Accredited

www.livoniapublicschools.org • Serving portions of Livonia & Westland • Vol. 47, No. 1 January 2016

LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

STAY CONNECTED!

from superintendent Andrea Oquist

Reminder: ELEMENTARY parents, please log into Parent Connect via our website to make sure you are connected! Next school year, LPS will be posting ELEMENTARY teacher/classroom assignments to Parent Connect; if you’ve never used Parent Connect, be sure to log in prior to next school year so you’ll be able to access that information.

To access Parent Connect, go to the Parents tab at livoniapublicschools.org and click on Parent Connect. Log in with your user name and password, which was

issued at the time of registration. There, you may check classes, assignments, grades, attendance, cafeteria accounts, transportation assignments, and more, in addition to managing account settings. If you do not have your log-in, please contact your child’s school secretary.

To ensure that you’re receiving important district information via email, text and phone calls, be sure your contact information is current on your student’s pink emergency card.

Teacher and classroom assignments to be posted on ParentConnect

www.livoniapublicschools.org

Happy New Year!

2016 is upon us, as is great possibility and promise in Livonia Public Schools! The hallmark of our district is a sense of pride and passion for what we do each day. Our school district is the cornerstone of our family-focused community. As a proud LPS graduate, teacher, principal, parent and Central Office Administrator, it is with tremendous pride and enthusiasm that I begin as the 10th superintendent of our exemplary school district. I value the strong foundation that has been laid before us, knowing it is one filled with care and commitment for children, for staff and for families.

We provide outstanding public education to more than 14,000 students in the cities of Livonia and Westland for grades preK-12, along with a variety of other educational opportunities, including post-secondary programs. We are extraordinarily proud of the vital work that each of our 1,800 staff do each day!

Our families are essential partners in the education of the children entrusted to us. The Livonia PTSA continues to

boast one of the largest and most active memberships in the State of Michigan. We value parent involvement and welcome parents to be active partners! Additionally, our civic and business partners, including the LPS Education Foundation, serve as essential collaborators in bringing our shared vision to fruition. Our efforts each day are focused on moving our district forward.

Our Mission: to educate, challenge, and inspire every student to achieve personal success, and become a confident

contributor to society.

It will take all of us! Our community has time and time again shown its support and belief in Livonia Public Schools. We are so grateful for that, and know our community is counting on us to commit to this mission each day. There is no more important work than this!

#livoniapride…feel it, believe it!!

Best wishes for the new year,

Andrea OquistSuperintendent

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Kindergarten registration begins February 3!

It may only be the beginning of the new year, but Livonia Public Schools is already eagerly anticipating the 2016-2017 school year! We can’t wait to welcome our new class of kindergarteners!

Kindergarten registration begins February 3, 2016 at all elementary schools. Here’s how to register:1. Visit www.livoniapublicschools.org/registration to download

the file titled “Required Documentation.”2. Gather and bring the required documentation to your

child’s school during office hours, where you will receive a registration packet to complete.

Kindergarteners must be five years old on or before September 1, 2016. You may file for early entry if your child will be five on or after September 1 but no later than December 1. Early entry request forms are available at your child’s school.

If you are uncertain which school your child will attend, please contact the Communications office at 734-744-2522, or email Katie Patterson at kpatters@livoniapublicschools.org. Please include your home address when emailing or leaving a voice message.

New this year, Livonia Public Schools is hosting an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarteners. This meeting will be held on March 9, 2016, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Parents should attend the meeting at their child’s assigned school.

This meeting will be full of useful information for parents, including: • Program overview• Information on busing and food services • Question-and-answer session• Building tours

Registration will be available on-site for parents who have their required documentation with them.

Please note that this meeting is for parents only. An orientation session will be held for students on June 1, during which teachers will be on hand to meet students and give classroom tours.

How to register Parent meeting March 9

If your child has a summer birthday but is not quite ready for kindergarten, consider the Young Fives program!• Designed for students turning five between July 1 and

September 1, 2016, but who require more time before entering kindergarten.

• State-funded, tuition-free program.• Housed at Randolph Elementary School.• Students attend five days a week, in either the AM or PM

session; fee-supported childcare is available before and after the school day.

An information meeting will be held for parents on March 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Registration for Young Fives begins on March 22 at 10:00 a.m. (See “How to Register” above.) Student orientation sessions will be held at Randolph on June 7. The morning session will be from 10:00-11:15 a.m; the afternoon session will be held from 2:00-3:15 p.m.

