BEATING THE ODDS

LAKE HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was recently named among 8 area schools for surpassing predictions of student achievement based on demographics. This is the second year the Michigan Department of Education compiled the BEATING THE ODDS list, intended to recognize successful programs rather than struggling schools. The study identified schools that performed above their predicted levels, based on risk factors such as percent economically disadvantaged and percent students with disabilities.  This past year Lake Hills was also recognized in the top 10% of all Michigan schools for their academic achievement.  Congratulations to us!

SNOW CAMP offers two exciting days of outdoor education at Camp Pendalouan for our fifth grade students.  Walt Whitman once said:  "Now I see the secret of making the best persons; it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth."  The YMCA facility is a four-season camp nestled in a secluded bay of Big Blue Lake in Montague.  Students will spend January 25-26 in outdoor education.

WORLD'S FINEST CHOCOLATE is being sold by students to help raise their tuition for Snow Camp.  Profit from the sale will be applied to individual accounts.  All monies from the candy bar sale must be returned by Thursday, December 1.  Please provide a check or money order made payable to Lake Hills School.

Student Council Representatives Anna, Mason, and Kaitlynn show their excitement about the candy bar fund raiser for outdoor education that began this week.  Fifth grade students are raising money to attend Snow Camp at YMCA Camp Pendalouan in January.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT will provide lessons in understanding various types of businesses and production models.  Local businessman David Brockmyre will be presenting these five lessons to our class after Thanksgiving. 

REPORT CARDS for our first trimester will be sent home on Monday, December 12.  Students will receive a standing in relationship to specific standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and work habits. 

DETERMINATION is the theme for our guided reading groups this trimester.  Students are reading realistic fiction adventure stories by authors Louis Sachar, Gary Paulsen, and John Gardiner.  Each group also focuses on the application of specific reading strategies in their study and extensive vocabulary development.

Grace, Sam, Justin, and Macy read together in their guided reading group.

Kearstin enjoys her favorite cereal during our recent Compliment Party.

Monopoly was included in the recent Compliment Party as well. 

THANKGIVING BREAK begins Wednesday, November 23.  Classes will not be held from November 23-28.  School resumes on Tuesday, November 29.

CHANGING TO LEARN is a 14-minute documentary about the role technology has played at Lake Hills in recent years.  Produced by Kirby and Jeffrey Chittenden earlier this year, the video was presented as a part of a technology conference at Arizona State University in March.  Just click this YouTube link to view it online.