September, 2011 Message from Mr. Pfannes

39701 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313 Adlai E. Stevenson High School Attendance Office 797-1999 Website: www.uticak12.org Main Office 797-1900 Fax 797-1901

Mr. Pfannes-Principal - Ms. Hildebrand, Mr. May, Mr. Gray - Associate Principals

September 6 – First Day of School

September 20 – Open House 6:30 p.m.

September 26-30 – Homecoming Week

September 28 – College Visit – University of Michigan Ann Arbor @ 8:00 a.m.

September 28 – Rachel’s Challenge

September 28 – Hallway decorating right after school

September 30 – Homecoming Parade @ 6:00 followed by the Homecoming Game vs. Ford @ 7:00 p.m.

October 1 – Homecoming Dance 7:00 pm

October 3 – College Visit – Olivet @ 9:00 a.m.

October 12 – PSAT/NSNQT – 10

th grade

October 13 – Picture Retake Day 9:30-1:00 p.m.

November 8 – No School Professional Development

Dear Stevenson Titan Parents and Guardians, Every year, Titan Days get me excited for the start of the new school year. I love seeing the student’s enthusiasm about getting their new schedule and being with their friends. I can’t wait until Tuesday, September 6, when we open our doors to the 2011-2012 school year! It will be nice to meet our new sophomore Titans and to welcome back the juniors and seniors. When students return to school, they will see some changes. I am pleased to announce that our Electronic Collaborative Classroom (ECC) is now open. This is a great new instructional space for our students. An additional benefit to its construction is that it provides multiple ways to exit the E wing. These paths will help students get to class on time by reducing congestion in the hallways. In addition to changes to the physical plant, students will have new experiences. For the first time, this year Stevenson High School will participate in Rachel’s Challenge (see article on page 7). The kickoff of this great program will take place on September 28 with assemblies for the students during the day and an additional one for the entire community at 7 p.m. We know that Rachel’s Challenge has made a difference at our feeder Junior Highs and we want to extend its benefits to the Stevenson Community. We are also starting a program called AVID that helps students reach their personal goals (see article on page 9). Thirty four select students are enrolled in the program, however, all of our students will benefit from the training that our AVID teachers have attended. We want all of our students to reach their highest potential. Speaking of reaching higher, at the end of last school year, I was very excited to see that a vast majority of our students took courses that would challenge and prepare them for the future. Now that summer is over, some of our students are anxious about the rigorous schedules that they have taken. Some are even questioning whether or not they are ready. I think it is OK to be concerned; however, it is my hope that all our students remain committed to pushing themselves to the limit. I am confident that they will be successful! Over the past couple of days, our staff has been preparing to help each student reach their highest potential. They have been discussing ways to better meet the students’ needs. The staff was reviewing pacing guides and sharing best teaching practices. They assured me that they are prepared for your students to return.

Message from Mr. Pfannes Page 2

A partnership between school and home is important to the success of all our students. Therefore, I hope to see and meet all of you at our Open House on Tuesday, September 20. We will start out in the Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Following the meeting in the Auditorium, you will be able to follow your student’s schedule and meet his/her teachers. When you are here, you will see some new faces including:

Angela Cady – English Language Arts teacher who joins us after teaching at

Ford High School.

Carol Dimovski – World Language Teacher (Spanish) who joins us from Utica

High School.

Regena Hampson – Family and Consumer Science Teacher and Teacher Cadet

Instructor who some of you may know from Davis Junior High (She went by

Thompson then).

Chad Hottle – Athletic Director and P.E. teacher who was teaching at a local

private school.

Bettye Anne Kittle – Counselor who some of you may know from Heritage

Junior High.

Nick Skalsky – Autoshop teacher that we will be sharing with some other

schools.

Also returning to us, after being at Eisenhower High School for a year, are Mary Beth Acoff and Jill Georgiou, both English Language Arts teachers. Along with Open House, I would like to invite each of you to be part of my Parent Advisory Board. We meet monthly to discuss all things Titan related. I hold one in the evening and one in the morning. The first evening meeting is Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. and the first morning meeting is Wednesday, September 28 at 8:30 a.m. The floors are polished. The teachers are ready. All we need are the students. Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! With Titan Pride,

Steven Pfannes Principal

September 6 Students Report – Full Day of School

September 20 Open House, 6:30 p.m.

