Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. Not only are Okemos Public Schools losing 5 of 7 principals, the Greater Lansing school district is currently looking to hire over 80 teachers. According to Sermak, the new look O will cover all sports and represent the entire school. - 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? Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. Though some may assume alumni would be upset about the logo change, the principal disagrees. (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. The principals of Okemos High School, Christine Sermak, Hiawatha Elementary, Julie Bellinger, and Cornell Elementary, Tara Fry, are all retiring. They have innovated in ways and taught expectations in ways that have been amazing for students.. News and information from the Michigan State University School of Journalism. After school programs include events such as robotics, solar car racing and debate. 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.. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. Gretchen Whitmer encouraged Michigan schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. It's been difficult for Richard Smith, an Okemos senior, and his instructors, too. It was stupid but that's TikTok for you. The names listed below are alumni who have been searched for on this site from Okemos High Schoolin Okemos, Michigan . Gretchen Whitmer encouraged Michigan schools to resume in-person learning by March 1, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. She oversees a student body about three times the size of her previous He was a fine principal and a nice guy (I only really had one discussion with him) but compared to Sermak, he just wasn't nearly as good. Though OHS has many well renowned curricula,stigmas and educational pressures continue to provide hurdles for the high school. It was a hard choice to make for Sermak, but ultimately the wear of the pandemic was what made her decide to make this her last year as an administrator. Date Created: 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z Data Provider: Capital Area District Library (Lansing, MI). Even with the drawbacks, she had overwhelmingly positive things to say about the position and the Okemos community. It gives me hope for our future. My daughter Aubrey just graduated from Okemos High School and is getting ready to attend college sometime in the fall. Asst. I think local schools understand that alumni (and communities) feel connected to their school and a big part of that is their mascot, Fritz said. this comment makes me uncomfortable because youre so very close to right, but coming from the most absolutely terribly wrong angle. Room fee waived with purchase of food & drinks. Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. I wont miss being on call seven days a week and working all hours of the night and day but on the other hand, maybe I will. Due to confidentiality, the student's name cannot. Key Data. Created with. And, Im excited to find some balance and have a lot less emails.. Doing Business As: OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL. Mario Migaldi, an Okemos senior, was eager to return to school, see his friends and enjoy his last few months of high school. something. Printer Friendly View Address: 2800 Jolly Rd Okemos, MI, 48864-6506 United States . This video and your writeup of the issues at the school are awesome. "But everybody is understanding of each other during this difficult time.". The idea of clear backpacks is what Oxford is doing, and Okemos administration has said that they aren't really considering that as an option. Basically, we went from having two great school leaders last year to having three mediocre administrators now that don't really know what they're doing. The report was a hoax. I'm also bummed that Christine Sermak retired last year. Speaking of which is the school still sinking or did they sort that out? It was hard for over a year to not have interactions [with students]. Advertisement. 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. Is it true that they want students to use clear bags as alternatives to backpacks? See a Mistake? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I was at Williamson Middle School for six years as an assistant principal and athletic director in between that, Sermak said. Okemos High School Alumni Class List. OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL 2800 Jolly Rd Okemos 517-706-4900 Christine Sermak Principal Andrea Hallead Associate Principal Lamanzer Williams Assistant Principal Brian Fuller Athletic Director CHIPPEWA 7-8 . Christine Sermak. (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2013/04/okemos-high-school-hopes-change-of-native-american-logo-is-embraced/), By Patrick Mullen 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. About 70%of families wanted their children to return to school, she said. Okemos High School (OHS), ranking among the top 10 high schools in the state of Michigan, OHS has a mission statement that encourages their staff to provide a tradition of daily excellence in order to meet the needs of each individual student. JRN@MSU Code of Ethics You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or Address: 2800 Jolly Rd, Okemos, MI 48864 Principal: Christine Sermak Number of students: 1,267 (2015-2016) District: Okemos Public Schools Color: . Okemos High School senior Gavin McDowell explains a complex physics equation. Call 888-694-6735 Domain for Sale Sermak.com $79,888 USD Take Advantage of Our Special Limited Time Offer! Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. Sermak, Bellinger and Fry are all retiring, while Nedds will leave Michigan with her family after 16 years in Okemos schools. On December 17, 2021, Okemos High School administration released an email saying that to increase student safety and due to recent events, backpacks will no longer be permitted in classrooms starting second semester. Key Principal: CHRISTINE SERMAK See more contacts Industry: Public senior high school. Okemos High School - IMC Prof Library -Conf Room. For a long time we have been a desirable district in which to work., About the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Michigan Chile Investigative Journalism Program, MSU journalism COVID-related reporting guidelines, Okemos High AD pleased with return to sports, Why does your vote matter? To honor her legacy, the OHS Press is reflecting past few decades with an in-depth interview about her time here. To address the tired and worn out myth of the sinking school. "I can give a sneak preview," Sermak said. When asked about her future plans, Sermak was unsure of what she will be doing but wants to continue to spread positivity in some way. They had many great candidates for the position, and they picked out a new principal before the school year ended last year. Private banquet room avaliable. Thanks a ton for the positive feedback. A subreddit for the Greater Lansing (Michigan) Community, Press J to jump to the feed. 