And Alumni Supplement - Lawrence Public Schools May 2020
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and Alumni Supplement Lawrence Public Schools May 2020
Follow us #lawrencetigers
A Letter From Superintendent Gendron
Spring reminds us of new beginnings and growth in nature around us, however, within our
school calendar year, it is the time we begin to wrap up our time with students, celebrate
our accomplishments and honor our graduating class of 2021. We’ve again experienced
an unprecedented 9 months given the COVID pandemic, but should recognize that so
much of our day-to-day has been enhanced by what we’ve learned as a staff and students’
needs.
This school year, it has been critical to connect with all of our students; whether they have
chosen to learn in-person or from a distance. As we navigate the last few weeks in May
and June, we are excited to offer two summer offerings for our LPS students: credit
redemption classes for 9th thru 12th grades and a summer school program for students in grades
Kindergarten through 6th grades.
Additionally, our district looks forward to also announcing new opportunities to start the 2021-22 school year
which include the possibility of a virtual academy offering and the continuation of a condensed school day. If
approved, the condensed school day will allow teachers the opportunity to work with students to provide
additional support as necessary in later, afternoon hours. Details regarding these plans and the new school
calendar will be shared once they are finalized.
Another mentionable which is important to share is our upcoming bond proposal. The district is calling for a
special election on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. If approved, this no tax increase (on current levy) millage
proposal will fund the roof repairs necessary on both the Elementary and Jr. Sr. High schools as well as
purchase of two new school buses. Additional information will continue to stream to you throughout the next
few months, but I also encourage you to contact my office should you have any questions. Updated
information regarding the bond proposal will also be posted continuously to our website as well.
In conclusion, and as the year comes to an end, I earnestly hope that as we navigate these days safely and
in a manner that honors our senior class of 2021, we continue to solidly provide uninterrupted instruction for
the remaining days of this school year. We appreciate your continued care and precaution in regards to
social distancing, monitoring health symptoms and communication with school personnel.
For those on social media, please consider following our district on Instragram @LawrenceTigers for positive
campus updates and information.
Be Well Tiger Families,
Superintendent Gretchen Gendron
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The 6th through 12th grade band
students presented their Winter
Concert on February 25. All the
bands did a great job. The jazz
band had a special guest. Mr.
Reed stepped in to play his
trumpet. We appreciate him
sharing his time and his talent
with us. Thank you Mr. Reed for
going above and beyond to
support the band program!
Check out our Tiger Wear!
Two shirt styles to choose
from are available for purchase
in the High School office.
$15 / each
S / L / XL / XXL
Extra Soft Cotton
Get yours before they’re gone!
Tim Hankins, one of our night time custodians, has taken lead
on continuing the tiger spirit by painting the purple stripe down
the back hallway of the Jr. Sr. High School. Additionally, Tim
has done much touch up painting including door frames, doors
and areas needing a fresh coat or touch up. The improvements
look great! Tim has been on our LPS team since September
and has a great, "can do" attitude. Fun fact about Tim is that he
plays base guitar, is in a band and appreciates heavy metal
music!
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LHSDC—What We’ve Been Up To:
Recently, members of the Lawrence High School Diversity Club
submitted their entry to National Public Radio’s Podcast
Challenge, a recording contest open to school groups throughout
the state. The topic they selected focused on issues of self-
discovery as a high school student in a small community, in which
everyone knows you. This student-led project included the voices
and input of each member of the club, as they recorded
conversation about their unique perspectives and experiences.
The LHS Diversity Club’s mission is to celebrate differences, learn
from each other, and educate others about diversity, equity and
inclusion. The group meets bi-weekly, and is open to all LHS
students.
