Shorian Nation eNews
August 31st, 2025
Celebrating Excellence
Excellence in teaching deserves to be recognized. Lake Shore Public Schools proudly announces the following 2026 Teachers of the Year:
Masonic Heights Elementary's Nikki Filer (Social Worker)
Rodgers Elementary's Tara Hauler (3rd-5th grade MoCI teacher)
Violet Elementary's Laura Gray (Resource Room Teacher)
Kennedy Middle School's Bob Plotkowski (Counselor)
Lake Shore High School's Julie Roda (Mathematics Teacher)
These outstanding educators are being recognized for their deep content knowledge, strong classroom management, and unmistakable passion for teaching. They inspire our students by helping them believe in themselves, discover their talents, and shine brightly every day. Truly loved and appreciated, they’ve even earned themselves a coveted VIP parking spot!
To make the moment even more special, many of our building principals invited Teacher of the Year families to school to be part of the exciting announcement. What an unforgettable—and joyful—surprise!
Thank you to all 200+ educators at Lake Shore Public Schools for being superhuman. You influence our youth in the most powerful way and we want to share how much we love all of our teachers!
Thomas Leahy is our Wrestling State Champion!
The Shorians set a new school record with SIX state qualifiers!
🥇 Regional Champions: Thomas Leahy & Logan Hawk
🥈 2nd Place: Camden Thibeault
🥉 3rd Place: D’varon Galloway, Collin Taylor, Tyson Taylor
All six Shorians competed at the MHSAA State Tournament at Ford Field this weekend.
Even more to celebrate:
🏆 Thomas Leahy – STATE CHAMPION
🏅 Logan Hawk – 6th in the State
Congratulations also to Coach Hendershot (Regional Coach of the Year) and Coach Robinson (Regional Assistant Coach of the Year) on this incredible achievement!
2026 Kindergarten Roundup
Take your first steps toward graduation with Lake Shore Public Schools during this fun and informative evening filled with all things Kindergarten with special appearances by the LSHS cast of Frozen!
Save the Date: 2026 Kindergarten Roundup
Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Lake Shore High School Performance Gym
- PREREGISTER FOR EVENT: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSejdZFGVkVfK8.../viewform
Parents and future Class of 2039 students will meet our amazing teachers, principals, and superintendent, while learning how to prepare for this exciting first year of school.
LSPS offers students full-day comprehensive instruction in core academic areas of English Language Arts, reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students also receive instruction from specialized teachers from STEAM, music, and physical education.
At the event, you'll make new friends, participate in fun activities and giveaways, receive a free Kindergarten readiness packet, and learn about the registration process!
This event is designed with students in mind! We encourage you to bring your soon-to-be Kindergartners along.
Save the Secondary Dates
Join us for two upcoming experiences designed to help families get a great first—and lasting—impression of Lake Shore Public Schools.
High School Experience
Lake Shore High School
May 6 | 6–7:30 PM
Learn about the transition to high school, hear key information during a presentation beginning promptly at 6 PM in the auditorium, and enjoy an optional self-guided building tour.
Middle School Experience
Kennedy Middle School
April 29 | 6-7:30 PM
Incoming 6th graders and potential new students are invited to explore all that Kennedy Middle School has to offer.
Meet our world-class staff, tour our facilities, and experience the Lake Shore difference. Enrollment is open, applications are available, and we’re excited to welcome new families into Shorian Nation.
Care Solace
Youth mental health is a topic of utmost importance, and we believe that by working together, we can create a supportive environment where our children can thrive.
As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable resources available to our community.
In addition, Care Solace offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you and your child with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need.
To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/lsps: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
By joining hands and working together as a community, we can provide a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our youth. Let's continue to prioritize their emotional growth, and together, we can create a brighter future for our children.
Thank you for being caring and involved parents and guardians in the Lake Shore Public Schools. Your dedication to supporting our youth is truly commendable.
Lake Shore High School Charity Month – Supporting a Powerful Legacy
Lake Shore High School is proud to announce that we are officially launching Charity Month, dedicated to supporting an incredible cause that continues to uplift and empower our students.
