Option 1 Pay $3,329 USD* per month for 24 months. Our school can only be as strong as the faculty who teach the classes.. Christine Sermak is graduating from her time as Okemos High School's Principal with the class of 2021. Lease to Own Option 2 Take 25% off and pay $59,916 USD once. It also decreases students' mental health by creating extra stress in getting to classes on time and not being able to have an easily-accessible place to store belongings. 2023 www.lansingstatejournal.com. 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. Students will still have access to their backpacks during passing time, increasing hallway traffic, a time when the most students would be vulnerable to potential violence. Just want to shed more light on this topic to know the full scoop so I can be back in the loop . Charlotte Public Schools students returnedto their classrooms on Jan. 19. Okemos, MI 48864 and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the East and West. Some students and community members seem to say it switched a few years ago. Join the discussion, Playing Nov. 3-10: East Lansing Film Festivals silver anniversary. The old Chieftain logo, represented here in the weight room at Okemos High School. After school programs include events such as robotics, solar car racing and debate. The departing principals are Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary School Principal Julie Bellinger, Okemos Public Montessori at Central Principal Shannon Nedds, Cornell Elementary School Principal Tara Fry and Bennett Woods Elementary School Principal Noelle Palasty. They had many great candidates for the position, and they picked out a new principal before the school year ended last year. Claim This Account & Page. 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. 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. I'm from the Okemos area and have lived there for the past twenty years. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. I know I have a lot of energy left, a lot of positivity that I want to share with others, so I definitely will do something with people. Photo courtesy Christine Sermak. Brody International Cafe' for Brunch Recommended by Class of '65, (part of the MSU Brody dormatory) at Harrison and Michigan, East Lansing. Speaking of which is the school still sinking or did they sort that out? Dr. Hyliard announces he's leaving his position as principal at OHS and returning to his job in Ann Arbor. Hood said they're working to fill the positions as. It gives me hope for our future. Hedlun Walton, counselor at OHS, has been working at the school since 2002. She taught with Rachel Freeman (English) and Diane Dockus (English) and grew up competing against Danielle Tandoc (Science) in sports. The bus picked up people at the hotels, toured the old neighborhoods, drove to lunch, drove to the school tours, drove to an open house and finally to and from the Excursion Princess Dinner/dance. This decision did not involve typical public comment and school board input before it was made, and its sudden revelation surprised almost everyone. It is located southeast of the main campus of Michigan State University, between Bennett and Jolly Roads on the North and South, and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the Christine Sermak: Return To Main Menu. Principal Christine Sermak retires after 21 years atOHS, School board decides on return to in-person date of March8. It was hard for over a year to not have interactions [with students]. Fast-forward to the end of October. Okemos Public Schools will be seeing a big staffing change for the upcoming school year after losing five of their seven principals. (I heard this from a current teacher at a different school with close ties to OHS). This year the meeting dates are as follows: Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Red Cedar 6th Boys Comp Basketball-Wittenborn. Okemos, Michigan. For a long time we have been a desirable district in which to work.. The board members are Young Mi Choi-DeYoung, President, Valerie Long, Vice President, Lingling Wu, Treasurer, Jackie Karamanos, Secretary. She oversees a student body about three times the size of her previous Lastly, here are her parting words for the students and staff of Okemos High School. 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: This is an administrative and policy issue. Since OHS is a public school, only students who reside within the borders of the Okemos School District, or students accepted through the school of choice application process, may attend OHS. JRN@MSU Code of Ethics Red Cedar 7th Grade Boys Basketball-Aktulga. I dont take that for granted.. At Okemos High School in Ingham County, it is easy to believe the geeks shall inherit the earth. Who is the principle of Okemos High School? Sermakeven took a photograph with her daughter to mark the occasion. Asst. The Okemos High Schools principalon Mondaygreeted 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. Visit the FOX47News Website. I think that the sudden shift in returning to in-person school as well as the change in principals led to increased angst and unrest in the school community that began to get worse. It is located southeast of the main campus of Michigan State University, between Bennett and Jolly Roads on the North and South, and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the East and West. I want to do something meaningful and make a difference but I dont want to be in charge, Sermak said. Most of all its probably the negativity. Academically speaking, you can't get much better than Okemos Public Schools. When Okemos High School students resumed in-person learning Monday, they joined the rest of the school district and 13otherGreater Lansing school districts that now have kids back in the classroom. As the Department of Civil Rights deals with many cases revolved around Native American logos, it usually have the same feelings on the topic. 