Please consider applying for a grant as mentioned below:
MEEMIC Foundation Encourages Educators to Apply for Grants
Submitted by Chelsey on Fri, 08/12/2011 – 3:51pm
The MEEMIC Foundation for the Future of Education is accepting grant applications through Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Grant funding is available up to $2,500 for any Michigan educator to help provide additional financial support for your classroom or education program.
The selection is based on the number of students who will benefit from the program, demonstrated need for funding, and how the program will enhance current and future curriculum. This selection is made by the Foundation selection committee.
Educators wishing to apply for a grant must complete the on-line funding application at www.meemic.com by August 31. Late entries will not be accepted. For more information, please contact Carol denOtter-Todd at (888) 463-3642 x 31680.
The MEEMIC Foundation, created in 1992 by MEEMIC Insurance Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the future of education by offering financial assistance to Michigan schools and educators. Since its inception, the MEEMIC Foundation has contributed over $1 million in support of education in Michigan.
For more information about MEEMIC Insurance Company and the MEEMIC Foundation, please visit http://www.meemic.com. Specific questions about the MEEMIC Foundation can be emailed to foundation@meemic.com.
An Article in the New York Times highlights some myths about the importance of going to college, and the difference in earning potential a degree makes – even in fields that do not require certification. In most cases – a degree pays for itself in a relatively short amount of time! Parents and students should consider the following excerpts from the article:
Myth: It’s expensive.
Actually, many colleges don’t cost that much once financial aid is taken into account. Average annual net tuition in a public four-year college is about $2,000.
Myth: It’s not worth it. The Hamilton Project, a D.C.-based research group, recently compared college to other investments and found that college delivers an inflation-adjusted return of more than 15 percent, compared to seven percent on the stock market and one percent for real estate.
Myth: Most jobs don’t require a college degree. Even if a college degree isn’t a prerequisite, graduates make more because they can do higher-skilled work, get jobs with better-paying companies, or open their own businesses.
“Even for Cashiers, College Pays Off” by David Leonhardt in The New York Times Sunday Review, June 26, 2011 (p.3); http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/sunday-review/26leonhardt.html?scp=1&sq=“Even%20for%20Cashiers,%20College%20Pays%20Off”%20&st=cse
Parents & Students- this message is to let you know Reeths-Puffer is proud to offer students free after school tutoring as a part of a 21st Century Learning Grant. In addition to certified teaching staff, the program offers students the chance to learn about adventuring, video production, WII tournaments and even an opportunity to earn a pilot’s license from West Michigan flight academy.
The best part is this program is FREE to all R-PHS students thanks to a grant from the Michigan Department of Education.
If you are interesed in learning more about the program, please call Jerry Wallace, the program director by dialing 744-1647 x 3602, again, that number is 744-1647 x3602.
Many have posited what it will take to fully reform education. With many new initiatives and school reform efforts underway, some continue to look for a “silver bullet approach” to improve education. Unfortunately, many of these quick fix approaches target the symptoms of poor achievement, without taking a long hard look at a system that was conceived during the industrial revolution. Sir Kenneth Robbins explains in greater detail some of the fundamental challenges facing educational reformers today in this brief video.
Last Friday, four students from R-PHS were invited to attend a Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast to hear the economic forecast for 2011. George Erickcek, a Senior Analyst for the Upjohn Institute believes the biggest challenge to the economy in Muskegon county is the percentage of 25-34 year-olds with a college degree. The percent of 25-34 year olds in Muskegon with a college degree during 2010 was 13.5%, while the state average hovers around 20%! The students learned that a slight increase in the local economy could be expected during 2011, with 2012 looking marginally better than 2011. John Berry, Executive director of Design West Michigan also highlighted the importance of improving product design and highlighted that companies who made this a priority during 2010 experienced growth around 9%, where as companies who did not focus on design grew by roughly 5%.
Michelle Boyd, Alex Griffin, Tim Honick and Marissa Pulsipher had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Erickcek after the program and enjoyed his humor during the presentation, which helped bring the figures to life and connect them with his audience.
In conjunction with the Van Andel Institute, Reeths-Puffer High School will play host to a series of events to raise awareness and funds in an effort to fight back against cancer. This Saturday students from across the district took part in a Flash Mob at the North Muskegon Meijer’s. In hosting this event, Meijer also contributed a Check in the amount of $500 to help battle cancer through the VanAndel Institute. Organized by Kelly Peel, the Flash Mob will also be performing this evening at 7pm at the Muskegon Lumberjacks Game.
Reeths-Puffer recently changed its attendance policies to eliminate the option of make up hours for students who miss too much school. Many students and staff were concerned about the impact this would have on our students. With the first Semester behind us, I am pleased to share that students have run afoul of the attendance policy in fewer courses compared to 2009 or 2008. This year we saw a 28% reduction in the number of attendance failures, and more students in class = more learning!
Remeber, students, “If you aren’t here, you can’t learn with us!”
Students enjoyed a wonderful winter even out at the 2010 Christmas Dance. From a slow dance with someone special to the Cupid Shuffle, a good time was had by all. Check out the Christmas Dance Video .
Last week on Wednesday, the English Department at Reeths-Puffer High School met for a full day of professional development focused on the writing program at the high school. The team identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within and to the writing curriculum. Staff also developed target areas in language use and grammar at each grade level- identifying assessments at each grade level that align to those targets.