Throughout this month, we will be raising funds for the Paige DeVine Redlin: Women Empowering Women Scholarship — a scholarship created in honor of Paige DeVine Redlin, LSHS Class of 2017 Valedictorian. This scholarship recognizes a graduating senior who demonstrates strength, kindness, leadership, and a commitment to empowering other young women.
For the past four years, this scholarship has made a meaningful impact, awarding $2,000 to a deserving Lake Shore High School senior during Honors Night. With your help, we hope to continue growing this opportunity for future students.
💙 How You Can Help
We are currently accepting online donations as part of Charity Month. Every contribution — big or small — directly supports a Lake Shore senior pursuing higher education.
👉 Donate Here: https://raise.snap.app/donate/lake-shore-high-school-student-congress-charity-week-2026
📣 Scholarship Information
Applications are currently open through April 25 for eligible seniors.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Female graduating senior from Lake Shore High School
• GPA above 3.6
• Accepted to a college or university
Application Includes:
• One letter of recommendation
• A 1,000-word essay describing how the student has empowered young women in her family or community
• Three short-answer responses (300 words or less each)
Students can access the application in Schoology under the “Scholarships” tab.
Please consider donating as we come together during Charity Month to celebrate leadership, kindness, and the continued empowerment of Lake Shore students.
P2 Calendar
Under the guiding principles of our districtwide initiative, the Positivity Project, the #PositivityInAction mindset is our top priority. Because of our goal to inspire students to build positive relationships and become their best selves, we invite you to follow this Positivity Project Calendar.
This calendar outlines all 24 character strengths, 1 highlighted per week. Our teachers create engaging and impactful lessons — differentiated by grade-level — and share through presentations, student recognitions, classroom discussions, and building-specific displays.
People with the character strength of love of learning master new topics on their own or in school.
One district. One book. Open minds. Endless conversations.
We’re turning the page together as our elementary schools dive into the same story: 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos by Vivian Vande Velde.
Move over, Humphrey—this story invites readers to expect the unexpected! With eight class pets, a squirrel, a dog, and plenty of surprises, students are encouraged to think creatively, laugh freely, and stay open-minded as the chaos unfolds. This fast-paced adventure is a wild ride our readers are sure to enjoy.
At kickoff assemblies, elementaries share reading goals and sparked excitement, reminding students that reading helps us see the world through new perspectives.
What to expect:
- Every K–5 family received a copy of the book
- A coordinated at-home reading schedule designed to encourage family discussion
- Thought-provoking questions, meaningful conversations, and fun trivia games
- A prize drawing at the end of the month and other themed events
Follow along with our March is Reading Month calendars:
Bonus: Thanks to a generous grant from the Lake Shore Foundation, our elementary media centers now feature a special shelf of books focused on social-emotional learning—helping students grow empathy, understanding, and open hearts alongside strong literacy skills.
It’s School Social Work Week! 🌟 We celebrated our amazing school social workers who ignite positive change for our students and families. The heart of our community, they work behind the scenes to ensure every child has what they need to succeed.
Double Bonus: This past Sunday, spelling bee competitors from Kennedy Middle School, Masonic Heights, Rodgers, and Violet represented Lake Shore with pride at the Regional Bee. While the title wasn’t claimed, their dedication reminds us that reading and spelling go hand in hand—building vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.
Together, we’re reading, learning, and growing—one open mind at a time.
Looking forward, we are excited to celebrate OPEN-MINDEDNESS, OPM - Identifying & appreciating the good in others, and FAIRNESS which will take place during the weeks of March 9-13, March 16-20, and March 23-30.
From Page to Stage: A Month of Reading, Connection & “Staying Gold”
📚 Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Strong reading skills lay the foundation for lifelong success. At Lake Shore Public Schools, we are committed to building confident, independent readers and effective communicators—starting in our elementary classrooms and continuing through every grade level.