September 26-30 Homecoming Week

September 28 Hallway decorating after school

September 28 University of Michigan Ann Arbor Visit @ 8:00 am

September 30 Homecoming Parade @ 6:00 pm

September 30 Homecoming Game vs. Ford @ 7:00 pm

October 1 Homecoming Dance, 7:00-10:00 pm

October 3 Olivet Visit @ 9:00 am

October 12 PSAT/NSMQT Testing/10th Grade

November 8 No School – Teacher PD

November 9-22 Conference window – 2 evenings

November 17 All Student half day, pm conferences

November 23-25 No school – Thanksgiving Break

December 23 – Jan 3 Holiday Break

January 4 Classes resume

January 16 No school – Martin Luther King Day

January 18 Secondary half day-secondary exams

January 19 All half day-secondary exams-elementary records

January 20 All half day-secondary exams-elementary records

February 13-March 23 MI ACCESS Testing Window/11th Grade

February 20-24 Mid-Winter Break

February 24 No School – Teacher PD PM

February 28 – March 9 Secondary conference window – one evening

March 5 – April 13 ELPA Testing Window/10th-12th Grades

March 6-8 ACT/MME Exam

April 2-9 No School – Spring Break

May 7-May 18 Advanced Placement Testing

May 25 No School – Teacher PD

May 28 No School – Memorial Day

June 12 Secondary half day– secondary exams

June 13 Secondary half day– secondary exams

June 14 All-student half day – secondary exams

June 15 No school, Teacher PD

We have a few new safety features that will make our school a safer place to learn and grow. First,

our new camera system is live and operational in the hallways and common areas of the buildings.

This also includes the cafeteria and gymnasium. Secondly, we are a closed campus in every aspect:

meaning that students are to enter and exit through designated doors before and after school.

However, while school is in session, no one is allowed outside of the school building without prior

permission from a teacher, administrator or another staff member. If you make the choice to go

outside without permission you will be required to attend Saturday School to rethink your lapse in

judgment. Please don’t open locked doors for anyone. Once school starts we want everyone to enter

and exit through the main office entrance so we can account for each guest of the building while

maintaining a safe environment for teaching and learning. If you are caught opening an unauthorized

exit for a visitor you will also be assigned a Saturday School. We would like to thank you in advance

for keeping Stevenson High School a safe place to make a difference.

KNOW YOUR CHILD’S COUNSELOR… We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Bettye Ann Kittle to our Counseling Department for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Kittle will join us as a result of Mr. Fiott’s retirement. Please refer to the following breakdown for counselor caseloads: Mrs. Reitzel A-B, X-Z, and all MST, CSI, and AVID students

Dr. Jones-Lau C-Hax (except MST, CSI, and AVID students)

Mrs. Olson Hay-Mev (except MST, CSI, and AVID students)

Mrs. Kittle Mew-Rn (except MST, CSI, and AVID students)

Mrs. Mattson Ro-W (except MST, CSI, and AVID students)

SCHEDULE CHANGES… Schedule changes will take place within the first few weeks of the school year. Schedule changes are only made if: A senior is missing a class that is necessary for graduation

A student is missing an hour completely from their schedule

A student has a class in their schedule that they did not request either as a regular or alternative choice *** Please note that counselors CANNOT make a teacher change in a student’s schedule SENIOR NEWS… The beginning of the school year is always a very exciting time for the members of our senior class. All seniors will meet with their counselor at the start of the school year and receive a Senior Folder loaded with important information to make the senior year a successful one. Please keep the following information in mind: Read through the Senior Folder with your child to discuss and share information.

Work on applications. They should be complete and sent to colleges before the end of October.

Seniors may sign up in the Counseling Office to meet with college representatives that will be visiting throughout the fall. All seniors should register with Docufide prior to the start of the school year. This system allows transcripts to be sent to colleges electronically. It is safe and efficient. Docufide information was provided in the registration mailing.

Seniors needing to retake the ACT in order to improve their scores should sign up for this at www.act.org.

All seniors should review the graduation requirements in order to assure that they will have the credits necessary to graduate in June.

CELL PHONE USE PROHIBITED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

The use of cell phones, pagers/beepers or other electronic communication devices (ECD) by students is prohibited at any time while in school or in a district vehicle. Secondary students may carry ECDs during the school day, but they CANNOT BE DISPLAYED OR USED. Elementary students are not permitted to possess an ECD at any time. The use of an ECD’s picture-taking or internet connection capability is not permitted.

