

Shorian Nation eNews
April 27, 2025
Featured Story
Media State Champions
Six students from LSHS Media Productions 2 represented their school at the State Leadership and Skills Conference in Grand Rapids. Not only did they successfully defend their State Title, but they also swept the competition by earning the top three spots:
🥇 1st place State Champions: Abby Smith* and Jimmy Sheen - https://youtu.be/eDOQSakeBRE
🥈 2nd place: Conner Carney and Ella Pascoe - https://youtu.be/_lXIG4y4aio
🥉 3rd place: Megan Sweeney and Lukas Storbeck - https://youtu.be/rqGEaxkoEio
Media teacher Mrs. Blaszkowski explained, "This year, I brought three teams of two to compete in the Digital Cinema Production category. Their challenge? Create a 1-minute video based on a prompt, using the Grand Rapids Public Museum as their location. The process is intense: students attend a walkthrough Friday afternoon, plan their shoot, and attend the opening session. On Saturday, competition day kicks off at 8:00 AM with setup, a technical test, resume submission, clothing and music license checks. Teams get two hours to film on location, two hours to edit, and 15 minutes to export their final video. It’s a long, challenging day—but incredibly rewarding."
*Abby Smith is also the 2025-2026 SkillsUSA Michigan State Vice President! Abby began the candidate process in November, which included extensive paperwork, an interview, test, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and more. She was officially approved to run, and throughout the weekend juggled both her competition responsibilities and her officer candidacy.
To top it all off, Abby and Jimmy have qualified for SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta, June 23–27!
Blaszkowski wrote, "It truly was the best possible outcome for our Lake Shore team. If you see any of our competitors or Abby, please congratulate them. This was a massive accomplishment and took months of preparation and hard work. We are so proud!"
In addition, we have several other competition results that we're excited to announce:
Knock Out Violence winners were announced by the Macomb Prosecutors Office and Media Productions students earned a 2nd place and $750 award (divided 3 ways). Congratulations to Conner Carney, Ella Pascoe and Megan Sweeney for their video titled Think About It.
Congratulations to Brianna Little & Grace Garrison and Abby Smith, Jimmy Sheen, and Lukas Storbeck for making the Courageous Persuaders Top 60 out of 350 video submissions. Drunk Driving Gone Wrong and The Domino Effect are in the running for scholarship money, announced on May 14th at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak.
Congratulations to Alaina Handy's PSA - At What Cost, Abby Smith and Jimmy Sheen's Business Partnership - Pawsitive Changes Therapy Dogs, and Abby Smith, Jimmy Sheen, and Lukas Storbeck's PSA - The Domino Effect for receiving Best of Show for the Digital, Arts, Film Theater organization based in the Detroit area.
Congratulations to the 12 awardees from Honorable Mention to 2nd place in the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association's competition. Blaszkowski explained, "This program is based out of Michigan State and involves schools across the State and had over 450 entries across all categories. They have various categories in Digital Media, Video Journalism, Video Production, Journalism newspaper and yearbook. Most of these are the features I require Media 2 to create and it is made even better by the community involvement including: Dox Restaurant, Lake Shore Transportation Department, Violet Elementary, Kitty Deluxe in St. Clair Shores, Wally's Frozen Custard, Lakers Unified Hockey team, Pawsitive Changes Therapy Dogs Organization and district requests."
Bonus: Congratulations to LSHS's Brook Atkinson who recently competed in the SkillsUSA Early Childhood competition representing Pankow; She earned a Gold Medal and State Championship! We shared this story featuring Brook back in February.
Stay Updated
Senior Shoutouts
How do I personalize Senior slides in preparation for graduation?
𝓛𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓬 𝓢𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓵𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷𝓿𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓾𝓫𝓶𝓲𝓽 𝓪 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓶𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓪 𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓵 𝓛𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓭𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓙𝓸𝓱𝓷 𝓤'𝓻𝓮𝓷 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓾𝓶 𝓫𝓲𝓰 𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓭𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓛𝓢𝓗𝓢 𝓒𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓸𝓷 𝓢𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓭𝓪𝔂, 𝓜𝓪𝔂 31𝓼𝓽. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓲𝓼 $5 𝓹𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓪𝓰𝓮.
Entries should be shared with Counseling Secretary Julie Knight at Lake Shore High School using this hard copy: https://www.lakeshoreschools.org/.../pages/GetFile.ashx...