This month, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Seiberling, and Mrs. Gough brought 30 ELA students from Kennedy Middle School to serve as guest readers for March is Reading Month at all three elementary schools. The impact didn’t stop there! Students also visited American House, where they spent time coloring and crafting with residents. Together they created bookmarks—special keepsakes the residents were able to take home.
Our middle school students had a wonderful time reading to the younger students!
Reese Moyer shared, “My favorite was reading to Ms. Hoover’s class because the kids were really nice and respectful.”
Julian Anderson added, “I liked reading to kids. My favorite class was Ms. Reno’s class because the kids were very respectful and the kids listened great.”
We love seeing our students step into leadership roles and serve as positive role models while building connections across grade levels. What a great example of #ShorianPride!
Moments like these remind us that Reading + Wellness = Joy!
In addition, after reading the classic The Outsiders last spring, the English Department at Kennedy Middle School took learning beyond the classroom and into the city! 🎭✨
Our team chaperoned 50 excited 8th graders to see The Outsiders Musical at the Fisher Theatre — and let’s just say, they were just as fired up as Ponyboy at the drive-in! 🔥
From page to stage, students experienced S.E. Hinton’s timeless story in a whole new way. The Greasers and Socs came to life right before their eyes, proving once again to “Stay Gold.” ⭐
Steven and Sandi Koponen shared positive feedback after sitting near a group of KMS students at a performance of The Outsiders on Tuesday night. Drawing on Steven’s 30 years of middle school teaching experience, they noted how challenging it can be to take students to a professional performance. They were impressed by how respectful and well-behaved the students were as audience members and suggested that the ELA teachers who likely prepared them ahead of time should be recognized for their effective instruction.
What an unforgettable day of literature, learning, and live theater!
From our youngest learners to our graduating seniors, Lake Shore Public Schools is dedicated to creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences that captivate students and positively shape their futures. Our educators continue to make a profound difference—one lesson, one connection, and one story at a time.
Beary Good Books & Monthly Library Fun!
Each month, Kristi Kraus, District Elementary Librarian / Media Specialist, hosts a student contest designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and a love of reading. Past favorites have included Design Your Own Bookmark and the “I Got Caught Reading” photo challenge.
This month’s theme? “This Book Was Beary Good!”
Students entered by showcasing books they loved, celebrating every element of reading—from imagination to expression.
Thanks to an exciting partnership and a big win, 48 Build-A-Bear teddy bears were awarded, making this month’s contest extra special! Bears + books = a winning combination.
These monthly library contests remind students that reading can be fun, interactive, and something to look forward to all year long.
The magic of reading will come alive again during the second round of Scholastic Book Fairs which takes place March 16-20 inside our elementary schools!
Parents can easily add money to their child’s eWallet—a safe, simple way for kids to shop at the Book Fair without carrying (or losing!) cash. On average, families load over $5,000 per building using this option!
The Book Fair isn’t just about books—it’s also a great fundraiser. Schools earn up to 50% in cash or Scholastic Dollars profit from every purchase, helping us keep the love of reading strong across Shorian Nation.
A big thank you to our District Elementary Librarian, Ms. Kraus, for organizing this year’s event—pre-selecting books, grouping titles by level, author, and theme, and managing purchases.
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Kraus at kkraus@lsps.org.
Start Your Engines!
We had a blast visiting Mrs. Clow and Mrs. Kemner’s Physical Science classes at Kennedy Middle School, where our 8th-grade engineers are busy designing and building their very own Pinewood Derby cars from scratch!
From sketching blueprints to clamping wood to their desks and carefully using hand saws to shape their cars, students handled every step of the process. The creativity didn’t stop with the designs—car names included Red Car, Hello Kitty Boom Boom, Da Bob, The Fire 5, Hot Pink Bob, and Bingus!
One team—Kylee Machalak, Carlie Haggart, and Ellieana Witcher—created a pig-themed car complete with a squiggly tail and the slogan: “Be a pig in a room full of bacon.” Ellie shared that pigs are usually seen as slow… but they wanted to “expect the unexpected!” Their car? The Bacon Riders.
