At Okemos High School in Ingham County, it is easy to believe the geeks shall inherit the earth. After the shooting at Oxford, just over an hour away from Okemos, administration decided that they had to do something if only to make it look like they were actually doing something to stop violence. Many of the faces that Sermak started out with are still familiar to students today. Michigan's most overachieving schools: is your school an Academic State Champ? 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. It has dealt with many cases similar to Okemos High Schools, usually in the defense of Native American tribes. Its like you read my mind! Gretchen Whitmer encouraged Michigan schools to resume in-person learning by March 1, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. (I heard this from a current teacher at a different school with close ties to OHS). Call 888-694-6735 Domain for Sale Sermak.com $79,888 USD Take Advantage of Our Special Limited Time Offer! The Okemos Public Schools has had some administrative turnover at the end of the school year, in terms of our principal leadership," said Okemos Superintendent John Hood. Principal Daniel Kemsley, the Parent Group board and parents of high school students attend these meetings. Buy it Now I think a safe life at home and in public made for a quicker return to school.. 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. They have innovated in ways and taught expectations in ways that have been amazing for students.. Sermak.com is available at DomainMarket.com. Meridian Times staff writer. Christine Sermak is graduating from her time as Okemos High School's Principal with the class of 2021. She hopes to succeed with that tough looking, non-wimpy logo to represent Okemos. Who is the principle of Okemos High School? OHS Parent Group Agenda Wednesday, April 21, 2021 9am Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting. I will certainly be back. Write A Review Gloria Rozeboom Be the first to leave a review! Okemos Board of Education Administration Center. . Superintendent of Okemos schools Cheryl Kreger Waverly Community Schools and Grand Ledge Public Schoolsresumed in-person learning that day,and other school districts had offered that option several weeks earlier. - Class of '65 Oct 2015, chartered a School Bus with driver from 11:00am to 11:00pm. High School ; Schools History / Songs ; Proud Chieftains ; Memorabilia ; OHS Music/Art/Drama ; New Okemos Wolves Mascot ; Central High School ; 1960 "New" High School ; 1995 High School . At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo.. I've watched my kids grow up in the Okemos area while attending Okemos Public Schools. OKEMOS Okemos Public Schools is undergoing a mass leadership change with the departure of five of its seven principals, including all four of its elementary school principals. OHS provides students the opportunity to not only develop academically, but also culturally and socially. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Their decision was Dr. Dan Hyliard, who had lots of experience in education and was the principal at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor before coming to Okemos. Comment why voting matters to you at the end of this story. So you want to make a news show? Before that, she taught in the English department for ten years. Created the Okemos High School Hall of Fame. Hood sent an email with a list of over 20 employees leaving the district. 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 report was a hoax. Ive played school or thought about being a teacher and educator since I was twelve, and we used to have chalkboards, so I would have a chalkboard in my basement where I could play school; some people played house or ball but I played school, Sermak said. Principal: Steve Delp. Okemos High School Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. There were a few other inconveniences that happened because of them, but overall students came to accept it and know that there would most likely be a new principal next year and things would eventually return to normal since it seemed like the worst of the administration failures so far this year had already passed. Also, the fact that most people hadn't been to real school in 1.5 years and half of the student body was different meant that some people had literally forgotten how school works and how to behave, which led to the first major problem: devious licks. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. So Im going to take this summer and rejuvenate and try to find balance. Well, OHS was a mess. (Class of '65, Oct. 2015, and Class of '67, June 2017, 50th Reunion). "He's amazing,'' said Principal Christine Sermak. Mobile Reporting Kit Theyre the reason why were here.. The ten choices were suggested by the Okemos community and alumni in a community survey which were sorted through by the student mascot committee. In an effort to ensure you have up to date and accurate information, we will be. Though OHS has many well renowned curricula,stigmas and educational pressures continue to provide hurdles for the high school. Backpacks are not being disallowed completely, but rather backpacks being in classrooms, making this rule ineffective and not at all useful in promoting safety. When you think about it, we have been out of this building since March 13 (2020), so its been a year. (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2013/04/okemos-high-school-hopes-change-of-native-american-logo-is-embraced/), By Patrick Mullen The bus picked up people at the hotels, toured the old neighborhoods, drove to lunch, drove to the school tours, drove to an open house and finally to and from the Excursion Princess Dinner/dance. Not quite so. I love to read so I will read, I will work out, and then Im not really sure. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. Hallead is principal and there are two interim vice-principals, but the problem is that one of them was just hired into Okemos after Hyliard left and the other was a teacher who didn't really have any administrative experience. Category Archives: Okemos High School. 