Vicksburg Works to Start Advanced Diploma Program

by Justin Gibson | Apr 6, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg

AP Biology students use hands-on learning to see how genes stay in equilibrium in populations. Right to Left: Samantha (Sami) Trimble, Emmaline Miller, Katelyn Woosley and Leeanna Wagner.

By Steve Fryling, Vicksburg Schools Communications Director

Examine the vision or mission statement of most any school district in Michigan and it will be some play on the phrase, “get all students college- and career-ready.” Vicksburg Schools are no different. To make this vision happen, schools have to offer ways for students to “go beyond” regular classes. For some students, courses or training in different career fields (which in previous generations was called “vocational education”) is best. For others, having them take college courses, either at college or in the high school classroom, is the key. But for others, what is best is providing very challenging, high level versions of regular courses.

These courses are called “AP” or advanced placement courses. The courses are created by a national organization which writes the course guides, trains teachers and then creates and scores a test taken by students at the end. That test score, if high enough, is accepted by most colleges across the nation as credit for a college level course. That means if students take enough AP courses and test well enough in them, they can earn in some cases more than an entire freshman year of college credit, at very little cost and no student debt. This allows students to graduate from college in less time and with less debt than ever.

Vicksburg High School has been honored as a national leader in students taking AP courses. Last year 495 AP courses were taken at VHS; 51% of the students who took the exams earned a score high enough to get college credit. The challenge is to get even more students to take AP courses and for more of them to take the exam (which is optional) and to score well on it, said Keevin O’Neill, Vicksburg High School principal.

To encourage students and their families to take more AP classes and take and succeed on the exams, the district proposes to create a special diploma program called the “AP Capstone Diploma”. This diploma would show colleges that the student has spent time in more challenging classes and would give them a leg up in getting accepted to even the most prestigious colleges, with many of their basic credits already earned.
To earn this diploma, students would start early on, as sophomores. These students would take a special AP seminar class where the instructor would help them to improve their skills in analyzing issues, make strong arguments in writing, and to collect, analyze and present information accurately, using team presentations and projects to find out how well they have honed these skills.

The students would then take an AP research class in which they learn how to do the kinds of research they would be asked to do in college. They would learn how to pose a problem or question, investigate and gather the information needed to address the problem and then present what they found in a written and verbal form.

After these two foundation classes, students would then take the AP courses they chose in grades 11 and 12. If they take at least four AP classes and score high enough on the exams for each, they would be granted the AP Capstone Diploma.

It will take money and training to bring this to Vicksburg. One of the more pressing needs is financial support to allow students to take the exams, as each exam costs a student $94 to take. Another need: resources to train a current VHS teacher to be a capstone instructor, who would teach the seminar and research class and administer the program.

The Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation recently approved a request made by O’Neill and Superintendent Charlie Glaes for just over $10,000 for training so teacher selection and training could begin next school year and the program itself could start in the fall of 2019. Finding funds to help with exam costs may be considered by the foundation at a later time.

“Colleges are getting some very strong Vicksburg graduates and making them even stronger and more skilled. We asked ourselves how can we start building on the academic skills these young people have at an even younger age to give them an even greater advantage in college and careers. The AP Capstone Diploma is an effective vehicle to get these kids challenging themselves early and building skills well before college,” Glaes said.

“The Foundation will help us to put this into action without extra cost to the taxpayers, allowing us to use the money saved to support all of our students.” Glaes also added that general education funds are also going to fund other avenues for students’ success in life, such as career and arts training, college class enrollment (known as dual enrollment) and the Early Middle College program, which allows students a period of five years to graduate from high school with a community college diploma, through classes taught both at the high school and at KVCC.

Box Tops Turn Into Extra Money for Sunset Lake School

by Justin Gibson | Apr 6, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg

Students stand in front of the donation bin for box tops at Sunset Elementary school. They are from left: Brady Young, Erica Centofanti, and Ryker Caswell. Adults are Principal Amie McCaw and Rachelle Caswell.

By Sue Moore

Some things never change. In the 1940s, 50s, 60s, the Box Top ladies of the Hospital Guild in Vicksburg collected box tops to turn into cash. They were able to purchase several new pieces of equipment for Franklin Community Hospital down through the years.
Now students in Vicksburg’s elementary schools are collecting box tops to turn into cash. At Sunset Lake Elementary last year, the money bought Chromebook computers for each student. The box top money has also purchased playground equipment, enhancements for the school’s courtyard and facility improvements.

Some of the common brands that offer box top coupons include Ziploc bags, Hefty, Lysol, cereals, snacks, yogurt tubs, Annie’s brand, Old El Paso and many more, eligible if they’re within a printed expiration date. The PTSO set $6,000 as its goal for the 2017-2018 school year and just redeemed $1,582 in box tops. They are collected all year round but redeemed in December and March. Since the program started at Sunset they have earned $37,176.

