Thats why Amelia Rudolph, a junior, returned for in-person learning at Okemos High School on Monday. I mean we are honoring Chief Okemos by being the Chieftains, said Josh Robison, a senior at Okemos and varsity athlete. It is more of a tough looking, non-wimpy script, Sermak said. By Rose Albrecht Christine Sermak coaches the OHS girls varsity basketball team. Dr. Hyliard announces he's leaving his position as principal at OHS and returning to his job in Ann Arbor. Approximately 99% of Okemos High School graduates go on to colleges and universities; 85% of our students attend four-year institutions, approximately 14% attend two-year institutions, and 1% other (military, employment, or travel). Not being able to ask questions directly to her teachers made learning difficult for Rudolph. And because my kids attended Okemos Public Schools, I know several of these school principals who are leaving. Hood is confident the remaining vacant principal positions will be filled by the start of the school year. Though, we have been encouraging it as the department of civil rights., Fritz added, We believe the evidence is very clear that the stereotyping being made is hurting the Native American students.. Youre transforming educational expectations with cleaning, with mask-wearing, Stewart said. Superintendent of Okemos schools Cheryl Kreger Sermak said: Overall, I hope the school continues on the path it has established over many decades, though we do face some challenges. It has dealt with many cases similar to Okemos High Schools, usually in the defense of Native American tribes. Sermak, Bellinger and Fry are all retiring, while Nedds will leave Michigan with her family after 16 years in Okemos schools. Sermak said: "Overall, I hope the school continues on the path it has established over many decades, though we do face some challenges. This year the meeting dates are as follows: Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Previously, different variations of the O were being used. Principal Daniel Kemsley, the Parent Group board and parents of high school students attend these meetings. It is still a struggle for people (the alumni), but more on an emotional level, not an intellectual level, Sermak said. OKEMOS, Mich. (WLNS) Okemos High School principal Christine Sermak said on Facebook that one student has tested positive for COVID-19. Freshmen: 308. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Delhi Twp - Holt - Dimondale - Southside Lansing, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos & Williamston, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, Webberville & Williamston, East Lansing - Okemos - Haslett - Williamston - Webberville. - $9.50 for any meal prepared fresh while you tour the cafeteria/dining room. 4000 Okemos Rd. But we hope current teachers, students and alumni will understand that if it is hurting students, it needs to be changed., Sermak agrees, saying it was a conscious effort to be respectful and have cultural sensitivity.. The ten choices were suggested by the Okemos community and alumni in a community survey which were sorted through by the student mascot committee. Buy it Now The names listed below are alumni who have been searched for on this site from Okemos High Schoolin Okemos, Michigan . Okemos is a highly acclaimed school district and our high school is ranked in the top 10 in the state of Michigan. Hood said the principal position for the high school has already been filled. Even Derm has been around since Sermak started teaching at OHS, the familiar faces a testament to the strong community in Okemos that Sermak describes. The principals of Okemos High School, Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary, Julie Bellinger, and Cornell Elementary, Tara Fry, are all retiring. Doing Business As: OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I truly thought I was going to go another four years I was actually looking forward to a couple of years not having my own kids in the building and just being able to be a full-time principal and enjoy the evening activities versus being pulled between Do I make dinner at home tonight? or Do I go to an athletic or musical event? but this past year has really taken a toll on me and that was really the tipping point, Sermak said. High School ; Schools History / Songs ; Proud Chieftains ; Memorabilia ; OHS Music/Art/Drama ; New Okemos Wolves Mascot ; Central High School ; 1960 "New" High School ; 1995 High School . "We filled two of our elementary openings and our high school principal opening and we're still working on filling two other elementary openings, yet, hopefully later this month, Hood said. Our school can only be as strong as the faculty who teach the classes.. And thanks to all teachers who put in countless hours as well. January 26, 2014. Hallead is principal and there are two interim vice-principals, but the problem is that one of them was just hired into Okemos after Hyliard left and the other was a teacher who didn't really have any administrative experience. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. We got Fruit Kabobs, Jumbo Shrimp, Mini Chicken Quesadillas, Beef Wellingtons and desert table all for $30 pp. It's been difficult for Richard Smith, an Okemos senior, and his instructors, too. Hood said the principal position for the high school has already been filled. "He's amazing,'' said Principal Christine Sermak. Even with the drawbacks, she had overwhelmingly positive things to say about the position and the Okemos community. We have a week of exams and then the second semester starts, but things change so fast these days and the administration is so unpredictable that anything could happen. Sermak.com is available at DomainMarket.com. And, Im excited to find some balance and have a lot less emails.. OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL 2800 Jolly Rd Okemos 517-706-4900 Christine Sermak Principal Andrea Hallead Associate Principal Lamanzer Williams Assistant Principal Brian Fuller Athletic Director CHIPPEWA 7-8 . After the shooting at Oxford, just over an hour away from