An all-male team—David Cormendy, Andrew Hunter, James Fronimos, and Joe Tillier—designed a USA flag car numbered 67 “just to be funny.” Named the King James Express, the car shows off their American pride. James even put his Cub Scouts experience to work, using the handsaw skills he first learned in 1st grade!
Students followed official Pinewood Derby guidelines while studying Newton’s 2nd Law, discovering how gravity alone can power their cars down the 32-foot track. Their goal? Make it the full distance!
- Watch a race and reactions that follow here: https://x.com/myLSPS/status/2021992606054723983
Bonus: The CTE department at Lake Shore High School organized a day for our 8th-grade students to visit the high school. During this visit, students learned about the CTE courses offered in the building, participated in a guided tour, and completed the first step of registration for next year with our counselors!
This experience fueled their minds with exciting career possibilities, helping students connect hands-on learning with future opportunities through the CTE programs at LSHS.
🐸 From Frogs to Fantastic Ideas: Rodgers 4th Graders Take on the Zoo-Inspired Inventor Challenge 🐾
🐾💡 Fourth graders at Rodgers Elementary are taking part in MISD’s Little Inventors program. This year’s invention challenge focuses a portion on animals — which means students participated in a special field trip to the Detroit Zoo to gather inspiration and bring their creative ideas to life!
🔗 https://x.com/myLSPS/status/2027469500770107542
🐸 Anthony Gillert, a 10-year-old 4th grader, brought a special guest along for the adventure — his longtime stuffed frog, Froggie!
Anthony loved every moment of the zoo trip, especially trying to find his favorite animal… frogs, of course. When he’s not exploring exhibits, Anthony stays busy as a Science Olympiad participant competing in the Rock Hounds and Ping Pong Propulsion events.
Successful inventions from the past:
- 2024 Skylar Perryman and Delilah Maxon: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/posts/pfbid0iHifxfafurJjxfAkCMFSaYfDFJbeSsQ5gra1KCGcydk77DGYfdQrescGqMBfmzXRl
- 2023 Emma DeHayes and Charlotte Partridge: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/posts/pfbid02q4f3FsribNvMj9uJ69dBicfs2GxUwwuAoAQVAYkabYe4c6MDriSWw1SEr7voZTpVl
- 2022 Madeline Calappi: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/posts/pfbid02wGHWqGCZiYkS6Fa5KJm2uy9CFsr4ZYTqRWHj1NMqrunPAHX3EfFfrHkTHzjUNpHxl
We’re so proud of our innovators! A special shoutout to Mark Muzzin, STEM Education Consultant, for joining us at the zoo! 🚀
Bringing History to Life: Guest Speaker Connects Classroom Learning to Real-World Experience
Motivational and guest speakers in schools expose students to real world experiences from people who are in unique career fields or life circumstances, and are the link students make between what they learn in the textbook and information shared from an expert.
Three hundred years ago, a mixed blood (called Metis’) scout disappeared into the wilderness to explore and trade. He found his way to the Great Lakes, where the Ojibwa People of the region took him in. He was given a name and became part of their tribe.
Genot Picor visited our 3rd graders at Rodgers Elementary to spark further learning from their Social Studies unit about the Native Americans and the fur trade and to share the stories, songs, and dances of the places he explored, from the Great Lakes, to the Ohio, Mississippi, St. Lawrence, and Mohawk Valleys. Genot Picor Presents “Stories, Songs and Dances of the Metis’ Voyageur.”
Amari Bush from Mrs. Shubeck's class had the opportunity to dress like a voyager in the wintertime. His entire class looked through rocks, animal tracks and skins, and other artifacts. Bush commented, "I really liked the mittens and when he put everything on it made me feel very warm. It was very heavy to wear. My favorite part of his visit was walking around and seeing the different animal hides and furs."
Genot Picor (formerly Piqueur) is a storyteller, musician and dancer. In addition, he is a published free-lance journalist, retired public school teacher consultant and grant writer. Picor holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre Arts/ Interpretive/Performance Studies from Eastern Michigan University, specializing in oral tradition, narrative studies and the anthropology of performance. Genot uses all his talents to bring an interactive frontier history alive to audiences of all ages.
