The Waterford School District, and Mason Middle School, will soon display a large street sign acknowledging it as a 2009 Educational Excellence Award winner. The District received the distinguished award in the Improving Student Achievement for At-Risk Students category for its Math Lab Program. The Educational Excellence Program is organized by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and sponsored by SET SEG School Insurance Specialists.

Photo Left to Right: Charles Miller, Director of Customer Relations SET SEG, Mason staff including Assistant Julie Hall, Teacher Carly Stone (front),
Assistant Joanne Keith, Principal Cheryl Ellsworth, Coordinator Gerrie Arnold, and Teacher Amy Stack.

Houghton Elementary School Teacher John Kochevar was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Kochevar was nominated by the White Lake Police Department for his work with the D.A.R.E. Program. Kochevar began teaching at Houghton Elementary School in 1990. The local teacher of the year is awarded through the Wal-mart Foundation and each local Wal-mart to an outstanding teacher in the area. Winners are selected in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Kochevar received a $1,000 educational grant for Houghton Elementary School.
(L to R): Charles Brandt, White Lake Police and D.A.R.E. Officer; Rob Aquilina, Store Manager of White Lake Walmart; Megan Guzinski, Vision Center Manager, White Lake Walmart; John Kochevar, Houghton Elementary Teacher and Walmart Teacher of the Year

The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals has awarded Dr. Stephen Marsden, Kettering Assistant Principal, the 2009 MASSP Assistant Principal of the Year. Marsden was recognized at the Assistant Principals’ Fall Conference in Kalamazoo.

The Oakland County School Boards Association, Michigan Association of School Boards, named Board Treasurer, John Himmelspach, with the Distinguished Years of Service Award in honor of his 16 years of dedicated service as a member of the Waterford Board of Education. Through his role on the Board, John has become a true advocate for children and has worked diligently to ensure that all students receive the highest quality education.

Thomas Wiseman, Waterford School District Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, was named the 2007-2008 Business Administrator of the Year by Oakland County School Business Officials (OCSBO). Wiseman received this award in recognition of his professional growth, 34 dedicated years of service to the Waterford School District, and his commitment to excellence in the profession of school business management.

The Waterford School District Transportation Team competed in the Oakland County Regional School Bus Roadeo. The drivers were outstanding among the thirty one (31) drivers from eight (8) districts who participated. Barbara Bennett (8^th overall), Carrie Myre (2^nd overall), and Debbie Vernon (13^th overall) placed second in the team competition. Carrie Myre placed second overall which qualifies her for participation in the State Championship.

The Michigan State Police conducted its annual inspection of our bus fleet, which includes a review of over 100 safety checks. Due to the great work our staff, especially the mechanics, the fleet passed in excellent condition with all buses passing inspection without any “Red” or “Yellow” violation tags (100% pass rate). Congratulations to Jim Beaver and the Waterford School District Transportation Department staff for an outstanding inspection!

The Waterford School District is the recipient of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant, awarding a total of $5,745,460 million to be used over the next four years. These funds will allow the District to implement an integrated, comprehensive, and community-wide plan to address the problems of school violence, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and to promote social skills and a healthy childhood development.

Adams Elementary School Teacher John Phillips received the Walter P. Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap in Education Award, sponsored by DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, along with partner The New Detroit Science Center. This Awards Program was created to recognize and reward Michigan public elementary, middle, and high school teachers for finding innovative and creative ways to help excite students about careers in science, math, engineering, and technology.

Waterford Kettering High School Personal Adjustment Program received the Education Excellence Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards. As a winning program, the program will receive a personalized “Eddie” statue and a cash award of $1,500 from the SET SEG School Insurance Specialists. The primary goal of the Personal Adjustment program is to help individual students understand themselves and others. Practical outcomes of the program range from development of skills in career planning to positive interpersonal relations to a viable lifestyle to effective use of recreational time. Students who participate in the program are better able to demonstrate behaviors, which indicate s/he has achieved an acceptable degree of work and social maturity. These behaviors can include the following: demonstrable social responsibility, effective communication, and an acceptable level of self-awareness and self-confidence.

The Waterford Board of Education recognized seven outstanding Waterford School District support staff as nominees for the 2008 Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award. All nominees recognized possess the qualities that distinguish them as exemplary employees that go above and beyond to make a positive impact in the District. However, after all nominations were reviewed by the selection committee, one nominee stood out and has been sent on to the county level. Theresa Sherrill, Counseling Secretary at Kettering High School, was named as the Waterford School District Betty Campion Award Winner for 2008. Theresa demonstrates excellence in working with students, staff, and administration and has earned an enviable reputation throughout the District.

Kathryn Stone, Director of Bands at Mason Middle School, has been awarded the American School Band Director’s Association’s prestigious “Outstanding Potential Award.” This award recognizes those young band teachers who show great potential and promise in the field of instrumental music education. Presentation of this award was made on Tuesday, February 29, 2008, at the Winter Band Concert hosted by Waterford Kettering High School. Members Scott Adkins, Director of Bands at Kettering, and Robert Ambrose of Bloomfield Hills Andover High School presented the award on behalf of the ASBDA. Katie is a third-year teacher in the Waterford School District.

The Arc of Oakland County announced four Student Support Services Department members will receive their very Distinguished Dove Award this year. The Arc of Oakland County is a non-profit United Way Agency that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions and improvements to the quality of life of persons with cognitive impairments. The following staff received awards: Geralyn Janeczko, Secondary Special Education Supervisor: The President's Award; Vicki Widman, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator: The Inclusion Leadership Award; Teri Dittman, Teacher of the Cognitively Impaired at Riverside Elementary: The Leonard Cercone Teacher of the Year Award; and Debi Blood will receive The Support Professional Award (posthumous) for her incredible support and dedication to students with special needs.

Waterford Kettering Principal, Josh Wenning, was recently named the 2008 Citizen of the Year by the Waterford Coalition for Youth. Wenning was nominated by a parent for his commitment to Waterford families. He was recognized for his collaborative efforts and support of students and staff on numerous initiatives.

Several staff were recently each awarded grants of $1000 from the Autism Society of Michigan. This money was awarded for their work with students who have autism and will support necessary materials that will be used for social and behavioral support skill training. The grant recipients were as follows: Rebecca Platero, Teacher at Donelson Hills Elementary, Rita Dachs, Teacher at Crary Middle School, and Leigh Sarfati, Special Education Specialist.

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