www.livoniapublicschools.org

January 2017

Vol 50, Issue 1

from superintendent Andrea Oquist

Greetings and Happy New Year! With a new year, comes a time of reflection and a time of renewal. As I reflect on the past year in Livonia Public Schools, I am filled with pride in so many ways. From our amazing students and staff, wonderfully supportive families, community members, business partners, to the many points of pride that are far too many to list in this space, we are truly fortunate.

We opened the school year with another five fully renovated schools through Phase III of the bond issue, bringing the current total of renovated schools in LPS to 16! We applauded as the curtain was raised on the brand new, state-of-the-art performing arts center at Franklin High School. We spread the news that LPS was named to the prestigious AP Honor Roll. We felt grateful for a sixyear funding source from the Wayne County Education Enhancement Millage approved by voters in November. We watched in awe at our performing arts students. We celebrated our Teachers of the Year: Don Stromberg, Art Colling and Amie Van Horn-Gabel. We cheered as our athletic teams exceled. We saw progress on the LPS Community with Character culture and climate initiative taking place throughout our schools, departments and classrooms, and we worked hand-in-hand with our incredible Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation and the PTSA Council, one of the largest in the state. There are many other reasons to be proud, and grateful. With these highlights, there is also a story of challenge, written on the pages of 2016. Looking back to 2013, when the district informed voters of the $195 million bond proposal, the question of enrollment was asked. At that time, the district indicated that it was possible that we would need to close an elementary school, due to declining enrollment. Our enrollment was just beginning to decrease at a significant pace of approximately 300 students per year, trending closely with the declining numbers of students across the state of Michigan. Fast-forward to the completion of Phase II of the bond projects, and planning for Phase III in 2016. The

district paused, and commissioned two in-depth studies on enrollment and building utilization by Plante Moran CRESA, one of just four certified demographers in the state. Upon the completion of the studies, a 40-plus member committee of parents, staff and community members was assembled and tasked to analyze the data in order to present recommendations to the board on how best to utilize space in our buildings, in order to be the very best stewards of the resources entrusted to us by our community. The district did not want to use our bond funds to renovate schools at great expense, only to have them closed in the near future. After months of intense study, the closure of Cass and Garfield elementary schools was recommended. Additionally, the committee recommended the relocation of the Western Wayne Skill Center to a more optimal facility. The recommendations were approved by the Board on December 19, 2016, effective at the end of this school year. While it was the fiscally responsible thing to do, the impact of the decision is not lost on us, or our Board of Education. Plans for a smooth transition began immediately, to ensure students, staff and families feel comfortable as we head into the new school year in September, 2017. Additionally, the savings to be realized by the decision will be directed back to support all of our students and schools as we continue to provide exceptional opportunities for learning and growth. I am confident this transition will be carefully and thoughtfully carried out, with the best interests of our students being our first priority. We have an incredible staff and strong leadership at each of our schools – couple this with adaptable, resilient students and involved parents, and I believe we will move forward stronger than ever. Let’s carry forward our sense of LPS pride into the new year and turn to a new page in our story, together. Wishing each and every one of you all of the best in 2017.

Andrea Oquist Superintendent

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Kindergarten registration begins February 1! How to register

Parent meeting March 8

It may only be the beginning of the new year, but Livonia Public Schools is already eagerly anticipating the 2017-2018 school year! We can’t wait to welcome our new class of kindergarteners!

Livonia Public Schools is hosting an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarteners. This meeting will be held on March 8, 2017, from 6-7 p.m. Parents should attend the meeting at their child’s assigned school. This meeting will be filled with useful information for parents, including: • Program overview • Information on busing and food services • Question-and-answer session • Building tours

Kindergarten registration begins February 1, 2017 at all elementary schools. (Please see below for Young Fives registration dates and information.) Here’s how to register: Visit www.livoniapublicschools.org/registration to download the file titled “Required Documentation.” Gather and bring the required documentation to your child’s school during office hours, where you will receive a registration packet to complete. Kindergarteners must be five years old on or before September 1, 2017. You may file for early entry if your child will be five on or after September 1 but no later than December 1. Early entry request forms are available at your child’s school. If you are uncertain which school your child will attend, please contact the Communications office at 734-744-2522, or email Katie Patterson at [email protected]. Please include your home address when emailing or leaving a voice message.