- Video clip from Genot's visit: https://x.com/myLSPS/status/2021994700954333237
Lake Shore High Students Shine in Macomb County Art Show
Congratulations to the following Lake Shore High School students for being selected to exhibit in the Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Art Show:
- Mathilda George (11th grade)
- Eren Gustafson - Portfolio, 8 artworks (12th Grade)
- Leo Louwers - Portfolio, 8 artworks (12th Grade)
- Scarlett Robertson Kowalski - Portfolio, 5 artworks (12th Grade)
Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Art Show will be open to the public March 14 - April 11, 2026. Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony is on Saturday, March 14th from 1-3pm.The county-wide student art exhibits are an impactful experience for students, teachers, families, and visitors, alike.
Admission is free and open to the public during gallery hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The exhibits will be located on the First and Second Floors of the Anton Art Center at 125 Macomb Place in Mount Clemens.
100 Days Smarter!
The 100th day of school is a milestone worth celebrating—and Lake Shore Public Schools did it in style!
At Masonic Heights Elementary, students rotated through exciting hands-on stations where they practiced counting and showed off their knowledge of numbers and quantities all the way up to 100. Kindergarteners supported one another as they created 100-Day crowns, built towers with 100 cups, mixed up a 100-piece trail mix snack, played special 100th Day games on Chromebooks, wrote creative stories titled “If I Could Eat 100…”, and designed their very own 100th Day gumball machines. Colorful posters featuring collections of 100 items filled the halls and added to the festive atmosphere!
Our students at Rodgers Elementary celebrated 100s Day in style — dressing up in their best “100-year-old” looks!
Rocking suspenders, bow ties, hats, gray wigs, bronze glasses, and even magnifying glasses, they fully embraced the fun of the day. One student even found the perfect Amazon outfit to complete the look!
Josiah Brown (2nd grade) and Kaidyn Lynn (2nd grade) loved getting into character and celebrating 100 days of learning. What a fun and memorable milestone!
Meanwhile, at Violet Elementary, Mrs. Sheats used a fun filter to show her Kindergarteners what they might look like at 100 years old! Students also took part in an exciting classroom scavenger hunt, collecting 100 tiny cows hidden throughout the room.
The 100th day of school is truly a celebration like no other, and once again, Lake Shore Public Schools proved we know how to make learning memorable. Fair or not, our students are learning, laughing, and making every day count!
🔬✨ South Macomb Science Olympiad Success! ✨🔬
The South Macomb Science Olympiad Tournament was held at Fraser High School, and we’re excited to celebrate success at Rodgers Elementary & Violet Elementary! With 32 teams from South Macomb and L’Anse Creuse competing, it was an exciting and competitive day.
Rodgers competed as a Rookie Team in the Science Olympiad Tournament!
Each team can include up to 17 students competing across 18 different events, and most of the students participated in at least two events. While awards are presented at this tournament, today’s competition is designed as preparation for the Regional Tournament in May.
As one of the smallest teams there — and competing as a rookie program starting from scratch after several years away — our students showed incredible courage, teamwork, and determination. They learned so much from the experience and, most importantly, had a great time doing it.
We’re proud of their effort and can’t wait to see how they grow from here!
The Rodgers "Rookie" Team:
1. Logan Houle - 5th grade
2. Mario Musaka - 5th grade
3. Jayden Rosario - 4th grade
4. Melody Overly - 5th grade
5. Evelyn Boyd - 3rd grade
6. Anthony Gillert - 4th grade
A huge congratulations to our Violet All-Star Science Olympiad Team for an incredible showing!
- 2 First-Place finishes
- 1 Fifth-Place finish
- 1 Seventh-Place finish
What an outstanding accomplishment!
Masonic Heights Elementary will be attending the regional tournament in May.
Science Olympiad is one of the nation’s premier science competitions, challenging students with rigorous, standards-based events that spark curiosity, teamwork, and innovation.
Building Champions in the Classroom and on the Field — Discover Shorian Sports!