Begin preparing your heartfelt well wish for that special graduate and access our 2025 slide deck: https://tinyurl.com/2025LSHSGrads
Scroll to see examples for Jacob Battaglia, Carter Kohl, Brendan Manor, Julia Pearl, and Maris Rutledge. These are perfectly customized and ready to go!
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 30th. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Knight at jknight@lsps.org.
Meet at the 50
Lake Shore is thrilled to kick off a heartwarming new tradition: Meet at the 50!
- Save the Date: Meet at the 50
- Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 at 9:00am
- John U'Ren Stadium at Lake Shore High School
This special event will unite our incredible senior Class of 2025 with the bright-eyed Kindergarten Class of 2037 for a memorable moment on the football field.
At Meet at the 50, our graduating seniors and kindergarteners will meet at the 50-yard line, symbolizing the full circle of their educational journeys—from the very first day of kindergarten to the excitement of high school graduation. Our seniors will write heartfelt postcards to their younger counterparts, offering advice, encouragement, and well wishes for the road ahead. Kindergartners will gift a Shorian Friendship bracelet to their “seasoned selves” as a symbol of lasting connection and unity.
˜”*°•.˜”*°• Once a Shorian, Always a Shorian •°*”˜.•°*”˜
This event is a beautiful celebration of school spirit, growth, and the incredible bond that forms between these two stages of life. It’s bound to be an emotional, inspiring moment—so get ready for some tears of joy!
Families of Class of 2025 and Class of 2037 students are invited to watch this event from the stands. Bring cameras & tissues!
Note: We kindly request that Seniors wear something representing Lake Shore, such as an athletic jersey, class shirt, club shirt, etc., and that Kindergartners wear their red Class of 2037 shirt.
Enrollment is Open
Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open!
Lake Shore is a place where possibilities are endless, and a Shorian education is truly life-changing.
Lake Shore Public Schools is dedicated to providing an exceptional education for all 3,339 students in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. Our students are empowered to thrive in an ever-evolving global society, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our committed staff, families, and community.
From preschool through graduation, every Lake Shore student is part of a dynamic school system that works tirelessly to support their success. Our guiding principles of Inspiration, Innovation, and Celebration are woven into the core of everything we do, shaping an enriching educational experience.
Lake Shore offers accelerated learning opportunities beginning in elementary school, and our students consistently achieve strong test scores. Teachers leverage the latest technology to track and support individual student progress throughout the year.
Our district provides STEM education starting in Kindergarten, and elementary students enjoy daily enrichment programs along with a full calendar of extracurricular activities. Our middle and high schools boast award-winning athletic teams and outstanding fine and performing arts programs. Additionally, Lake Shore offers dual enrollment and early college opportunities at no cost to students.
Families in Macomb County seeking a high-quality education for preschool through 11th-grade students are encouraged to explore enrollment through our Enrollment page. Sometimes, words can't fully capture the joy and fulfillment that comes with being part of this school district.
Enroll as a new resident or schools of choice student for the 2025-26 school year by visiting http://lakeshoreschools.org/enrollment/enroll. Please email Enrollment@lsps.org with any questions.
We are not just a school district; we are a Lake Shore family, a true home—and it can be yours as well.
Year-End Celebrations
-Lake Shore High School MoCI Graduation Ceremony-
Wednesday, May 21st at 9:00am
LSHS Auditorium
-Lake Shore High School Honors Night-
Thursday, May 29th at 6:30pm
LSHS Auditorium
-102nd LSHS Commencement Ceremony-
Saturday, May 31st at 10:00am
John U'ren Stadium
Class of 2025 Senior Memory DVD and Graduation DVD preorder information: https://www.lakeshoreschools.org/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=l11%2bARaj
-6th Grade Awards-
Wednesday, June 4th at 2:30pm
Kennedy Middle School Gym
-7th Grade Awards-
Thursday, June 5th at 2:30pm
Kennedy Middle School Gym
-North Lake High School Commencement Ceremony-
Thursday, June 5th at 6:30pm
Lake Shore High School Auditorium
-8th Grade Awards-
Tuesday, June 10th at 6:00pm
Lake Shore High School Auditorium
-Masonic Heights Elementary 5th Grade Celebration-
Monday, June 9th at 5:30pm
John U'ren Stadium
-Rodgers Elementary Kindergarten Celebration-
Tuesday, June 10th at 1:15pm
Rodgers Elementary Cafeteria
-Masonic Heights Elementary Kindergarten Celebration-
Wednesday, June 11th at 1:30pm
Masonic Heights Elementary Gym
-Violet Elementary Kindergarten Celebration-
Wednesday, June 11th at 2pm
Violet Elementary Gym
-Violet Elementary 5th Grade Celebration-
Wednesday, June 11th at 6:00pm
John U'ren Stadium
-Rodgers Elementary 5th Grade Celebration-
Wednesday, June 11th at 6:00pm
Rodgers Elementary Cafeteria
Follow Lake Shore High School, North Lake High School, Kennedy Middle School, Masonic Heights Elementary, Rodgers Elementary, Violet Elementary All-Stars, and Lake Shore Early Childhood Center on social media for specific details from building principals.