Interested in Young Fives?Specialized Early Childhood Programs | 734-744-2765• Early On developmental screenings for infants and toddlers

from birth to 36 months• Preschool programs for children ages 3 to 5 years with special

needs• Hearing and Vision Screenings for Children ages 3 to 5 years• Kids First Great Start Readiness Program• Parent Education Programs

Jackson Early Childhood Center32025 Lyndon, Livonia 734-744-2813• Preschool enrichment for children ages 3 and 4 years• Childcare with a preschool component: Five days per week, year-round• Young Fives Childcare (before and after Young Fives program)• School-Age Childcare (SACC)

Early Childhood Programs

For more information, please call 734-744-2813 ext. 22130, or find us on the district website under “Programs.” • Before- and After-School Childcare• Summer Activity Club

School-Age Childcare (SACC) ProgramsLPS is on Social Media!

@LivoniaDistrict www.facebook.com/livoniapublicschools

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LPS pride shines through every arch at renovated schools

Ten schools (and counting!) have been completely renovated so far, thanks to the $195 million bond issue approved by the community in 2013. The projects are moving along nicely, and slowly transforming the look, feel, function and safety at our schools.

“We are so proud of the work that has already been done, and we look forward to the exciting future enhancements, including new state-of-the-art performing arts centers at Franklin and Stevenson, and the overhaul of the theater at Churchill,” said Superintendent Andrea Oquist. “We’re also proud of the branding we are developing throughout the community, with the archway entrance signs at the renovated buildings. People are catching on to the ‘look for the arches’ theme throughout the district. Our LPS pride certainly shines through at those renovated schools.”

Riley, Hayes, Kennedy, Roosevelt, Emerson and a portion of Franklin were completed last summer.

That "new school smell" and the entrance arch were the first things noticed by Riley Upper Elementary student Emily Ericson on the first day of school.

"I saw some of those signs at some of the other schools and I was hoping they would do that here," she said.

Riley teacher Sherri Brown said she was simply amazed by the transformation that took place over the summer in her classroom.

"When I walked in, I didn't even know what to do!" she said. "It's a complete transformation. It looks beautiful."

Overview of projects:

• Classroom renovations (new floors, ceilings with acoustic ceiling tiles, air handling systems, lights, windows, window treatments, paint and new doors)

• Classroom technology• Security enhancements (new secured entrances, video

surveillance, new public address and phone systems) • New lockers, where applicable• Music room enhancements • Cafeteria upgrades (where applicable) • Restroom upgrades, where needed• New exterior entrance ways with the arch sign, brick

pillars and benches • Renovated and, in some cases, remodeled main offices • New science equipment, where applicable • Infrastructure improvements (plumbing, electrical, etc).

At Franklin High School, classrooms were renovated in two of the four halls; site work was completed and parking lots were reconfigured; foundation work was done for the new auditorium addition that will take place in summer 2016; classroom technology was added and upgraded; new computers were put into labs; and mobile media carts were introduced. The wireless network and a newly constructed press box at the football stadium were completed earlier this year. The project will continue next summer, with the completion of the classrooms, cafeterias, lockers, new performing arts center and performing arts classrooms.

The summer 2016 bond projects include Grant, Hoover, Holmes, Stevenson High School and the completion of Franklin High School.

The exteriors of the updated buildings showcase the district’s new trademark arches.

Many improvements were made in the classrooms, including upgraded technology like projectors and smart boards.

Welcome to our district! We would love to introduce you to our schools and programs. Please visit us online at

www.livoniapublicschools.org. If you would like to know which school your child will attend, call

the Communications Department at 734-744-2522.

Are you new to the LPS community?

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Livonia Public Schools offers vocational education programs at the Livonia Career Technical Center and at Churchill, Franklin, and Stevenson high schools. These programs are designed to prepare youth for a broad range of employment and training services.

All vocational education programs follow the district’s policies of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,

national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, handicap or disability in all activities and employment. In addition, arrangements can be made to ensure that the lack of English language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation.

For general information about these programs, contact:Joe Anderson, Principal, LCTC 8985 Newburgh Livonia, 48150; 734-744-2816.

LPS is excited to announce that its new mobile app is now available for download!

The app features the option to customize news and calendar feeds to show selected schools first, quick access to the Parent Connect login page, elementary and middle school lunch menus, and more!