UTICA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE RE-SPONSIBLE FOR THE THEFT, LOSS ORDAMAGE OF ANY ECD. Any ECDs that are used or are in sight during the school day will be confiscated and may be picked up at the end of the day from your Associate Principal. If an ECD is confiscated your Associate Principal will assign you a Saturday School. To avoid policy violations, we encourage parents to make use of the school’s central phone system (586-797-1900) should it become necessary to contact your student during the school day. Students are directed to make emergency phone calls from the main office when necessary.

Attendance Policy Reminder

The UCS attendance policy is covered in our 'Senior High School Parent and Student

Handbook' on pages 10 - 12. Each student will receive a copy of the handbook in

September at a class meeting with an associate principal. Having good attendance is one

of our expectations and helps contribute to a successful experience in school. Parents are

expected to call in their student's absence on the attendance line at 586-797-1999. The line

is open 24 hours/day. We recommend you provide written verification (doctor/ dentist notes, court papers,

etc.) whenever possible. Excused absences are only given by the school for legitimate reasons such as illness,

doctor's appointment, hospitalization, doctor-ordered bed rest, mandatory court appearance that has been

prearranged, death in immediate family, and family vacation that has been prearranged and approved.

Students will be placed on Credit Review for the following reasons:

three unexcused absences in a class in a semester

after seven excused absences having any subsequent unexcused absences

having 15 excused absences

A student placed on credit review is expected to improve attendance. Without improvement the

student risks the loss of credit. For a complete explanation of our attendance policy, please see your

student's handbook. Note to parents of seniors: No exceptions are made in the attendance policy for seniors.

Be sure to keep track of your student's attendance.

Associate Principal Comments

Mr. Larry Gray – 10th

Grade Ms. Hildebrand – 11th

Grade Mr. Scott May – 12th

Grade

ADDRESS CHANGE

If you have moved you MUST contact the Registrar’s Office immediately (586) 797-1900. In order to remain at Stevenson you

must provide proper documentation. This includes your drivers’ license with your new address and a copy of your lease agreement

or closing statement. If this is not done immediately, you will jeopardize your student’s enrollment at Stevenson.

Students use their

skills to earn top

national honors Six Utica Community

Schools students have

earned top honors in a national tournament that

helps prepare them for careers in trade, technical

and skilled service occupations.

Stevenson and Utica Center for Science and

Industry students earned national honors in the

SkillsUSA competition, held in Kansas City in June.

Honors earned by UCS students were:

A sixth place finish in the CNC Milling

competition for Stevenson tenth grader Aaron

Ketchum, coached by machine trades teacher

Rob Newman.

A ninth-place finish for Stevenson students

Gary Wallace, Alison Dameron and Anthony

Gartrelle, coached by Design

Engineering/CAD teacher Mike Garcia.

A ninth-place finish in TV/Video Production

earned by Adam Atallah and Adam Bialecki,

coached by Center for Science Industry

TV/Video Production teacher Mike Allore.

SkillsUSA is a national organization with over

240,000 members from 50 states. The purpose of

SkillsUSA is to prepare “high performance” workers

by providing quality educational experiences for

students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and

character development.

Every student who participates in SkillsUSA is

sponsored and advised by a Career & Technical

Education instructor. These teachers and students

spend many hours outside of the school day

preparing for and participating in competitions.

UCS students earned entry to the national

competition after taking first place honors at the

state-level competition Lansing Michigan.

POSTCARD FROM FRANCE

From June 27 until July 6, 8 Stevenson students, Dr. Webster from Heritage and

Madame White visited France. They saw Paris where a highlight was dining on the Eiffel Tower. They visited Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. They visited Normandy with Omaha beach. They climbed up to the abbey of Mont Saint

Michel. In the Loire valley they visited several chateaux and learned to cook dinner at a cooking school. C’était magnifique! The French students were: Seniors Lauren Bretz, Jacob Flanigan and John Oziem; Juniors Garrett Nichols, Andrew Plague and Donna Hurt and Sophomores Lydia Wright and Rachel McCann.

December 14th & 15th-SHS Concerts 7pm.

January 14th-Junior High S & E and H.S. Chamber Festival

February Jazz Concert- Jan 8th

March 8-10, Junior High Band Festival

March 15-17 High School Band Festival

April Jazz Fest TBA

May 15th-Davis Band Concert @ SHS, 7:30pm

May 17th-SHS Spring Concerts, 7pm

May 24-27- New York Spring Trip-Memorial Day Weekend

Michael D. Sekich

Director of Bands and Orchestra

Stevenson High School (586) 797-2128

www.shs-music.org

The Titan Marching Band is up and running full steam for the 2011 season! The band has been working hard all summer, and finished Home Camp at Stevenson August 15th-19th. The band then headed up to Traverse City MI August 21st-27th to work another full week to be ready for our 2011 season! Our show this year is Road Trip USA 2011! Be there to check out us out playing hits like Sweet Home Alabama, Detroit Rock City, and Life is a Highway just to name a few! The Titan Marching Band will be performing in the Romeo Peach Festival Parade September 5th and the Richmond Good Old Days Parade September 11th. Have a great year, and GO TITANS!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM GERMANY The highlight of this summer for several German students, a few parents, and coordinator Frau Spezia was an exciting nine-day trip to Germany (mostly Bavaria) and Switzerland. (Follow the solid line on the map of our trip.) The students were able to experience the

“classroom” in the real world through a variety of activities. This was truly a great example of a cross-curricular experience. Some of the highlights included seeing buildings dating back to the Middle Ages in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Marksburg and Heidelberg castles. There we were challenged to “fade out” all that was modern and to imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of living way back when. We also saw different architectural styles (primarily Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance) and learned how to tell them apart. In the Munich area our group experienced the older history of a time with kings and emperors along with the more modern history of World War II, which included a sobering visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. During our travels we saw evidence of Germany’s commitment to renewable energy: frequent sightings of wind turbines and solar panels on residential roofs as well as in fields (solar farms). We also saw a variety of landscapes: from the relatively flat areas in parts of central Germany to the Alps; from farmlands to alpine lakes to the Black Forest. Our two-hour cruise on the Rhine River was not just a way to see sights unique to that area, but also gave the students a feel for how important rivers were to the development of towns and commerce before more modern modes of transportation. All of us made mental calculations as we made purchases using the Euro while in Germany and then we had to make additional mental adjustments when using the Swiss Franc in Lichtenstein and Switzerland. From a culinary point of view, we were able to try regional specialties, such as the “Schneeball” in Rothenburg, “Leberkäs” and “Weisswurst” in Bavaria, and cheese fondue and “Rösti” in Switzerland. In the outskirts of Munich, we learned several Bavarian folk dances and in Lucerne, Switzerland, we saw Swiss folk musicians play unusual instruments, such as 12’ long Alpine horns, cowbells (you would be surprised how large they were!), a saw, and a wooden rake, in addition to listening to yodeling. With such a variety of experiences, everyone could go home happy and with lots of stories to tell. (Frau Spezia will post information regarding the first meeting for the 2013 trip this coming January.)

We are very excited to be sponsoring Rachel’s Challenge at Stevenson High School.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America.

Students, faculty and staff attend a 45 minute presentation about Rachel and her philosophy of life as well as an introspective look at how we interact with one another as human beings. This is followed by a separate interactive 90 minute training session involving both adult and student leaders that shows how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly. The assembly creates the “want to” or desire for positive change. The training session teaches the “how to” and ensures that the positive impact will continue. The third component is an assembly for the community. It is hosted by the school in an effort for parents and the community to be involved. The challenge is to stimulate a cultural systemic change in schools, communities and lives. Challenge #1: Eliminate Prejudice Challenge #2: Set goals Challenge #3: Be aware of your influences Challenge #4: Little things can do so much…Acts of Kindness Challenge #5: Open your heart to diversity

If you are interested in helping with this experience, it would be greatly appreciated! Please contact Larry Gray at Larry.Gray@Uticak12.org or call 797-1900. Take a look online …at www.rachelschallenge.org.

Rachel’s Challenge is coming to Stevenson!

Please note the following schedule is for

Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

** Please wear a white t-shirt on Wednesday.**

SCHEDULE:

7:25-8:18: (1st Hour) Sophomores attend presentation

in the main gym.

9:28-10:22: (3rd Hour) Seniors & Juniors attend

presentation in the main gym

10:28- 12:07: (4th Hour) 100 students will attend a

leadership training session for Rachel’s Challenge

Club.

Challenge #1: Eliminate prejudice

Challenge #2: Set goals

Challenge #3: Be aware of your influences

Challenge #4: Participate in random acts of

kindness.

Challenge #5: Open your heart to diversity.

Page 8

There are four (4) publication packages. The Gold, Silver or Bronze Ambassador

yearbook packages and a Vanguard newspaper package. Please select the publication

packages you wish to receive. Online registration - save $5.00 (first listed fee). Regular

registration fee (second listed fee). Late purchase at May distribution – add $10. Seniors,

see attached portrait/composite info and a spec sheet to take to your photographer.

