

Shorian Nation eNews
October 1st, 2023
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Homecoming 2023
Homecoming is a time to announce your Lake Shore pride. And after you’ve graduated, it’s a time to return to Saint Clair Shores and reminisce about your school days. Lake Shore High School would like to share our Spirit Week, allowing our students ample time to consult with friends and family and prepare outfits accordingly for the week of September 29th-October 6th themed Centennial Celebration.
According to the Census Bureau, the estimated population for Saint Clair Shores as of July 2022 is 57,742. Without an exact cheer decibel measurement or simple head count, it will feel like the entire community dressed in red and white along the parade route.
- The highly anticipated districtwide Spirit Week is outlined in the graphic below.
- The Junior vs. Senior Powderpuff game will be held on Sunday, October 1st at 5pm. Prior to the game, beginning at 10am, Hall Decorating will occur at Lake Shore High School.
- The City of Saint Clair Shores will present a proclamation on Monday, October 2nd at 7pm inside City Hall to celebrate Lake Shore's 100th year.
- Join us at our Homecoming parade* on Friday, October 6th beginning at 6pm. It will start at Kennedy Middle School, follow Greater Mack, and end at Lake Shore High School.
- The kickoff for our Homecoming football game against Cousino will be on Friday, October 6th at 7pm. During halftime, our Homecoming Court will be announced.
- Here's a checklist from our Athletic Department regarding policies for Varsity Football games:
- Our LSHS dance will run from 7:00 to 10:00pm on Saturday, October 7th inside the performance gymnasium. There will be no presale tickets; All tickets will be purchased for $15 each at the event. Guest passes are located inside the main office and due on the 6th.
- Contact our Student Congress advisor Rob Couck at rcouck@lsps.org with any questions.
Note: There is no school for students on Monday, October 2nd; it is a District Professional Development Day for teachers.
*Below is a list of participants and their positions in the parade along with the list of float assignments for this year's parade. We will be representing the past 100 years of Lake Shore with a float dedicated to each decade of Lake Shore's existence.
- LSHS Marching Band - LSHS Alumni Band performing in concert with the students!
- LSFT Union
- Masonic Heights Elementary (followed by clubs) - 1920's
- Rodgers Elementary (followed by clubs) -1930's
- Violet Elementary (followed by clubs) - 1940's
- Kennedy Middle School (followed by clubs) - 1950's
- LSECC/North Lake High School - 1960's
- Cheer Team -1970's
- Choir - 1980's
- Freshman court
- Freshman float 1990s
- Sophomore court
- Sophomore float - 2000's
- Junior court
- Junior float - 2010's
- Senior court
- Senior float - 2020's
- Administrators and BOE
This year for Grand Marshall we are going to be asking any and all alumni to come and join the float/decade in which they graduated.
Save the Date: Seasonal Cleanup
Lake Shore Public Schools students care about giving back to the community. Our students will be out in St. Clair Shores on 10/25 and 11/8 (weather permitting) clearing leaves for seniors and those most in need. If you or someone you know could use a helping hand please use our sign-up form.
Bond Update
The Lake Shore Public Schools' Board of Education approved a $66.7 million no tax-rate increase bond proposal for the May 3rd, 2022 ballot and it passed!
Lake Shore has a strong legacy of being excellent stewards of the community’s resources. We are committed to provide you with bond updates as we continue to prioritize our students' future.
- Bond Updates - Fall 2023 Mailer (last updated 9/29/2023)
- Bond Updates - Construction Presentation (8/9/2023)
- Bond Building-Specific Boards
- Bond Overview and Schedule
- Project List
To learn more about the bond, please visit the Lake Shore Public Schools' website.
Care Solace
Nearly one in five children in the United States will experience mental illness in their lifetime (source: Center for Disease Control). World Mental Health Day, honored annually on October 10th, was created to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize support to improve the mental health of people around the world.
This year’s theme, “Mental health is a universal human right,” highlights the importance of global well-being in all aspects of governmental policy. The last few years have been taxing on the population, and many global citizens feel their mental health needs to be more of a priority - especially in those countries where so many are displaced or surrounded by wars.