The app is available to Apple users via the App Store, and to Android users via the Google Play store.

School closure information is communicated through:• Our website:

www.livoniapublicschools.org • LPS cable TV: Ch. 15 (Bright House) and

Ch. 19 (Comcast-Westland)• Phone/Email: BE SURE YOU HAVE AN

EMAIL ADDRESS ON FILE. Check with your child’s building secretary to ensure your information is accurate.

School Closing Information

Check out the LPS website to

see a video featuring the

LCTC programs!

LPS mOBILE aPP now available!District evaluates highly anticipated m-Step Results

New this school year, the Community Education course booklet will no longer be mailed to residents. Instead, it is available to view online at the LPS website. Visit www.livoniapublischools.org/community, then click “Community Education Enrichment” on the menu on the left.

The winter/spring 2016 Community Education booklet is

now available online only!

A screenshot of the home screen of the recently launched

mobile app.

The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, known as the M-STEP, was administered statewide for the first time this past spring to students in grades 3-8 and 11.

While results in the Livonia Public Schools School District are low, as expected, LPS scores are above state averages in 18 of the 20 grade level content area tests.

The new test measures the higher standards that are being taught in Michigan’s public schools in the areas of English Language Arts and Math. The M-STEP test moves away from the “fill in the bubble” format and, instead, requires students to demonstrate critical thinking, multi-step problem solving and a deeper knowledge through written responses and writing to explain answers. The test is administered online and M-STEP assesses student knowledge on content that is learned during that school year.

With this new test, it was expected that scores would be lower than on previous years’ MEAP tests. Livonia Public Schools saw this drop in test scores, specifically, in English Language Arts.

Results from previous years’ MEAP tests are not comparable to the current M-STEP scores because the test format is different, the content is different, the types of questions asked are significantly different and the depth of knowledge expected is greater.

As with any standardized test results, the district will conduct a thorough analysis of the results, to gain the following insights: • Data needed to improve student individual progress; • Data that shows areas of strong performance and areas that

may need more attention;• Data that allows us to compare how LPS students performed

on the test, as compared with students state-wide.

To view district results, please see the Reports and Test Results section under the District tab at livoniapublicschools.org. Parents/guardians will soon receive parent reports from the Michigan Department of Education.

Career Technical Center OffersVocational

Classes

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Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for the LPS Teacher of the Year award! The district is searching for its Teachers of the Year at both the elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) levels.

A Teacher of the Year committee comprised of teachers, administrators, and residents has formed to select the designees, to be announced in May. Nominees must possess exemplary personal qualifications, professional skills, and records of school/community service. In addition, they should be employed by Livonia Public Schools, and should spend at least half of their time in instruction.

Please submit nominations at www.livoniapublicschools.org/toyform. If you do not have online access, please contact Stacy Jenkins at 734-744-2533 to have a nomination form mailed to you. Nominations are due by February 29, 2016.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. They include the right to: inspect and review records; request an amendment to records; consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information in student’s records (except in instances where disclosure without consent is allowed); file complaint with U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.” See full policy at www.livoniapublicschools.org under District tab and by clicking on Public Notices.

McKinney Vento Act Livonia Public Schools follows federal mandates for the McKinney Vento Act by enrolling any homeless children who lack a regular and adequate night-time residence. Homeless children are placed according to their best interests, and have the same rights as resident students. If you are aware of children in this circumstance, please refer them to our homeless liaison, Phil Francis at (734) 744-2535.

Child Find (Student evaluations)If your child is between birth and age five and you suspect that they may have a special need or developmental delay, please call 1-800-EARLYON (for birth to age three) or (734) 744-2765. If your child is enrolled in LPS in grades K-12 and you suspect a special need or disability, please contact the administrator at your child’s school or the Student Services Department at (734) 744-2524.

Lost or Stolen PropertyLivonia Public Schools and its staff members are not liable for damage to or loss of personal property of students. It is suggested that items brought to school by your child and deemed by you to have substantial value be insured separately on your homeowner’s policy.

AHERA Update LPS, as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) conducts ongoing surveillance and re-inspection programs for asbestos. LPS has an ongoing operations and maintenance program

to address the asbestos in the buildings owned and operated by the district. Visit www.livoniapublicschools.org and click on District tab, then Public Notices for the annual update and information.

