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N E W N E S S

N E W N E S S

N E W N E S S

N E W N E S SSpring 2014

Northwest Community Schools NewsMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMounties

www.nwschools.org10 2014

Celebrate the Newness

P RESCHOOL B y moving into the Northwest Education Center, our Preschool and Child Care Center has been able to expand and offer more opportunities for our little Mounties.

New Preschool Location

New Sign

New Preschool Location

New Road

NEW ROADA new road was constructed to make entering and exiting the Northwest H igh School from R ives J unction R d. easier and faster.

NEW SIGNK eeping up- to- date with Mountie Nation news is now easier with our new sign on the corner of R ives J unction R d. and V an H orn R d.

Northwest Early Elementary

New SignNew SignNEW ROADA new road was constructed to make A new road was constructed to make

Northwest Early Elementary Northwest Early Elementary NORTHW EST EARLY ELEMENTARY GROU ND BREAK ING On Thursday, April 3 0 at 2: 45 p.m., NorthwestCommunitySchoolsofficiallybroke ground for our new K - 2 building. The event was attended by hundreds of community members and hundreds of students from our daycare, Parnall Elementary,and Northwest Elementary.

Northwest Community Schools News

www.nwschools.org 11 2014

Celebrate the Newness

NEC – TRAINING ROOM

Our professional development training

room has created a positive and

essential environment for our

staff as they focus on new and exciting

techniq ues for educating our students.

ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Our Alternative H igh School has flourishedintheirnew

environment at Northwest Education Center.

BOARD ROOMThe Northwest B oard of

EducationRoomisspecificallydesigned for our B oard of

Education Meetings. This room includes state of the art

technology and seating for 100.

New Alternative Location

Northwest Education Center

Board Room

Northwest Community Schools News MountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMounties

www.nwschools.org 11 2014

Celebrate the Newness

NEC – TRAINING ROOM

Our professional development training

room has created a positive and

essential environment for our

staff as they focus on new and exciting

techniq ues for educating our students.

ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Our Alternative H igh School has flourishedintheirnew

environment at Northwest Education Center.

BOARD ROOMThe Northwest B oard of

EducationRoomisspecificallydesigned for our B oard of

Education Meetings. This room includes state of the art

technology and seating for 100.

11 2014

ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Our Alternative H igh School has flourishedintheirnew

environment at Northwest Education Center.

New Alternative Location

NEC – TRAINING NEC – TRAINING ROOM

Our professional development training development training

room has created a room has created a positive and

essential environment for our environment for our

staff as they focus on staff as they focus on new and exciting

techniq ues for educating our students.educating our students.

Northwest Education CenterNorthwest Education CenterNorthwest Education CenterNorthwest Education CenterNorthwest Education Center

Board Room

Northwest Community Schools News Northwest Community Schools NewsMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMounties

Food Service and Nurse News Alternative News

www.nwschools.org www.nwschools.org16 2014 17 2014

Northwest Alternative high school earned honors as this year’s runner up in the StateClass C competition played in Okemos. TheteamadvancedtothefinalwithwinsoverWesternOptions42-30andMontcalmSchool41-21( Albion’s Starr Commonwealth) . Northwest lost to state rival D ownriver Alternative School inthefinal(47-31).Oneofthesetwoteamshavewonthestatetitlesevenofthelasteight

years.Neitherschoolfieldedateaminlastyear’stournament.Senior Nathaniel B axter led team with 19 poi nts, 8 s teals and 9 r ebounds in the Saturday tournament in

Okemos.BaxterandDustinMaxsonranthefloorforthescrappydefensiveteamthatbrokeaschoolrecordforstealsinagamewith20stealsinthefirstgameagainstMontcalmSchool.JehanBosticandDarianKilgoreeachhad7stealsinthetwogames.TrayshawnSmootledtheteaminreboundswith10andKilgorehad9.StevenHainesandChrisYounghad6reboundseach.MaxsonandKilgoreledtheteamwith4assistswhileSmootandKilgorehad2blocksapiece.BaxterhadscoringhelpinthetwogamedayfromSmootwhoscored17whileKilgoreandMaxsonwith13apiece.