Young Fives Program

If your child has a summer birthday but is not quite ready for kindergarten, consider the Young Fives program! • Designed for students turning five between July 1 and September 1, 2017, but who require more time before entering kindergarten. • State-funded, tuition-free program. • Currently housed at Randolph Elementary, the Young Fives program will move to Hayes Elementary for the 2017-18 school year. • Students attend five days a week, in either the AM or PM session; fee-based childcare is available before and after the school day (for students enrolled in AM session only). Contact Jackson Early Childhood Center at 734-744-2813 to enroll in childcare. An information meeting will be held for parents on March 15 from 6-7 p.m. at Randolph. Registration for Young Fives begins at Randolph on March 22, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (See “How to Register” above.) Student orientation sessions will be held at Randolph on June 7. The morning session will be from 10:00-11:15 a.m; the afternoon session will be held from 2:00-3:15 p.m. Students who have registered will have the opportunity to attend an open house at Hayes in late August. Please note: Only parents or legal guardians (with proper paperwork) are able to register Young Fives students.

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Registration will be available onsite for parents who have their required documentation with them. Please note that this meeting is for parents only. An orientation session will be held for students assigned to Buchanan, Cleveland, Grant, and Randolph on May 31; students assigned to Coolidge, Hayes, Hoover, Kennedy, Roosevelt, and Rosedale will attend sessions on June 1.

Early Childhood Programs

Specialized Early Childhood Programs | 734-744-2765 • Early On developmental screenings for infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months • Preschool programs for children ages 2.5 to 5 years with special needs • Early childhood programs for students with speech concerns • Hearing and Vision Screenings for children ages 3 to 5 years • Kids First Great Start Readiness Program • Parent Education Programs

Jackson Early Childhood Center 32025 Lyndon, Livonia 734-744-2813 • Preschool enrichment for children ages 3 and 4 years • Childcare with a preschool component: Five days per week, yearround • School-Age Childcare (SACC)

LPS recognized for Advanced Placement program growth and computation skills throughout elementary and middle school. After taking an AP course in high school, students take the AP exam for the opportunity to “test out” of first-year college courses in that subject area. The AP exam scores directly translate into college credits for the student to utilize upon college admittance. State Superintendent Brian Whiston said the districts on this list are, “successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.”

Students in Mr. Barker's AP U.S. History class at Stevenson High School work on Chromebooks during class.

Livonia Public Schools is proud to announce that the district has been placed on the AP District Honor Roll, a distinguished honor shared by just 23 other school districts in Michigan, and 433 throughout the United States and Canada. To be included on the 7th Annual Honor Roll, districts had to, since 2014, increase the number of students participating in Advanced Placement courses while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher. “This is a significant achievement, once again, for Livonia Public Schools, and helps validate that our schools are successfully preparing students for their post-secondary pursuits,” said LPS Superintendent Andrea Oquist. “We are proud of all of our program offerings here in Livonia Schools, and are honored to be added to this distinguished AP Honor Roll. Our staff and students work very hard, and they deserve this special recognition.” The district’s three high schools offer an array of Advanced Placement courses in math, science, social studies, world languages and English Language Arts for students who demonstrate exceptional comprehension

“In our goal to make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years, we need to promote greater access to AP opportunities for all students,” Whiston said, noting that AP credits, along with dual enrollment programs, early middle colleges and career/technical education help achieve that goal. According to the College Board, in 2016, more than 4,000 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, or both, and/or consideration in the admission process. “Congratulations to all the teachers and administrators in this district who have worked so tirelessly to both expand access to AP, and also to help students succeed on the AP exams,” said Trevor Packer, the College Board’s head of AP and Instruction. “These teachers and administrators are delivering real opportunity in their schools and classrooms, and students are rising to the challenge.” Inclusion on the 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on a review of three years of AP data, from 2014 to 2016, looking across 37 AP Exams, including world language and culture. Other area districts to be included on the AP Honor Roll are Bloomfield Hills, PlymouthCanton and Rochester school districts.

A note from the Livonia Goodfellows To All the Staff, Students, and Parents of Livonia Public Schools: On behalf of the Livonia Goodfellows, we would like to thank each of you for participating in the annual food collection. Some of you also donated money, hats, and mittens. The 2016 food drive collected more than 800 boxes of food. Your efforts helped make Christmas better for our recipient families, who greatly appreciate your generosity.

