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MHS and Central Auditorium present: The Hunchback of Notre Dame Tickets: https://centralauditorium.ludus.com/index.php

SUPERINTENDENT COMMUNIQUÉ

MIDLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

april 17, 2023

Volume 10 Edition 36

Midland Public Schools District Vision Statement: Lead with respect, trust and courage. Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture. Enable all to achieve success.

Congratulations to our April MPS Shining Stars!

The faculty, staff, and student body of Midland High School would like to formally welcome you and your MHS incoming freshman to our Future Freshman Night on Wednesday, April 19th, from 6-7 pm. The event will begin in our main gym (at the west end of the building, nearest to the football field) where you will have the opportunity to meet the MHS administration and learn a little about the school and our Chemic Pride traditions. Following that, you and your student can participate in small breakout sessions where you will learn about our counseling department, our International Baccalaureate Program, Athletics, and our special education department. Important information from clubs, sports, and programs will also be provided. Student-led tours of the school will also be available so your student can begin to feel at home here.

We are looking forward to meeting you and welcoming your future freshman into the Chemic family!

Midland High School’s annual One Billion Rising (OBR) campaign is underway. OBR is the largest global movement to end violence against women. This year’s campaign asked students to submit artwork and writing pieces expressing their feelings about OBR topics such as surviving abuse or violence or rising in strength in the face of violence. Artwork that was submitted is currently on display at Midland High School.

April is also National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and MHS Student Council is hosting a “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Have you ever wanted to run in heels? Better question, have you ever wanted to watch your friends or your student run in heels? MHS Student Council and the Shelterhouse invite you and your student to a "Walk a Mile In Her Shoes" event. Get a team of four together and dominate the competition while raising awareness for violence against women and children. Scan the QR code below to register. We can't wait to see you there! The event takes place in Chippewassee Park across the Tridge in downtown Midland from 12-1 p.m.

Thank you MHS Parent Partners!

Last week, Midland High Parents came out in full force to show support for all our students testing for the SAT, PSAT, M-STEP, ACT Work Keys, etc... MHS Parent Partners collected donations for breakfast foods and brain snacks to feed all of our students before the testing and during break times. Thank you to McDonalds on South Saginaw Rd for donating 275 breakfast burritos on the first day of SAT testing for the junior class. We know students really enjoyed the snacks! Thank you to MHS Parent Partners for your incredible support!

Remember to support the Dow High Student Leadership Can Drive Thursday, April 20th!

Congratulations to H.H. Dow High for making the state playoffs for the Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL)! Many schools qualified multiple teams in one of three possible game titles: League of Legends (LOL), Rocket League (RL), and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU).

Playoff Match Dates:

  • April 17 | Top 64 SSBU & Top 32 RL
  • April 18 | Top 8 LOL
  • April 19 | Top 32 SSBU & Top 16 RL
  • April 21 | Top 16 SSBU & Top 8 RL
  • April 25 | Top 8 SSBU, Top 4 RL & Top 4 LOL
  • April 29 | Top 4 & Finals for SSBU and Finals for RL & LOL (In-Person)

Most of the playoff games are played virtually right from your own school so be sure to stop in, wish the coaches and students good luck, and even watch a match.

We would like to invite you to our in-person championships on Saturday, April 29th at Western Michigan University. Whether or not your school makes the finals, we will have a great day of finals matches for League of Legends & Rocket League, as well as semi-finals and finals matches for Super Smash Bros. An agenda-at-a-glance is below:

  • 10:00 A.M. | League of Legends Championship
  • 1:45 P.M. | Rocket League Championship
  • 3:30 P.M. | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Championship

We would love to have any administrators or board members attend this event FREE as a spectator (no lunch included). Thank you for supporting scholastic esports in Michigan!

Join us Saturday for the Earth Day Expo!

Over 50 exhibitors will be on hand at the 2023 EARTH ACTION EXPO taking place at Dow High School on April 22nd from 11 am – 3 pm Rain or Shine! The Expo is FREE to the public and offers a wide variety of environmentally-friendly information and hands-on activities for students, parents, and community members of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about native plants, renewable energy, electric cars, the importance of pollinators, organic gardening, Great Lakes water quality, climate change solutions, composting, birding, hiking, and more!

Illustrated poems by local students themed, “The Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae”, will be on display, and you can also grab lunch at one of the food trucks. In addition, Peter Sinclair, a Midland-based videographer who is recognized internationally for his expertise in climate change and renewable energy, will be holding educational presentations throughout the day.

Are you wondering what to do with that pile of unwanted electronics and Christmas lights sitting around your house? Bring them to the Earth Expo! Resourceful Recycling will be on hand collecting most any electronics that have a cord or a battery. A small fee will be charged for TVs and CRT monitors, but all other electronics will be recycled for free. The 2023 EARTH ACTION EXPO is sponsored by the Midland Section of the American Chemical Society, the Midland Center for the Arts, MSU St. Andrews, Midland Recyclers, and the Dow High GO GREEN Sustainability Club. For more information, please contact Cyndie Roberts at robertsca@midlandps.org or call (989)-992-5300.

