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There’s a lot happening at Old Mission Peninsula School (OMPS) these days. For starters, they will be adding a 7th grade to the school beginning this fall, with 8th grade soon to follow. They anticipate that their enrollment will go from 140 this year to 180 next year.
Let’s take a look at a few other happenings with the school.
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Old Mission Women’s Club Presents Grant to OMPS
At their meeting last week, the Old Mission Women’s Club presented a $6000 grant to OMPS, which will be used to install, certify and train an “Open Option DNA Fusion access control security system” in the school.
The keyless entry system includes tracking devices, security upgrades, and a camera system that gives first responders immediate access to the building. OMP Education Foundation president Amanda Renkiewicz and vice-president Corey Phelps were on hand to accept the grant.
Also at the meeting, Peninsula Community Library received a grant of $6000 to install an outdoor book dropbox at the new library currently under construction on the corner of Center Road and Island View Road.
Silent Auction Fundraiser
There will be a silent auction fundraiser for the school at Old Mission Tavern on Friday, April 26, 6 to 8 p.m. Auction proceeds and a portion of every meal served during this time will help fund the 6th Grade’s class trip to New York City.
Auction items include a scenic air tour, gift baskets, and local merchandise. Old Mission Tavern is located at 17015 Center Road on the Old Mission Peninsula.
Mom to Mom Sale
Cleaning out your house? Donate gently used kids clothes, toys and gear to the school’s sale by Thursday, May 2, 2019. Feel free to drop them off at the school any time during school hours.
The sale will be held on Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the OMPS gym. All proceeds will go towards the 6th Grade’s class trip to New York City. There is a $3 early bird admission at 8:30 a.m., and a $2 admission after 9 a.m.
Painting With Panthers Fundraiser
Get together with your friends and neighbors, and help support the 6th Grade’s class trip to NYC! Sign up for the “Painting With Panthers” fundraiser at Painting with a Twist, 317 E. Front St., #B.
The event costs $35/person and will take place on Friday, May 10, 7 – 9 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up early at PaintingWithaTwist.com with passcode Scott.
OMPS Participating in “Better World Day”
OMPS students and teachers will be participating in a nationwide civic action event called “Better World Day” on Friday, May 3. Students and teachers will be cleaning up the Old Mission Peninsula shoreline, including Mission Point Lighthouse Park.
Director of Academics Resigns
OMP resident Dena Schweitzer has stepped down from her role as OMPS Director of Academics, effective April 16, in order to focus on her health and family. In an email, the school noted that Dena has been an integral part of the team that saved OMPS from closure, “and we all appreciate and applaud the tremendous effort that she has put into getting our new school up and running, for carefully selecting an exceptional teaching staff, and for guiding OMPS through its first year of operations.”
In her letter of resignation, Dena wrote, “I am honored to be a part of such an amazing educational community. Working with the families and students at OMPS is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I am grateful for our relationships, friendships and most importantly, the ability to work with your amazing children.”
She added, “Although I truly love working with the staff, students, and families at OMPS, it is important for me to stop and focus on my health and my family at this time. I am very confident the school community will continue to thrive and grow in my absence.”
Erica Walsh will be serving as the interim Director of Academics through the end of this school year. In addition to serving on the OMPS school board, Erica has worked as a high school and middle school teacher. She holds a BA and MS in Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University.
For more information about any of the above, feel free to contact the school at (231) 252-0225 or email [email protected]. Visit the school website at OMPSchool.org.
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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