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A message to parents and community
We are extremely excited to share with you this year’s District Christmas Card, which
was created by Port Huron Northern senior Diamond Sheffer (please click on image).
This year, PHN students competed for the honor of having their card chosen as the
District Christmas Card. We were very pleased with the cards submitted by PHN art
teacher Victoria Hussey, and deciding the winning design was not an easy task. In
fact, I’d like to invite you to view two additional cards by clicking on the names of the
students. Our 2nd place winner was sophomore Kyle Horak, and honorable mention
for creativity and humor was Mackenzie Shell.
As our students and staff begin their last week of school before the Winter Break, I wish each of you a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I trust all of you will have a wonderful time with family and friends
during the holiday season.
Congratulations to Erin Eastman, Director of Secondary Programs, who
has been chosen for the Gerstacker Fellowship Program. Eastman was one
of 12 educators selected from across the state for this leadership
development program through Saginaw Valley State University. The yearlong program involves monthly sessions at SVSU as well as a two week
study abroad program in Poland and Finland. All expenses are covered by
the Gerstacker program. Superintendent Jamie Cain (Gerstacker Fellow
Cohort 3, 2008-2009) gave the keynote address at the induction banquet on
December 11. “The Gerstacker Fellowship is a highly prestigious,
transformational program that provides leaders in education an opportunity
to learn and grow at a higher level. The Fellowship creates opportunities for
new partnerships and challenges educators to have a global, innovative
focus to enhance our education system,” stated Superintendent Cain. Last year, Holland Woods Middle
School Principal Heidi Bartle was chosen as a Gerstacker Fellow, and will complete her year of fellowship
this December.
Cary Parman and Clifford Atcheson can now add earning their high school diplomas to a long list of
impressive accomplishments. Parman and Atcheson would have earned their diplomas in 1975 and 1968
respectively from Port Huron Northern High School. As part of the Application for High School Diploma for
Michigan WWII, Korean and Vietnam Era Veterans Public Act 181, the two gentlemen qualify for this
recognition. In order to establish eligibility, veterans must have been honorably discharged, attended high
school in Michigan and served in the military between February 29, 1961 and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam era).
WWII and Korean War veterans have separate unique timeframes based on their historical eras. Mr.
Parman served in the Navy during Vietnam and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Mr.
Atcheson served in the Marines during Vietnam, for which he earned the National Defense Service Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal Good Conduct, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat
Action Ribbon and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Gold Frames. “Awarding these veterans
their diplomas from Port Huron Schools is an opportunity for the entire community to be proud,” said Theo
Kerhoulas, Executive Director of Achievement and Innovation for the district. “It will be a personal honor to
thank these gentlemen for their service to our country in this way. Mr. Atcheson will be present to receive
his diploma at the December school board meeting. The school board meeting is 7 p.m. on Monday,
December 15, 2014.
Congratulations to PHN senior Brad Mallory, who committed to run for
the Oakland University Grizzlies last week! Mallory, who intends to pursue a
career in nursing, will join former Northern teammates Ty Dickinson, Tyler
DeLange and Scott Stokan. Click here for more details on Brad’s past
season and plans for Oakland.
On December 16 from 3:15-4:30 Cleveland students, staff, and parents will be venturing out into the
winter wonderland of the school’s neighborhood and caroling for residents.
Also on December 16, Holland Woods Middle School is hosting a "Book Frenzy" for their students.
This event is designed to help students explore new books recently purchased for the school's media
center. Catherine Leon, HWMS 31A ELA Interventionist explained that the goal is to "reinforce the
importance of independent reading, engage new staff with the media center, and introduce the staff to
new books that were purchased last school year and this school year from a variety of sources." Students
will be evaluating their experiences and participating in discussion about what books appeal to them and
why. Jill Parrott who is a Literacy Coach at Central Middle School inspired Leon with the idea. What great
sharing and teamwork! The books were provided by a number of generous community organizations.
Thank you for your support of student reading and Port Huron Schools!
