July 28 - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Dear Parents and Community Members,

On Tuesday, June 17, our school district took an important step forward in our continuous journey of school improvement by building upon the established strategic planning goals—goals that guided our path to critical bond improvements and instructional advancements. We held a Strategic Planning Workshop that brought together a diverse group of dedicated individuals—community members, parents, teachers, school administrators, and school board members who share a commitment to our students’ success.

This collaborative event was facilitated by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), whose expertise guided us through a thoughtful and engaging process. Throughout the day, participants reviewed current district data and worked together to define the vision, mission, and core beliefs that will serve as the foundation for our district’s strategic goals over the next three to five years.

The voices and perspectives shared during this workshop were invaluable. It is through the collective insight of our stakeholders that we are able to build a strategic plan that is both inspirational and grounded in the real needs and values of our community.

The work that began on June 17 will continue as we refine and finalize our strategic goals. These goals will set a clear direction for the district, help prioritize our resources, and ensure that all of our efforts remain focused on student achievement and opportunity.

I want to thank everyone who participated in the workshop for their time, energy, and passion for our schools. Your involvement is instrumental to the continued success and growth of ECSD.

Together, we are building a strong and vibrant future for every learner in our district!

Sincerely,

Suzanne Cybulla

At the June 23, 2025 Board of Education meeting, we honored our 16 retirees! Denise Akers, Tammy Arcieri, Michelle Barker, Marlene Brinker, Diana McNicol, Heather Meredith, Deana Moses, Mary (Jean) Riedel, Andy Scheel, Marilyn Spranger, Amie Stillson, Lesley Stauffer, Nancy Tyler, Kathy Vandermeulen, Stefanie Visnaw, and Michele Zohr! Thank you for an amazing collective 399 years of dedicated service!

Innovation Center students enjoyed a great day at Cedar Point after completing the AP testing in May. Students in Advanced and AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry had the opportunity to attend. Roughly 75% of the students attending the Innovation Center in the morning were enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement courses during the 24/25 school year, and so a trip to Cedar Point was well earned. Thank you to our chaperones and students for a great day!

Some of our Gearing Elementary STEAM students partnered up with our Innovation Center Project Lead the Way students to work together on a task. Our STEAM classes in the district work to regularly engage students in collaborative multi-faceted activities, involving Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Our Engineering courses at the Innovation Center regularly engage in designing, modeling, and creating items to accomplish a specific task and meet certain requirements. While partnered up, students engaged in discussion around solutions to the task and best ideas on how to accomplish the goal. Thank you to Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Volpe for their work in collaborating to make an event like this possible.

Students attending the Innovation Center in the afternoon had the opportunity to participate in a variety of field day events, competing against their IC peers. The most popular events were the relay races taking place around the track and the Tug-O-War competition between different groups of 5-6 students. Thank you to Mr. Leuenberger for your work in setting up this afternoon of fun.

Students attending the East Star Academy, located at the Innovation Center, had the opportunity to work on their creativity skills in a fun morning of artwork with the Painted Toad of Marine City. Staff from the Painted Toad came in and worked with students on an art technique known as marbling. Marbling is the term for decorative artwork where patterns are created on the surface of a liquid and then transferred over to a solid surface (in this case paper). Our students enjoyed this break and we are looking forward to working with the Painted Toad in the future. Thank you to Mrs. Rose Gottler for your support and help with this project.

Ms. Westrick’s 1st hour AP Physics students worked on marble runs/courses as a culminating project in AP Physics, following the Advanced Placement Exam. Many of the concepts discussed throughout the school year are incorporated into this project, all while making for a fun competition to see who builds the fastest and most sturdy track for the marbles to travel through.

Utilizing funds generated from various fundraising efforts throughout the year, the Innovation Center was able to purchase two sets of cornhole boards and bags for students to play. Students can spend time during their break between AM and PM classes, at the Innovation Center, outside in the courtyard, and having fun playing corn hole. Thank you to Ms. Bommarito for her help in coordinating our fundraising efforts throughout the year and for helping to facilitate the purchase of these boards.

Thank you, Lesley Struyk, art teacher at Pine River Elementary for the amazing array of artwork from the Young 5's to the 5th graders. The art wall had people stopping a looking the whole time it was up.

MCHS Varsity Baseball knocked out Olivet High School 8-5 in the Division 3 Semifinal for their first-ever MHSAA State Final. They headed to McLane Baseball Stadium on Saturday, June 14, 2025, for the Division 3 State Championship. Unfortunately they came up short against Traverse City St. Francis 5-4. Congratulations on a great season!

MCHS Trap team also completed in the State Finals on June 14, 2025, in Mason, MI.

Throughout the month of May, the MCHS Interact Club collected over 1,000 hygiene items to donate to Kids in Distress (KIDS) of St. Clair County. KIDS supports children and teens who are unexpectedly removed from their homes by providing essential clothing and personal hygiene products.

The entire Marine City Campus joined in the effort, with 4th hour classes competing to collect the most items and win an ice cream social. Congratulations to Mrs. Christie Ellis’s 4th hour middle school class, who led the way with an impressive donation of 156 items!

The Dragonfly room went to the Legasea Aquarium in Utica for their end of year field trip.

The upcoming SkillsUSA National Competition, the nation’s largest showcase of technical and leadership skills, will be June 23-27, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. This annual event brings together thousands of students, teachers, and industry leaders to culminate a year of rigorous SkillsUSA competitions and activities.

This year, we’re proud to announce that Allane Stamplis from SCHS will represent our state:

• Allane Stamplis – Welding Sculpture
  Grade 12, St. Clair High School

Easton Jones, SCHS, earned the People's Choice Award in the Congressional Art Competition. This annual Competition is in its 44th year and celebrates the artistic achievements of the nation’s high school students.

His winning artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, Members of Congress, distinguished visitors, and tens of thousands of tourists – from the United States and abroad – walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.

Superintendent Suzanne Cybulla can be reached at scybulla@ecsd.us or by calling the East China School District at 810.676.1018.

Email: info@ecsd.us
Website: www.eastchinaschools.org
Phone: 810-676-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/EastChinaSchools