ADA Accessibility NoticeLivonia Public Schools, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is committed to ensuring that communication with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with others and will furnish appropriate aids and services where necessary to meet this commitment. Persons desiring further information are to contact Student Services a 734-744-2524.

Nondiscrimination PolicyLivonia Public Schools prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, handicap, or disability in any of its educational programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 at (734) 744-2500.

Student Health/Accident InsuranceLivonia Public Schools does not insure students for accidental injuries during the school year. LPS makes reasonably priced student accident insurance plans available through a third party insurer. Application forms and brochures are available in the school offices or at the Board of Education office located at 15125 Farmington Road in Livonia. For more information, please call (734) 744-2500 ext. 42596.

Integrated Pest ManagementOccasionally, Livonia Public Schools may apply pesticides to our schools, school grounds, and athletic areas. As parents and guardians, you have the right to be notified prior to such applications.

If you wish to be notified via first class mail or e-mail, please e-mail Harry Lau at hlau@livoniapublicschools.org.

A posting of pesticide(s) used inside or outside of any LPS building will be placed in advance at the entrance of the building, and on the Livonia Public Schools website . In an emergency situation, LPS may make an application without prior notification to parents or guardians; however, parents/guardians will be notified of the application after it occurs.

Further information regarding pesticides can be obtained by contacting The National Pesticide Information Center at 1 (800) 858-7378.

Help us fIND our 2016-17 Teachers of the Year!

A note from the Livonia Goodfellows

To All the Staff, Students, and Parents of the Livonia Schools:On behalf of the Livonia Goodfellows, we would like to thank each of you for participating in the annual food collection. Some of you also donated money, hats and mittens.

The 2015 food drive collected over 800 banana boxes of food. Your efforts helped make Christmas better for our recipient families, who greatly appreciate your generosity. We also want to thank all of you, students and parents, who volunteered to help sort and pack all the food, not only at your school, but also at our facility at Dickinson Center. The generosity of your time helps to make our program possible, and you all give a great service to our community.

Thank you once more for all your efforts. We look forward to working with you again in the fall.

Public Notice

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Incoming 9th Grade Parent NightsLivonia Public Schools’ three high schools will host Parent Nights for all current 8th grade students and their families. Private and parochial school students are also invited to attend.

Information will include: academic programs; elective offerings and scheduling options; information about high school magnet programs, including Global Education; International Baccalaureate Program (IB); Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA); the Math, Science and Computer Program (MSC); Culinary Arts Program; Career Intern Program; and Career Technical Center.

Churchill High School January 27, 2016, 7:00 p.m.Begins in auditorium with welcome. For more information, call the Scheduling Office at 734-744-2650 ext. 46111

Franklin High School January 28, 2016, 7:00 p.m.A 6:15 p.m. session is scheduled for families not currently enrolled at Emerson Middle School. Begins in auditorium with a welcome. For more information, contact Ms. Esparza at 734-744-2655 ext. 47118

Stevenson High School February 4, 2016 7:00 p.m.Begins in auditorium with welcome. For more information, call Mr. Harper at 734-744-2660 ext. 48113.

Admissions for Gifted and Talented Students

Webster Alternative Classrooms for the Academically Talented (ACAT) is now taking nominations for the 2016-17 school year. Elementary-aged students who have outstanding academic achievement and ability may benefit from a specialized academic

program. Livonia Public Schools has a program dedicated to providing gifted and talented students a nurturing, differentiated, rigorous, and enriched curriculum. Students have opportunities for essential interaction between children with like abilities, interests, and talents. The program is housed at Webster Elementary School, 32401 Pembroke, Livonia 48152. The nomination and application process for the 2016-2017 school year is beginning now for students who are currently in kindergarten through fourth grade and reside within the LPS district. Applications are available at each district elementary school, and at the LPS website (under “Academically Talented” in the “Programs” tab. Applications may be returned to Webster through February 5, 2016. Applications received after this deadline will be considered only if additional openings are available.Contact Webster Elementary School at (734) 744-2795 ext. 34150, or email facilitator David Zyczynski at dzyczyns@livoniapublicschools.org with any questions.

Global Education Program DeadlineIncoming 9th Grade LPS Students and 9th Grade Non-Public Students Living Within LPS Boundaries

The School of Global Education is open on a limited basis for students whose home high school is Churchill or Franklin. Consideration for admission into this program is available online at www.livoniapublicschools.org/programs/global_education. A random drawing will be held to determine who enters the program if the interest is greater than the number of seats available. The deadline for submitting an interest form is February 1, 2016. Interest forms should be submitted to: Mr. Gary Harper, Stevenson High School 33500 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152. A copy of the student’s most recent standardized tests scores should be included with the interest form. Contact Judy Bergeski at the Global Education Office at 734-744-2660 ext. 48130 with questions.