We have built an online home for our athletic department. Our goal is to bring our athletic programs to life by sharing schedules, scores, and social media while ensuring our athletes get the promotion they deserve. Visit the Shorian Sports website for 24/7/365 access to the information you have always wanted and follow along with our sports action.
We have partnered with Kroger to help fund our athletics. Please read this letter from our Athletic Coordinator Rich Bowers.
We believe a balance of academics and athletics creates a well-rounded student. Students who participate in sports not only gain the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, they also learn lessons about sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, respect, and knowing how to win and lose.
SAVE THE DATE: LSHS Spring Headshots will take place on Tuesday, March 24th during all lunches inside the Hub.
Hard work. Leadership. Family.
In athletics, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose — that’s part of the game. Coaches spend countless hours analyzing performances, teaching skills, offering encouragement, and having honest conversations with both players and parents. They model and expect good sportsmanship, teaching athletes to respect teammates, opponents, and the game itself.
Winning isn’t everything.
Accepting tough calls.
Treating every player equally.
Holding everyone to the same team standards.
That’s what truly matters.
But there’s one thing that’s always fair to everyone: hard work.
As we wrap up winter sports and look ahead to spring, we want to celebrate some incredible accomplishments:
Champions, Milestones & Regional Titles — What a Season!
Congratulations to our Varsity Cheer and Varsity Wrestling teams on earning the title of MAC Champions! Girls' Bowler Sara Augustitus named 2x First Team All-State! And back in November own Coach Taormina recognized as the Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year by the Michigan High School Coaches Association.
Shoutout to Boys Varsity Bowling Coach Jim DeLong on his 100th career win — an amazing milestone! Our boys and girls bowling teams rolled their way to a Regional Championship victory!
The SCS Boys Lakers Unified Hockey Team achieved the best record in program history, finishing 21-8!
The SCS Girls Lakers Unified Hockey Team competed in the state championship today. Although the final score didn’t go our way, we are incredibly proud of this team for finishing as the state runner-up. Congratulations to the entire team—and a special shoutout to the six Shorians who gave it their all on the ice. Outstanding effort and a season to be proud of!
🏊♂️🏆 Congratulations to our Boys Swim Team!
The team captured the Silver Division Championship at Hazel Park in dominant fashion! 💪
🔥 An incredible 86% of individual swims were personal best times
🥇 First place finishes in all three relays
🏅 Every swimmer earned at least one Top 6 individual medal finish
Special shoutout to sophomore Nathan Larivee, who was named Swimmer of the Meet after winning the 50 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke! 🌊👏
What an outstanding team effort — we are so proud of this group!
A Family Built on Hard Work & Heart
Mia Hawk - Cheerleader
So excited. So grateful. In her first year, she’s already part of such an incredible team and says she truly loves everyone on it. As one of four freshman varsity members, Mia has embraced the opportunity with optimism and drive — her mindset is simple: be on top or don’t be there at all.
She also shared how proud she is of her brother Logan — a team captain whose leadership is impossible to miss. You can hear him leading practice with confidence and authority, setting the tone for the entire room.
Logan Hawk - Wrestler
A 2x State qualifier, Logan said it still hasn’t fully sunk in that this is his final high school wrestling season. The journey has shaped him — building a stronger mentality and proving to himself that he can push through anything: weight cutting, tough competition, even moments of self-doubt.
The Hawk siblings put in countless hours of effort and dedication. While overlapping competition schedules sometimes make it tough to fully support each other in person, their pride and encouragement for one another never waver.
Hard work. Leadership. Family.
We may not be able to gift an all-expenses-paid vacation or a brand-new car (seems unfair, we know ), but we can give them something just as meaningful — our appreciation, pride, and love.
Way to represent!
- Shorian Report LSHS Competitive Cheer Legacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbBbB4-40q8
Connect With Shorian Nation
Email: social@lsps.org
Website: http://lakeshoreschools.org
Location: 28850 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Phone: (586) 285-8481
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myLSPS/
X: https://x.com/myLSPS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylsps/