East China School District News
Every Child.Every Day
December 21, 2020
Message from Superintendent Cybulla
On Monday evening at the December regular Board of Education meeting, the goal dates for our return to in-person learning were presented. The elementary (PreK-5) goal date is Monday, January 11, 2021 and the secondary (6-12) goal date is Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Keeping in mind that these goal dates will continue to take into consideration the positivity rates for the county along with the operational feasibility of an in-person return.
Yesterday, a commitment form was sent via email to each family regarding making their selection for in-person learning or virtual learning for second semester. Our second semester begins January 19, 2021. Please check your email for the message and the link to the commitment form. The selection window will be open until December 27th at 5:00 p.m.
These past months have held many challenging moments and my hope is for the new year to bring us opportunities to reconnect with friends, family and the activities we enjoy. The support the ECSD community shows to each other and most especially to our students is a gift that inspires gratitude and one that we are all thankful for each day.
Peace and joy to everyone for this Christmas Season & Happy New Year,
Suzanne Cybulla
INNOVATION CENTER
1585 Meisner Road
East China, MI 48054
The first project to be initiated under the 2020 Bond Program is a 32,000 sq ft classroom addition at the Meisner Road campus. With additional classrooms, 4 new STEAM labs, a collaborative feel and state-of-the-art instructional technologies, the Innovation Center is full of potential and endless possibilities for all students! The design process included tours to similar facilities, workshops and planning meetings.
MARINE CITY 6 – 12 BUILDING
1085 Ward Street
Marine City, MI 48039
The design process has just begun on the anticipated transformation of the existing Marine City 6-12 building. Improvements emphasizing instructional technology, energy efficiency, safety and security will be prioritized to enhance educational opportunities for all students! Design is anticipated to extend through the third quarter of 2021.
ST. CLAIR 6 – 12 BUILDING
2200 Clinton Avenue
Saint Clair, MI 48079
The existing Saint Clair High School has begun its design process, as well. An equitable, operational structure of combining the middle school and high school to create an integrated St. Clair 6 – 12 building will be prioritized. Improvements emphasizing instructional technology, energy efficiency, safety and security will be developed to enhance educational opportunities for all students! Design will proceed through the fourth quarter of 2021.
Gearing Elementary News
What is Early On?
Gearing Elementary is happy to be home to East China School District’s Early On Program. Early On is Michigan’s system for helping infants and toddlers, birth to 3 years old, and their families who have developmental delays due to certain health conditions. Gearing has a multidisciplinary team including an early childhood education teacher, Speech-Language Pathologists, an Occupational Therapist, and a Physical Therapist that work with eligible children and their families to promote their growth and developmental. All Early On services include a family component to help facilitate skill development carryover to the home environment.
"The goal of early intervention is "To enable young children to be active and successful participants in the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings..."
East China’s Early On Child And Family Services include:
Weekly Playgroups - A multidisciplinary team approach implementing a play-based learning opportunity to work on developmental skills. The team includes a speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist and specialized teacher.
Individualized therapy - Additional therapy option provided in addition to or instead of playgroups when it is the most appropriate way to meet a child’s needs.
Who are the Early On Staff?
Betsy Mueller, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Amy Lawson, Speech-Language Pathologist
Sara Ranger, Speech-Language Pathologist
Megan Hargrave, Occupational Therapist
Annette Kireta, Physical Therapist
How do I access Early On Services?
If a parent, doctor, or other health professional feels like a child 0-3 has a delay in one or more areas then they are referred to Early On through St. Clair County RESA located in Marysville. If that child lives within the East China School District and is found eligible for additional therapies, then the East China School District offers those therapies such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and/or early childhood teacher support.
Want to learn more, please contact Betsy Mueller at emueller@ecsd.us or 810-676-1330 or visit the Early On website https://www.1800earlyon.org/.
Virtual Learning
Below are some pictures of our students working hard the last few weeks during online learning. We have been very happy with everyone’s effort during these difficult times.
Happy Holidays from Gearing Elementary!
Gearing Elementary Staff Spotlight
Hayley Brown started a new position at Gearing Elementary this year as the Title 1 teacher. She was worked for the district for 1 1/2 years. She started as a literacy specialist at Bell River Elementary. She lives in Port Huron with her husband, Ross, two kids Ellyse and Reed and her two crazy Boston Terriers, Ozzy and Riley. She received a bachelor degree from Saginaw Valley State University and then went on to pursue a Master's Degree in the art of teaching reading. She enjoys spending time with her family, going on vacation, and anything outdoors. The thing she loves most about teaching Title 1 is opening up new doors for students when it come to the world of reading and helping them succeed. She also loves when students get to see the joys of seeing themselves as a reader. Watching students see themselves achieve something that they felt they couldn't is the best feeling in the world.
Marine City Choir Projects
MC Choir students are sharing their latest project, a medley from "Nightmare Before Christmas" featuring students from MCMS First Hour and Second Hour Choir and MCHS Concert Choir. This music was originally chosen for a live concert so our students had to work very hard to adapt and perform this challenging music as a virtual project. They created a fun community of character voices!
Much appreciation to our choir students and to David Simpson for his time and expertise editing and producing our student work! The audio mix is finished but the video demands exceeded the capacity of our equipment so we are hoping to release a refreshed version with updated video in January. If you missed our previous release of "Blowin' In The Wind" featuring students from Treble Choir and Chorale, that link is also below. Thank you for your support. Enjoy!
Mark Your Calendars!
Give Your Child A Great Start!
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a state funded preschool program for eligible children who will be four years old on or before September 1st. This program covers the key areas a child needs to be ready for Kindergarten. Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now being accepted! The application and more information can be found by clicking on the links below:
Click the link below for additional information
http://sccresa.org/cms/one.aspx…
Click the link below for an online application
https://docs.google.com/…/1GYmnqXQlzntv1d3kadfXeE…/viewform…
For additional questions, comments, or concerns, please contact:
Chris Klecha, GSRP Enrollment Specialist
cklecha@ecsd.us
(810) 676-1010
Contact Information
Email: info@ecsd.us
Website: www.ecsd.us
Location: 1585 Meisner Road, East China, MI, USA
Phone: 810-676-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/EastChinaSchools