In the United States, barriers to mental health services remain a significant hurdle to getting support. Advocating for equitable mental health systems for all will lead the path to positive global outcomes.
Lake Shore Public Schools is committed to raising awareness about mental health and equitable access to quality mental health services.
Lake Shore Public Schools partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365
- Visit www.caresolace.com/lsps and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Stay Informed
Upcoming Events
Shorian Testimonials
Positivity Project
P2 Calendar
Under the guiding principles of our districtwide initiative, the Positivity Project, the #PositivityInAction mindset is our top priority. Because of our goal to inspire students to build positive relationships and become their best selves, we invite you to follow this Positivity Project Calendar. Note: We have made a few changes to this calendar; All adjustments are located on our District Events Calendar.
CURIOSITY
People with the character strength of curiosity likes exploration and discovery. They ask lots of questions because they want to learn more about anything and everything.
In September, the energy is high for both students and staff. It is a time for new beginnings, which begins with relationships. Our teachers connect with students where mutual respect and communication prevail. We value students and put them first, which is shown through our planning, reflecting, and decision-making.
As we enter into our first week of highlighting a specific character strength within the Positivity Project, we can't think of a better example of curiosity than introducing our new teachers with a collection of miniature biographies that help our Shorian Nation learn more about the people in our district.
As a special surprise, the Lake Shore Foundation has approved a grant to give to these new teachers $100 each for classroom use.
LSHS Art Teacher Inga Kamis is so appreciative of the grant funds. She said, "It was a sign of Lake Shore care and support on day one, a really amazing gesture!" She plans to use the money toward supply organizers.
TEAMWORK
People with the character strength of teamwork work well as a member of a group or team. They are loyal and sacrifice their individual desires for the greater good.
Life's journey is rarely a smooth ride; it's marked by unexpected twists and turns that test our resilience and determination. For some, these challenges manifest as health issues that demand unwavering strength to overcome. This is the story of Alysse Garcia as she faces kidney disease head-on, armed with a spirit of grit and an unyielding will to persevere. She will never give up on her team.
Eighth grader Alysse is a Cheerleader at Kennedy Middle School. She began cheer as a 6th grader alongside her closest friends London Webb and Reese Witting. Beyond its role as a sideline spectacle, cheerleading is a multifaceted endeavor that combines athleticism, artistry, and camaraderie. Cheer is a way to keep Alysse occupied and happy as she tries to live a normal life.
In Kindergarten, Alysse's family was concerned about her abnormally small size and took her to the pediatrician for an examination. That action led to the discovery of bad kidneys; The kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood, as well as regulating electrolyte levels and blood pressure. When the kidneys are compromised, these essential functions can be disrupted, leading to a range of health issues.
Alysse would return from school exhausted, but her determination made her a fighter. In May 2022, she was rushed to the hospital to receive a kidney transplant. It was successful, but not without complications. Another surgery is set for this Wednesday, September 27th; This time, instead of her cheering at a game, for others, the entire Shorian Nation is cheering for Alysse.
Mom Mary Sara explained, "God gave her guts for a reason. We all continue to live life half full, not half empty." Her support for her daughter has been unwavering.
Varsity Cheerleading Coach Sherri Taormina is so proud of Alysse. She wrote, "She has worked hard despite many challenges. She's tiny, but mighty and a great example of grit, a positive mindset, and many experiences that Shorian Nation can learn from. With all that her body goes through, she still pushes herself to get new skills, and that is because of her determination and mindset. Her energy and passion is contagious! We are all so proud of her."
Looking forward, we are excited to celebrate OPEN-MINDEDNESS (10/2-6) and OPM - Being present and giving others my attention (10/9-13).
Inspiration
The Benefits of a High School Store: More Than Just Shopping
A high school store plays a significant role in the educational ecosystem by offering a range of benefits to both students and the school community as a whole. These small, on-campus shops, often managed and operated by students, go beyond mere convenience. They serve as practical learning environments, fostering essential life skills and contributing to the overall growth and development of young minds.
Located inside Lake Shore High School, the Shorian Shop features popular clothing merchandise, tasty treats, and Lake Shore trinkets. Our school store offers the chance to teach upperclassmen real-world skills like marketing and sales, accounting, and employability skills that will last a lifetime.