We also want to thank all who volunteered to help sort and pack the food. The generosity of your time helps to make our program possible. Thank you once more for all your efforts. We look forward to working with you again in the fall. With much appreciation, Jim Hobart Food Drive Chair

Cindy Bergquist School Coordination Chair

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Performing Arts Center highlight of Phase III bond projects

Career Technical Center Offers Vocational Classes Livonia Public Schools offers vocational education programs at the Livonia Career Technical Center and at Churchill, Franklin, and Stevenson high schools. These programs are designed to prepare youth for a broad range of employment and educational training services. All vocational education programs follow the district’s policies of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, handicap or disability in all activities and employment. In addition, arrangements can be made to ensure that the lack of English language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation. For general information about these programs, contact: Joe Anderson, Principal, LCTC 8985 Newburgh Livonia, 48150; 734-744-2816.

Livonia Public Schools continues to see the progress of the 2013 bond issue, which is bringing facility improvements, security enhancements and classroom technology to our buildings. A highlight of this work is the new state-of-the-art, 556-seat Performing Arts Center at Franklin High School. The newly constructed theater and adjacent fine arts practice, storage and instructional spaces total 30,000 square feet. A new PAC is currently under construction at Stevenson High School and will mirror the Franklin theater. The Stevenson PAC is slated to open in the fall. Churchill High School’s expansive 1,000-seat theater will not be new construction, but rather a total renovation, to begin this summer. Phase III projects last summer also included total renovation of Grant, Hoover and Randolph elementary schools, Johnson Upper Elementary, Holmes Middle School, as well as classrooms and common areas at Franklin and Stevenson high schools.

School Closing Information School closure information is communicated through: - Our website: www.livoniapublicschools.org - LPS cable TV: Ch. 15 (Bright House) and Ch. 19 (Comcast-Westland) - Phone/Email: BE SURE YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS ON FILE. Check with your child’s building secretary to ensure your information is accurate.

The renovations have transformed the learning environment for students, with improved lighting, ventilation, classroom technology, furniture, mechanical upgrades and security enhancements and more. Funding from the bond issue may only be used for facilities, technology and buses and cannot, by law, be used for district operations. LPS is grateful for the support of the community for making these much-needed facility, security and technology improvements possible in our schools. Visit www.livoniapublicschools.org and click on District, then Bond Issue to see slideshows of the Phase I, Phase II and Phase III bond projects.

The winter/spring 2017 Community Education booklet is available online! The Community Education course booklet is available to view online at the LPS website. Visit www.livoniapublischools.org/community, then click “Community Education Enrichment” on the menu on the left. Check out the wide array of classes and programs available!

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Public Notice Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA is a federal law that affords parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. They include the right to: inspect and review records; request an amendment to records; consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information in student’s records (except in instances where disclosure without consent is allowed); file complaint with U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.” See full policy at www.livoniapublicschools.org, under the “District” tab, by clicking on “Public Notices.”

McKinney Vento Act

Livonia Public Schools follows federal mandates for the McKinney Vento Act by enrolling any homeless children who lack a regular and adequate night-time residence. Homeless children are placed according to their best interests, and have the same rights as resident students. If you are aware of children in this circumstance, please refer them to our homeless liaison, Cindy Pierson at 734-744-2535.

Child Find (Student evaluations)

If your child is between birth and age five, and you suspect that they may have a special need or developmental delay, please call 1-800-EARLYON (for birth to age three) or 734-744-2765. If your child is enrolled in LPS in grades K-12 and you suspect a special need or disability, please contact the administrator at your child’s school or the Student Services Department at 734-744-2524.

Lost or Stolen Property

Livonia Public Schools and its staff members are not liable for damage to or loss of personal property of students. It is suggested that items brought to school by your child and deemed by you to have substantial value be insured separately on your homeowner’s policy.

AHERA Update

LPS, as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) conducts ongoing surveillance and re-inspection programs for asbestos. LPS has an ongoing operations and maintenance program to address the asbestos in the buildings owned and operated by the district. Visit www.livoniapublicschools.org and click on District tab, then Public Notices for the annual update and information.