NorthwestadvancedtotheroundoffourwithasolidvictoryovercountyrivalWesternOptions42-30.The game, played last Thursday at Northwest Elementary, was won with a tenacious one three one z one em-ployedbytheteamafterWesternracedouttoan11-2advantagetobeginthegame.Thezonehelpedtheteamregaintheleadathalftime21-20andheldWesternwithoutapointforthefirst11minutesofthesecondhalf.D ustin Maxsonmeanwhilewashittingfourthreepointshotsleadingtheteamwith16pointsand5assists.GraduatingSeniorNateBaxterchippedin9pointsand6rebounds.WhileStevenHaineshad13rebounds,andDarianKilgorehad11.

TheteamiscoachedbyMarkCavenderwhohasledtheteamfor13years.Itistheteam’s11thyearinthefinalfour,theirthirdrunnerupfinishgoingalongwithfivestatetitles.PlayersincludedontheteamareNathanielBaxter,DustinMaxson,TannerStewart,DanielCook,Tray-shonSmoot,JehanBostic,DarianKilgore,StevenHaines,andChrisYoung.

NorthwestAlternativeBasketballteamandschoolwouldliketoextendgratitudetothewiderNorthwestSchoolDistrictfortheircontributionstothisteam’sopportunitytofieldateamyearafteryear.AppreciationsstartwiththeKidderMiddleSchoolstaffforallowingourteamtousetheirgymnasium,theircustodialstaffforsettingupandcleaningafterthegamesandtheirofficestaffforbeingingratiatingaboutinclusionintotheirbuilding.Also,thankstoNorthwestElementarywhoallowedourteamtheuseoftheirbuildingandgymnasiumwhenthisseasonwasunexpectedlyextended.Theircustodialstaffwasextremelywelcomingandaccommodating.Andofcoursethecontin-uedsupportoftheschoolboardandSuperintendantforbelievingintheenrichmentofallstudentsregardlessofcircumstances.Becauseofthiscommitmentourstudentsbecomebetter people.

MICHIGAN HEART SAFE SCHOOL AWARDKarenFodorRN,BSNandJillHilerRN,BSN,SchoolNurses,willbereceivingtheMIHeartSafeSchoolsAward

forNWCSonMay20.TheAwardisbeinggiventhroughtheMichiganDepartmentofCommunityHealthandtheAmericanHeartAssociation.WearethefirstschooldistricttoreceivethisspecialdesignatedawardfortheentiredistrictbyhavingaqualifiedMedicalEmergencyResponsePolicyandProcedure,AEDsandMedicalEmergencyResponseTeamsineverybuilding,duringandafterschoolhours.Thisprogramwasimplemented8yearsagowhenAEDswerepurchasedforourdistrict.EachbuildinghasaMedicalEmergencyResponseTeamthatismadeupofapproximately12people.Wehaveayearlydrilltoreviewtheprocess,troubleshoot,andmakechangesforpreparationofarealemergency.Eachteammemberhastheirownresponsibilityinrespondingtoacardiacemergency.TeammemberswhoareCPRtrainedareresponsibleforbringingtheAED,thetraumabag,andEpi-Penstothesiteoftheemergen-cy.OtherteammembersareresponsibleformakingtheAllCallfortheresponseteaminthebuilding,notifying911,callingfortheschoolnurse,callingforbackupteamsifneeded,directingtheambulance,notifyingemergencycontacts,notifyingcentraloffice,andcoveringclassroomsforthosewhoareCPRtrainedandneedtoleavetheirclassestorespondtotheemer-gency.

OurTrainerDaveBrockisintheprocessoftraining100%ofourcoaches.HealsohasanAEDandEpi-Pensthathecarrieswithhimtosportingactivities.Epi-PensarenotpartoftheMIHeartSafeSchool,butisanotheremergencyprocedurethatwehavecombinedwiththeemergencycardiacprocedure.TheschoolnursesstartedcarryingEpi-Penswiththemin2000.Afterbeingintherightplaceattherighttimeandsavingalife,Epi-Penswerethenpurchasedforeachofficeineverybuilding.OfficestaffandtheMedicalEmergencyResponseTeamsarealltrainedinusingtheEpi-Pensforananaphylaxisemergency.Sincethen10liveshavebeensaved!Ithasjustbeenlegislated(2014)inMIforschoolstohaveEpi-Pensinschools.

