TECH Center Periodical

August 2024

Welcome to the TECH Center

Welcome to an exciting new school year at the TECH Center! We are thrilled to have you as part of our community. Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning for another year of learning and growth, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Our school is a place where students are empowered to explore their passions, develop their skills, and prepare for bright futures. Whether you're interested in technology, manufacturing, health sciences, culinary arts, or any of the other incredible pathways we offer, we know you'll find something here that inspires you. If you want to learn more about all of our offerings, please visit our website.

To our students: Your journey through high school is an important time to discover what you're passionate about and to start building the foundation for your future. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you, ask questions, seek out new challenges, and never hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Remember, you're not alone in this journey—your teachers, counselors, and classmates are here to support you. We look forward to seeing what you can accomplish this year.

To our families: Your partnership is crucial to our students' success. We encourage you to stay engaged, communicate with us regularly, and take an active role in your child's education. Together, we can ensure that each student not only achieves their academic goals but also grows as a person and a leader.

One of the biggest topics we will be pushing this year is attendance. When we speak with our local colleges and local employers, they continue to stress the importance of showing up on a daily basis. We have created a new attendance policy this year and we want to make sure everyone is aware of it before the year begins. Please see information below.

Again, thank you for choosing to come to the TECH Center. Our first day of student programming is Monday, August 26. We look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks! Until then, please enjoy the remainder of your summer break.

Thank you,

Benjamin Murray

Principal

Upcoming Meet and Greet

TECH Center Meet and Greet

The TECH Center welcomes students and their families for a Meet and Greet on WEDNESDAY, August 21 from 1-3 p.m. Come to the TECH Center campuses to meet our staff and learn about your TECH Center program.

TECH Center

1372 N. Main St. Adrian, MI 49221

Center For A Sustainable Future (Agri-Tech, Natural Resources, Horticulture)

4260 Tipton Hwy. Adrian, MI 49221

TECH Center Student Handbook

TECH Center Student Handbook and LIDS Code of Conduct

Please see our TECH Center Student Handbook for details about the expectations for students at the LISD TECH Center. The Student Handbook includes our attendance policy, student driving/transportation, dress code, and other pieces of information to help guide students at the TECH Center.

Our Lenawee Intermediate School District Student Code of Conduct discusses the safety and wellbeing of the LISD's students, staff, and visitors. Please review the Code of Conduct.

NEW ATTENDANCE POLICY

ATTENDANCE

Effective student attendance involves being present in class and being an active participant throughout. As we continue to operate on the basis of TRADES (Teamwork, Responsibility, Attitude, Dependability, Effort, Safety), you can imagine how effective attendance fits under each piece.

Classroom attendance instills a concept of self-discipline, exposes a student to group interactions with teachers and fellow students, and enables a student to hear and participate in class discussions and other related learning experiences.

Regular attendance is critical in the development and learning of all students. Absences are lost hours of learning and instruction, rather than a simple tally of days. The mission of our attendance policy is to clearly and effectively communicate the ways in which absences will be defined.

Research shows that chronic absenteeism is a directly linked factor contributing to lower test scores, an increased dropout rate, and significantly lower levels of reading and math abilities. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of any school period for any reason. Therefore, when interventions take place, it is not necessary to determine whether absences are excused or unexcused.

Reporting an Absence

All absences must be communicated to the school office by the parent or guardian on the day of.
Absences will either be counted or not counted, depending on the circumstances surrounding the absence.
The attendance office phone number is (517) 265-1659. It is in operation 24 hours per day. Please state the student's name, program, session, and reason for absence.

Not-counted absences (with proper documentation) are defined as:
- Funeral Visitations
- The day of a doctor’s visit
- Hospitalization
- School-related activity including suspensions
- Court Dates
Counted absences are defined as:

All other absences.
Counted absences may be blocked with approval for recurring health issues where a doctor’s visit is made. This will allow for several related absences to be blocked as one. Assignments will be allowed to be made up with the rule of one day per absence.

Students entering class late will be sent by the instructor to the Attendance Office for a tardy pass. If a student is late three (3) times, it shall equal one (1) counted absence. Student driving privileges may also be revoked.

Students are not permitted to leave LISD TECH Center property after they have arrived without the permission of a parent/guardian and the LISD TECH Center administration. Signing out to leave early is done only with the permission of the instructor, Assistant Principal, and parent/guardian. Signing out without an acceptable, approved reason can result in being charged with an absence and further disciplinary action.

TRADES at TECH Center

TRADES @ TECH Center

The LISD TECH Center utilizes the acronym TRADES each and everyday to promote employability soft skills including Teamwork, Responsibility, Attitude, Dependability, Effort, Safety. At the LISD TECH Center, instructors teach, promote, and model these skills daily. The overall goal of TRADES is to create a positive culture and climate within the school building to help maximize students' educational experience.

We have worked with many business and industry partners in developing the TRADES language as they see the value in students acquiring these skills. Throughout the year, students will be acknowledged in various ways for their exceptional display of TRADES. We look forward to seeing students start on their own TRADES journey at the LISD TECH Center!

PARKING PASS INFORMATION

PARKING PASSES

Please review the Student Driving/Transportation section of the LISD TECH Center Student Information Guide on the LISD TECH Center website. For the 2024-25 school year, the LISD TECH Center will be strictly enforcing the policy on student driving.

There are a limited number of student parking permits available. There will be a maximum of 300 parking passes sold this year (150 per session). There have been issues such as cars parked illegally, damage to both staff and student vehicles, and student accidents in the crowded lots. Principals at the local school districts have been asked to return to the mindset of signing parking permit forms based on special circumstances and/or conditions of need.

With this in mind, all schools provide transportation for students to and from the student’s local district. We encourage students to utilize this transportation, not only to meet the parking capacity, but also to provide the safest commute possible for students. Temporary passes may be obtained for Work-Based Learning, special events, and special circumstances. Passenger permits will also be available as approved in advance by the Assistant Principal or Principal.

Safety of the students is a major concern we face on a daily basis with students traveling every day. The more student drivers we have, the higher risk of accident and injury we face. We also have noticed a steady increase in the number of students tardy for class as they are stopping for lunch and/or snacks and not arriving on time for class. Please note that parking permits may be revoked if students are continually tardy or are not meeting the standards of the attendance policy.

We thank you for your attention and efforts to help us enforce this policy as it is stated in the LISD TECH Center Student Handbook and keeping our students as safe as possible on a daily basis.

COLLEGE NOW and DUAL ENROLLMENT

College Now Program

Our College Now program provides increased dual enrollment opportunities for LISD TECH Center students at no cost to the enrolled student or local district. Students are able to take college courses from our local postsecondary institutions and get an early start on completing a certificate or degree.

See our website for more information.

Have questions? Please reach out to our counselors, Sue Ritchey sue.ritchey@lisd.us and/or Patty Thomas patricia.thomas@lisd.us.

Career Development Resources

The State of Michigan provides a number of great resources to help students and their families prepare for a career after high school. Please see the link below for more information:

https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/career-development-resources