Media center specialist Roberta Sibley knocked on her
neighbor’s door one day after work. She didn’t ask to
borrow ingredients for a recipe. She didn’t ask for help
with a home project. She didn’t ask to start a carpool
for her kids.
Instead, Sibley asked her elementary school neighbor
for workbooks to help teach readers at Groves below
grade level.
This kind of around-the-clock and immediate attention
to all student and staff needs helped Sibley win this
year’s prestigious Michigan State Librarian’s Excellence
Award.
“I feel honored to win this award because it was the
result of letters of support sent by colleagues and the
administration,” Sibley said. “Without their support, I
would never have gotten the award.”
Sibley collected her neighbor’s workbooks and other
resources for English teacher Carol Raflaski, one of the
teachers who wrote a letter of support. Sibley
gathered these materials to help Raflaski’s students,
students reading well below grade level and in need of
phonics instruction.
“The next day I found the workbooks she borrowed in
my mailbox,” Raflaski said. “When Ms. Sibley realized
some of our students were reading at levels so low the
library did not have a selection of materials for them,
she immediately began researching to find high
interest, low-level novels in the second and fourth
grade range. As soon as she found some, she
requested preview copies, read them and sent them on
to me.”
As part of her letter recommending Sibley for this
award, Raflaski mentioned not just Sibley but the entire
media center staff, including Sharon Bradley and Scott
Mackinnon, as people who consistently keep the
Groves community running smoothly.
“Her [media center] staff have continued to go above
and beyond to meet the informational, educational,
technological, and enrichment needs of the Groves
community,” Raflaski wrote.
Raflaski added that Bradley and McKinnon were always
available to help students find books and for technical
support.
“They helped before school, after school, during lunch,
and during class periods to aid my students with finding
resources and solving computer problems. The three
of them kindly and cheerfully worked with frustrated and
confused students, providing guidance and
encouragement.”
Sibley and the media center staff also conducted
workshops to teach these students how to use
PowerPoint and the Smart Board.
Sibley frequently extends her expertise beyond the
Groves community to both learn from and teach those
who attend the Michigan Association for Media in
Education (MAME) conference in Lansing each year.
Last year, Sibley taught MAME members about the
uses of new on-line resources for readers, such as
“Library Thing”.
“We use Library Thing with some of the Readings in Lit
classes,” Sibley said. “Students keep track of their
reading, do journals online, and respond to teacher
assignments online at www.librarything.com. It’s a great
personal tool, as well as teaching tool for some
classes.”
Sibley also conducts yearly lessons at Groves that she
hopes will become life-long tools for students. Sibley
helps nearly all juniors, who must write at least one
extensive research paper, find credible documents and
peer-reviewed on-line journals, helping those students
not only navigate the technology of on-line data bases
but also evaluate the credibility of various on-line
texts. Writing and research teachers meet with Sibley
before the lesson to explain the particular research
assignment and Sibley tailors each lesson to help
students find thorough resources most efficiently.
Sibley said that this type of collaboration with staff and
teachers helped her build the media center program
into an award winning one.
“I am grateful to be working in a school district that
supports media programs,” Sibley said, “and with
teachers that work with me to provide the best research
experiences for students.”
Sibley will be officially presented with her statewide
award this October at MAME’s conference.
neighbor’s door one day after work. She didn’t ask to
borrow ingredients for a recipe. She didn’t ask for help
with a home project. She didn’t ask to start a carpool
for her kids.
Instead, Sibley asked her elementary school neighbor
for workbooks to help teach readers at Groves below
grade level.
This kind of around-the-clock and immediate attention
to all student and staff needs helped Sibley win this
year’s prestigious Michigan State Librarian’s Excellence
Award.
“I feel honored to win this award because it was the
result of letters of support sent by colleagues and the
administration,” Sibley said. “Without their support, I
would never have gotten the award.”
Sibley collected her neighbor’s workbooks and other
resources for English teacher Carol Raflaski, one of the
teachers who wrote a letter of support. Sibley
gathered these materials to help Raflaski’s students,
students reading well below grade level and in need of
phonics instruction.
