Davison Alternative Education students got a taste of reality this week as they learned how to balance budgets, manage mortgages and figure out financing during a Financial Literacy workshop.

All students had the opportunity to participate in an authentic budgeting experience simulating one month of living expenses. Students were assigned a career with a salary and credit score. Throughout the event, students visit different booths and are able to budget for things like lifestyle, food, technology, housing, transportation and more.

While DAE has hosted similar financial programs before, they were on a smaller scale and only students from the School to Work and Consumer’s Math classes participated.

"The idea behind this financial reality event was to have all the DAE students participate," said DAE Teacher Mrs. Amanda Mobley. "I was able to collaborate with Jennifer Gekeler (Student Academic Advisor and Community Liaison) and she was able to take over the planning process to make sure we could include all students at DAE."

The financial reality fair was presented by Genisys Credit Union. Students had both negative and positive surprises that impacted their budget. Budgeting based on particular salary earnings can really put things into perspective for students, Mobley said.

"It is crucial that we expose our students to several career pathways and various career planning activities," Mrs. Mobley said. "It allows students to learn more about the paths they may or may not be interested in. At DAE we believe that we must provide our students with multiple opportunities to learn about several career pathways in order for them to make more informed decisions about their future."

The experience was eye opening for many students.

"It was interesting to see how the real life purchases we make add up," said student Spencer Klanseck. "It was also interesting to see that some jobs pay good and some that say they pay good don't. I mean I was a chemist and I made less money than I expected, which resulted in me taking public transportation. You wouldn't think a chemist would be taking public transportation."

"I liked the little details like the credit score, the amount of money getting taken out by taxes, and the pretend bank account that showed what you spend your money on," said Gabby Johnson.

Waylen Ellett said he liked that each booth he visited was realistic in that students were shown "real world" prices and had random expenses assigned to them.

"I liked that it let us choose what we wanted to have for our career and it gave us real world problems and we got to make our own decisions ranging from furniture to what we live in and what pets we wanted and other really cool stuff," said Adriana Lalonde.

"What I really liked about the fair was that the people actually talked to me and didn't just tell me what to do," said Isaac Potts. "Each station was different and they gave me advice."

In addition to the Financial Fair, DAE students can prepare for life after graduation with Mobley's “School to Work” class.

"This is a career development class that includes soft skill preparation, career research, budgeting and building resumes along with mock interviews as part of the student final exam," Mrs. Mobley explained. "This is an opportunity for local businesses to participate in giving our students an authentic experience in the interview process and allows time for individual and whole group feedback. It is a great opportunity for our DAE students to connect with our community and our community to connect with our Davison Alternative Education students."

Throughout the school year and during School to Work class, Mrs. Mobley invites several career presenters to come in and talk with students to allow students the opportunity and exposure to several career pathways. Small groups of students are also taken to college visits and college representatives also visit the school. Davison Alternative also participates in “Construction Days” coordinated by the Genesee Intermediate School District, Mrs. Mobley added.

Pictured below, Mrs. Jennifer Gekeler, DAE Student Academic Advisor and Community Liaison, shows two Davison Alternative Education students how to access the site to begin their journey through the Financial Reality Fair.

Newly hired chef Greg Arnett hopes to curry favor - as well as flavor - with students when he begins serving them up delicious meal ideas and food that will focus on freshness, color and boosting moods.

Arnett was recently hired by Chartwells, a division of Compass Group PLC, which the District contracts with to manage the school Food Services program. Along with Arnett, Chartwells employs Food Services Director Jennifer Lutze. The remaining kitchen staff is employed by the District (and, yes, we are hiring!). Compass Group was recently named the No. 1 food management company by Food Management magazine.

"I am super excited that we will be working together side by side," Lutze said. "It's new and exciting that many of the Chartwells schools are getting new chefs."

Arnett is anxious to get to work. On Friday, he was in the high school cafeteria serving up house made slow roasted pulled pork, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw and cornbread.

"For me, food has always been attached to memories of happiness and family," Arnett said. "I want that same feeling for (students) and to brighten their day."

