Welcome Back!

It's almost time to Welcome Back our Year-Round Students! We start school on July 25th for Year-Rounders with the below daily schedule. For our new year-round 6th graders, you will note that you have a July/Aug Schedule and then a new schedule when traditional students and a full staff return! Summer office hours are 7:00 am-3:30 pm starting July 17th, feel free to call with any questions at (810) 538-2334!

Please see the Mark your Calendars Section for dates and information on the first couple of months of the school including Meet the Teacher and Schedule Handout.

I implore you to communicate with the teachers frequently, education has changed dramatically in the past years and effective communication keeps all parties in the know and working towards the common goal of educating your child.

Finally, 7th graders be sure to bring back your Chromebook charged on the first day, 6th graders you will receive your Chromebook at schedule pickup!

I look forward to a great year at Rolland-Warner!

Wyatt

Immunizations -

• 7th Graders are required to have updated immunizations in order to attend. See the section at end of newsletter.

PowerSchool has so many benefits if you sign up for both parents and students:

• Instant access to grades and citizenship (students can take ownership)
• Access to all notes and comments on grades
• Daily bulletin with all school announcements
• Attendance, including tardies (students can take ownership)
• Email teachers directly from PowerSchool

Throughout my career as an educator, the use of cellular mobile devices has continued to increase. Many, including myself, use these devices in a similar fashion as a day planner, however, many younger individuals use these devices as a social media tool. These devices also have educational value when used as a tool in the classroom.

These devices have a place in education, along with being a direct communication tool for families, and we want to continue to utilize these devices, however, in the past few years we have noticed an increase in unwanted usage, a burden to our wifi system with the extreme number of cells, and negative outcomes from the social media usage throughout the day. In order to decrease this and use this tool for educational and communication with family purposes, we are continuing the following policy.

Students are welcome to bring their cellular device to school but the device is to be placed on airplane mode or powered off and either left in their locker or brought into the classroom and placed in one of the Cell Phone Keepers each teacher will have. These vary from a wall hanging unit or desk keeper as seen below. This will allow students to utilize devices at the discretion of the teacher as provided in the LCS Board of Education policy.

Students may use their cellular devices at lunch or in the hallways during passing time. In situations when the student knows that communication from home (such as a parent having surgery) they can communicate with the teacher ahead of time and exceptions will be made.

Failure to follow the above policy will result in consequences up to and including being forbidden to bring cellular devices to school as seen below.

Finally, please remember that cellular and other devices are privileges and when brought to school are the student's sole responsibility. Please discuss with your child the appropriate use and not to share locker comb so their items are inaccessible to others.

The new school year is just around the corner, especially for our Year-Round students. Please make a note of all the following important dates on your calendars to get the new school year off to a great start, however, remember these dates and times are subject to change.

July 17th - Rolland-Warner Office Opens (8-3:30)

July 24th; 2pm to 6pm - Year-Round Schedule Pickup

All Year-Round students in 6th & 7th grade should stop in during the time window. While here, students will receive their schedules, locker information, transportation information, and have their school pictures taken. Photo Order Form This allows us to have Student IDs more efficiently as they are printed on site. Please make sure students have dressed appropriately.

July 25th – First Day of Year-Round School

For the month of August, our year-round students start the school day at a different time than they will when traditional calendar students return. First hour starts at 8:53am until traditional calendar begins (at which point the start time changes to 7:36am). The school opens to students at 8:30am.

August 19th; 12pm to 6pm – Traditional Schedule Pick-Up for Students in 6th Grade

All traditional students in 6th grade should stop in during the time window. While here, students will receive their schedules, locker information, transportation information, and have their school pictures taken. Photo Order Form This allows us to have Student IDs more efficiently. Please make sure students have dressed appropriately.

August 19th; 4:30pm - 5pm – School Resource Officer Presentation

Our SRO is going to present ways to assist parents to identify and understand Vaping, Social Media Behavior, Drugs and Alcohol, and Bullying Behaviors.

August 20th; 2pm to 6pm – Traditional Schedule Pick-Up for Students in 7th Grade

All traditional students in 7th grade should stop in during the time window. While here, students will receive their schedules, locker information, transportation information, and have their school pictures taken. Photo Order Form This allows us to have Student IDs more efficiently. Please make sure students have dressed appropriately.

August 21st 5pm to 6:30pm - Meet the Teacher Night

Meet the Teacher will be drop in this year. Stop by for a few minutes and get to know each of your children's teachers.

