MPSConnect is a convenient communications tool for you to connect with me. Every message comes to my desktop. Either I or another MPS staff members will do all we can to reply to your message within the next work day.
Michael E. Sharrow, Superintendent
MPSConnect Link: https://www.midlandps.org/content2/706
February 7, 2022 Volume 9 - Edition 27
Midland PS District Vision Statement
Lead with respect, trust and courage.
Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture.
Enable all to achieve success.
Midland Public Schools' Black History Month Journey Continues
Please allow us to share a few very impressive pieces of information regarding Selma Burke who lived from 1900-1995 and was depicted (in an article from the National Women's History Museum website) as "one of the most notable sculptors of the twentieth century."'
In addition to her amazing talent for sculpting, here are just some of Ms. Burke's very noteworthy accomplishments:
a registered nurse graduating from the Saint Agnes Training School for Nurses in 1924
a student of art at Sarah Lawrence College
a dedicated art teacher for youth in New York City
opened the Selma Burke School of Sculpture in New York City and the Selma Burke Art Center in Pittsburgh
earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University
enlisted in the Navy during World War II (one of the first African-American women to sign up)
awarded a Women's Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award from President Jimmy Carter
received honorary doctorates from Livingstone College and Spelman College
completed her final sculpture in 1980 (at the age of 80): a nine-foot bronze statue of Martin Luther King Jr. that still stands in Marshall Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Selma Burke was truly a renaissance woman who blazed many trails for young women who would come after her.
(Photo and facts taken from: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/selma-burke)
MLA – Brandman, Mariana. “Selma Burke.” National Women’s History Museum, 2021. Date accessed.
Chicago – Brandman, Mariana. “Selma Burke.” National Women’s History Museum. 2021.
www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/selma-burke
Future World Changers in Mrs. Doughty’s classroom at Woodcrest Elementary School
Woodcrest Elementary 4th graders explored different African American activists and then thought about what kind of world in which they wanted to live and what issues were important to them. It sparked all kinds of inquiry which lead to powerful action as they navigated through the PYP learner profile and thought about their future world and what was important to them. Students then modeled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and wrote about their dreams for a better world. Topics ranged from improving things like gender equality, climate change, animal poaching, littering, world peace, and kindness. The future is bright for these students.
MIDLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE TWO BRAND NEW PROGRAMS BEGINNING WITH THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
Advanced Learning Program for Students (ALPS)
As part of our District’s commitment to provide the most equitable learning opportunities to meet the needs of all MPS students, Midland Public Schools is excited to announce we will be offering advanced programming for students in Grades 1-5. This program will be called Advanced Learning Program for Students (ALPS) and will begin with the 2022-2023 school year.
Midland Public Schools has developed a process to identify advanced students. The first phase of the selection process begins with identifying students in the top percentile range of the NWEA assessment, district diagnostic assessments, and state-level assessments.
For those students who are identified based on the first phase of this process, parents will be contacted by email in mid-February with information on next steps.
Midland Public Schools is looking forward to offering this exciting new learning opportunity for elementary students.
Program facts:
This Grade 1-5 program will be housed at Central Park Elementary School
The IB-PYP overarching framework will be utilized
Teachers will receive professional learning to meet the unique needs of advanced learners
MPS students with career goals that include college can now earn 60 college credits
before they graduate from high school!
Midland Public Schools is excited to offer a new option for our high school students. MPS is launching an Early Middle College (MPS-EMC) program in the fall of 2022 for current 10th grade students. Starting with their 11th grade year, MPS Early College students will take some classes at Delta College or Davenport University to fulfill the general elective credits that are required for most Associates/Bachelors' degrees. Students enrolled in the Early Middle College program will extend their high school years by one additional year, meaning they will have five years in high school. While this means an additional year of being an MPS student, students will spend 100% of their 5th year on the Delta or Davenport campus. In summary, this program will allow students to have half of their college expenses paid before transferring to a university for a bachelor's degree. MPS Early Middle College students will be able to walk at commencement with their senior year class, however, they will not receive their diploma until after their fifth year is completed. Successful Early College students will graduate from high school with an associate's degree or at least 60 transferable credits to the university of their choice. Applications for this exciting new Midland Public Schools Early Middle College program are available from the student’s high school counseling department.
