focusFebruary/March 2016 Volume 21, Issue 4Website: www.fhps.netinside

FHC’s “The Little Mermaid,” Page 3

Students Receive Art Honors, Page 5

MI Math Prize Competition, Page 6

Upcoming FHFAC Events, Page 9

Sports Awards and News, Page 10

National Merit Scholars Announced for the Class of 2016

Twelve Forest Hills Public Schools seniors have now earned the top distinction of Na-tional Merit Scholar. All FHPS students who originally were semifinalists in the competi-tion have been named finalists and carry the National Merit Scholar title. As finalists, these students will have an opportunity to be awarded some 7,400 National Merit Scholarships this spring worth more than $32 million.

Students who score in the top percent on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test achieve the semifinalist status. To advance to the final-ist level, each semifinalist had to submit a detailed scholarship application outlining: an outstanding high school academic record;

school and community activity participation; demonstration of leadership ability; employ-ment; and honors and awards received. Each semifinalist also needed the endorse-ment and recommendation of a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores confirming their previous performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Quali-fying Test.

Congratulations to the following high school seniors.

Central High School National Merit Schol-ars: Jack Boezwinkle, son of Ronald and Jennifer Boezwinkle; Ruchir Gupta, son of Girish and Anamkia Gupta; Cooper James, (continued on page 2, column 2)

New School Board Officers SelectedThe Forest Hills Public Schools board of education recently selected officers at their organizational meeting. The board of educa-tion positions are as follows: Mary Vonck, president; Martha Atwater, vice president; Susan Lenhardt, secretary; and Walter Perschbacher III, treasurer. Michael Seekell, Suzanne Callahan, and Douglas Josephson serve as trustees.

“Our seven school board members play a crucial role in our communities and schools, and we greatly appreciate their dedication and hard work,” said Dan Behm, superin-tendent. “They are extraordinary people who voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing our school district and their

(continued on page 2, column 3)

Raymond Engle FHN

Ruchir Gupta FHC

Allyson Stapleton FHC

Elise Wassink FHE

Marc Anastasiu FHN

Lois Biggs FHE

Jack Boezwinkle FHC

Natalie Brown FHN

Cooper James FHC

Joshua Kooistra FHC

Samuel Schellenberg, FHN

Harris Spungen FHN

2015 - 2016 Board of EducationFront row from left: Daniel Behm, superintendent; Douglas Josephson, trustee; and Mary Vonck, president. Back row from left: Martha Atwater, vice president; Walter Perschbacher III, treasurer; Suzanne Callahan, trustee; Michael Seekell, trustee; and Susan Lenhardt, secretary.

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son of John and Deena James; Joshua Koois-tra, son of Jeffrey and Dorothy Kooistra; and Allyson Stapleton, daughter of Mike and Barb Stapleton.

Eastern High School National Merit Schol-ars: Lois Biggs, daughter of Courtney and Bonnie Biggs; and Elise Wassink, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Wassink.

Northern High School National Merit Schol-ars: Marc Anastasiu, son of Christian and Ingrid Anastasiu; Natalie Brown, daughter of Paul and Lisa Brown; Raymond Engle, son of Chris and Kim Engle; Samuel Schel-lenberg, son of Daniel and Michelle Schel-lenberg; and Harris Spungen, son of Eric and Sharon Spungen.

National MeritScholars(continued from page 1)

Fifth-grade students at Central Wood-lands 5/6 School, (from left) Athan Hillman, Christopher Shang, Jake Bieniewicz and William Pointer, in Kendra St. Antoine’s art class, work together to create pendulum art while they learn about movement and the forces of motion. To read more about how science, technology, engineering and math come together in pendu-lum art, see page 4.

On the Cover School Boardactions and decisions affect the present and future lives of our children. They truly represent the best in public servants and give their time, talents and so much more to advocate for public education. They ensure that every decision made is in the best inter-ests of our children.”

The job of a school board member is tough, the hours long and the thanks few. So if you see one or our board members, please extend a handshake or a simple thank you. “In Forest Hills, we truly are fortunate to be represented by seven selfless individuals who put education first and help make For-est Hills an exemplary school district,” Behm concluded.

(continued from page 1)

Continuing the Conversation Following “Most Likely to Succeed”A few weeks ago, the Forest Hills Public Schools hosted a free community showing of the award-winning documentary, “Most Likely to Succeed.” Nearly 300 parents, staff, students, and community members attended the event. The district hosted an online “Countdown Chat” to spark conver-sation prior to the event, and immediately following the film, there was a panel dis-cussion featuring students, teachers and administrators responding to comments, questions and suggestions from audience members.

“Most Likely to Succeed” outlines the his-tory of public education, how it was origi-nally devised by 10 working educators in 1892, and how little the educational system has changed since the turn of the century. The film also follows students attending High Tech High, an innovative high school where there are no tests, but where teachers and students collaborate together on sub-jects and project-based learning is the norm. But can this truly exist in a world driven by standardized tests, memorization of facts and figures and letter grades?

“As an administrator, the premise behind the film brings about some cognitive dis-sonance,” said Glenn Mitcham, principal, Central Middle School, and one of the panelists following the film. “On one side, we are on a train headed down tracks of

standards, and as a principal, I feel a lot of pressure to have our kids meet those standards, and the pressures are real. On the other side, we have the intuitive belief and knowledge in life experiences and the values these bring. We know that if kids can relate well with one another, problem solve, work together, handle failure, and can work a problem through with good grit … that’s what makes kids successful.”

Matthew Meyer, fifth-grade teacher at Knapp Forest Elementary School, and anoth-er panelist, concurred with Mitcham. Meyer added, “We want our kids to fail forward; to be o.k. to get back up again, and try. That’s been empowering for me to see as a teacher and something that resonates in me.

