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
May 16, 2022 Volume 9 - Edition 39
Midland PS District Vision Statement
Lead with respect, trust and courage.
Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture.
Enable all to achieve success.
MPS Administrative Changes for the 2022-23 School Year
Mr. Benjamin Doan, Assistant Principal, H. H. Dow High School
(Mr. Doan is currently the Ogemaw High School Principal)
Dr. Steve Poole, Assistant Principal, Jefferson Middle School
Ms. Tracy Speaker-Gerstheimer, Curriculum Specialist, District
In addition, MPS currently has openings for a Human Resources Director and Curriculum Specialist that are in the process of being filled.
Benjamin Doan
Dr. Steve Poole
Tracy Speaker-Gerstheimer
Jefferson Middle School & HH Dow High Space Farmers Present to
NASA Scientists
Since the fall of 2021, students from Jefferson Middle School and H. H. Dow High School simulated the International Space Station (ISS) plant growing conditions to grow radishes and investigated how light-emitted diode (LED) grow lights affect plant growth. Both teams presented their year-long space botany research results in front of a panel of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists and collaborators in the Annual Growing Beyond Earth (GBE) Student Research Symposium on April 23, 2022. They competed among 70 (out of 287 GBE participating schools) qualified schools from 14 states nationwide and three countries (US, Canada, and Trinidad) and took home outstanding awards.
Jefferson Space Farmers Sanvi Patel, Cailyn Liu, Luvya Dhar, and Preston Komara presented ‘Low Green Light Intensity on Celeste F1 Radish Growth’ and suggested using green LED light to grow radish plants aboard the ISS. They impressed the NASA judges with their collaborative research and presentation and earned a Special Merit for Effective Teamwork Award. Fantastic achievement, Jefferson Huskies! (The Jefferson Space Farmer team was mentored by JMS Science Teacher Christine Brillhart.)
Dow High Space Farmers Margaret E. Hitt, Jessica Chai, Nimai Patel, Aaron Li, and Genevieve Hong presented “Effects of LED Spectral Composition on Celesta F1 Radishes Grown in Simulated NASA Growth Chambers.” Their research recommended an optimal LED light treatment for more compact, nutritious, and robust radishes during human space exploration to the Moon and Mars. The NASA judges showed great interest in their experiment methodology and research data analysis on nutrients and microbes. The Charger team won Second Place in this tight contest. Kudos to the Chargers for winning this international student research competition in two consecutive years!! (The HH Dow High Space Farmer team was mentored by Lisa S. Tsay.)
These young Space Farmers are part of the efforts to support NASA’s goal to provide astronauts fresh vegetables and fruits in long-term spaceflights. Their research projects were funded by GBE (a NASA STEM Education Initiative) through the collaboration between Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FL) and NASA’s Exploration Research and Technology programs.
Jefferson Middle School Space Farmers
HH Dow High School Space Farmers
H.H. Dow High's German Club News
Congratulations to all of the writers and contributors of The Waffle, a journal by Dow High’s very own German Club! The Waffle is a journal that was founded at the beginning of this school year. German Club members Lillian Blohm, Madeline Cha, Zechariah Crumb, Caden Cummings, Owen DeLong, Eleanor Hughes, Claire Humburg, Zachary Keinath, Katherine Potts, Naomi Wager, and Annabelle Wilken teamed up together this year to cover various captivating and interest-arousing topics about German culture such as Germany’s Black Forest (Schwarzwald), the HARIBO Candy Company, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and Rainy glazed Christmas Days that usher a refreshing, fresh kind of beauty to the holiday season in Germany.
German Club released their last edition of the 2021-2022 school year last week named Roots to symbolize the origins and history of modern music, the endearing yet legendary Easter Bunny, and lastly, some of the most influential composers of Germany’s rich impact on the beginnings of the world of classical music.
(Click here to check out the 5th Waffle Edition!!)
Kudos to the strong, colorful ripples the German Club members have begun in the cultural community at Dow High, and a big thank you to German Club’s amazing guide and club advisor Herr Brian Smith!
Woodcrest Wolverine 5th Grade Students Working Hard in Preparation for Their PYP Exhibition
As a culmination of their International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme experiences in MPS elementary schools, Fifth Graders across the district work together in classroom groups to prepare and present an Exhibition project. These photos show some of the processes that students in Ms. Mckenzie and Mrs. Hill's classrooms are accomplishing in their Exhibition preparation. In these photos you see Woodcrest students working with their mentors, interviewing experts on their topics, brainstorming as a team and more.
A group that has chosen racism and stereotyping as their topic is pictured with their mentor while they are interviewing De'Ondre Hogan, the MPS director of DEI. Another pictured group is with their mentor while interviewing Greg Smith, an attorney for Dow Chemical.
