MPSConnect is a convenient communications tool for you to connect with me. Every message comes to my desktop. Either I or another MPS staff member 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

April 25, 2022 Volume 9 - Edition 36

Superintendent Communiqué

Midland PS District Vision Statement

Lead with respect, trust and courage.

Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture.

Enable all to achieve success.

Governor Whitmer has proclaimed April 25 – May 1, 2022 as STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK

Here are a couple of excerpts from Gov. Whitmer's proclamation that was released this morning:

  • WHEREAS, during this week, we should take time to recognize all the hard work that Michigan students have put into their studies, extracurricular activities, and communities throughout this academic year; and,

  • WHEREAS, Michigan students all deserve a world-class education, resources to help them face unique challenges, and opportunities to pursue their dreams and find success; and,

MPS appreciates our students' hard work; ingenuity; dedication; laughter; ability; giving spirit; athletic, artistic & musical talents; leadership & more!

Keep up the great work, MPS students. Midland Public Schools appreciates YOU!

Happy National Administrative Professional Day Wednesday, April 27!

Thank you to MPS Administrative Assistants and Office Professionals for all they do for MPS students, staff, families and community each and every day! These dedicated staff members are many times the first person we see ... in the morning ... when we enter a school ... when we need assistance ... and the list goes on and on! Thank you to this dedicated group of 35+ MPS team members who make the District a welcoming and helpful destination for MPS stakeholders! Please take a moment to say thank you to MPS Administrative Professionals for all they do--not just this week but all year round!

MHS Takes Home 1st Place A. H. Nickless Innovation Awards (for the 4th year in a row) ... WOW!

On Saturday, April 23rd the 8th annual A. H. Nickless Innovation Awards were held at SVSU. For the 4th year in a row, Midland High School took first place.


Seniors Lauren McGuirk, Allison Scheffer, and Eliana Rinn created a virtual reality app called Virtual Motion Therapy which is designed to make physical therapy accessible, affordable, and fun for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. They each won a $5,000 scholarship and Midland High School won a $20,000 STEM innovation grant.


In Phase 1 of the project, the team designed the project and submitted an abstract. In Phase 2, they wrote a 30-page paper, which included research, a prototype, business plan, next steps, and a visual representation of the product. In Phase 3, they presented to a panel of seven judges, along with the other finalists. Freeland High School and Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy took 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Midland PS Distinguished Service Awards Nomination Window Opens TODAY

This award recognizes the significant contributions made by MPS SUPPORT STAFF members

The MPS Distinguished Service Awards (DSA) were established to honor and recognize the effort put forth by outstanding MPS support personnel (Administrative Assistants/Office Professionals, Managers, Maintenance/Grounds, Paraprofessionals, Technicians, Transportation, etc.). Please nominate a support staff person who you believe does an outstanding job each and every day for MPS students, staff, families and community. (Please do not nominate an administrator or teacher. They are not eligible for this award.)

DSA Nomination window closes Tuesday, May 24, 2022.


2022 DSA Info & Past Winners: https://www.midlandps.org/News/2022-dsa


Online DSA Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/YVCH8xrX9C4EKVjg9


These awards are made possible because of the generosity and financial support of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation.

Jefferson Huskies Compete in American Math Competition


Recently, 29 Jefferson Middle School students participated in the American Math Competition, given nationally to 6th – 8th grade students.

  • Katie Cai, a 6th grader at Jefferson, had the highest score in the school and ranked in the top 5% nationally

  • Tied for 2nd place in the school were 8th grader Kanushi Desai and 6thgrader Vettel Xu

  • Tied for 3rd place in the school were 8th graders Louis Huang and Matt Lee


Kudos to these and all MPS students who participated in the Middle School American Math Competition!