August 21st to 23rd – No School for Year-Round Students (Teacher In-service Days)

Aug 22nd; 6pm – Fall Athletics/Meet the Coach Night @ Zemmer Cafe

All students who want to participate in Fall Athletics (Sideline Cheer, Girls’ Basketball, Cross Country, or Football) and parents must attend the Mandatory Athletics Night to turn in the required forms and gain information sports in general, and meet the coaches.

August 26th – First day of school for Traditional Students & Fall Sports Begins

The school opens at 7:15am for students to enter. Please do not drop students off before this time as there is no supervision for them. First hour begins at 7:36am and school ends at 2:17pm.

August 30th & September 2nd – No School Labor Day Break

September 10th - Awards Ceremony for 23/24 @ RW; 7th Grade @ 6pm, 8th Grade @ 7pm

September 20th & 23rd – No School for Year-Round

October 2nd- Count Day

October 14th & 16th - Year-Round Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 16th & 22th - Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 21st to 25th – First Year-Round Intersession

October 25th – No School for All Students

November 25th to 29th - Thanksgiving Holiday No School

First, let me congratulate our soon to be 6th Graders for showing perseverance and finishing your time at the elementary! I watched the elementary schools providing different opportunities for their 5th grade ceremonies and hope you had a happy celebration during this time! This leads me to reflect on a lesson that I learned with my students at the Character and Leadership Skills camp I used to take them to:

Yesterday is ashes; tomorrow wood.

Only today does your fire burn brightly.

Our memories are great to reflect upon and learn from, we can plan for the future the best we can, however, we need to live in the moment and embrace our circumstances making the best out of them. So please take time and celebrate today this chapter in your life!

Looking forward, I hope your class visit to RW, the 5th Grade Open House, and time to explore RW helps to put minds at ease for the upcoming year! In the near future I hope to publish a quick video to assist further, however, you will have noon to 6 pm on August 19th for traditional students and July 24th from 2 to 6 pm for our year-round students to pick up your schedule and acclimate yourself to RW! Use that time to open your locker, get your locker ready, and map out your classes and restrooms! We will have help in the hallways with lockers and directions, but below is a button to a virtual tour as well! Learning what the areas look like may assist you getting around.

Summer is a great time for fun outside, but screen time lately seems to have gotten extreme! Make some of that screen time educational and access IXL to prepare for 6th grade and beyond! This is at the students level so for struggling students and for those looking to advance!!!

See the below button for a document to help, including a quick video from our Math Coach Mrs. Gannon!

An open invitation to our upcoming 7th Graders to apply to "Be the Bolt" for our High Five Fridays and greet our students with enthusiasm on the day you are chosen!

Every Friday, we attempt to have groups from across the district (especially LHS) greet our students at the door! Just a little positive culture builder and welcome to the building after a long week!

Our Student Council and PEP Club purchased two "Bolt" costumes for our Pep Assemblies, etc and we would like to start a tradition at RW of two current 7th graders being chosen, keeping anonymity, arriving early, greeting our students with enthusiasm, and then having their names announced as the Bolts for each Friday!

Our awesome counselor Mr. McCreedy (Lightning Leader for February) is organizing the High Five Fridays and will arrange the details with students and families.

Please watch the "Be the Bolt" promotion video below made by some AMAZING students and fill out the short Google Form Application to "Be the Bolt"

#RollandWarnerLightningLeaders

Reach out to us if we can be of any help!

John McCreedy - A-L; (810) 538-2339

Larry Hochman - M-Z; (810) 538-2338

Shannon Holley - Secretary; (810) 538-2334, Ext 223361

Mental Health Specialist

Kevin Knickerbocker - (810) 538-2334, Ext 223321

Typically starting the second week, students will be starting the fall session of NWEA Testing (also referred to as MAPs). This testing is extremely important as this will determine the placement of students for second-semester intervention classes. New state mandates require schools to provide interventions for students and we use this test as one of the methods to determine who will be receiving intervention classes which is run during elective times. Please make sure your students put forth their best efforts!

I cannot stress the importance of not only you signing up as a parent, but having your child sign up on their cell phone or device, to keep track of their progress! The ownership this allows them is EXTREMELY powerful!

If you have already created a PowerSchool account, please use the same username and password as you have in the past.