For those interested, here is some additional info about the Early Middle College program from the Michigan Dept. of Education:
An early middle college (EMC) is a Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study. EMCs work closely with postsecondary partners to provide students with an opportunity earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following: 60 transferable college credits, an associate degree, a professional certification, the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate, participation in a registered apprenticeship
A professional certification is any certificate or industry-recognized credential in which the pupil prepared for by taking course work provided by a Michigan public or private college or university.
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-81351_51178---,00.html
Roses to the cast, crew and directors of
THE HELLO GIRLS
performed by Midland High Chemic Drama students this past weekend.
Audiences thoroughly enjoyed the performances by
these talented Midland High Thespians!
Teacher/director Megan Cummins commented, “These students have really persevered in order to have a production this winter. I am very proud of all that they have accomplished and the odds that they have overcome.”
(Photo & quote courtesy of Midland Daily News.)
MPS ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS & NOTES
Adams students learn about the French language and culture of different
French-speaking countries
Each grade level learned about a different country that speaks French. It was very eye-opening for the students to learn that most of the French-speaking countries are in Africa. Since Adams' world language theme for this year is Traveling the World, students learned a bit about where French was spoken, and then voted by grade level on the country they wanted to study. Below are the countries the students have been learning about and using as a platform to study colors, numbers, and introductions in French. Adams Elementary World Language is taught by Kim McMahan.
Here are the French-speaking countries the students chose & studied: Kindergarten - France; 1st Grade - Monaco; 2nd Grade - Vanuatu; 3rd Grade - Seychelles; 4th Grade - Switzerland; 5th Grade - Democratic Republic of Congo
These Adams Atoms look très magnifique sporting their French berets.
Woodcrest students delve into Chinese New Year in their Mandarin World Language studies
Tuesday, February 1, was Chinese New Year Day. Last week Mandarin classes at Woodcrest Elementary, taught by Jingcheng Wang, learned about and experienced some Chinese culture including greeting and wishing each other a good new year in a Chinese traditional way, making traditional paper cuts to decorate classrooms, and drawing pictures to participate in the Chinese Zodiac Art Contest.
Chinese traditional way to greet and wish people a Good New Year
Woodcrest student with her papercut
Woodcrest students with their papercuts
Students participated in
Chinese Zodiac art contest
Jefferson Middle School Mandarin World Language Students Celebrated Chinese New Year Last Week
Jefferson Middle School's Mandarin teacher is Lifang Qiu.
JMS window display full of gifts from China kicked off the Chinese New Year celebration
The red couplet and the blessing character bring best wishes for everyone
The Mandarin class students made red lanterns to decorate the classroom
On 2/1, students in Mandarin class tasted Chinese candies and rice cakes, watched the New Year's Eve performances, and experienced the joy of the Chinese New Year
HH Dow High's Family Living Classes recently completed research on Famous Chefs
Each student chose a famous chef and then gathered biographical information as well as contributions to the culinary world, such as: restaurants, books, TV shows, and cookware. When the research was completed, they designed a Funko Pop character to look like their chef. This project was part of the culinary aspect of the Family Living class.
THANK YOU MPS CROSSING GUARDS!
February 9, 2022 is National Crossing Guard Appreciation Day! Midland Public Schools is very fortunate to have these very dedicated, hard-working Crossing Guards assisting Midland PS students to and from school safely: Thomas Babel, Duane Chesney, Charles Combs, June DuRussel, Steven Eberbach, Andrew Herman, James Moquin, Dawn Rosebush, Gilbert Rosin, Larry Spencer, Elmer Thurston, Angela Topolinski, Shirley Tumminia, Rita Vanderbush, Darrell Weisenberger. Should one of these Crossing Guards be unable to be on their corner, these substitute Crossing Guards are ready to fill in: Cindy Fields-McMahan, Thomas Koning, Michael Secrease, Sue Shea, Cheryl Stasinski, Peter Vanderbush.
The old adage of the US Postal Service is so true also of our dedicated Crossing Guards: “Neither snow nor rain or heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” When we are driving by the Crossing Guard corners in our nice warm vehicles before or after school, these dedicated public servants are keeping our students safe as they cross the street in frigid temps, rain, snow, sleet, heavy traffic, slippery streets & sidewalks. We see them in their bright vests/jackets with their stop signs greeting students with a smile and a friendly word, helping them cross the busy intersections safely, but they help in so many other ways as well.