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. (Class of '65, Oct. 2015, and Class of '67, June 2017, 50th Reunion), Henry Kwok, Owner-Okemos Alumni Class of 2003, 4926 Marsh Road., Okemos, MI 48864. Its just really exciting to have kids back in the building. Room fee waived with purchase of food & drinks. It's celebrated and expected," said Okemos Principal Christine Sermak. I do not believe that the intention of the logo or name Chieftains was hurtful in any way, Fahy said. Her role as a counselor is to help students with all kinds of concerns ranging from emotional college stresses to career planning. Once is most likely a fluke and can be excused, but twice? Asst. Every job has its downsides, and heres what Sermak had to say when asked what she would miss the least. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. 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. JRN@MSU Code of Ethics None of this has to do with anything academic or college prep. Okemos High School senior Gavin McDowell explains a complex physics equation. - News and information from student journalists at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Okemos High School hopes change of Native American logo is embraced, About the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Michigan Chile Investigative Journalism Program, MSU journalism COVID-related reporting guidelines, Meridian Township officials react to Okemos High School fake shooter threat, Why does your vote matter? Its A-wing and each wing of the high school is set on its own foundation. It still is. Now, even though it's probably not fair to blame problems on one person, I'm throwing Hyliard under the bus here because I never got a good vibe from him and many students would agree with that. For subscribers: The Okemos Chiefs face a name change 30 years in the making, More: 'Chiefs' no more: Okemos school board votes to nix nickname, adopt replacement by 2023, More: Now hiring: Greater Lansing school districts trying to fill 87 teaching vacancies. Contact Information. - $9.50 for any meal prepared fresh while you tour the cafeteria/dining room. I remember when Okemos High School was THE pinnacle of all the high schools in the area. "We are in the process (of a new logo)," said Christine Sermak, principal of Okemos High. I want all of my information turned into pop songs now after hearing this. "While retirement is bittersweet and I am not sure what I will do next, I look forward to the next chapter with optimism. Lease to Own Option 2 Take 25% off and pay $59,916 USD once. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. It's a plane! Others, however, said the process of the logo change has been occurring for at least seven years.. OHSParentGroupInfo@gmail.com. Okemos, MI 48864 "I feel like our teachers are really trying, but it's difficult," he said. It is one of two high schools in Michigan to reach the top 100 for STEM achievement, an evaluation that includes test data in advance placement classes like calculus, physics, computer science, chemistry and statistics. Hallead was the only one with credible experience in Okemos, but it quickly became obvious that she wasn't really the best. With Michigan High School Sports approaching a month into the winter season, Colin Jankowski breaks down how Meridian Township Schools are tackling the return to sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though some may assume alumni would be upset about the logo change, the principal disagrees. . 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. A celebration to honor Dr. Lanzetta is scheduled for Thursday, May 13 from 4p.m.-7p.m. The smaller-than-normal school population allowed teachers and students to more easily acclimate to in-person learning and non-traditionalschool days. Okemos High School Welcomes Back Principal Sermak Posted on October 25, 2010 by kloftus By Kathleen Loftus Meridian Times staff writer After 31 years, Dr. Lanzetta retired and Okemos High School brought in a former English teacher, Christine Sermak. "It's OK to be a geek or nerd here. - Room fee was waived ($450) because we ordered$20 worth of food per person. Change). Neighborhood Pub offering 24 rotating draught beers, scratch kitchen & craft cocktails. How the mighty have fallen. Great for Okemos Class Reunions, birthday parties & business meetings. Some are teachers, counselors, and even school principals. MSU University Club 517-353--5111 Stephanie Parish, Catering Sales Manager, 517-353-5620 Karen Grannemann, CEO & General Manager, www.universityclubofmsu.org 3435 Forest Rd., Lansing, MI 48909, - Room fee was waived ($450) because we ordered$20 worth of food per person. Okemos Public Schools will be seeing a big staffing change for the upcoming school year after losing five of their seven principals. The board members are Young Mi Choi-DeYoung, President, Valerie Long, Vice President, Lingling Wu, Treasurer, Jackie Karamanos, Secretary. Some students and community members seem to say it switched a few years ago. 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. And now after all these years, there are roughly twenty people leaving Okemos Public Schools. I've met her a couple times while out walking my dog, and I'm . Sermak said, the new logo was designed by an Okemos High alumnus who is a professional graphic artist in New York.. at the Okemos High School cafeteria. Thats why Amelia Rudolph, a junior, returned for in-person learning at Okemos High School on Monday. Created with. This includes: SAT/ACT Testing Snacks, Lanzetta Scholarship, Caught Reading Program, Teacher Luncheons, Wish Lists from OHS Staff, OEF Banquet, Okemos Cares, Post Prom and Senior Farewell. OKEMOS, Mich. Okemos Public Schools will be seeing a big staffing change for the upcoming school year after losing five of their seven principals. She creditsstudents for adjusting to the changes and stafffor transitioning from in-person learning to remote learning and back to teaching students in their classrooms. 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