The following list contains just some of the community and global resources that students across all Woodcrest 5th Grade classes have connected with this spring:
The Open Door
Chippewa Nature Center
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
National Wildlife Federation
A cancer survivor, the parent of a cancer survivor, American Cancer Society
Midland Public Schools' DEI Director
Backpack Buddies Program
West Branch Schools
Senior Pipeline Technician for Dow Chemical
IT company
Siebert Elementary Students Interview in Preparation for Exhibition Project
A group from Mrs. Messner’s class interviewed Sarah Selaty - Siebert Student Support Specialist this morning on the topic of cyber-bullying for their 5th grade exhibition project.
Siebert Elementary
Girls on the Run News
The Siebert Girls on the Run team completed their practice 5k last week! Here are some pics from the finish line. Kudos to these hard-working student athletes who will be participating with their running buddies in the 5K Dow Run Walk on June 4.
At Jefferson Middle School, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Pedelty's U.S.History classes are wrapping up the Civil War Unit. To demonstrate their learning, students have been working hard to create these incredible final projects.
H.H. Dow High Student Leadership hosted Charity Week
Dow High Student Leadership 2 hosted the 3rd Annual Charity Week in April. The charity receiving the funds raised this year is the Midland Chapter of the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund (http://pardeecancerfund.com/). This organization raises funds to support research for new cancer treatments and provides financial support to those undergoing cancer treatment. Student Leadership 2 is proud to announce that all of the week's activities raised a total of $822! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped raise funds for this awesome organization!
H.H. Dow High Art Students Share their Talents with the Midland Community
Great Designer! Great Designs!
On May 12, Dakota Haynes, Dow High Senior and member of the DHS Commercial Art course, was presented with an award and monetary gift for his winning design – a new logo for the Midland Board of Realtors (MBOR). Several area schools were invited to participate. Dakota's design, shown here, was the winning image. His design will be launched this month as the new identity of the MBOR. Congratulations, Dakota, for your winning design. Dakota was also the designer whose logo was chosen for the Greater Midland Dow RunWalk that will be used in the race of 2022. (We are not allowed to reveal that design before this year's race on June 4th.) You can see Dakota's design when you show up at the race on June 4! Great design work, Dakota!
The MBOR was so impressed with the design submissions that they also chose to award prizes to the top six runner-up designers: Bella Brown, Misha Khan, Arden Millhouse, Nick Pisarczyk, Brooke Seymour, and Annabelle Wilken (all of whom are also from the H.H. Dow Commercial Art class).
Kudos, H.H. Dow Commercial Art Class student artists, for using your skills and service to make a better community!
Art Restoration!
On May 11, H. H. Dow Art students returned to the Veterans Memorial on Main Street to touch-up the engraved bricks that commemorate our local veterans. After being fed by Pizza Sam's, which has been an annual supporter of this project, the students headed out to paint. They risked getting wet from a pop-up storm cell, but never felt more than a drop or two. It was eventually approaching lightning that ended the trip a little early. Many in the group plan to return early in the summer to try to finish what they started before the 4th of July celebrations.
H.H. Dow High Chargers & Adams Atoms Pen Pals
Members of Ms. Berg's Student Leadership 2 class from Dow High visited their pen pals from Ms. Lelo's 2nd grade class at Adams Elementary. Students have been exchanging letters throughout the year and were excited to finally meet. During their visit, SL2 students helped the 2nd graders create devices that would protect an egg when dropped and then had a chance to test them out. Ms. Berg and Ms. Lelo grew up in the same community and were excited to have this opportunity to connect students from across MPS. Everyone involved had a great time and looks forward to doing it again next year!
Midland High's Business Professionals of America (BPA) Competes at Nationals in Texas
Congratulations to the 20 Midland High BPA National Qualifiers who attended the National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas in May. Qualifying for this competition ranks these students in the top tier of Business Students in the Nation. The conference brought together over five thousand students from across the country to vie for top honors and scholarships in business, finance, technology, marketing, and health administration skills competitions.
The results from the Midland High BPA chapter events were:
Mia Allen: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place
Bo Brutyn: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place; Fundamental Accounting-8th place
Claire Carpenter: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place
Cole Carpenter: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place
Dalton DeBoer: Global Marketing Team-2nd place
Jackson Keefe: Economic Research Team-9th place
Colter Mahabir: Global Marketing Team-2nd place
Lauren McGuirk: Economic Research Team-9th place; Ambassador Torch Award recipient
Lawrence Millward: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place; Parliamentary Procedure Concepts-8th place; Digital Marketing Concepts-10th place
Eva Poprave: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place
Kiana Prany: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place
Ethan Santos: Economic Research Team-9th place
Andrew Steger: Parliamentary Procedure Team-7th place; Presentation Management Individual-7th place
Zack Steger: Global Marketing Team-2nd place
Kendall Wenzell: Global Marketing Team-2nd place
While in Dallas, the students had opportunities to network with other BPA members, attend leadership and professional development workshops, and tour historical sites. The MHS students also participated in the annual BPA Walk for Special Olympics.
