Congratulations to BOTH of our eSports teams and coach Spaulding for making it to the state playoffs for the Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL)! We'll be competing next week on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Wish our teams good luck! Go Jayhawks!
Special Education Millage Renewal on May Ballot
Local school districts are mandated by law to provide special education programs and services. However, the federal and state governments have not adequately funded special education in the past, placing the burden on local and intermediate school districts. Without additional millage funds, local school districts are forced to use general education funds to pay for special education programs and services.
On the May 2 ballot, voters will be asked to renew the Jackson County Intermediate School District Special Education Millage. A taxpayer who owns a home with a market value of $100,000 (taxable value of $50,000) would pay $77.04 per year or $6.42 per month in renewed millage.
For more information or to review the Q&A, visit www.jcisd.org
Special Education Millage Renewal on May Ballot
The May 2 ballot will have a question asking voters to renew a five-year Special Education Millage. If approved, the funds will be used by the JCISD to reimburse local school districts for their mandated special education costs. Without this millage in place, local school districts would lose approximately $8.8 million in special education funding for the 2023-24 school year, resulting in fewer dollars to support programs for all students.
Special education expenses are not fully funded by the federal government, leaving it up to state and local officials to pay for the mandated costs. The State of Michigan dictates that a local school cannot go out for an enhancement millage - it must come from the county’s intermediate school district. JCISD is the only educational entity that can place this proposal on the ballot. It is doing so on behalf of the 12 local school districts and three public school academies that it serves throughout Jackson County.
For more information or to review the Q&A, visit www.jcisd.org
Prom is right around the corner! Get your tickets today!
2nd grade field trip (Mrs. Russell's class) went to the Potter Center to see Junie B. Jones and the Survival Guide to School.
Middle school track pictures are Thursday, 4-13, after school.
Update - Middle school track practice will be after school today until 2:30.
FREE youth baseball clinic on Sunday, April 16th, 2023, in Ypsilanti, Michigan (near Canton Sports Center in Canton, Michigan).
Hey there baseball fans! Are you ready for an exciting opportunity to improve your child's skills FOR FREE? Then don't miss out on the Motor City Hit Dogs Baseball Academy powered by Play at the Cage! This exclusive clinic is taking place on Sunday, April 16th, 2023, at 1950 Holmes Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. These two FREE clinics are open to players who are NOT currently a part of the Motor City Hit Dogs baseball program. We had over 60 players participate in our last free clinic!
Check out this video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0vPCnseFtY&ab_channel=TomDishman to learn more about Play at the Cage, where the clinics are being held! In the video, current Detroit Tiger Eric Haase takes you on a tour of Play at the Cage. Eric trains here at Play at the Cage regularly in the offseason!
The clinic is open to 8U, 9U, and 10U players from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M., and to 11U, 12U, 13U, and 14U players from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. The younger group needs to bring tennis shoes since metal cleats are not allowed on the turf, while the older group will be using our Hit Trax machines. We request that all players show up in full uniform if possible and bring all their baseball equipment.
Don't let your child miss out on this exclusive opportunity to improve their baseball skills FOR FREE! Remember, Coach Tom Dishman is available to answer any questions you may have. You can reach him at 734-646-3820 or through email at MotorCityHitDogsWestside@gmail.com.
Hurry and register your child now through this link: https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=mchdevents&formID=184864&fb=1. But act fast because spots are filling up quickly and this unbeatable offer won't last forever! Once again, it is FREE! There is no cost! You can also see pictures and videos from our last two free clinics by looking us up on Facebook (Play at the Cage), Twitter (@playatthecage), or Instagram (@playthecage). There are already over 55 players registered for the April 16th clinics! Do not miss out!
Feel free to spread the word to others about these free clinics!
Reminder- no school for 7th and 12th graders tomorrow (4/12) due to PSAT/SAT tests for 8th-11th graders.
Reminder- no school for 7th and 12th graders tomorrow (4/12) due to PSAT/SAT tests for 8th-11th graders.
Townsend families: with the warming weather, please review the following dress code policy which can also be found on our website Parent Handbook. Thank you.
There is a dress code at Townsend Elementary. The following items of clothing are inappropriate for an educational setting: shirts or blouses that create a “bare midriff”, tube tops and tank tops that have a strap that is less than two fingers wide. Shorts that are not appropriate in length as deemed by administration are also not allowed to be worn in school.
We want all our students to feel successful during the MSTEP assessments. Parents, please ensure your child gets a great night's sleep and is at school on time!
Congratulations to all of our chocolate sellers who participated in the billfold reward! It was so much fun !
Summer School Opportunity for Vandercook Lake students to make up credits. Sign up by June 9th.
Testing Reminder! Please be on time to school. Doors open and breakfast served at 7:25am. School begins at 7:40am.
Townsend weekly announcements:
Monday- PTO meeting at 6 pm
School board meeting at HS at 6pm
Tuesday- PTO at 3:45.
Popcorn Friday! $.50/ bag
Congratulations to the April students of the month for middle school and high school! These students were nominated by their teachers as they portray positive behavior in the classroom, have a C or higher in every class, and have no focus room visits. Not Pictured: Thomas
Dear Vandercook Lake Staff and Families,
On May 2, 2023, a question regarding a Special Education Millage Renewal will be on the ballot. If approved, this would generate approximately $8,800,000 for students with special education needs in the Jackson County ISD service area, which includes our school district. No new taxes are being proposed. This renewal would cost homeowners with a market value of $100,000 or a taxable value of $50,000, $77.04 per year or $6.42 per month.
Under federal law, public schools must meet the needs of students with disabilities. In Michigan, special education is not fully funded, resulting in school districts having to draw money from their general fund budgets to pay for special education services. This millage is designed to help local districts like ours by generating tax revenue for the purpose of reimbursement. During the 2022-23 school year, this millage brought $376,207 to Vandercook Lake Public Schools.
Of the approximately $8.8 million the 1.5408-mills will generate, 100% will be reimbursed to local districts by the Jackson County ISD, which acts as a “pass-through” for those dollars. If the millage fails, districts would still have to cover those mandated special education costs, resulting in fewer dollars to support programs for ALL students.
For more information, to review frequently asked questions or view the ballot language, please visit the Jackson County ISD website at www.jcisd.org.
Thank you.
Don't miss out on our next School Board meeting on April 10th! We invite our Jayhawk community to join us!
THANK YOU PTO for the HALF of the proceeds from the Mrs Johnson's popcorn sale! We got some AMAZING new toys!!