Whether in the classroom, on the stage, in the studios, on the playing fields, our Shorians from PreK-12th grade always make us proud.
Summer Camp Enrollment
When school’s out, FUN is in!
NEW! Now Accepting Applications for our Teacher Cadet Academy!
Summer break is traditionally a time when students experience a "slide" in their acquired learning. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. Lake Shore acknowledges the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year.
Lake Shore Community Education’s Summer Camps are here, and there’s something for every kid—from tots to teens! Whether your child loves sports, music, AI adventures, Crayola art, dinosaurs, or even NASA space camp, we’ve got an unforgettable summer waiting for them!
📅 Spots fill fast—register today!
School Aged Child Care's Summer Camps are here, and there’s something for our youngest learners! Activities include Outdoor Water Play, Arts & Crafts, Weekly Field Trips & Pizza Lunch, and Movie Day!
📅 Spots fill fast—registration begins on March 31st!
Bond Update
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.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are building a bright future for all LSPS students.
To learn more about the bond, please visit the Lake Shore Public Schools' website.
Care Solace
Autism Acceptance Month in April celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.
As part of Autism Speaks’ Light it Up Blue campaign, students wear blue to show support during Autism Awareness. Keep an eye out for local and global landmarks showing their support by changing their lighted colors to blue.
📞 Care Solace: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support available)
Stay Informed
Attention Class of 2025 Seniors: Request for Photos
We're gathering photos for the Senior Video and the throwback page in the yearbook—and we want YOUR memories! We're looking for adorable baby pics, first day of school shots, fun moments from school events, family photos, and pictures with friends from Lake Shore. While we can't promise every photo will make it, send in as many as you can, and we'll do our best to include them all!
📸 UPLOAD PHOTOS: https://forms.gle/TrzdVUN4CewsxTvZ7
📧 EMAIL PHOTOS: jamessheen@shorian.org
Got hard copies? No problem! Just label them with your child's name and drop them off to Mrs. Blaszkowski in room 101. They'll be scanned and safely returned!
Any questions? Reach out to jamessheen@shorian.org or clebiecki@lsps.org. Let’s make this Senior Year one to remember!
Spring/Summer Community Education Brochure
The Spring/Summer Community Education brochure has been released! Check it out for a variety of classes, camps, and trips for all ages happening in our community this season.
You can view the information online at https://lsps.ce.eleyo.com or pick up a brochure at 23340 Elmira, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082.
Register early to secure your spot!
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.
This calendar outlines all 24 character strengths, 1 highlighted per week. Our teachers create engaging and impactful lessons — differentiated by grade-level — and share through presentations, student recognitions, classroom discussions, and building-specific displays.
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Our 5th annual Wellness Week is a week-long campaign to drive home the message that you are important.
Students and staff are invited to display the #PositivityInAction philosophy through wellness activities such as hot chocolate giveaways, pay it forward community surprises, and collaborative efforts! You'll learn about these feel good efforts throughout the week!
Thank you Michigan Insurance and Financial Services Gives Back Program and EOS Cafe and Coffee House for sponsoring this week!
We also appreciate our School Social Workers who were an integral part of the planning process.
School social workers are able to light the way, emphasizing the whole child, collaborating with other professionals, linking students and families with needed services, and advocating for the profession.
Thank you Nichole Filer, Rebecca Asni, Erin Pastoria, Michelle McCoubrey, Kayla Glombowski, April Gardner, and Helen Buyse for helping students solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
We also supplied a treat for all staff, sponsored by Chartwell's, and a plastic duck as a reminder that we're a lucky duck to have them on our team! Thank you, MoCI students, for carefully packaging these items & delivering to staff!
