Benzie County Central Schools
Annual Report
2007-2008

9222 Homestead Road
Benzonia, Michigan  49616
(231) 882-9653
Dave Micinski, Superintendent
www.benzieschools.net


Platte River
Elementary
The Mission of Platte River Elementary School is to Provide a Safe Learning Environment that Motivates All Students To Reach Their Highest Potential by Providing the Necessary Skills To Become Life Long Learners and Leaders in a Changing Society.

11434 Main St.
Honor, MI  49640
(231) 325-3063
Phil Cook, Principal
www.benzieschools.net
Points of Pride   Classroom Activities
Celebrations and Assemblies Student Achievements Achievements in Technology
School Staff Staff Achievement Staff Development
Parental Involvement   Special Programs
  MEAP RESULTS  

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Points of Pride
  • A Kids for Kids cookbook was created and sold.  Over $400 was raised which was donated to Pete's Place for homeless teens
  • Over 90% of Platte River's parents attended fall parent teacher conferences
  • Platte River participated in a "Water Safety" lessons

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Student Achievement

Two students first grade students were selected from Michigan to have their art work sent to China as part of an exchange.

Second graders who completed over twenty-five accelerated reader tests this year were acknowledged with a special award.  Two second graders won art contests.

Two third graders had work exhibited at the Crystal Lake Art Center.  Two third graders were recognized for their art/poetry in the Record Patriot.

The fourth grade recognized the Outstanding Classroom Citizen, Academic Superstars, those with spelling accomplishments, and those with outstanding progress in Read 180.  Also recognized were those on the Safety Patrol, the Math Magician, and those who excelled in expressive writing.

Eight sixth grade students, two fifth graders, and two third graders were presented with a physical fitness awards, and two were presented with sportsmanship awards.

For the fourth grade honor roll, twelve students were on the honor roll, and ten were on the honor roll for all four marking periods.  The fourth/fifth grade split had eight students who were on the honor roll, and four were on the honor roll for all four marking periods.  The fifth grade had 19 students who were on the honor roll, and six were on the honor roll for all four marking periods.

One sixth grade class had 15 on the honor roll at some point during the year, with twelve of them being on the honor roll every marking period.  Another had 11 on the honor roll at some point during the year, with eight of them being on the honor roll every marking period.  Another had 22 on the honor roll at some point during the year, with 17 of them being on the honor roll every marking period. 

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Classroom Activities

Kindergarten

  • Trips were taken to Putney's Apple Orchard, Clarke's Pumpkin Patch, Rockin' R Stables, Moomer's Dairy Farm and Ice Cream Parlor, Benzie Historical Museum, and the Lake Ann Camp Bog Walk
  • Speakers Steve Elrick (the Grinch) and Trooper Nichols visited the classroom
  • TBAISD Teacher Academy students assisted in the classroom

First Grade

  • Trips were taken to the Reptile Show, Young Peoples Theater, Lake Ann Baptist Camp Bog Walk, Waterscapes Unlimited, and the Sand Dunes
  • Speakers Ranger Jim from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Trooper Nichols visited the classroom
  • A special Thanksgiving program was held as well as several students participating in the talent show
  • Two TBAISD Teacher Academy students assisted in the classroom

Second Grade

  • Trips were taken to the Young Peoples Theatre, Great Wolf Lodge and Glen Haven
  • Special visits were made to the classroom by the Fire Department, State Trooper Nichols, and a local dentist who spoke on proper care for teeth

Third Grade

  • Trips were taken to White Pine Village, the Drake School, and the National Lakeshore/Visitor Center
  • Special dance program was created based on a social studies unit
  • Seven students were honored in the Record-Patriot Pet Essay contest
  • The class participated in Kids on the Block
  • The class began the preparation of the Karen Lyon Nature and Fitness Trail behind the school

Fourth Grade

  • Trips were taken to the Benzie Historical Museum and the state capitol in Lansing.  Also the Buckley Old Engine Show, Young People's Theater, and sixth grade play at the high school.
  • Several special speakers visited the classroom including:  Marleen Zylstra (Recycling), Brandon Fast (Benzie County Animal Control Officer), Bea DeForest (Civil War Historian), Kevin Ingleston (Electro Magnet demonstration and team building), Karen Miller (nursing student), State Trooper Nichols, Rep. David Palsrok, and the Benzie County Library Book Talk.
  • Cross-country skiing was enjoyed with the help of Champion Hill Nordic Center.