NWCShasbeenaheadofthecurveinpreparingandrespondingtoemergencycareforstudentsandstaffforalongtime.Weareextremelyproudofourteams.Wehavealargenumberofnonmedicalpersonalwhohavevolunteeredorbeenrequestedtobepartofthesemedicalemergencyresponseteams. They take their training and responsibilities very seriously. Their courage and dedication is admirable.

TheAdministrationandSchoolBoardofNorthwestCommunitySchoolsneedstoberecognizedandappraisedfortheirlongstandingphilosophyandleadershipinpromotingandsupportingschoolhealthfortheirstudentsandstaff.Itisavitalaspectintheschoolsettinginprovidingthebesteducationtotheirstudents.NWCSisaleaderinCoordinatedSchoolHealth.

Ourwintermonthshavebeenbusyinthefoodservicedepartmentasusual!OurmonthlyMarvelousMountiebreakfastgivesusanopportu-nity to showcase our healthy yogurts and grain choices to our parents as theycomeintoschooltohavebreakfastwiththeirstudentsatNWEL.WetastetestedKaleChipsatbothNWELandParnallandtheywereahit!It’ssogreattoseeourlittleMountiestryingnewandhealthyitems.

WewillbeshowcasingfoodsfromMichiganinMay.WiththeNationalspotlightshiningonMichigan,whatbettertimetoshowcasehealthynutritiousfoodsmadeinMichigan!Wewillhavefruitsandveg-etablesfromlocalfarms,ourturkeyisfromtheMichiganTurkeyProduc-ersinGrandRapidsandthebiscuitsarefromAwrey’sBakerylocatedinLivonia.Thecheese-filledbreadsticksarefromWarren,andwecurrentlyonlyserveMichiganapples.

Asalways,wehaveexcitingthingsgoingonatNWFoodService.Elementarystudentsenjoyedfreesamplesoffreshvegetablessautéedto

Our winter months have been busy in the food service department

www.nwschools.org16 2014

order.OurMarketBasketSautésarealwaysahitatthesecondarylevel.InMarchwefeaturedaVenezuelanRiceBowlhighlightingherbsandspicesfromtheregion.Withsomeofourhighschoolstudentstravelingtothisregionnextyear,it’sgreattobeabletoexposethemtosomeauthenticflavorsoftheSouthAmerican culture.

ExcitingNews!StartingthisJuneandrunningallsummer,NWCSisexpandingtheSummerMealsPrograminourdistrict.WewillbeofferingFREEnutritiousmealsavailabletoanychild18oryoungerattheNorthwestEducationCenter(formerlyFloraList)andseveralcommunitiesintheNorthwestdistrict.ThesemealswillbeprovidedwithfundsfromtheUSDAatnocosttoNWCS.Watchformoreinforegardingsummermeals!

Stopinandcheckusout—wealwayshavenewandhealthychoicesforthestudentsandstaff.Pleasecallmyofficeifyouhaveanyque stions at 517-817-4690.PattiRussellF.S.D.

NORTHWEST ALTERNATIVE 2013-2014 GRADUATES

Jerry Tyra. Dale Mayo. Kelsey Whitehead. Brian Lewis. Chelsea Franks. Alyssa Rottler. McCully Harris. Lance Miller. Nathaniel Baxter. Nate Case. Hunter Lowe. Bailey Harris. Ian Fatchett.

Ian Fatchett upon graduation picked up hours at his two jobs. He works for Kroger o� West Ave while pursuing his career goal as a �re�ghter with the Parma/Sandstone Fire Department. Ian was an award winner for the Jackson County Career Center this year placing among the state’s best in competition in Grand Rapids. Ian’s performance gained him personal recognition by that area’s �re department chief who extended future employment opportunity to him upon graduation. Ian plans to attend Jackson College initially, transferring to Lake Superior State University for his four year �re �ghting degree.