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Looking forward, we are excited to celebrate Purpose (4/28-5/2) and Enthusiasm (5/5-9).
Stay Safe
OK2SAY Student Safety Program
See something? Say something.
OK2SAY is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at school students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.
Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
While continually evolving and reviewed annually, on this Safety and Security webpage you will find a list of recent and current safety measures implemented by Lake Shore Public Schools to provide the safest environment for our students and staff.
Inspiration
American House Intergenerational Interviews
Lake Shore High School students visited American House to ask senior citizens for life advice and interview about their adolescence. We’re a fan of this partnership!
Rachel Smith, Life Enrichment Coordinator, collaborated with Mrs. Welsh's AP Psychology class to create an intergenerational activity that would benefit everyone. Rachel explained, "These conversations are the best thing for our Seniors. I always enjoy watching them bridge the gap, imparting wisdom from both old and new."
Lake Shore Juniors Aubrey Alison and Michael Keenan interviewed Henry. His advice was simple: Get rid of the mobile call. Michael wrote, "I really enjoyed this field trip because we got to hear real stories from Henry's life including his experiences of growing up around WWII and The Great Depression."
Junior Zander Smith spoke with Mary Ann, a very active 90-year-old. She encouraged Zander to surround himself with kind, honest people. He admitted, "Mary Ann gave great advice about dating and how to be the best version of yourself."
One resident shared that she initially hadn't planned to join the activity, but was so glad she changed her mind—the kids were absolutely wonderful!
Enjoy these insights from the elderly on the key ingredients for a good life, and get inspired by these interviews. Thank you for providing this enrichment opportunity to kickoff Wellness Week for our high school students.
Village Kindness
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Elementary students from Masonic Heights, Rodgers, and Violet brightened the day for shoppers at Guastello’s Village Market by handing out $10 gift certificates to help cover grocery costs.
Guastello’s, a beloved neighborhood grocery store, has been family-owned and operated since 1950. With a deep commitment to their customers and community, they proudly live by their motto: “We are your one stop store!”
These gift certificates were made possible thanks to the generosity of Michigan Insurance and Financial Services, a valued local community partner.
During the visit, Lake Shore students had the chance to meet some special shoppers, including Lake Shore Foundation Board of Trustee member Ron Bartley, former Board of Education Treasurer Mark Beghin, and, according to the team at Village Market, their #1 customer, Michael Christopher. These are all people who have serving hearts!
One especially joyful moment came when Sandy Rubino received her gift certificate from Lake Shore Public Schools. Her daughter, JoMarie Ventimeglia, is a 4th grade teacher at Rodgers Elementary—and this proud mom truly understood the impact of this wellness lesson.
When given the gift certificate, a few customers chose to return it, believing the money could be better used by someone else. That’s a true act of selflessness.
We even overheard a shopper say, “The timing couldn’t have been any better!” A small gesture can mean so much—because we may not always know what someone is going through, but we do know that kindness makes all the difference.
As a sweet thank-you, Guastello’s treated the students to some of their delicious cookies, making the day even more memorable. Thank you for helping spread kindness—it’s contagious!
Great Start Readiness Program PD
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is Michigan’s free PreK program for eligible four-year-olds. Ranked #1 in the U.S., it’s a safe place where children learn how to get along with others, share, take turns, and make friends.
Great Start Readiness Preschool at Lake Shore recognizes that each child has the right to enter school ready to learn. Families come with many needs, and societal and cultural factors may impact a child's readiness to learn. It is the philosophy of GSRP to provide an early learning environment that:
- -Acknowledges that each child is a whole person whose growth and development occurs in specific, predictable, sequential and continuous stages that can be positively impacted through quality experiences.
- -Encourages and challenges each child to safely explore, create, speculate, experiment, and evaluate.
- -Openly welcomes and enlists parents as vital partners in their children's educational endeavors, to focus learning in the context of the family.
Learning is essential to our growth and an indispensable tool for the Shorian Nation.
Lake Shore Public Schools staff continues to use Professional Development days as an important time to strengthen our skills as professionals and adapt to the ever changing learning, cultural, and social-emotional needs of our children. From the most effective and innovative instructional strategies to school safety and student well-being matters, investing this time at the Lake Shore Early Childhood Center is a key to the on-going high level of success for our students.