“We want to create productive struggle for our kids,” Meyer continued. “As teachers, we can learn so much from our students when we give them the ability to try and figure out how to do something on their own or with their peers, and then they help teach each other what they’ve learned. Stu-dents enjoy sharing what they’ve learned with others. That’s the power of teaching.”

Whether or not you attended the communi-ty viewing of “Most Likely to Succeed,” the district wants to continue the conversation about bringing innovation in the classroom, building real-life experiences for students,

and creating a culture that embraces trying new things and learning from its outcomes. To share your thoughts, comments, ideas and suggestions about a new educational model, email Judy Walton, FHPS chief inno-vation officer, at jwalton@fhps.net. To learn more about the film, and the movement sur-rounding “Most Likely to Succeed,” visit: www.mltsfilm.org.

After the documentary, the panel conducted a discussion with the audience. Participants included (from left), Kathryn Martin, FHC senior; Meghan Vonck, FHE senior; Joshua Kooistra, FHC senior; Linda Sagorski, FHN mathematics teacher; Matthew Meyer, Knapp Forest Elementary School fifth-grade teacher; Glenn Mitcham, Central Middle School principal; and Amy Colton, Learning Forward Michigan executive director.

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Upcoming District Events

Calendar Listing of Community-Wide School Events March14 FHE/FHEM/Knapp Forest and Orchard View 6th-Grade “ExtravaBandza,” 7 p.m., FHE Gym15 Orchard View Superhero Science Night, 7 p.m., OV Gym and Classrooms15 Meadow Brook 3rd-Grade Concert, 7 p.m., FHN Auditorium16 Knapp Forest 6th-Grade Orchestra/Choir Concert, 7 p.m., FHE Auditorium17 Knapp Forest 4th-Grade Musical, 7 p.m., Knapp Forest Gym17-19 FHC’s Musical, “The Little Mermaid,” 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday Matinee, 3 p.m., FAC21 Free Event by FHPS AAA Team, Jeff Veley, Teen Motivational Speaker, 7 p.m., FAC21 FHN Mandatory Spring Sports Parent Meeting, 7 p.m., FHN Gym21 Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m., Meadow Brook Elementary22 FHE Mandatory Spring Sports Parent Meeting, 5:30 p.m., FHE Auditorium22 Collins 4th-Grade Musical, 6:30 p.m., FHN Auditorium22 Ada Vista Kindergarten Music Performance, 7 p.m., Ada Vista Gym22 32nd Annual Spring String Fling, 7 p.m., FAC22 Orchard View 1st-Grade Music Performance, 7 p.m., FHE Auditorium22 FHC Mandatory Spring Sports Parent Meeting, 7 p.m., FHC Main Gym/Breakout Meetings Following23 Middle School Choral Gala, 7 p.m., FAC24 Knapp Forest Talent Show, 6:30 p.m., Knapp Forest Gym24 Ada Elementary 1st- Through 4th-Grade Music Program, 7 p.m., FAC24 Eastern Singers’ Choir Concert Gala, 7 p.m., FHE Auditorium24 Thornapple 1st-Grade Concert, 7 p.m., Thornapple Gym25 FHFAC presents “Indigo Girls,” 7:30 p.m., FAC28 Central Middle School Variety Show/Lip Dub, 7 p.m., CMS Cafeteria29 FHC, FHE, FHN Chorale Gala, 7 p.m., FAC31 No School for Students/Staff Professional Learning

April 1-8 No School for Students/Spring Recess11 School Resumes12 No School for Students in Grade 12 Only; Full Day for Grades 9, 10, 11 for State Testing13 Meadow Brook Kindergarten Kickoff, 7 p.m., Meadow Brook Cafeteria14 Knapp Forest Kindergarten Kickoff, 5:30 p.m., Knapp Forest Gym18 Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m., Operations Department19 FHC Evening of Percussion, 7 p.m., FAC20 Ada Kindergarten Kickoff, 6 p.m., Ada Gym21 FHPS K-12 Student Artists’ Reception, 6 p.m., FAC21-22 FHE Student-Directed Play, 7 p.m., FHE Auditorium22 FHC Diversity Fair, All Day, FHC25 Orchard View Kindergarten Kickoff, 6 p.m., Orchard View Gym25 FHC Jazz Summit, 7 p.m., FAC26 Pine Ridge Kindergarten Kickoff, 7 p.m., Pine Ridge Gym26 Thornapple Kindergarten Kickoff, 7 p.m., Thornapple Cafeteria27 Orchard View Elementary 5th-Grade Musical, 7 p.m., FAC28 FHE Community Blood Drive, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., FHE Gym28 Collins Kindergarten Kickoff, 7 p.m., Collins Gym28 Knapp Forest Elementary 5th-Grade Musical, 6:45 p.m., FAC28-29 FHN’s Musical, “High School Musical 2,” 7:30 p.m., FHN Auditorium29 Knapp Forest/Orchard View 6th-Grade Solo Orchestra Festival, 3:30-7 p.m., FHE Auditorium

For the most up-to-date district and school calendars, visit our website: www.fhps.net/ about-us/ district-calendar

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. This fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.”

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students 18 and younger. Purchase tickets online at showtix4u.com or in person at the FHFAC Box Office, 600 Forest Hill Avenue SE, Mon-day-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

FHC’s Musical, “The Little Mermaid”March 17 - 18, 7:30 p.m. March 19, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

Opt-In for FHPS Alerts Via Text MessagingFamilies of children enrolled in the district can receive school closing information and other important messages through a sys-tem called SchoolMessenger. This system can send messages to a phone number, an email address, and/or a cell phone number. Families can always change and update how they receive these messages by log-ging into the ParentPortal at www.fhps.net.

In order to receive SchoolMessenger text messages, families also must opt-in to this system by texting “Yes” to 68453. Families must do this in addition to updating their preferences through the ParentPortal.

If you have any questions, please call the FHPS technology department, 493-8809.

