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 Outlook Academy students are getting more than a second chance at school, they are also learning about countries and events from the current Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.

Lead teacher Tina Maxwell and others at the strict disciplinary academy, could not pass up a learning opportunity the Olympics present to her students. With some imagination and effort students transformed the big  network events of the Winter Olympics into learning quests that fit into the small academy on the outskirts of Allegan. Downhill skiing became a scooter slalom and foosball with jump rope became substitutes for other winter events that students could participate in the hall way. Flags of various countries were drawn and decorated the ceilings like an Olympic village.

The Olympic learning project will be capped off with an actual ski trip where students will get a chance to experience the cold reality of the slopes.

ACATECs Health Care Science Foundations students were presented with Certificates of Appreciation for their volunteer help in the H1N1 immunization clinics put on by the Allegan Health Clinic. During the height of the flu epidemic these students gained valuable real-life experience, using skills learned in their Health Care Science Foundations and Medical Assisting classes from ACATEC.

Seven Fennville High School students, Lilly Perez, Jackie Serrato, Frances Apreza, Rubi Gonzalez, Vanessa Garcia, Marisol, Alverez and Maria Almazan were presented with certificates . ACATEC instructors, Maureen Godfrey and Jessica Koenig were also presented with certificates of appreciation for completing CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) instruction with their classes.

Just another day...and night.

On the evening of Feb. 2nd over 500 visitors braved snow flurries and slippery  roads to crowd into the Allegan Technical Center. Although free refreshments and hot dogs were on hand, what the residents of Allegan County really wanted was to see the variety of educational opportunities and displays available to students who attend the Allegan Technical Center. It was an eye opener.

The staff of the Tech Center should be proud, not only of the good turn out, which was (excuse the pun) only the tip of the iceberg, of what drew people to the Allegan Area Tech Center, but for providing  up-to-date education for kids, which will enable them to be productive citizens of the 21st Century. 

 On Monday January 4, the beginning of 2010’s  first week, Governor Granholm signed a package of legislation commonly referred to as Race To The Top, or RTTT, as its acronym is known.  While all the details certainly still need to be worked out, this legislation has the potential to have an enormously positive impact in our schools.  If you wish to see a summary of the RTTT click here:

Much of it is modeled after sweeping reforms that U. S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, used in "reimagining" schools in Chicago while he was that city's chief executive officer.

     School District personnel will anxiously await the full meaning of the legislation.  Undoubtedly, there will be major adjustments in the way we educate kids.  Certainly, there is some trepidation in the ranks.  Change is hard.  Many of us, including myself, who have been in education for decades, will have to move out of our comfort zones.  But this is the way it needs to be. We know more about how students learn and how to effectively instruct than ever before.  Hopefully, this legislation will spur innovation and move schools in Michigan to, once again, regain our place as world leaders.

     I must give the legislature, the Governor, and the State Superintendent credit.  These reforms were the result of bipartisan effort and had to be done immediately in order to position the State to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grant money.-Money we sorely need.

     I believe this legislation will mark the beginning of significant, important changes in Michigan education.  There, undoubtedly, will be bumps along the way -and learning to embrace a new way of operating will not be easy.  However, I think it necessary for us, not only to economically survive, but to educate and enable our children to be competitive, 21st Century citizens .   

Sincerely,

Mark R. Dobias, Superintendent                                             

The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency is pleased to announce Lake Michigan College will be offering the following credit and non-credit courses at the Allegan Tech Center  for the Winter 2010 Semester.

With a variety of names this year’s flu still has the same old effects upon the human body: fever, sore throats, coughs and body aches. That much has not changed as the virus assaults our bodies and health. What is new is the strain of the virus. It has the dubious distinction of being a new flu.

The H1N1 virus is a new strain of influenza that has its roots in viruses endemic in birds and pigs (swine).  Luckily for us humans the sickness tends to be mild except for high risk people. The disease should not be taken lightly and can cause serious secondary illnesses in those weakened by flu. Everyone should be aware of preventative measures to both isolate and prevent this disease.

Allegan County Health Dept. has a web site with pertinent information about the H1N1 Flu and how to mitigate its spread this flu season.

Click on the following link for more information: 

http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/HD/PH/H1n1.asp