Gerstacker And Distinguished service awards nominations open for 2023

Gerstacker Nomination Form
DSA Nomination Form

Midland Mall:

  • Middle School Art Show: April 19-24 (Open house Wednesday, April 19 from 4-5:30 pm)
  • High School Art Show: April 26-May 1 (Open house Wednesday, April 26 from 4-5:30 pm)

Midland High (MHS Girls Loft):

  • Midland High AP Art Show (Open house Tuesday, April 25 during both lunch periods and from 4-5:30 pm)

Check out a recap of events from around the District!

Congratulations to H.H. Dow High Student, Shubhan Nagarkar, who has been selected as a winner of the National Merit $2500 Scholarship! This Scholarship is underwritten by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) with its own funds.
Representatives from Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) visited MPS Welding Technology and donated a pallet of hand grinders, saw zalls, 1/2" drills, bench vices, and welding filler material. Thank you, HSC!
Mrs. McIntyre's and Mrs. Bradfield's Midland High geoscience students traveled to the Delta College Planetarium on March 14th to see the show "From Earth to the Universe." It was a great opportunity for the students to learn about the universe in a unique setting. After the show, the presenter discussed constellations and where to find them in the night sky. The students also got to experience a roller coaster ride on the Great Wall of China! A grant from the Gerstacker Foundation made the trip possible, along with our generous parent volunteers who chaperoned.
On Thursday, April 6th, Mrs. Bank’s 1st and 4th hour English classes at MHS ventured to their 1st grade Pen-Pal friends from Mrs. Grillo and Mrs. Kraut’s first grade classes at Adams Elementary. Students have been exchanging opinion letters this semester and this was a great opportunity for pen pals to meet in person. The highschool students helped the first grade students edit/revise and publish their book reviews as a celebration to their Lucy Calkins Opinion Writing Unit. This was the first time first grade students were able to type their writing on chromebooks. This was a great opportunity for all!
The Dow High DECA Club Celebrates 50 years this year! The club was started in 1972 by Mr. Dick Lebsack. Once Mr. Lebsack retired, Mr. Charles Brunner took over and then passed the club on to Melissa DeBore upon his retirement. In 2017, Erin Royalty became the advisor for the club. The club celebrated with a banquet where students with outstanding performance and membership were recognized. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Lebsack himself, about the club in its early days. This year the Dow High DECA Club boasts its largest membership to date, with 165 students, and is the 5th largest DECA Club in the state of Michigan. DECA members compete in business and marketing related events with DECA members across the state, Nation and World.
Congratulations go out to our Sutton Foster Ovation Awards Nominees! Owen Delong, Hailey Allen, and Gretchen Shope were selected from the recent production of INTO THE WOODS to compete at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. They will compete against for a chance to go to New York City and compete in the National Jimmy Awards Competition. Judges agree on one leading Actor and one leading Actress to attend the ovation awards competition in May. Occasionally a production is so strong the judges select a third nominee to attend, we are ecstatic that this happened in our very first year! Break a leg, and we are so proud of you all!

High School FIRST Robotics 2023 Season Summary!

The Midland High School Robotics Team 5509, ‘Like a Boss’, competed at the Midland and Saline FIRST Robotics District Competitions in March 2023. At both the Midland and Saline competitions ‘Like a Boss’ finished qualification matches with records of 3 wins and 9 losses. At the Saline competition, Midland High won the Sustainability Award, which celebrates a team that has developed a sustainable program in order to define, manage, and achieve the team’s ongoing objectives. The Team 5509 Dean’s List Award nominees for 2023 were Maribel Grasman and Quinn VanZile. The Dean’s List award celebrates outstanding leaders who have led their teams and communities to increased awareness of FIRST and its mission while achieving technical expertise and accomplishment. The Team 5509 Woodie Flowers Award nominee for 2023 was Alex Irwin, who is also a team alumnus from when the Midland and Dow High Robotics teams were part of one combined robotics team. Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication and recognizes mentors who lead, inspire and empower using excellent communication.
The H.H. Dow High School Robotics Team 2619, ‘The Charge’, competed at the Standish FIRST Robotics District Competition, where they finished qualification matches in 16 th place and were selected by the 5th ranked Alliance for the playoffs. The alliance advanced several rounds into the playoffs and finished 4th place overall in the competition. ‘The Charge’ won the Innovation in Control Award, which celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical or software – to provide unique machine functions. Team 2619 competed at the Midland District Competition, where they finished qualification matches in 11th place and were selected by the 5th ranked Alliance for the playoffs. The alliance advanced several rounds into the playoffs and also finished 4th place overall in the competition. ‘The Charge’ won the Judges' Award for longevity of impact across the Great Lakes Bay Region. Dow High’s team qualified to compete at the FIRST Robotics Michigan State Championships (‘States’) in early April. The team finished States qualification matches with a record of 6 wins and 6 losses and was not selected for the playoffs. Team 2619 won the Creativity Award at States - which celebrates creativity that enhances strategy of play and was intentionally designed and not discovered. Dow High’s team finished the 2023 season in the top 22% of the 479 teams in Michigan. The Team 2619 Dean’s List Award nominees for 2023 were Boaz Qiu and Rian Rassette. The Team 2619 Woodie Flowers Award nominee for 2023 was Mary Jahn, who has been mentoring ‘The Charge’ for 13 years. H.H. Dow High student, Boaz Qiu, was selected as one of Michigan’s 14 Dean’s List Award Finalists! He will go on to compete for the Dean’s List Award at the FIRST World Championship in Houston, Texas in late April.

