by orionontv | Jun 5, 2024 | Community Event, Feature Writers, School News
CLARKSTON, Mich. – On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 491 seniors from LOHS graduated in a ceremony held at Pine Knob Music Theatre. The graduating Dragons gathered in the outdoor music venue that has held bands such as Chicago, The Beach Boys, Blue Oyster Cult, Steve Miller Band – just to name a few.
“Pomp and Circumstance” played the graduating class in, eager to sit down and begin the ceremony, the “Star Spangled Banner” played and LOHS Principal, Dr. Daniel Haas, welcomed the guests and gave a brief introduction. A video presentation played, highlighting the seniors’ past year at LOHS.
Photo by ONTV Production Team
Next, Danielle Bresett, President of the Board of Education gave a few brief remarks.
“As you step into the next phase off your journey, I encourage you to embrace this mindset: embrace the fun in tackling challenges that seem impossible…” Bresett said. “Seize these moments with confidence and a sense of adventure, the world is waiting for the unique contributions that only you can make.”
The Superintendent of LOCS, Ben Kirby, gave an inspiring speech after Bresett’s remarks.
“Whether you are moving on to the Military, learning a skilled trade, vying for one of the over 200 jobs that will be filled at the GM Orion Plant, or moving on to college – you have the foundation to be successful,” Kirby said. “Dragons, the world is a better place because you are in it.”
This is Kirby’s last LOHS graduation as Superintendent, he recently took a superintendent position at Forest Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids – he starts the position next month.
After a performance of “We Rise Again” by the LOHS Choir, Elizaveta Bruner gave the student message titled, “With Roots, We Grow.”
“We came to LOHS ready to make it count, and we are leaving as leaders, our diplomas will be proof. We were greeted with the ideas of strength and the ability to succeed here each morning hearing Dr. Haas telling us: make it count, be a leader – let Dr. Haas’s consistent motto live with you,” Bruner said. “There is a universal truth we must face: everything eventually ends”
Ryann Pawlaczyk gave the next student address, the leadership message, titled, “Celebrate the Possibilities.”
“Without the friends we have made over these four years, I don’t know if we would be the people we are today….” Pawlaczyk said. “Today we celebrate our accomplishments, but also the endless number of possibilities that lie ahead of us.”
Photo by ONTV Production Team
Principal Haas gave the final address before the presentation of diplomas and the moving of the tassels.
“Protect the Thunder’s entire message, is about the understanding that you are never alone, and you always have people to back you up and to be your safety net,” Dr. Haas said. “Be sure to always take pride in your accomplishments, and ownership in your actions. You’re going to do great things and remember: your LOHS Thunder is always right here supporting you – thank you, Go Dragons.”
Pawlaczyk took the stage once more after all the diplomas were presented to the graduates to finish off the ceremony with the moving of the tassels. All of the graduating Dragons moved their tassels from one side to the other to signify their accomplishment and then threw their caps up in the air to celebrate.
“Congratulations Dragons, you have now graduated!” Pawlaczyk cheered.
To view the speeches and ceremony in full, visit orionontv.org/watch.
by orionontv | May 30, 2024 | Feature Writers, School News
LAKE ORION, Mich. – On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, the Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education threw an open house for departing Superintendent Ben Kirby in the LOCS Administration Building. Kirby started with LOCS in 2020, taking over the position from Marion Ginopolis and lead the school district through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kirby’s resignation was officially accepted on April 24 during a regular school board meeting. He will continue his position with the school district through the end of June. On July 1, Kirby is expected to become the superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Mich.
At 3:30 p.m., friends and colleagues gathered in the administration building on Lapeer Rd. to congratulate Kirby on his new position and to celebrate his accomplishments with the district.
Photo by Joe Johnson
Kirby met with several community leaders and exchanged thanks, laughs, hugs, handshakes and gratitude.
ONTV’s Lexi McKinney spoke to Kirby about his time with the school district and what his plans are going forward.
