The holiday season is always a special time, and as I’ve talked with our students about it, I’ve been reminded of just how quickly the next few weeks will pass. Can you believe we’re only three weeks away from winter break? And once we return, there will be just two short weeks before exams.

This time of year can be a whirlwind, but it’s also filled with opportunities to connect and celebrate. I love seeing the excitement in our students as they talk about their holiday plans, and when I’m lucky, I get to hear their heartfelt ideas for giving back to their families and friends. It’s a wonderful reminder of the joy this season brings, even amidst the busyness.

Winter sports are kicking off, and soon Bowling, Basketball, and Wrestling will be in full swing. I’m really excited about the opportunities this season brings for our students to shine. If you get the chance, I encourage you to come out and support our athletic programs. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a gym filled with cheers—it’s an experience that brings our community together and celebrates the hard work of our students.

The sounds of holiday music are filling the music wing as the band and choir prepare for their upcoming concerts. The High School Holiday Concert will be held at the Middle School on December 12th, and on December 13th, the LakeVille Choir will have the wonderful opportunity to sing carols at Crossroads. Be sure to check our Facebook page and website for updates and performance times—we’d love to see you there to support our talented students!

The best way to stay updated on all sports schedule changes is by creating an account through our website. This will enable you to link your calendar directly to your child’s sports schedule. Below are links to the athletic calendar and a helpful link for linking accounts:

• Athletic Calendar
• How to Link Accounts

• This season, the MMAC has made adjustments to the basketball schedule to better accommodate both teams. Girls' Basketball games will take place on Tuesday and Friday nights for the first half of the season, while Boys' Basketball games will be scheduled for Monday and Thursday nights during the same period. This schedule will switch midway through the season.

• The new format is designed to allow coaches to fully utilize the MHSAA's 5th quarter rule, which permits players to participate in a maximum of five quarters per night. Additionally, the MHSAA has placed a strong emphasis on sportsmanship, particularly concerning celebrations directed at opponents. Any such actions will result in a technical foul, reinforcing the league's commitment to maintaining a respectful and competitive environment.

As with most years, there are some updates and changes to the wrestling rules. The most noticeable change this year is the scoring: a takedown is now worth 3 points, a 4-point near fall is awarded, and 1 point is given for contact leading to a pin. These adjustments should lead to more exciting and high-scoring matches.

Wrestling: Dan Huggler dhuggler@lakevilleschools.org

Girls Basketball: Kendel Burkehardt kburkhardt@lakevilleschools.org

Boys Basketball: Anthony Bauer ajbauer@geneseeisd.org

Bowling: Byron Drew: bwdrew68@yahoo.com

As the semester winds down, I want to remind everyone about the attendance policy. Any student who exceeds 10 absences (unexcused or verified) will need to pass their final exam with a 78% or better to receive credit for the class. We understand that students may need to stay home, and not every situation requires a doctor’s note. However, if a student misses 11 days of school, they have missed over 10% of the semester. Please encourage your children to speak with their teachers if they find themselves in this position. Below are some helpful links to support better attendance.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FzwRrYSfZZo56BjRqEeL2jM4Ai4NpeMr/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mM_7L8Yg1wil3ZHwSGDe_u8kkUUa57ig/view

As most of you already know, at the end of this semester, Mr. Russell has decided to leave LakeVille to pursue his passion for music and education through the Genesee ISD. First, I want to thank Mr. Russell for his 20+ years of dedication and commitment to the students, parents, and community of LakeVille. I understand that the decision to leave has been a struggle and heartbreaking for everyone involved. Please know that we are working closely with Mr. Russell as we begin the search for his successor.

On a personal note, I want to wish Jason the best of luck. It has been an honor to know you both as a professional and as a person. I am excited to see the impact your passion will have on the students and community of Genesee County. I know we will still see you around, and please remember that you will always have a home here at LakeVille.

Let me know if you'd like further refinements!

During the month of October, we discussed Habit #2: Start with the End in Mind. During seminar and our What's Up Wednesday discussions, we talked with all students about the importance of thinking about what they truly want. We want students to understand that in order to be successful, they need to know where they want to go and take the necessary steps to reach that goal. Without an End in Mind, we are simply wandering without purpose. I encourage everyone to talk with their children about where they see themselves in the future and how we can work together to help achieve that goal.

In November, our focus was Habit #3: Put First Things First. During our What's Up Wednesday talks, we helped students visualize this habit by demonstrating the concept with a jar, large rocks, small rocks, and pebbles. Mr. Colley showed that if we start with the pebbles—like social media, rumors, video games, etc.—we won’t have room for the important things, or "Large Rocks." We encouraged students to think honestly about what is truly important to them and whether they are prioritizing those goals, or if they are focused on the pebbles. I encourage everyone to have conversations about those "Large Rocks" and how to prioritize them.

FAFSA is OPEN!

U.S. Department of Education Announces Official Release of 2025-26 FAFSA Form The U.S. Department of Education has officially released the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The USDE announced that it has taken steps to modernize internal systems and processes, address issues in the FAFSA system, and put in place features that further enhance the user experience and improve functionality of the form. In addition, the department released and updated resources and materials to help students and families better navigate the FAFSA form and process. The online FAFSA form is available to all students and families at fafsa.gov, and the U.S. Department of Education is processing submissions and sending them to schools. The paper form is also now available for students to submit.

Hannah Clark has been meet with our Seniors and have gotten them ready to fill out FASFA. Please watch the Facebook page and other social media for our Annual FASFA night. If you have questions or need support please contact Hannah Clark at hclark@lakevilleschools.org

• December 12th: High School Band Concert 6pm
• December 13th: Choir at Cross-Roads
• December 23-January 3: Holiday Break
• January 15th: Half Day Exams Hours 1,3,4
• January 16th: Half Day Exams Hour 5,6,7
• January 17th: No School for Students
• January 20th: No School for Students
• January 21st: First Day of Second Semester