Food has been a passion of Arnett's since he was a young boy, cooking alongside his grandmother. He said his father made him get a job when he was old enough to work so he became a bus boy at a Bob Evans restaurant.

"I moved up to become a line cook and continued to support myself working (in the food industry) through college," he said. "I just have a passion about it."

Arnett graduated from Baker College with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He has worked as a general manager and sous chef at Grille 23 and head chef/kitchen manager at Black Rock, both in Hartland, a Chef de Cuisine at Union Joints in Fenton, executive chef at Fork n' Pint in Lake Orion and, most recently as executive chef at Crust in Fenton.

Arnett said his goal is to bring fresh, colorful food to students that will help keep them energized and focused as well as improve their mood - all while accommodating dietary restrictions across all food options, complying with government guidelines like keeping salt intake down and ensuring no cross contamination.

"I want parents to rest easy that we are clean and we are organized and we have a multitude of resources at our disposal," he said.

Arnett and his wife, Taelor, have three children, Jaxon, Carter and Gabii, who attend schools in the district.

Two Davison teachers have been nominated for the Mid-Michigan NOW Golden Apple Award.

Congratulations to Mrs. Melvina Lightfoot, who teaches first grade at Gates Elementary, and Mr. Rob Belprez, who teaches English at Davison High School, on their nominations.

You can support one of these teachers by casting your vote (see link below). Voting will continue through the rest of May with the winning teacher announced in the beginning of June.

It's been a big few weeks for DTV!

Chayton Harris, DTV Executive Producer, was named to the All Michigan Interscholastic Press Association's State Journalism staff - the all-state team for high school journalists. Chayton is the fourth DTV student to be named to this team.

Also this week, at the Michigan NATAS Student Production Awards (student EMMYS), DTV brought home four student Emmys, including Best Newscast and Best Live Sportscast. In all, DTV was nominated for 12 student Emmys - a record for the student television station said Teacher Randy Scott.

DTV also won 22 awards at the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, including six first place awards including Best Newscast and Best Reporter Makayla Gilbert-Herrick.

Students in Ms. Rachel Wheaton's second grade classroom at Hill Elementary spent Earth Week tending to the Butterfly Garden located on the school playground. Students pulled weeds and cleared brush so that the garden will be ready for new winged tenants this year.

The Davison High School Visual Arts program is pleased to present the 2024 Spring Art Show on Thursday, May 16. The show will include artwork made by Davison High School art students throughout the 2023-24 school year.

An open-house style event to view the artwork will be held 3:30-6 p.m. at the Cardinal Station, 10183 Lapeer Road with an awards ceremony taking place at 6 p.m.

Last school year, a group of teachers at Gates developed monthly art units that focused on various artists and their style of art. This year, these teachers, led by Miss Brielle Bayliss, have developed monthly art lessons that focus on various mediums used for art or styles of art.

It was a messy day for Hahn Intermediate Principal Verle Gilbert, who was on the receiving end of silly string and whipped cream pies as he made good on some promises he made after students met or exceeded goals in the spring fundraiser and March Reading Madness competition.

During the Rewards Assembly held last month, students and staff celebrated the achievements of more than 100 students who sold five or more Pizza Kits in the school's Spring Fundraiser. Mrs. Amanda Hoggard's and Mr. David Clifford's classes, the top-selling classrooms, joined forces for the occasion. Five students, having sold more than 50 pizza kits, gleefully had the opportunity to "pie" Mr. Gilbert during the assembly.

In the March Reading Madness Competition, Mrs. Jenna Blake's class logged 1,100 minutes of reading while Mr. Jason Leach's class amassed an impressive 1,614 minutes. Both classrooms participated in the assembly, where they playfully Silly Stringed Mr. Gilbert.

To cap off the festivities, the students were treated to an enchanting magic show by Jeff the Magician.