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Pendulum Art, Marker Bots and More Bring Science and Art to LifeIn the last edition of the “Focus,” a program called STEAM at Orchard View Elementary School was highlighted. STEAM is infus-ing art into the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Yet, Orchard View is not the only school where STEAM is catch-ing on. Students at Central Woodlands and Northern Trails 5/6 schools also are becom-ing artists, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in the schools’ art rooms where Kendra St. Antoine integrates these subject matters with the visual arts curriculum.

“Mrs. St. Antoine’s class is a great example of how students learn best by doing,” said David Simpson, principal, Central Wood-lands 5/6 School. “She exemplifies how teachers and subject areas can be cross-curricular in nature—deepening students’ understanding of multiple subjects.”

Most recently, students at Central Wood-lands created marker bots and pendulum art while studying the forces of motion. Students attached markers to a motor and when the motor was turned on, the markers left blurred dots and imprints on paper. The students learned about vibration, the me-chanical components of a motor, and how movement can be transferred to different objects.

For pendulum art, the students turned a paint bottle upside down, attached it to a string, tied it to a yard stick and suspended the paint bottle over a piece of paper. Then by swinging the paint bottle, the students created art that was either elliptical or circu-lar in nature with varying angles. According to St. Antoine, this project helped reinforce Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion. Stu-dents also learned about the first uses of pendulums in clocks and seismometers, and how different variables can affect not only science and engineering, but also art.

“My goal is to show students that businesses and communities integrate STEAM princi-ples into their professions,” St. Antoine said. “I want to provide my students with a real-ity-based program for developing life-long functional ways to integrate art into a career. STEAM is a way to teach how all things re-late to each other in school and in life.

“Students that are involved in project-based learning light up at their own discoveries and conclusions,” St. Antoine concluded. “Learning innately happens as students learn from their successes and failures. I am so proud of each one of my students and have enjoyed planning with my colleagues to enhance the amazing work they are do-ing in their classrooms at Central Wood-lands and Northern Trails. It has definitely been a team effort!”

Lance Decker learns that variables affect his artwork such as paint consistency, the diameter of the hole in the paint bottle, the amount of force used to swing the paint bottle, and the distance the bottle is from the paper.

Art teacher, Kendra St.Antoine (left) helps Margaret English prepare the paints for her pendulum art project.

Katelyn Stevenson, Anna Pennington, and Margaret English work together to create their pendulum art pieces, and decide to change paint colors for a more dramatic effect.

Monday, March 21, 2016 7 p.m.Forest Hills Fine Arts Center600 Forest Hill Avenue SE, Grand Rapids

Underwritten by a grant from the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation

AAA Speaker Series

Featuring

Jeff VeleyDynamic and compelling international author, speaker, and U.N. Goodwill Peace Ambassador

Attend this free community-wide event for parents and youth

Equipping Students with the Skills to Solve Social Conflicts and Form Healthy Relationships

Forest Hills Public Schools

Spring BreakApril 1 - 8

Find the complete district calendar at www.fhps.net/about-us/

district-calendar

Bully ProofingOur Youth:

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Students Take Honors in Art Competitions

National Art Education Associa-tion State Flag CompetitionThe Michigan Art Education Association, in conjunction with the National Art Educa-tion Association, offers a competition for students to submit a new flag design rep-resenting their state. Each state coordinates and participates in this flag design contest. The winning design from each state is made into a flag and displayed at the National Art Education Association’s National Convention held in Chicago. This year Kara Yeomans, a ninth-grade Northern High School student’s flag design won the Michigan competition and will be on display at the national event. This is the first time a Forest Hills student has won the state flag competition.

Michigan Art Education Associa-tion Art Show at the Grand Rapids Art MuseumThe Michigan Art Education Association selected artwork created by students from West Michigan schools to be displayed at the Grand Rapids Art Museum for the 2016 Region 9 Art Show. The following students’ work was recently on display at the museum.

Forest Hills Central High SchoolSamantha Plouff “Transcendence,” Digital Photography

Sydney Hrnyak “Creased,” Graphite Still Life

Michael Trapp “Embrace/Adoration,” Digital Photography*

Jaclyn Wrase “Withdrawal,” Acrylic Painting*

Forest Hills Northern High SchoolMegan Kempa “Borealis,” Mixed Media*

Ashley Peuler “Antique,” Drawing in Charcoal“Psalm 5:1,” Drawing in Charcoal

Emily Goldberg “Trapped in a Fairytale,” Acrylic Painting

*Entry advances to State Competition

2016 Scholastic Art AwardsSeven students from Forest Hills Central and Northern high schools took awards in the 2016 Scholastic Art Awards competition. Their work was on display for over a month at Kendall College of Art and Design of Fer-ris State University.

Forest Hills Central High SchoolSamantha Plouff, Honorable Mention “Transcendence,” Digital Art

Valeria Rodriguez, Honorable Mention Untitled, Painting

Forest Hills Northern High SchoolMelanie Berends, Silver Key “In sight,” Ceramics and Glass

Jenna Flory, Honorable Mention“Regaliceratops,” Drawing and Illustration

Megan Kempa, Honorable Mention “Zealous,” Photography

Megan Kempa, Honorable Mention “Victors,” Mixed Media

Megan Kempa, Honorable Mention “Interminable,” Drawing and Illustration

Ashley Peuler, Silver Key “Antique,” Drawing and Illustration

Sarah Wojciechowski, Honorable Mention “Fear of Drowning,” Painting

The art awards competition is run by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc. a not-for-profit organization that supports young artists and writers. Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual and literary-arts organizations across the country to bring the awards to local com-munities. Graduating high school seniors who submit portfolios of their work have the opportunity to compete for more than $1.5 million in scholarships.