“The next day I found the workbooks she borrowed in
my mailbox,” Raflaski said. “When Ms. Sibley realized
some of our students were reading at levels so low the
library did not have a selection of materials for them,
she immediately began researching to find high
interest, low-level novels in the second and fourth
grade range. As soon as she found some, she
requested preview copies, read them and sent them on
to me.”
As part of her letter recommending Sibley for this
award, Raflaski mentioned not just Sibley but the entire
media center staff, including Sharon Bradley and Scott
Mackinnon, as people who consistently keep the
Groves community running smoothly.
“Her [media center] staff have continued to go above
and beyond to meet the informational, educational,
technological, and enrichment needs of the Groves
community,” Raflaski wrote.
Raflaski added that Bradley and McKinnon were always
available to help students find books and for technical
support.
“They helped before school, after school, during lunch,
and during class periods to aid my students with finding
resources and solving computer problems. The three
of them kindly and cheerfully worked with frustrated and
confused students, providing guidance and
encouragement.”
Sibley and the media center staff also conducted
workshops to teach these students how to use
PowerPoint and the Smart Board.
Sibley frequently extends her expertise beyond the
Groves community to both learn from and teach those
who attend the Michigan Association for Media in
Education (MAME) conference in Lansing each year.
Last year, Sibley taught MAME members about the
uses of new on-line resources for readers, such as
“Library Thing”.
“We use Library Thing with some of the Readings in Lit
classes,” Sibley said. “Students keep track of their
reading, do journals online, and respond to teacher
assignments online at www.librarything.com. It’s a great
personal tool, as well as teaching tool for some
classes.”
Sibley also conducts yearly lessons at Groves that she
hopes will become life-long tools for students. Sibley
helps nearly all juniors, who must write at least one
extensive research paper, find credible documents and
peer-reviewed on-line journals, helping those students
not only navigate the technology of on-line data bases
but also evaluate the credibility of various on-line
texts. Writing and research teachers meet with Sibley
before the lesson to explain the particular research
assignment and Sibley tailors each lesson to help
students find thorough resources most efficiently.
Sibley said that this type of collaboration with staff and
teachers helped her build the media center program
into an award winning one.
“I am grateful to be working in a school district that
supports media programs,” Sibley said, “and with
teachers that work with me to provide the best research
experiences for students.”
Sibley will be officially presented with her statewide
award this October at MAME’s conference.
| Media center specialist Roberta Sibley wins this year’s prestigious Michigan State Librarian’s Excellence Award |
Gay Straight Alliance co-sponsor Mike Reese endured watching his brother in law, a
doctor and athlete, wither and eventually die from AIDS. Royal Oak resident Jack Tony
cared for three friends eventually taken by AIDS. Other Metro-Detroit residents cried as
they read the hundreds of quilts stitched in honor of loved ones no longer alive because
of AIDS.
Despite these tragic stories that fueled thousands to participate on September 20th in
the annual AIDS Walk Detroit, the mood was anything but somber.
Gazing at the sun dappled trees on the 75 degree, clear skied day, the bright tee-shirts
and flags with messages of hope, the dogs with ribbons tied to their hair and around
their paws, Reese seemed to feel that nature itself blessed the event.
“I have done this for the past nine years, and it’s always like this on this day. Always
sunny, always such a beautiful day.”
Before the walk, GSA co-sponsor Amy Voigt rallied the twenty Groves students who
participated with a speech that caused cheers and victoriously uplifted arms.
“I am so proud of all of you. You came here on your own in support of such an
important cause to help and honor all those affected by this disease,” Voigt said.
Students showed their continued enthusiasm during the two hour walk that started at
the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market and wound through the main streets of Royal Oak and
Woodward. Students raised their arms and cheered back at cars honking in
support. They danced down Woodward and waved to volunteers who helped keep the
streets clear. They shouted appreciation for the Royal Oak residents who played music
from boom boxes, shook maracas, and wore multi-colored wigs and other elaborate
costumes to help keep the walkers in good spirits.
Students themselves wore clothing and accessories to show the hopeful spirit behind
the AIDS walk: Senior Paige Robnet wore red shirt that read "Summer in the City" and
matching red sunglasses and bandana, sophomore Jasmine Acharya wore a multi-
colored flag in her hair, and many wore sweatshirts with the Andy Warhol's quote: "They
say time changes things, but you actually have to change things yourself." Even Voigt’s
dog was dressed for the occasion with a bright pink leash and colar.
