This
past year was very busy around the campus of Onekama
Consolidated Schools as we were able to fully implement
the programming in the new 14.2 million dollar
renovation and addition that opened to the students on
April 6th,
2010. This new addition is highlighted by a full size,
1000 person capacity gymnasium, a 300 person
cafetorium, modern full capacity kitchen, state of the
art band room and performing stage, art studio with clay
room and computerized graphic arts, a walking track and
a community fitness room, and full time daycare. These
enhancements allowed over 500 community members to
use the fitness center and walking track on a regular
basis, allowed us to host districts in volleyball, and
boys’ and girls’ basketball, expanded community
recreation classes, and saw a 30% increase in school
lunch participation by implementing the Farm to School
“home cooked” food service program.
Next, our students, when tested, scored in the top 5%
in the state as measured by the Michigan MEAP. On the
national standardized Iowa Test of Basic Skills given to
our 1st through 8th graders, the students ranked above
or at grade level equivalent or exceeding their peers
across the country. Locally, in the recently released
Michigan Merit exam, given to 11th
graders, Onekama students out performed all other
districts in Manistee County, exceeding the state
average. In the college readiness report prepared by the
state of Michigan, Onekama students were top in the
county and region. We are also proud that we graduated
100 percent of our students and out of the 24 graduates,
all (100%) have been accepted to a college or
university.
Also, during the next year we plan to continue the
implementing of the latest technology; integrating into
the instructional arsenal of our teachers. The recent
purchase of 70 IPADS will allow our students to
participate in using the latest technology to enhance
student learning. These devices will be used to allow
the students to have real-time data access, access to
online literature, hundreds of free learning
applications and exposure to the devices which are
commonplace in businesses and industry today.
In
addition, we will continue to use technology in the High
School to expand course offerings using Virtual
University. The Virtual University allows junior and
seniors to take online classes from “highly qualified”
instructors from around the state and country without
leaving campus. These learning opportunities allow
students from a small school like Onekama to be able to
take unique courses that are only offered in a much
larger city or suburban district.
The
community recreation program saw huge participation last
year in its first full year of implementation and we
plan on expanding the high demand courses and adding new
offerings as desired by the community for 2011/2012.
New
in 2010/2011 was the implementation of an elementary
volunteer program. This successful program saw over 30
plus volunteers help in the classroom. We plan on
expanding the volunteer program into the middle and high
school this year and also add a career awareness
component. We are fortunate to have highly skilled,
knowledgeable residents in our community who are willing
to donate their time assisting the youth.
Finally, the success of our district hinges on the
support of our parents, students, community members,
teaching staff and support staff. Our staff has
integrated modern technology, smart boards, internet,
lap tops, distance learning, online courses, and virtual
lessons, into proven delivery techniques and embraced
these technologies that are exemplified by our students’
success. The recent state funding crisis has effected
us all and we continue to cut costs in many
departments. However, through wage concessions and
co-pay of insurance from the staff we have been able to
reinstate most of our laid off staff members.
Fortunately, the district continues to move forward in
difficult economic times and I am proud to work for, and
be a parent of students attending, an excellent
educational institution.
Kevin P. Hughes,
Superintendent |