Gold Package $80.00/$85.00

All-color yearbook

Nameplate

Plastic dust jacket (clear cover)

Silver Package $72.00/$77.00

All-color yearbook

Nameplate

Bronze Package $65.00/$70.00

All-color yearbook only

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name:____________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

street city zip

Home Phone:_______________________ Cell: _______________________

______ Gold Package - Name

______ Silver Package - on nameplate: ______________________

______ Bronze Package

______ Newspaper Package TOTAL: $_________________

• Print name as it should appear on nameplate (full name, nickname, etc.)

REGISTER ONLINE AND SAVE! REGISTER ONLINE AND SAVE!

Approximately 8 issues of

the Vanguard newspaper

delivered to your home

(parents can order so they

have their own)

Newspaper Package

$25.00/$30.00

• Please select one yearbook

package, one newspaper

package or both by checking

the corresponding box(es).

Picture taken at Prestige Studios: Seniors are

encouraged to be photographed at Prestige, Stevenson’s

official photographer, by Saturday, November 19, 2011.

Seniors photographed by Prestige do NOT have to turn in

photographs to be included in the Stevenson yearbook.

Prestige will deliver a CD to the yearbook staff and

automatically include the photo in the class composite

(class picture in hallway). A pose must be selected by

Saturday, December 3, 2011 as the disk will be delivered

to yearbook by Saturday, December 19, 2011.

Picture NOT taken at Prestige Studios: Have picture

taken by Saturday, November 19, 2011. Students must

submit ONE (1) picture in hard copy or on CD to the

publication room (F-111) or Ms. Pantano’s mailbox NO

LATER THAN Monday, December 19, 2011. We do

NOT accept emailed photos.Digital Specifications:

• Submit image on CD, clearly labeled with student’s name

• Image files: Either .jpg or .tiff (must not be compressed)

Class Composite Information if picture is NOT taken at Prestige Studios (PLEASE

READ CAREFULLY): Yearbook does NOT do the class composite and is NOT responsible

for the class composite so DO NOT include any extra photos. They will NOT be forwarded.

To be included in the class composite, contact Prestige Studios @ (586)532-9300. YOU

MUST submit your photo yourself to Prestige Studios by Saturday, February 4, 2012.

Failure to do this may result in your photo not being included in the class composite.

Portrait Specifications: (sheet to submit to photographer is attached)

• Head Size from top of head to bottom of chin is one inch

• Print Size: 1-1/2 by 2 inches

• Natural blue-grey background only; plain; no other colors

• No double exposures, multiples, over-the-shoulder or group shots with animals or

other objects

• Straight forward, no angled shoulders, must be looking at camera

• No cap and gown portraits, no hats, T-shirts, drapes, bare shoulders, hands,

spaghetti straps, sleeveless or low-cut tops

• No backlighting

• There is a $25 charge for resizing photos or photos handed in after deadline date

of Monday, December 19, 2011; late photos cannot be guaranteed for publication

Take this sheet to your photographer so he or she knows the requirements for your senior picture. HARD COPY OR CD ONLY; NO EMAIL

Portrait Specifications: • Head Size from top of head to bottom of

chin is one inch • Print Size: 1-1/2 by 2 inches • Natural blue-grey background only; plain; no

other colors • No double exposures, multiples, over-the-

shoulder or group shots with animals or other objects

• Straight forward, no angled shoulders, must be looking at camera

• No cap and gown portraits, no hats, T-shirts, drapes, bare shoulders, hands, spaghetti straps, sleeveless or low-cut tops

• No backlighting • There is a $25 charge for resizing photos or

photos handed in after deadline; late photos cannot be guaranteed for publication

Whether your senior picture is taken at Prestige or another studio, the yearbook should have your picture in their possession by Monday, December 19, 2011 to avoid $25 late fee. Do NOT email your photo – it will NOT be accepted.

Class Composite Information if picture is NOT taken at Prestige Studios PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Yearbook does NOT do and is NOT responsible for the class composite so DO NOT submit extra photos to yearbook. They will NOT be forwarded. Contact the senior class advisor (Lisa Lucas) for any questions regarding the class composite. To be included in the class composite, YOU must contact Prestige Studios yourself at (586)532-9300 for instructions and information. Prestige charges a small service fee to be included in the composite if the senior picture was not taken there. You MUST deliver or mail your photo to Prestige Studios by Saturday, February 4, 2012 with the service fee. Failure to do this may result in your photo not being included in the class composit.