GSA participated in and raised funds for this event as part of Ferndale’s Alliance, a club
for middle and high school students who feel isolated because of their sexual orientation.
“I have heard from so many kids how hard it is. How hard it is not to have family with the
same background, unlike some other minority groups who can go to their family,
extended family, and others for support. The Alliance helps give those students the
family they need,” Reese said.
Reese explained that students who walked this year helped raise awareness about the
need for AIDS research and patient care; others both walked and donated directly to
Alliance or gathered funds through sponsors. This year’s AIDS walk raised a total of
$175,000 for research and patient care with funds from private companies, grassroots
groups, and a number of other local high schools.
“The AIDs walk is about a community coming together to support a cause that’s usually
pushed under the table and ignored. GSA wanted to support that cause and bring
attention to it. Seeing other students do things like this walk provides motivation for
other students to do things like this,” sophomore Jasmine Acharya said.
For more information about the foundation and how to participate, visit: AIDS Walk
Detroit.
doctor and athlete, wither and eventually die from AIDS. Royal Oak resident Jack Tony
cared for three friends eventually taken by AIDS. Other Metro-Detroit residents cried as
they read the hundreds of quilts stitched in honor of loved ones no longer alive because
of AIDS.
Despite these tragic stories that fueled thousands to participate on September 20th in
the annual AIDS Walk Detroit, the mood was anything but somber.
Gazing at the sun dappled trees on the 75 degree, clear skied day, the bright tee-shirts
and flags with messages of hope, the dogs with ribbons tied to their hair and around
their paws, Reese seemed to feel that nature itself blessed the event.
“I have done this for the past nine years, and it’s always like this on this day. Always
sunny, always such a beautiful day.”
Before the walk, GSA co-sponsor Amy Voigt rallied the twenty Groves students who
participated with a speech that caused cheers and victoriously uplifted arms.
“I am so proud of all of you. You came here on your own in support of such an
important cause to help and honor all those affected by this disease,” Voigt said.
Students showed their continued enthusiasm during the two hour walk that started at
the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market and wound through the main streets of Royal Oak and
Woodward. Students raised their arms and cheered back at cars honking in
support. They danced down Woodward and waved to volunteers who helped keep the
streets clear. They shouted appreciation for the Royal Oak residents who played music
from boom boxes, shook maracas, and wore multi-colored wigs and other elaborate
costumes to help keep the walkers in good spirits.
Students themselves wore clothing and accessories to show the hopeful spirit behind
the AIDS walk: Senior Paige Robnet wore red shirt that read "Summer in the City" and
matching red sunglasses and bandana, sophomore Jasmine Acharya wore a multi-
colored flag in her hair, and many wore sweatshirts with the Andy Warhol's quote: "They
say time changes things, but you actually have to change things yourself." Even Voigt’s
dog was dressed for the occasion with a bright pink leash and colar.
GSA participated in and raised funds for this event as part of Ferndale’s Alliance, a club
for middle and high school students who feel isolated because of their sexual orientation.
“I have heard from so many kids how hard it is. How hard it is not to have family with the
same background, unlike some other minority groups who can go to their family,
extended family, and others for support. The Alliance helps give those students the
family they need,” Reese said.
Reese explained that students who walked this year helped raise awareness about the
need for AIDS research and patient care; others both walked and donated directly to
Alliance or gathered funds through sponsors. This year’s AIDS walk raised a total of
$175,000 for research and patient care with funds from private companies, grassroots
groups, and a number of other local high schools.
“The AIDs walk is about a community coming together to support a cause that’s usually
pushed under the table and ignored. GSA wanted to support that cause and bring
attention to it. Seeing other students do things like this walk provides motivation for
other students to do things like this,” sophomore Jasmine Acharya said.
For more information about the foundation and how to participate, visit: AIDS Walk
Detroit.
Groves Parents, GSA advisors, and over 20 students from both
Gay Straight Alliance, Groves Student Congress, and Interact
Service Club joined over a thousand walkers to support this
years AIDS walk on September 20th.