April 21st was our final scheduled PD day of the 2024-25 school year. We appreciate Taylor Darga, PreK for All GSRP Early Child Coordinator and Karen Nelson, PreK for All GSRP Early Childhood Specialist for their delivery of How Play Connects to Learning through the MISD.
They explained, "High quality instruction and high quality free play do not have to compete for time in the classroom. Doing both makes each one richer."
Thank you GSRP teachers Ms. Herr, Ms. Johnston, Ms. Mullen, Ms. Tilicki, Ms. Zweng, and the rest of the team for your dedication to our youngest learners!
Violet Elementary's 25th Annual Talent Show
We were absolutely entertained by 26 incredible acts at Violet Elementary's 25th Annual Talent Show!
To check out the Talent Show program, visit: https://docs.google.com/.../1AT5c4cdj6c93ahcBh0ZdtiuhLTW.../
A huge shoutout to our fantastic Masters of Ceremony team—Paisley Gordon, Liliana Lovati, Harper Miller, & Aubrey Scharver—for keeping the energy high and the show flowing! The performances were nothing short of amazing, from singing and dancing to comedy and tumbling. Every performer brought their A-game, and we couldn’t have been more impressed watching you shine!
Brothers Ben (13) and Zachariah Wronski (10) performed I Always Wanted a Brother from Disney's Mufasa. Fourth grader Zach invited his big brother Ben, a 7th grader at Kennedy Middle School, to join him for the special duet. Ben, a former member of Violet's 4th and 5th grade choir, was honored to return and support his little brother. The pair even wore matching “I love my brother” shirts, adding an extra dose of sweetness to their performance.
In the audience, their Gmaw Lori watched with teary eyes, proudly saying, “My grandsons are everything to me.”
Madilynn Deriemacker lit up the stage with a bright smile and a joyful song, while Alyssa Margitish wowed the crowd with a dazzling gymnastics routine, showcasing skills she’s honed over three years at Cutting Edge.
Your display of talent made us smile, and trust us, you're far from amateurs. Your skills are impressive, but what’s even more inspiring is the strength of character you all showed. We’re so proud of both who you are and the extraordinary abilities you possess.
A big thank you to Mrs. Pecoraro and our backstage crew—Lily Adams, Madison Barry, Ellianna Hacker, Griffin Hovis, Teigen Jacks, Laila Marshall, Adalin Parker, Isla Rent, Caleb Smith, & McKenna Stefankiewicz—for making this event such a success!
Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you!
Innovation
You can’t have wellness without a little music.
The Lakeshore Ukulele Strummers visited Violet Elementary to collaborate with Mrs. Rueger-West's 4th graders. Here's where it all began: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/posts/612298270906498
This vibrant group of 30 ukulele enthusiasts now meets every Wednesday for two hours of practice—but back in 2019, it all started with just two members. It was group leader Sue Goeddeke who sparked its formation, placing a simple ad in the Sentinel inviting anyone interested in learning or already experienced in playing the ukulele to come together.
Music teacher Kim Rueger-West later joined the group and helped bridge the connection between the club and her school program. One of the group's most inspiring members, Virginia, began strumming the ukulele at just 10 years old—just like today's 4th graders. Now 97, her love for the instrument continues strong, proving that the ukulele truly is a lifelong passion worth sharing.
Joe and Suzy Ladouceur, married for 59 years, are another heartwarming example. Together, they play both the ukulele and harmonica, creating music that has become a treasured part of their journey.
We watched with pride as the All-Star students worked through their nerves and joined these seasoned players to perform classics like This Land Is Your Land and You Are My Sunshine. The intergenerational jam session was filled with joy, talent, and genuine connection—an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Video clip: https://x.com/mylsps/status/1912244892530823583?s=46...
A big thank-you goes out to Music Teacher Kim Rueger-West and her colleague Bernadette Wischmeyer, who successfully wrote a grant proposal to the Lake Shore Foundation. Thanks to their efforts, ukuleles—provided by Ardis Music—are now available in all three elementary schools, positively impacting over 500 students.
Bonus: Six of our students were selected to participate in the MSBOA District XVI Middle School/Junior High Honors Band, hosted at Lake Shore High School! They were split into a 7th grade band, conducted by Ms. Kristin Blanchard, and an 8th/9th grade band, conducted by Dr. Ken Thompson. Our students were:
7th:
- Lorelei Vitali - Flute
- Dylan Elberson - Clarinet
- Sarah Neimann - Trombone
8th:
- Kalix Loumanis - Clarinet
- Maxson Pojeta - French Horn
- Montez Patterson - Euphonium
Mr. Malabed and Mr. Alter are so proud of these wonderful students!