Thank you to our Midland PS Crossing Guards and thank you Midland Police Department for coordinating and managing the Crossing Guard program. When you are driving through a Midland intersection with a Crossing Guard on duty, please drive with caution and take a moment to give them a wave and a smile and let them know their service is appreciated!
Have a 2022 Graduate in your family? Looking for scholarship information?
Here are a couple of great local resources:
Midland Area Community Foundation sponsors over 250 scholarships. Here is the link to their website with 2022 scholarship information. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/scholarships/. This year's scholarship application deadline is February 15, 2022! Application deadline is next week!!!
The H.E.L.P.S. (Higher Education Loans, Planning and Scholarships) booklet is graciously compiled by the Midland Branch of the AAUW each year. This year's amazing booklet includes 25 pages of varied scholarship opportunities for students. You may pick up a H.E.L.P.S. booklet in your MPS high school Counseling Department. In addition, the electronic version is available on our Student Flyer Board: https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/studentflyers/
Registration Window Now Open for Midland Public Schools 2022-23 Youngest Learners
3-Year-Old Tuition Preschool * 4-Year-Old Tuition Preschool * 4-Year-Old GSRP Preschool * Developmental Kindergarten * Traditional Kindergarten
For Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment Info & Paperwork: https://www.midlandps.org/content/guide-to-enrollment
3-Year-Old Tuition Preschool
5 days a week / sensory, play-based curriculum / competitively priced tuition / follows school year calendar
Offered at Carpenter Pre-Primary Center, 989-923-6411
4-Year-Old Tuition Preschool
5 days a week / research-based, child-focused curriculum / competitively priced tuition / follows school year calendar
Offered at Carpenter Pre-Primary Center, 989-923-6411
4-Year-Old GSRP Preschool
4 days a week / Great Start Readiness Program / free for income qualifying families / research-based
Offered at Carpenter Pre-Primary Center, 989-923-6411
Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
Regional Preschool Partnership
844-492-7707 ∙ 989-631-5892 ∙
Developmental Kindergarten
5 days a week / year one of two-year Kindergarten program / register soon! Space is limited for this program.
Offered at Carpenter Pre-Primary Center, 989-923-6411
(In the past, this program was known as
Young 5’s Kindergarten)
5-Year-Old Traditional Kindergarten
5 days a week. Inquiry-based, proven, highly effective, robust Kindergarten program to provide a firm educational foundation. Offered at all six MPS elementary schools. Call your neighborhood school for information or Becci at 923-5024.
Schools of Choice applications for the 2022-2023 school year are now available on the MPS website. This includes applications for non-resident students and in-district transfer students.
Please contact Becci Longstreth at longstrethra@midlandps.org or 989-923-5024 with questions.
We name MPS Shining Stars every month during the school year. If you know of an MPS team member who goes above and beyond to make MPS a better place for students, please consider nominating them for a Shining Star. Here is the link to the nomination form:
https://www.midlandps.org/Content2/shining-star-nomination-form
Periodically this school year in our Monday Communiques, we have shared information for families regarding social emotional learning opportunities.
Below you will see information from The Rock's Discover You program that may be of interest to families with teenage children. Also below you will find a plethora of wellbeing opportunities from the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition.
Do you want the teens in your life to hear you?
Develop your active listening and empathy skills to improve your communication skills with the teens in your life!
Sign up for the Discover You™ Workshops to learn more!
The Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition offers many workshops regarding wellbeing, strength, positivity, optimism and much, much more. Check out their great February opportunities, such as: Wellbeing Life Hacks, Journey Toward Wellbeing Workshop, Power Half Hour Workshop on Learned Optimism.
Click here for workshop information and registration: www.midlandareawellbeing.org.
In this space each week, we include fun events and happenings around the District that MPS families and community members may like to attend. If you have any questions about these events, please call the school office. Phone numbers for all of the school offices are located on the District Details page of this Communique.
Here are some upcoming events in the District:
February 18 & 21: No School
March: Dow High Drama is presenting The Sound of Music as their spring musical
April 8 & 9: Midland High Drama Department presents Beauty and the Beast
May 25: High School Graduation at Dow Diamond (DHS @ 4:00; MHS at 7:00)
May 26: Rain Date for High School Graduation
"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."
-- Jackie Robinson