ADA Accessibility Notice

Livonia Public Schools, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities ADA/Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Accessibility Notice

Livonia Public Schools, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is committed to ensuring that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with non-disabled individuals and will furnish appropriate aids and services where necessary to meet this commitment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding ADA and Section 504 policies: The Director of Student Services 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI at 734-744-2524.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Livonia Public Schools prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, handicap or disability in any of its educational programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquires and grievances regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, and marital status-Director of Human Resources, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 at 734-744-2566 . The following person has been designated to handle inquires and grievances regarding discrimination based on handicap or disability-Director of Student Services, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 at 734-744-2524.

Student Health/Accident Insurance

Livonia Public Schools does not insure students for accidental injuries during the school year. LPS makes reasonably priced student accident insurance plans available through a third party insurer. Application forms and brochures are available in the school offices or at the Board of Education office located at 15125 Farmington Road in Livonia. For more information, please call 734-744-2500 ext. 42596.

Integrated Pest Management

Occasionally, Livonia Public Schools may apply pesticides to our schools, school grounds, and athletic areas. As parents and guardians, you have the right to be notified prior to such applications. If you wish to be notified via first class mail or e-mail, please e-mail Harry Lau at [email protected]. A posting of pesticides used inside or outside of any LPS building will be placed in advance at the entrance of the building, and on the Livonia Public Schools website . In an emergency situation, LPS may make an application without prior notification to parents or guardians; however, parents/guardians will be notified of the application after it occurs. Further information regarding pesticides can be obtained by contacting The National Pesticide Information Center at 800-858-7378.

Help us fIND our 2017-18 Teachers of the Year! Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond? Nominate your favorite teacher for the LPS Teacher of the Year award! The district is searching for its Teachers of the Year at both the elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) levels. A Teacher of the Year committee comprised of teachers, administrators, and residents has formed to select the designees, to be announced in May. Nominees must possess exemplary personal qualifications, professional

skills, and records of school/community service. In addition, they should be employed by Livonia Public Schools, and should spend at least half of their time in instruction. Please visit www.livoniapublicschools.org/toyform to submit a nomination. If you do not have online access, please contact Stacy Jenkins at 734-744-2533 to have a nomination form mailed to you. Nominations are due by February 28, 2017.

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Incoming 9th Grade Parent Nights Livonia Public Schools’ three high schools will host Parent Nights for all current 8th grade students and their families. Private and parochial school students are also invited to attend. Information will include: academic programs; elective offerings and scheduling options; information about high school magnet programs, including Global Education; International Baccalaureate Program (IB); Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA); the Math, Science and Computer Program (MSC); Culinary Arts Program; Career Intern Program; and Career Technical Center.

Churchill High School January 25, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Begins in auditorium with welcome. For more information, call the Scheduling Office at 734-744-2650 ext. 46111 Franklin High School January 26, 2017, 7:00 p.m. A 6:15 p.m. session is scheduled for families not currently enrolled at Emerson Middle School. Begins in auditorium with a welcome. For more information, contact Ms. Esparza at [email protected]. Stevenson High School February 2, 2017 7:00 p.m. Begins in auditorium with welcome. For more information, call Mr. Mazonni at 734-744-2660 ext. 48110.

International Baccalaureate Program

Franklin High School has the distinct honor of being the first high school in Wayne County to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. In 2009, the program was awarded IB World School status and began recruiting students who would take up the challenge of a college preparatory curriculum that would emphasize the skills of inquiry and international awareness. IB courses provide students with the opportunity to do college-level work that is measured against an international standard. IB candidates are expected to do IB coursework in six major areas, including literature, languages, social studies, experimental sciences, mathematics, and electives of either arts or an additional course from one of the other subject areas. If you have questions about the IB program, or are interested in enrolling, please contact Sunshine Weber, IB Coordinator at 734-744-2655 x47135 or [email protected].

Global Education Program Deadline For incoming 9th Grade LPS Students and 9th Grade Non-Public Students Living Within LPS Boundaries

The deadline for submitting an interest form is February 1, 2017.

The School of Global Education is open on a limited basis for students whose home high school is Churchill or Franklin. Consideration for admission into this program is available online at www.livoniapublicschools. org/programs/global_education. A random drawing will be held to determine who enters the program if the interest is greater than the number of seats available.