Hot Chocolate at Dropoff
We share a thank you to EOS Cafe and Coffee House for sponsoring 300+ cups of joy! Even on 35 degree mornings, a cup of hot chocolate made everyone smile.
Our middle school staff surprised Kennedy Middle School families at dropoff with a warm, comforting cup of cocoa. Being kind makes everyone happy and gives a feeling of well-being, in perfect timing for Wellness Week.
Video clip: https://x.com/myLSPS/status/1912929788018241662
We heard from students who said, "You made my mom's day!" and grownups who said, "This was the best surprise!" We gave and felt the love. At KMS, staff volunteers delivered the cocoa while a few students held wellness messages.
And yes, hot chocolate is good for your gut! Not only is cacao a source of iron, but it is known to increase levels of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, all feel-good neurotransmitters. It is also considered a prebiotic, which our guts feed on to foster a healthy gut microbiome.
School Social Worker Kayla Glombowski reflected, "Wellness week is one of my favorite times of the year, as we focus on caring for our minds, bodies, and each other. The hot chocolate hand-off provides our staff and students the opportunity to come together and give back to others. The excitement and appreciation from parents in the drop off line is so much fun to watch. One small cup of hot chocolate can change someone's entire day!"
We appreciate our LSHS MoCI students for adhering advertisement to the cups!
Read more wellness stories posted on the district Facebook page.
Celebration
Take Your Child to Work Day
On April 24th we celebrated our Family Tree with Bring Your Child to Work Day. The memories we make with our families is everything. We observed our kids' curiosity spark as they were encouraged to actively participate in learning activities. They met new friends and were impressed by their kindness and intelligence, and overall helpful demeanors.
Ten-year-old Max Walter visited North Lake High School with Mrs. Oliver. The two share a love for singing and enjoy performing together. Over at Masonic Heights, energetic siblings Everett (7) and James (5) spent their day playing catch, soccer, and baseball with their mom Mrs. Larke.
Mrs. Ventimeglia from Rodgers Elementary was joined by 13-year-old Mia, who enjoys helping out in the classroom and around the school. "Mia loves interacting with my students," Mrs. Ventimeglia shared. "She also plays volleyball and soccer in her free time."
At Violet Elementary, Mr. Pittinato welcomed Samantha (12) and Justin (14) for their first-ever Take Your Child to Work Day. "Samantha was especially excited to visit the Kindergarteners," he said, "and Justin couldn’t wait to assist in the gym."
We are always building a sense of community in the classroom and within our schools. Thank you, Shorian Nation, for welcoming your offspring into your learning spaces! We also appreciate Rachel Nagorsen, Community Relations Director with American House, for sponsoring Donuts with a Grownup! In honor of Bring Your Child to Work Day, Lake Shore employees were encouraged to invite their children to work, resulting in free donuts! Every parent & kid enjoyed this tasty treat and it was our way of encouraging a culture that puts family first. Shoutout to Caleb from Golden Donuts for special donut pricing and red & white icing/sprinkles for LSPS branding!
If you would like to submit a photo from Bring Your Child to Work Day event, please email social@lsps.org. In addition, we encourage you to assist us with gathering photos of "moms" and "dads" with your children in preparation for our Mother's Day and Father's Day celebratory features in May and June. Send us a photo to add to our collection!
P.S. We were honored to support families as they helped their children explore careers beyond the classroom!
LSPS School Bus Driver's Day
With a combined 200 years of service, our bus drivers are personable and dedicated to ensuring safety for everyone aboard. Thank you for providing a fleet of buses that are safe and reliable for the riders we serve.
Our 12 buses meet all safety points and have received a green tag from the Michigan State Police. This means that we have a 100% pass rate through the school bus inspection program.
In October we recognized National School Bus Safety Week. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to slow down and be aware of school buses in their communities.
It is illegal for vehicle drivers to pass a school bus while the school bus stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Failing to stop could result in injury or death to child pedestrians or their caretakers. Vehicle drivers must always come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.
