Mount Pleasants Renaissance Academy won three national awards this summer, along with exceeding the average growth on the Stanford 10 national standardized test.
Renaissance Academy is a charter school in Mount Pleasant.
“We are part of Imagine Schools, which is the largest charter school operations company in the country,” Principal David Krauss said.
There were over 50 Imagine Schools in the 2007-08 school year with an additional 24 schools that opened this fall.
Imagine Schools hosts an annual summer conference. Five top school awards are given each year.
Renaissance Academy received three of the five national top school awards. The school received the awards for Economic Sustainability, Shared Values, and shared the award with one other school for Academic Achievement.
Renaissance Academy was also happy to learn the gains made by its students during the 2007-08 school year. Renaissance administers the Stanford 10 national test to all of its students in the fall and in the spring.
The test measures gains in the student throughout the school year. A student should make a gain of 1.0 years of growth between the fall and the spring.
When the test results came in, Renaissance Academy had an average student gain of 1.71 years growth in reading and 1.54 years growth in math.
“Anything over 1.0 is considered good. We were really happy with the results this year,” Krauss said.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Winn Elementary School Renovation
With an enrollment of about 150 pupils, the kindergarten through fifth-graders at Winn Elementary School might not even recognize their new school come this November.
The school is anticipating a variety of exciting changes in the upcoming months as their school transforms from ordinary to extraordinary.
The upgrades include a new entrance into the building, new kindergarten and special education classrooms, sick room, and a new hallway.
Winn Elementary’s principal, Kim Stegman, is especially anxious as she watches the imminent renovation unfold.
“It’s just an awesome change for students and staff,” Stegman said. “We’re all really, really excited.”
In addition, the staff will finally have a conference room to hold meetings, a lounge to enjoy lunch, and a main office. They never had these before.
The project began nearly six months ago and will be completed by November. Changes will gradually be seen before that, though.
“By the end of this week, we hope the new playground will be ready for the kids,” Stegman said. She also stressed that as construction continues, safety remains the primary focus.
Fortunately, parking access has not been an issue for parents or staff during this long process. Winn’s current parking lot is very small, but will increase by nearly three times its size.
Stegman continuously receives positive feedback and said, “There’s such a great support from the community and staff.”
The nearly $30 million bond issue was passed by school board members last November for improvements within the Shepherd Public School district.
The school is anticipating a variety of exciting changes in the upcoming months as their school transforms from ordinary to extraordinary.
The upgrades include a new entrance into the building, new kindergarten and special education classrooms, sick room, and a new hallway.
Winn Elementary’s principal, Kim Stegman, is especially anxious as she watches the imminent renovation unfold.
“It’s just an awesome change for students and staff,” Stegman said. “We’re all really, really excited.”
In addition, the staff will finally have a conference room to hold meetings, a lounge to enjoy lunch, and a main office. They never had these before.
The project began nearly six months ago and will be completed by November. Changes will gradually be seen before that, though.
“By the end of this week, we hope the new playground will be ready for the kids,” Stegman said. She also stressed that as construction continues, safety remains the primary focus.
Fortunately, parking access has not been an issue for parents or staff during this long process. Winn’s current parking lot is very small, but will increase by nearly three times its size.
Stegman continuously receives positive feedback and said, “There’s such a great support from the community and staff.”
The nearly $30 million bond issue was passed by school board members last November for improvements within the Shepherd Public School district.
Early Doe Season Helpful or Harmful?
By: Lindsey Noel
Michigan hunters who can’t wait for the start of deer season are in luck because Michigan has proclaimed an early doe season this year.
According to www.michigan.gov/dnr, starting Sept. 18 until Sept. 22 there will be an early firearm antlerless deer hunting season that will take place on private land in the Lower Peninsula.
“We have looked at this for several years because we have a tremendous deer population in southern Michigan," said Rodney Clute, Department of Natural Resources big-game specialist.
Not all the hunters are happy about the decision to start early this year though.
“I do think the deer population needs to be controlled but I think there are other ways to go about it,” says Chad Klein, 21, a hunter from Grand Rapids, Mich.