With that responsibility comes student employee integrity. Examples include showing up to their store position on time, ready to do work, managing the cash register accurately, and taking responsibility for their own actions.
Beginning in October, the Shorian Shop is open on weekdays, with the exception of Wednesdays, from 11:13-12:55pm inside the North Lab at LSHS.
Jan Radlick, Marketing and Sales teacher, said, "These students are the cream of the crop, great kids, and vetted by other teachers to serve their peers. They have the best character."
Thank you store manager Sydney Seabrooks and our student sales assistants in the Marketing and Sales class who provide this service to our school.
Promoting Physical Health and Well-Being
Physical fitness in schools is a crucial component of a well-rounded education. It encompasses a range of activities and programs designed to promote the physical health and well-being of students.
Mr. Warrick leads his Physical Education class at Rodgers Elementary in a series of stretches such as toe touches, shoulder circles, and child's pose followed by creative games featuring a squishy, colorful ball.
Because these students had boundless energy, they performed movement exercises across the gym. Students ran, skipped, and dove across the floor while passing the ball to a friend, starting and stopping with the cue of music. It was a perfect way to encourage physical activity while having fun!
This is just one of four Special elective classes our elementary students receive everyday; The other options, and just as important, are Art, STEAM, and Music. These classes help our Tigers, Rockets, and All-Stars feel that their interests and talents are valued.
Our elementary students and their teachers understand the benefits of recess. The need for and benefit of additional physical activity and fitness is important for a student's overall well-being; Students at Violet Elementary are featured enjoying the playground and sunshine.
The Power of Relationships
The 5th grade team at Masonic Heights Elementary knows the importance of creating a class community and building relationships which is why they assigned an All About Me poster.
These posters are not only a great way to help us get acquainted with all the new faces in the classroom, but they also build self-esteem amongst students and help them settle back into the classroom.
Julian Anderson and Zoey Winbigler were proud to share their fun facts with all of us. Julian has 7 people in his immediate family and Zoey's favorite food is pizza!
Lucy Kott and Marissa Scaramuzzino told us about their heroes who are referred to as dad and mom. Lucy described, "He makes me feel safe, makes me laugh, and plays with me even when he's tired." Marissa commented, "My mom is loyal and kind. I want to be just like her when I grow up." Wow! Thank you Mike and Jill for being such wonderful role models. We also appreciate these classes for putting so much time into their introductions and placing them on the wall for all of us to enjoy!
Strong teacher-student and peer-to-peer relationships are fundamental for a productive classroom environment. By engaging in activities that help students get to know one another, Mrs. Crippen, Mrs. Legato, and Mrs. Knipstein are promoting positive relationships, trust, and respect among students.
Bonus: Our students were kept engaged and active with friends in our Early Release activities featuring Yoga, Crafts, Karate, and a Video Game Truck. Each scheduled Early Release Wednesday, we have a fun, interactive program taking place right on site.
Led by instructors Becky and Zach Howe from Kaama Karate, participants learned about self-control and concentration at Masonic Heights Elementary! Owner of Motor City Gamers and More's J McClain had our middle schoolers excited about his mobile trailer entertainment. We invite you to bring a friend next time and participate together!
For more information about these Early Release programs, visit https://lsps.ce.eleyo.com/.
Innovation
The Power of Mindfulness
In today's fast-paced world, filled with distractions and stressors, the practice of mindfulness has gained increasing recognition for its profound benefits to mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Mindfulness coaching in classrooms began this week with Pete Grostic. The sessions are intentionally planned at the beginning of the year to be part of setting expectations and generating calm strategies with students.
Mr. Shaheen's 2nd grade class at Violet Elementary learned that mindfulness is a skill that can be practiced is paying attention on purpose. In order to get better at mindfulness, students completed a meditation bell activity. Mr. Grostic used a Vibra-Tone to encourage these students to listen for as long and as carefully to the sound as possible. The percussion sound had a smooth tone that helped encourage students to take a few deep breaths, focus on the sound, and avoid wandering minds.