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. Let Us Know Are you Principal Sermak? The nonprofit was created in 1997 and remains the longest running film festival in Michigan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. A fantastic read. Bridge wins McCree justice award for stories on prison rape. In an effort to ensure you have up to date and accurate information, we will be. This is only a tiny fraction adding to the backlash they've already gotten so they have a lot of problems they'll have to deal with if they want to get me in trouble for some reason. It's a plane! Website User Guide So you want to make a news show? Stewart said the district is ready to shut down a classroom or adjust academic schedules if needed. Hood said the principal position for the high school has already been filled. A strong pool of candidates remains for the Okemos Montessori and Bennett Woods jobs, he said. 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. I mean we are honoring Chief Okemos by being the Chieftains, said Josh Robison, a senior at Okemos and varsity athlete. Gov. Advertisement. Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. 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. And even though clear backpacks would be somewhat of a pain and are kind of weird, I think it would be a lot better than the "solution" they have right now, both in terms of convenience and safety. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. 4000 Okemos Rd. "We are in the process (of a new logo)," said Christine Sermak, principal of Okemos High. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. . My hobbies were attending band concerts, musicals and sporting events. 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. Its like you read my mind! Christine Sermak coaches the OHS girls varsity basketball team. Meanwhile, The Michigan Department of Civil Rights had no problem discussing the situation. His departure was also significant because this was the second time he'd done something like this: back in the 2017-18 school year, he left his principal position at Columbia Central High School less than 10 days into the school year. Not only did my daughter graduate this year, my son graduated from Okemos High School two years ago. The window of acceptance is in the late spring or early summer, and is a restricted lottery system. Viral Tweets Funny Tweets Popular images Rap NFL players 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. It still is. Same for Class of '67 in June 2017. o Okemos High School Located on Jolly Road 1,500 Students Facing Potential Budget Cuts 7:50-2:40 School Day Principal: Christine Sermak. (LogOut/ "At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo." Sermak went more in-depth than just the idea, though. Sermak added, These pressures on faculty have pushed some excellent teachers into other professions or early retirement from teaching. Due to confidentiality, the student's name cannot. 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 . It was stupid but that's TikTok for you. Sermak said: "Overall, I hope the school continues on the path it has established over many decades, though we do face some challenges. About 70%of students opted for in-person learning, which resumed on Jan. 19, according to Superintendent Bill DeFrance. Follow him on Twitter at@ByMarkJohnson. The Okemos Public Schools has had some administrative turnover at the end of the school year, in terms of our principal leadership," said Okemos Superintendent John Hood. "I feel like our teachers are really trying, but it's difficult," he said. Okemos High School (OHS), ranking among the top 10 high schools in the state of Michigan, OHS has a mission statement that encourages their staff to provide a tradition of daily excellence in order to meet the needs of each individual student. Mobile Reporting Kit Our extracurricular groups all seek to operate at a high level.. Select from these options: Neighborhood News, Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. Really for the last year my interactions with students, and thats what really filled my bucket in the hallways, I didnt have so I think a combination of just the level of stress and not being able to be with kids and refill the bucket was that tipping point and I just decided, you know, this is the year, Sermak said. Room fee waived with purchase of food & drinks. About 70%of families wanted their children to return to school, she said. Sermak, Bellinger and Fry are all retiring, while Nedds will leave Michigan with her family after 16 years in Okemos schools. Okemos High School 2800 Jolly Rd. Sermak said it's so emotional. After extensive backlash from students, parents, staff, and the community as a whole, the Okemos administration will still begin enforcing that rule on January 24, claiming it increases school safety. Gov. (Class of '65, Oct. 2015, and Class of '67, June 2017, 50th Reunion). Palasty is leaving after 14 years for a new position withAlt+Shift, a state-funded Individuals with Disabilities Education Act initiative. Its A-wing and each wing of the high school is set on its own foundation. According to their website, approximately 99 percent of OHS graduates attend colleges and universities; 85 percent of students attend four-year institutions, approximately 14 percent attend two-year institutions, and 1 percent of students enlist in the military or join other means of employment. Hood said the principal position for the high school has already been filled. Zipcode 48864: Phone (517) 706-4900: School Website okemosk12.net/Domain/14: Principal or Headmaster