NWAE 2005 graduate Katie Geniesse has taken a job as a 2nd grade teacher in Hillsboro County Schools (8th largest school district in the USA) near Tampa, Florida. Katie also completed her student teaching experience at Northwest Elementary earlier this fall. If you have any NW Alterna-tive Education graduate stories, please let us know so we can celebrate their successes with the wider world.

NORTHWEST ALTERNATIVE RUNNER UP IN STATE HOOP TOURNEY

Ms.Ronda(Joy)Millerhasahugeheart.Shebringsittoworkwithhereverydayforherstudents.Andofcoursethestudentsoftentrytotakeadvantageofthisheart,butMs.Milleris also tenacious. And even though she leads with her heart, she qui ckly recogniz es when sheisworkingharderforastudentthantheyare workingforthemselves.Oftenthisbeginsthe

adjustmentphaseforthestudent.AtimewhenthestudentcomestorealizethatMs.Miller’stenacityinholdingherstudentstothetaskathandcomesfromthissamehugeheart.Ms.Millerholds the line, insisting the student demonstrates production.

MillerteachesMathematics(Algebra,Geometry&Algebra2)atNorthwestAlternative.Sheisalsohighlyqualified(HQ)inEnglishandhasspearheadedthee2020programforNorthwestAlternativeHighSchool.Soherplateisabitfullfromanacademicstandpoint.WithallofthistodoforherdailyresponsibilitiesonemightthinkMs.Millerwouldkeepbusyenoughforanynormalhumanbeing.ButanyonewhoknowsMs.Millerunderstandsthisissimplyapartofallshedoesfortheworld.

Yearbook,Artclass,ResponseTeamparticipant,holidayexchangeswiththespecialneedsstudentsatthehighschool,schoolbreakfastcookingforeachnewtrimester,Christmas(andotherholiday)decorationsforthehallways,personalbirthdayrecognitionandsummer school coordination are included in her workday extras on an annual basis. She also cooksahugebreakfastforthebasketballteamwhentheygotothestatetournamentlikeshedid again this year. And when the school moved to the new building this year there were no availabledrinksforthestudents,Ms.MillerfilleduphercoolerandsoldGatoradeoutofherclassroom.AretheseactivitiesenoughtodrownMs.Millerinexhaustion?

JoyMiller’sdaycontinuesawayfromNorthwestwheresheistheprimarycarepro-viderforherparents,maingivertohertwograndchildren,leadsalocalCubScoutgroupwhilecontributingtotheareaBoyScoutsandifthisisn’tenoughshehasofferedherservicestohelpalonganagingseniorwhohasnofamilytoassist.

SodoesitsufficeustosayNorthwestAlternativeisluckytohavethegiftsofMs.Miller’shugeheart?Notevenclosetobeingenough…………………….butitisatleastworththemention.ThanksMs.Miller,foralloftheloveyougivetotheNorthwestCommunity Schools.

MOUNTIE NATION BENEFITS FROM

JOY MILLER

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Northwest Community Schools News Northwest Community Schools News MountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMounties

Food Service and Nurse News Alternative News

www.nwschools.org www.nwschools.org16 2014 17 2014

Northwest Alternative high school earned honors as this year’s runner up in the StateClass C competition played in Okemos. TheteamadvancedtothefinalwithwinsoverWesternOptions42-30andMontcalmSchool41-21( Albion’s Starr Commonwealth) . Northwest lost to state rival D ownriver Alternative School inthefinal(47-31).Oneofthesetwoteamshavewonthestatetitlesevenofthelasteight

years.Neitherschoolfieldedateaminlastyear’stournament.Senior Nathaniel B axter led team with 19 poi nts, 8 s teals and 9 r ebounds in the Saturday tournament in

Okemos.BaxterandDustinMaxsonranthefloorforthescrappydefensiveteamthatbrokeaschoolrecordforstealsinagamewith20stealsinthefirstgameagainstMontcalmSchool.JehanBosticandDarianKilgoreeachhad7stealsinthetwogames.TrayshawnSmootledtheteaminreboundswith10andKilgorehad9.StevenHainesandChrisYounghad6reboundseach.MaxsonandKilgoreledtheteamwith4assistswhileSmootandKilgorehad2blocksapiece.BaxterhadscoringhelpinthetwogamedayfromSmootwhoscored17whileKilgoreandMaxsonwith13apiece.

