Okemos Board of Education Administration Center. blog. Neighborhood Pub offering 24 rotating draught beers, scratch kitchen & craft cocktails. Maybe not quite as bad as some other schools, but it got to the point where they ended up locking all the bathrooms in the front half of the school and keeping them that way. There is a part of the hallway on the 2nd floor where you can see it and measure the distance exactly between the concrete blocks if you would like to see it personally. Sermak said it's so emotional. Gov. - News and information from student journalists at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Overall, I hope the school continues on the path it has established over many decades, though we do face some challenges. I'm sure you've heard of the TikTok challenge that was popular in the fall when students stole various items from schools, most notably bathroom items like soap dispensers and the like. "I can give a sneak preview," Sermak said. Probably the hours. They come together, and its about trying to make yourself better and make the best experience for students as possible so hopefully, they, in turn, can give it back and pay it forward when they are in our roles as adults, and I think again that Okemos community is what has allowed this. Red Cedar 7th Grade Boys Basketball-Aktulga. Christine Sermak, principal of OHS, said that she strives to overcome any trial and tribulation that may come her way and will continue to offer students and faculty with the ideal learning and working domain. Christine's daughter and my daughter became pretty good friends in high school. Student Population: 1193. It gives me hope for our future. It is still a struggle for people (the alumni), but more on an emotional level, not an intellectual level, Sermak said. After 21 collective years of teaching and leading at OHS, Sermak is retiring from the administration. As Okemos High School is trying to adapt to the changed logo, Sermak is trying to bring the city together by having a consistent design for the new one. Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. I do not believe that the intention of the logo or name Chieftains was hurtful in any way, Fahy said. Let Us Know Are you Principal Sermak? I think it was freshmen year, but they really started enforcing it my sophomore year, Robinson said. Okemos, MI. My daughter Aubrey just graduated from Okemos High School and is getting ready to attend college sometime in the fall. Charlotte Public Schools students returnedto their classrooms on Jan. 19. None of this has to do with anything academic or college prep. It is located southeast of the main campus of Michigan State University, between Bennett and Jolly Roads on the North and South, and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on the East and West.The current building was completed in 1994, replacing the now Chippewa . Okemos High School is located in Okemos, Michigan and serves 9th Grade through 12th Grade students. Want to see more local news? As much as the teachers try to open it up, its just really not conducive to the normal question-and-answer environment in the classroom.. Haslett, MI 48840 Certification Michigan Secondary Professional Certificate (6-12) expiring 2017 BA and DA endorsements, Highly Qualified in English Teaching Experience 2000-Pres High School Guided Study Supervisor/Homebound Tutor Okemos High School Principal: Christine Sermak, previously Dr. John Lanzetta Most school districts are choosing to do it voluntarily (switch logos), Leslee Fritz, director of public affairs, said. Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. The principals of Okemos High School, Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary, Julie Bellinger, and Cornell Elementary, Tara Fry, are all retiring. Okemos High School 2800 Jolly Rd. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, United States. It was stupid but that's TikTok for you. Christine Sermak: Return To Main Menu. Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. It's celebrated and expected," said Okemos Principal Christine Sermak. When you think about it, we have been out of this building since March 13 (2020), so its been a year. Address: 2800 Jolly Rd, Okemos, MI 48864 Principal: Christine Sermak Number of students: 1,267 (2015-2016) District: Okemos Public Schools Color: . I'm quite sure I won't get in trouble because I was very careful to not do anything against the official school rules (this is essentially just a peaceful protest) but mostly because the admin have bigger fish to fry. (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2013/04/okemos-high-school-hopes-change-of-native-american-logo-is-embraced/), By Patrick Mullen OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools has narrowed down it's ten mascot choices to four. Not only are Okemos Public Schools losing 5 of 7 principals, the Greater Lansing school district is currently looking to hire over 80 teachers. I dont take that for granted.. Forest Parke Library and . The mood of this music video is pretty similar to how most students are feeling right now, so I guess we'll just wait it out and see what happens. I think I will miss the positive aspects of Okemos which truly are the people, Sermak said. This is one of the last Chieftain heads left in the high school. Comment why voting matters to you at the end of this story. I would like OHS to continue thriving and being a safe place for learning and growth for everyone. Asst. Like Rudolph, most students at Eaton Rapids Public Schools wanted to come back to school. Okemos High School Its been ranked as a top flight public school in the state for 30 years straight for a reason. Lastly, here are her parting words for the students and staff of Okemos High School. Im more of a discussion-based learner and I felt like I wasnt getting a lot of conversation over Zoom, she said. Christine Sermak, principal of OHS, said that she strives to overcome any trial and tribulation that may come her way and will continue to offer students and faculty with the ideal learning and working domain. "@OkemosLax It's already on our agenda to discuss at the district level " He said he looked forward to trying to regain a sense of normalcy andhopes the return eases the burden for his classmates and his teachers. See a Mistake? Principal: Russ Verrell." Original yearbook in the collection of Okemos High School. Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. Hood said they're working to fill the positions as. The entire Okemos community has recognized Dr. Lanzetta's care for students, and is showing its support and thanks. And even though clear backpacks would be somewhat of a pain and are kind of weird, I think it would be a lot better than the "solution" they have right now, both in terms of convenience and safety. You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or JRN@MSU Code of Ethics Principal: Steve Delp. Okemos High School is part of the Okemos Public Schools district in Ingham County. Christine Sermak is graduating from her time as Okemos High Schools Principal with the class of 2021. Viral Tweets Funny Tweets Popular images Rap NFL players - Class of '65 Oct 2015, chartered a School Bus with driver from 11:00am to 11:00pm. . For a long time we have been a desirable district in which to work.. Though, we have been encouraging it as the department of civil rights., Fritz added, We believe the evidence is very clear that the stereotyping being made is hurting the Native American students.. It is similar to the Oregon O with script through it similar to the Kansas City Chiefs.. 