Student Water Superhero Poster ContestThe Second Annual River City Water Fes-tival held a poster contest for students in grades five through seven. Zoe Kukla, a sixth-grade student at Orchard View El-ementary School, had the winning design.

Water Superhero Poster Contest (continued) Her poster was featured on all promotional materials associated with this year’s River City Water Festival. In addition, Claire van Zelst, a sixth-grader at Northern Trails 5/6 School took third in the competition. Post-ers were designed to raise awareness about protecting the Grand River and Great Lakes from non-point stormwater pollution. The top 20 posters were on display at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Kara Yeomans’ winning flag design representing Michigan. She is a ninth-grader at Northern High School.

Melanie Berends’ entry “In sight” (left) won a Silver Key Award at the Scholastic Art Awards. Ashley Peuler’s drawing titled “Antique” (above) also won a Silver Key.

Michael Trapp’s pho-tographs “Embrace/ Adoration” (above), Jaclyn Wrase’s painting “With-drawal” (top right), and Megan Kempa’s mixed media “Borealis” (lower right) advance to the state competition.

Zoe Kukla’s winning poster for the River City Water Festival. She is a sixth-grader at Orchard View Elementary School.

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FHPS Employees Contribute Nearly $16,000 to United WaySchool district staff members wrapped up their two-week campaign for Heart of West Michigan United Way with more than $15,800 donated and pledged. For the 10th year, a major campaign incentive for staff was a raffle for a free Friday afternoon with Dan Behm, superintendent, as their “sub-stitute.” This year, the lucky winner was Kristin Kemppainen, third-grade teacher at Ada Elementary School. Northern Trails 5/6 School had the highest building participat-ing in the campaign, and received a catered breakfast provided by Chartwells and the FHPS food service department.

Thirty-five Forest Hills high school students were among the top finishers in Part I of the Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition. Their scores automatically qualified them to take Part II of the exam. Part I of the MMPC is open to all students in Michigan high schools. This exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions involving topics from high school mathematics. From approximately 10,000 participants in Part I, the top 1,000

students are invited to take Part II of the MMPC exam. There, students work on five challenging problems and write their solu-tions providing full justification and one proof of their claims. The MMPC is offered by the Michigan Section of the Mathemati-cal Association of America to encourage students to develop their interests and abilities in mathematics. Congratulations to these Forest Hills mathematicians.

High School Students Advance in State Math Competition

Forest Hills Northern High School

Forest Hills Central High School Forest Hills Eastern High School

2015-2016 Board of Education Members

Mary Vonck, President

Martha Atwater, Vice President

Susan Lenhardt, Secretary

Walter F. Perschbacher III, Treasurer

Suzanne Callahan, Trustee

Douglas Josephson, Trustee

Michael Seekell, Trustee

Daniel Behm, Superintendent

Superintendent Dan Behm reads a story to students in Kemppainen’s third-grade class at Ada Elementary.

Schools Unify with LINKS, Lunch and Bocce Ball

Eastern High School LINKS students along with EHS students in the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) program recently visited with Meadow Brook Elementary students for an inclusive lunch and numerous rounds of bocce ball. LINKS is a peer-to-peer in-clusion program where general education students support same-aged peer students who are in a special education program. Both schools also take part in Project UNIFY, an education and sports-based Special Olympics initiative for students with and without intellectual disabilities, to increase leadership opportunities and help create acceptance.

Eastern students who advanced in the competition include, from left:   Rachel Westrick, Samuel Hostetter, Karthik Vuyyuru, and Thomas Westrick.

Central students who advanced in the competition include, front row from left:   Maxwell Moore, Scott Hadley, Irene Yi, and Kristin Lewis. Back row: Johnnie Lin, Joshua Kooistra, James Xu, Nicholas Ettinger, and Cooper James. Not pictured: Hannah Derwent, Lindsey Furness, Ethan Palmer and Grace Park.

Northern students who advanced in the competition include, front row from left:   Nathan Legault, Adrienne Bilbao, Natalie Brown, Nishka Muzumdar, Felicia Zhang and Bharathi Ravikumar. Back row from left: William Pettinger, Raymond Engle, Ethan Cripe Bonnell, Maxwell Lu, Liam Maloney, Kerry Wang, Dylan Chung, Victor Hao, Phillip Lodzinski, Benjamin Nicoski, Andrew Dicks, and Ian Woodruff.

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February/March 2016

Foundation Seeks Board MembersIf you are interested in joining the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation Board of Trustees, please visit the Foundation’s website, www.fhpsf.org, to receive an ap-plication. Select the “About” tab, then select “Board of Trustees.” All applications must be received by the Foundation office prior to March 15. Please contact the office at 493-8954 or jsiminski@fhps.net if you have ques-tions or would like additional information.

A Special Thanks to Our 2015 Superintendent’s Circle MembersThank you for your continued support of the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation!

Save the DatesState of the District LuncheonThursday, May 5, 2016, 11:30 a.m. Watermark Country Club Chairperson: Shari Hooper

Charlie Anderson Memorial Golf TournamentWednesday, June 15, 2016 Thornapple Pointe Golf Club Chairperson: Brian Sandberg

2016 GalaWednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, 6 p.m. Frederik Meijer Gardens

“The Innovation Insider,” is a new Founda-tion newsletter created to highlight innova-tion throughout the district. “The Innovation Insider” focuses on what innovation means, why it’s important and how it’s having an impact on students. If you’d like to read past issues, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.fhpsf.org and select the “News” tab. To receive future issues, there’s a newsletter signup form at the bottom of the Founda-tion’s website’s homepage.