NorthwestadvancedtotheroundoffourwithasolidvictoryovercountyrivalWesternOptions42-30.The game, played last Thursday at Northwest Elementary, was won with a tenacious one three one z one em-ployedbytheteamafterWesternracedouttoan11-2advantagetobeginthegame.Thezonehelpedtheteamregaintheleadathalftime21-20andheldWesternwithoutapointforthefirst11minutesofthesecondhalf.D ustin Maxsonmeanwhilewashittingfourthreepointshotsleadingtheteamwith16pointsand5assists.GraduatingSeniorNateBaxterchippedin9pointsand6rebounds.WhileStevenHaineshad13rebounds,andDarianKilgorehad11.

TheteamiscoachedbyMarkCavenderwhohasledtheteamfor13years.Itistheteam’s11thyearinthefinalfour,theirthirdrunnerupfinishgoingalongwithfivestatetitles.PlayersincludedontheteamareNathanielBaxter,DustinMaxson,TannerStewart,DanielCook,Tray-shonSmoot,JehanBostic,DarianKilgore,StevenHaines,andChrisYoung.

NorthwestAlternativeBasketballteamandschoolwouldliketoextendgratitudetothewiderNorthwestSchoolDistrictfortheircontributionstothisteam’sopportunitytofieldateamyearafteryear.AppreciationsstartwiththeKidderMiddleSchoolstaffforallowingourteamtousetheirgymnasium,theircustodialstaffforsettingupandcleaningafterthegamesandtheirofficestaffforbeingingratiatingaboutinclusionintotheirbuilding.Also,thankstoNorthwestElementarywhoallowedourteamtheuseoftheirbuildingandgymnasiumwhenthisseasonwasunexpectedlyextended.Theircustodialstaffwasextremelywelcomingandaccommodating.Andofcoursethecontin-uedsupportoftheschoolboardandSuperintendantforbelievingintheenrichmentofallstudentsregardlessofcircumstances.Becauseofthiscommitmentourstudentsbecomebetter people.

MICHIGAN HEART SAFE SCHOOL AWARDKarenFodorRN,BSNandJillHilerRN,BSN,SchoolNurses,willbereceivingtheMIHeartSafeSchoolsAward

forNWCSonMay20.TheAwardisbeinggiventhroughtheMichiganDepartmentofCommunityHealthandtheAmericanHeartAssociation.WearethefirstschooldistricttoreceivethisspecialdesignatedawardfortheentiredistrictbyhavingaqualifiedMedicalEmergencyResponsePolicyandProcedure,AEDsandMedicalEmergencyResponseTeamsineverybuilding,duringandafterschoolhours.Thisprogramwasimplemented8yearsagowhenAEDswerepurchasedforourdistrict.EachbuildinghasaMedicalEmergencyResponseTeamthatismadeupofapproximately12people.Wehaveayearlydrilltoreviewtheprocess,troubleshoot,andmakechangesforpreparationofarealemergency.Eachteammemberhastheirownresponsibilityinrespondingtoacardiacemergency.TeammemberswhoareCPRtrainedareresponsibleforbringingtheAED,thetraumabag,andEpi-Penstothesiteoftheemergen-cy.OtherteammembersareresponsibleformakingtheAllCallfortheresponseteaminthebuilding,notifying911,callingfortheschoolnurse,callingforbackupteamsifneeded,directingtheambulance,notifyingemergencycontacts,notifyingcentraloffice,andcoveringclassroomsforthosewhoareCPRtrainedandneedtoleavetheirclassestorespondtotheemer-gency.

OurTrainerDaveBrockisintheprocessoftraining100%ofourcoaches.HealsohasanAEDandEpi-Pensthathecarrieswithhimtosportingactivities.Epi-PensarenotpartoftheMIHeartSafeSchool,butisanotheremergencyprocedurethatwehavecombinedwiththeemergencycardiacprocedure.TheschoolnursesstartedcarryingEpi-Penswiththemin2000.Afterbeingintherightplaceattherighttimeandsavingalife,Epi-Penswerethenpurchasedforeachofficeineverybuilding.OfficestaffandtheMedicalEmergencyResponseTeamsarealltrainedinusingtheEpi-Pensforananaphylaxisemergency.Sincethen10liveshavebeensaved!Ithasjustbeenlegislated(2014)inMIforschoolstohaveEpi-Pensinschools.