Siebert Elementary 1st Grade Students Took Action During Earth Day


First Graders in Mrs. Lanphierd's class at Siebert Elementary took action during their PYP unit Sharing the Planet. Students are learning the importance of human responsibility for the earth and chose to spend the majority of their recess time on Earth Day scouring the playground and nearby woods for litter. As the students were chanting on their search, "Every Day is Earth Day!"

MHS Graduating Seniors Continue to Pursue Welding Skills & Education

Delta College Welding Instructor, Jim Proctor, visited the MHS Welding program on April 12th. Mr. Proctor explained the "Advanced Certificate" and the "Associate in Applied Science Degree" in Welding that are available through Delta. He also discussed our articulation agreement with Delta College, where students may earn up to 12 total credits, with up to 5 credits counting toward those programs.


The photo shows the graduating seniors that already are, or are planning to, enroll in one of the Welding programs offered at Delta College.

(L-R) Jordan Allen; Conor Dunlap; Delta College Instructor Jim Proctor; Garrett Coyer; Dominic Melodia; and Tyler Peregord

MHS hosts Easter Egg hunt

On April 15, Midland High hosted an Easter Egg hunt for the children and grandchildren of Midland High staff members! We had over 30 students attend the event. In addition, several Midland High students donated their time in helping fill the Easter eggs, clean the grounds, do crafts with the children, set-up and clean-up for the event. We could not have done such a successful event without them!

It’s great to be back! Great Lakes Bay FIRST Lego League Explore Expo Returns!

After a 2+ year hiatus due to Covid-19, it was great to see the return of the Great Lakes Bay FIRST Lego League (FLL) Explore Expo, hosted by Dow High’s Robotics Team, The Charge earlier this month. All six of our MPS elementary schools participated in this year’s FLL Explore season, with each school having multiple teams. At MPS, FLL Explore is for 2nd & 3rd graders. These teams (of up to 6 students) are presented with a new challenge theme every year. Through teamwork, students develop engineering, design, programming, and communication skills. Some teams explored the ‘Cargo Connect’ challenge and looked at problems related to cargo transportation and delivery. Other teams explored ‘Playmakers’ and came up with innovative methods for getting everyone to be more active. The students’ learning and building efforts culminate with participation in an FLL Explore Expo. At the Expo, teams presented their models and displays to Reviewers, industry professionals, and STEM enthusiasts, as well as participated in interactive fun STEM activities (including driving middle school robots). Special thanks to Jefferson Middle School for the space, The Charge from Dow High for hosting, Jefferson’s CyDogs FTC team for sharing their robots with the younger students, our community volunteers, MPS FLL Coordinators, and the many volunteer coaches and families who made this year’s FIRST Lego League Explore season such a success!


Congratulations to our MPS FLL Explore teams who won the following awards:

  • Adams Atomic Atoms I -- Core Values Award

  • Adams Atomic Atoms II -- Team Model Award

  • Adams Atomic Atoms III -- Coding Award

  • Central Park Programming Explorers -- Challenge Solution Award

  • Central Park Lego Builder -- Challenge Solution Award

  • Central Park Lego Lightning -- Team Model Award

  • Central Park Lego Learners -- Team Poster Award

  • Chestnut Hill Computer Chips -- Coding Award

  • Chestnut Hill Engineering Chipmunks -- Coding Award

  • Chestnut Hill Power Builders -- Coding Award

  • Chestnut Hill Chipmunk Coders -- Team Model Award

  • Chestnut Hill Robo Chipmunks -- Core Values Award

  • Plymouth Engineering Pioneers -- Coding Award

  • Plymouth Lego League -- Team Poster Award

  • Plymouth Builders -- Challenge Solution Award

  • Siebert Bulldog Brickmasters -- Challenge Solution Award

  • Siebert Building Masters -- Core Values Award

  • Siebert Bulldog Engineers -- Challenge Solution

  • Woodcrest Lego Legends -- Team Model Award

  • Woodcrest ThunderHawks -- Team Poster Award

  • Woodcrest Wired Wolverines -- Challenge Solution Award

  • Woodcrest Cyclone Builders -- Team Poster Award

  • Woodcrest Wolverine WarriorBots -- Team Poster Award

Thank You to DHS, The Charge, for hosting!