If you have not yet created an account:

• Make sure you have an access code and password (provided by the district) for each child. If you do not, you can request them from the building secretaries renee.shrontz@lapeerschools.org
  
• Make sure you go into the "Create an Account" section and create a new account and fill out all information in the online form. Where it says "Desired User Name", come up with your own username, then enter the password that you want to use (you have to enter it twice). If your username is already taken by somebody else, you can either choose from the suggested names listed or try another username on your own.
  
• In the "Link Students to Account" area, type in your student's name, then the “Parent Access” ID and password. You can add additional students that you have access codes for if needed, but for each one make sure you enter the “parent access” ID and password for that student.

If you have problems creating your new account, please email Renee Shrontz, building secretary, renee.shrontz@lapeerschools.org.

Please click this link for PowerSchool Mobile how-to video. You will need the District Code "SGMG" and your parent (or child's for them to add to their phone) access id, which can be found on your child's schedule or by emailing the office.

We are helping all log into PowerSchool at schedule pickup!

I would be remiss if I mentioned school safety and did not promote careful driving and patience in our drop-off and pickup loop. The Transportation Research Board reports that 25,000 children are injured every year in school zone accidents. What this means is, while we place tremendous emphasis on building safety in many areas, students are probably much more likely to be injured or killed in the parking lot or within a quarter mile of the school. While no school has a perfect pickup and drop off routine, RW’s is very efficient because we have such a nice big parking lot and long loop for cars on the East side of the building (off of Demille). Please wait patiently in the line to pick students up and drive very cautiously as you move through. Also, all RW parents MUST use the lot off of Demille and NOT the Kids & Company lot for drop-off and pickup. Please refer to the map below for specifics on the procedures. Remember drop-off time in the morning is no earlier than 8:30 AM for July and August YR and 7:15 AM once traditional starts.

Secondary schools are different than elementary schools. At the secondary level, teachers do not keep Chromebook carts in the classroom, instead, the student has the Chromebook for the year or longer if chosen. Each student is assigned a Chromebook and is responsible for THAT Chromebook (they are scanned out in the Media Center and will be labeled as well) until they graduate! Any issues, take it to the Media Center.

We offer the following options at RW, as we realize all have different needs at home, please let our staff know which option at Schedule Pick-up you would like:

1. Student checks out Chromebook & Charger at Schedule Pick-up or during the first week of school. The student transports the Chromebook to and from home and is able to utilize the Chromebook as needed. The student is required to bring these fully charged to school daily.
2. Student Checks out Chromebook at Schedule Pick-up or during the first week of school. The student is responsible for picking up in the AM before first hour and returning to the Media Center daily to be placed in their assigned slot in the Chromebook cart to be charged for the next day.

Please discuss with your child the importance of keeping these devices safe, secure, and in your possession at all times as families are responsible for unnecessary damage or loss.

I highly recommend you just get the basics as many teachers will give specifics in their syllabus the first week of class, but here are a couple of helpful items that will always be useful:

• Organization System - This can look different for each student depending on their needs and skills but organization is KEY moving between classes. This could be a "Trapper Keeper," a simple three-ring binder with folders, or a multi-subject binder.
• Pencils
  
• Composition Notebook for ELA
• Highlighters

Teachers truly appreciate and can always use Expo Markers, cleaning wipes, and tissues. Give a teacher a pack of Expo Markers and they are like a kid with candy!

At this point, we do not have confirmation on cost of Breakfast or Lunch. More information will follow from Chartwells, in the mean time, please fill out the online application as the total income limits have increased, you may be eligible for a reduced/free lunch. This also can reduce the Pay To Participate Fee for Athletics and increase the schools funding!

Used to volunteer at the elementary? Wonder what it's like at the MS? See the flyer, scan the QR Code, call the office at (810) 538-2334 , email renee.shrontz@lapeerschools.org, or fill out this Volunteer Google Form. We would love to have your help!!!

Beat the heat, please have your child bring a refillable water bottle! We have water-filling stations around the school to fill water bottles.

Struggles are natural and can certainly be amplified during not only the summer, but throw in a recent pandemic and world chaos as well! How we work through these struggles is the important part.

You can find many resources on the Lapeer Community Mental Health page that can assist you or a loved one.