Clockwise: Marina Curtis, Isaiah Beiter, Cristian Bernabe-Parra, Jian Toy, Naomi Norris, Auggie Henderson, Remus Blackthorn, Lily Rozeveld
Kids Hope USA Mentoring Program at the
Elementary School
Kids Hope USA builds life-changing relationships one at a time:
One Mentor. One Child. One Hour. Ten mentors from East
Arlington Baptist Church have partnered with the Lawrence
Elementary School to mentor students, one on one, with the
Kids Hope program. Nine mentors meet in-person at LES and
one mentor meets online weekly with a virtual student. Mentors
can help academically, socially, or emotionally. One student
actually asked to read to his mentor; this was a big step for him
to volunteer! Some students anxiously watch the clock for their
time to head down to the mentor room with their mentor. New
mentees usually ask, "Can we do this tomorrow too?" Some are
very excited to learn that this mentor comes to school to meet
only with him or her, no one else. We look forward to these
friendships building in the coming years as our students grow
into young adults! - Ruth Cowles, Kids Hope USA Director
Spirit Week 2021 -Tradition
Meets Change
Tradition met change while tiger
pride remained the same for the
annual winter homecoming. The
LHS Student Council hosted a
simple week of school spirit,
theme-based decorating, and
court crowning. Due to the
homecoming game being
canceled the LHS Student Council
planned a more laid-back school
spirit-based week. The traditions
of hallway decorating, dress-up
days, and court crowning held
true. The change into virtual
crowning took place and was
streamed through Google Meet for
students and staff to join in the
festivities. No mask can cover true
LHS spirit!
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Educational Hero Award Nomination Narrative
Becky Cook
Becky is a 4th grade teacher in our building that has worked here since
1997. She started here as a beginning teacher and has grown into a
seasoned educator. Becky has adapted to numerous changes of staff
curriculum and administration and handled it with an open mind and
patience. Becky is a collaborator that works well with a group and has good
ideas. Becky volunteers herself on numerous committees for the betterment of
our school and district. This year, Becky has stepped up to fill a position as
our union co-president, despite her busy roles as teacher, wife and mother of
three kids. We have been blessed to have a wonderful educator like Becky on
our staff. Becky is the perfect recipient of the Educational Hero Award.
Kim Samelstad
There are many reasons we nominated Kim for this award. Kim is truly an asset to our building. Kim is an
employee of the Van Buren Intermediate School District, but she seems like one of our employees in many
ways. When Kim walks through the front door, she hits the ground running! She jumps right in and sees
what needs to be done and does it. Kim is a wonderful troubleshooter and can assess a situation with a
student and strategically develops a plan to make things better. Kim brings a wealth of knowledge about
special education to our district. Kim goes above and beyond for students and staff, depending on the
needs. Kim is also crucial to our child study team. She shares ideas, thinks outside the box and also knows
when a new plan is needed. Kim’s dedication to education and to her position is very apparent. We are
lucky to have Kim on our team.
Locally Grown, Fresh From the Farm
We have some great things happing in the food service department that we wanted
to share.
This year we received a 10 cent matching grant to serve local produce with our
meals. We have been serving some produce from Michigan through Sysco since
the being of the year. Some of the items included strawberries, cucumbers, grapes,
gala apples, zucchini, sweet peppers, and tomatoes which is great for Michigan
farmers.
Starting February 23, 2021 we have partnered with Crisp Country Acres out of
Holland Michigan!! They will be delivering fresh produce weekly. This will give the
food service department the opportunity to a bigger variety of seasonal produce
fresh from the farm!
You too can show your patronage to these farmers by visiting their website: https://
crispcountryacres.com/ You can also visit their farm store, in person and it is open
year round or even place an order online! In the summer they are also at the
farmer’s market in Kalamazoo.
5
Senior
Varsity Girls Basketball
Varsity Boys Basketball
Spotlight
Varsity Softball
Varsity Cheer
Varsity Baseball Varsity Track
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High School Wrestlers Middle School High School Varsity
Girls Basketball Girls Basketball
High School Junior High School Varsity High School Varsity
Cheer Team
Varsity Girls Basketball Boys Basketball
High School Junior Middle School Track Varsity & JV Baseball
Varsity Boys Basketball
High School Track High School Track Varsity Softball
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LAWRENCE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.