Innovation Insider

Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation

600 Forest Hill Avenue SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

616-493-8500 www.fhpsf.org

Jana Siminski, Director of Philanthropy, jsiminski@fhps.net

Stephanie Taylor, Foundation Coordinator, staylor@fhps.net

Chip and Linda AndersonArgus Financial Consultants, LLCRick and Sara ArmbrusterStuart and Marti AtwaterDan and Valerie BehmMatt and Bethany BrownMichael and Melissa BrownBuchanan Agency, Inc.Douglas and Charen BuyceJerry and Suzanne CallahanMark and Marty CampbellCentennial SecuritiesCenter For Physical Rehabilitation, Inc.Chambers DentalMathew Chung and Vicky Varlott-ChungPatrick and Michelle ClayJohn and Jenell CoreyMary and Shay CostiganBill and Anita Crawford Custer, Inc.Matt and Katie DeCampGeoff and Nicole DeinesMark and Heidi DeKorneMichael and Lori DemeterDave and Jennifer DentonDavid and Stephanie DornerScott and Ali DoyleEdward Jones Office of Philip StrengDouglas Ellinger and Karyn GellMark and Jennifer EllisChris and Kim EngleBeth EwingFlexfab Horizons InternationalGMB ArchitectsGoldfish Swim SchoolGrand Valley State UniversityTy and Jennifer HallockHansen BrokerageTom and Jane HeidenMark and Candace HinshawTed and Barb HohmanHuntington BankRoger and Melanie JansenJason and Kelly JosephKeller & Almassian, PLCAndy and Christina KellerBen and Jen KieffMargaret KlopcicKPCJamie and Carrie KressBlake and Mary KruegerRandall and Jamie KuntzmanEdward and Kendra KuoCharles and Tamera LaageScott and Maggie LancasterTerry and Susan Lenhardt

Scott and Jeannine LeslieBill and Karen LottMichael and Heather LuntMichael and Kathleen MahacekAli MahajerinRoger and Allison MartinTom and Dawn McDonaldDavid and Jenna McFarlandDave and Carrie MehneyMeijer Inc.Miller Johnson Attorneys and CounselorsLathe and Nicole MillerJace and Colleen MorganMike and Rachel MrazMarcus and Sue MuallemMVP SportsplexJim and Mary NelsonOld National BankBrian and Carrie PapkeMike and Laurie PenkevichPerrigo Company FoundationChip and Judy PerschbacherWalter and Neele PerschbacherPreferred Benefits, Inc.Ed and June PreinRon and Kathie RedmanRhoades McKee PCMatt and Nicki RinckeyRite-Way Plumbing & Heating Inc.Dan and Nicole RobertsonBrian and Chrissy SandbergJennifer SayersRobert and Marcia SchaubSchnelker, Rassi, & McConnell, PLCSteve and Anne SchollerJeff and Susie SchreurMike and Suzy SeekellTom and Leah ShermanJack and Lori SkoogMatt and Julie SmithVik and Ann SrinivasanThe Currie FoundationThe Goddard SchoolThoroughbred Fulfillment, LLCJeff and Margaret TuoriTom and Mary Jo TuoriUccello’s of CaledoniaUniversal Sign SystemsVan’s Tape & Packaging, Inc.Joe and Michelle VerbruggeAndrew and Lana VoelkerRay and Mary VonckJohn and Maribeth WardropJ. Michael and Sara WashburnWege FoundationJaime and Hillary WestenbargerJim and Kathy White

You are Invited!The Forest Hills Public

Schools Foundation Presents

2016 State of the District

LuncheonMay 5, 2016

Watermark Country Club11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Reservations required.

Please call 616-493-8500 to register.

Chairperson: Shari Hooper

Superintendent Dan Behm will pro-vide his annual “State of the District” message. We also will highlight several grants that have been funded by the Foundation and how this funding has impacted students, classrooms, and schools.

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ENROLLING

Kindergarten 2016-17Join us for these Kindergarten Kickoff Events

Ada Elementary: Wednesday, April 20, 6-7 p.m.731 Ada Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-493-8940

Ada Vista Elementary: Thursday, March 10, 6:30-8 p.m.7192 Bradfield SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-493-8970

Collins Elementary: Thursday, April 28, 7-8 p.m.4368 Heather Ln. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8900

Knapp Forest Elementary: Thursday, April 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.4243 Knapp Valley Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 | 616-493-8980

Meadow Brook Elementary: Wednesday, April 13, 7-8 p.m.1450 Forest Hill SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8740

Orchard View Elementary: Monday, April 25, 6-7 p.m.2770 Leffingwell NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 | 616-493-8930

Pine Ridge Elementary: Tuesday, April 26, 7-8 p.m.3250 Redford SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8910

Thornapple Elementary: Tuesday, April 26, 7-8 p.m.6932 Bridgewater SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8920

Kindergarten Kickoff events are meetings for parents and guardiansto learn more about the kindergarten program, curriculum and theenrollment process. Each school will host a Ready-Set-Go event in

late summer prior to the start of school tailored for kindergartners.

Visit us online: www.fhps.net for enrollment and program information.

Forest Hills Public Schools

ENROLLING

Kindergarten 2016-17Join us for these Kindergarten Kickoff Events

Ada Elementary: Wednesday, April 20, 6-7 p.m.731 Ada Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-493-8940

Ada Vista Elementary: Thursday, March 10, 6:30-8 p.m.7192 Bradfield SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-493-8970

Collins Elementary: Thursday, April 28, 7-8 p.m.4368 Heather Ln. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8900

Knapp Forest Elementary: Thursday, April 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.4243 Knapp Valley Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 | 616-493-8980

Meadow Brook Elementary: Wednesday, April 13, 7-8 p.m.1450 Forest Hills SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8740

Orchard View Elementary: Monday, April 25, 6-7 p.m.2770 Leffingwell NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 | 616-493-8930

Pine Ridge Elementary: Tuesday, April 26, 7-8 p.m.3250 Redford SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8910

Thornapple Elementary: Tuesday, April 26, 7-8 p.m.6932 Bridgewater SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-493-8920

Kindergarten Kickoff events are meetings for parents and guardiansto learn more about the kindergarten program, curriculum and theenrollment process. Each school will host a Ready-Set-Go event in

late summer prior to the start of school tailored for kindergartners.