Thank you again to Robert Stark for capturing our '25 drone pictures on behalf of the Class of 2025 and providing this service for years. He continues to share his artistic talents for all of our Shorian Nation to enjoy! We also appreciate Val Harvey, Don McGarvah, Doug Domzal, Marian Caputo, and Kelly St. Amand for assisting with the bus setup!
Bonus: Mrs. Fain's MiCI students are learning how to take the SMART bus with assistance from Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC). PEAC empowers individuals with disabilities through cycling, active transportation, and self-advocacy education.
Fain explained, "We had two amazing speakers and group coordinators that taught or students about learning how to use the smart bus. We had the opportunity to go on 2 trips. We walked to the Smart bus stop near Kennedy Middle School and took the bus to and from Hobby Lobby and Dunhams. The coordinators Katelyn Britton and Tyler were amazing. Our students all received Smart Bus ID cards."
Thanks to the PEAC coordinators for utilizing their mission to help our kids!
Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day
Administrative Professionals' Day recognizes and celebrates the work of secretaries, administrative assistants and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace. They keep our offices organized and efficient and on this day, and everyday, we are so grateful for them.
Dr. Johnson, Principal at Kennedy Middle School, wrote, "Your tireless dedication behind the scenes is the heartbeat of our success. With unwavering passion, you strive for excellence, ensuring our buildings shine as beacons of learning. Without you, principals could not lead, teachers could not inspire, and students could not soar. Your invaluable role in our district is deeply cherished—thank you for being the foundation of our greatness!"
Mrs. Biondo, Lake Shore Early Childhood Coordinator, commented, "Missy is my other half! She makes ECC a better place, and I am not sure how we functioned before she joined us."
Mr. Pittinato, Principal at Violet Elementary, shared, "Mrs. Lovelace and Mrs. Stanley keep Violet Elementary running smooth day in and day out. We are so thankful to have them here managing dozens of daily tasks so staff and students can have productive days. Thank you for being our Main Office All-Stars!"
No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden for another.
Macomb County Green Schools
Congratulations to Lake Shore Public Schools for encouraging students to participate in activities that are good for the environment and promote energy efficiency and savings; Your efforts earned the following LSPS buildings Macomb County Green Schools Designations for the 2024/2025 cycle:
- Masonic Heights Elementary: Green
- Violet Elementary: Evergreen
- Kennedy Middle School: Evergreen
There are 77 Green Schools representing Macomb County this year, including 10 new or returning schools! This year we will participate in a TRI-COUNTY GREEN SCHOOLS CELEBRATION EVENT with Oakland and Wayne counties on May 1st at the Detroit Zoo!
Established in 2006, the Michigan Green Schools program is open to any K-12 public or private school in Michigan. To receive a “Green School” designation, each school must apply by submitting an appropriate application to the county/intermediate school district in which the school is located each year. The intent of the Michigan Green Schools Program is to encourage students to participate in activities which help them learn about preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, and to promote energy efficiency and savings.
To learn more, visit https://bocmacomb.org/programs/macomb-county-green-schools/.
Bonus: National Honor Society planted 26 trees at the Brys Park Arboretum for Arbor Day as part of a community initiative with St. Clair Shores City Council, Parks and Rec, CDI and DPW staff!
Double Bonus: Seed to Table is a quarterly exploratory at Kennedy Middle School that allows students to learn gardening skills. They started by putting seeds in damp paper towels. The paper towels were then put in plastic bags and hung in the classroom window to germinate. Just a few days later, the seeds had sprouts and the students planted them in repurposed containers. They had an assortment of greens, radishes, string beans, basil, and peas in their gardens.
Macomb Daily Feature
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District K-12 Art Show
Our District K-12 Art Show provided an impressive array of talent! We look forward to sharing a recap video highlighting the event early next week.
Wellness Week Winners
Thank you for all of your favorite Lake Shore Public Schools staff member nominations in this post.
THE WINNERS + THE PRIZES
- Mrs. Wheeler/LSHS - Total Health Systems has offered a 1 hour massage for use at their Saint Clair Shores location. Total Health Systems is a full-service wellness center that not only takes care of your pain, but provides you with the tools necessary to obtain optimal health and wellness-guaranteed.
- Mrs. Tilicki/LSECC - Outdoor Adventure Center has offered a Complimentary Family 4-Pack where visitors experience simulated outdoor recreation. Outdoor Adventure Center gives you a taste of Michigan’s great outdoors in the heart of the city. Experience exciting outdoor adventures with hands-on activities, exhibits, simulators and more.