NWCShasbeenaheadofthecurveinpreparingandrespondingtoemergencycareforstudentsandstaffforalongtime.Weareextremelyproudofourteams.Wehavealargenumberofnonmedicalpersonalwhohavevolunteeredorbeenrequestedtobepartofthesemedicalemergencyresponseteams. They take their training and responsibilities very seriously. Their courage and dedication is admirable.

TheAdministrationandSchoolBoardofNorthwestCommunitySchoolsneedstoberecognizedandappraisedfortheirlongstandingphilosophyandleadershipinpromotingandsupportingschoolhealthfortheirstudentsandstaff.Itisavitalaspectintheschoolsettinginprovidingthebesteducationtotheirstudents.NWCSisaleaderinCoordinatedSchoolHealth.

Ourwintermonthshavebeenbusyinthefoodservicedepartmentasusual!OurmonthlyMarvelousMountiebreakfastgivesusanopportu-nity to showcase our healthy yogurts and grain choices to our parents as theycomeintoschooltohavebreakfastwiththeirstudentsatNWEL.WetastetestedKaleChipsatbothNWELandParnallandtheywereahit!It’ssogreattoseeourlittleMountiestryingnewandhealthyitems.

WewillbeshowcasingfoodsfromMichiganinMay.WiththeNationalspotlightshiningonMichigan,whatbettertimetoshowcasehealthynutritiousfoodsmadeinMichigan!Wewillhavefruitsandveg-etablesfromlocalfarms,ourturkeyisfromtheMichiganTurkeyProduc-ersinGrandRapidsandthebiscuitsarefromAwrey’sBakerylocatedinLivonia.Thecheese-filledbreadsticksarefromWarren,andwecurrentlyonlyserveMichiganapples.

Asalways,wehaveexcitingthingsgoingonatNWFoodService.Elementarystudentsenjoyedfreesamplesoffreshvegetablessautéedto

order.OurMarketBasketSautésarealwaysahitatthesecondarylevel.InMarchwefeaturedaVenezuelanRiceBowlhighlightingherbsandspicesfromtheregion.Withsomeofourhighschoolstudentstravelingtothisregionnextyear,it’sgreattobeabletoexposethemtosomeauthenticflavorsoftheSouthAmerican culture.

ExcitingNews!StartingthisJuneandrunningallsummer,NWCSisexpandingtheSummerMealsPrograminourdistrict.WewillbeofferingFREEnutritiousmealsavailabletoanychild18oryoungerattheNorthwestEducationCenter(formerlyFloraList)andseveralcommunitiesintheNorthwestdistrict.ThesemealswillbeprovidedwithfundsfromtheUSDAatnocosttoNWCS.Watchformoreinforegardingsummermeals!

Stopinandcheckusout—wealwayshavenewandhealthychoicesforthestudentsandstaff.Pleasecallmyofficeifyouhaveanyque stions at 517-817-4690.PattiRussellF.S.D.

NORTHWEST ALTERNATIVE 2013-2014 GRADUATES

Jerry Tyra. Dale Mayo. Kelsey Whitehead. Brian Lewis. Chelsea Franks. Alyssa Rottler. McCully Harris. Lance Miller. Nathaniel Baxter. Nate Case. Hunter Lowe. Bailey Harris. Ian Fatchett.

Ian Fatchett upon graduation picked up hours at his two jobs. He works for Kroger o� West Ave while pursuing his career goal as a �re�ghter with the Parma/Sandstone Fire Department. Ian was an award winner for the Jackson County Career Center this year placing among the state’s best in competition in Grand Rapids. Ian’s performance gained him personal recognition by that area’s �re department chief who extended future employment opportunity to him upon graduation. Ian plans to attend Jackson College initially, transferring to Lake Superior State University for his four year �re �ghting degree.