Visit us online: www.fhps.net for enrollment and program information.

Three More Obtain a Perfect ACT ScorePatricia Krause, a junior at Forest Hills Northern High School, Victor Hao, a senior at Forest Hills Northern High School, and Adrienne Bilbao, a junior at Forest Hills Central High School, each earned a top composite score of 36 on the ACT test. Nation-ally, while the actual number of students earning a composite score of 36 varies from year to year, on average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn the top score. The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges.

Krause, Hao and Bilbao join the three other Forest Hills stu-dents—Nicholas Ettinger, Kristin Lewis and Nathan Legault—who also obtained a perfect ACT score this year.

FHPS Food Service Department Organizes Letter Writing Cam-paign to Troops

Students from around the Forest Hills district participated in a letter writing campaign to our military men and women. Organized by the Forest Hills Public Schools food service department, hundreds of letters were gathered from students and sent to our troops overseas.

FHPS Launches Enhanced WebsiteHave you visited www.fhps.net lately? You may have noticed some changes and enhancements that have been made. The most notable improvement is that the website is now mobile-friendly and can be navigated easier on a mobile device.

The enhanced website came about from feedback ob-tained on the 2014 community engagement survey. In this survey, respondents noted that they wanted a more up-dated, streamlined website, one that can be utilized easy on a mobile device, and one that has an increased search mechanism.

“We’re excited to bring about a new, updated website for the district,” said Susan Bordewyk, Forest Hills Public

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If you are unable to attend a Kindergarten Kickoff event, please call the school office to obtain any additional information.

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Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

March25 FHFAC presents The Indigo Girls, 7:30 p.m.

April21 FHPS Student Art Exhibit artists’ reception, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

June2 Kathleen Mohl artist’s reception, 6 - 7 p.m.

23 Vivian and Jeff Grill artists’ reception, 6 - 7 p.m.

August4 Madeline Kaczmarczyk artist’s reception, 6 - 7 p.m.

FHFAC Calendar

Visit fhfineartscenter.com to view a calendar of all FHFAC events.

Upcoming Exhibits

Presenting Sponsor: Supporting Sponsors:

Woodcut & Linoleum Block PrintsMarch 4- 25, 2016

Alynn GuerraArtist-in-Residence

FHPS Student ExhibitApril 15 - May 12, 2016Artists’ Reception: April 21, 6-7:30 p.m.

Enhanced Website(continued from page 8)

Schools technology director. “The website is more streamlined and more uniformed as well, and all school sites are under one large district site.

“It’s great to have this new website evolve for our existing families, students, staff, and community members, as well as potential families in our district,” Bordewyk added. “Our website is a vital communication tool. People will see additional enhancements made to the site as we work through ways to continue to provide effective, efficient and timely communication via our online tools.”

Like Us on FB!www.facebook.com/fhps.net

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Forest Hills Central

Boys’ SoccerAnthony Bowie was named “Mr. Soccer” by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Associa-tion and was named Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year. Also, the FHC Boys’ Soccer Team was selected for the MaxPreps Tour of Champions and ranked #3 in the nation.

Boys’ BasketballVarsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Ken George earned his 300th win.

FHC Students Committed to Playing Athletics at a College/University Noah Arent, hockey, Hope CollegeMax Berry, hockey, Aquinas College Anthony Bowie, soccer, Western Michigan UniversityJessica Fuller, basketball, University of Vermont Jordan George, basketball, Hope CollegeTaylor Haaraoja, rowing, Drake UniversityAlexandra Horman, swimming, Albion CollegeConnor Kelly, baseball, Harding UniversityAshley Luna, dance, Calumet College of St. JosephDylan Otolski, football, Cornell UniversityTaylor Ries, lacrosse, Davenport UniversityMaisy Snyder, soccer, Michigan Tech UniversityMackenzie Sobieck, golf, Davenport UniversityC J Strawser, soccer, Indiana Wesleyan UniversityMackenzie Yob, basketball, Albion College

FHN Students Committed to Playing Athletics at a College/University Hunter Barrington, soccer, Macalester CollegeTravis Barrington, soccer, Tiffin University Amen Benyam, soccer, Occidental College Katya Bohatch, track and field/cross country, Cornerstone University Anna Curcuru, lacrosse, Aquinas CollegeMegan Dwarshuis, rowing, University of Central Oklahoma Adam Farah, football, U.S. Air Force AcademyMitchell Haggart, lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University Meredith Howe, volleyball, Ohio UniversityEvan Macauley, football, Grand Valley State UniversityDevin Moore, football, Yale UniversityBrayden Texer, soccer, Davenport University Ian Woodruff, football, Bowdoin College

FHE Students Committed to Playing Athletics at a College/University Kyle Andreen, baseball, Jackson Community College Ryan Beeler, football, Olivet College Skylar Bierens-Popiel, swimming, Butler University Connor Culhane, baseball, Cedarville UniversityKeegan Golder, football, Grand Valley State University Ryan Knight, football, Northern Michigan University Nate Lewis, baseball, Calvin College Veronica O’Connor, volleyball, Hillsdale CollegeLucas Rosendall, soccer, University of Michigan Jacob Sypniewski, football, Kalamazoo College Sommer VandenBerge, volleyball, Grand Rapids Community College

Forest Hills EasternGirls’ Swimming and DivingGracie Sleeman (AC, ASHM)

Girls’ Swimming and DivingFelicity Buchmaier (AC, AS, SC)Erin Neeley (AC, RC, SC)

Forest Hills NorthernCompetitive CheerErin Johnston, FHN senior, was awarded a schol-arship by the Lake Michigan Competitive Cheer Coaches Association.