Page 9

There will be a number of important menu changes in our school’s lunch room this year as a result of new federal regulations. The changes will create healthier menu items for our students by requiring larger portions of fruit and vegetables. In addition, our lunches will feature more whole grains, along with lower sodium content.

The new federal law also mandates that every school district adjust its meal prices to ensure the overall rate is comparable with federal reimbursement rates. As a result, the new requirements mandate an increase in lunch prices in Utica Community Schools for the first time in four years.

Student lunch prices for the 2011-2012 school year will be $ 2.35 for elementary, $2.60 for junior high and $ 2.65 for high school. Breakfast served at selected schools will remain at $1.40.

Food Service staff members are ready to continue their partnership with parents make sure our students are well-nourished and ready to learn.

A nutritious breakfast is available for students when they arrive at school each morning. The cost is $1.40, milk included. For students with an approved free or reduced price application on file, the price is 30 cents or free. A variety of food choices are offered. Milk alone is .45 cents. We look forward to serving our students the most important meal of the day!

Do you love science? Are you a budding engineer? Are you competitive? The Science Olympiad Team is looking for you. Consider trying out for the StevensonHigh School Science Olympiad Team. Our team is composed of 15 students in grades 10, 11 and 12. A student on the team will complete in three or four events in life, physical or earth science. There are also events in technology and engineering. Most students practice 5 to 8 hours per week. The season starts in September and ends with the National competition in May. We are going to invitational tournaments in Dayton, Ohio and Frankenmuth, MI. The regional competition is March 24, 2012 and the State competition is April 28, 2012. Last year, the Stevenson team finished the season third in the state. If you are interested in trying out for the Science Olympiad team, please come to an organizational

meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at Stevenson. Please email the head coach, Regina Zibuck at rzibuck@gmail.com for further details.

November 9-12 at 7pm November 13 at 2pm

Director: Michelle Berg

CHICAGO the Musical™ is based on the 1926 play of the same name that revolved around actual criminals and

crimes. CHICAGO is a satirizing comedy that takes place in a Prohibition-era Chicago. The musical throws around

issues such as the over romanticized idea of the “Celebrity Criminal” and the corruption that takes place in the Criminal

Justice system.

Tickets available through Showtix4u.com on November 1st

.

Special permission with Samuel French

We are happy to announce that Stevenson High School will be the first high school in Macomb County to offer AVID to our incoming tenth graders. Thirty four students from the various feeder junior high schools were selected to participate in AVID for the 2011-2012 school year. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Students were selected based on MEAP scores, teacher recommendation and personal interviews. AVID targets those students in the academic middle who have college potential but need more support to move them to the next level. All of the AVID students are required to enroll in an advanced level class and will also be enrolled in the AVID elective and learn the strategies that are necessary to be successful in advanced level classes. AVID has 30 years of research behind the program and is recognized by the College Board who administers the ACT. AVID, is an elementary through postsecondary college readiness system that is designed to increase school wide learning and performance. The AVID system accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional development, and acts as a catalyst for systematic reform and change. If you would like to know more about AVID, please feel free to contact Mr. Gray, associate principal in charge of AVID, and he would be happy to discuss it with you. You can also read more at AVID.org. Jeannette Junior High School will also offer AVID to their incoming seventh grade students. We are very excited to be able to offer a program of this caliber to our students as we prepare them to be college ready. Education is the great equalizer.

Start the day right – come join us for breakfast!

UCS school lunch rooms are serving up important menu changes as a result of

new federal regulations

Science Olympiad is looking for you!

Page 11

Page 13

We are pleased to announce a new e-mail system that will allow us to regularly send important school notices and newsletters directly to you. To register for these updates, please log on to your PowerSchool account and sign up under the “E-Mail Notifications” tab. Our goal is to have 100 percent of our parents enrolled in this system so that we can keep you better informed and reduce the use of paper in our school. Your help with this effort is greatly appreciated!

Nondiscrimination in Education In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act. It is the policy of Utica Community Schools that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination during any instructional opportunities, programs services, job placement assistance, employment or in policies governing student conduct and attendance. Any person suspecting a discriminatory practice should contact the Executive Director of Human Resources at Utica Community Schools, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI 48312 or call (586) 797-1000.

Mission Statement

The mission of Stevenson High School is to create a positive and challenging learning environment, which will encourage all students to achieve their greatest potential as responsible, productive members of a diverse society.

NEW E-MAIL SYSTEM TO KEEP PARENTS INFORMED