Thank you, Jefferson, for making your school available and the JMS CyDogs for sharing their robots!

Adams Teams >>>>

Central Park Teams >>>>

Chestnut Hill Teams >>>>

Plymouth Teams >>>>

Siebert Teams >>>>

Woodcrest Teams >>>>

Shining Stars


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


Thank you to Keiven Trombley from the MEEMIC Insurance Company for treating the Chestnut Hill Elementary staff to coffee and doughnuts this morning. What a lovely way to start a new week!


MPS ART SHOWS CONTINUE -- Don't miss the artistic works of our student artists on display!

  • MPS Middle School Art Show at the Midland Mall - April 20-April 26

  • MPS High School Art Show at the Midland Mall - April 28-May 9: Reception is Thursday, April 28, 4:00-5:30

  • Midland High AP Art Show in the MHS Girls' Loft - May 5: Reception during 1st & 2nd lunch & after school, 4:00-5:30

  • Congressional Art Show at the MCFTA: May 6 through June 5

The Middle School art show wraps up tomorrow at the Midland Mall

Kudos to all of the middle school student artists for sharing their masterpieces with the Midland Community. These photos are just some of the beautiful middle school art pieces on display.

Thank you to the middle school art educators for all their work in coordinating and making the stunning displays that were enjoyed by members of the community in the Mall!

MI Backpack Home (COVID) Test Program

This winter, MPS forwarded a letter to you from MDHHS regarding a MI Backpack Home Test Program. If your family signed up online for a Home Test, we apologize that you did not receive the test. The good news is the MI Backpack Program COVID tests arrived last week from MDHHS. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing who signed up online to receive a home test. We have sent tests to each MPS school. MPS families and staff are welcome to go to their school's main office or to the Administration Center to pick up a test. Families are also welcome to call or email your school office staff and ask that a test be put in your child's backpack to take home. Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience and confusion associated with this program. We are just glad we have finally received the tests and interested families will now be able to have a COVID test for their home.

Please come and enjoy these MPS Spring Concerts performed by our talented middle and high school student musicians!


April 26 – Dow High Symphonic Band at Central Auditorium – 8:00PM

April 27 – Midland High Symphony Orchestra at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

April 28 – Dow High Symphony Orchestra at Central Auditorium – 8:00PM

April 29 – Dow High Jazz & More at the Midland Country Club

April 29 – Midland High Jazz Chemistry

May 2 – Dow High Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 6:00PM

May 3 – Midland High Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:00PM

May 5 – Northeast Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:00PM

May 9 – Jefferson Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 6:00PM

May 10 – Jefferson 7th Grade Band at Central Auditorium – 7:00PM

May 10 – Jefferson 8th Grade Band at Central Auditorium – 7:45PM

May 11 – Northeast Orchestra Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

May 12 – Jefferson Orchestra Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

May 17 – Jefferson 6th Grade Band Concert at the Jefferson Gym – 7:30PM

May 18 – Northeast Band Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

May 21 – MSBOA Middle School Solo and Ensemble at Jefferson Middle School

Looking for FUN SUMMER CAMPS for your elementary, tween or teenage child(ren)???

Midland Public Schools has been receiving amazing summer school/program flyers from our community partners, as well as some from the Great Lakes Bay Region this winter. Here are just a few examples:


Elementary & Middle School age students:

  • Chippewa Nature Center

  • Dow Gardens

  • Greater Midland Community Center

  • Midland Center for the Arts

  • YMCA Camp Timbers

  • The ROCK Center for Youth Development

High School age students (From ConneCTEd https://forms.gle/ztKWcEKA3JotAhsE9 ):