After reading several blogs from concerned hunters it is obvious that there is some apprehension about this attempt to control the population.
One fear hunters have stated is that the number of poaches will increase as the bucks will walk into range and some people wont be able to resist shooting them.
Another concern is that it will take the deer away from the youth because the youth and disabled season starts Sept. 27 right after the early season.
“Comparing the risks to the benefits, I don’t believe its (early doe season) worth it,” states Klein.
For more a map of the legal areas to hunt and more information on the early doe season go here.
Michigan hunters who can’t wait for the start of deer season are in luck because Michigan has proclaimed an early doe season this year.
According to www.michigan.gov/dnr, starting Sept. 18 until Sept. 22 there will be an early firearm antlerless deer hunting season that will take place on private land in the Lower Peninsula.
“We have looked at this for several years because we have a tremendous deer population in southern Michigan," said Rodney Clute, Department of Natural Resources big-game specialist.
Not all the hunters are happy about the decision to start early this year though.
“I do think the deer population needs to be controlled but I think there are other ways to go about it,” says Chad Klein, 21, a hunter from Grand Rapids, Mich.
After reading several blogs from concerned hunters it is obvious that there is some apprehension about this attempt to control the population.
One fear hunters have stated is that the number of poaches will increase as the bucks will walk into range and some people wont be able to resist shooting them.
Another concern is that it will take the deer away from the youth because the youth and disabled season starts Sept. 27 right after the early season.
“Comparing the risks to the benefits, I don’t believe its (early doe season) worth it,” states Klein.
For more a map of the legal areas to hunt and more information on the early doe season go here.
Special Olympics Figure Skater to Represent USA at 2009 World Games
by Kyle Charland
Except for an occasional trip to the ice with her mother, Team USA Special Olympics Athlete Shelley Wagner had never picked up a pair of ice skates until four years ago.
After a lot of hard work and dedication, Shelley has now earned a spot on Team USA at the 2009 Special Olympics World Games, which will be held Feb. 6-13 in Boise, Idaho.
Shelley began participating in Special Olympics events in the 1970s, when the organization was still in its infancy. Today, at 44 years old, Shelley has been involved with Special Olympics for nearly 36 years.
"She has come a long way," says her mother, Judy Wagner. "In the beginning years it was a great place to practice her independence, to meet new people and to do things that are her favorite things to do."
Shelley loves to dance, so figure skating seemed to be a natural fit.
"Everyone claps and cheers. I feel happy," says Shelley.
Often, her mother notices the joy Shelley experiences when she's on the ice performing to one of her favorite Disney songs.
"She gets a grin that is awfully big," says Judy.
Shelley is now preparing for what could be one of the most important events of her Special Olympics career.
"This is my first time doing this," Shelly says. "I feel like a star."
Currently, Shelley trains with her coach, Char Decker, Thursday afternoons. Before she leaves the house, she prepares for her workout, both mentally and physically, by doing stretches, balancing and practicing standing on one foot -- something that helps figure skaters when they perform.
When she arrives at the ice, Decker puts her to work, practicing waltz jumps, crossovers and back turns.
But as the World Games draw closer, training will become more intense and frequent.
With the weight of competing against 165 countries from around the wold on her shoulders, Shelley isn't the only one feeling the pressure.
"I'm a mom. I'm nervous. But it is an opportunity -- a great opportunity," Judy says. "It's absolutely wonderful."
Shelley is one of the expected 3,000 athletes who will be competing.
by Kyle Charland
Except for an occasional trip to the ice with her mother, Team USA Special Olympics Athlete Shelley Wagner had never picked up a pair of ice skates until four years ago.
After a lot of hard work and dedication, Shelley has now earned a spot on Team USA at the 2009 Special Olympics World Games, which will be held Feb. 6-13 in Boise, Idaho.
Shelley began participating in Special Olympics events in the 1970s, when the organization was still in its infancy. Today, at 44 years old, Shelley has been involved with Special Olympics for nearly 36 years.