“It’s a pleasure to come to work, it’s a pleasure to be an employee of Lake Orion Community Schools,” Kirby said. “The feeling of being a ‘dragon’ is something unlike that I’ve experienced in other school districts. Everybody rallying around being a dragon, whether it’s our elementary schools, middle schools, high schools – we all have the same purpose, the same drive, the same passion – and that is what is really different about Lake Orion.”
Some notable figures at the open house included members of the Orion Board of Trustees, the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce and members of the Village Council and the Downtown Development Authority.
“I’m looking forward to figuring out what is my reason for going to Forest Hills and that’s one of those things when I got here, I knew, it didn’t take very long to figure out why I was put here,” Kirby said. “This has been amazing… It’s all about the personal side for us as a family, getting back together, I’m from the west side of the state, we knew we were going to head back there but this particular position that opened is not one that opens regularly and it was just everything just kind of lined up.”
Kirby had an eventful closing remark during our interview as a final sendoff: “I finish everything with… Go Dragons!”
For more information about the Superintendent search visit lakeorionschools.org/board-of-education/superintendent-search-2024.
by orionontv | Feb 23, 2024 | School News
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The February 27, 2024 election will feature two millage proposals, which are designed to maintain the current tax levies. One will be for the 10-year operational millage, which the state of Michigan requires every public school district to pass to receive full foundation allowance for each student. The second proposal is to replace the 10-year sinking fund, which pays for infrastructure repairs (parking lots, HVAC, computers, etc.) throughout the district. Information about the millage proposals, including Frequently Asked Questions, is located on the School Election Information page.
LOCS voters can vote:
- Early in person through Sunday at Orion Twp. Hall or the local community’s election location
- By absentee: If you have your ballot, please submit it in person at the clerk’s office before 8 p.m. Tuesday
- The traditional in-person voting on Tuesday until 8 p.m.
The winter issue of Orion Living magazine also features an explanation on the two LOCS millage proposals.
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Lake Orion Community Schools began celebrating its 2023-24 Teachers of the Year in recent weeks, with the elementary, middle and high school levels recognizing an individual for the district honor. Each will advance to the Oakland Schools group, where the Oakland County Teacher of the Year will be selected in each category. Orion Oaks Elementary’s Norman Wright is the elementary representative, Oakview Middle School’s Nick Shaskos is the middle school selection and Lake Orion High School’s Michael Steele was picked for the high school level. Watch all of their announcements.
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2024-25 Calendars
The 2024-25 Lake Orion Community Schools calendars are now available by visiting the LakeOrionSchools.org calendar page. A single sheet of the important dates is also listed on that page. |
Parent University
Throughout the 2023-24 school year, the LOCS Teaching and Learning Department will offer evening programs for parents/guardians to be able to take a more active role in their child’s education. Some of the workshops are in-person evening events that last approximately an hour. Parent University will also be sharing out some recorded videos for parents/guardians to view at a time that fits into their schedule.
Upcoming in-person sessions:
- For parents of Grades 6-12 (Wednesday, March 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Scripps Middle School, 385 E. Scripps Road, Lake Orion): Graphic Novels are Real Books too!
- For parents of all students in Grades K-12 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Lake Orion High School Kiva at 495 E. Scripps Road, Lake Orion): Helping Your Child Through Feelings of Anxiety
- The Lake Orion Community Schools Parent University program announces a partnership with the North Oakland Community Coalition for an opportunity relevant to all parents and guardians in the district from Grades K-12. The subject of the evening event will be the important topic of mental health.
In November, the Vaping 101 presentation for all families featured a number of resources.A Parent University calendar for the 2023-24 school year is located on the Parent University website page.