Back row: Karen Reese, parents Wendy Peterson, Jane George,
Ann Sabourin, sophomore Sarah Garcia,
Junior Shari Kendrick, senior Katie Bromley, senior Jennifer
Johnson, junior Grace Halloran, senior Paige Robnett,
sophomore Megan Furton,
2nd row: Mike Reese, freshman Hannah Voigt, junior Stephanie
Claugh, junior Marie Lhota, Senior Erin Sorenson, junior Lisa
Surnow, junior Sammy Voutyras, sophomore Holly Sterling,
sophomore Jasmine Acharya, sophomore Abby Walker
Front Row: Senor Kevin Wang, freshman Rachel Goldstien,
senior Lisa Miller, 7th grader Katie Voigt, junior Laura
Sabourin, sophomore Meredith Starkman, Amy Voigt, Lucky the dog
Click Here For More Photos
Gay Straight Alliance, Groves Student Congress, and Interact
Service Club joined over a thousand walkers to support this
years AIDS walk on September 20th.
Back row: Karen Reese, parents Wendy Peterson, Jane George,
Ann Sabourin, sophomore Sarah Garcia,
Junior Shari Kendrick, senior Katie Bromley, senior Jennifer
Johnson, junior Grace Halloran, senior Paige Robnett,
sophomore Megan Furton,
2nd row: Mike Reese, freshman Hannah Voigt, junior Stephanie
Claugh, junior Marie Lhota, Senior Erin Sorenson, junior Lisa
Surnow, junior Sammy Voutyras, sophomore Holly Sterling,
sophomore Jasmine Acharya, sophomore Abby Walker
Front Row: Senor Kevin Wang, freshman Rachel Goldstien,
senior Lisa Miller, 7th grader Katie Voigt, junior Laura
Sabourin, sophomore Meredith Starkman, Amy Voigt, Lucky the dog
Click Here For More Photos
Media center specialist Roberta Sibley,
Recipient of the Michigan State Librarian's
Excellence Award, helps freshmen David
Bellefleur find materials for a school project.
Recipient of the Michigan State Librarian's
Excellence Award, helps freshmen David
Bellefleur find materials for a school project.
Royal Oak resident Jack Tony waits for
his wife before they walk the 5K Steppin
Out AIDS walk. Both buried three loved
ones as a result of AIDS. “I came out
here to raise money in their honor and
just do my part to help out” Tony said.
his wife before they walk the 5K Steppin
Out AIDS walk. Both buried three loved
ones as a result of AIDS. “I came out
here to raise money in their honor and
just do my part to help out” Tony said.
English teacher Amy Voigt delivers a
motivational speech at the to the
Groves team before the walk.
motivational speech at the to the
Groves team before the walk.
| Principal Fred Procter has announced that the media center will now be open until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This extended new study time will be monitored by government teacher Jude McCutcheon and science teacher Brian Stukey, who have volunteered to stay one day each. Qualified NHS tutors will also be available for any students in need of academic assistance. |
Math and science teachers use this year’s new technology , the Promethean board,
to teach concepts with color coding, undo functions, and instant web access to move
efficiently through the lesson.
"The Promethean boards are very helpful for math class,” sophomore Kimberly
Schreiber said. “The teacher is able to write on the board with a slide show playing
on it, so it makes the explanation less confusing and more visual. This week, while we
learned about angles in geometry, Mr. Pennington was able to measure an angle on
the Promethean board with a computerized protractor. This made it easy for the
entire class to get the same measurement and explanation for the problem. The
Promethean boards are easier and faster than whiteboards, because you don’t have
to spend time erasing the promethium board. With the click of a button, the screen is
cleared of your writing.”
to teach concepts with color coding, undo functions, and instant web access to move
efficiently through the lesson.
"The Promethean boards are very helpful for math class,” sophomore Kimberly
Schreiber said. “The teacher is able to write on the board with a slide show playing
on it, so it makes the explanation less confusing and more visual. This week, while we
learned about angles in geometry, Mr. Pennington was able to measure an angle on
the Promethean board with a computerized protractor. This made it easy for the
entire class to get the same measurement and explanation for the problem. The
Promethean boards are easier and faster than whiteboards, because you don’t have
to spend time erasing the promethium board. With the click of a button, the screen is
cleared of your writing.”
District gives Math and Science departments advanced technology for their classrooms this
year: "Promethan Boards" now replace the "white board" in these classrooms
year: "Promethan Boards" now replace the "white board" in these classrooms
Geometry teacher Jay Pennington explains supplementary angles
using his Promethean board.
using his Promethean board.