Alumni Memorials & Scholarships Received
November 30, 2020—March 28, 2021
Memorial Donations
Bob & Gail Kabel Scholarship Karen & Janet Lee Sanborn
Robert & Gail Kabel David & Lori VanZoeren
Jim Griffin Tom Cross
Tim Griffin & Kris Brando Fred & Pat Garrod
Kathy Hutchins
Pauline Heldt Charles & Judy Moden
Tim Griffin & Kris Brando Tim Griffin & Kris Brando
Susan Sievers Dunton Scholarship Leroy Damaske
Ed & Jennifer Dunton Charles & Judy Moden
Bob & Lois Ross
Greg Rhoades Mary Utter
Kathy Hutchins Janet Utter
Annual Alumni Banquet
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Where: Van Buren Conference Center
Time: 4:00 Socializing; 6:00 Dinner
Cost: $20 per meal with advance reservation; at the door $25
Mail Registration With Payment To:
The Lawrence Alumni Association, P.O. Box 475, Lawrence, MI 49064
Name(s) & Class Year:
Address:
I would like a tour of the school before the banquet. Yes No
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Christian Taylor
Are you a Lawrence Alumni
willing to share a positive story
or experience about
Lawrence Public Schools?
Please share your story to:
gretcchengendron@lawrencetigers.com
Pictures (old or new) are
greatly appreciated as well.
10Sandy Tartaglia, our senior high school English teacher, is
retiring this year after 32 years of service at Lawrence!
After graduating from Lawrence High School, Sandy attended
Western Michigan University and received a degree in
education. She is dual-certified, having taught both English and
Math classes here at LHS. She also played on Western's
volleyball team, which helped her in her years of coaching here.
One of Sandy's biggest highlights here at Lawrence was starting
up the National Honor Society after it lay dormant for many
years. If you've ever been to an indication ceremony, you've
seen the special tradition she started here where students read
letters to former teachers - many tears are shed!
Mrs. Tartaglia's vacancy, and the impact she has on our
students and staff, will be a hard hole to fill. She will be missed!
Congratulations to Mrs. Reeder on her
retirement! For the past three and a half years, Mrs.
Reeder worked primarily with our 4th graders. She could
also be seen every morning in the circle drive in front of
the Elementary as she welcomed our students to school.
We will certainly miss her kindness, fun spirit, good
nature, and hard work. March 26, 2021 was her last day,
but we hope to eventually see her back in the building for
at least a visit.
11The Tiger Tribune NONPROFIT ORG
Lawrence Public Schools ECRWSS
650 W. St. Joseph Street
Label U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LAWRENCE, MI
Lawrence, MI 49064 PERMIT # 16
May 27, Senior Parade and Cookout August 9, School Board Meeting
@6:00 @7:00
May 28, Senior Awards Night @7:00 To View Our
May 31, NO SCHOOL ATHLETICS CALENDAR,
May 7, National Honor Society
June 4, Commencement @7:00 go to: www.lawrencetigers.com, click
Induction Ceremony @7:00
on Jr/Sr High School; Athletics;
June 9, Early Release @11:35
May 10, School Board Meeting @7:00 Athletics Calendar.
June 10, Early Release @11:35 and
May 18, Campus Tour @6:30,
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Reservation Required
June 14, School Board Meeting @7:00
May 25, Campus Tour @2:30,
Reservation Required July 12, School Board Meeting @7:00
It is the policy of the Lawrence
Public School District that no
person shall, on the basis of race,
color, religion, national origin or
ancestry, sex, age, disability,
height, weight, or marital status, be
excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of or be
subjected to discrimination during
any program or activity or
employment. The following person
has been designated to handle
inquiries regarding
nondiscrimination policies:
Superintendent, 650 W. St. Joseph
St., Lawrence, Michigan 49064.
The Tiger Tribune Newsletter
published by Lawrence Public
Schools. Amber Trowbridge, Editor,
269.674.8233.
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