| GOBLES PUBLIC SCHOOLS, GOBLES, MICHIGAN |
 Mrs. Stambek's Kindergarten Class Our school raised $130 on the first ever United States Red Nose day on May 21, 2015. The money raised was donated to Comic Relief, Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a global vision of a Just World, Free from Poverty.
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 Alyssa Ellis is pictured here in a self portrait with the cameras that have helped her earn a reputation as a creative and talented artist in video and photography. Ellis created the image using photo editing software. A video created by Gobles High School senior Alyssa Ellis has been named a finalist in the annual Meijer Great Choices Film Festival, a video competition open to high school students across Michigan.
The festival received more than 420 entries, and Ellis’ video “Eyes are Eyes” was named a finalist. The video was made as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to celebrate diversity, and as a finalist Ellis will win a cash prize, plus recognition at an event at Celebration Cinema in Grand Rapids where her video will be shown alongside other finalists from high schools across the state. As a finalist Ellis could also win a scholarship in video production to Compass College of Cinematic Arts in Grand Rapids. For the contest students had to create a short PSA, a 30-second commercial, that focuses on an area important to the lives of high school students. Ellis said she wanted to focus on the celebration of diversity because equality is such an important issue to her. “Equality is very important to me, so I wanted to show the ways people can be both different and the same,” Ellis said. “The video uses eyes as a metaphor, and in my piece the viewer sees eyes of different shapes, sizes, and colors, but each one is as very much human as the next. That’s the point I’m trying to make.” “To make the video I had friends volunteer to let me put my camera very close to their faces and eyes. It can be uncomfortable to be photographed so closely, and I’m very grateful to my friends for letting me take such close videos of their faces and eyes.” When Ellis got the news her video had been named a finalist, the first person she called was her dad in Texas. “I was so excited to call my dad,” she said. “He is the one who gave me my first camera when I was about seven, so he’s the one who started me on this journey. It was a very special feeling to call him and share the news.” Ellis made the video as part of her independent study of filmmaking with GHS film and media teacher Corey Harbaugh. Harbaugh calls Ellis the most creative and visionary student he has ever seen working in video. “Alyssa Ellis is a world-class talent when it comes to video production,” Harbaugh said. “But she’s so humble, and her work is so positive and affirming, that it doesn’t scream out for attention. Instead, she is quietly building skills and sending out a message of peace, equality, and gratitude, told through amazing and thoughtful image work and video sequencing. One can’t watch a video made by Alyssa Ellis and not be moved. She has developed a special talent.” Winners of the Meijer Great Choices Film Festival will be announced at a special awards ceremony in Grand Rapids on June 6. As a finalist, Ellis will even be provided limousine transportation from the screening at the theater to a special reception at Compass College. Ellis is also known for her digital photography which often mixes elements of whimsy edited into shots to create a scene of fantasy. by Corey Harbaugh  On Tuesday night, May 19, Gobles Public Schools opened their doors to a very special group of people. The senior citizens of Gobles were treated to dinner. The employees of the school system worked together donating time and food to celebrate the senior citizens of our community. The guests enjoyed soup, desserts and bingo. Members of the National Honor Society and the 6th grade class, along side parents, teachers and Gobles alumni helped serve the honored guests of the night. The highlight of the night were the giveaways donated by local businesses, Perrigo, Curves, Wahmhoff’s Tree Farm, Dickerson’s Growers, and Gobles Grocery. The whole evening would not have been as successful without the help of the lunch staff of Gobles. The use of the kitchen and the time donated by staff members was greatly appreciated.
The senior citizens of our community bring a lot of knowledge and support to our school district. In attendance were grandparents who attend and support our athletic events, a beautiful lady who has donated books to our elementary students many years, grandparents who we see donate time to volunteer at events and many faces that have been seen supporting their grandchildren during our Grandparents Day. Thank you senior citizens of the Gobles Community. Gobles Public Schools was honored to serve you for one evening. A Greay Experience For Students In Grades First Thanks to Mr. Weed, Mrs. Todd, Gobles Teachers, Vertical Edge, Elementary Parents’ Club, and Our Volunteers For Successful and Fun Track & Field Days!
 As our school district moves closer to becoming more and more technology savvy, I am constantly being introduced to new technology to implement within my Kindergarten classroom. A jolt of excitement rushed through my body, when I was recently introduced to a powerful new tool- Plickers (www.plickers.com). Plickers is a free tool that allows me to collect real time assessment data and give instant feedback.