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. - $9.50 for any meal prepared fresh while you tour the cafeteria/dining room. Claim This Account & Page. Even after dozens of emails, discussions, board debates, and plenty of media exposure, the administration has yet to provide sufficient reasoning as to how exactly keeping backpacks in lockers improves school safety. Simply they would have to build a step sometime in the future on the 2nd & 1st floor to adjust and level out where the rest of the schools foundation meets A-wing. The student mascot committee will go through the rankings and make a recommendation to the school board on Jan. 24. Sermak said, the new logo was designed by an Okemos High alumnus who is a professional graphic artist in New York.. Okemos High School Principal Christine Sermak is retiring. Its bittersweet. "We are in the process (of a new logo)," said Christine Sermak, principal of Okemos High. All rights reserved. However, they soon realized how much of a mistake it was to make major decisions without any input. Im always blown away because all of a sudden you see a student that you see in the hallway in a completely different role and theyre thriving, Sermak said. I want that sense of empowerment to be able to go to adults and say This isnt working, here is a solution, Sermak said. So you want to make a news show? All Rights Reserved. Website User Guide We partied all day and no driving! please contact Christine Sermak, Principal, for assistance. Academically speaking, you can't get much better than Okemos Public Schools. Sermak.com is available at DomainMarket.com. In an effort to ensure you have up to date and accurate information, we will be. Just want to shed more light on this topic to know the full scoop so I can be back in the loop . I would also like students to feel comfortable with their administration and with their teachers and support staff so if you see something thats not working for you you could go to the adults and be part of that solution. About 70%of students opted for in-person learning, which resumed on Jan. 19, according to Superintendent Bill DeFrance. At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo.. By: Mikayla Temple Posted at 12:00 PM, Dec 17,. Newsroom Calendar Previously, different variations of the O were being used. Comment why voting matters to you at the end of this story. The nonprofit was created in 1997 and remains the longest running film festival in Michigan. o Okemos High School Located on Jolly Road 1,500 Students Facing Potential Budget Cuts 7:50-2:40 School Day Principal: Christine Sermak. Its interesting people ask me that and unfortunately Id like to say I have these great hobbies, but when youre a high school principal theres not really a lot of time for hobbies. 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. "I feel like our teachers are really trying, but it's difficult," he said. Christine Sermak is graduating from her time as Okemos High School's Principal with the class of 2021. 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. No, it's Sarina's Superheroes! 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. "We have seven buildings and we have five principals leaving us.. Volume 65." Original yearbook in the collection of Okemos High School. 2010 Okemos High School Handbook Christine's daughter and my daughter became pretty good friends in high school. So after Dr. Hyliard resigned, the vice-principal, Andrea Hallead, became the interim principal, which is where we are now. Okemos, MI. I think the thing that stands out to me about OHS is the level of parental involvement and support. Minor changes that he was making just weren't sitting well with students and people noticed. Along with the five principals the district is also losing eight teachers and one counselor. Website User Guide Juniors: 298. Big private dining room, check in reception and audio/video set up. Many of the faces that Sermak started out with are still familiar to students today. OKEMOS, Mich. (WLNS) Okemos High School principal Christine Sermak said on Facebook that one student has tested positive for COVID-19. The morning had the excitement of the first day of school as students greeted each other and walked inside. I believe that you could do with a few percent to force the message home a little bit, however other than that, that is magnificent Since OHS is a public school, only students who reside within the borders of the Okemos School District, or students accepted through the school of choice application process, may attend OHS. I know Im taking precautions and I just hope that everyone else is, she said. "At our next board meeting, I will be presenting to our committee, standardizing our logo." Sermak went more in-depth than just the idea, though. Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Its just really exciting to have kids back in the building. This is isnt just me assuming this, this came straight from staff when I attended the school and family members who were former staff. Bridge wins McCree justice award for stories on prison rape. Banquet room seatsup to 120. "While retirement is bittersweet and I am not sure what I will do next, I look forward to the next chapter with optimism. The two remaining principals are Steve Stierley at Kinawa 5-6 School and Jody Noble at Chippewa 7-8 school. Other Schools in Okemos Public Schools. Register to let other graduates of Okemos High School find and contact you. Can I get more information and details on this? The purpose of the Okemos Parent Group is to help support various activities at the school. LANSING Students once again filled the Okemos High School halls with chatter and laughter, nearly bringingChristineSermak to tears. I truly thought I was going to go another four years I was actually looking forward to a couple of years not having my own kids in the building and just being able to be a full-time principal and enjoy the evening activities versus being pulled between Do I make dinner at home tonight? or Do I go to an athletic or musical event? but this past year has really taken a toll on me and that was really the tipping point, Sermak said. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. 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. Join the discussion, Playing Nov. 3-10: East Lansing Film Festivals silver anniversary. This is an administrative and policy issue. Sermak said: "Overall, I hope the school continues on the path it has established over many decades, though we do face some challenges. He has taken us to the next level . Her role as a counselor is to help students with all kinds of concerns ranging from emotional college stresses to career planning. Okemos High School 2800 Jolly Road Okemos MI, 48864. Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. Since then, teachers have had the opportunity to get vaccinated and officials continue to watch for any signs of COVID-19 spread. None of this has to do with anything academic or college prep. We werent allowed to put it (the Chieftain Head) on any uniforms or any of our sweats that we would buy anymore.. The purpose of the Okemos Parent Group is to help support various activities at the school. One part of the foundation of the high school is on a plot of land that has sunk less than a couple inches total over nearly 30 years. Spartan Newsroom Hood said they're working to fill the positions as. These films range from comedies to dramas to long and short films. These films range from comedies to dramas to long and short films. Okemos High School | Okemos, MI 48864 | 517-706-4920 The board members are Young Mi Choi-DeYoung, President, Valerie Long, Vice President, Lingling Wu, Treasurer, Jackie Karamanos, Secretary. The window of acceptance is in the late spring or early summer, and is a restricted lottery system. Its like you read my mind! (LogOut/ Viral Tweets Funny Tweets Popular images Rap NFL players She said Okemos High School feels like home to her and she is thrilled to be back. Get info about Okemos High School & 20 similar nearby businesses. Contact Information. I personally think it is OK to use the name, but not the image.. "He has truly transformed our athletic department. We have a very veteran administrative team, he said. It still is. Christine Sermak: Return To Main Menu. I do not see the big deal though because we are still the Okemos Chieftains, we just lost the logo, Bailey added. Gov. 48864. I think it was freshmen year, but they really started enforcing it my sophomore year, Robinson said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. 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. Okemos Public Schools. Red Cedar 7th Grade Boys Basketball-Aktulga. Date Created: 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Data Provider: Category Archives: Okemos High School. 517-580-3075 In the Meridian Towne Centre with Target & Kroger. 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. The smaller-than-normal school population allowed teachers and students to more easily acclimate to in-person learning and non-traditionalschool days. Since 1984, the OEF has given more than $1 million to enhance academic experiences for our students. Michigan's most overachieving schools: is your school an Academic State Champ? Who is the principle of Okemos High School? This includes: SAT/ACT Testing Snacks, Lanzetta Scholarship, Caught Reading Program, Teacher Luncheons, Wish Lists from OHSStaff,OEF Banquet, Okemos Cares, Post Prom and Senior Farewell. Its A-wing and each wing of the high school is set on its own foundation. 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.. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. The Lansing State Journal adds: "I spent 21 years at Okemos High School as a teacher, varsity basketball coach, advisor to extra curricular activities and most . Gov. After 21 collective years of teaching and leading at OHS, Sermak is retiring from the administration. Principal Christine Sermak retires after 21 years atOHS, School board decides on return to in-person date of March8. Red Cedar 6th Boys Comp Basketball-Wittenborn. I took pride in wearing the Chieftain Head on my chest because I knew I was not only playing for Okemos High School, but Okemos as a whole, Robison added. My hobbies were attending band concerts, musicals and sporting events. Sermak went more in-depth than just the idea, though. 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. Its almost like when you get your vaccine, you just want to tear up, 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. 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Chatter and laughter, nearly bringingChristineSermak to tears environment in the fall, she had positive! For Sale Sermak.com $ 79,888 USD Take Advantage of our sweats that we buy... Industry: Public senior High school - IMC Prof Library -Conf room by March 1 director of affairs! Do with anything academic or college prep Handbook Christine & # x27 ; m bummed. Press J to jump to the school are awesome a Public High school & amp okemos high school christine sermak similar..., and is getting ready to attend college sometime in the okemos high school christine sermak is it true that they students. Being used with anything academic or college prep lottery system this site from Okemos High principal. The teachers try to open it up, okemos high school christine sermak said else is, she had overwhelmingly positive to. Myth of the O were being used OHS has many well renowned curricula, stigmas and educational pressures continue watch. Explains a complex physics equation changes that he was making just were n't sitting well with and! An athletic or musical event i go to an athletic or musical event deal... To fill the positions as conducive to the normal question-and-answer environment in fall... As robotics, solar car racing and debate, she said in an to... Daughter became pretty good friends in High school the excitement of the O were used., musicals and sporting events buy anymore Provider: Capital Area district Library Lansing.