The District is currently hiring for multiple vacancies in our support staff unit. We offer competitive wages, flexible schedules, reduced rates for employee childcare, free admission to athletic events and more! We are currently looking to fill full and part-time vacancies in the following areas:

• Bus Drivers
• Custodians
• Food Service
• Paraprofessionals
• Substitutes in all areas

Please click the link to see all our openings and start the application process. If you wish to learn more about the available positions or how to apply, please call the LCS Human Resource office at (810) 538-1609 or if interested in a position at RW call the office (810) 538-2334 and we can get you headed in the right direction!

Contact HR for more information, email tammy.creason@lapeerschools.org or call 810.538.1609.

Rich Cross

Associate Principal - Zemmer 8/9 Campus

Middle School Athletic Director

richard.cross@lapeerschools.org

810.667.2413 (ext. 222348)

Megan Parks

Associate Principal - RW 6/7 Campus

megan.parks@lapeerschools.org

810.538.2335

Amanda Turner

Attendance/Athletics Secretary - Rolland-Warner 6/7 Campus

amanda.turner@lapeerschools.org

810.538.2334 (ext. 223302)

***ALL MS FALL SPORTS PRACTICES BEGIN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26TH*** (first day of school)

ALL MS FALL SPORTS CONTESTS BEGIN THE WEEK OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH

Summer Sports Opportunities

Football

Weightlifting for 7th/8th football players will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 -10:00 a.m. starting on June 18th.

Summer Youth Football camp (7th/8th athletes are encouraged to attend) will be July 8th - 10th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Cost is $50.

See the flyer for additional information: Youth Football Camp (1).png

Please contact Tony Merlo - anthony.merlo@lapeerschools.org for more information.

Girls Basketball

Open Gyms for all 7th/8th graders interested in playing Girls Basketball held at a date/time TBD.

Please contact Kent Meister - kent.meister@lapeerschools.org for more information.

Cross Country

Coach Baginski and Coach McCreedy will be starting the Summer Run Club on Monday, June 24th. Please see the link below for specific dates, times, and additional information.

Summer Run Club Schedule Lapeer Area Running Club.docx

MS Cross Country Basics XC BasicSummerConditioning.docx

Contact Ken Baginski - kenneth.baginski@lapeerschools.org or John McCreedy john.mccreedy@lapeerschools.org for more information.

Sideline Cheer

July 24th - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on track at CFI Football Field

July 31st - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cheer on track at Camp at CFI Auxiliary Gym

August 13th - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on track at CFI Football Field

August 14th - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on track at CFI Football Field

Contact Deanna Michalik - deanna.michalik@lapeerschools.org for more information.

Wrestling

Open mats @ Cramton on Mondays & Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. through July 15th.

Contact Joe Wood - joseph.wood@lapeerschools.org for more information.

Fall Sports Athletic Clearance

In order to participate in athletics all student athletes need a physical (dated on or after April 15th, 2024) completed on a MHSAA Physical Form, a signed Athletic Code of Conduct acknowledgement, and a completed emergency medical form. All of these forms are available in the Rolland-Warner/Zemmer Main Office and online at www.lapeerlightning.com

Middle School Fall Sports Athletic Clearance will begin on Monday, August 5th at the Rolland-Warner and Zemmer Main Offices. Parents and student athletes are strongly encouraged to complete the athletic clearance process prior to the Fall Sports Parent Meeting/Meet the Coach Night.

Middle School Fall Sports Parent Meeting & Meet the Coach Night

Middle School Fall Sports Parent Meeting & Meet the Coach Night will take place on Thursday, August 22nd at 6 p.m. in the Zemmer cafeteria. There will be a brief informational meeting for all parents/student athletes followed by individual meetings with the coaches of your respective sport.

Athletic clearance processing will be available from 5:00 - 6:00 prior to the start of the meeting. However, due to the large number of fall sports students athletes that we have, parents and student athletes are strongly encouraged to complete athletic clearances prior to the meeting.

Rolland-Warner 6/7 Campus services 600 sixth and seventh-grade students with a year-round program, a virtual program, and a traditional program. Students have many class options and extracurriculars such as clubs and sports.

Wyatt Stevens, Principal

Megan Parks, Associate Principal/Athletics

Kent Meister, Dean of Students

Renee Shrontz, Head Secretary

Amanda Turner, Attendance/Athletics Secretary

Email: renee.shrontz@lapeerschools.org
Website: rw.lapeerschools.org
Location: 3145 West Genesee Street, Lapeer, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 538-2334
Facebook: https://facebook.com/RollandWarnerMiddleSchool
Twitter: @Lapeerschools