The following Hill Elementary students were recognized last week as the April Table of Honor students: Maggie Henning, Kendyl Moreno, Wixom Schaepkens, Nora Rhein, Isabella Wheaton, Hailey Graves, Alexis Newsome, Charlotte Harpst, Noah Wetherford and Ella DuPrey.

Students selected for the Table of Honor get to sit at a special table with Principal Mrs. Jennifer Burke during their lunch period. Students are selected for the honor for following the Cardinal Code.

Davison High School senior Sydney Hall is headed to Houston, Texas, for a second year in a row to compete in the HOSA Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference.

Sydney placed first in the category of veterinary science at the state HOSA leadership conference held April 18-19 at Grand Traverse Resort. Students were accompanied by Health Sciences Teacher Mrs. Laurie Heath.

Congratulations also to Quinn McCrocklin, runner-up in medical math and Megan Matte, runner-up in dental science.

For the second time within a week, the Davison High School Auto Technology program was featured by the media. Last week, Ford officials donated a 2024 Mustang to the program and on Monday, DHS Auto Technician Miles Luebke was invited by WJRT TV-12 to share information about the upcoming annual Auto Show and Student Skills Competition. The link to the interview is located below.

The 9th annual car show takes place from 5-8 p.m. next Wednesday, May 8, at Davison High School. In addition to the car show - where the public is invited to bring their show cars - students will compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships to several technical colleges and trade schools by performing skills they've learned in the program.

The event is free.

Executive Director Amy Chorley and Special Education Director Dana Melaragni were the featured speakers at the May Davison Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon and meeting, held Wednesday of this week.

Mrs. Chorley and Ms. Melaragni shared details about the Placing Individuals into Vital Opportunity Training (PIVOT) program, a work-based learning program for students with disabilities. The program is a collaboration between New Horizons, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and several Genesee County school districts including Davison.

Students attending school earn credits and get paid through community work sites during school hours within their community. Students work 1.5 to two hours a day, two days a week, and are compensated for their work and earn high school credits. Transportation is provided to and from school.

Eight students were enrolled last school year, Davison's first year of participating in the program. This year, 13 students are participating and are working at businesses including Big Apple Bagel, Cottage Inn and Ace Hardware. Mrs. Chorley said she anticipates that the program will increase to 16 students - the maximum allowed - next school year. The District is looking for more community partners that can provide work sites that meet the student's needs, strengths, career goals and abilities.

At the Chamber meeting, Mrs. Chorley credited New Horizons and gave special thanks to the Davison High School Special Education work-based learning team members Charlotte Dotson, Special Education Coordinator, and Special Education Teachers Brett Coron and Christy Trzcinski for all of their work in making the program successful.

Although he started playing football during his elementary years, Davison High School sophomore Ben Nichols said he doesn't think he really fell in love with the sport until about the eighth grade.

"That's also the time I realized I could actually have some potential in the sport," he said. My family, friends and friends' families all told me I had a lot of potential since I was young but I didn't really realize it until around eighth grade."

Apparently Ben's family and friends were right. The varsity linebacker was recently featured in a Sports Illustrated article (see link below) during a scouting visit to Notre Dame. Both Ben and his mom, Elisha Nichols (who works as a Paraprofessional in the District) were surprised to learn that the story was being featured in SI.

"I’m honestly not sure how the article was selected for SI," Elisha said. "He has been doing a lot of different interviews lately and they just pop up here and there."

"At first I didn't realize it was a Sports Illustrated article after doing so many articles with different people," Ben said. "Once I seen and read the article, I thought it was pretty cool to have someone as big as Sports Illustrated feature you in an article."

Elisha said they always knew Ben was a good player, but his progress has been truly amazing.

"We have all of his coaches and teammates to thank for that from youth all the way up to Varsity," she said. "He has BIG goals and he works hard to achieve them. We can’t wait to see what his future holds and we (his dad and I) are his biggest fans!"

"It feels great being on a good high school football team with great teammates and coaches," Ben added. "I want to thank my family, coaches and teammates for all of my success in life so far."

Ben is currently on the baseball team and he placed third in the state in his weight class for powerlifting. He also enjoys fishing and hanging out with his friends and family.