Mr. Grostic visited all three elementary schools and the stop inside Ms. Domagalski's 1st grade classroom at Rodgers Elementary was powerful. The teacher signed up for the mindfulness experience to give her students some authentic practice. She explained, "After summer it's hard to get back into the routine of being school and having to sit longer than they're used to. My students loved having Mr. Pete come into practice mindfulness and want him to come back soon! Since the experience, we have practiced being mindful everyday and I can see a difference in my students during instruction time."
Naptime inside Ms. Kalmeta and Ms. Keller's GSRP classroom at Violet and going fishing with Mrs. Belanger and Mrs. Panoff's Kennedy Middle School students at the pier were perfect ways to relax and embrace the calm.
Exploring Cores at the Elementary Level
In Mrs. Camaj's 3rd grade classroom at Violet Elementary, students are working on Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum.
Many elementary teachers completed Amplify CKLA training in August. Amplify CKLA is based on research showing that closing the background knowledge gap is necessary for closing the reading gap and ensuring equity for all students. To that end, Amplify CKLA teaches literacy through the lens of cross-curricular domains in science, history, literature, and culture. It was developed in response to research that shows the critical impact of background knowledge on reading comprehension and college- and career-readiness.
Students used speaking and listening skills by reading aloud and through discussion. They also participated in word work with the term meandered. Character analysis using a Venn diagram, a short vowel review, and baseball game followed. Third grader McKenna Stefankiewicz was a fan of the sound it out baseball game; She was part of a team competition and she finds those kinds of activities fun.
Bonus: In the 2nd grade wing at Violet Elementary, Ms. Bruce's class was working on counting addition and subtraction, patterns in equations, and writing equations for math mountains.
Celebration
Color Run Fundraisers
Color, slime, pie -- OH MY!
Our elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) leaders facilitated our Color Runs and Spirit Walk fundraising events for students totaling $85,928 between Masonic Heights and Rodgers elementary schools! Violet Elementary has scheduled their event for Friday, October 13th.
The PTO works to encourage interaction between family and school, serve as a source of support, and work with teachers, staff, and the community at large to improve our children's educational experience.
At Masonic Heights Elementary and Rodgers Elementary assemblies, students celebrated Stephen Covey's habit of highly effective people, Begin with the End in Mind, by setting goals and raising money to fund assemblies, teacher resources, field trips and transportation, one school, one book, and more!
Assemblies consisted of celebratory announcements, cheer and band performances, and students and staff both sharing their goal stories. Tigers and Rockets ended their celebrations with color runs where students were doused from head-to-toe in different colored powder!
Thank you for another successful event that teaches all of us about generosity. Final totals can be found by visiting these donation pages:
Masonic Heights Elementary: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/masonicheights2023
Rodgers Elementary: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/colorrun023
Violet Elementary: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/violetelemPTO
National I.T. Professionals Day
In recognition of National I.T. Professionals Day on September 19th, we celebrated our technology staff.
Our support team leads teachers in implementing technology through coaching, demonstrations, and professional development. They serve as our help desk for our technology infrastructure, helping both staff and community with our digital learning platforms.
Josiah Toma has been serving with our Technology Department at Lake Shore for just under 2 years. His degree in Computational Engineering, Math, and Business led him to enjoy the tech field. He said, "I enjoy the people I work with and the assistance I am able to provide." Our entire technology support team resolves issues in a timely manner with friendly customer service. Our newest team member, Kayla Kaiser, is a Lake Shore graduate and began her role as our KMS MTA yesterday. She has a passion for helping people and is ready to jump right in and tackle this new challenge.
Thank you Nicole Dombro, Gabriel Cerrasco, Rachael Parrinello, Taylor Brosnan, Kayla Kaiser, Bryan Huyghe, Josiah Toma, and Laurie Cataldo for being reliable, dependable, and able to handle our tech needs.
To learn more about our Technology Department, visit https://www.lakeshoreschools.org/departments/technology.
Constitution Day
Happy 236th Anniversary to "We, the People"!
Constitution and Citizenship Day commemorates the day the US Constitution was signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787 and honors all who have become citizens.
In Mr. Mumbrue's AP Government class at Lake Shore High School, students were tasked with using pocket constitutions for a scavenger hunt. They found answers to questions like "What are three basic rights guaranteed in the first amendment?" and "What is the minimum age for a Senator?"