Students from all grades walk at Royal Oak’s annual "Steppin Out" AID’s
walk to raise awareness and contribute funds to Alliance, a support group
for gay, lesbian, and transgendered middle and high school students
walk to raise awareness and contribute funds to Alliance, a support group
for gay, lesbian, and transgendered middle and high school students
Class of 2010 wins again: after last
year's upset, with the junior class
winning the spirit week bucket, the
class of 2010 retains their reigning
title by winning this year's spirit
week and field day competition.
Click here for more 2009 Field Day
photos
year's upset, with the junior class
winning the spirit week bucket, the
class of 2010 retains their reigning
title by winning this year's spirit
week and field day competition.
Click here for more 2009 Field Day
photos
$3.3 million cut from the Birmingham
school district mid-year.
Michigan state congress and Governor Jennifer Granholm just cut the education budget more
than previously expected by cutting $165 per pupil, vetoing the 20J funds for Oakland County
Schools, including Birmingham Public schools, and, just Thursday October 22, cutting an
addition $127 per student funding. This veto has raised some protest from the state senate,
where State Senator John Pappageorge is lobbying for the Senate to override the Governor's veto
of the 20J funds.
These cuts in general funding equal a total of over $3.3 million in money that must be
eliminated from the Birmingham budget this year. Administrators are scrambling to accommodate
these cuts after the district already drafted and approved a budget for this fiscal year. Unless
Proposal A is amended, educational leaders and the government expect more cuts in the next two
years, estimated at $16 million.
Principal Fred Procter explained that, while schools are funded by the state, the state does
not determine its budget until October. Schools must approve a budget for the upcoming school
year by June 30th.
"So we've already been operating for a while under the current budget, and now the state
comes back and says, 'We'll cut you. Even though we already submitted a budget, that budget
can be cut and cut significantly. At some point, we're going to be in a position where we cannot
afford to educate int h way we've been educating," Procter said. "I think some districts across the
state are going to be hit so hard they can't operate. The state must make a decision about what
they're going to do: support these schools, support these kids, or support the educational
system"
A series of public forums and key dates regarding the educational budget:
October 27- Community Budget Conversation- Berkshire, 7:00
November 3- Election Day for Birmingham Board of Education candidates, including Katie Reiter,
Birmingham parent and graduate of Birmingham schools
November 3- Board of Education Meeting, Ad. Bldg. 7:00
November 5- Community Budget Conversations- Derby, 7:00
school district mid-year.
Michigan state congress and Governor Jennifer Granholm just cut the education budget more
than previously expected by cutting $165 per pupil, vetoing the 20J funds for Oakland County
Schools, including Birmingham Public schools, and, just Thursday October 22, cutting an
addition $127 per student funding. This veto has raised some protest from the state senate,
where State Senator John Pappageorge is lobbying for the Senate to override the Governor's veto
of the 20J funds.
These cuts in general funding equal a total of over $3.3 million in money that must be
eliminated from the Birmingham budget this year. Administrators are scrambling to accommodate
these cuts after the district already drafted and approved a budget for this fiscal year. Unless
Proposal A is amended, educational leaders and the government expect more cuts in the next two
years, estimated at $16 million.
Principal Fred Procter explained that, while schools are funded by the state, the state does
not determine its budget until October. Schools must approve a budget for the upcoming school
year by June 30th.
"So we've already been operating for a while under the current budget, and now the state
comes back and says, 'We'll cut you. Even though we already submitted a budget, that budget
can be cut and cut significantly. At some point, we're going to be in a position where we cannot
afford to educate int h way we've been educating," Procter said. "I think some districts across the
state are going to be hit so hard they can't operate. The state must make a decision about what
they're going to do: support these schools, support these kids, or support the educational
system"
A series of public forums and key dates regarding the educational budget:
October 27- Community Budget Conversation- Berkshire, 7:00
November 3- Election Day for Birmingham Board of Education candidates, including Katie Reiter,
Birmingham parent and graduate of Birmingham schools
November 3- Board of Education Meeting, Ad. Bldg. 7:00
November 5- Community Budget Conversations- Derby, 7:00