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Heads up, Old Mission Community! There’s a meeting TOMORROW, Jan. 2, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Peninsula Community Library to continue the discussion on positive and feasible ideas to keep Old Mission Peninsula School open (read more about the school closings here).
The information below was provided by Jacquie Harding, who’s doing a great job organizing the Old Mission Community Task Force. Your participation is requested and greatly needed!
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COVERED AT TOMORROW’S MEETING:
- Updates on communications with both the TCAPS Board and TCAPS Administration.
- Verification of OMPS’ focus/purpose
- Discussion on a plan going forward, including ways to gain additional OMPS parent support
- Sharing of ideas
- Next steps
- By Jan. 25, the Old Mission Community Task Force will provide written copies of options to TCAPS Board members.
POSSIBLE IDEAS:
- 6th-8th grade students could once again be offered at OMPS. Studies show that these students do better academically in an elementary school setting. This could be offered across the district, or as a school of choice option at OMPS alone.
- Bring the Bertha Vos students out to OMPS and work toward making OMPS an IB school (International Baccalaureate). It’s a great program that TCAPS Board members seem to appreciate, as well. Read more about IB programs here.
- OMPS is an ideal location for a STEM education (science, technology, engineering, math). With an agricultural settings, the school offers access to the technology of farming, a pond, community garden, nature trail, amphitheater, and a weather station. There’s also access to community members with expertise in agriculture, engineering, math, and the sciences.
- Leverage MI Excel consultant group to reach target; pilot OMPS to implement TCAPS district-wide initiative.
TIMELINE:
The timeline for decisions at the TCAPS board level is speeding along. On Jan. 25, TCAPS superintendent Paul Soma will present the TCAPS Board with recommendations for Strategic Financial Planning, including school closures (Old Mission, Interlochen and Bertha Vos have the lowest enrollment numbers and are thus in danger of being closed).
After Soma gives his recommendation, the TCAPS board, administration, and the public will continue to discuss the issue for another six to eight weeks, with the final board action occurring in March.
Everyone is encouraged to attend upcoming TCAPS Board meetings and/or write a heartfelt letter to the TCAPS Board members expressing your concerns about the possible closing of OMPS. Include positive experiences you or your kids have had at OMPS, and why you think this school is important to the optimal growth and development of our children. TCAPS Board member email and snail-mail addresses are included below.
YARD SIGNS AVAILABLE:
Aaron Swanker from Flight Path Creative donated his talents to design a yard sign to promote OMPS. He also set up a Twitter account – follow it @LoveOMPS.
The OMPS PTO voted to fund the purchase of 100 signs that are available for free (though donations to the PTO are always welcome) from Vicky Shurley in the Peninsula Community Library.
UPCOMING TCAPS BOARD MEETINGS:
Upcoming TCAPS Board Meetings (all take place at 6 p.m. at the Tompkins Boardman Administration Center, 412 Webster Street in Traverse City):
- Jan. 11, 2016
- Jan. 25, 2016
- Feb. 8, 2016
- Feb. 22, 2016
- March 14, 2016
- March 22, 2016
MORE UPCOMING DATES:
- Tues., Jan. 5, 7:30 a.m., TCAPS Board Communications Committee Meeting (412 Webster St.)
- Tues., Jan. 5, 11:45 a.m., Rotary Club meeting, featuring Paul Soma and Sander Scott. Tickets are available – email Nikki Sobkowski at [email protected].
- Wed., Jan. 6, 9 a.m., TCAPS Board Finance/Operations Committee Meeting (412 Webster St.)
- Sat., Jan. 9, 9 a.m., Old Mission Community Task Force meeting at Peninsula Community Library.
TCAPS BOARD MEMBERS:
Gary W. Appel, President
10979 Trillium Court
Traverse City, MI 49686
[email protected]
231-223-9251
Term Expires: 12/2016
Erik J. Falconer, Vice President
9612 Walkabout Lane
Traverse City, MI 49684
[email protected]
231-392-1710
Term Expires: 12/2018
Kelly J. Clark, Trustee
9421 Center Road
Traverse City, MI 49686
[email protected]
231-943-2420
Term Expires: 12/2018
Scott C. Hardy, Treasurer
521 Washington Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
[email protected]
231-492-5898
Term Expires: 12/2018
Megan M. Crandall, Secretary
417 W. 12th Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
[email protected]
231-392-2288
Term Expires: 12/2016
Sue Kelly, Trustee
10667 S. Timberlee
Traverse City, MI 49684
[email protected]
231-218-9800
Term Expires: 12/2018
Doris E. Ellery, Trustee
3477 Silver Farms Lane
Traverse City, MI 49684
[email protected]
231-633-0895
Term Expires: 12/2016
(For more information or questions, contact Recording Secretary to the Board Keena Tibbetts at 231-933-1725 or [email protected].)
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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