunteer her help to another student or teacher .

This week’s middle school student of the week is Brianna Zimmerman. Miss Zimmerman has a great attitude in class and is a very helpful student, her teachers say, and she is a responsible student who is always sure to turn her quality work in on time. She is kind to her classmates and works well with others. She can always be counted on to help her teachers or classmates when needed. She is the daughter of Steven and Trudy Zimmerman of Gould City.

Mickaela Deace is the daughter of Sherry Formolo of Naubinway and is in the third grade. Miss Deace is helpful, cooperative, and a hard worker. She is an excellent listener, a cooperative student, and she always puts 100% effort into the activity she is performing. She enjoys mathematics. When she grows up, she would like to be a nurse.