District Newsletter

A new school year is just around the corner, so I wanted to take this opportunity to both introduce myself and to share some information with you. My name is Anne Doriean, and I am the new Superintendent for the AuGres-Sims Schools. I have been an educator for more than 25 years and have served as a principal with the Holly Area Schools for the past 15 years. My administrative experience has been at both the high school and middle school levels, and as an athletic director for Holly. I hold Bachelors and Masters Degrees from CMU and an Education Specialist Degree from SVSU. Needless to say, I am thrilled to have arrived here in AuGres, and am excited to be part of a great team with a good track record. I am certain that my knowledge and experience will be helpful in leading the AuGres-Sims Schools in an exciting new direction that is focused on success for all students!

To help me achieve that goal will be our new K-12 principal, Mr. Chad Zeien. Many of you already know Mr. Zeien, as he has been a teacher here for 14 years at both the elementary and middle school levels. He is also a familiar face on the football field as part of our coaching staff. Together, we are committed to making this school year one of the best ever!

Another new addition to our school district this year will be Mrs. Salle O’Neill, our part-time counselor. Mrs. O’Neill has served successfully as a school counselor for many years in districts such as Essexville and Pinconning. She is also a consultant with the BAISD, where she is known as a “Personal Curriculum” specialist. Mrs. O’Neill brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas to us, and will be a strong proponent of helping our students with career planning and college preparation. She will also be an excellent resource for parents. So, from all of us to all of you, remember that our doors are always open and we welcome the opportunity to meet with you!

In closing, I encourage you to take the time to read this newsletter carefully, as there are some new things happening that you will want to know about. In the meantime, enjoy the waning days of summer!

Sincerely,

Anne E. Doriean

Superintendent

P.S. Just in case you were wondering, the spelling of my last name is a little different but it is pronounced “Doreen,” like a first name.

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Items of Interest

OPENING DAY/SCHOOL HOURS

Opening Day will be Tuesday, September 8, 2009. The school day will begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. Students will not be able to enter the building until 7:45 a.m.

SCHEDULE PICK UP

Secondary students/parents will be able to pick up their schedules before the first day of school this year. The date for this will be on Thursday, September 3, 2009 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This will also be a great time to not only get your schedule and locker, but to get hot lunch/breakfast information and/or put money in your food service account. Athletic forms and fees can also be taken care of, and student medication forms will be available to parents. Please note: Students must have their Emergency Contact Form completed in order to pick up their schedule, and they must take care of all outstanding fines before they will be issued a locker.

ELEMENTARY CLASS ROSTERS

Class rosters will be available for parents to view either online, or posted on the schools' main entry doors.

ATHLETIC FEES

This year's fees are the same as last year: $75.00 for high school and $35.00 for middle school. This is the charge for the first two sports played, with the third sport being free to the student. The cap per family is $220.00 for grades 7-12. Please note: All pay to participate fees must be paid by the first game of the season. Also, if you need help paying your son's/daughter's fee, please put your request in writing, and submit it to the school office. All requests will be kept confidential, then reviewed and may be paid based on financial need.

CAREER CENTER

Students who are scheduled to attend the Bay-Arenac Career Center will start their day earlier this year, as their bus will leave our parking lot at 6:40 a.m. Please make sure your student is on time for this shuttle.

SCHOOL MESSENGER

This year we will be using a new technology called School Messenger, which allows the school to keep parents informed through an automated calling system. This system will be utilized throughout the year to share information about things like school closings, parent/teacher conferences, health/emergency issues, etc. Therefore, it is important that you fill out the attached Emergency Contact Form carefully. Please note, the top line asks for a phone number; however, sometimes parents prefer to also receive School Messenger information at another phone number as well. The second line is where you can put that additional phone number.

HOT LUNCH/BREAKFAST PRICES

Breakfast (K-12) $1.25/daily – Reduced price $.30

Lunch (K-5) $1.75/daily – Reduced price $.40

Lunch (6-12) $2.00/daily – Reduced price $.40

For more information, contact our Food Service Supervisor, Mrs. Patti Yotkois (876-7150) ext. 235

IMPORTANT MEDIA NOTICE

During the course of the school year, our students are sometimes recognized in the newspaper or other media formats for things such as their accomplishments, special projects, upcoming events, or other newsworthy happenings. These opportunities serve to promote and enhance our students, schools, and community. If you do not wish for your child to appear in public relations materials of this nature, a written request must be completed and on file at school each year, prohibiting them from being recognized in this manner.