Interest forms should be submitted to: Mr. Gary Harper, Stevenson High School 33500 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152. A copy of the student’s most recent standardized tests scores should be included with the interest form. Contact Judy Bergeski at the Global Education Office at 734-744-2660 ext. 48130 with questions.

Admissions for Gifted and Talented Students Webster Alternative Classrooms for the Academically Talented (ACAT) is now taking nominations for the 2017-18 school year. Elementary-aged students who have outstanding academic achievement and ability may benefit from a specialized academic program. Livonia Public Schools has a program dedicated to providing gifted and talented students a nurturing, differentiated, rigorous, and enriched curriculum. Students have opportunities for essential interaction between children with like abilities, interests, and talents.

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The program is housed at Webster Elementary School, 32401 Pembroke, Livonia 48152. The nomination and application process for the 2017-2018 school year is beginning now for students who are currently in kindergarten through fourth grade and reside within the LPS district. Applications are available at each district elementary school, and at the LPS website (under “Academically Talented” in the “Programs” tab); they are also available on Webster’s website Applications may be returned to Webster through February 3, 2017. Applications received after this deadline will be considered only if additional openings are available. Contact Webster Elementary School at (734) 7442795 ext. 34150, or email facilitator David Zyczynski at [email protected] with any questions.

LPS Education Foundation News ‘Giving Tuesday’ celebrated at LPS Education Foundation Luncheon set-up a college savings trust account for each kindergarten student in the Livonia Public Schools School District. This year’s keynote speaker was WDIV-TV Channel 4 news anchor Devin Scillian, who talked about his life as a journalist and author of 17 children’s books. He said his work has taken him all around the world, several times, from China to Russia to Cuba and to eight Olympiads. He’s even been a passenger in a nuclear submarine, twice. But, the “coolest thing” he has accomplished in his professional life was getting his first children’s book, entitled Fibblestax, published in 2000. He said he will always cherish this book, which led to 16 more through the years. It was appropriate that the 7th annual Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation fund-raising luncheon took place on Tuesday, November 29, a day dubbed as Giving Tuesday.

“I love the permanence of a book,” he said, noting that books hold a certain magic that’s waiting to be discovered by the reader.

“Today, we celebrate your gifts to our students, our schools and our community,” said Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Oquist to a crowd of more than 250 LPS Education Foundation supporters in attendance at the annual luncheon held at St. Mary’s Cultural Center in Livonia. “We are better, stronger and more successful because of you.”

Scillian’s support of literacy coincides with the LPS Education Foundation’s support for early literacy, by way of elementary school tutoring, and through its classroom grant program, which provides learning tools to classrooms throughout the district. To date, the Foundation has given 62 grants to LPS teachers, totaling more than $138,000.

The luncheon raises money for the Foundation’s Competitive Edge College Savings Program for LPS kindergartners, which has more than 1,700 students enrolled. The program offers to

For more information about the LPS Education Foundation, visit www.lpsfoundation.org.

Spotlight on: Bill Brown Ford

Bill Brown Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in the United States. The Brown Family has been proudly serving the community since 1914. The dealership is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and is ranked third in the nation for new Ford vehicle sales.

Bill Brown Ford is committed to adding value to the community. One of the many ways it puts that commitment into action is through its partnership with the LPS Education Foundation. Every customer who leases or purchases a vehicle and presents the coupon included in each Dialog, $200 is donated to the Foundation.

Thanks to that dedication, Bill Brown Ford has developed a long-standing reputation in Livonia and the surrounding areas for extraordinary service and care that can always be counted on. Customers can be certain to receive service with honesty and integrity. With a fully updated service department that includes a luxury lounge area, a new state-of-the-art body shop in the works, and personable and professional sales staff, customers can expect to receive nothing but the best. The Foundation is sincerely grateful to Bill Brown Ford for its collaboration!