Fifth Grade

  • Trips were taken to Camp Hayowentha, the Harlem Globetrotters in Frankfort, State Capital, Benzie Historical Museum, and BCCS 6th grade play
  • Special visits were made by Animal Patrol Officer-Brandon Fast, Kiwanis, Benzie Officer Rosa, and our school counselor
  • The class created a tile mosaic in memory of retired teacher Karen Lyon
  • Special events like baking, cross country skiing, helping with the 4th Grade play, participating in a Penny War, and having fun with Football Math

Sixth Grade

  • One classroom had unique culinary feasts based on the geographic units of study -- Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean as well as hosting a Greek Olympics.  Pirate Day was also observed upon the completion of reading 'Treasure Island.'  They also visited the Dennos Museum (Inuit display), participated in the Crystal Lake walkabout, and previewed “Oklahoma!” at the high school.
  • Another classroom administered the Math League Contest to ninety Platte River sixth graders where we placed first in our 6-county region, and had 3 of the top 4 individual student scores. Our performance also placed us in the top 30 schools in the state of Michigan.  They also enjoyed a presentation on wind power from Tom Karas (eco-friendly builder and Sierra Club Executive Committee member).  The aforementioned presentation occurred in conjunction with a month-long science project in which students performed research then participated in a formal debate on the merits of various alternative energy sources.
  • Another classroom presented awards in Excellence in Science and Math, Honor Roll all year and Citizenship.  The enjoyed field trips canoeing the Platte River, visiting the Fish Hatchery, Dennos Museum, and Schoolship, and participating in the Crystal Lake Walkabout.  The class created a special Salmon in the Classroom mural with artist Glenn Wolfe.
  • Two lunchtime book discussions were held weekly throughout the year, and a reading class was created to read classic literature

Music Class

  • Third, fourth, and fifth graders all participated in a Christmas program titled “A Place in the Christmas Choir”
  • Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders all participated in Spring program titled “Go Fish”
  • Around 50 students in K-6 participated in a Spring Talent Show held at their school
  • Nearly 50 6th Grade students participated in the fall performance of “Seussical”

Title One & Special Education

  • Over 300 words were mastered in the Reading and Word zones in Read 180.  There was much growth in Lexile scores and over 10,000 words were read
  • Awards were presented for high Lexile gains for Read 180 (4 awards), for 27000 words read in Read 180 (1 award), for 500 words learned (2 awards), and one award for spelling words learned

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Celebration and Assemblies

A Rock N Roll assembly was held as well as a visit from the Grinch and the Red Cross.

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Achievements in Technology

An online digital weather station is installed and reports weather conditions at Platte River on a real-time basis. 

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School Staff
 Mr.  Phil Cook - Principal
Ms.  Elizabeth Chapelle, Counselor
Mrs. Edie Gray, Secretary

Mrs. Carrie Urbain - Kdg
Mrs. Sarah Fought - Y5's/Kdg
Mrs. Carol Yalch - 1st grade
Mrs. Mary Vogler - 2nd grade
Ms. Dodie Bedell - 3rd grade
Mr. Mark McManus - 3rd grade
Ms. Maria Podvoyski - 4th grade
Mrs. Tammy Roeske - 4th/5th grade
Mrs. Kim O'Connor - 5th grade

Ms. Wendy Kalush - 6th grade
Mrs. Sarah Slade - 6th grade
Mrs. Sue Micinski - 6th grade
Mr. Josh Lovendusky - 6th grade
Mr. Dave Grimes - 6th grade

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Mrs. Nancy Reed - Music
Mr. Mike Eagan - Band
Mrs. Jen Rosa - Art
Mr. Bruce Stoltz - PE

Mrs. Deb Nickerson - Special Ed
Mrs. Becki Travis - Title I

Mrs. Linda Fast - Library
Mrs. Char Jeske,  Parapro
Mrs. Beth Miller, Parapro
Ms. Andrea Harig, Parapro
Mrs. Julie Hospenthal, Parapro
Mrs. Holly Zirkel, Parapro
Mr. Randy Knapp & Mr. Ron Gottschaulk  - Custodial Staff

Mrs. Jo Ingleston and Mrs. Linda Shannon  - Kitchen Staff

Staff Achievement

Mr. Dave Grimes, as a member of the district Technology Committee, was instrumental in procuring new video equipment for all K-6 classrooms throughout the district to facilitate implementation of the new state technology curriculum. He also led an initiative involving the use of fundraising money for the acquisition and permanent installation of video projectors in all 6th grade classrooms.
 

