Have you ever been on YouTube? Did you know that YouTube's first video was on April 23rd, 2005? It seems like it has been around forever. More YouTube facts...35 hours of video is uploaded on YouTube every minute. Do you know who owns YouTube?
wait for it.....
And the answer is....Google owns YouTube (like they needed more money....)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
May 5th is a Half Day
May 5th is a staff professional development day. Students will be released at 11:48
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Scheduling Thought for Next Year
A little heads up for my current 7th grade students/parents. You are the first class that will be required to have two years of a foreign language in order to graduate. That's two years of the same foreign language, not one year of Spanish and one year of French. The reason I bring this up is two fold. First, it's always good to have information. Secondly, we offer Spanish 1 in 8th grade. It is the identical class that is offered at SCHS. Same course, same assessments, same exams and it counts toward the State graduation requirement. By taking the class in 8th grade, besides getting a jump on a requirement, you'd be opening up your schedule to take another elective class. I would highly recommend you take a long look at that class when the scheduling sheets come home in a week or so. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to give me a call.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Letter From Dr. Green
This afternoon we will be sending home a letter from Dr. Green to all parents. Having three sons, I know there were probably countless number of "things" sent home that never made it. For that reason, below is a copy of the letter.
Dear Parents and Community,
I am writing you today to update you on the extraordinary budget challenges facing East China School District and the efforts underway by the school to manage this situation and its impact on student learning and our outstanding educational programs.
The 2011-2012 budget proposed by Governor Snyder cuts our school aid by $300 per pupil. It also raises the retirement rate we have to pay the state by $239 per pupil. This is a total reduction of $2.5 million to East China Schools. Coupled with other funding losses due to declining enrollment and rising expenses, ECSD is facing a $5.2 million financial problem, which is over 10% of our budget.
The Governor’s budget talks about the need for “shared sacrifice”. But, by far the largest cuts in this budget are to the Department of Education (10.3%) and the School Aid Fund (7.3%). Much of this money will go towards funding a business tax cut and higher education. Although, the Michigan constitution of 1963 allows the school aid fund to support higher education, it has never been done to this extent. Universities can raise tuition to help cover their rising expenses, but school districts are totally dependent on the state for funding.
The East China School District carefully manages its funds. As funding has been reduced over the last several years, we have reduced staffing by over 100 teaching positions and laid off teachers, closed a school, adjusted benefits to staff, and made dozens of other adjustments to handle the financial crisis. Generally, we have not had to reduce our program or raise class sizes too high. But, clearly, changes will occur to almost all of our programs if we are not properly funded by the state as was promised by Proposal A. Our $5.6 million fund equity can be used judiciously to help balance our budget, but we need to match our expenses to our revenue. We have very few choices left to balance our budget. Employees have made concessions in the past, and they will be asked to step up again. But, there is no way we could balance the budget on concessions alone. We will need to make cuts to staffing to address declining enrollment, and we’ll need to make other cuts as well. This proposed budget does not give us any realistic chance to continue to function at the high level that we have in the past.
The Governor’s budget, if adopted, will be the biggest cut in funding for schools ever. There is a more balanced approach that will help the state meet its obligations and yet still support the schools. For example, implementing the governor’s business tax cuts over a three to five year time span to help reduce the impact could be considered. Do we need the largest business tax cut in the history of Michigan to be implemented in one year given the many budget issues we’re facing? It makes sense to consider implementing it over time. This budget does not share the sacrifice and does not have the best interests of our children in mind.
What can you do? We ask all of you to contact your state legislators to communicate your concern.
Senator Phil Pavlov
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-7708
FAX: (517) 373-1450
Email: www.senatorphilpavlov.com
Representative Jud Gilbert
S-1185 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 373-1790
Toll Free: (877) 455-2378
Email: JudGilbert@house.mi.gov
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Rodney P. Green, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Dear Parents and Community,
I am writing you today to update you on the extraordinary budget challenges facing East China School District and the efforts underway by the school to manage this situation and its impact on student learning and our outstanding educational programs.
The 2011-2012 budget proposed by Governor Snyder cuts our school aid by $300 per pupil. It also raises the retirement rate we have to pay the state by $239 per pupil. This is a total reduction of $2.5 million to East China Schools. Coupled with other funding losses due to declining enrollment and rising expenses, ECSD is facing a $5.2 million financial problem, which is over 10% of our budget.