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Updated 2024-25 Elementary Start Times
In the 2024-25 school year, LOCS will be flipping the elementary school start times. The schools that are currently early start/release times (Paint Creek, Stadium Drive, Webber) will shift to the late start/release schedule. The schools that are current late start/release times (Blanche Sims, Carpenter, Orion Oaks) will move to the early start/release schedule. The change is to allow a different group of district families to be able to schedule earlier after school appointments and the advance notice of nearly 16 months is to allow those families to make long-range plans if necessary. The change will return on a regular three-year cycle.
- The School Age Child Care program (before and after school care) will be available for families who need it. School Age Child Care (SACC) is available at all elementary schools. Parents of currently enrolled children (including siblings) will have the opportunity to re-enroll for SACC in April. New families will have an opportunity to enroll in May. The hours of care will change due to the change in early and late start schools’ schedules. Early start school SACC hours are 6:30-8:15 a.m. (start of school) and 3:15-6 p.m. (starting at the end of the school day). Late start school SACC hours are 6:30-8:50 a.m. (start of school) and 3:50-6 p.m. (starting at the end of the school day). Tuition rates for the program are located on the School Age Child Care website page. Please contact the Early Childhood Office at (248) 693-5439 if you have any questions.
- All of the current school year times will remain in place for the duration of the 2023-24 school year and are posted on the LOCS school start times page.
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Care Solace
When you or your child needs help, it’s hard to know where to turn. In an effort to ease the burden of finding the mental health and substance use services you need, Lake Orion Community Schools has partnered with Care Solace.
Care Solace will help you find the right help at the right time, 24/7/365. Care Solace’s services are available at no cost to you – and all of your information is kept completely confidential. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.
You can access Care Solace services in three ways:
- Call 888-515-0595 at any time. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
- Search anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at caresolace.com/lakeorion
- Contact your school elementary social worker, middle school behaviorist, high school counselor or building principal, and they will submit a referral on your behalf.
For more information visit the LOCS Care Solace page.
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LOCS Detroit Red Wings Night
The Lake Orion Education Foundation has partnered with the Detroit Red Wings to organize the LOCS night at Little Caesars Arena for the Wings’ game hosting the Buffalo Sabres on March 16, 2024, at 12:30 p.m.
To purchase tickets with the LOCS group, visit https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Lakeorion and plan for an exciting night.
A portion of each ticket will support the LOEF, which in turns provides teacher grants and opportunities to support students throughout the district.
The LOEF is a group of parent, community and LOCS staff volunteers, fundraising to obtain resources to provide grants to teachers and scholarships to graduating students. For more information and to join or support the LOEF, visit LakeOrionSchools.org/LOEF.
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Storm Water Survey
As part of its agreement to protect water quality, LOCS is collecting information about how students/staff/community members engage with the watershed, their water quality concerns, and actions they’ve taken to prevent pollution or protect the environment. This understanding could help LOCS select the best PEP topics to highlight in educational materials to better educate the community going forward. If you would like to participate in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2N99LZ7
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Kindergarten
Lake Orion Community Schools has opened registration for the 2024-25 school year for Kindergarten students. All children living in the LOCS school boundaries are eligible to enroll at LakeOrionSchools.org/Enroll. Kindergarten information is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/Kindergarten. On March 18, 2024 at 6 p.m., all LOCS elementary schools will hold a parent information night at neighborhood elementary schools (Blanche Sims, Carpenter, Orion Oaks, Paint Creek, Stadium Drive, Webber) for families to find out more. |
“Champions of Hope and Leadership” podcast
LOCS Superintendent Ben Kirby’s monthly podcast, “Champions of Hope and Leadership,” spotlights leaders who impacted those around them.
The inspiration for the podcast comes from the amazing people that have shaped, inspired, and given Mr. Kirby hope as he has navigated his career as an educator and the people he has witnessed as Champions of Hope and Leadership.
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Winter Weather Information
LOCS will make a sincere effort to call snow days as early as possible when a significant weather event is approaching. The district administration understands the challenges a late snow day call creates for families and will make every effort to avoid that. But there are often circumstances when a decision must be made in the morning of a school day. With safety as the top priority, the goal every day is to have students in school, safely traveling to and from the buildings.