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Parental Involvement & Community Support

The PTO sponsored an Ice Cream Social/Book Fair/Art Fair as well as the 14th Annual Craft Fair.  They provided funds for trips as well as classroom supplies through money raised through popcorn sales, the fall craft show, penny wars, and the spring spell-a-thon.  Several parents volunteered in the classroom on a regular basis running spelling, popping popcorn, decorating for parties, etc.  They purchased hand sanitizer and Kleenex for all rooms.

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Special Programs
Young Five's Title I Odyssey of the Mind
Accelerated Reading Program Sixth Grade Musical Girls on the Run
Monday Night Ski Program 6th grade girls basketball 6th grade boys basketball
  5th & 6th grade Safety Patrol  

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Explanation of MEAP
The English Language Arts (ELA) MEAP test was a new method of scoring implemented in 02-03 that responded to the federal mandate titled No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The ELA score reflects a combination of the student’s reading and writing scores. These scores are reported at the 4th, 7th & 11th grade level. As part of the NCLB requirements, each level will be obligated to hit a “target” score established by the State of Michigan. Another part of the NCLB mandate required states to also set targets for scoring in the area of mathematics. These scores too, are reported at the 4th, 8th & 11th grade level. Targets for each subject set by the State are different from level-to-level. Eventually, the targets for each grade level must be 100% of all students in all subjects by the 2013-14 school year.

Level I is exceeding Michigan standards, Level II is meeting Michigan standards, Level III is at basic level, and Level IV is apprentice level.
 

3rd Grade

Math

 Reading Writing ELA
Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007
Proficient Level I 67.5% 79.5% 69% 15.4% 47.4% 37% 2.6% 0% 0% 5.1% 13.2% 23%
Level II 20% 17.9% 25% 69.2% 42.1% 54% 41% 47.4% 51% 69.2% 73.7% 63%
Not Proficient Level III 12.5% 0% 6% 10.3% 7.9% 6% 51.3% 47.4% 43% 17.9% 10.5% 11%
Level IV 0.0% 2.6% 0% 5.1% 2.6% 3% 5.1% 5.3% 6% 7.7% 2.6% 3%

 
4th Grade

Math

 Reading Writing ELA
Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall
2007		 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007
Proficient Level I 33.3% 33.3% 51% 8.6% 25% 28% 2.9% 0% 0% 2.9% 3.1% 23%
Level II 50% 50% 33% 74.3% 50% 64% 45.7% 31.3% 38% 71.4% 68.8% 56%
Not Proficient Level III 13.9% 13.9% 15% 11.4% 25% 3% 45.7% 62.5% 62% 17.1% 28.1% 15%
Level IV 2.8% 2.8% 0% 5.7% 0% 5% 5.7% 6.3% 0% 8.6% 0% 5%

 
5th Grade Math Science Reading Writing ELA
Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007
Proficient Level I 40% 45.2% 27% 34.3% 35.5% 29% 25.7% 25.8% 32% 5.7% 0% 0% 8.6% 0% 15%
Level II 45.7% 35.5% 49% 51.4% 51.6% 50% 62.9% 61.3% 49% 71.4% 67.7% 49% 74.3% 83.9% 56%
Not Proficient Level III 14.3% 19.4% 22% 14.3% 9.7% 12% 11.4% 3.2% 12% 17.1% 32.3% 49% 17.1% 16.1% 24%
Level IV 0% 0% 2% 0% 3.2% 10% 0% 9.7% 7% 5.7% 0% 2% 0% 0% 5%
 
 
6th Grade Math Social Studies Reading Writing ELA
Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall
2005		 Fall 2006 Fall 2007
Proficient Level I 39.1% 42.3% 51% 59% 43.1% 45% 24.1% 39% 31% 5.8% 2.5% 4% 13.1% 0% 13%
Level II 39.1% 38.2% 31% 26.6% 41.5% 34% 59.1% 48.8% 58% 77.4% 73% 72% 69.3% 83.9% 73%
Not Proficient Level III 17.4% 17.9% 16% 8.6% 13.8% 12% 12.4% 8.9% 8% 16.1% 22.1% 21% 13.1% 16.1% 13%
Level IV 4.3% 1.6% 5% 5.8% 1.6% 10% 4.4% 3.3% 2% 0.7% 2.5% 4% 4.4% 0% 1%