Both teams are now in their off-season, where they work on events for younger FIRST Robotics students, STEM and community outreach, team training and fundraising.

Congratulations to both teams on all of your hard work this year!

MPS Music News and Events!

On March 21, the combined choirs and orchestra of Midland and Dow High once again performed in the 4th Grade Music Celebration Concert at the Midland Center for the Arts. The concert featured music ranging from the 1812 Overture to We Don’t Talk About Bruno. Every 4th grader in Midland Public Schools was invited to attend, and they all were able to join the high school orchestra and choir in performing Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin.

On March 4, nine bands and orchestras from Northeast, Jefferson, Midland, and Dow performed at MSBOA District V Band and Orchestra Festival at Frankenmuth High School. Students were rated on a scale of I to V with I being the highest score.

Because of inclement weaather, MPS ensembles were not able to perform at MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival. With the help of music booster organizations and the Midland Center for the Arts, the MPS music department arranged a make-up Band and Orchestra Festival on March 7. Again, these ensembles were rated on a scale of I to V with I being the highest.

On March 6/7, choirs from Northeast, Jefferson, Midland, and Dow performed at MSVMA Choir Festival at SVSU. Ensembles were scored out of 120, and if an ensemble scored high enough, they can perform at State Choral Festival in April.

On March 18, MPS hosted MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble. There were 23 events from Midland High and 43 events from Dow High. Some students were nominated for the MSBOA Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Soloist Competitions. Winners of these competitions will be featured in the Spring Honors Showcase at Western Michigan University on May 12.

MSBOA Outstanding Ensemble:

MSBOA Outstanding Soloists:

MSBOA Outstanding Ensemble Competition

The H.H. Dow High School Honors Orchestra won their category in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association's Outstanding Ensemble Competition! To even compete, these students were selected from thousands of Michigan students who performed at solo and ensemble festivals throughout the winter. The twelve finalists in the chamber ensemble category could submit recordings to be judged by a panel of music educators, and of those finalists, the H.H. Dow High School Honors Orchestra won. For those unfamiliar with these types of competitions, this is the equivalent of winning the state championship. The orchestra will be featured at the MSBOA Spring Honors Showcase at Dalton Recital Hall at Western Michigan University. The concert will be on May 12 at 7:00PM, and it is open to the public.

Pictured Left to Right:

Back Row: Zaky El-Nachef, Sarah Li, Madeline Cha, Margaret Hitt, Caleb Dingman, Tyler Deibel, Mia Bayardo.

Middle Row: Boaz Qiu, Jessica Thomas, Hope Ridley, Jasmine Schutt, Elleana Bucknell.

Front Row: Ian Koh, Isabelle Halldorson, Kanushi Desai, Sahiba Kaur, George Gu.

Not Pictured: Sophie Cai, Maia Figueroa, and Genevieve Hong.

Questions? Connect with us using the MPS Connect button below.

MPS Connect

Once school has ended for the year, Midland Public Schools will once again be offering the Summer eLearning Program. Through this program, online courses are available to high school students who wish to earn initial credit in select courses. If you are interested in Credit Recovery courses this year, please contact your building administration.

While being onsite is not a requirement for daily work or quizzes, tests and exams must be monitored. This can be by appointment onsite or by appointment virtually. Appointments will be scheduled with the teacher on duty between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 pm on Mondays - Thursdays unless other arrangements are made. Students should expect to invest 45-60 hours to complete each course but may work on their course at any place where they have an internet connection.

Courses will begin on June 5, 2023, and must be completed by August 4, 2023. Students may only register for one course at a time. The cost for each course is $150 for Standard Edgenuity courses (EDG - Edgenuity on course list) and $235 for Edgenuity Instructional Services courses (EDGIS - Edgenuity Instructional Services on course list) for Midland Public Schools students and $175 or $250 for students outside of the MPS district. Registration opens on April 24th. If you would like additional information or would like to register for a course, use this link: https://www.midlandps.org/parents/elearning

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Credits:

Created with images by Philip Steury - "Row Of Messy Colorful Paint Brushes And Containers On Isolated White Background - Creativity Concept" • Яна Василевская - "Recap word concept" • MarekPhotoDesign.com - "music word in metal type" • bellakadife - "music notes, shallow dof, color effect added"