1993. The departures leave Hood with several key positions to fill before the newschool year, which will be fully in-person for the first time since early 2020. To address the tired and worn out myth of the sinking school. After 21 collective years of teaching and leading at OHS, Sermak is retiring from the administration. OHS provides students the opportunity to not only develop academically, but also culturally and socially. However, they soon realized how much of a mistake it was to make major decisions without any input. However, our intentions do not have the power to change the way it may make a certain person or people feel about it., Another teacher at Okemos High, Dean Buggia, says it all comes down to perspective., The logo that was being used did not accurately depict a chief from (the) central Michigan (region), Buggia said. "I feel like our teachers are really trying, but it's difficult," he said. I'm a parent of a kid at Chippewa and another at one of the elementary schools in the district. Education is highly valued. Some students and community members seem to say it switched a few years ago. This is an administrative and policy issue. The Okemos Chiefs face a name change 30 years in the making, 'Chiefs' no more: Okemos school board votes to nix nickname, adopt replacement by 2023, Now hiring: Greater Lansing school districts trying to fill 87 teaching vacancies, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Christine Sermak, who is retiring by the way, has been an outstanding principal at Okemos High School. I will certainly be back. Big private dining room, check in reception and audio/video set up. Report Bullying at Okemos High School in Okemos, MI directly to the school safely and anonymously. Okemos Public Montessori at Central Principal Shannon Nedds will be moving out of the state and Bennett Woods Principal Noelle Palasty will be changing careers. The Not-So-Scary Cemetery in the Legendary Haunted Ghost Town of Pere Cheney, Michigan, This Town Was Named The Nicest Place in Michigan, The Graveyard of Trains in Escanaba, Michigan, The Deadliest Stretch of Road in Michigan. Great for Okemos Class Reunions, birthday parties & business meetings. According to Sermak, the new look O will cover all sports and represent the entire school. Sermak went more in-depth than just the idea, though. According to their website, approximately 99 percent of OHS graduates attend colleges and universities; 85 percent of students attend four-year institutions, approximately 14 percent attend two-year institutions, and 1 percent of students enlist in the military or join other means of employment. o Other Information Police Chief (Meridian Township): David Hall Judges: Thomas P. Boyd & Donald J. Allen Jr. Posted in . Hood said they're working to fill the positions as quickly as possible and are "looking at a very qualified candidate pool to replace those that are leaving.". After extensive backlash from students, parents, staff, and the community as a whole, the Okemos administration will still begin enforcing that rule on January 24, claiming it increases school safety. It was hard for over a year to not have interactions [with students]. (I heard this from a current teacher at a different school with close ties to OHS). Website User Guide Photo courtesy Christine Sermak. Our school can only be as strong as the faculty who teach the classes.. Spartan Newsroom I always thought I would be an educator, always thought I would be a teacher, and to do it in Okemos and to be here, I am just so proud, I am so grateful, and its because of the people. And, Im excited to find some balance and have a lot less emails.. Theyre the reason why were here.. Sermak said, the new logo was designed by an Okemos High alumnus who is a professional graphic artist in New York.. This decision did not involve typical public comment and school board input before it was made, and its sudden revelation surprised almost everyone. Buy it Now I started my career teaching at Okemos High School in 1994 which was the very first year this building opened so I spent ten years as a teacher in the building, and then this is my eleventh year as the building principal. There is a culture of achievement here that extends beyond the classroom. Contact Mark Johnson at 517-377-1026 or atmajohnson2@lsj.com. It's a plane! That means the district identifies how many students it will accept at each grade level, and if there are applications that exceed that number, they are chosen from a lottery. I dont see anybody, except for my inner group,(I am) wearing a mask at all times andnot taking it down or anything like that.. But we hope current teachers, students and alumni will understand that if it is hurting students, it needs to be changed., Sermak agrees, saying it was a conscious effort to be respectful and have cultural sensitivity.. I was at Williamson Middle School for six years as an assistant principal and athletic director in between that, Sermak said. These issues are occurring all over the state of Michigan, not just in Okemos. Palasty is leaving after 14 years for a new position withAlt+Shift, a state-funded Individuals with Disabilities Education Act initiative. I'm from the Okemos area and have lived there for the past twenty years. Youre transforming educational expectations with cleaning, with mask-wearing, Stewart said. It is more of a tough looking, non-wimpy script, Sermak said. Banquet room seatsup to 120. Jun 6, 2019 Congratulations to Hunter Hollenbeck on being selected as the Division 2, Michigan Diver of the Year!!! The nonprofit was created in 1997 and remains the longest running film festival in Michigan. The window of acceptance is in the late spring or early summer, and is a restricted lottery system. Sophomores: 324. On title page: "Okemos High School. We got Fruit Kabobs, Jumbo Shrimp, Mini Chicken Quesadillas, Beef Wellingtons and desert table all for $30 pp. View Christine Sermak M Full Profile . Its just really exciting to have kids back in the building. I've met her a couple times while out walking my dog, and I'm . Okemos High School - IMC Prof Library -Conf Room. The high school looks different from her previous position as principal at Williamston Middle School. I just think we happen to have a very veteran leadership team and some of those natural cycles of folks coming and going just happen to converge with five out of the seven leaving, said Hood. 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