The Midland High Chapter of BPA would not have been able to attend Nationals if it wasn’t for the generous sponsorships of our local community: Gold Sponsors--Dr. Paula Druskins; Everett Carpet Company; Fisher Contracting Company; Gougeon Employees Foundation; Silver Sponsors--Aleck & Jenkins, Attorneys at Law; Douglas Family Vision; Dr. Kathryn Winkel; Edward Jones-Meredith LeBaron; Garber Chevrolet; York Repair; Friends of BPA--Advantage Orthodontics; Balanced Pilates; Branden Minuth; Carebuilders at Home; Connie & Michael Gavin; Dan Tuma Media; Dr. Benjamin Bailey; Gambrell and Associates; Greystone Homes; Jeff Rekeweg; Laressa Northrup; Maple Leaf Golf Course; Members First Credit Union; Midland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery; Mieske Financial Services; Miller Insurance Group; Nathan's Hair Unlimited; Nicole Sabin; Spencer Real Estate Rental; W&W Tool and Die; Waskevich Family Chiropractic. Thank you to everyone that supported the MHS BPA Chapter this year!
Midland High BPA National Qualifiers
Global Marketing Team--2nd Place Winners
Plymouth Elementary Classroom Focuses on SEL
During a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lesson, Ms. Poprave's class from Plymouth Elementary worked on creating calming tools that they can take home to help them work through big emotions that they may have throughout the summer. This lesson focused on stress. Students made their own stress ball. Some of the other tools that the students will make and be able to have at home with them this summer are paper dragons, so they can practice mindful breathing, and mindfulness glitter jars to help relax their mind and body. Ms. Poprave has incorporated SEL into her daily classroom routine and making these tools has been a fun way to wrap up their year-long lessons.
Jefferson Celebrates May as Asian Pacific Heritage Month
In celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May, Jefferson Middle School hosted its inaugural poster and coloring contest. A total of 33 students participated in this event. Works are displayed on the windows of the principal's office or on the wall between the Mandarin and art classrooms. There are also Asian culture exhibitions between Mandarin and art classes. MPS Mandarin Teacher Lifang Qiu spearheaded this celebration.
MPS has Amazing Community Partners --
Case in Point: Midland Kiwanis Club
MPS has so many community partners who support Midland Public Schools' students, staff, programs, and facilities in a wide variety of ways. The Midland Kiwanis Club is one such group. Their Mission Statement: The Kiwanis Club of Midland is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of our community with an emphasis on young children.
Sixty-five years ago, the Midland Kiwanis Club began the tradition of holding an Honors Banquet to recognize the academic success of the graduating seniors from high schools across Midland County. This annual tradition recognizes the students in the top 10% of each high school's class. This year's Honors Banquet was held last week at the Great Hall at Valley Plaza and included the 260 graduates they were honoring, Kiwanis members, guests and school administrators. (Unfortunately, the 2020 & 2021 banquets were canceled due to COVID.)
Thank you, Midland Kiwanis Club, for honoring and recognizing H. H. Dow High and Midland High students for their hard work and this accomplishment. Thank you, also, to Kiwanis members for being a strong proponent and community partner for Midland Public Schools and Midland County children for many, many, many years!
The DSA Nomination Window closes in just
8 days! YIKES!
Nominate a deserving MPS support staff member TODAY!
(Teachers & Administrators are not eligible for this award. Sorry!)
Midland PS Distinguished Service Awards Nomination Window is Now Open!
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.) The 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.
Wellbeing Offerings from the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition -- Month of May
In what ways do you handle challenges in life? Are these ways effective for you? Why or why not?
What could be some benefits to using the 'Yet' tool?
How might you use the 'Yet' tool in your own life?
May 18, 2022| noon or 4:15pm
Cognitive Reappraisal! Explore a different wellbeing topic each month! Learn the science and walk away with simple tools to better care for wellbeing. Monthly topics can be found here.
To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesN9XkSbaynNi6xLDfrVd_9YxM8B7np2Mwt8UO-vCoNS1e9g/viewform
June 7, 2022 | 9am, noon, 4:15pm, 7pm
What is wellbeing and why is it important? Take a one-hour Journey Toward Wellbeing and walk away with some simple wellbeing tools.
To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScs4t-T-MIP4Gv7eSAW8CVSyAOcvsEZxO3v-dxpR8g42fIm-A/viewform
Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition website: https://www.midlandareawellbeing.org/
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!
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 MS
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. 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:
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:
Congressional Art Show at the MCFTA runs through June 5
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
"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do."
-- Kobe Bryant
