Aggie Connection
May 27, 2022
Mission Statement: Sand Creek Community Schools is committed to delivering an effective 21st century educational program that prepares its students to live happy, healthy, productive, and successful lives.
Superintendent Update
Wow! I cannot believe we are coming to the close of the school year as it seems it only just begun.
Things have been buzzing at the 'Creek this spring. Some of the exciting extracurricular events that have taken place these last two months are:
- Band Trip to Florida
- Senior trip to San Antonio
- 5th and 6th Grade Camp
- Jr. High - Washington DC trip
- PTO Fun Night
- Prom and After Prom
- Spirit Wars Day
- Elementary Field Day
- Jr./Sr High Achievement Nights
- Elementary All-School Picnic
It is wonderful to see some of these more "normal" activities taking place, in addition to getting back to in-person learning.
As we look forward to the end of a school year and the start of summer, we grieve once again as we hear the tragic news out of Uvalde, Texas. The senseless, evil acts that killed 21 students and teachers grieve our very souls. I wish I could promise you that evil will never touch our district, I cannot. What I can promise is that the administration and staff at Sand Creek Schools have taken and will continue to take, all possible steps to keep our students as safe as possible.
- This past summer we completed the installation of our Lockdown - Smartboot security system.
- The system can be activated by any student or employee who sees a safety threat occurring.
- When activated, the audible alarm with flashing lights sounds to instruct all to "Lockdown".
- When activated, it also immediately triggers a 911 alarm to the Lenawee County Sheriff's department.
- We have had several drills, in coordination with local law enforcement, this school year. I am so proud of our students and staff at how serious that have taken these practice drills.
- Exterior doors are kept locked and our main front doors at both buildings have buzz-in systems. Our office staff do an excellent job and have visual access to the front door. A benefit of being a small school district is that they know the students and most parents. This means they know who they are buzzing in. If they do not, they question before allowing access.
Even saying all of this, we know we are not perfect. We will continue to make improvements to be safer as the opportunity presents itself. We are also making plans to work with the Lenawee County Emergency Manager this coming year to develop and train a district threat assessment team.
As always, feel free to contact your building offices with any questions or concerns.
Please take a moment to check out some of the articles and information included in this newsletter. Also, please visit the district website at www.sc-aggies.us or the Sand Creek Schools Facebook page for more information throughout the year.
Have a safe and restful summer!
Sharon E. Smith
Superintendent/Chief Financial Officer
Sand Creek Community Schools
6518 Sand Creek Hwy.
Sand Creek, MI 49279-aggies.us
Ph. 517-436-3108
Fax. 517-436-3143
Happy Centennial Birthday - Sand Creek Community Schools
- August 1921 - Construction began on the Sand Creek Consolidated Agricultural School No. 1, the first consolidated school in Lenawee County.
- September 1922 - Students and staff filed through the doors of the new school building.
- May 1923 - The first graduates of Sand Creek High School (a class of 3) received their diploma.
After much debate amongst staff, community members and members of the board, we have determined that this year is indeed the 100th graduation at Sand Creek Schools. We came to this conclusion when our board president Mr. Ken Leininger declared "Let's calculate it out to make sure." So....a spreadsheet was created with 1923 listed as Year 1. We had the answer! The Class of 2022 holds the honor of being the 100th graduating class of Sand Creek Community Schools!
We are looking forward to celebrating this centennial birthday, while we honor our graduates, on our own Ayers Field, on Sunday, May 29th!
Class of 2022 Graduation Commencement - May 29, 2022
Commencement will be held on Ayers Field on Sunday, May 29th at 2 p.m. Hope to see you all there!
High School Gym Floor Project
It has been exciting for us here at the school to watch this work being completed over the last few weeks. Although it has been less than ideal to not have the use of the high school gym this spring, we are looking forward to having this ready in time for summer athletic conditioning and for the start of fall sports!
Elementary Field Day
A big thank you to our elementary P.E. teacher, Mr. Dakota Suiter, for planning and organizing this event, our elementary teachers and support staff for assisting with the event and to our elementary cafeteria staff for bringing lunch to the students. Also, a big thank you to our senior students for assisting with the games.
Ruth McGregor Elementary students participate in a weeklong Money Wars
Miss Hella’s 4th graders organized a friendly competition between all classes in the elementary building for their SEL community service project. The money that was raised will go towards upgrades for the elementary playground. Their goal was to raise $500 and the school will vote for what upgrades they would like to have. The class decided to have a Money War fundraiser. The fundraiser took place May 16-20, 2022. Miss Hella's students collected and counted the money as part of their end of the year math review. A total of $3,462.67 was collected ($1,529.67 in coin and $1,933.00 in cash)!!
Way to go Ruth McGregor Elementary Students!!!