Mr. Mumbrue, veteran teacher of LSHS for 26 years, has requested pocket constitutions, free from the Bill of Rights Institute, since 2004. He enjoyed raising awareness and historical perspective for his 27 students who are currently enrolled.
In the end, students learned about amendments, congress, states that ratified the Constitution, and many other important facts together while citing the article, section, and clause for verification.
September Slurpee/Smoothie Surprise Honorees
Congratulations to our September Slurpee/Smoothie Surprise Positivity Project Honorees:
Lake Shore Early Childhood Center
Nolan Lindon - Enthusiastic
Masonic Heights Elementary
- Vinny Parrinello - Bravery
- Emma Becovic - Bravery
- Julian Anderson - Bravery
Rodgers Elementary
Madison Fair - Self Control
Gavin Collins - OPM
Shannon Snarski - Dedication
Violet Elementary
Kamryn Corona - Teamwork
Mr. Gabe Cerrasco - Perseverance
Caleb Smith - Other People Matter
Kennedy Middle School
Baya Martin - Kindness
Camden Rohelier - Teamwork
Colton Reed - Kindness
Isaiah Fullwood - Love
Lake Shore High School
Eric Dubiel - Teamwork
Marissa White - Teamwork
Vance Harvey - Teamwork
Julie Knight - Dedication
Marcus Hart - Perseverance
Conner Blackwell - Perseverance
North Lake High School
Darriell Thornton - Friendliness
Thank you 7-Eleven Store Owner Virgil Johnson and EOS Cafe and Coffee House Store Owner Tony Zarife's for your generosity and sponsorships!
Athletics
Athletics Website
We have built an online home for our athletic department. Our goal is to bring our athletic programs to life by sharing schedules, scores, and social media while ensuring our athletes get the promotion they deserve. Visit the Shorian Sports website for 24/7/365 access to the information you have always wanted and follow along with our sports action.
Read these recent stories titled Realm Where Time Slows Down featuring our Cross Country team and The Resilience and Determination of Alysse Garcia featuring our Cheer team.
We have partnered with Kroger to help fund our athletics. Please read this letter from our Athletic Coordinator Rich Bowers.
Fall 2023 schedules, rosters, and LSHS player headshots are posted for Cross County, Football, Sideline Cheer, Soccer, Swim, and Volleyball! Team photos, video feed, and more featured stories are on deck to be added. Stay tuned!
In addition, follow @ShorianSports on X for access to live sports updates from your favorite coaches and teams!
We believe a balance of academics and athletics creates a well-rounded student. Students who participate in sports not only gain the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, they also learn lessons about sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, respect, and knowing how to win and lose.
Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to AOTW Ella Mainhardt, member of Varsity Cheer team at Lake Shore High School. Coach Sherri Taormina shared her contributions with us:
"Ella is an absolute powerhouse. She is a skilled base, tumbler, and an overall irreplaceable member of our team. She is a leader by her work ethic and skill set, her reliability, her hard work in the classroom, and in how she treats others. She is a model student-athlete in our program and we are so lucky to have her. We have had an incredible summer of growth as a team and she is an integral part of it all."
Congratulations to AOTW Alysse Garcia, member of the Cheer team at Kennedy Middle School. Coach Alyssa Belanger had these powerful words to say about her:
"Alysse has been an incredible athlete to coach over the last 3 years. She spreads endless amounts of joy and kindness to everyone around her. She is always working hard no matter what. She is always encouraging her teammates to be the best they can be, helping her team work together and making sure everyone does it with a smile. She is so dedicated and passionate to the sport and her teammates. Alysse has been overcoming some health battles over the years, and she has never let that set her back or bring her down. She is one of the strongest kids I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and coaching."
Freeze Frame
eNews
Lake Shore Public Schools will provide an exceptional education for all 3,339 students in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our guiding principles, Inspiration, Innovation, Celebration, are woven into the fabric of everything we do and will be the focus of every update. Expect an eNews email biweekly update as a reliable way to communicate with our stakeholders.
Connect With Shorian Nation
Email: social@lsps.org
Website: http://lakeshoreschools.org
Location: 28850 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Phone: (586) 285-8481
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/
Twitter: @myLSPS