  • Full tank - Automotive Camp: June 20-22

  • Farm to Table Experience, Ag/Culinary Camp: June 28-30

  • Square 1 Skilled Trades Camp: July 11-14 & July 18-21

  • Operation Innovation -Michigan Means Business: July 26-28

  • Scrub Life - Healthcare Camp: August 1-3

  • Bytes- Information Technology Camp: August 8-9

  • Find Your Future: August 8-9

  • The ROCK Center for Youth Development


A few other opportunities to check out on our Student flyer Board:

  • Pasta for a Purpose: April 26 from 5-8 pm -- Fundraiser for DHS Sports

  • Summer Reading Program at Grace A Dow Memorial Library

  • Power Up: It's a mother-daughter thing! May 18 from 5:30-8:30 pm


Check them out!

Check these and more great spring and summer opportunities out on our MPS Student Flyer Board! https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/studentflyers/

Registration is now open!

Summer eLearning Opportunity


Once school has ended for the year, Midland Public Schools will again be offering the Summer eLearning Program. Through this program, online courses are available to high school students who wish to earn initial credit in select courses. If you are interested in Credit Recovery courses this year, please contact your building administration. While being onsite is not a requirement for daily work or quizzes, tests and exams must be monitored. This can be by appointment onsite or by appointment virtually. Appointments will be scheduled with the teacher on duty between the hours of 9:00 and 12:00 on Mondays - Thursdays, unless other arrangements are made. Students should expect to invest 45-60 hours to complete each course and may work on their course any place where they have an internet connection. Courses will begin on June 6, 2022, and must be completed by August 5, 2022. Students may only register for one course at a time. The cost for each course is $150 for Standard Edgenuity courses (EDG - Edgenuity on course list) and $235 for Edgenuity Instructional Services courses (EDGIS - Edgenuity Instructional Services on course list) for Midland Public Schools' students, and $175 or $250 for students outside of the MPS district. If you would like additional information or to register for a course, please visit www.midlandps.org/content/Summer%20Program.

Registration is now open!

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.

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:

  • April 20-26 – MPS Middle School Art Show at the Midland Mall

  • April 26 – Dow High Symphonic Band at Central Auditorium – 8:00PM

  • April 27 – Midland High Symphony Orchestra at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

  • April 28-May 9 – MPS High School Art Show at the Midland Mall (Reception is Thursday, April 28 from 4:00-5:30)

  • April 28 – Dow High Symphony Orchestra at Central Auditorium – 8:00PM

  • April 29 – Dow High Jazz & More at the Midland Country Club

  • April 29 – Midland High Jazz Chemistry

  • May 2 – Dow High Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 6:00PM

  • May 3 – Midland High Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:00PM

  • May 5 – Northeast Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:00PM

  • May 5 – MHS AP Art Show in the MHS Girls' Loft (Reception during 1st & 2nd lunch and after school from 4:00-5:30)

  • May 6 through June 5 – Congressional Art Show at the Midland Center for the Arts

  • May 9 – Jefferson Choir Concert at Central Auditorium – 6:00PM

  • May 10 – Jefferson 7th Grade Band at Central Auditorium – 7:00PM

  • May 10 – Jefferson 8th Grade Band at Central Auditorium – 7:45PM

  • May 11 – Northeast Orchestra Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

  • May 12 – Jefferson Orchestra Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

  • May 14 – Prom at Great Hall "A Night in the Enchanted Forest" – 7-10PM (tickets available for purchase now)

  • May 17 – Jefferson 6th Grade Band Concert at the Jefferson Gym – 7:30PM

  • May 18 – Northeast Band Concert at Central Auditorium – 7:30PM

  • May 21 – MSBOA Middle School Solo and Ensemble at Jefferson Middle School

  • May 25-27 – High School Final Exams

  • May 25 – High School Graduation at Dow Diamond (DHS at 4:00; MHS at 7:15)

  • May 26 – Rain Date for High School Graduation

  • May 27 – Last Day of School for Students for the 2021-22 School Year


"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." --Sitting Bull