$10,000
$4,000
$2,200
$1,200
$1,200
$500
$300
The James C. Acheson Foundation
The Community Foundation
The Give Where You Live Fundraiser
The Women's Initiative
The Youth Advisory Council
Rasha Demashkieh - CVS Donation
Holland Woods PTSA
Holiday Concert at McMorran Auditorium Thursday, December 18, 2014, the Central Middle School
6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands (242 total students), the Cougar Jazz Band (about 60 7th/8th grade
members), and the PHHS Jazz Band will be performing an annual Holiday Concert. The performance is
free and starts promptly at 7 p.m. The night's performance will close with a mass band selection for the
audience to enjoy and take part.
Other holiday concerts this week include:
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - 7 pm: PHHS Band Holiday Concert (PHHS PAC)
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - 7 pm: PHN Band Holiday Concert (PHN PAC)
Thursday, Dec. 18 - 7 pm: PHN Candlelight Choir Concert (PHN PAC)
Thursday, Dec. 18 - 7 pm: PHHS Guitar Holiday Concert (PHHS PAC)
Friday, Dec. 19 - 7 pm: PHN Drama - Christmas Variety & Talent Show* (PHN PAC)
*Admission to the variety show is a canned good for a local charity.
Holiday Sing at Keewahdin Elementary Friday, December 19 at Keewahdin Elementary, 3rd, 4th and
5th grade students will be performing from 9:15 to 10 a.m. and the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade
students will follow from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. Keewahdin’s music specialist, Erin Sandburg has spent
many hours preparing the students and scenery to go along with the sing. She has put together a great
collection of music for the students to perform. It promises to be a fun and exciting event.
“Hour of Code” Wrap-Up Here is just a glimpse of the positive feedback some of you had regarding last
week’s district wide curriculum with “Hour of Code.” Port Huron Schools was the only district in our region
to have a K-12 curriculum experience with this important career pathway.
• Tina Fraley: My 8th grader has been talking non-stop about the coding they were doing at CMS!
Thank you, PHASD!
• Christine Day: This was such a great experience for my students. Many of them were asking
about when they could take classes on coding at the end of the day. We all had a great time with it!
Had an awesome day doing the #hourofcode with my sixth graders! They were creating their own
games, sending them to their phones and downloading the games as replayable apps. It was
awesome! A few were even asking about a coding class, which would be amazing. Love seeing
those cherubs excited about learning!!!
• Becky Josephson Gorinac: Kudos to PHASD for ensuring that all elementary students are able
to participate this week. My 4th grader came home more excited than ever today. He has a new
passion for coding after 45 minutes of exposure in tech class. Keep implementing these real-world
experiences for our children as they prepare for life outside of school.
• Alycia Shagena: Thank you for doing this!
REC LAB debuts. Cleveland Elementary and the Port Huron Parks and Recreation are forming an
exciting new partnership with a blended staff and Title I funded education program. Each day during the
week of January 5 – 9, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., registered students will have the opportunity to play
games, perform science experiments and explore inventor and engineer activities. Certified teachers will
be working with students to present this learning experience during a week that regular classes are on
break. “This is a great opportunity to work with Parks and Recreation in an extended educational setting,”
said Cleveland Principal Dave Roberts. “We really encourage parents to register their students, so we can
have a strong attendance for these days.” James Freed, Port Huron’s City Manager, also voiced his
enthusiasm about the pairing. “The City is excited about new partnerships and collaborations with our
schools. By working together we can ensure we meet the needs of every child and every family, every
day.”
When students and staff return from holiday break on January 5, 2015, they will start to see a new look
and approach to communication throughout the district. A re-branding and communication package
are coming to Port Huron Schools. Please stay tuned as we implement these changes in the new year.
As you consider your charitable giving for 2015, please consider the Port
Huron Schools Endowment Fund. This fund is reserved for special projects,
programs and operations such as the College Access Program. To donate
and learn more, please visit the Community Foundation’s website:
http://www.stclairfoundation.org/funds/more/port_huron_area_school_district
Winter Break is Monday, December 22 thru Friday, January 2. Classes will resume on Monday,
January 5. The Administration Building will be open during this time, with the exception of Christmas Eve,
Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. Due to the holiday break, our next edition of “This
Week @ Port Huron Schools” will be published on January 6, 2015.
Sincerely,
Jamie Cain
Superintendent of Schools
Port Huron Area School District
Advocate. Innovate. Educate.
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