New elementary and middle school staff introduced

 

By Crystal Hayduk

Concerned community members attended the regular meeting of the Chelsea School District Board of Education on Aug. 22, which was conducted by Vice-President Laurel McDevitt in the absence of board president, Steve Olsen.

At the first opportunity for public input, Karen Findlay updated the board regarding Beach Middle School’s robotics team. The group is the recipient of grants that will permit the building of “more challenging robots.” The first parent/student meeting will be held on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at Beach.

The high school parent/student meeting will be held on Sept.15 at 7 p.m. at Chelsea High School (CHS). Findlay said that early meetings are traditional because the robotics season begins at the start of the school year.

Findlay spoke about the Aug. 11 death of 2016 graduate Jared Franklin. She said, “On a sadder note, we lost Jared. Jared was an active and energetic member of the robotics team. We appreciate the school’s response, and providing support to the students. The team is still in shock.”

Findlay said that the team has decided to pursue the mission of education, awareness, and prevention of suicide at the local, state, and national level.

Findlay also informed the board that the grassroots group, Chelsea Community Cares, met on Aug. 21. She said that the meeting became a forum looking at the mental health needs of youth, with the related topics of bullying, substance use, suicide, and general mental health issues.

Findlay shared three ideas: establishing a Mental Wellness Day throughout the district to provide information to the students, in coordination with the District Wellness Committee; printing hotline phone numbers on student IDs, and working with the district to help students with generalized anxiety and stress.

Community member Shauna Mote addressed the board as a former district employee of 10 years and a parent with children in the district for 26 years. She said that the issues facing the district’s youth lately are not new.

“They have been around since my oldest started school and before that,” said Mote. She suggested that entities branch out and do research before “… coming back together and putting things together like a puzzle piece.”

Citing personal examples, Mote said, “It does take a village, and it’s going to take all of us to try and help our youth.” She encouraged the school to do what they can, and to embrace all who want to be involved. “Let’s put something together that really can work going forward,” she said.

Superintendent Julie Helber said, “Our hearts go out to Jared’s family and Samantha’s (Gillman) family. This does shake up the community.”

Helber said that the district will be looking closely at next steps for support and prevention. The District Wellness Committee looks at a number of issues, including safety, crisis, first responders, and bullying. “We’re not mental health professionals, but we see students every day; and we can be a point of referral,” said Helber.

Principals introduced their newest staff members to the board. New North Creek Principal Luman Strong welcomed Michelle Mavian, a teacher consultant who “will make a huge impression with our students”; Andrea Ryba, a speech pathologist whose duties will be split between North Creek and the high school; Stacy Rehmann, who will be teaching kindergarten after 11 years of experience with third and fourth graders in the Stockbridge School District; and Marie Larson, a second grade teacher who is also a pianist and “will bring music to her classroom.”

South Meadows Principal Stacie Battaglia introduced third grade teacher Jaime Schramm, a University of Michigan honors graduate who comes from a family of educators. “She has lots of energy and excitement,” said Battaglia.

Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel introduced Alex Stacy, who will teach eighth grade. “He’s one of the best young teachers I know,” said Angel. Frederik van Reesema joins the Beach team as a social worker. He interned with Beth Morris, and Angel described him as “creative.” Kevin Tykoski, who will teach sixth grade math and science, is “already hard at work.” Joining the administrative team as assistant principal from Saline is Matthew Ceo.

In other board news:

• The board approved a resolution to support the Chelsea Community Center Committee.
• The board also approved the appointment of CHS parent Chasidy Federoff to serve on the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s Parent Advisory Council for a two-year term.

Upcoming dates:

• The first day of school for teachers is Aug. 30.
• The first day of school for students is Sept. 6.
• The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC).

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