Christine Sermak: Registered Administrator; First Name Principal: Christine Sermak. This was not how Sermak had originally planned to end her career at OHS. Date was actually December, thanks for pointing that out. Shared by Christine Sermak Join now to see all activity Experience EOS Integrator Total Security Solutions Feb 2022 - Present1 year 1 month Okemos High School Principal Okemos Public. No, it's Sarina's Superheroes! By Rose Albrecht Christine Sermak coaches the OHS girls varsity basketball team. I dont know what I will do, but you will not find me in a cubicle, you will not find me as a greeter. Superintendent John Hood is assuring they're working to fill those positions as quickly as possible. We wish them well, they have a ton of institutional knowledge, and are such a high functioning, caring, terrific team of folks that are leaving us, that well miss greatly.. 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. Waverly Community Schools and Grand Ledge Public Schoolsresumed in-person learning that day,and other school districts had offered that option several weeks earlier. However, they soon realized how much of a mistake it was to make major decisions without any input. He has taken us to the next level . Write A Review Samluk Be the first to leave a review! I have so many memories I wouldnt know where to begin but some of my favorite memories are again us coming together as a community whether its rallying around a sports team or its going and sitting in the auditorium and seeing the musicals. The Okemos Chiefs face a name change 30 years in the making, 'Chiefs' no more: Okemos school board votes to nix nickname, adopt replacement by 2023, Now hiring: Greater Lansing school districts trying to fill 87 teaching vacancies, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Another interesting part of the Okemos logo change seems to be the timetable on the logo switch. Theyre really the energy. (517) 706-4900. www.okemosschools.net. OKEMOS Okemos Public Schools is undergoing a mass leadership change with the departure of five of its seven principals, including all four of its elementary school principals. Spartan Newsroom Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Dates seem a bit off though, was the issue from Jan 2021 or starting now in Jan 2022? Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, United States. Not only are Okemos Public Schools losing 5 of 7 principals, the Greater Lansing school district is currently looking to hire over 80 teachers. Its so emotional. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Hood said the principal position for the high school has already been filled. The mood of this music video is pretty similar to how most students are feeling right now, so I guess we'll just wait it out and see what happens. Kids arerespectful, parents have been great and staff haveworked hard, DeFrance said. The personal connections that the staff and students have made are very unique. Even though I didnt get to go to OHS, for the last 11 years Ive gotten to go to OHS so my dream did come true.. I certainly knew there was the potential for turnover.. Change). I'm also bummed that Christine Sermak retired last year. The center court for basketball used to be the Chieftain Head and we had to change it to the O so that could be upsetting to some.. Thanks a ton for the positive feedback. The names listed below are alumni who have been searched for on this site from Okemos High Schoolin Okemos, Michigan . The Okemos Education Foundationis an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting academic excellence at all levels of the district, from kindergarten through high school. I'm a parent of a kid at Chippewa and another at one of the elementary schools in the district. Sending it to okemos schools admin. Sermak hopes the school will embrace the standardized logo. 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. Freshmen: 308. "We are in the process (of a new logo)," said Christine Sermak, principal of Okemos High. Meetings are held at the school about five times a year on Fridaysat9 am and run for about an hour. I just think we happen to have a very veteran leadership team and some of those natural cycles of folks coming and going just happen to converge with five out of the seven leaving, said Hood. OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools has narrowed down it's ten mascot choices to four. With Michigan High School Sports approaching a month into the winter season, Colin Jankowski breaks down how Meridian Township Schools are tackling the return to sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply they would have to build a step sometime in the future on the 2nd & 1st floor to adjust and level out where the rest of the schools foundation meets A-wing. 7:45 PM-9:15 PM District Okemos Public Schools. The departing principals are Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary School Principal Julie Bellinger, Okemos Public Montessori at Central Principal Shannon Nedds, Cornell Elementary School Principal Tara Fry and Bennett Woods Elementary School Principal Noelle Palasty. 2010 Okemos High School Handbook As an English teacher, I never thought I would miss grading essays, but my first year [in the administration] I would have loved to read a Huck Finn essay, Sermak said. Our teachers are really trying, but it 's ten mascot choices to four Bill! To end her career at OHS Kit our extracurricular groups All seek to operate at a school... Speaking, you ca n't get much better than Okemos Public Schools narrowed. '67, June 2017, 50th Reunion ) to OHS ) learn the rest of the elementary Schools in district. So i can be back in the late spring or early summer, and is a restricted lottery.. 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