By Crystal Hayduk
Some Chelsea High School students may travel internationally next summer if two special field trips are approved in January. Chelsea School District Board of Education members were presented with information about the trips at their regular meeting on Dec. 14.
Chelsea High School Principal Mike Kapolka presented information about a trip to Quebec City, Canada for French students. Eleven students have committed to travel, accompanied by French teachers Steve Forsberg and Andrea Zapor, at a cost of about $1,400 per person for a seven-day trip in July. Arrangements would be made through Edu-Inter, which offers the summer French immersion program that includes classes, cultural experiences, and host families.
Orchestra director Jed Fritzemeier presented information about a Chelsea House Orchestra (CHO) performance trip to Scotland. He said that 22 students and 21 adults have committed to the trip for the Stirling Bridge International Youth Festival. Total cost is still to be determined, based on flight arrangements which are not finalized; however, ground cost in Scotland is $1,060 for a nine-day trip in July.
Fritzemeier said that students would perform in various communities each day of the trip, culminating in the Festival Gala Concert in the world famous Perth Concert Hall. “This is a heavy-duty performance trip,” he said. Speaking about his long-term goal for CHO students, he said, “This is the most viable option [for a trip like this] since I’ve been in Chelsea.”
With board members Tammy Lehman, Laurel McDevitt, and Greg Rhodes absent, board action was taken with a quorum. The board approved changes to course names for several art and vocal music classes at the high school, updates to the music curriculum, and changes to legal terms and classroom language in reproductive health classes.
The board also approved a contract with Chartwells to provide management for the district’s food services. The change will begin on Jan. 4, following the retirement of Sue Gregg, food service director. Superintendent Dave Killips emphasized that the multi-year contract is to provide management only, and that the district is not privatizing food services. Congregate meals at Chelsea Senior Center and Meals on Wheels will remain unchanged as part of the contract.
Killips reviewed upcoming changes to board policies, which include the addition of expectant mothers to the Family Medical Leave Act and limits to the gifts that district employees may receive.
The policy committee has not finalized their review process. One policy that they are still reviewing is that of school-related activities on Sundays. During the meeting, board members requested opinions from administrators and teachers who were present. Brad Bush, athletic director and assistant principal at CHS, said that he would appreciate an adjustment “… so we can make the best decisions for the kids – so we have options.”
Killips said that keeping Wednesday evenings free of activities was revised about 10 years ago. “This [Sunday] is just not a black-and-white decision,” he said.
In his superintendent report, Killips announced that senior Nic Arons and junior Carly Critchfield have been selected to serve the school board as the student representatives. They will join the board in January.
Upcoming dates:
- Winter break begins Dec. 21; school resumes Jan. 4.
- The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
- The next special (superintendent search) board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center. The board will review legal guidelines and begin to prepare interview questions.