Foundation Corporate Donors • • • • • • • • •

Alpha USA Bill Brown Ford, Inc. Bright House Networks-Spectrum Cheryl Bowker Agency – Allstate Insurance Comcast Community Financial Credit Union DFCU Financial Feldman Chevrolet of Livonia Livonia AM Rotary

• • • • • • • •

Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers LPS Employees LPS PTAs/PTSAs Masco Corporation Michigan Educational Credit Union Observer and Eccentric Newspapers The Orthodontics Office of Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane Parkside Credit Union

• • • • • • • •

Rock Out Entertainment Roush Industries Schoolcraft College St. Mary Mercy Hospital – Livonia St. Mary’s Cultural and Banquet Center Team Schostak Family Restaurants Westland Shopping Center ZF TRW Automotive

Buy or lease a vehicle, and $200 will be donated to the LPS Education Foundation. Bill Brown Ford 734-421-7000 Feldman Chevrolet of Livonia 734-425-6500 Bring this coupon to Bill Brown Ford or Feldman Chevrolet of Livonia when purchasing or leasing a new or used vehicle. Does not include prior sales. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. For more information, call the LPS Education Foundation at 734-744-2510.

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Livonia Public Schools 15125 Farmington Road Livonia, MI 48154

Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid Livonia, Michigan Permit No. 36

2017-18 Board of Education Colleen Burton Tammy Bonifeld Karen Bradford Daniel Centers Crystal Frank Liz Jarvis Mark Johnson

ECRWSS EDDM Postal Customer Livonia Public Schools

Andrea Oquist, Superintendent

From Middle School Teacher of the Year Art Colling I enjoy being on Facebook. It is a way for me to stay in touch with friends and family. It also allows me to keep in touch with former students and celebrate their successes. Throughout my seventeen years as a teacher in LPS, I have been blessed by many wonderful students. In addition, as a student in LPS for fourteen years, I was blessed to have many wonderful teachers. The experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve encountered in that time have shaped me into the educator I am today. I remember one morning waking up before my family, enjoying the only time of day it is quiet in the house. I was watching the news, having coffee, and scrolling through Facebook, when I came across a meme showing a father and son sitting together. The father asked, “Son, what did you learn in school today?” The son replied, “How to pass a standardized test.” Sadly, this is starting to become reality. I don’t blame the district. State legislators have taken the autonomy out of teachers’ hands and elevated the need to pass a variety of mandated tests. Does testing prepare a student for the real world? Are improved test scores a sign of true student learning? My job as an educator is to prepare students for the real world, just as many of my teachers did for me. I grew up in Livonia and attended Wilson, Cleveland, Emerson, and Franklin - class of ’92. Two of my favorite teachers were John Colby and Bruce Dirette. What do I remember about their classes? Standardized tests? No. They both taught me life skills that remain with me to this day. Len Lopez and Larry Ruzsas were two teachers from Emerson who made me feel like I was part of a community. Joan Seay was my band teacher at Franklin. She pushed me and gave me the confidence to explore a future in music. I started at Eastern Michigan University in the summer of 1992. Dr. Whitney Prince was the professor of percussion. At that time, I was not a great student. I would skip class and sleep in. I

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rarely practiced or did my homework. I vividly remember going to a private lesson with Dr. Prince. Within the first five minutes, he asked me to leave; I was not prepared for the lesson, and it showed. His disappointment left a dramatic impression. From that day forward, I always put forth my best effort, whether it was practicing for my next lesson or preparing for classes. He taught me the importance of hard work.

After changing majors several times, I landed a student teaching position at McKinley Elementary. My cooperating teacher was William Lietz. The major lesson I took from Bill was the importance of building relationships. He was always at lunch duty, spending time with the students. Bill attended their sporting events or concerts. He felt going to these events helped build classroom community (which it did). Every student in his classroom felt important. After graduation, I knew that I wanted my own classroom to be a place where every student felt included. I am now in my seventeenth year of teaching. I hope my classroom is one where students feel important. Learning is not only about standardized test scores. If a teacher builds relationships, students will put forth their best effort in everything they do. My goal is not to have my students focus solely on passing a standardized test. My goal is to prepare students for the real world. LPS once helped me learn as a student of life, and now gives me the privilege of sharing in this important work.

Livonia Public Schools Serving portions of Livonia & Westland January 2017 • Vol. 50 • No. 1 www.livoniapublicschools.org

Art Colling teaches math at Emerson Middle School. He was selected as Livonia Public Schools’ Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Dialog is an official publication of Livonia Public Schools. It is published regularly and mailed to residents of the Livonia Public Schools district as a public service. We encourage your response. All correspondence should be addressed to: 15125 Farmington Rd., Livonia, MI 48154. To contact the LPS Communications office, please call (734) 744-2522, or email Katie Patterson at [email protected].