As far as his future plans, Ben said his goal is to start at a P5 college program as a freshman or sophomore and then make it to the NFL.

"Only time will tell if I make it to the NFL draft," he said.

https://www.si.com/college/notredame/recruiting/big-time-2026-ol-ben-nichols-loves-notre-dame

In addition to Thomson and Hill Elementary buildings, a secure entry vestibule will also be added at Davison Alternative Education over the summer.

Secure entry vestibules have been completed at Gates Elementary, Siple Elementary and Davison High School.

Pictured below is an architect rendering of the Hill Elementary secure entry vestibule.

Having a clear sense of purpose in life, and a belief that you’re connected to a larger meaning, gives individuals strength. It allows them to persevere and find courage in trying circumstances, or lead with kindness and love even when it’s not reciprocated. Those with a sense of purpose have more meaning in their life – and are more fulfilled.

Mathew McDonald (Class of 2019) graduated from Grand Valley State University April 27 with a bachelor of science degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, majoring in sport management.

Mathew is interning this summer with the Kalamazoo Growlers.

Levi Stevens (Class of 2020) has received the TorchBearer award at Ferris State University. The award recognizes students who will be graduating in the next year. Nominees must meet eligibility requirements and exhibit outstanding leadership skills during their career at Ferris. Torchbearer recipients are leaders on campus, in the classroom, and in the community.

Levi graduates this Saturday, May 4, Cum Laude with a bachelor of science, majoring in psychology with a minor in Philosophy. While at Ferris, Levi was president of the Student Psychology Society, president and founder of the Big Rapids Philosophical Society, secretary for PsiChi, is on the Autism Home Network board, and a tutor. On top of the Torchbearer award, Levi also received the Inaugural Outstanding Leadership Award from the College of Arts, Sciences and Education Department of Social and Behavioral Studies.

After graduation Levi will be managing a care facility for adults with Autism.

While a student at Davison Levi was part of the LINKs program and Marching Band.

DHS alums Peyton Spodney (Class of 2023), Caden Tucker (Class of 2023) and Michael Osterholzer (Class of 2022) have been named to the Winter 2024 Dean's List at Kettering University. The Dean's List recognizes overall academic performance based on the student's term grade point average (GPA). To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must satisfy the following requirements: be a degree-seeking student with a minimum term grade point average of 3.5, no grades below B, and a minimum of 16 earned credits for the term.

Peyton and Michael are majoring in mechanical engineering and Caden is majoring in computer engineering.

Two Davison High School alums were among 17 students honored at the 2024 A-Section Physics Club Awards on March 11 at Kettering University.

The Outstanding Physics Performance Award is given to students who have performed excellently in introductory physics courses and typically completed the sequence during the past academic year.

Included among those honored were Peyton Spodney (Class of 2023) and Andrew Meikle (Class of 2022). Both Peyton and Andrew are majoring in mechanical engineering.

Logan Pasco (Class of 2020) was named to Youngstown State University's President's List for achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average in the Fall Semester 2023.

To be eligible for the President's List, honorees must be full-time undergraduate students with a 4.0 GPA for least 12 semester hours of classes. Logan is studying marketing.

DTV alum Chris Jared (DHS Class of 2014 ) was named head play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays' AA team, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. This is a huge step up for Chris and his career, said DTV Teacher Randy Scott.

Check out what Davison Township Parks and Recreation is offering for the month of May.

Cottrell School was located on the northeast corner of Richfield and State roads. According to District documents from 1960 when school district properties were assessed for value, Cottrell had a main building 60- x 25-feet in size with a 34- x 8-foot projection at the front that housed lavatories (four toilets), cloak rooms and a vestibule. A 16- by 11-foot basement was located at the rear of the building. The building also had two drinking fountains and was heated by oil fired forced air.

Anyone remember this school or attended there? If so, please share your memories!

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OK2Say: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say

Suicide Prevention: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/injuryprevention/programs/suicide-prevention-a