NWAE 2005 graduate Katie Geniesse has taken a job as a 2nd grade teacher in Hillsboro County Schools (8th largest school district in the USA) near Tampa, Florida. Katie also completed her student teaching experience at Northwest Elementary earlier this fall. If you have any NW Alterna-tive Education graduate stories, please let us know so we can celebrate their successes with the wider world.

commitment our

NORTHWEST ALTERNATIVE

NORTHWEST ALTERNATIVE RUNNER UP IN STATE HOOP TOURNEY

Ms.Ronda(Joy)Millerhasahugeheart.Shebringsittoworkwithhereverydayforherstudents.Andofcoursethestudentsoftentrytotakeadvantageofthisheart,butMs.Milleris also tenacious. And even though she leads with her heart, she qui ckly recogniz es when sheisworkingharderforastudentthantheyare workingforthemselves.Oftenthisbeginsthe

adjustmentphaseforthestudent.AtimewhenthestudentcomestorealizethatMs.Miller’stenacityinholdingherstudentstothetaskathandcomesfromthissamehugeheart.Ms.Millerholds the line, insisting the student demonstrates production.

MillerteachesMathematics(Algebra,Geometry&Algebra2)atNorthwestAlternative.Sheisalsohighlyqualified(HQ)inEnglishandhasspearheadedthee2020programforNorthwestAlternativeHighSchool.Soherplateisabitfullfromanacademicstandpoint.WithallofthistodoforherdailyresponsibilitiesonemightthinkMs.Millerwouldkeepbusyenoughforanynormalhumanbeing.ButanyonewhoknowsMs.Millerunderstandsthisissimplyapartofallshedoesfortheworld.

Yearbook,Artclass,ResponseTeamparticipant,holidayexchangeswiththespecialneedsstudentsatthehighschool,schoolbreakfastcookingforeachnewtrimester,Christmas(andotherholiday)decorationsforthehallways,personalbirthdayrecognitionandsummer school coordination are included in her workday extras on an annual basis. She also cooksahugebreakfastforthebasketballteamwhentheygotothestatetournamentlikeshedid again this year. And when the school moved to the new building this year there were no availabledrinksforthestudents,Ms.MillerfilleduphercoolerandsoldGatoradeoutofherclassroom.AretheseactivitiesenoughtodrownMs.Millerinexhaustion?

JoyMiller’sdaycontinuesawayfromNorthwestwheresheistheprimarycarepro-viderforherparents,maingivertohertwograndchildren,leadsalocalCubScoutgroupwhilecontributingtotheareaBoyScoutsandifthisisn’tenoughshehasofferedherservicestohelpalonganagingseniorwhohasnofamilytoassist.

SodoesitsufficeustosayNorthwestAlternativeisluckytohavethegiftsofMs.Miller’shugeheart?Notevenclosetobeingenough…………………….butitisatleastworththemention.ThanksMs.Miller,foralloftheloveyougivetotheNorthwestCommunity Schools.

Ms.bringsstudents.tois also tenacious. And even though she leads with her heart, she qui ckly recogniz es when sheare

MOUNTIE NATION BENEFITS FROM

JOY MILLER

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Northwest Community Schools NewsMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMounties

www.nwschools.org18 2014

Northwest Early Elementary

www.nwschools.org

Northwest Early ElementaryNorthwest Early ElementaryNorthwest Community Schools Hosts Ground Breaking Ceremony for New Early Elementary

�e Northwest Community School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Jackson County. �e school system has a growth rate of a 3% increase over the past school year. �e new elementary school will be built on property in front of the currently existing Parnall Elementary. �e Board of Education, at their meeting on February 10, 2014, approved the naming of the new elementary building, Northwest Early Elementary School. �e new school’s footprint will feature a grade level pod system that will allow team teaching in larger groups while still maintaining the abil-ity to teach in the smaller group environment found in classrooms. In May 2013, the Northwest Community approved two bond proposals for the amount of approximately $30 million and $10 million to provide the funding for this and other construction projects in the district. �ree dimensional drawings of the new elementary are available at the www.nwschools.org website under Bond Construction. �e formal groundbreaking ceremony for the Northwest Early Elementary School was held on April 30, 2014 at 2:45 p.m. �e public was invited to join the board of education trustees and other local dignitaries in this exciting event. �e site is located on Lansing Avenue in front of Parnall Elementary.