If LOCS sends an emergency message, including snow days, families will be contacted in the traditional manner, via School Messenger email, text message and phone call. The information will also be shared with the local media via the traditional broadcast outlets, posted on the LOCS website and social media channels, and on the school digital signs when possible.
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Distinguished Dragon Staff Recognition
Lake Orion Community Schools is launching a program in 2023-24 to recognize LOCS staff members for their excellence.
The intent of the Distinguished Dragon program is to ensure that staff members who go above and beyond their regular duties are appreciated. The additional effort or support can range from helping an individual to helping a group or any effort that seems worthy of praise.
The staff member can be nominated by a student, parent, community member or colleague by completing the form at LakeOrionSchools.org/DistinguishedDragon. We ask for the submitter’s name and contact information to follow up with specific questions if necessary. Please make sure to select the appropriate school/department form so the message is routed in the proper direction.
Please complete the form entirely so the individual can be appropriately honored for the contributions.
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Communications
Lake Orion Community Schools has a number of paths to communicate with families and the community. Information on social media, district email communications, the LakeOrionSchools.org website and mobile phone app, as well as external flyer information is available.LOCS tested its emergency communications on Sunday, November 12. If you did not receive any of the outlets (email/text/phone call) and would like to in the case of an urgent school or district-wide matter, please adjust your School Messenger settings.
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Text Messages
LOCS parents and staff who are interested in receiving text messages from the district and the student’s school through School Messenger must opt in to receive them. LOCS sends text messages when there is a time-sensitive circumstance (usually a school closing or a bus delay.)If a parent/guardian is not receiving text messages from LOCS and is interested, please opt in by texting Y to the number 67587. More details are available in the attached form.
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Now Hiring
Lake Orion Community Schools consistently hires the best and brightest staff members to bring our students an elite education.
The district is always looking for talented individuals to work in a variety of areas and offers competitive pay and benefits for most positions.
If you know anyone interested in a position — from driving a bus, to working in a cafeteria, to connecting in a classroom — chances are there is a great opportunity available.
All available jobs
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Transportation
The Transportation Department is available during business hours.
During the school year, families can use the Versatrans My Stop App to check on their students’ bus progress (available on iTunes and Android.)
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Strategic Plan 2022-27
Earlier this spring, the Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education approved the strategic plan to guide the district from 2022-2027. The plan includes a mission statement, a vision statement, belief statements and focus areas to guide the district administration. Three times a year, the LOCS Administration offers updates to the Board of Education on the recent progress. The most recent update was presented at the end of November.
Belief statements
We believe…
- Preparing Dragons is a collaboration of students, staff, families and community.
- We have a responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming, equitable learning environment where all individuals are respected and valued.
- In fostering an environment that cultivates each individual’s maximum potential.
- Character development is an integral part of education.
- In a dynamic innovative approach to educating Dragons.
Mission
Empowering the Dragon community to achieve excellence
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Upcoming Important Dates
February 29 — High School — Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 5, 7 — Middle School — Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 15 — Elementary/Middle Half Day
March 25-29 — All Schools (Spring Break)
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Counseling Resources
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LOCS has counseling staff available at each building with multiple support staff members.
We have posted the North Oakland Community Coalition list of outside professionals where counseling and help is available.
There are connections and suggestions on how to talk to your children about highly-publicized events.
All of these resources are available on this page: LOCS Counseling Resources
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Bond Projects
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The Lake Orion Community Schools Bond was passed in November 2018 and the impact continues to be shown throughout the district.
Waldon, Oakview and Paint Creek Elementary will receive updates in the summer of 2024.
Specific information on each project is available on the Bond Projects page.
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Have a question or concern?
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The district understands and appreciates the interest of parents and guardians in their student’s school experience and the desire to find out more information on a particular topic.
LOCS asks parents to follow the district chain of communication to achieve the best results.
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Follow Us on Social Media
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LOCS District Contacts
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