School Briefs: Schools of Choice Applications Accepted, Lakeview Board Member Says Goodbye

Schools of choice applications being accepted

Two of St. Clair Shores' school districts are accepting Schools of Choice applications from Macomb County students interested in enrolling in the district starting second semester.

has limited openings in kindergarten through 10th grades. There are no openings in 11th or 12th grades. Applications are available until Jan. 9, and must be completed by Jan. 20. More information and a Schools of Choice application are available on the district’s website. 

South Lake Schools will be accepting Schools of Choice applications for the second semester between Jan. 6 and 3 p.m. Jan. 20. There are limited openings for kindergarten, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. More information, and a Schools of Choice application, are available on the district's website.

Lakeview board members bid Wenner farewell
There was a bittersweet moment at the Lakeview Board of Education meeting on Dec. 20. It was the official last meeting for board member Michael Wenner, who opted not to seek re-election this year.

Board members and administrators expressed their gratitude and well wishes to Wenner, who served on the board for the last eight years. A certified public accountant and an attorney, Wenner often brought up legal and financial points to consider when voting on various measures.

Board Treasurer Philip Thomas Jr. said he served with Wenner on some committees, and he appreciated his wisdom and input.

“We haven’t always agreed on things, but it’s been a good debate,” Thomas said to Wenner. “We went through a lot of different decisions, and the district is in a better place because you were here.”

“It’s been a pleasure working with everybody,” Wenner said, noting that many changes have taken place over the last eight years, including new administrators, remodeled buildings, and new programs and sports teams.

Special education program makes gains
Lakeview students with special needs are receiving a more comprehensive and proactive program than before, according a presentation given at a recent board meeting by Christine Brown, executive director of student services.

Lakeview’s special education staff has been working to improve its diagnostic tools and team collaboration, Brown said. As a result, students are now better identified as to whether they need special education or just accommodations due to a health condition. For instance, someone who has severe asthma or juvenile diabetes may require accommodations but not necessarily special education services.

In addition, educators are improving students’ transition from elementary to middle and then high school, which is eliminating the guess work at the students’ new schools when they move up to them. Teachers are also providing students with new technological tools that are enabling them to better learn.

Brown said her biggest point of pride is that the program has shifted its focus to early intervention. When she joined the district in 2008-09, professional special education staff was more concentrated at the high school, and now the concentration of staff has shifted to the elementary level. Brown said the shift makes the program more proactive early on in students’ careers, rather than reactive later on.