It all goes to a good cause and Rachelle Caswell of the Sunset PTSO is urging parents, grandparents and friends to save the box tops and drop them off in a collection box just inside the door of the elementary building.

And there’s another fundraiser, this one working with Family Fare in Vicksburg and other SpartanNash stores, including D&W in Kalamazoo: Shoppers drop off grocery receipts from the stores. When the school collects $150,000 in receipts, SpartanNash through its Direct Your Dollars program will send Sunset Lake PTSO $1,000 to use any way it chooses. At the price of groceries these days, it shouldn’t take long for the school to reach that $150,000 plateau if people will save their receipts, Caswell said.

The school works to raise money for extras that tax dollars don’t support through a Walk-athon on Friday, May 4. This usually is directed toward the businesses in Vicksburg which sponsor entrants or provide donations based on how many miles children can walk during the event.

Sharon Visser, this year’s president of the PTSO, designated Caswell to head up the box top collections. She and her husband Cody have three children at Sunset. He came here as the JV football coach, assists with the track program at the high school and was a Vicksburg graduate a few years ago.

Vicksburg Board of Ed Commends Technology Use

by Justin Gibson | Apr 6, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg

Technology students at Sunset Lake Elementary, from left: Brady Young, Fletcher Haas, fifth grade teacher Dawn Phelps, Grace Zimmerman, Jaidyn Johnson, Josie Stephenson and Lily Johnson.

By Linda Lane

As Vicksburg’s Sunset Lake Elementary progresses with its adoption of “The Leader in Me” program, more and more students there are taking on a wide variety of leadership roles. A team of fifth grade “Technology Leaders” from Sunset went to Lansing to present how they use technology in their classrooms and school. With the backdrop of a “green screen”, the students presented to legislators the various ways technology is used, including promoting events, taking tests and quizzes, learning about social studies and science and even doing newscasts.

The green screen allows people standing in front of it to insert a different backdrop when it is broadcast over the internet or on television. This technique is used daily in television news rooms, most often with meteorologists as they present weather forecasts in front of a map.

“Every kid has a voice, with a microphone,” Don Puckett explained. “And in all of our schools, technology is really helping teachers, even in the gym.” Puckett, technology director for Vicksburg Community Schools, presented the wide range and scope of technology and its use in the educational system at the Vicksburg School Board’s February meeting.

Puckett illustrated one use as board members and people in the audience logged onto “kahoot.it” to answer questions posed. Kahoot is a tool which is being used in classrooms to administer quizzes, tests or surveys. Much like playing a game, students answer questions with their tablet, computer – and in the case of the meeting, people’s smartphones. As in a classroom, participants answered questions at the same time, with results immediately visible. Superintendent Charlie Glaes ended up with the highest score.

As a tool to help guide teachers in developing students’ skills in technology, Puckett’s Technology Curriculum Integration committee created a document outlining where technical expectations are with each grade level so they are clearly spelled out. A list of over 100 skills and abilities are outlined by grade level. Ultimately the goal is for students to complete technology issues with no teacher or adult assistance. Teachers from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade can easily assess their students’ needs and growth expectations to master skills appropriate to their grade level. The document was so highly effective that a statewide group made some minor changes to it and adopted it as Michigan Technical Standards to use as a guideline for all statewide schools.

Vicksburg seems to be a leader in technology; a group of technology and curriculum specialists from Kalamazoo RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) visited to learn how the district is transforming student learning with the integration of technology.

“This technology is just a tool – like a hammer. You’ve got to use the tool and swing it for it to work!” Puckett said.

District schools have also installed a new clock, bell and paging system which have helped overall communication within the schools, as well as lowering students’ tardiness in getting to classes. Safety and security across the district has also been increased with a number of additional security cameras, including a buzzing-in system in school offices for visitors to the schools. Each year the technology department upgrades and replaces computer “Chromebooks.” The use of Google Classroom plays a big role in all the district’s educational environments, enhanced from improvements in the district’s wireless networks.

“We need to thank our district voters for their support of the 2014 bond issue. The bond that voters passed allowed us to support important technology programs and other building improvements,” Superintendent Glaes said.

Continuous improvements at the Middle School were also reviewed by Principal Matt VanDussen, with a special focus again on results showing each Vicksburg Middle School grade ranking above state averages and ranking higher that other area schools. The staff is implementing a new intervention system for students to identify and address needs before they fall too far behind. Staff is also focusing on a new direction of “Positive Behavior Intervention” concentrating on unstructured areas like hallways, lunches and playground areas.