MHSAA Scholar Athlete AwardAnna Curcuru has been selected to receive a district-level MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award. To be considered, seniors must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and have earned a varsity letter in one or more sports prior to their senior year. To date, Anna has earned 10 varsity letters in cross country, basketball, swimming and diving, and lacrosse.

Athletic Awards and Other Sports News

FootballBen Sherman, former FHE defensive coordina-tor, has been named the new head coach for the Hawks’ varsity football team.

Boys’ SoccerClay Edwards (AD)Garryn Johnson (AD)

Keegan McGonigal (AD)Zachary Robbins (AD)

Key:AC = All-ConferenceAD = All-DistrictAS = All-StateASHM = All-State Honorable Mention

RC = Regional ChampionSC = State Champion

Forest Hills Special Olympics TeamsFHC Unified Team, FHE Unified TeamBoth Central’s Unified Team (coached by Daane Spielmaker and Steve Passinault) and Eastern’s Unified Team (coached by Nick Davis) won first place in their divisions at the Cedar Springs Uni-fied Tournament last month.

Special Olympics Girls’ TeamThe Special Olympics Girls’ Team will be attending the Area 11 Tournament on March 12 at Eastern High School and the state tournament on March 18 - 19 at Calvin College. Congratulations to our girls’ team. They are coached by Katie Sobecki.

“Catch the Spirit” Soccer DayA “Catch the Spirit” Soccer Day will be held at Eastern High School on April 30, 2016. Special Olympics athletes will play Eastern’s varsity girls’ soccer team, beginning at 9 a.m.

Students Create PSAs to Promote Clean WaterA group of middle school students were on the air last month promoting ways to take care of the earth. Students, Harrison Tucker and Averie Fitzjohn, from Northern Hills Middle School, and Anabel Varghese from Central Middle School, took part in an initiative last year to create public ser-vice announcements on ways to take care of our environment and help keep our lo-cal water sources clean. Students worked with WGVU radio to create their PSAs and their announcements hit the air waves last month.

The PSAs also promoted Groundswell, an environmental education program for kindergarten through 12th-grade students through Grand Valley State University. The

effort was a result of a grant to Groundswell from LGREI (Lower Grand River Envi-ronmental Initiative), awarded from the Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, for water-quality and watershed health education.

Lea Sevigny, teacher at Forest Hills Central and Eastern middle schools, and place-based education coordinator, said the project was a blend of science, writing, public speaking, environmental awareness, and it helped to teach students how to use technology to communicate a message. Forest Hills Public Schools has partnered with Groundswell for nearly eight years.

MHSAA Scholar Athlete AwardAllyson Stapleton and Catherine Stapleton have been selected to receive district-level MHSAA Scholar Athlete Awards. To be considered, seniors must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and have earned a varsity letter in one or more sports prior to their senior year. To date, Allyson has earned six varsity letters in cross country/track, and Catherine has earned five varsity letters in cross country and softball.

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It started when fourth-grade students at Ada Vista Elementary School were encour-aged by their teachers to watch the State of the State address. They were told to watch, listen and journal their thoughts and reac-tions about state government. “We had been talking in class about our government, about how no one level or branch or leader has the power to do or fix everything; it’s a system of checks and balances,” said Leslie Edison, fourth-grade teacher, Ada Vista Ele-mentary School. “We are built on the power of the people, working together, to make change, for the better.”

With that mantra in mind, the next day at school, the students discussed what they learned the previous evening from watch-ing the State of the State address. “Since we are a government by the people and for the people, we wanted our students to under-stand this concept and we asked our stu-dents what they could do to work together to help the government or a community,” Edison explained. “The students unani-mously decided to help Flint residents and to hold a water drive. They added an addi-tional challenge—to fill my car up to the top with bottled water within 48 hours.”

The result? Within two days, the fourth-

graders collected over 2,500 bottles of water for Flint, filled up Edison’s car (and more), and they even wrote encouraging notes on the bottles and packs in English or Spanish to show their support for the people in Flint.

“Some parents told me that the kids bought some of the water themselves,” Edison said. “That’s not bad for 9- and 10-year-olds. What these students learned was more than what you could teach from a civics book on state government. They learned the im-portance of helping others, and how one action can lead to other greater actions, and perhaps the positive momentum can have a larger impact than originally imagined.”

Forest Hills Public Schools offers many op-tions for preschoolers. FHPS offers tuition-based traditional and Spanish immersion preschool programs in addition to the Great Start Readiness Program, a 4-year-old pre-school offered through the Kent Intermedi-ate School District, which is free for qualify-ing families.

The two traditional tuition-based preschool programs are licensed by the State of Michi-gan and run by Forest Hills Public Schools. One is located at Ada Elementary, 731 Ada Drive SE, and the other one is located at Knapp Forest Elementary, 4243 Knapp Val-ley Drive NE. The Spanish immersion pre-school is housed at Ada Vista Elementary, 7192 Bradfield SE. The preschools follow the Forest Hills district calendar, and transpor-tation to and from the preschool programs is the responsibility of parents/guardians. For the traditional and the 4-year-old Spanish immersion programs, children must be independent bathroom users and 4-years-old by Sept. 1, 2016. Forest Hills

has one preschool for 3-year-olds, only in the mornings, and this is a Spanish immer-sion preschool program also located at Ada Vista Elementary School. Children must also be independent bathroom users and 3-years-old by Sept. 1, 2016. The traditional 4-year-old preschools only offer a morning session. The Spanish immersion 4-year-old preschool offers both a morning and an af-ternoon session.

In addition to our tuition-based preschools, the Forest Hills Public Schools offers the Great Start Readiness Program for qualify-ing families. This program is a tuition-free, state-grant funded preschool program located at Collins Elementary School and Ada Elementary School. The program also requires children to be 4-years-old by Sept. 1, 2016. Kent Intermediate School District provides oversight for the GSRP classrooms in 18 school districts. Registration informa-tion can be found on the ISD’s website, www.kentisd.org, or by calling the Great Start Preschool Intake line at 616-447-2409.