"She has come a long way," says her mother, Judy Wagner. "In the beginning years it was a great place to practice her independence, to meet new people and to do things that are her favorite things to do."
Shelley loves to dance, so figure skating seemed to be a natural fit.
"Everyone claps and cheers. I feel happy," says Shelley.
Often, her mother notices the joy Shelley experiences when she's on the ice performing to one of her favorite Disney songs.
"She gets a grin that is awfully big," says Judy.
Shelley is now preparing for what could be one of the most important events of her Special Olympics career.
"This is my first time doing this," Shelly says. "I feel like a star."
Currently, Shelley trains with her coach, Char Decker, Thursday afternoons. Before she leaves the house, she prepares for her workout, both mentally and physically, by doing stretches, balancing and practicing standing on one foot -- something that helps figure skaters when they perform.
When she arrives at the ice, Decker puts her to work, practicing waltz jumps, crossovers and back turns.
But as the World Games draw closer, training will become more intense and frequent.
With the weight of competing against 165 countries from around the wold on her shoulders, Shelley isn't the only one feeling the pressure.
"I'm a mom. I'm nervous. But it is an opportunity -- a great opportunity," Judy says. "It's absolutely wonderful."
Shelley is one of the expected 3,000 athletes who will be competing.
Plant-Based Diets Lead to Improved Health and Weight Loss
Americans are consumed daily with ads for pills, shakes, and other fad diets that promise miracle weight loss and improved health. The multi-million dollar weight loss industry thrives due to the increasing number of overweight Americans. Government statics show 66.3 percent of adults in the United States are either obese or overweight.
The United States Food and Drug Administration believes a plant based diet, also known as vegetarianism or veganism, could be the key to unlocking the obesity epidemic.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat no meat but consume dairy foods and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians eat no meat and no eggs however still consume dairy foods. Vegan refers to no consumption of animal foods of any type.
Government studies show that these plant-based diets lessen the risk of obesity, numerous types of cancer, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis along with other diseases. Statistics show the average vegan or vegetarian has a significantly lower BMI and lives longer than those who consume animal flesh.
Mount Pleasant local Angie Pohlman, 28, lost 60 pounds in the first year practicing a vegan lifestyle.
“I was hypoglycemic, and the last time I had my blood sugar checked it was almost normal,” Pohlman said. “Since I became a vegan, I felt a general improvement in my health. My acne cleared up as well.”
When switching to a plant-based diet, it is important to monitor your vitamin intake and to replace animal sources of nutrients. Many vegans and vegetarians require supplements in order to achieve optimal health. According to the FDA, the areas most commonly supplemented by those who eat a plant-based diet include vitamins B12 and D as well as calcium, iron and zinc.
The United States Food and Drug Administration believes a plant based diet, also known as vegetarianism or veganism, could be the key to unlocking the obesity epidemic.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat no meat but consume dairy foods and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians eat no meat and no eggs however still consume dairy foods. Vegan refers to no consumption of animal foods of any type.
Government studies show that these plant-based diets lessen the risk of obesity, numerous types of cancer, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis along with other diseases. Statistics show the average vegan or vegetarian has a significantly lower BMI and lives longer than those who consume animal flesh.
Mount Pleasant local Angie Pohlman, 28, lost 60 pounds in the first year practicing a vegan lifestyle.
“I was hypoglycemic, and the last time I had my blood sugar checked it was almost normal,” Pohlman said. “Since I became a vegan, I felt a general improvement in my health. My acne cleared up as well.”
When switching to a plant-based diet, it is important to monitor your vitamin intake and to replace animal sources of nutrients. Many vegans and vegetarians require supplements in order to achieve optimal health. According to the FDA, the areas most commonly supplemented by those who eat a plant-based diet include vitamins B12 and D as well as calcium, iron and zinc.
Monday, September 8, 2008
JRN 312 blog is back in business!
For the fall semester 2008, a whole new crop of Central Michigan University journalism students will be posting their class assignments on the JRN 312 Blog.
Feel free to comment.
Feel free to comment.
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