District Updates

As we enter the holiday season, I want to express my gratitude for your continued support of our school district. The dedication and involvement of our Lake Fenton Families make our educational community thrive.

I wish you a peaceful and wonderful holiday season.

December 23 - January 3: Winter Break - No classes

January 6, 2024 - Classes Resume

January 14 - Half day of classes

January 20 - MLK Day - No classes

January 30 - Future of Education Discussion - Details below

During this season of giving, I wanted to share the impact our Giving Tree Program has on the students and families in our district each year.

Through partnerships with the Fenton Kiwanis and Fenton Area Resource and Recovery (FARR), we were able to support more than 60 families last year. This year we have already identified 37 families needing support.

How does it work?

• Families in need are identified by each building.
• Families are contacted and asked if they would like to participate.
• Canned goods, non-perishable food items, and toiletry items are collected in the buildings and during special events.
• FARR donates canned goods back to the district through their Stuff the Bus program.
• Kiwanis donates perishable food items for each family such as, turkey, bread, potatoes, butter, and milk.
• Private donations are made to our giving tree funds.
• We utilize Change for Kids funding from State Bank to support the Giving Tree.
• Donations from staff are used to provide a gift for each child in the family. Each child typically receives a gift of something they need (socks, underwear, t-shirts, jacket) and an item they would like to have (limit of $30 on this item).
• Each family receives at least one box of canned goods and other non-perishable food items, a large bottle of detergent, toilet paper, a turkey, bread, potatoes, butter, milk, and gifts for the children.

We need your help. Please consider making a donation. This effort is truly about supporting our Lake Fenton Students and Families.

Contacts for this program:

West Shore: Alexis Harmon

Torrey Hill: Reshanda Terry

Middle School: Kari Schweigert

High School: Amanda Jarrett

District: Terry Zalewski

As we enjoy another winter in Michigan, I thought it would be helpful to share some snow and cold day protocols with our families.

For the majority of cancellations made due to poor road conditions, we begin checking roads at 4:30 a.m. I know this may seem early, but we need to make a final decision by 5:30 a.m. We have buses which depart the school as early as 6:00 a.m., we have parents dropping students off to Kids Club by 6:00 a.m. and we have staff and students leaving home to get to school. In addition, I want to give families as much time as possible to make alternate plans for child care. I know there have been times when the road conditions have changed drastically between the 5:30 a.m. threshold and the start of school, better in some instances and worse in others, but when we are making the decision it is based on the conditions at the time.

As far as closures due to extreme temperatures, we consider cancellations when wind chills are at -20 and below. We do not typically cancel on a weather prediction, as we all know this is Michigan and things can change overnight.

As we are checking roads or monitoring temperatures, I am in constant communication with the other superintendents in our county. We are each evaluating the road conditions/temperatures in our area and sharing our thoughts on the best course of action. Each district has unique circumstances to consider and their needs may be very different from ours.

As you can see, it is not a perfect science but the process has evolved and improved over the years. We continue to make safety a top priority when making these decisions. If at any time you do not feel it is safe for your child to travel to school due to the road conditions, the final decision to send them ultimately remains with you.

Thank you in advance for your patience as we work through another winter in Michigan.

• Beyond Graduation Website www.beyondgrad.org

This GISD website is a one-stop-shop for information and resources related to college and career planning, skilled trades, financial support (FAFSA, Genesee Opportunity, Scholarships, Michigan’s Community College Guarantee) and much more.

• Guide to College Planning https://bit.ly/CollegePlanGuide

This digital Guide to College Planning for seniors walks them step-by-step through the process of preparing to attend college or trade school after graduation. It can be accessed using the link above or by clicking on the “College Planning” tab on the beyondgrad.org website.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) www.FAFSA.gov

Completing the FAFSA is the most important step in getting money for college and career training. FAFSA is scheduled to open on December 1, 2024.

• Genesee Opportunity (GO) www.geneseego.org

This stipend provides all seniors who live in and attend high school in Genesee County money for college, career training, or certification licensing fees.

• Community College Guarantee michigan.gov/achievement

Students can earn a skill certificate or an associate degree tuition-free, regardless of income.

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship for Public and Private Colleges and Universities michigan.gov/achievement

Students may be eligible to receive up to $5,500 per year for five years. That equates to $27,500.

• Career Training michigan.gov/careertraining

Recent graduates can earn up to $2,000 per year for two years for career training.

We are committed to preparing our students for a world that is constantly evolving. At the heart of this mission is our belief in the power of partnership with parents like you. Your insights and feedback are invaluable as we shape the programs, resources, and opportunities that will guide our students toward success. Together, we can create an environment that fosters innovation, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas as we continue to build a future-ready education system for all our children. Please join us for a round-table discussion focusing on the Future of Education in Lake Fenton.

We are currently seeking dedicated and responsible individuals to join our team for custodial work and aide positions. As a custodial team member, you will play a crucial role in maintaining a clean and safe environment for our facilities, ensuring that our spaces are welcoming and well-kept. Aides will assist in various support roles, providing essential assistance to our staff and students. No prior experience is necessary, but a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing exceptional service are essential qualities we're looking for. If you're looking for an opportunity to contribute to a dedicated and organized workplace, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our team.