International Baccalaureate Program

Franklin High School has the distinct honor of being the first high school in Wayne County to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. In 2009, the program was awarded IB World School status and began recruiting students who would take up

the challenge of a college preparatory curriculum that would emphasize the skills of inquiry and international awareness. IB courses provide students with the opportunity to do college-level work that is measured against an international standard.

IB candidates are expected to do IB coursework in six major areas, including literature, languages, social studies, experimental sciences, mathematics, and electives of either arts or an additional course from one of the other subject areas.

If you have questions about the IB program, or are interested in enrolling, please contact Sunshine Weber, IB Coordinator at 734-744-2655 x47135 or sweber4@livoniapublicschools.org.

www.livoniapublicschools.orgServing portions of Livonia & WestlandJanuary 2016 • Vol. 47, No. 1

Dialog is an official publication of the Livonia Public Schools. It is published regularly and mailed to residents of the Livonia School District as a public service. We encourage your response. All correspondence should be addressed to: 15125 Farmington Rd., Livonia, MI 48154.

To contact the LPS Communications office, please call (734) 744-2522, or email Katie Patterson at kpatters@livoniapublicschools.org.

LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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• Alpha USA• Bill Brown Ford, Inc.• Bright House Networks, LLC• Cheryl Bowker Agency – Allstate

Insurance• Comcast• Community Financial Credit

Union• DFCU Financial• Feldman Chevrolet of Livonia• Livonia A.M. Rotary• Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers• LPS Employees• LPS PTAs/PTSAs• Michigan Educational Credit

Union

• Observer and Eccentric Newspaper

• The Orthodontics Office of Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane

• Parkside Credit Union• Rock Out Entertainment• Roush Industries• Schoolcraft College• St. Mary Mercy Hospital - Livonia• St. Mary’s Cultural and

Banquet Center• Team Schostak Family

Restaurants• TRW Automotive• Westland Shopping Center

Foundation Corporate Donors

Bill Brown Ford (734) 421-7000 Feldman Chevrolet of Livonia (734)425-6500

Bring this coupon to Bill Brown Ford or Feldman Chevrolet of Livonia for a great deal on a new or used vehicle. The LPS Education Foundation will receive $200 for every sale.

Buy or lease a vehicle, and $200 will be donated to the LPS Education Foundation.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade was the keynote speaker at this year’s record-attendance luncheon to benefit the LPS Education Foundation, held at St. Mary’s Cultural and Banquet Center in Livonia. She shared stories of high-profile cases her office has handled since being appointed six years ago, including Kwame Kilpatrick’s public corruption scandal. The stories held the attention of the more than 250 in attendance.

Each year, the LPS Education Foundation invites an interesting speaker to this major fund-raiser that benefits the Foundation’s unique Competitive Edge College Savings Program for LPS kindergarteners.

The Competitive Edge College Savings Program offers to set-up a college savings trust account for each kindergarten student in the Livonia Public School District. An initial deposit is made by the Education Foundation, and additional contributions are made by the Foundation, as budgets allow. More than 1,700 students are taking advantage of this program, which began in 2008.

It was a caravan of good news and smiling faces, as the LPS Education Foundation took to the streets of the school district to surprise 16 teachers with classroom grants.

The LPS Education Foundation received 52 grant requests, totaling $148,000,

and was able to award 16 grants, totaling $37,500. Now in its third year, the grant program is supported by the LPS Education Foundation’s designated funds, community contributions and employee payroll deductions to the Foundation. The grants will go toward classroom innovations and improvements. Nearly $90,000 in classroom grants have been awarded since the program began.

For more information about the LPS Education Foundation, visit www.lpsfoundation.org.

Classroom grants awarded by LPS Education Foundation

Two teachers at Cooper Upper Elementary received grants: Judy

Bowling, on left, and Sally Erickson.

Luncheon benefifIts College Savings program for LPS kindergarteners

LPS Education Foundation News

Spotlight on: RoushIn 2016 Roush, which began operations in one small building in Livonia, will celebrate its 40th anniversary. While its footprint has expanded to encompass over 3 million square feet in facilities

across the globe, Roush is proud to still call Livonia home. Roush is known primarily for its work in the transportation and motorsports industries.