- Ann Marie Miller/Rodgers - Sign Gypsies has offered a 24 hour yard greeting valued at $85. Sign Gypsies' team prides itself on delivering customizable experiences through high-quality products and unbeatable customer service. Magical moments are their specialty.
- Mrs. Sheats/Violet - Megan Farrell, fellow Lake Shore graduate and mom of a Masonic Heights Family, has offered a gift card to Four808, a store filled with handmade items.
- Mrs. Cortemanche/Masonic Heights - Shores Nutrition has offered 2 FREE DRINKS for an energizing tea!
- Mr. Barranca/Masonic Heights - Lake Shore Adult and Community Education offered a $25 gift card towards Community Enrichment Programming.
- Mrs. Bloomhuff/Masonic Heights - Viviano Flower Shop offered a $25 gift card toward a fresh-cut flower bouquet.
- Mrs. Harvey/Transportation - Sharon Marshall of Meadow Brook Theatre has offered 2 tickets for any production this year or in production for the 2024-25 season valued at $96.
- Mrs. Schliech/Rodgers - Hairstyles by Lisa has offered a haircut/style gift card valued at $45!
- Mr. Cerrasco/LSHS - Buffalo Wild Wings has offered a $25 gift certificate to their casual dining restaurant that offers delicious chicken wings!
- Mrs. Husek/Violet - Sirona Wellness Spa has donated a voucher for a 1 hour float session.
- Mrs. Barnett/KMS - DoorDash has offered a $25 gift card - so many delicious options!
- Mr. Hubbard/LSHS - Sherman's Tennessee Hot Crackers gifted a basket filled with branded treats!
- Mr. Alter/LSHS - Gearheads has offered a gift basket to their barber shop where men and boys come to get their hair into gear!
- Mrs. Oliver/NLHS - Starbucks $20 gift card will ensure a positive start to someone’s day!
April P2 Recognitions
Congratulations to our April Slurpee/Smoothie/Shake/Pizza Surprise Positivity Project Honorees:
Lake Shore Early Childhood Center
Rakim Finley - Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
Masonic Heights Elementary
Caroline Smith - Kindness
Stephanie Couck - Teamwork
Savannah Prosky - Perseverance
Rodgers Elementary
Mason Holcomb - Kindness
Sal Fici - Fairness
Christina Morgan - Teamwork
Violet Elementary
Mila Kowalski - Perseverance
Owen Hurley - Kindness
McKenna Stefankiewicz - Love of Learning
Kennedy Middle School
Peyton Reddig - Kindness
Thomas Ramsey - Teamwork
Codei McFarland - Leadership
Aurora Partlow - Teamwork
Lake Shore High School
Izzy Gabow - Humor
Brooklyn VanHollebeke - Grateful
Arianna O’dell - Integrity
McKenna Johnson - Kindness
Daniel Gibson - Integrity
Haleigh Fountain - Humor
North Lake High School
Kailey Novak - Perseverance
Thank you 7-Eleven Store Owner Virgil Johnson, EOS Cafe, Coffee House Store Owner Tony Zarife, North Shores Nutrition Owner Ashleigh Larimer, and Jet's Pizza General Manager Vernon Mathews for their 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.
We have partnered with Kroger to help fund our athletics. Please read this letter from our Athletic Coordinator Rich Bowers.
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.
- Varsity Softball Feature: Ready, Set, Softball!!
- Varsity Golf Feature: Gage Colley: Evans Scholar and Master of the Green
Athletes of the Week
Sophia VanDenStorm
Congratulations to AOTW Sophia VanDenStorm, member of the Varsity Softball team at Lake Shore High School. Assistant Coach William Puvalowski shared her contributions with us:
"2 games played 27 Strike Outs, 1.800 ERA, 3 year varsity player, Captain. Picked up a win vs Cousino."
Anthony Woods
Congratulations to AOTW Anthony Woods, member of the Varsity Track team at Lake Shore High School. Head Coach Jackie Phillips shared his contributions with us:
"Anthony is a great leader and one of the best hurdlers in the county. Anthony won both hurdles races in his first meet, and with his PR in the 110 hurdles he is currently ranked #1 in division 2 for the state of Michigan."
Summer Sports Camps
Freeze Frame - Bring Your Child to Work Day
eNews
Lake Shore Public Schools will provide an exceptional education for all 3,220 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/
X: @myLSPS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylsps/