WZZM TV 13 paid a visit to R-PHS this past week to highlight our marching band. If you would like to view the video and story, it can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
August 30, 2010
August 16, 2010
Registration Information
Registration for the 2010-11 school year is just around the corner and I would like to remind students and parents of the plans for this four-day event.
At registration, students can expect to engage in the following activities:
- I.D. photo and school pictures will be taken
- Submit emergency card and directory information slip
- Submt Internet Policy Form
- Receive course schedule and locker assignment
- Request parking permit ($20.00 charge for parking permit)
- Pay fees or fines
- Vocab books available for purchase ($10.00/book)
The registration dates are scheduled from 8:00 – 12:00 noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. for the following students:
- Seniors: Thursday, August 26th
- Juniors: Friday, August 27th
- Sophomores: Monday, August 30th
- Freshmen: Tuesday, August 31st
It’s very important that students arrive on campus for registration on the day assigned with all completed forms provided in the registration packet mailed home to all students.
Counselors will be available for students during the registration dates listed. Students with incomplete schedules will have priority over complete scheduled students. Schedule changes will be very limited.
I have attached copies of the Technology Use Policy Signature Page and Student Directory Information if you need an additional copy. Just click on the link below.
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August 12, 2010
Rocket Refurbishment
The R-P class of 1990 has formalized a plan to fully restore our “Rocket” and have it placed in the southwest corner of Rocket Stadium near our student section.
The 1990 classmates leading this wonderful initiative are: Janis A. (Ross) Mitchelson, Rebecca J. (Werley) Hekkema and Craig Christensen. They have partnered with our high school’s “Powersurge Team” along with Mr. Bill Ross to assist with metalwork needs. The photo below was recently taken to show our Rocket as she currently sits west of the high school near R-P elementary.
The plan also includes restoring the firing of a cannon blast after each touchdown. The original cannon has been located and the planners are working with former 1990 classmate, Mr. Craig Medendorp to ensure that we have the necessary clearance to use the cannon as we did in the past.
This endeavor demonstrates the great pride our alumni have in past traditions and their willingness to roll up their sleeves to restore our landmark mascot and the cannon blast that provided them with many great memories.
We look forward to the day when our Rocket stands in our new stadium as a symbol of pride for our school and community.
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June 9, 2010
Tassels Turned, Class of 2010 Now Alumi
Last evening at the L.C. Walker Arena, the class of 2010 graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School! The ceremony was fabulous and the speakers outstanding.
After the procession of graduates and the playing of the National Anthem, the madrigal women sang a beautiful rendition of our Alma Mater.
Jacob Lubbers shared an eloquent invocation with his classmates followed by a presentation of school board members by our superintendent, Mr. Stephen Cousins.
The 2010 commencement marked the last graduation for Mr. Cousins as he has accepted the superintendency at Traverse City Area Public Schools. The Reeths-Puffer community was well served over the course of his 16 year career and we wish him the very best in his new adventure.
The high school instructional staff led the graduates in and included in this group are five teachers who have also walked in their last R-PHS graduation. The five retiring teachers are: Mr. Frank Witt, Mr. Dan Millhisler, Mr. Steve Smith and Mr. Joe Milder. The combined years of instructional service to our district spans over 170 years! We too, wish them the very best in their years to come.
Our Valedictorian, Angela Bedoya, presented her speech in a taped format as she is currently undergoing treatment in Minnesota for Fanconi Anemia. Her words were inspiring and her attitude so positive and real that we’re sure to hear soon that her health is on a quick recovery path.
Our Salutatorian, James Cole, challenged his classmates to work hard and meet life’s challenges head-on, be truthful and passionate in all that you do.
The class speaker, Dan Mercer, used a lot of humor to send his message that it’s about the people along the way of life’s journey that make the memories, not so much the accolades earned or awarded.
I shared a bit about seeing the good in people. I mentioned that the images in our mind become the motivation in our heart resulting in the actions we engage in. See people for what they can be. Compliment someone for doing something good…compliment someone special to you for just “being” in your life.
The ceremony was professionally videotaped and is available for purchase. For more information on how to purchase a copy of the ceremony, contact my office (719-3107).
The link below is the traditional “tossing of the tassels” which is quite a sight from my chair! Needless to say, I’m very proud of my students and the humbled to be given the opportunity to lead such a wonderful school such as Reeths-Puffer High.
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June 1, 2010
Thank You: Short But Sweet!
The R-P Rocket family got together over the winter to help raise money for the VanAndel Institute for Cancer Research by staging a Varsity Basketball Purple Game at the high school.
The total giving came to over $14,000.00 and the VanAndel’s made a personal visit to R-P to thank the community for their efforts in not only raising money but raising the awareness level on the cancer research being conducted at VAI.