Roush is honored to be known for its extensive hiring of American veterans, and has been honored many times for their efforts, including the Disabled American Veterans Large

Employer of the Year, a Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency 2015 Silver Level Veteran-Friendly Employer, and a Victory Media 2016 Veteran Friendly Employer. In addition to its support of Livonia Public Schools and the Livonia Warriors First Robotics Team, Roush is a proud supporter of and donor to the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation.

Roush, a full-service product development supplier headquartered in Livonia, has over 4,000 employees in facilities located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As a full-service product development supplier, Roush provides engineering, testing, prototype and manufacturing services to diverse industries such as aerospace, entertainment and defense.

2015-2016Board of EducationTammy BonifeldColleen BurtonDaniel CentersLiz Jarvis Mark JohnsonDianne LauraEileen McDonnell

Andrea Oquist, Superintendent

ECRWSSPostal CustomerLivonia Public Schools

Nonprofit OrganizationUS Postage Paid

Livonia, MichiganPermit No. 36

Livonia Public Schools15125 Farmington RoadLivonia, MI 48154

If I listen closely, I can still hear the sounds coming from the electric bass that was resting in my uncle’s arms.

The year was 1989. The school: Hull Elementary. First grade, in my very first year as a Livonia student. This would be the year that I would pick up an electric bass guitar. Most don’t look at a six year old and think, “WOW! Here’s his future,” but it was.

I am Livonia. This is my home, my community, my culture. It is here that educators encouraged and fostered my desire for music as well as academics. I knew, at an early age, that this is where I belonged. I’d found my love, and my love needed to be spread to foster and inspire the spark of students where I once stood.

Not many have the opportunity to be where I am today. Each morning I stand on the original podium (it’s still there!) where my orchestra teacher stood during my 7th and 8th grade years at Frost Middle School. I can still see myself in the left corner of the music room with my bass in hand, music on my stand, surrounded by my peers who were eager to play. These vivid images inspire and drive me to be the best mentor I can for those who are seated where I once was.

When I graduated from Winston Churchill High School in 2001 with honors in music, I went on to Wayne State University where I double-majored in Performance and Music Education. All the while, I remained a Livonia/Westland resident. I found myself pulled back to the district that molded me in my school years. I continued to build upon my early professional development as a music education student working with students at Frost.

After landing my position as a music teacher at Frost in 2007, it didn’t take long before I was sharing first hand experiences of performing, as an adult, with my students. I want my students to know that the desire for music can go far beyond the classroom and has the capability to last a lifetime.

Early on in my collegiate career, the word “networking” made its way into my philosophy of teaching and performing. I’ve had the privilege of studying under many great musicians and educators from Wayne State, Adrian College, and Vandercook College of

Music; composers and conductors both locally and globally; and some of the biggest names to emerge from Motown.

It has been through this networking that I am inspired to build upon opportunities for my young musicians. I am proud of the way we have seized opportunities and successes while participating in honors ensembles at Wayne State, Bowling Green, and the Detroit Symphony. I am proud of the performances in solo and ensemble, MSBOA festivals, Music in the Parks, Downriver Percussion Days, and other countless activities in the greater Wayne County community. I am proud of how we have dug deeper into our musical minds through performances at the D.S.O., working closely with other composers, educators and musicians, experiencing the art of composing on our own, learning what it takes to be the leader on the podium, and exploring the ever-developing aspect of technology in music. The dedication, year after year, from my students continues to inspire me as their teacher, musician, and as a person.

Stories of childhood musical experiences are universal. These global stories keep me in tune with outreach to our community for building the programs and opportunities that I do. There will always be a need for the arts. Our students have the opportunity to make a career in music. I always tell my students that you don’t have to become a music teacher or performer, but there are many different careers in music. They have the opportunity to make an impact in the arts. Having the generosity of those who believe in the youth and the future of arts education is an asset to Livonia Public Schools. Thank you, Livonia, for supporting us, all of us. “…for the poetry of the music should resound in your heart,” as Andres Segovia, classical guitarist, once said.

From Teacher of the Year Michael Rais

Michael Rais is theMiddle School

Teacher of the Year for 2014-2015.

Michael is a music teacher at Frost

Middle School. He has been employed with LPS for eight

years.