To register a child for preschool, you may do so online. Visit www.fhps.net/departments/child-care-services. Families will receive enrollment confirmation when the child’s birth certificate and a $50 non-refundable registration fee (check, cash or credit card) are received in the Child Care Services Of-fice, located at 150 Alta Dale SE. Registra-tions will continue until all classes are full. Please note that enrollment in the Spanish immersion preschool does not guarantee entrance in the Spanish immersion kinder-garten program. If you’d like to tour any of our preschools, or would like additional information, please call the Child Care Ser-vices office at 493-8787, or email Julie Jewell, child care director, jjewell@fhps.net.

FHPS Preschools Now Enrolling for Fall

Students Help Flint: More Than a Civics Lesson

Ada Vista students weren’t the only stu-dents helping Flint. Forest Hills Public Schools launched an FHPS Cares: Water Drive for Flint last month. An additional eight schools coordinated the drive for bottled water donations, cash donations, and/or donations for water filters. Col-lectively, the drive garnered 13,624 bottles of water and $1,173 in monetary dona-tions. The bottled water donations were made to the Food Bank of Eastern Michi-gan and the water filter donations were made to the American Red Cross.

FHPS Cares: Water Drive for Flint

Students’ messages of encouragement such as “Pensamos en Flint” (Spanish for “We Believe in Flint”) were added to packs of water bottles headed to that city.

Ada Vista students collecting water donations with Superintendent Dan Behm (center).

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDGrand Rapids, MI

Permit No. 237

Publication information:The Forest Hills Public Schools’ “Focus” newsletter is published bimonthly during the school year by the FHPS Board of Education. It is mailed to all residents of the Forest Hills Public Schools district, and additional copies are sent to every district school for distribution to staff, new residents, and visitors. FHPS is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination of all its programs in relation to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability and genetic information.

POSTMASTER:This publication contains dated material. Please deliver to homes no later than March 12, 2016.

Community Services Offers Exciting Classes/Sports in the Coming MonthsAquatic Center Classes Empower your child with the skills to enjoy the water as a lifelong activity. The Aquatic Center offers the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program on Saturday mornings from 9:10 a.m. to noon for ages 5 and above. Each class is 50 minutes long. For spring, classes start April 16 and end on May 21. For summer, classes are available in three sessions—all in the months of June and July. Preschool swimming lessons are offered on weekdays during the spring and summer. Visit our website at enjoylearning.com for more information.

Do you want to enjoy some revitalizing water exercise before or after a long day of work? We offer day and evening co-ed water exercise classes this spring. Visit en-joylearning.com for more information.

Youth Classes and SportsThis spring kindergartners now can partici-pate in Run for the Hills Track Club. They will start off the May 25th track meet at East-ern High School with a 400 meter run. The first- through sixth-graders will train and compete in two sprints and/or distance rac-es. All athletes will be trained by experienced coaches, and all abilities are welcomed. This program is underwritten by O’Grady Or-thodontics. Spring classes will also include a new dance class, horse camp, soccer, fencing, ballet and several new Bricks 4 Kidz classes.

The Summer Academy program will include amazing enrichment and sports classes such as Bricks 4 Kidz, Mind Boggle, Kendall Col-lege of Art & Design, Minecraft Boot Camp, self-defense, etiquette, basketball, Girl’s Garden Club, horse camp, dance and Zumba classes, as well as Safe Bridges to Kindergar-ten (for preschoolers entering Kindergarten). Visit enjoylearning.com for more details.

Middle School SportsGirls’ Water Polo, Begins March 14

Imagine the sports of soccer, hockey, basket-ball, and lacrosse combined into one sport, played in the water, without horses. Middle school water polo, for grades seven and eight, is an excellent opportunity for girls to gain polo experience before high school. Participants must be able to swim and tread water; swim team experience is not required. Tournaments will be on Saturdays. To register for Girls’ Water Polo, you must call Community Services at 616-493-8950.

Co-ed Tennis, Begins March 21

Forest Hills middle school athletes partici-pate in the West Michigan Middle School Conference tennis program. Practices will take place at the high school courts in con-junction with your middle school. Practices and matches are weather permitting and at the coaches’ discretion. A team t-shirt is in-cluded with the registration fee. To register for Co-ed Tennis, you must call Community Services at 616-493-8950. Register by March 14 for a discounted registration fee.

Terrific Classes for Adults This spring and summer, adults can en-hance their creative side developing skills taking a drawing, painting, or Zentangle class. Are you looking to increase your strength or flexibility? Why not try a fitness class such as Training Combine I or II, On the Ball, Class Act, Yoga I or Renewing Your Core? In the world of technology we can expand your knowledge of Microsoft Office 2016, social media, website building, or on-line selling—plus so much more. For more information, visit enjoylearning.com.

Senior Citizen Corner

Learning Café The following Learning Café program will be held at the Forest Hills Public Schools Community, Aquatic & Senior Center, 660 Forest Hill Ave. Lunch is at noon; program at 12:45 p.m. Cost: $8 per person for lunch and program ($9 for non-residents); $2 for program only ($3 for non-residents). Please register at 493-8950 or online on our website, enjoylearning.com, by the Friday prior to the event. For a full list of all Learn-ing Café programs, held the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, please call our office at 493-8950 and ask to be added to the “Encore Programs Guide” mailing list.

Tuesday, March 22

Looking Up When Life Is Pushing You DownAre optimism and resiliency something we are born with or are they traits that can be developed? Join us as we explore these questions and share suggestions on preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. This Learning Café is presented by Dave Kampfschulte, founder and owner of Amazing Circles Workshops.

6590 Cascade Road SEGrand Rapids, MI 49546

Phone: (616) 493-8800www.fhps.net