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AUGRES-SIMS SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS INFORMATION

BUS INFORMATION

Please find below morning bus routes for the AuGres-Sims School District. As a cost-saving measure, some routes have been condensed into centralized stops, which students may have to walk a short distance to. Actual pick-up and drop-off times will depend upon the number of stops, and will become more consistent as routes are adjusted and refined. Afternoon bus routes will be run in reverse of morning routes. Drivers, bus numbers, routes and times are subject to change/adjustment.

KINDERGARTEN BUS ROUTES

Kindergarteners will ride the regular morning and afternoon bus routes daily with the rest of the students.

REMINDER TO PARENTS

For your children's safety, do not pick up or drop off your child in the school parking lot. Please use sidewalks in front of both school buildings.

BUS 97-2 – ROUTE 4 Leaves School 6:45 a.m.

Bus Route Roads Approx. Times (a.m.)

Dreyer Rd. 6:52

Corner Gordon Rd. & Davis Rd. 6:55

Manor Rd. & Dreyer Rd. 6:59

Santiago Rd. South of Manor Rd. 7:02

Gordon Rd. East of Santiago Rd. 7:06

Corner Gordon Rd. & Rumsey Rd. 7:08

Pt. AuGres Rd. 7:13

Pt. AuGres Rd. & Booth Rd. 7:15

Booth Rd. West 7:17

Corner Booth Rd. & Santiago Rd. 7:24

Corner Santiago Rd. & West Gordon Rd. 7:26

Manor Rd. East of Santiago Rd. 7:28

Mackinaw St. 7:36

Court St. North 7:38

Corner Thaut Rd. & Santiago Rd. 7:43

School 7:48

BUS 98 – ROUTE 2 Leaves School 6:45 a.m.

Bus Route Roads Approx. Times (a.m.)

US-23 & Crawford Rd. 6:50

US-23 West to Hale Rd. 6:51

Hale Rd. South 6:56

Corner Hale Rd. & Conrad Rd. 6:58

Hansel Rd. 7:04

Hale Rd. North 7:08

Corner M-65 & Noggle Rd. 7:13

M-65 & Ostrander Rd. 7:21

US-23 East of M-65 7:26

Swenson Rd. & US-23 7:31

Swenson Rd. & Jodway Rd. (South of Jodway Students) 7:35

Jodway Rd. & Nearman Rd. 7:37

US-23 & West St. 7:40

West Michigan Ave. 7:42

Fannie St. & Saginaw St. 7:43

School 7:46

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BUS 03 – ROUTE 1 Leaves School 7:02 a.m.

Bus Route Roads Approx. Times (a.m.)

US-23 & Tonkey Rd. 7:04

Delano Rd. North of US-23 7:07

Bessinger Rd. East 7:13

Bessinger Rd. & Arthur St. 7:15

US-23 North from Bessinger Rd. 7:16

Corner Hammell Bch. Rd. & US-23 7:18

US-23 South from Hammell Bch. Rd. 7:20

US-23 & Maple St. 7:25

US-23 & Foster Rd. 7:27

Delano Rd. South Between US-23 & Michigan Ave. 7:29

Main St. South of US-23 7:35

Allen Ct. 7:37

Main St. & Riverside Dr. 7:39

Main St. & Michigan Ave. 7:41

School 7:45

BUS 97-1 ROUTE 3 Leaves School 7:00 a.m.

Bus Route Roads Approx. Times (a.m.)

Crescent Dr. & 29th St. 7:07

Crescent Dr. & 14th St. 7:10

Crescent Dr. & 5th St. 7:13

AuGres Ave. 7:17

Back to Michigan Ave. 7:19

Michigan Ave. & Sanford Lane 7:20

Michigan Ave. & Pt. Lookout Rd. 7:21

Michigan Ave. & Foster Rd. 7:24

Anne St. 7:31

Taral Terrace Dr. 7::32

Anne St. Back to Michigan Ave. 7:35

Michigan Ave. West to Stanley Blvd. 7:36

East Michigan Ave. to Main St. 7:41

Main St. to US-23 7:42

School 7:44

BUS 02 – ROUTE 5 Leaves School 6:45 a.m.

Bus Route Roads Approx. Times (a.m.)