Plickers consists of a paper barcode that students use to choose an answer to a question I have created. Students turn the barcode, labeled with letters of the alphabet, to choose the correct answer to a true and false or multiple choice question. I then scan the barcodes with my phone and instant feedback is given to check for understanding. I use Plickers to assess on a skill previously taught or to check for prior-knowledge before introducing a new topic. I believe teachers of younger students may overlook or shy away from this tool due to the fact that younger students do not always have the reading skills needed to read and comprehend the questions, but I embrace this challenge and look at it as an opportunity to strengthen listening skills and practice following verbal directions. Time may also be another factor, but I have set up a routine with my students and have taught them how to prepare for the assessment. I literally say, “Plicker Time!” and within minutes the students begin the process. My thoughts are… if a Kindergarten classroom of twenty plus students can use technology and a tool like this, any classroom teacher can implement Plickers or a similar tool to enhance learning, engage students, and ensure a successful future for all. My students love using Plickers, so I am sure that yours will too! by Suzie Stambek Gobles Elementary Kindergarten Teacher  On April 21st, twenty-six new members were welcomed into the Gobles High School, Mitchell Gordon Chapter of the National Honor Society. Advisor Carrie Butler presented each new members with a certificate, a membership card, and a pin to commemorate their induction into this nationwide service organization. Mr. William Eichberg gave the address to honor new inductees. NHS strives to recognize students who not only excel in academics but also in the areas of character, leadership, and service. Students become eligible as sophomores if they have a GPA of 3.00 or above. Applicants are then evaluated by the staff and Faculty Council in those other areas before being accepted. As a service organization, the GHS NHS runs 3 Red Cross Blood Drives, a holiday food drive, and a fundraiser to help end child abuse in Van Buren County; they help at the Senior Citizen's Soup Supper, send cards overseas to American Troops, and assist in many other worthy causes. New members include:
Returning members also participated in the ceremony, thus renewing their commitment to the NHS. Returning members are:
Congratulations to all members.  Gobles High School was well represented in the 12th Annual SAC All-Academic Banquet that took place on April 30, 2015 at the Community Center in Lawton. All twelve school in the SAC selected their top five seniors to the SAC All-Academic Team. The five representatives for Gobles High School each have earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and have participated in a multitude of extra-curricular activities. The five top Gobles students are Pierce Vreeland, Taylor Fifer, Shannon South, Cheyenne Allyn-White, and Michaela Scholte. Congratulations seniors!
 On March 19, 2015, Gobles Public Schools teachers Shaina Tubergan and Julie Boes presented at the Michigan Association of Computer User Learners (MACUL) conference in Detroit, MI. MACUL helps educators identify sound educational practices related to technology as well as understand the implications of rapid changes in technology. Recognizing the challenges in preparing students, MACUL strives to encompass the entire educational community from preschool through college level. The MACUL conference was attended by a record 6000 Michigan educators looking to update their technology skills in the classroom and district.
Mrs. Tubergan and Mrs. Boes presented on the Classroom Readiness Professional Development Program, which is a part of the Technology Readiness Infrastructure Grant developed by the State of Michigan to help Districts prepare for online assessments and professional development. The goal for Classroom Readiness Professional Development Program is to build the capacity of Michigan educators to effectively plan and implement online assessments and "Any Time, Any Place, Any Way, Any Pace" learning through increasing technology proficiency. Using a train-the-trainer model, this project provides collaboration opportunities for a statewide professional development network of K-12 educators with a training ground and resource base to improve technology proficiency and local district readiness for online assessments. Mrs. Tubergan and Mrs. Boes shared their story in regards to implementing this program with the Gobles teaching staff and how to effectively navigate through the program to ensure success. The entire Gobles teaching staff has spent their professional development days throughout the school year going through the Classroom Readiness class. Director of Technology - Damian Koob, Elementary Principal - Terry Breen, and Middle/High School Principal - Phil McAndrew attended the MACUL conference with Mrs. Boes and Mrs. Tubergan. During this conference, the five staff members attended many different sessions in regards to Chromebooks, 1:1 initiatives, digital learning, and technology in education just to name a few. The presentation was a great success and Mrs. Tubergan and Mrs. Boes engaged a very interested audience. To present at MACUL is quite an honor and they did a great job! Congratulations ladies! |
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