Achievement Nights and Senior Awards Night
The Sand Creek High School held its Achievement and Senior Awards night Thursday, May 19th. 197 awards were given to 73 high school (9th-11th grade) students; and 152 awards given to 33 seniors!
Over $30,000 in scholarship awards were presented to graduating senior recipients. School board members Amanda Ream and Ken Leininger were in attendance to present these awards.
It was a great night as we celebrated the hard work of our students. All together, almost half of our 6th - 12th grade student body received academic recognition!
Congratulations to each of these students! Way to go!
Program in the Spotlight: Sand Creek 4- Year Old Preschool Program
In our program, preschoolers and their families are introduced to the Aggie community and enjoy many of the same special's classes as the other elementary students; including music, art, computer lab, library and gym class. Services such as speech, physical therapy and occupational therapy are also made available to the preschoolers during the regular school day. Our program is state licensed and run by two certified preschool teachers.
Recently, we have had some exciting expansions in our program! In the fall of 2021, we were awarded the Child Care Stabilization Grant and received nearly $37,000! This money will be used to expand the current preschool playground, offer tuition scholarships for next year, and expand our program to be able to accommodate more 4-year old students.
Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is underway now! Please contact the elementary office for more information at 517-436-3121. We are excited to watch the fun, educational developments both continue and expand for our littlest Aggies!
Wellness Policy Review
- Required components of our wellness policy, in the areas of nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, school based activities and nutrition guidelines.
- How we are doing regarding meeting the various requirements.
- Setting specific measurable goals to help meet the requirements.
This Triennial Assessment was presented to our school board at its May 17. 2022 board meeting and is now posted on our website. The board will consider recommended wellness policy changes from the Wellness Committee at its June board meeting.
Click on the link below to view this assessment and our current Wellness Policy.
Staff Retirements
Scott Machniak - 24 years
Darlene McMunn - 22 years
Glen McMunn - 35 years
Larry Wollett - 25 years
Robert Wright - 13 years
Mr. Glen McMunn
Mr. Robert Wright
Retirees recognized at high school achievement night.
Staff in the Spotlight - Extraordinary Aggie
This quarter's "Extraordinary Aggie" Award goes to three very deserving teachers.
- Ms. Melissa Jodway, Special Education and Futures teacher in the Jr./Sr. High School, was nominated by fellow teacher, Mr. Derek Hewitt. Ms. Jodway spends countless hours supporting her students, both during the school day and after hours. She always goes the extra mile to make sure her students are safe, have direction and feel emotionally supported. Mr. Hewitt stated "Melissa is kind - but firm, and sympathetic, all while giving of her time, often at the expense of her family."
- Mrs. Erika Scheu-Millek, English and Yearbook teacher in the Jr./Sr. High School, was nominated by Administrative Assistant, Sarah Thomas. Mrs. Scheu-Millek never says no to a student or staff member who needs help or someone to talk to. She is a teacher, friend, encourager, supporter, photographer, participant and leader. Sarah states, "Erika defines Sand Creek; helpful, thoughtful fun and a member of a community larger than herself."
- Miss Caitlyn Hella, 4th grade teacher, was nominated by her fellow teachers' Katie Griswold and Lisa Miller. Miss Hella has a positive attitude and is willing to help out not only her students, but other staff as well. She recently guided her 4th grade students in a SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) fund raising project that raised over $3,000 for new playground equipment! (See article in this newsletter for more details.) Her co-teachers state, "Caitlyn is a great leader with students and staff, is flexible and willing to do whatever she is asked."
Thank you, Ms. Jodway, Mrs. Scheu-Millek and Miss Hella, for your hard work and for being an "Extraordinary Aggie"!
Board Member Elections
Petitions can be picked up at the Lenawee County Clerk's office at 113 W. Front St., Adrian, MI
"Did you Know?"
- Fiber and Network Connections Upgrade
- Internal Security Cameras Upgrade
- Phone System Upgrade
- Lockout - Safety System Upgrade
Many of these upgrades were funded with grants and Building & Site Sinking fund millage.
Thank you voters for continuing to approve this millage that allows us to make building, grounds and technology improvements!
What's Happening This Summer
May
- 27th - No School - Teacher In-Service Day
- 29th - Commencement - Ayers Field at 2 p.m.
- 30th - No School - Memorial Day
- 31st - Elementary School Picnic (Rain Date - June 1st)
June
- 2nd - Half day of School
- 3rd - Half day of School; Last Day of School
- 7th - Summer school starts
- 27th - Public Hearing - School Board Budget - 5 p.m.
- 27th - School Board Meeting - 6 p.m.
July
- 3rd-9th - MHSAA Dead Week
- 14th - Summer school ends
August
- 17th-18th - Teacher In-Service Days
- 17th - Open House: Elem 4-6 p.m.; JH/HS 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- 22nd - First day of school - Half day for students (a.m.)
- 26th - No School