Okemos, administration decided that they had to do something if only to make it look like they were actually doing something to stop violence. Date Created: 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Data Provider: Looking forward, Sermak has hopeful prospects for the future of OHS. Megan SampTickets can be bought online or at Studio C in Okemos. I would also like students to feel comfortable with their administration and with their teachers and support staff so if you see something thats not working for you you could go to the adults and be part of that solution. The morning had the excitement of the first day of school as students greeted each other and walked inside. "We have seven buildings and we have five principals leaving us.. At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo.. Register to let other graduates of Okemos High School find and contact you. Sermakeven took a photograph with her daughter to mark the occasion. Its just been a long journey. When you think about it, we have been out of this building since March 13 (2020), so its been a year. Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. The entire Okemos community has recognized Dr. Lanzetta's care for students, and is showing its support and thanks. Each November, the East Lansing Film Festival showcases independent films. Stewart said the district is ready to shut down a classroom or adjust academic schedules if needed. Bennett Woods Elementary School . Every job has its downsides, and heres what Sermak had to say when asked what she would miss the least. Holiday Inn Express 517-349-8700 discounted rate of $129.00 at Okemos and Jolly (SE corner) 2209 University Park Dr. Staybridge Suites 517-347-3044 discounted rate of $129.00 at Okemos and Jolly (NW corner) 3553 Meridian Crossings Dr. Alex Withorn, Director of Sales [email protected], Home Stay ask local classmates to invite their old friends/classmates to stay at their house, Dean Transportation Darrin Ried, Trip Coordinator 517-319-8366 4812 Aurelius Road, Lansing, MI 48910. Other Schools in Okemos Public Schools. All Rights Reserved. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This is hilarious and I'm proud of the students who had the guts to put this together. Theyre really the energy. Is it true that they want students to use clear bags as alternatives to backpacks? Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. The principals are part of more than 20 staff membersleaving Okemos Public Schools, including eight teachers and one counselor, according to an email sent to families by Superintendent John Hoodlast week. Once is most likely a fluke and can be excused, but twice? Bridge wins McCree justice award for stories on prison rape. "I spent 21 years at Okemos High School as a teacher, varsity basketball coach, advisor to extra curricular activities and most recently as the principal,"Sermak said in an email to the Journal. Key Data. He has taken us to the next level . My job really is to make people happy, make people successful, and when I couldnt do that, even when I gave it my best, that was hard because you do want to set people up for success. Every single day people show up and do their very best. Street . Also, the fact that most people hadn't been to real school in 1.5 years and half of the student body was different meant that some people had literally forgotten how school works and how to behave, which led to the first major problem: devious licks. Well, OHS was a mess. Want to see more local news? 2800 Jolly Rd. I will certainly be back. Room fee waived with purchase of food & drinks. One part of the foundation of the high school is on a plot of land that has sunk less than a couple inches total over nearly 30 years. I took pride in wearing the Chieftain Head on my chest because I knew I was not only playing for Okemos High School, but Okemos as a whole, Robison added. Copyright 2023, Michigan State University. (LogOut/ The principals of Okemos High School, Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary, Julie Bellinger, and Cornell Elementary, Tara Fry, are all retiring. If you see your name among the Okemos High School graduates, someone is looking for you! Okemos, MI 48864 Principle: Christine Sermak Okemos High School (517) 706-4902 [email protected] Facility Coordinator: Cathy McKenna 517-706-5032 [email protected] Athletic Director: Brian Fuller 517-706-4930 [email protected] Okemos Public Schools: Principal: Christine Sermak: Vice principal: Russ Verrell and Asja Wilcox: Grades: 9-12: Number of students: 1,434 [1] blog. I'll just say that he might have a little more trouble finding a new principal position somewhere if he really wants to. Christine Sermak. Report Bullying at Okemos High School in Okemos, MI directly to the school safely and anonymously. Its part of the natural cycle of turnover, he said. please contact Christine Sermak, Principal, for assistance. That's where the description of the YouTube video comes in, so I'll just quote it here: On December 17, 2021, Okemos High School administration released an email saying that to increase student safety and due to recent events, backpacks will no longer be permitted in classrooms starting second semester. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. This video and your writeup of the issues at the school are awesome. To find a solution for better safety, the school needs to start the process properly from the beginning, with public comment and school board discussions working to find a real solution that benefits everybody. She hopes to succeed with that tough looking, non-wimpy logo to represent Okemos. The Lansing State Journal adds: "I spent 21 years at Okemos High School as a teacher, varsity basketball coach, advisor to extra curricular activities and most . There is a part of the hallway on the 2nd floor where you can see it and measure the distance exactly between the concrete blocks if you would like to see it personally. We are proud of you! For a long time we have been a desirable district in which to work., About the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Michigan Chile Investigative Journalism Program, MSU journalism COVID-related reporting guidelines, Okemos High AD pleased with return to sports, Why does your vote matter? While COVID-19 didn'thelp with staff retention, Hood stopped short of calling it the sole reason for the departures. Though some may assume alumni would be upset about the logo change, the principal disagrees. (I heard this from a current teacher at a different school with close ties to OHS). None of this has to do with anything academic or college prep. Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. Want to see more local news? Write A Review Samluk Be the first to leave a review! However, our intentions do not have the power to change the way it may make a certain person or people feel about it., Another teacher at Okemos High, Dean Buggia, says it all comes down to perspective., The logo that was being used did not accurately depict a chief from (the) central Michigan (region), Buggia said. Same for Class of '67 in June 2017. Superintendent John Hood is assuring they're working to fill those positions as quickly as possible. CONNECT Crew is designed to reinforce these shared values by allowing our own students the opportunity to lead and grow together, building positive relationships and expanding on our already well established tradition of academic excellence. Okemos High School | Okemos, MI 48864 | 517-706-4920 "@OkemosLax It's already on our agenda to discuss at the district level " He said he looked forward to trying to regain a sense of normalcy andhopes the return eases the burden for his classmates and his teachers. Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. She found her AP biology class especially challengingbecause it lacked opportunities for discussion. According to the Lansing State Journal, the Okemos High School's principal greeted students who chose to return for in person learning at the high school for the first time in nearly a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Website User Guide It still is. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Brian Calloway and LSJ Sports Topics to follow Sign up to get Tweets about the Topics you follow in your Home timeline. Each November, the East Lansing Film Festival showcases independent films. OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools will be seeing a big staffing change for the upcoming school year after losing five of their seven principals. But some of the student body does not believe the logo should have been changed from the Chieftain Head, which represented Chief Okemos, a member of the Chippewa tribe. Asst. Basically, we went from having two great school leaders last year to having three mediocre administrators now that don't really know what they're doing. Since 1984, the OEF has given more than $1 million to enhance academic experiences for our students. Brody International Cafe' for Brunch Recommended by Class of '65, (part of the MSU Brody dormatory) at Harrison and Michigan, East Lansing. and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the East and West. For subscribers: The Okemos Chiefs face a name change 30 years in the making, More: 'Chiefs' no more: Okemos school board votes to nix nickname, adopt replacement by 2023, More: Now hiring: Greater Lansing school districts trying to fill 87 teaching vacancies. Her role as a counselor is to help students with all kinds of concerns ranging from emotional college stresses to career planning. In an effort to ensure you have up to date and accurate information, we will be. "It's OK to be a geek or nerd here. Neighborhood Pub offering 24 rotating draught beers, scratch kitchen & craft cocktails. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. I think local schools understand that alumni (and communities) feel connected to their school and a big part of that is their mascot, Fritz said. I wont miss being on call seven days a week and working all hours of the night and day but on the other hand, maybe I will. As the Department of Civil Rights deals with many cases revolved around Native American logos, it usually have the same feelings on the topic. Juniors: 298. Academically speaking, you can't get much better than Okemos Public Schools. Write A Review Jason Saros By: Mikayla Temple Posted at 12:00 PM, Dec 17,. something. "I spent 21 years at Okemos High School as a teacher, varsity basketball coach, advisor to extra curricular activities and most recently as the principal, "Sermak said in an email to the Journal. Hood said they're working to fill the positions as quickly as possible and are "looking at a very qualified candidate pool to replace those that are leaving.". The board members are Young Mi Choi-DeYoung, President, Valerie Long, Vice President, Lingling Wu, Treasurer, Jackie Karamanos, Secretary. You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or The Okemos High School's principal on Monday. Kids arerespectful, parents have been great and staff haveworked hard, DeFrance said. After 21 collective years of teaching and leading at OHS, Sermak is retiring from the administration. Christine Sermak, principal of OHS, said that she strives to overcome any trial and tribulation that may come her way and will continue to offer students and faculty with the ideal learning and working domain. Address 2800 Jolly Rd Okemos, Michigan 48864 Information School type Public School district Okemos Public Schools. Superintendent Mandy Stewart said the decision was made after seeing the community support for in-person learning. We werent allowed to put it (the Chieftain Head) on any uniforms or any of our sweats that we would buy anymore.. Show up and do their very best someone is looking for you an Okemos,. By MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty among the Okemos community has recognized Lanzetta! Ties to OHS ) has given more than $ 1 million to enhance academic experiences for our students about... To help students with all kinds of concerns ranging from emotional college stresses to career planning,... 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