Corner Tonkey Rd. & Bessinger Rd. 6:55

Delano Rd. North 7:00

Corner Delano Rd. & Whitman Rd. 7:03

Corner Whitman Rd. & Van Horn Rd. 7:05

Whitman Rd. West 7:08

Corner Whitman & Edmonds Rd. 7:10

Swartz Rd. 7:13

Corner Swartz Rd. & Tonkey Rd. 7:15

Tonkey Rd. South 7:16

Corner Hammell Bch. Rd. & Mackinaw Rd. 7:21

Tonkey Rd. South of Bessinger Rd. 7:26

Baum Rd. 7:31

Main St. Riverside Apts. 7:33

420 W. Huron Rd. Apts. 7:35

Nearman Rd. North of US-23 7:38

School 7:46

Please Note: If you have any questions regarding bus routes, please call Bob Thompson, Transportation Coordinator, at 876-7159, ext. 239.

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Publication Notice

Home of the Wolverines district newsletter is an online publication of AuGres-Sims School District. Its purpose is to share school district/educational information with the community. Comments or inquiries may be directed to AuGres-Sims School District Administration, P.O. Box 648, AuGres, MI 48703, or by calling 989-876-7150.

2009 - 2010 Board of Education

Robert Lutz......................President

Karl Edmonds........Vice-President

Jeffrey Taylor....................Treasurer

Eric Forton......ecretary/Treasurer Pro-Tem

Robert Forsyth................Trustee

Doug Furtah......................Trustee

Heather Garry......................Trustee

It is the policy of the AuGres-Sims Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its employment, educational programs, and activities. Anyone believing they have been discriminated against should contact Anne Doriean, Superintendent, AuGres-Sims School District, P.O. Box 648, AuGres, MI 48703, or call 989-876-7150.

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Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.

Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate.

Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605

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Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated ("eligible students") certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

* Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas ("protected information survey") if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student's parent;

2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student's family;

3. Sex behavior or attitudes;

4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;

6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or

8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

* Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:

1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;

2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and

3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

* Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:

1. Protected information surveys of students;

2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and

3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

AuGres-Sims School District has developed policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The AuGres-Sims School District will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year, and after any substantive changes. AuGres-Sims School District will provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in:

1. Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution.

2. Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

3. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

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Asbestos Management Plan

The AuGres-Sims School District asbestos management plan is available for your review at the principal's office of each building and at the superintendent's office without cost or restriction during normal business hours. If you wish to have a copy, please notify the Administration Office, and it will be supplied to you within five (5) working days at a cost of $.30 per page. Our Administration Office is located at 310 Court St., AuGres, Michigan 48703.

During the summer of 2008 asbestos tile was removed from four high school classrooms and the counselor's office and replaced with vinyl tile.

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Pesticide Notification

Public Act 131 of 1993 requires that schools notify parents and guardians of children attending the school of their right to be informed prior to the application of pesticides at that school (MCL 286.536d). From time to time, the school's contracted pest control company or certified school employees will apply substances to deal with weed control, ants, bees, wasps, etc. If you would like to be notified prior to the application of these substances, please notify the school administration office in writing by January 1 of each year.

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2009 - 2010 HOT LUNCH PRICES

Breakfast: K-12 $1.25 daily Lunch: K-5 $1.75 daily Reduced Breakfast: $ .30

6-12 $2.00 daily Reduced Lunch: $ .40

For information regarding our school meals program, please call Patti Yotkois, Food Service Supervisor, at 876-7150, ext. 235.

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2009- 2010 ATHLETIC PAY TO PARTICIPATE FEES

Athletic pay to participate fees for the 2009-10 school year will remain the same as last year, and are listed below.

- $35.00 per sport per student, or a cap of $70.00 per student per year for Middle School

- $75.00 per sport per student, or a cap of $150.00 per student per year for High School

- $220.00 cap per family with students in grades 7-12 per year for multiple sports

Please note: All pay to participate fees must be paid by the first game of the season. Also, if you need help paying your son's/daughter's fee, please put your request in writing, and submit it to the school office. All requests will be kept confidential, then reviewed and may be paid based on financial need.

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ENCOURAGE GOOD STUDENT BEHAVIOR

With the additional staff reduction in our maintenance department and the tight budget that we continue to face, our schools' resources continue to be stretched. To help keep our school buildings and grounds in great shape, we would like to ask parents and community members for their support. Please speak to your children, provide a good example for them, and stress to them the importance of taking pride in our schools by eliminating even the smallest acts of student vandalism and destruction. Many children probably don't realize that any destructive behavior by students involving our schools, however minor, is greatly compounded by the number of incidences that occur throughout the school year. Stress to your children that even such simple acts as not writing on walls, lockers, and desks, wiping off muddy shoes before entering the buildings, and not throwing trash on the ground has a collectively positive impact on the condition of our facilities. Help them recognize that by conducting themselves responsibly from day-to-day while at school, they contribute greatly to our success in providing a safe and pleasant environment for them, and school facilities that they can be proud of.

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