I recently received their released commercial from Mrs. Kelley Peel, counselor and lead supporter for all our work with VAI. You can view it by clicking on the attached link below:
May 28, 2010
Last Day Celebration
An activity that has become tradition at R-PHS is a gathering of seniors for a final countdown to the end of their high school career that results in a “tossing of the notes” celebration.
If you would like to see what I’m referencing, click on the link below:
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Pride Day 2010
The Pride Day 2010 honoree, chosen by student council was Mr. Charles Hodson, director of bands for R-PHS. Mr. Hodson’s twenty year career as leader of our Rocket Instrumental Music program made for an easy choice for student council. Under Mr. Hodson’s leadership, our marching band has won eight state championships and one national championship. The wind ensembles consistently earn top ratings in MSBA competitions year in and year out and the jazz band is second to none!
The student council staged the best Pride Day in recent memory. The students enjoyed a hearty lunch served by staff and then were off to participate in games and activities such as: bull riding, ultimate frisbee, home run derby, basketball, soccer, chalk art, volleyball, floor hockey, kickball, starcraft, dunk tank, moon walk, obstacle course, tennis, guitar hero, karaoke, softball, flag football, open weightlifting, car show, sodoku, horse riding and listening to a rock band.
Many thanks go to Mr. Marshall, Mr. Hankinson and the student council members that were responsible for organizing the events and activities for the day. It was surely a day to remember!
Being a Rocket is just plain cool!
If you would like to view some photos from the day, click on the link below:
If you would like to view the madrigals singing and dancing to “ABC” by the Jackson Five, click on the link below:
Our Children’s Theatre staged a fun dance for our Pride Day assembly. The video can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
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May 27, 2010
A Visit with National Champions
R-PHS now boasts five former students who have gone on to win a national championship at the college level! Our first national champion was Mark Hughes, a 1989 national champion for the University of Michigan’s basketball team.
We now add Abby Collinge, Olivia Morey, Kaia Swain and Nicole Suchy to our growing list of national champions who recently won the national championship in softball as members of Muskegon Community College’s women’s team.
Olivia was injured during the regular season and was unable to compete in the national tournament but was a valued member of the team and a national champion nonetheless. Kaia was listed as a red-shirt member of the team.
Picture below are Abby and Nicole with highlights of their great run to the national title.
Abby played third base all season and Nicole was DH and catcher for the Jayhawks. Their team went on to beat top ranked Kankakee Community College in the championship game by the score of 2-0.
Their best memory of the season came at the end when they received a police escort into town to be greeted by family and friends. Both girls had great things to say about their team, especially their coach, Matt Houseman. Abby remarked, “Coach gets more out of you than you think you have inside you.” Nicole, who stated that he’s an “in-your-face” type coach is also the most loving coach a player could hope for.
I asked each former Rocket star to share a quote about their great ride to a school record 59-9 season, here’s what they had to share:
“Softball is more than just a sport to me, it’s a way of life. It has taught me how to be a young woman. My faith has grown and I have learned all I need to know.” – Abby
“You learn so much from one another, you become a family and you mature into young women through this simple game. You win and lose together and that’s what playing sports is all about.” – Nicole
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May 26, 2010
Internal Peer Review Report
On May 13th, the district’s Internal Peer Review Team paid a visit to the high school focusing their attention on the high school’s improvement efforts in the seven standards of school improvement as identified by North Central Accreditation (NCA). The seven standards are:
- Vision and Purpose
- Governance and Leadership
- Teaching and Learning
- Documenting and Using Results
- Resource and Support Systems
- Stakeholder Communications and Relationships
- Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Our strategic improvement efforts to improve our goals in reading and writing over the course of the 2009-10 school are directly linked to the seven standards. Our two target area goals are:
- All students will show improvement in reading comprehension across the curriculum.
- All students will support ideas by providing details and examples when writing across the curriculum.
The NCA leadership team responsible for organizing and assisting the improvements efforts at the high school are:
- Linda Hanson
- Nancy Burton
- Diana Hynde
- Julie Kotecki
- Liz Pratt
- Curt Crouch
- Tim McDougle
- Craig Olson
The Internal Peer Review Report was just released to the high school this morning and we want to share the good news with all stakeholders associated with R-PHS. You can click on the link below to review the report.
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May 24, 2010
Senior Directed Scenes
For our senior theatre students, this event marks the last time they will perform on our Rocket Centre stage. We have many, many talented students at R-PHS and our senior class seems to be loaded with talent.
In this production, the seniors take care of all aspects of the show. From selecting the scenes, finding costumes, lighting, sound, stage coordination, makeup and set design, it is their show. They have a lot of popular scenes for your enjoyment. The show is appropriate for middle school age and older.
Check out the flyer below for more information on this production!