Greetings Mountie Nation! “�is ground breaking is signi�cant for so many reasons. It not only marks a new beginning for the Northwest Community but it shows the Northwest true inner wealth - that what we have known to be present all along. It is you, our community, our parents, our sta� and our students whomakes this district so special and what makes this day so meaningful. It is the combination of all of your individual accomplishments that are making this school district thrive. So, I thank you from our students for generations to come. It is �nally time for North-west to shine! �ank you for being a part of this newness! �ank you for being a part of the greatness! �ank you being Northwest Community Schools! We are Northwest! Go Mounties!”- Superintendent Mr. Geo� Bontrager

Northwest Community Schools News MountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMounties

www.nwschools.org 19 2014

Ground Breaking

www.nwschools.org

Ground BreakingGround Breaking

Recognition “�is e�ort took many people working together to accomplish a monumental task. �ank you !”- Mrs. Shawn White, School Board Secretary

Lifelong Mountie Pride “As a lifelong member of the Mountie Nation, I have never been so excited for Northwest than I am at this moment. I would like to thank the community for all their support of our district in passing the bond last spring. Our district has come so far in the past two years and it has only just begun.”- Mr. Kevin Kingsley, School Board President

Northwest Community Schools News

www.nwschools.org18 2014

Northwest Early ElementaryNorthwest Community Schools Hosts Ground Breaking Ceremony for New Early Elementary

�e Northwest Community School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Jackson County. �e school system has a growth rate of a 3% increase over the past school year. �e new elementary school will be built on property in front of the currently existing Parnall Elementary. �e Board of Education, at their meeting on February 10, 2014, approved the naming of the new elementary building, Northwest Early Elementary School. �e new school’s footprint will feature a grade level pod system that will allow team teaching in larger groups while still maintaining the abil-ity to teach in the smaller group environment found in classrooms. In May 2013, the Northwest Community approved two bond proposals for the amount of approximately $30 million and $10 million to provide the funding for this and other construction projects in the district. �ree dimensional drawings of the new elementary are available at the www.nwschools.org website under Bond Construction. �e formal groundbreaking ceremony for the Northwest Early Elementary School was held on April 30, 2014 at 2:45 p.m. �e public was invited to join the board of education trustees and other local dignitaries in this exciting event. �e site is located on Lansing Avenue in front of Parnall Elementary.

Greetings Mountie Nation! “�is ground breaking is signi�cant for so many reasons. It not only marks a new beginning for the Northwest Community but it shows the Northwest true inner wealth - that what we have known to be present all along. It is you, our community, our parents, our sta� and our students whomakes this district so special and what makes this day so meaningful. It is the combination of all of your individual accomplishments that are making this school district thrive. So, I thank you from our students for generations to come. It is �nally time for North-west to shine! �ank you for being a part of this newness! �ank you for being a part of the greatness! �ank you being Northwest Community Schools! We are Northwest! Go Mounties!”- Superintendent Mr. Geo� Bontrager

This year the Northwest Community Players were proud to present “Once Upon a Mattress.” This show featured 100 Northwest Community members ranging from 6th grade through grandparents. This year’s show reached roughly 2000 community members and was supported by over 100 Northwest businesses.

2014 Northwest Community Musical: “Once Upon a Mattress”

Communit y Involvement

www.nwschools.org20 2014

Northwest Community Schools NewsMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesMountiesPhotos by Juniors Sara Corravo and M

iranda Inosencio

Northwest Community Schools Honors Our National Day of Service in April 2014

Students and staff members from every building in the Mountie Nation worked together on Friday, April 11 to create hundreds and hundreds of Easter baskets/decorations that were donated to local nursing and care homes and delivered with Meals on Wheels. Thank you to each person who participated in this event for thinking about others and offering yet another example of how involved Northwest Community Schools is in our local community.

Photos by Junior Miranda Inosencio, Junior Allie Lefere, Senior Sierra N

icka, Senior Taylor Parsons, Sophom

ore Alyssa Stull, and Miss M

arnie Hade