The Governor’s budget talks about the need for “shared sacrifice”. But, by far the largest cuts in this budget are to the Department of Education (10.3%) and the School Aid Fund (7.3%). Much of this money will go towards funding a business tax cut and higher education. Although, the Michigan constitution of 1963 allows the school aid fund to support higher education, it has never been done to this extent. Universities can raise tuition to help cover their rising expenses, but school districts are totally dependent on the state for funding.
The East China School District carefully manages its funds. As funding has been reduced over the last several years, we have reduced staffing by over 100 teaching positions and laid off teachers, closed a school, adjusted benefits to staff, and made dozens of other adjustments to handle the financial crisis. Generally, we have not had to reduce our program or raise class sizes too high. But, clearly, changes will occur to almost all of our programs if we are not properly funded by the state as was promised by Proposal A. Our $5.6 million fund equity can be used judiciously to help balance our budget, but we need to match our expenses to our revenue. We have very few choices left to balance our budget. Employees have made concessions in the past, and they will be asked to step up again. But, there is no way we could balance the budget on concessions alone. We will need to make cuts to staffing to address declining enrollment, and we’ll need to make other cuts as well. This proposed budget does not give us any realistic chance to continue to function at the high level that we have in the past.
The Governor’s budget, if adopted, will be the biggest cut in funding for schools ever. There is a more balanced approach that will help the state meet its obligations and yet still support the schools. For example, implementing the governor’s business tax cuts over a three to five year time span to help reduce the impact could be considered. Do we need the largest business tax cut in the history of Michigan to be implemented in one year given the many budget issues we’re facing? It makes sense to consider implementing it over time. This budget does not share the sacrifice and does not have the best interests of our children in mind.
What can you do? We ask all of you to contact your state legislators to communicate your concern.
Senator Phil Pavlov
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-7708
FAX: (517) 373-1450
Email: www.senatorphilpavlov.com
Representative Jud Gilbert
S-1185 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 373-1790
Toll Free: (877) 455-2378
Email: JudGilbert@house.mi.gov
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Rodney P. Green, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Congrats to Jenna Bacon
Current SCMS 7th grader, Jenna Bacon was awarded a Third Place Award in the Middle School Art Awards program at the St. Clair Art Association. Congratulations to Jenna and Mrs. Biernot our SCMS Art Teacher. Great Job.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Congrats to John Staiger
Current SCMS 7th grader, John Staiger, placed 3rd at the State Championship Geography Bee. This is the highest placement ever for a SCMS student. John competed through 8 qualifying rounds then won the tie breaker round allowing him to complete with 9 other students in the championship round. During the championship round, the top ten were whittled down until three remained. John then went head to head with last year’s champion – who would eventually repeat. All in all, John continuously answered questions for over five and one half hours on all aspects of geography. Congratulations to John and his parents. The SCMS family is very proud of you.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Congrats to Heather Burt
SCMS 7th grader, Heather Burt, has been chosen as the Grand Prize Winner for the St. Clair County Community Mental Health (SCCCMH) Creative Arts Middle School Writing Contest. Heather was chosen from close to 200 entries. For her accomplishment, Heather will be awarded with a $500 savings bond at our Annual Meeting on May 3, 2011at Fore Lakes Golf Club.
Congratulations to Heather and Mrs. McDonnel, Heather's 7th grade ELA teacher....great job.
Congratulations to Heather and Mrs. McDonnel, Heather's 7th grade ELA teacher....great job.
Half Day on Thursday
With the end of the Third Marking Period (where did the time go?), all district middle and elementary schools will have a half day on Thursday, April 14th.
Good To Be Back....
Spring Break is always good to recharge some batteries and get ready for the stretch run....not only for the kids, but for the staff as well. We now are entering the time of year that is the toughest for everyone. The light is at the end of the tunnel, the weather is turning and priorities are shifting. If we were ever going to work as a team, now is the time. I know you've read this a hundred times, but short term goals is going to be our battle cry. Focus on today to Easter Break....no missing assignments. We can do it....we might just need a little help.
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